Transcendent Praise

Genesis 29:31-32 When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.”

I find Leah to be one of the most interesting women in all Scripture. She is quite ordinary really and had life experiences not so different from many women in today’s world. She was not attractive in the way the world assigns beauty for it is recorded that she had “weak eyes.” As if to rub it in, this statement is followed by: “but Rachel was lovely in form and beautiful”. (See Genesis 29:16-17). What kind of relationship could these two sisters have?

When their cousin Jacob showed up, their Father Laban welcomed him not so much as a nephew but as a valuable farmhand and possible husband for one of his daughters. Laban set Jacob’s wage to include one of his daughters. But Jacob was already in love with the younger, beautiful Rachel. So after Jacob had labored 7 years for his bride, Laban pulled a switch on him in the night and sent in Leah instead because he said: “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.” (Genesis 29:26) This set me thinking: how can anything good come of this mess? It would have unleashed every negative emotion possible in all parties concerned.

Wait just a minute. Let me introduce you to two little words that every child of God should get familiar with: “But God”. Remind yourself often that God’s plans cannot be thwarted, not by man or demons so no situation is ever hopeless. People can scheme and manipulate, but God alone is just and oversees it all. Leah became the hated wife, but God had his eyes on her and his ears were open to her prayers. Not only did she become the mother of six sons and a daughter but Judah, her fourth son, is part of the genealogy of the Lord Jesus.

Ephesians 1:7-8 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

What does this verse have to do with care-giving? Good question. It tells us that as believers we have nothing to boast about except the grace that God has lavished on us through Christ. We did not deserve it and can’t earn it. He did it all because of his great love. The dictionary defines this grace as “the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.”

So who in your family circle or sphere of influence needs you to be gracious to them, to freely extend grace in the way you have received grace? “But you don’t understand. He/she is working my last nerve!” I hear you loud and clear.  There is probably no greater responsibility in the world than caring for another human being, especially if that person is bitter and cruel at the same time. As far as the physical aspects of care-giving are concerned, reach out for help and relief if you need it. It could be critical for your own survival.

Beyond the physical aspects though, you will need to ask the Lord to give you his perspective on your situation. It may be that this is His assignment for you for the time being. Would it change your thinking if you understood that you are where you are and doing what you do because God has ordained it so? Has it ever occurred to you that what you are doing is ministry? Is it possible that God can reveal himself to you in ways you never thought possible and allow you to find peace and joy in what you are doing? “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24).

2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

This is one of those teachings in Christianity that is so radically different from the world’s standard which teaches that in order to have anything you must hoard, hoard, hoard. I am all for handling one’s earnings prudently because it is fundamental in the economic system in which we live that one should not consume everything one earns.  However in writing to the Christians at Corinth, the Apostle Paul encouraged them to give both willingly and generously and promised that if they did so “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

My mother-in-law, a believer, modeled this principle for me even though she probably had no idea. This woman never knew what a paycheck was because for as long as I knew her she did not work outside of her home. She was active in church and I’m sure she gave there but it was her generosity to the family circle and among acquaintances that was amazing. During a time of scarcity in the country, she became this clearing house for food and domestic supplies. One person would bring one bag of grocery items and leave with another full of different items, and she just kept on sharing. There was never any lack in her house.  To me this was better than any bank account.

Sowing generously, especially in the house of God, allows you to not only have enough but more than you need.  Consider Jesus’ assessment of the widow putting her two pennies in the offering plate: “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (See Luke 21:1- 4). Do you suppose that from that day forward, the Eternal God would stand by and not provide for the needs of this woman? I don’t think so. Although I am still learning generosity by degrees, I can testify that it has it rewards.

Ephesians 1:18-21 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power to us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Okay, you can breathe now! There is something about the Book of Ephesians. It is as though it is meant to be read as one long sentence. Paul, the writer, seems totally overwhelmed by the grandeur and truth of what he is portraying to us. The verses above are quite startling really because it seems to me he is trying to help us grasp the magnitude of the power God has imparted to us who believe. He explains that it is like the power which raised Christ from the dead! That resurrection power is ours to exercise in our daily lives. It is overcoming power provided to every believer: “…Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.” (See verses 13 and 14).  The Holy Spirit affirms:

“It is through this power that I am able to dismantle the strongholds of the enemy which he so purposefully set out to build in the lives of my children. That is why my Word says resist the devil and he will flee from you. Not in your own strength but using the Word which is your sword for I am true to my word. When you wield the sword it ignites my power which is behind it. The devil cannot oppose me and win. I am the one and only the Almighty God.”

Habakkuk 2:3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time, it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

Habakkuk was a prophet who had a lot of questions for God. He saw that the rulers of Judah were wicked in their dealings with the people, especially the poor. It disturbed him greatly. So in verses 2 and 3 of Chapter 1 he posed the following questions: “How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you ‘Violence!’ but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?” Do you sometimes feel like you have the same questions for God? As Habakkuk saw it, “The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.”

The Lord answered Habakkuk but the answer was quite disturbing because God shared with Habakkuk that he would send in the feared and ruthless Babylonians to punish Judah. This did not seem right to Habakkuk because in his view the wickedness of the Babylonians surpassed anything Judah was guilty of.

Habakkuk complained again with another series of questions but it is interesting to me that there seems to be a change in his tone. His questions are still urgent but he is not throwing a tantrum to the same degree as at first, instead he is full of reverence: “O Lord, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, we will not die …” (Habakkuk 1:12). He is still most puzzled when he asked: “Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?” (Habakkuk 1:13c) There was now the recognition of God’s sovereignty – an understanding that God is everlasting and holy. While he waited for the answer he contemplated how he would respond should the Lord rebuke him. He had taken a step back and his questions now arose out of the depth of his relationship with God. Then the Lord responded and instructed Habakkuk to write down the revelation so the herald could run with it. But the Lord said “the revelation awaits an appointed time.” You see, it is not that God doesn’t have answers, but that the answers will manifest according to God’s timing.

In our relationship with God there is often a time of waiting for an answer to manifest. We ask God to intervene in situations and the answer seems to be taking forever. Sometimes the wait even follows a revelation of what will be, but oh, it is painful to wait! In such a circumstance our response to the situation has to be wrapped up in this: “the righteous will live by his faith”. That faith has to be grounded only in what God has said. Change will certainly come but in God’s appointed time.

Psalm 31:19-20 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.

At some point in your life, and perhaps repeatedly, you will have the opportunity to test whether you believe these words from Psalm 31. It will be in what seems to be your darkest hour. Can you in that situation believe that God is good? Notice that in this instance his goodness is toward those who fear him and to those who will take refuge in him.

Jesus did not give his disciples the impression that their path would be smooth. Rather he told them quite plainly: “…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Jesus gave them this assurance based on the fact that God the Father loved them because they had reverenced his Son and believed that God had sent him. So if you believe God in this way, the secret is to run to Him when trouble comes. We can learn a lot from little children. When they are hurt or something goes amiss, what do they do? They run to mommy or daddy. Oh that as believers we would do the same! And they don’t run to Mom and Dad with heads down looking at the parents’ feet they come looking into their eyes. Invariably the parent’s eyes are looking in kindness at them and arms are opened wide to provide shelter and solace until they recover.

A believer is expected to recover from hardship because you trust in the God of the impossible. Find encouragement in Proverbs 24:15-16 which is an injunction against any would-be adversary to the righteous: “Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against a righteous man’s house, do not raid his dwelling place; for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again…” You can rise again because your Father’s goodness is stored up for you. Spend time in His presence.

2 Timothy 2:3-4 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer.

Intrinsic to the call of being a soldier is the concept of hardship. At the very onset of training, the soldier must contend with the idea that his service might even cost him his life. So then it is clear that there is no room for cowardice, but the soldier steps forward with the assurance that he has the full resources and support of his commander behind him. He understands that he is not alone and that his duty is to please his commander.

The Christian is called to fight the fight of faith. Like the soldier you go from boot camp to the battlefield. The early years after salvation should serve to equip you for the heat of the battle. The enemy has been identified – the devil is always scheming to take you out. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12).

Life demands stamina and fortitude, but if you are going to succeed in God’s army, you have to put on the full armor issued to you. “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6: 14 – 18). This reminds us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves with the common goal of pleasing our Commander.

Philippians 2:12-13  Therefore, my dear friends, as you have already obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

In the opening verses of this Chapter of Paul’s letter to the believers at Philippi he laid out the extent to which Jesus humbled himself and so fulfilled the will of his Father, and the exaltation which has followed. Then he gave them the above instruction which almost seems contradictory at first glance. It might lead you to think: “Wait a minute, my salvation is guaranteed by faith in Christ and his shed blood for me, what do you mean I must work out my own salvation?” Having been saved means that the nature of sin you inherited at birth has been replaced by the nature of Christ when you confessed your need for him. God now works in you through the Holy Spirit to transform you into the person God wants you to be. The question then becomes: Will you let him or will you continue to do as you like?

Transformation requires your cooperation. “For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” (Romans 6:9-12). Read this entire chapter.

The principal focus of Jesus’ life was to do what his Father wanted. That too is your calling and mine. “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life …” (Philippians 2:14-16). What an assignment we have!

Matthew 26:13 I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.

I think every believer would love an opportunity to sit down and converse with Jesus about the day to day happenings in his/her life. We talk to the Lord now of course through prayer and the Holy Spirit communes with us to encourage and sustain us. But wouldn’t you like to pose a question about the liberation of women, for instance, and get a direct and immediate answer? Wouldn’t that be something!

Yet when we want to know God’s heart on a particular subject, it is possible to search the Scriptures to find an answer. In Matthew 26 we read that Jesus reminded his disciples that the Passover was only two days away and that his crucifixion was imminent. On his way to the Passover, while in Bethany, he encountered a woman. This woman did not seek to pose any questions to Jesus, however. She simply broke open an alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ head while he was sitting at the table in Simon’s house.

In righteous indignation, the disciples questioned: “Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Seriously! My response to this would have been: whose perfume is it?

Jesus’ reaction is precious: “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Matthew 6: 10–13).  This woman brought Jesus a love gift. She esteemed him worthy of her best effort. She did not ask anyone’s approval but simply followed her heart. And Jesus defended her and approved of her actions. To my mind, she was as liberated as anyone can get. Doesn’t the Lord’s approval transcend all others?

Psalm 100:1-5 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

This Psalm was written by someone who knew what it was to overflow with gratitude to God in a way that draws you in and compels you to join him. He has simply thrown caution and every care to the wind and set his focus on who God is – the Creator and Shepherd of his people. A good shepherd never abandons his flock rather he goes before them to clear a path for them. Jesus reminds us in John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” That is something to rejoice about and be thankful for! Like Father, like Son!

“For the Lord is good…;” I know that some contend that if God is so good, why are things so chaotic. The fact is that man has created the chaos by his disobedience. Yet God has not abandoned what he has created. His Word reminds us that “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” (Psalm 24:1-2). Believers are not to succumb to fear or confusion because God is still sovereign, awesome, just and permanent. That is reason for thanksgiving. Thank you God! Here is a perspective the Holy Spirit dropped into my consciousness some years ago: “Where you see chaos, I see a change in the order of things.” So, friend, do not concentrate on the chaos but on the God who is in charge of everything.

God’s love endures forever. He has demonstrated this in the gift of his Son. He has established a basis for our relationship with him – faith in Jesus Christ. God’s faithfulness continues through all generations. He has demonstrated it in the beauty of the earth and the gifts he gives daily – life, health, sunshine and rain, harvests, parents, children, shelter, jobs. Let us not take these for granted – take inventory of the mercies that have been extended to you and your family circle in recent months, and take a moment to give thanks to God. I hear a lot in media at this time of year that begins: “I am thankful for………” but the person to whom one is thankful is conveniently omitted. What a travesty! We are alive and breathing but cannot bring ourselves to thank God.

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalm 107:31, NKJV).