Christmas Shepherd

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
Jeremiah 23:5

This morning I was reading in Jeremiah 23. It's a great text to help prepare my heart for Christmas. It is fitting for the Advent season because verse 5 is packed with holy anticipation: "the days are coming". In typical prophetic fashion, the "days" unfold across an expanse of time. Although prophetic literature can be a bit mysterious, I feel confident that Jeremiah allows me to see a glimpse of the arrival of the Savior and the reign of His Majesty Jesus. The description of Jesus is powerful. He is a king unlike any other. He will reign in righteousness. he will "deal" wisely and execute justice. What a king! Yet, to separate Jeremiah's prophetic description of the Savior from the desperate context is a tragedy. Jeremiah 23 begins with an ugly indictment: "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter sheep. The shepherds in Jeremiah's day failed to protect the sheep. They failed to "attend" to them. What is a shepherd's primary responsibility? Jesus answered that question centuries later when He told Peter to "tend my sheep". No wonder Jesus Himself revealed that He saw us as "sheep without a shepherd" and His heart was broken because we are lost without Him. As I think about the contrast between shepherds who failed and the King who has succeeded, I cannot help but notice a little bonus in terms of remembering this glorious chapter in Jeremiah. The numbering of the chapter provide a great mental connection. Perhaps the first passage of Scripture that I memorized as a child was Chapter 23 of the Psalms and it begins with a verse that I frequently quote in the morning as I speak to the Lord. ?The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." What kind of Shepherd? He leads me. He heals me. He is "Immanuel", God with me in the valley of the shadow of death. He calms my fears. He restores my soul. Yes, Jeremiah, He is wise and wonderful, He is a righteous Branch and He reigns.

God with us

Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” (Matthew 1:22-23)

When I open my Bible to begin reading the New Testament, it begins with Matthew. Matthew opens with a description of Jesus as the son of David and son of Abraham. It’s hard to miss the way Matthew connects the Messiah with two of the most prominent persons in the Old Testament. But, Matthew doesn’t end there. After shaking the family tree, some interesting characters fall out. It’s a fascinating genealogical walk through the Old Testament. The family tree is punctuated with an introduction to the supernatural pregnancy of Mary and the angelic message to Joseph about the birth of Jesus. Not surprisingly, Matthew interprets the birth of Jesus through the words of the prophet Isaiah. The prophecy of Isaiah contains the words of Christmas that shatter my deepest fears and overcome my greatest challenges. The Almighty, the Creator of the universe travelled the distance between perfect divinity and mortal existence. God stepped across the expanse created by my disobedience. Jesus came to Bethlehem to find me and to replace my emptiness with His presence. The darkness that had come to eclipse God’s design for my heart has been transformed into a testimony of the purity and brightness of His light. Jesus came and removed all doubts. Jesus is Immanuel. God is with me.

Ancient of Days

As I kept watching, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white like snow, and the hair of His head like whitest wool. His throne was flaming fire; its wheels were blazing fire.

Daniel 7:9

The vision of God found in Daniel 7 is awe-inspiring. The Bible contains many descriptions of God and many “titles”, but this visionary vignette is one of my favorites in all of Scripture. Sometimes it’s tempting to avoid the visionary passages of Daniel because of the diverse views and interpretations of the material. To me that is a tragic loss of the beauty of Scripture that communicates the character of God. God is the “Ancient of Days”. As impossible as it is for us to grasp, it is nonetheless essential that we consider the fact that God’s perspective is eternal. Perhaps the snow-white clothing and the hair that is described as whitest wool is a way to remind us that God’s existence is also perfect and pure. These qualities confirm that God’s reign is a righteous and holy reign. Daniel’s description of God’s throne sounds more like a chariot of fire. It conveys that God is seated as King, Judge and Victorious Commander. In contrast, the vision of Daniel provides an overview of other kings and kingdoms that rise and fall. None will outlast the Ancient of Days. I take comfort in knowing that my faith and my future rests in God. We are more aware of instability in the world around us than ever before. That increases our need for a strong foundation in life and a source of peace in a sea of change. The answer is found in the Ancient of Days.

Don't be afraid of the dark

May the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him…He knows what is in the darkness and light dwells with Him.

Daniel 2:20,22

God gave Daniel a special gift. He was able to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. It was an ability that God gave to Daniel and when the time came for Daniel to use the gift he was faithful to offer praise to God. Daniel 2:20-23 contains his expression of praise. As part of Daniel’s praise, he offers a description of God’s wisdom and power. Specifically, Daniel mentions that God “knows what is in the darkness.” Certainly, this has relevance to the fact that God allowed Daniel to interpret the king’s dream and in so doing, God enabled Daniel to “see” the meaning of the dream that was “hidden” to others. But, beyond the immediate context, Daniel’s description of God is accurate and encouraging. How often do we fear what we cannot see or know? How often do we struggle to “walk by faith and not by sight”? Sometimes life is such that we feel as though we are “in the dark”. We can’t see the way forward and we fear what lies ahead. Here’s where Daniel’s praise provides some practical insight. What we need most when we are in the dark is light. Daniel reminds us that light dwells with God and so should we.

Daniel's choice

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank

Daniel 1:8

Life is filled with choices. It’s a mixture of gifts and challenges. The book of Daniel is a great primer on how to successfully navigate significant challenges in life. Usually, Daniel is most remembered for surviving a trip to a lion’s den. By the way, that’s not a bad way to be remembered. But, there’s much more to Daniel than one event. Chapter one begins with an explanation of how Daniel is selected to serve the King of Babylon. He is chosen and carried away because of his appearance, intellect and potential to serve the Babylonian empire. It’s a pretty strong intro for a youngster. But, there’s more to Daniel than his leadership potential. At an early age, Daniel learned that character matters. Imagine the pressure of being in a strange place, receiving a new name and engaging in an intentional Babylonian enculturation process. In the midst of this new world, Daniel had the courage to say “no”. He based his decision on the conviction of his heart. It’s a defining moment in Daniel’s life and it’s an exemplary lesson for us today. Integrity rests on the congruence between conviction and behavior. Integrity requires us to possess enough resolve to be willing and able to say  “yes” and “no”. We respond to culture according to a heart that has been redeemed for God’s purposes and a mind that has been transformed by His Spirit rather than the pressures of the world around us. We have the benefit of watching how Daniel’s early choice helped him develop strong character that was required to face significant challenges later in his life. Regardless of our age, our godly choices contribute to the development of our character in the future.

Change of Heart

I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 

Ezekiel 36:26

In the context of the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel, this is a glimpse forward. Ezekiel contains words spoken by God to a group of people who have been exiled. Not surprisingly, there is a great deal of uncertainty about their present and their future. God’s judgment is fresh on their minds. The evidence of the judgment is visible on a daily basis. Yet, God promises restoration; a better day. It is a multi-faceted transformation, which according to God includes a new heart and a new spirit.  According to God's promise, a heart of flesh will replace a heart of stone. An obedient spirit will replace a disobedient one. Think about the change and the future orientation of God’s promise. If I describe a person's heart as cold or hard, what am I saying? If I describe someone as having a soft heart, what do I mean? It's not difficult for me to shift to a personal application. On this day, is my heart open to God or closed? Is my spirit contrary or contrite? Appropriately, God’s transformational power is described as “inside-out”. It begins with a heart transplant and becomes operational in our daily lives. My obedience is the evidence.

Unfair

“But you say, ‘The Lord’s way isn’t fair.’ Now listen, house of Israel: Is it My way that is unfair? Instead, isn’t it your ways that are unfair?”

Ezekiel 18:25

As I continue to move through the Old Testament, I am thankful for my decision to take time in each book. The reason? Otherwise, I might decide to skip Ezekiel and move on toward Daniel. After all, the first half of Daniel is much easier to read. But, it would be a shame to skip Ezekiel. Ezekiel has such a relevant message for today. Ezekiel exposes a widespread tendency. Why consider personal responsibility when it’s so easy to blame others? In Ezekiel’s day, the “house of Israel” accused God of being unfair. Things really haven’t changed much in the last two or three thousand years. Whether I am reading authors who argue against the existence of God or listening to complaints from believers, this tendency crops up. If God doesn’t behave the way I think He should, then I am not obligated to believe or trust. God’s response is worth considering. God tells Israel to take a look in the mirror. How does your perspective measure up? If I am bold enough to accuse God of being unjust, is it because my perspective is so much better? The God I believe in knows the future. I do not. The God I believe in sees into the hearts of all who live. I cannot. The God I believe in has gifted me with the very consciousness that allows me to consider fairness. Unfair? Let me think about it.  

Wait or Seek?

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:25-26

Sounds good. But, should I “wait” for God or should I “seek” God? These verses in Lamentations illustrate a bit of the tension that I feel sometimes when I am in the midst of pain or difficulty. It is difficult to wait quietly when the world is crashing in. When my stress level escalates it seems that I want to find a way forward and experience some kind of relief. The sooner I find comfort, the better. The poetry of Lamentations is helpful. Recall that Lamentations describes the pain experienced in Jerusalem after God’s judgment. Lamentations 3 provides an oasis of hope in the midst of the lament. Though, at first glance, Lamentations 3:25-26 seems to send a bit of a mixed message, it’s really an affirmation of the same truth. In fact, I like the connection between what it means to “wait” for the Lord and what it means to “seek” the Lord. The two words are not really that far apart in principle. Both words remind me of a proper orientation during difficult times. “Waiting” has more to do with expectancy than passive resignation of hope. When I wait for the Lord, I begin to acknowledge that my life and my future is in His hands. That’s comforting to me. When I seek God, it helps me refocus my energy and my attention toward God and away from things that perpetuate a feeling of hopelessness. It is a reminder that God is my source of peace as well as perspective. Should I want for God or seek God? The answer is “yes”.

You can run but you cannot hide

Jerusalem has sinned greatly and so has become unclean. All who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans and turns away.

Lamentations 1:8

The poetry of Lamentations describes God’s judgment on Jerusalem. It’s a view of the city after the fact. In the first chapter, Jerusalem is personified. She experiences isolation and despair and she speaks of her misery. The reason for her devastation is clear. Jerusalem has sinned greatly and God has judged her sinfulness. Judgment arrived by way of the armies of Babylon and now in the aftermath it’s time to lament. In the words of Lamentations 1:8, the city is portrayed as a woman who is shamefully exposed.  The judgment of God has brought about her humiliation before her neighbors. Those who had previously admired her now despise her. For Jerusalem, the destruction was so evident it was impossible to hide the consequences of sin. As I read Lamentations, it causes me to retrace the steps that led to the tragedy. Did the people in Jerusalem believe that it was possible to hide the impact of sinfulness from others and from God? I can’t help but have a flashback to Genesis 3:8. After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they hid themselves from the presence of God. When God called out to Adam, he answered, “I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself”. Really, Adam, did you think you could hide from God? What are the implications for my life? It is futile to think that I am capable of hiding, covering or dressing up my sin in any way that would affect God’s perfect view of my life. His vision pierces through every attempt to hide. But, God does not intend to leave us naked and exposed. When we turn to Him, He wraps us in His grace. The only proper covering for my sin is found in God’s grace provided in Jesus.

Resting Place

They have forgotten their resting place

Jeremiah 50:6

Rest. It’s such a peaceful, soothing word. Think about it for a moment. When I meditate on “rest”, it makes me want to take a deep breath and exhale slowly. It’s a mental picture of relaxation. Now think about the opposite. It is a picture of being harried and hurried – running from here to there. It’s chasing but never catching. Jeremiah paints that picture for me. Jeremiah employs the familiar imagery of lost sheep. The sheep run from mountain to hill. They have followed shepherds who have led them astray. For me, it’s a reminder that we sometimes chase after empty promises. In Jeremiah’s day, the “shepherds” were notorious for leading the sheep astray. But, Jeremiah promises something different. In the midst of the words of judgment, Jeremiah describes a return to the Lord. That’s what catches my attention. It’s clear from the text that the people of Judah had forgotten God. But, Jeremiah 50:6 expresses it in a different way. The people had forgotten their resting place. I believe that refers to both place and person. They had forgotten that God is a resting place. When our busyness pushes God from our thoughts and our days, we forget our resting place. When we pursue other agendas that exclude knowing Him and the peace that God alone provides, we our “rest” deprived. When we listen to voices that tell us that we are too busy to rest in God, we are being led astray. I understand what it means to live a busy life. My calendar is full today. My “to do” list is significant. That’s all the more reason for me to take a deep breath in the midst of it all, exhale slowly and rest in God today.

Reshaped

But the jar that he was making from the clay became flawed in the potter’s hand, so he made it into another jar, as it seemed right for him to do.

Jeremiah 18:4

A quick review of the events that led to the challenging prophecies found in the book of Jeremiah reveals a number of “flaws” in God’s people. Like clay that is marred in the hands of a potter, change was necessary. Chief among those flaws was their attraction to idolatry and their rejection of God. Despite the warnings of Moses, the cycle of deliverance and punishment during the days of the “judges” and the consequences in their more recent past, the sin of idolatry had gained a foothold again and the situation in Judah was dire. Thus, the command to “Turn now, each from your evil way, and correct your ways and your deeds.” (v. 11). As I have reflected on the words of Jeremiah 18 this week, it’s easy for me to distill a personal message from the national description. Recently, I read an article by Christiane Caine about leadership and calling. In the article, Caine suggests “The gift that is on your life will destroy you if your character cannot sustain you”. During Jeremiah’s time, Judah seemed content with the status of begin “gifted” as the people of God without examining the implications of character that were required to sustain them on the right path. This is a flaw that is epidemic in modern culture. Our desire for the blessings of God (or the fame of leadership) can quickly circumvent our passion for the character of Christ. That brings me back to the potter. The potter made a vessel that seemed right for him to make. In modern terms we can see a parallel to Christian formation. The development of Christ-like character is the work of the Holy Spirit on the potter’s wheel of life. It is a dynamic process and frequently arduous. Sometimes, in order for the fingerprints of God to be evident, the hands of the Potter must work out the impurities of pride and selfishness. Sadly, the pressure applied by the hands of the Potter on my life and my character has been met with resistance on more than one occasion. God help me become the vessel that “seems right to You”.

God is the Potter, I am the clay

The Lord said to Jeremiah: “Go down at once to the potter’s house. I will speak to you further there.” So I went down to the potter’s house and found him working at his wheel.

Jeremiah 18:1-3

Jeremiah’s trip to the potter’s house is one of my favorite pictures of God. The short story, covered in just a few verses, is packed with meaning. Today, I reflect on the fact that when Jeremiah arrived at the potter’s house, he found the potter working at his wheel. The hands of the potter were enmeshed in the clay. It’s a marvelous portrayal of the Creator. Reflect for a moment on how the first chapter of Jeremiah begins. It begins with a description of how Jeremiah has been appointed by God to be a prophet (1:5). The description relates to the story of the potter. God spoke to a young man named Jeremiah and told him “before I formed you in your mother’s womb I chose you”. This description of the creative work of God prior to Jeremiah’s birth is closely related to the work of the potter on the clay. In fact, the same Hebrew word is found in the text of both passages. Take time today to consider how God has formed you and is forming you. Pottery is both useful and beautiful. Eugene Peterson writes,

“The life of faith is very physical. Being a Christian is very much a matter of flesh – of space and time and things. It means being thrown on the potter’s wheel and shaped, our entire selves, into something useful and beautiful. And when we are not useful or beautiful we are reshaped. Painful, but worth it.”

Happy Anniversary

“I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness”

Jeremiah 2:2

As I study Jeremiah today, these words have special meaning to me. Today, Lynn and I celebrate our 24^th anniversary. This portion of the verse in chapter 2 rings pretty true to me. Lynn and I were married in 1988 and we have been on an amazing journey together. Thankfully, the rest of Jeremiah 2 is not an accurate depiction of our relationship. Lynn and I remain very much in love and committed to one another. That was not the case in Jeremiah’s time. God’s bride (His people) had forsaken the marriage and abandoned His true love for worthless idolatry. This tender description in Jeremiah 2:2 reminds me just how much God loves His people. The prophetic words of Jeremiah 8:21 are his reflection of the compassion of God. “Since my people are crushed, I am crushed.” The force of judgment described in Jeremiah is harsh. But, behind the judgment is a God who saw His people as a husband sees His bride. Consequently, Jeremiah includes a glimpse forward. Jeremiah reveals the love of God that reaches forward in hope to a time when some of His people return and find healing and redemption in Him.

The arm of the Lord

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

Isaiah 53:1

It’s a compelling question isn’t it? Who has believed our message? It’s a question that is made even more compelling by the fact that the message is so glorious. The message is all about a suffering servant. I think it is possible to become so familiar with Isaiah 53 that the message loses some of that glory. Am I so accustomed to seeing the passion of Christ within the words of Isaiah 53 that I am not affected by the story – the arm of the Lord that has been revealed? Am I less overwhelmed with gratitude? The suffering is described on so many levels. It is physical. It is emotional. It is willingly accepted. That’s right. The suffering servant was crushed, pierced rejected and despised because of love not force. All of this was a part of the revelation of the “arm of the Lord”. Yesterday, I reflected on my own mental picture of the arm of the Lord. I recognize that the prophetic word is a metaphor to help us understand God’s plan. But, my picture is twofold. I see the flexed bicep of God demonstrating the power of His might. Nothing can thwart His plan. Nothing could ever be impossible. God is always great enough, strong enough and sufficient for the task. Also, I see the arm of God extended. God’s wingspan is immeasurable. His reach is infinite. He found me. What happened when He found me? Because the servant suffered for me, I escaped punishment. Despite the fact that I wandered away from Him like a sheep gone astray, He did not punish me when He found me. No, instead, I experienced exactly what the sheep experienced in Luke 15:4. And when He finds it, He joyfully puts it on His shoulders and goes home.

God's Plan

Isaiah 5:1-4

I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. “Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad?

Isaiah is known for the vivid judgment of the sins of God’s people as well as the prophetic picture of redemption. The opening chapters provide an understanding of sin in relational terms. God describes the rebellion of His children, the provocation of a nation and the unfaithfulness of his beloved. After the opening descriptions, there is a beautiful song. It is a song that describes God’s people as a vineyard. Of all the descriptions in the song, two “building projects” capture my attention. First of all, God “built a watchtower” in the midst of the vineyard. It is a reminder that God’s plan for us includes His presence in our midst. The watchtower is a symbol of God’s plan to watch over our lives and His ability to protect us. It is a 24/7 plan. The watchtower is a permanent structure. Equally significant to me, is the description of the “winepress”. This is a reminder of God’s plan for us to be fruitful. God’s expectation for the vineyard was that it would produce good grapes that would yield good wine. Ephesians 2:10 describes us as “God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. Our lives are described as a masterpiece in the hands of a creative and powerful God. If we are unfruitful, it is not because God has failed to provide what we need to be fruitful. Thus, God asked the rhetorical question: “What more could have been done for My vineyard than what I have done for it?” (Isaiah 5:4)

Conformed or Transformed

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:1-2

What does it mean to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”? It’s clear that it is not the will of God for me to be shaped to fit the latest pattern of the world. Instead, I am changed from the inside out. How does that happen? After giving some thought to the challenge, I find the following questions useful. 

1.     What will be my testimony today? Every day is a part of my testimony. My life is my story. I am an active witness. There are things that I will and will not do simply because I belong to the Lord Jesus Christ and I recognize that my life is a testimony about His lordship.

2.     How will God impact my choices today? Attending church is not enough. The transformational power of God affects my daily life. That requires me to cultivate a dynamic relationship with God - the kind of relationship that impacts my decision-making.

3.     Am I filtering the primary influences on my life through God's Word, Prayer and Christian Community? Frankly, most days it may seem much easier to go with the flow (the patterns of this world). But, while it may be easier to feed my selfish desires, there is a clear difference between those desires and the things that strengthen my heart and soul. God has provided and will provide guidance. It’s up to me to put the filters in place and utilize the help that God gives.

4.     When I fail – how will I respond? The transformational process is not a guarantee of a “mistake free” existence. It is critical that I know what to do when I fall down. Response patterns are as old as the existence of human beings. Will I hide from God? Will I run from God? Will I throw up my hands and lose hope? Or, will I run to God and find that God is my refuge. Will I return to God and find strength?

Three Words We Hate

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

Song of Songs 3:5

Within this beautiful line of poetry found in Song of Songs, there are three words we seem to hate. Within our culture, these words just seem to rub us the wrong way:  "do not…until".  To put it bluntly, the root issue is that we just hate to have anyone tell us what we can and cannot do and when we can and cannot do it. Too often our culture defines the words "do not" as narrow and restrictive. Frequently, the idea that God would command us to do anything is met with immediate displeasure.  Likewise, we live at a pace that abhors the word "until". In our culture, delayed gratification just seems so unnecessary. Rather than save money, we buy with credit. Rather than invest in relationships we take costly shortcuts. Patience is a nuisance. Waiting…why would anyone want to wait? We prefer to find a way to satisfy our desires immediately. As a result we choose our own desires instead of the plan of God. Both Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs are connected with King Solomon. Ecclesiastes ends with a summary statement to “fear God and keep His commandments”. Song of Songs begins with an invitation to a kiss and a description of the delightfulness of love. It’s a beautiful reminder that is reinforced throughout Scripture that discussions about love, sex and desire are connected with a fear of God and a reverence for His commandments. Discussions about love and desire are not taboo in the Bible. But, those discussions do not occur apart from the context of God’s good plan for our lives. For example, the significant consequences of King Solomon’s sinful choices are recorded for our consideration. God created us and I certainly believe that God understands our desires and our passions. But, God does not abandon us to be ruled by our desires. Thankfully, we have received guidance and grace from God.

Questions for Life

Ecclesiastes 12:13

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of every human being

The comments of the “teacher” in Ecclesiastes raise some important questions. To begin with, the teacher asks about how to measure the value of day-to-day labors in life. I have to say that I can’t argue with the need to raise good questions about what matters most in life. Thankfully, Ecclesiastes also provides some good answers. The brief summary statement at the end brings me back around to two straightforward guiding principles for life. First, I should fear God. That brings me back to a daily awareness and acknowledgement that there is only one God. God is great and worthy of all that I am. My knowledge of God evokes a sense of awe and humble recognition. Second, I should keep His commandments. There are so many reasons why obedience is essential. Keeping the commandments of God will never tip the scales in my direction when it comes to deserving the grace of God. But, it will always demonstrate what it means to respond to His mercy and grace. Furthermore, it is always the best course for my life. The two work together to yield an accurate perspective for life. Fear the Lord and keep His commandments. As I began to reflect on Ecclesiastes, I found myself asking some questions of own. These questions remind me how easily my perspective can become distorted if I drift from my fear of the Lord and my faithfulness to His commandments. 

• What if life is more about trusting God than receiving answers to all my questions?
• What if life is more about worshiping God than getting what I want from God?
• What if life is more about savoring God's grace and comfort than being delivered from my discomfort   
• What if my “duty” in life is defined, as the "teacher" in Ecclesiastes suggests by whether or not I fear God and keep His commandments?

The Meaning of Life

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.

“Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

Ecclesiastes 1:2

According to the opening verse in Ecclesiastes, these words belong to “the teacher”. It’s a tough way to start a book in the Bible. My reaction is made even tougher when I consider that the “teacher” is described as the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Immediately, I begin to consider the perspective of Solomon, a man of great wisdom and understanding. So, what should I make of the redundant message about the “meaninglessness” of life? Most approaches to Ecclesiastes begin with the summary statement at the end of the book. Accordingly, the conclusion of the matter is to “fear God and keep His commandments”. I breathe a sigh of relief when I read the end, but it hardly answers all my questions about the cynical tone of the preceding material. Oddly enough, my questions about Solomon’s existential experiment and commentary are best answered by a question. Is there a way to interpret Ecclesiastes in light of the Gospel? I believe there is. Jesus asked the question, “what good is it for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36) What is the answer to Jesus’ question? It’s meaningless. It’s all meaningless. Jesus asked a second question, “What can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Mark 8:37) I see evidence all around me everyday of what people are willing to exchange for the health of their soul. After reading the words of Jesus, the survey of life contained in Ecclesiastes takes on new level of gravity. A soul that fears God and keeps His commandments is a healthy soul.

A Discerning Heart

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.

Proverbs 18:15

I love to learn. I have enjoyed reading since I was a small child. I’m thankful for my appetite to acquire knowledge. That may be why this Proverb grabbed my attention. For a short Proverb, this little verse packs a powerful punch. It’s a great reminder to me. Take care of your heart! After all, a healthy heart is a catalyst for acquiring knowledge. Cultivating a discerning heart is an intentional process. God has created us with a heart with the capacity to do “good” or “evil”. Even my pursuit of knowledge can be tainted with selfishness. As I have revisited the wisdom of the Proverbs, I have come to recognize the relationship between an understanding heart and my respect and reverence for God. The repeated reminders in Proverbs are helpful. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”. That recognition connects my “heart” with my “ears”. How do ears “seek” out knowledge? I think the Proverbs help us understand that ears that seek wisdom and knowledge are attached to a person with a heart that belongs to God and a willingness to listen to God above all else.

How do you measure success?

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and those who win souls are wise.

Proverbs 11:30

I love the way the Proverbs deliver such a straightforward message of truth. If we have questions about living wisely, Proverbs is a primary source for help. This week, I was drawn to the vivid picture of life provided in Proverbs 11:30. This verse is packed with meaning. It touches so many of the pressure points of life. Does my life have purpose or meaning? Am I successful? What are the benchmarks of integrity and credibility? Am I a positive influence on others? It’s difficult to summarize so many messages. So I will share my biggest impression from the Proverb. I am called to have a life-giving influence on those around me. Whether though the influence of my words or actions or a combination of the two, I exist to enrich the lives of others. Big mission? Yes, in fact it is far beyond my capability. After all, how can I produce a tree of life? It’s a question that brings me to another beautiful prophetic picture of God’s grace. Long before “Miracle-Gro” existed, God’s Spirit was helping trees to grow.

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.

Isaiah 44:3-4

It’s a great encouragement for us to increase our daily dependence on the refreshing presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.