Not the World's Peace
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It’s day 1 of the true “stay at home” order; however, for most of us life hasn’t really changed much. We’ve been acting this way. We’ve been staying “socially distant” from others and only going out for essential items. But now it’s a bit more official, and it feels a little more…I don’t know how to put it…ominous is some way. Not in the sense of doomsday, but just a little bit more unsettling.

In and of itself, this time is not peaceful. Though we may be at home and less hectic, the nature of what we are going through does not engender peace in us. It brings up worry, fear, anxiety, fretting, uncertainty, and much more. It’s not merely concern about health, but about the economy and the future. It goes to show where our peace is actually found. So much of what the world (and we) have likely relied on for peace and security has been blatantly removed from us. We need true peace.

John 14 - the beginning of Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse.” There is so much in this chapter that we could look at, but I will only draw our attention to one verse:

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

There is something decidedly different about the peace of Christ. Take some time and meditate on how different and greater the peace of Christ is than any other source of peace we could rely upon. His peace is peace within the storm. It is peace in the good, in the bad, in the ugly (sorry, that just kind of rolled right off the keyboard). But this is a time for you to consider his peace. Take some time and pray and thank God for the peace that is everlasting, that is surpassingly great, that is beyond understanding, that touches every area of life. Christ’s peace is solid and secure. It is everlasting.

Two songs for you today. The first is from the Gettys. I’ll post these lyrics:

May the peace of God, our heav'nly Father,
And the grace of Christ, the risen Son,
And the fellowship of God the Spirit
Keep our hearts and minds within His love.

And to Him be praise for His glorious reign;
From the depths of earth to the heights of heaven
We declare the name of the Lamb once slain
Christ eternal, the King of Kings.

May this peace which passes understanding,
And this grace which makes us what we are,
And this fellowship of His communion,
Make us one in spirit and in heart.

And to Him be praise for His glorious reign;
From the depths of earth to the heights of heaven
We declare the name of the Lamb once slain
Christ eternal, the King of Kings.

And to Him be praise for His glorious reign;
From the depths of earth to the heights of heaven
We declare the name of the Lamb once slain
Christ eternal, the King of Kings.

Christ eternal, the King of Kings.

Here is the second, by Fernando Ortega. It’s a beautiful song. Enjoy.

Distinct

As we continue on with our isolation - and now it has been codified a bit more with a “Stay at home” order from Governor DeWine yesterday. It has me thinking about a good deal of things. But what I want to consider right now is something about who we are. As we face uncertain times, and everyone is going through this, as the people of God, what is it that makes us distinct?

When you think about the American people throughout history you think of resilience. You think about the whole grand American experiment - the melting pot. I think about how advanced we have become in technology. I think about my great grandmother who saw from the first car and first flight to the space shuttle in her lifetime. We have so much understanding of the way the physical world works. But this one is being tested right now by a microscopic virus that has wreaked havoc on much of the world’s economy and psyche as it is causing fear and anxiety to run rampant.

Those things above are really true of so many - but what is it about God’s people that sets them apart? How is it that God’s people are distinct?

Exodus 33:

14 And [the LORD] said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 And [Moses] said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” 

Moses pleaded with the Lord that His presence would continue to go with the people. Moses knew that was what set the people of Israel apart from all others.

[On a contextual note: this pleading came after the horrific golden calf incident. Moses had been delayed on the mountain (40 days) and the people clamored for Aaron to make them gods to worship. Aaron instructed the people to take off their gold and bring it all to him. And he fashioned an idol in the shape of a calf. Then he made a proclamation: Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD (32:5). The audacity to proclaim that the calf he had just made was Yahweh - was the God who brought them out of the land of Egypt. It is easy to see why the Lord called them a “stiff-necked people.”]

Moses understood that context, but he also knew that without the presence of the Lord going with them all - going on was not an option. And by Moses’ intercession, his mediation, the Lord promised His presence. Here is a beautiful aspect to this story: Moses prefigured the intercession and work of Christ on behalf of His people. We could spend much time looking at this, but back to the focus of the presence of God with His people - with those He has redeemed from slavery. God’s presence is with his people - and today that is not an ethnic group, but those who are called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). God is with the church.

It makes me think of one of the last interactions Jesus had with his disciples.

17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:17-20)

The promise of His presence. That is what makes us distinct. God is with us. He will never leave or forsake His people (Hebrews 13:5). And His presence is empowering. In this time - we (the church) has a tremendous opportunity to be a witness to the power and presence of God.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Let us rest in His presence, and live as people who know this promise. May we be witnesses to His greatness and glory to all around us, especially in these times of great uncertainty. One thing is certain - those who know the Lord will be with him for all eternity.

This song may not be a perfect fit to all that I have written, but it is a beautiful song about our ability to rest in God’s work and his presence with us.

Glorify Your Name
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In John 12:27, 28 we read these words:

27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

The soul of Jesus was troubled. He had just mentioned in 12:24 that a grain of wheat must fall and die in order to bear much fruit - a picture of his death that would bear much fruit. It is certainly understandable that Jesus’ soul would be troubled. What he was to do was take the wrath of God against the sins of His people upon Himself. It is impossible for us to fathom that weight. Yet Jesus was resolute. He knew his purpose. And he also knew that it all was for the glory of the Father. His commitment was the to will of God and the glory of God.

Where is our commitment? It is likely that many of us are troubled right now. We don't know what is going to happen today, next week, next month. It is a time of uncertainty. But what are we committed to? The Westminster Shorter Catechism’s first question and answer is this:

Question: What is man’s chief end?

Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Father - glorify Your name! May that be our chief concern in all that we face these days (and every day after this coronavirus has passed). The glory of God. And know this, pursuing the will of God will bring enjoyment. It will bring satisfaction no matter what it takes us through.

This reminds me of two passages. First, Isaiah 53:11, as it gives a picture of the work and sacrifice of the Suffering Servant - of Christ himself.

11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; 

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, 

make many to be accounted righteous, 

and he shall bear their iniquities. 

From the anguish of His own soul He was satisfied. He accomplished the salvation of His people by His death and resurrection. He bore our sin upon Himself. Let us look to Him in everything.

And next, Hebrews 12:1,2:

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

I’ll leave that text to speak for itself. And I’ll leave you with another Michael Card song - “A Violent Grace.”

Psalm 16
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Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; 

I have no good apart from you.” 

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, 

in whom is all my delight. 

The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; 

their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out 

or take their names on my lips. 

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; 

you hold my lot. 

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; 

indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. 

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; 

in the night also my heart instructs me. 

I have set the Lord always before me; 

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; 

my flesh also dwells secure. 

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, 

or let your holy one see corruption. 

11 You make known to me the path of life; 

in your presence there is fullness of joy; 

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

The heart of the believer is one that recognizes that apart from God, there is no good. No matter what else you may have: perfect health, wealth, a seeming long list of friends - if one does not know God, one does not truly know what is good. But, for those though who know God, no matter what our circumstances we can truly say that in His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. We may not experience that right now, or daily, but we will for an eternity in the Lord’s presence know the ultimate good. That is a hope to rest on. That is a refuge in which to run.

Imagine
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Well, yesterday (or the day before) this video began to circulate across social media. It was started by actress Gal Gadot and it’s a mashup of different celebrities singing “Imagine” by John Lennon. Apparently it was meant to be a comfort in this time of isolation and anxiety and fear, but honestly, I can’t imagine (pardon the pun) anything worse. To sing “Imagine there’s no heaven…” is diametrically opposed to the truth that we all need to hear.

This morning one of my readings was Psalm 103.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s….

As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;

for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting

on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, (Psalm 103:1-5, 15-17)

[Here is another song to listen to that beautifully captures this part of the Psalm]

That is the truth we need to hear. There is forgiveness. There is hope in God. Our biggest problem is not COVID-19 (as big of a problem as that is), but it’s sin and rebellion against a holy God.

Another reading was John 10 - 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” 

So, not only is there a heaven, but there is a God in heaven who sent his only Son to lay down his life for the sheep (his children) so that they could be with him in heaven for all eternity. That is the news we all need to hear.

On many mornings I pull out my guitar while I read and pray, and this morning I sang “All Must Be Well.” The words here are what someone should put out on the web and have go viral (pardon that reference too - but it’s what we say). They are a decided contrast to the whole misguided idea of “Imagine.” This is actually a song of comfort. Listen. Sing along. Rest in the truth of God’s good and gracious hand being upon his children.

Through the love of God our Savior, all will be well 
Free and changeless is His favor, all is well 
Precious is the blood that healed us 
Perfect is the grace that sealed us 
Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us 
All must be well 

Though we pass through tribulation, all will be well 
Ours is such a full salvation, all is well 
Happy still in God confiding 
Fruitful if in Christ abiding 
Steadfast through the Spirit's guiding 
All must be well 

We expect a bright tomorrow; all will be well 
Faith can sing through days of sorrow, all is well 
On our Father's love relying 
Jesus every need supplying 
Yes in living or in dying 
All must be well

Bound to Come Some Trouble
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Here we go, day 2 of this. The Psalms have consistently been a place of great comfort for the believer. They deal with the gamut of emotions that run through our lives at a whirlwind pace. And they point us to the true refuge for our souls in the midst of whatever trouble comes our way. I think of Psalm 91:1,2:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

That is an expression of confident trust of a believer reaching out to God knowing that it is only in Him are we safe and secure. The trouble may find us. We may well suffer greatly from it. But truly we are safe in the arms of our God.

Again I think about a song. I grew up listening to Rich Mullins. My youth pastor went to Cincinnati Bible College with Rich and I remember going to a concert and sitting on the front row and I thought it was amazing that MY youth pastor simply walked up to Rich and said hello and Rich said, “Hi Fred.” I remember singing “My One Thing” in our church choir. Rich’s music was deeply influential for me. He wasn’t the greatest singer, but his lyrics touched on real life and the struggles that are present.

One song in particular is called “Bound to Come Some Trouble.

There's bound to come some trouble to your life 
But that ain't nothing to be afraid of 
There's bound to come some trouble to your life 
But that ain't no reason to fear 
I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life 
But reach out to Jesus, hold on tight 
He's been there before and He knows what it's like 
You'll find He's there 

There's bound to come some tears up in your eyes 
That ain't nothing to be ashamed of 
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes 
That ain't no reason to fear 
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes 
Reach out to Jesus, hold on tight 
He's been there before and He knows what it's like 
You'll find He's there 

Now, people say maybe things will get better 
People say maybe it won't be long 
And people say maybe you'll wake up tomorrow 
And it'll all be gone 
Well I only know that maybes just ain't enough 
When you need something to hold on 
There's only one thing that's clear 

I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life 
But that ain't nothing to be afraid of 
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes 
That ain't no reason to fear 
I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life 
Reach out to Jesus, hold on tight 
He's been there before and He knows what it's like 
You'll find He's there

Hold on tight to Jesus. That is good advice. But I would add one thing - remember that Jesus is holding on tight to you, to his children. In John 6 where Jesus declares himself to the Bread of Life we read these words:

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” 

There is our true comfort. He will raise up all his children. Nothing can snatch us out of his hand (John 10:28). Rest in him, believe in him, hold tight to him…knowing that he is holding tight to you!

Jesus Our Anchor
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As we find ourselves in strange times, I thought it would be good to post devotional thoughts and resources on a regular basis. This morning as I was reading in Hebrews 6 I was reminded of the great anchor we have in all moments of life - our Lord Jesus Christ. Picking up part of the way through verse 18:…we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

We have an anchor that holds us firm and solid through any storm. It doesn’t mean that the storm will pass quickly, or that we won’t suffer from it. What it means is that we have a firm and sure foundation and the One to whom we hold tight has gone before us and prepares a place for those who trust in him…for all those who have turned to him in repentance and faith. We have been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials…(1 Peter 1:3-6).

I am so often reminded of songs that have ministered to my soul throughout the years. As I thought about writing this devotional (perhaps daily) I thought of a song by Michael Card (and yes, I know that dates me a bit) called “Soul Anchor.” It’s off his album by the same name that walks through the letter to the Hebrews. Here are the lyrics:

Though the wind is ragin all around
And even though the waves may rise

There's a place of stillness in the storm
And you can find it if you will believe

It's a soul anchor, Hold on to the hope
It is a soul anchor, Just hold on to your courage
Before we call, He answers us with hope

We are so sure of what we're waiting for
And certain of the things we do not see
For we are told by the One who cannot lie

And in this hope is our security

It's a soul anchor, Hold on to the hope
It is a soul anchor, Just hold on to your courage
Before we call, He answers us with hope

So hold fast, draw near / So hold fast, draw near
It's a soul anchor
Hold onto the hope / It's a soul anchor
Just hold on to your courage / Before we call He answers Us
Before we call He answers us

My encouragement this morning - hold onto the right hope. Hold on to the anchor of your soul. Take the time each day and spend with God; in his Word and in prayer. He is the anchor of hope (and that reminds me of a song probably more familiar by Ellie Holcomb). There is much more that could be said, and I may write more than you would expect. I hope this will be an encouragement to you in these uncertain times. We have a God who does not change (see WLC Question 7) and who deeply loves us - as is so clearly displayed in Christ (Romans 5:8). Well, that’s enough for now. Until next time.

Chad GrindstaffComment