December 8, 2020

Psalm 47 | December 6, 2020 | Advent 2

Peace Comes at a Cost

  • ·       God Subdues the Nations
  • ·       Only Two Sides Exist

Psalm 47: O Clap your hands, all peoples; Shout to God with the voice of joy. 2 For the LORD Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth. 3 He subdues peoples under us, And nations under our feet. 4 He chooses our inheritance for us, The glory of Jacob whom He loves. Selah. 5 God has ascended with a shout, The LORD, with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; Sing praises to our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with a skillful psalm. 8 God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne. 9 The princes of the people have assembled themselves as the people of the God of Abraham; For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted.

When you think about themes around Christmas time, peace is right at the top of the list. But even something as simple sounding as peace can be spoken of differently depending on the person. What do we mean by peace at Christmas time?

I think it’s safe to assume that most people mean world peace – that being peace among peoples and nations on earth. Peace in this sense would mean the absence of conflict, war, and anger. This kind of peace may be a noble goal but it’s hardly close to a reality. The more educated and sophisticated humanity becomes, the more that insight it put into finding new ways to get what is wanted and to hurt others if necessary. More lives have been taken in conflicts since the dawn of the 20th century than at any other point in history. Yet, we are regularly conditioned to accept that the more progressive and enlightened society becomes, the closer we come to achieving peace.

Others who speak of peace at Christmas time mean something more generic than world peace. Some take the concept of peace and make it more abstract, more of an idea in your mind that settles your heart, without attaching any specific thing or action to it. But what good is peace if it’s just an idea? Doesn’t there have to be a certain amount of reality behind the peace that we desire?

These cheaper imitations of the true peace of Christmas are popular because part of the challenge that we face is a lack of desire to truly understand what it takes to have real peace. This could apply to world peace, but we’re looking past this world into the things of God. To have divine peace, harmony with one’s Creator, is really what the peace of Christmas is about. We connect this peace with Christmas because it was for this peace that Jesus came and was born into this world. Jesus clearly did not bring an end to earthly conflict among peoples’ and nations when He was born. Jesus also intended something much more real and meaningful than a different mental outlook on life. Jesus came to destroy sin and death – not just as an idea, but as a tangible threat to our eternal futures. Sin destroys and fractions wherever it exists. This is reality. There are direct consequences. We have to live, everyday, with the tragic results of sin’s existence in this world. Sin is what makes world peace in an earthly sense impossible.

So, why wouldn’t the entire world beat the doors down to get this peace from Jesus? Because we who are in the world are part of the problem. And when you’re part of the problem, you naturally do not want to be honest about what it takes to achieve a solution to the problem. That’s why people aren’t lining the streets today reciting Psalm 47. In these words, God describes the cost of true peace through Jesus Christ. And it’s not the typical Christmas message we’re used to hearing around this time of year. It’s a message of power. A battle cry in the midst of conflict. A declaration of God as almighty and Lord of heaven and earth.    

What makes this psalm the atypical message of peace is because it portrays how peace is achieved. Peace came at a cost. We see that first come out in this psalm as God speaks of reigning over the nations. It’s hard to imagine a word more different from peace than “subdue.” Subduing brings to mind holding others back. It’s a word that heightens the power differential between two individuals or groups. Peace makes us think of equality. Subdue makes us think of inequality. But for peace to exist through Jesus, the nations of the earth needed to be subdued under God’s power.

What’s interesting about this word for “subdue” is that the basic meaning in Hebrew is “to speak.” The passage is literally saying that God “speaks” the nations down under the power of His people. In the Old Testament, God’s people were obviously the Israelites. We see how the words of this Psalm applied in a literal sense to the conquest of Canaan, when God allowed His people to subdue the foreign nations. But that was not allowed by God because of some worldly nationalistic pride, or because Israel proved to be a better nation than the others. God’s allowance of this power difference was solely to provide an avenue for the Anointed One, the Messiah, to be born of the nation of Israel.

Truly, if you track the nation of Israel’s history throughout the Bible, you’ll find that they were often the ones who were subdued. But despite the ups and downs, God remained faithful in His promise, first to Adam and Eve, and second to Abraham, and then to all humanity, that a Savior would be born of the nation of Israel. Spiritually speaking, for peace to come from Jesus, the evil and wickedness of the heathen nations needed to be put in check. This battle continues to this day. It’s not about the nation of Israel anymore, they served their purpose in God’s plan. Now, it’s about the real estate of a person’s heart – of you and God. Peace by faith cannot exist if sin still has dominion over a person. Only Christ can subdue that enemy.

When we understand the spiritual side of this Psalm, we see not only where we fit into the picture, but also why we have a unique and powerful peace from Jesus. The battle that was portrayed in a literal sense through Israel’s conquest as a nation, is now carried on by believers and continues to be blessed by the same almighty and eternal God in a spiritual sense. Biblical imagery in the Old Testament often follows this pattern. There was an intended meaning for the original audience in the Old Testament, but also a future meaning for believers of all time. This is the Holy Spirit’s handiwork upon the text. The sons of Korah themselves could only speak to their generation. The Holy Spirit alone is able to impart truth to all of God’s people – the universal Church.

So, the Spirit-intended meaning as it concerns our lives is about the battle that continues until time on this earth ends. We praise the LORD with shouts of joy because He reigns over this battle. We strive and we fight, but the peace that Jesus brought to earth extends over the entire story. This is the battle that the Apostle Paul referenced in our Scripture reading, Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1Ti 6:11 NKJ). 

Peace also comes at a cost because there are only two sides to this struggle. There are those who follow God by faith and those who do not. We know that when it comes to life with God there is only one way – as Jesus Himself taught and confessed that He was “the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).” But, for those without God, many and vast are the beliefs and teachings that are confessed. There is no one standard way of unbelief. So, while we live in a world of many different faiths, the simple truth that there are really only two outcomes helps clarify reality. For all people, a side must be chosen. And whichever path veers away from God’s truth of salvation in Christ is also subdued by God in His love and power.

And so this peace that comes at a cost is the only thing that can protect our souls from eternal damnation. The danger we face around Christmas time is that peace becomes meaningless – empty of Christ - worldly or generic. Both senses lose the true hope and foundation of Jesus Christ.

It will forever be true that the value of your peace is determined by what it cost to achieve. Cheap fluffy peace, the kind in many Christmas songs or plastered on the media today, comes at a very small cost. That type of peace is often spoken of in such vague terms that one is left at a loss as to what exactly necessitates peace. Why do we need it if we don’t have any problems with our beliefs, our attitudes, or our behaviors? What value does peace have if we are free to choose what is best for our lives and no one can say that one way is better or more moral than another?

We wind up in a similar place with earthly peace alone. How can one argue against advocating for worldly peace? It sounds inhumane. We certainly should desire earthly peace with fellow humans, but not as a substitute to eternal peace in Jesus. This is especially striking during a season when we get gifts for others. Which of us, when considering a gift, would prefer something artificial to something real? If you bought a diamond necklace, and had an equal choice – wouldn’t you choose real diamonds over fake? If you gifted a wooden hutch, wouldn’t you prefer oak over particle board? If you are going the gift card route, isn’t it better to have a gift card with actual money attached to it, rather than a fancy looking card with no value?

These images impress upon us the stark difference between world peace and peace by faith in Christ. Both are admirable goals, but one is clearly more realistic and more important than the other. And God testifies repeatedly in His Word that the new heavens and new earth of Christ’s reign will usher in a time of world peace. It’s simply a matter of which one must come before the other. God does want world peace, as do we, but the battle reminds us it can only come through Jesus.

Why? Because the cost He paid. You can estimate the value of peace by the cost it takes. Jesus paid the ultimate cost by laying down His own holy life for underserving sinners. He did what no one else could or would. And it started, at least from a physical standpoint, when He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of Mary into this world. From that moment, the warrior that would win the battle for peace entered the arena. The lines between faith and unbelief have always been set, just as they are today. But Jesus struck the first blow toward the serpent’s head as He lay on the manger in Bethlehem.

This was how God achieved peace, and the battle language of Psalm 47 is a continual reminder of this cost. We shouldn’t stray from peace as we read these words, rather we should learn more about it and be left treasuring such a gift even more. Peace will undoubtedly be spoken about this Christmas season and all others. Let us make sure our words mean something – in Jesus Christ. Amen.   

 

 

December 3, 2020

Luke 1:68-79 | November 29, 2020 | Advent 1

Theme: Zechariah’s Song - Prepare Your Heart

Luke 1:68-79

"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, 71 That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: 74 To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. 76 "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, 77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; 79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace."  

When was the last time you had a heart-stopping moment? I’m thinking of a time when you were shocked or surprised in such a way that time seemed to stand still. I guess “heart-stopping” really isn’t the best description because usually during such times our hearts race faster. A few weeks ago as I was helping re-shingle the parsonage in Tacoma, I had one such moment. While I was carrying a bundle of shingles, my feet started to give out on the steep roof and my momentum began to carry me toward the edge, with gravity obviously pulling me in that direction. Thankfully, I was able to steady myself and regain my footing, but I just as easily could have completely lost my footing. Even now, my hands sweat a bit thinking about and my heart begins to beat a little faster.  

We have those kinds of unexpected moments from time to time. And that’s part of what makes them heart-stopping – we can’t anticipate them. Today, we begin the Advent season, which is all about anticipation. But our first lesson focuses on someone who was completely surprised by the Lord’s grace and mercy – even if he should have known better. Zechariah was a priest and you can tell from his words that he knew the Scriptures well. Yet, he was dumbfounded at the Lord’s declaration that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would give birth to the forerunner of the Savior – John the Baptist.    

Zechariah is most well-known for the fallout of this doubt - being muted by the angel Gabriel. Zechariah doubted Gabriel’s message because he and Elizabeth were too old to have a child. Because of this unbelief Zechariah was not able to talk for the entire duration of the pregnancy. It was only after the baby was born, and after Zechariah confirmed that his name would be John, that his tongue was loosed. The first words Zechariah spoke after John’s birth are recorded as our text. 

What magnificent words they are! Zechariah confirms for us that despite his inability to speak and his moment of doubting; he held with great confidence to the promise of His Savior. While Zechariah no longer doubted, and certainly was not surprised at what had transpired, he had a heart-stopping moment in reflection of God’s goodness. At the time, Zechariah’s song of praise was quite possibly the greatest confession of the coming Messiah made by someone since the prophecies of the Old Testament. That was a time period of over 400 years! 

We might well ask, how did Zechariah come to such a confession? What caused him to “get it” when he so easily doubted 9 months earlier? We shouldn’t be surprised by the answer, for it’s the same way we have come to confess Jesus as our Savior, and Zechariah clearly states it: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.” Zechariah knew about Jesus because “God spoke” about Him in the Old Testament. So often when people want to find out something about Jesus, they look immediately to the New Testament. Surely Zechariah, as well as all other Old Testament believers, would have been at a loss if only the New Testament gave a clear record of our Savior. But certainly that isn’t the case for the Old Testament has much to teach about Jesus, even to us New Testament believers.

Essentially, Zechariah used what the Lord had given him, and that was sufficient for all he needed to about the Messiah and even more. Look at all the many aspects of Jesus’ life and work that Zechariah knew from the Old Testament:

Jesus would visit His people (v.68)

Jesus would redeem His people (v.68)

Jesus would bring salvation (v.69)

Jesus would come from David (v.69)

Jesus was promised long ago to Zechariah’s fathers (v.72)

Jesus would establish that long-awaited covenant from God which was first given to Abraham (vv.72-73)

Jesus would allow His followers to serve Him by faith, not by fear (v.74)

Jesus would grant holiness and righteousness (v.75)

Jesus would bring a message of repentance and forgiveness (v.77)

Jesus would bring light and peace in a world of darkness and strife (v.79)

Zechariah knew all of these truths from what the Old Testament promised about Jesus. And this is only what he chose to share at the birth of his son, surely he knew much more! How many of us, who have the entire Bible, are able to confess such a list of truths? How much of the world around us takes time to consider these aspects of our Savior around the time of Christmas? Talk about putting “Christ” in “Christmas!” Zechariah certainly does that here by specifically outlining the work of the Child who, from his perspective, was not even born yet. 

This type of confession, this type of knowledge, can only come just as it came for Zechariah, through the work and blessing of the Holy Spirit. It was precisely because Zechariah worked with the Word of God that he had the gift of the Holy Spirit. There’s no doubt that Zechariah showed the strength of his faith through this song. But how interesting was the way that this faith grew to be so strong. It was first through humility and lowliness that Zechariah understood his place in the Lord’s work. Whereas he was initially quick to doubt God and to try and figure things out on his own, months later he would boldly confess the truth in great detail, and willingly offer his own son for the work of preparing people for Jesus. 

It’s unfortunate that Zechariah will forever be remembered for that moment of doubt and weakness, because in reality he showed the rock-solid foundation of his faith through this song of praise. But perhaps this is good because it stands as a reminder for us. Just as the purpose of John the Baptist’s life was one of preparation, so also the few short moments of his father’s life that we find recorded in the Bible remind us of a similar preparation. God prepared His people throughout thousands of years to receive the gift of His Son, the “fullness of the time” which John the Baptist ushered in. So, too, Zechariah’s story and song continues to prepare us today by reminding us how the Lord works in our lives. Sometimes He needs to humble us in order lift us up. Sometimes He needs to close a door so that another one can open. Sometimes He needs to shut our mouths so that we listen to Him. Our job is to stay focused on the truths of our faith, the same things that Zechariah confessed: 

Jesus brings us mercy, salvation, and forgiveness. 

God rescues us from all evil through Jesus. 

We learn about Jesus through God Word. 

The same promise that was given to Abraham and the Old Testament prophets, is given to you and me.    

All of these truths are part of what made the “fullness of the time” for Christ’s arrival on this earth. They are also what lead us to confess as Zechariah did, that Jesus Christ born of the virgin Mary is my Lord and Savior. May we both keep the same confidence of faith that Zechariah had and keep ourselves from rebelling against the Lord’s work in our lives, even if it often corrects and humbles us. And may we readily prepare ourselves to see and listen to Jesus, not only during His Advent, but at all times and in all places that His powerful Word comes to us. Amen.


Thanksgiving Day 2020 | Lamentations 3:21-26

A Portion and a Promise on Thanksgiving Day

1. The portion of the LORD’s unchanging mercy

2. The promise of the LORD’s unfailing compassion

Here we are at another Thanksgiving Day. But it’s 2020 – is there really any reason to be thankful?

·       A continuing pandemic

·       A tumultuous election year in our nation

·       Racial discord

·       Civil unrest

·       Rates of depression and anxiety are skyrocketing

·       Many people in financial distress and suffering from lost jobs

By all accounts, this has been an excruciating year for many people. Most people can’t wait to turn the chapter on this year and move on. And yet, we have the annual day of Thanksgiving. Is it anything more than a traditional obligation this year? Are we truly thankful today – do we have reason to be?

Well, it’s clear that we do. We should always take stock of the daily blessings that we have. Some may be lacking, but for most of us we are well taken care of with plenty of blessings from God. Good health, a loving home, friends and family, food on the table, living in peace and freedom, good weather, money in our bank accounts and savings. There may be things in the extended list of daily blessings that come and go, or that we suffer in from time to time, but for all of us we have much more than we need or deserve. And the wise adage that things can always get worse is certainly fitting in any season of life.

But, today as we reflect with Thanksgiving, let us take it one step further, a step that can only be taken by faith. Let us reflect not only on the everyday blessings we have, but the weightier, reaching-to-eternity blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus – things which our earthly eyes do not see. Today, we consider how, because of those blessings in Jesus, we can rejoice with Thanksgiving even in the most troublesome times, as we read from God’s Word in Lamentations 3:21-26: This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. 22 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” 25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD.

It's hard to imagine a more hopeless scene than the one surrounding the book of Lamentations – the one book of the Bible that is literally named after sorrow. Lamentations was written by the prophet Jeremiah as he witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Unlike Daniel, who was carried off to Babylon, Jeremiah was left behind. We can only imagine the horrors that Jeremiah witnessed. Indeed, it is difficult because few of us have ever seen things that could be deemed similar. War, destruction, famine, pain, captivity, death – and the list goes on. Considering the context of these verses certainly helps us put our current trials in perspective.

And yet, in the midst of an entire volume dedicated to lament – we have these words of hope expressed by God’s prophet. Themes such as hope, mercy, faithfulness, and salvation – where do such blessings come from when one is trapped in the valley of the shadow of death? They come from the LORD almighty – the one, true God. These blessings are also the bigger ones. Yes, food, home, and family had been taken from God’s people in Israel. Yet, no enemy could touch God’s mercy, faithfulness, and salvation for them. The trials they endured highlighted the eternal blessings that they treasured, and the same lesson is played out in each believer’s life when their physical blessings are threatened or taken away.

In fact, at times, God strips us of those very things to lessen the attachment we have to this world. For Israel, God’s greater plan was to humble their hardened pride so that they would no longer drift away from their heritage of faith in the true God. Even the pain and destruction in this sense was used by God for their good. And we’d be foolish to think that we are that much different from Israel and the same principle is not also at work in our lives.

It’s one thing to understand such things. It’s a completely different thing to be thankful in the midst of trials. We may recognize God’s ability to work through trial and difficulty in our lives, but how can be thankful for those very circumstances? The answer is that a change must take place and we see that change in the way our text reads. As Jeremiah quotes his own soul he says, “The LORD is my portion.” The great exchange that must take place is that God must take our place – both in the punishment suffered by also in the hope gained. First, we see that we have a portion of God’s unchanging mercy.

Part of what makes these words remarkable is that a few verses before, Jeremiah confessed the exact opposite: Lamentations 3:17-18 “You have moved my soul far from peace; I have forgotten prosperity. My strength and my hope Have perished from the LORD.” But notice the difference, that sentiment was based on Jeremiah. His strength. His hope. Those things were what perished before the LORD – any desire to be sustained by Jeremiah’s efforts. Only when Jeremiah recalled the LORD’s unchanging mercy did hope return to his heart.

Both elements can be true, and even must, for hope by faith to exist. We must abandon any notion that we can accomplish our soul’s needs, or that we can confront and conquer the enemies of our faith. We must discard the idea that we can replicate the fulfillment and happiness that God alone can give. The LORD alone guides and sustains us. Therefore, it is not wrong for Christians to display weakness, discouragement, or failure. The strength of our faith is not in ourselves, therefore, we cannot expect life to look like that. Many have built their image of the Christian life on what they do or what they look like – but what hope does that offer when the storms of life come our way?

When the LORD’s mercy becomes our portion, we lose that false mindset. But consider what mercy is. Mercy is kindness and goodness directed toward those who do not deserve it. Think of it as synonymous with grace. One scholar’s rendering for this Hebrew word is “kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable).” That is what we are. That is why we need the LORD’s mercy. We are lowly. We are needy. We are miserable – and it comes back to our transgressions before the LORD’s holy Word. We are in need of mercy because we have messed it. The difficulties we face are not always someone else’s problem. We are not innocent bystanders. Even as Jeremiah contemplated Jerusalem’s destruction in great sorrow, he reflected on his own hopelessness as a sinner that led to that very judgment. Even God’s prophet was not innocent.

The reason we can be honest about that reality today and still be thankful – is because of what God’s mercy does. It keeps us from being consumed, literally “finished,” by our sinful deeds. God does not give us what we deserve. That is one reason we are thankful today – even if the year has not been what we expected it to be. And sometimes when things don’t go our way, it can be a greater blessing because it helps us recall, as Jeremiah did, the LORD’s mercy in unchanging in the chaos and destruction of life.

Paired with God’s unchanging mercy is the promise of His unfailing compassion. To our ears it may seem that the LORD is expressing the same thing with compassion as we talked about with mercy. It is true that they are synonymous, and they are used that way by Jeremiah. But there is a difference worth highlighting too. The focus of mercy is upon the individual in need of help. The focus of compassion is on the individual giving help. Both thoughts center on love but from different perspectives. Mercy reminds us of what God rescues us from while compassion reminds us of depths of God’s care for us. One word expresses love from the sinner’s vantage point while the other expresses it from God’s vantage point.

We see this connection in Jeremiah’s words as he compares sinners not being consumed with God’s mercy not failing. Our lives with God are directly tied to His compassion and the way His mercy works for us. Mercy points to how He removes the wrong – our sin, and compassion points us to the never-ending supply of His care for us. So as Jeremiah puts it, BECAUSE God’s compassions do not fail, we are not consumed as we are kept in God’s mercy. The blessings that flow from this reality are abundant. We can say with Jeremiah, no matter the circumstance of our lives:

·       The LORD’s mercy and compassion are new every day.

·       The LORD’s faithfulness is great.

·       We have hope in the LORD.

·       The LORD is good to those who wait upon Him by faith. 

These truths are valid and certain for every aspect of our physical lives. When it comes to food, homes, family, health, finances, studies, jobs, hobbies, and all other things – the LORD is present and acting upon your behalf in unchanging mercy and unfailing compassion. But these truths reach highest when you consider your soul and the lengths that God went to secure eternal salvation for you. Because you have the mercy and compassion given by Jesus, as your Savior from sin and eternal damnation – you have heavenly blessings in abundance.

Has 2020 been rough? Sure. Are we ready to move on? Probably. It’s okay to think that way. But trials, struggles, and personal obstacles because of sin will always be present in different forms. The severity of such things may come and go, but let us not trust in man’s planning or crossing our fingers that the next year will somehow be magically better. More productive, and more realistic, than bemoaning our present circumstances, is rejoicing with thanksgiving in the blessings of God that never change. In all things, the LORD gives you a portion of His unchanging mercy and a promise of His unfailing compassion. Oh give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good! In all things and at all times. Amen.

November 24, 2020

Matthew 5:13-16 | Pentecost 25 | November 22, 2020

Theme: The Christian Difference

Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Most of you know that when it comes to sports, I am a Michigan fan, especially when it comes to college athletics. I know that’s tough to hear out here in Husky (or sometimes Coug) country. But when you’re watching a college game on TV, it’s common for each University that is competing to have an advertisement (a commercial) for their school. As I happen to tune into Michigan games, I’ve become quite familiar with their commercial.

In it, they highlight some of the groundbreaking work they are doing as a research university, as well as certain studies and disciplines that set them apart from other schools. The overall theme of the advertisement is “The Michigan Difference.” To the inquiring student, the University of Michigan wants to be seen as different than the rest. They want the student to believe that there are opportunities and experiences at Michigan that cannot be found anywhere else.

It’s a catchy, and I’m sure, effective, advertisement. The PR group that developed it has tapped into the growing desire in our culture to be different – to highlight one’s uniqueness and to strive for things that will set us apart from others. We live in a culture where being different is highlighted and celebrated. But, as Christians, we have to be careful with this as well. People are encouraged to strive to find ways of emphasizing their uniqueness and originality to the world – even if their expression comes at the expense of God’s design for their life. The Church has always been on guard against becoming too different from the way that God intended our lives to be.

It’s not wrong for a public university to highlight what makes it unique. But, you can take that same line of thinking and multiple by ten in terms of the prevalence of humanity today to glorify individual expression and choice above God’s will. On both an individual and societal level, we tend to take our self-expression to the extreme over and against God’s Word. We live in a generation that pressures young people especially to define their lives and express their thoughts and actions in whatever ways they choose – even more so when it bucks the traditional trends of Christianity. Newer and bolder ways of identifying oneself are lauded and celebrated. It’s considered mature and enlightened to push the envelope of what is deemed acceptable.

I saw another example of this much more blatant form of being different this past week. It was a web article about a popular male singer and actor in his twenties who recently conducted a photo shoot for a trendy magazine where he dressed up in women’s make-up, jewelry, and clothing. The move was celebrated by many in the media as original, bold, and brave. The young man was praised as being socially conscious enough to liberate himself from the shackles of traditionalism. Perhaps this kind of thing isn’t surprising anymore but it’s also clear that it would not have been celebrated or accepted to such an extent in a different era. Our culture has changed and part of that change has been a desire to be different to an extreme – where choices are deliberately made to make others uncomfortable, to generate debate, and to stretch the boundaries of what is deemed acceptable, and even moral. The attitude behind such a movement is nothing new – it’s rooted in sinful human pride that wants to exalt itself over the rules and laws of the eternal God.

The desire to be different is simply the current manifestation of this sinful pride. The Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’ day suffered from the same root issue, but they showed it in being unwilling to change from tradition instead of craving personal liberty above all else. Many other examples could be brought to mind from history – both as it concerns those within and outside of the church. Human pride has no limit in its desire to subvert God’s standards of righteousness. Under the thin veneer of human acceptance and popular trends lies the rotten, corrupted human heart that seeks to control your identity and your every expression, rather than letting the Holy Spirit conform you closer to Jesus.

The impression has long been that Christians never want to change or be different in any way. There can be isolated attitudes from Christians which exemplify that stereotype but often it is a very limited characterization of the Church. The truth is – Christians are called to be different – very different, but in a different kind of way. The words of Jesus in our text from the Sermon on the Mount talk about what this difference is to be – and it’s more radical that anything the world can come up with.

Two illustrations are used – salt and light. These images encapsulate the Christian difference. Jesus first says, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” Today, we think of the primary use of salt in providing flavor to our food, but it wasn’t that way in Christ’s culture and many other ancient civilizations. Salt was used with food, but as a preservative. The use of electrically powered refrigerators to cool and freeze food is a very new development in history. For thousands of years before this invention, salt was used as the standard preservative – to keep food good to eat for a longer amount of time.

The preserving agent in the life of the Christian is the gospel message of Christ. When this permeates in our lives, it acts as a preserving agent in the world around us – both in stemming God’s righteous judgment of sin but also giving people a confidence and hope for salvation that doesn’t rest in their own works. Paul put it succinctly in Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. The law of God reveals the rottenness and corruption of sin – the grace of God in the gospel abounds over the curse of the law and covers the imperfections we carry in our lives – it’s a preserving agent against the effects of sin. And God guarantees that wherever sin’s rottenness resides, the gospel can be more powerful in its effect.

Jesus also says, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” Believers are also different as lights. A light has one very basic purpose – to reveal something, to make it known and open to the world. Jesus mentions the illogical idea of lighting a lamp just to cover it up with a basket. By doing so, you are defeating the entire purpose of the light.

We are used to enjoying the blessings of having plenty of lights to keep darkness at bay – in our homes, on our vehicles, and on our streets. We might wonder why anyone would want to cover the light that we are called by God to shine. Well, sometimes we don’t like to see what the light reveals. You see, that’s the other aspect about using a light as it’s intended to be used. It shines light on everything – not just on what we choose to reveal. In terms of our lives with God – there are many areas that we’d rather keep hidden in the darkness of sin.

David confessed this of his own life in Psalm 19 saying, 12 Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. 13 Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule over me. Like mold in a damp basement, sin loves to stay hidden in the dark – either by willful ignorance on our part of genuine lack of awareness. When sin stays covered and hidden it can grow. That’s why David asked the LORD to forgive even the hidden areas of sin that David wasn’t thinking about. We need God’s light to shine even on the parts of our lives that we don’t want it to.

It’s no wonder that Jesus would declare Himself to be the light of the world in John 8, and that John would continue building on that theme throughout his gospel account and three epistles. The difference between light and dark in terms of our sin and God’s righteousness is clear and basic to our faith. Therefore, Jesus, the light, expects the same expression in our lives - "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Believers are to be willing to reveal God’s truth in whatever direction it takes. Paul says, Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Here you can see that believers are called to be different, and these differences are something we should celebrate and support in our lives and in the lives of fellow Christians. But here also we see the primary difference between the world and the Church. The differences fueled by human pride are designed to center a person’s identity and expression on themselves. The differences fueled by faith in Jesus are designed to center a person’s identity and expression on Jesus.

It really comes down to identity. For the child of God – his or her identity is no longer in their own desires, efforts, or even thoughts. But they have been changed – made different – by Jesus. Paul writes in Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Differences exist and abound in life and that reality certainly is present in the Church. Part of the difficultly of being in a church, at times, is working with the differences of others. But the beauty of the Church is that it provides a level of unity despite our differences. We are all the same in Christ Jesus – sinner redeemed to saint – a prodigal son or daughter who has returned to their Father, and the many differences we have begin to fade in importance to the oneness we have in Jesus.

Part of that unity of faith is embracing how God calls us to be difference. The salt preserves in order to keep God’s truth intact. The light reveals the Savior’s will – not our own. In so emphasizing Christ, we also indirectly emphasize the most important and valuable aspects of who we are – how we are identified and found in His name by faith.  Amen.  

Daniel 12 | Pentecost 24 | November 15, 2020

Daniel 12 – Pentecost 24

We’ve reached the end of our study on the book of Daniel. As it is with any milestone of study, it’s wise to take stock of what was learned. So, what have you learned? We’ve covered a lot of subject matter, mystery and intrigue, and several historical events. Many things come to mind. We’ve been reminded that God is all-powerful and in control as we’ve reviewed familiar stories in Daniel’s life. We’ve talked about how God’s kingdom is eternal in contrast the earthly rulers that come and go. We’ve witnessed Daniel’s strong faith and his life dedicated to service. We’ve also seen that every message given by God was about preparing His people for the coming of Jesus. There’s a lot to be learned, and many of the themes from Daniel fit with our lives as well.

But sometimes at the conclusion of a study of Scripture, a different response comes to mind. Sometimes we’re left with more questions than answers. Daniel experienced this feeling too, as we read in verse 8: Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, "My lord, what shall be the end of these things?"

I have that verse circled in my Bible. In the margin I have written “The Theme of Daniel.” That verse is important because it reminds us that sometimes after an intensive study of God’s Word, we are left with the same reaction – “Lord, what shall be the end of these things?” Now, Daniel was talking about this final vision that was being given to him. And at this point in the vision, Jesus was instructing Daniel about THE end of days – the same end we’re still waiting for. It’s not just Daniel, or us – this day is mystery to all people. Jesus mentioned what will happen on that day in verses 1-2, And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.

But Jesus has also stated clearly, Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” When it comes to the Last Day, our task is not to predict and prophesy – rather it is to prepare. But the same can be said of any other time we come before Scripture. There’s a thought contained in Daniel’s words that fits with God’s revelation in general, not just concerning the Last Day. We have no doubt learned much in our study of Daniel, details and truths worth remembering, and yet we still can be perplexed at the overall purpose. “What is the end of it Lord?” Other more familiar ways of asking the same thing are, “Why do it this way Lord?” Why must the true teaching be this or that, Lord?” “What is the impact of this on my life, Lord?” We look not just to learn, but to comprehend - to understand the purpose of the Lord’s will. And this question arises whenever we open our Bibles and study His Word.

So, when you think to yourself, What did I learn from Daniel?, the answer is bit harder when we think of that question from a big picture perspective. We see that God wants us to listen and to understand.

Jesus lamented the lack of this hearing in His time, as He stated that a prophecy of Isaiah had been fulfilled in the peoples’ reaction to His teaching, Matthew 13:14-16 "And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: `Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; 15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.' 16 "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;

In this immediate context, the type of revelation from God was the form of parable. The disciples asked Jesus, why do you use parables? Essentially, why, Jesus, don’t you speak more plainly? The answer Jesus gave was in the verses we just read. The people did not believe or trust in God – therefore they did not find truth in His Word. The parables were meant to instruct, but also to get them to dig deeper into issues in which they were lacking understanding. Parables being much simpler in form - an earthly story with a heavenly meaning as we know them - are inherently designed to awaken a hunger and thirst in the listener for more. But unfortunately, that was not the case with many of the people Jesus ministered to. Their hearts were dull and unresponsive to His Word. (Same truth apparent in Paul’s ministry at the end of Acts 28)

Sometimes this reaction of listening but not understanding is a product of unbelief and defiance toward God. Sometimes, people don’t want to understand, even if they present that they do outwardly. Sometimes, they really aren’t invested in finding God’s truth, but only the parts of God’s truth align with their personal beliefs. But, there are instances like Daniel. Every indication we have is that Daniel was the model believer. The first story we learned about his life was one where he risked his life and reputation out of faithfulness to God. Daniel was not afraid to defy authorities and to stand for God’s truth even when no one else would. Daniel valued faithfulness to God even higher than his own life. Daniel clearly trusted God, respected God’s Word, and sought to glorify God’s name as much as he could.

But, here at the end, Daniel doesn’t get it. He says, “Although I heard, I did not understand.” Sometimes, listening but not understanding happens to believers. What was Daniel to do? What are we to do? The Lord’s answer is telling, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” Also, the very last verse of the book, “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”

When Daniel asked the Lord about this struggle, God’s answer was – “Go,” literally one word in the Hebrew text. When the believer reaches the pinnacle of faith’s struggle, trying to comprehend and apply to our lives the divine mysteries of an almighty God, and we reach a point that stretches beyond the ability of our finite brains and hearts, God says – “Go.” Not go in the sense of get out of my sight and be gone with you – but go in the sense of keep going with what I have given you. As our text reads, “Go your way until the end.”

This is faith’s built-in safety device. It leads us to the riches of God’s wisdom, power, and love. It reveals sublime records, stories, and promises. Paul wrote of this experience saying, Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and untraceable His ways! Faith borne of the Word of God is continually faced with the divine. Certainly, faith has a great capacity for understanding, wisdom, and acceptance of the treasures of God’s Word. Without a doubt, it is the very substance of eternal salvation and hope in Jesus Christ – the greatest of all truths. But as faith resides in our hearts and minds, there is a limit – not of faith’s doing but of our own. And when faced with the incomprehensible from God – we are reminded to keep going. God takes us from eternally mysterious and divinely complicated, which human words fall short of fully expressing, and brings the path back down to our comfortable level of one-word answers.

But just as we see a clear division between the eternal future of believers and unbelievers in Daniel’s text, so also there is a marked division between this quest for answers among each. While all people regardless of belief and confession struggle to understand God and His truth, what separates the two is the One who fills in what is lacking. The difference maker is Jesus, of whom Paul wrote, 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."

This is why verse 8 is circled in my Bible. It’s also why I encourage you to remember it well. It’s a valuable passage because it reminds me that it’s okay when I hear but don’t understand. Not because God accepts such an outcome, but because Jesus fills in what I lack. I should always strive to learn and understand, and God is able to instruct and reveal a lot that I don’t know on my own. The unbeliever is faced with the same predicament, the only difference being having to do the heavy lifting themselves. What comfort, then, is packed into the single word “Go.” I can go my way in life, not indifferent to God’s truth, but also not in terror of it, because Jesus takes my place. And that mediation from my Savior applies even to the truths of God beyond my sinful comprehension. My confidence of faith is not founded on my intellect, experience, or feeling. Rather, I boast in the LORD, and the marks of His sacrificial love for my ignorant rebellions.

Here also, is where we see faith in action. It is easy to confess Christ in words. It is simple to claim Him as your Savior as passing thought. But, that confession is measured in the effect your faith has in your life, precisely when you come face to face with divine wisdom. Here are some examples of what this looks like:

The believer of a small congregation struggles to see the Lord’s hand at work. She says, “I use the Word, I come to church, I receive the Sacrament, but I feel very little. So many people in our community are indifferent to Jesus. Many have left our church for others. Where is God’s work? Why won’t He bless our faithful witness and complete reliance on His Word?” That believer hears, but doesn’t understand. The answer seems unobtainable, out of her reach. But God tells her, “Go your way, some answers will have to wait for eternity.”      

A different believer struggles with a teaching from God – call it one that is unpopular, one that many churches have changed in their lust for attention and approval from the world. He knows what God says. The Bible is clear. He is encouraged by parents, pastor, and other faithful friends in what God says. Yet, the struggle is real. He is tempted to doubt, to despair, to substitute lies for truth. He is discouraged at God’s silence in the matter. He has prayed and prayed and prayed but the struggle feels the same. The pressure to conform is overwhelming. That believer hears, but doesn’t understand. But God tells him the same, “Go your way, some answers will have to wait for eternity.”

Daniel’s words unlock one of the most undervalued, yet important aspects of faith in Jesus – it never demands of God what God does not graciously give. And there is a simple joy and peace in this, because the inner safety device of faith leaves us no other option (other than rejection of God) than submitting our cause to Him and going on our way. And whenever you are called to do such a thing, two constants never change – Jesus will have your back and God will do more with your question than you can do with the answer.

Every Word of God is true. Every question in our hearts has an answer from God. With both things, we wait patiently by faith in Jesus in our quest to hear and understand – and that’s okay. Because, with Jesus, we are saved for eternity and we are safe for today. 

Amen.

Daniel 10 & 11 | Pentecost 23 | November 8, 2020

Theme: Strengthened by Words

The final three chapters in the book of Daniel speak of one single event. Today, we cover chapters 10 and 11 because it is most helpful to study them together. Chapter 10 begins with the final vision that was given to Daniel. At this point in history, the first wave of Jewish exiles had returned home at the decree of King Cyrus. Daniel, who at this time was at least 80 years old, remained behind in Persia. Just as he came to Babylon with the first group of exiles, in order to prepare to lead God’s people spiritually, so Daniel’s mission would be to remain in Persia. This was his task from God.

In this final vision, Daniel speaks with a mysterious man. Daniel’s description of the man is quite unique: I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. (Dan 10:5-6)

One of the big questions of the final chapters is, who is this man? Our first impression might be that it is an angel from God. However, in the preceding chapter, when God sent an angel to Daniel, He specifically stated such (Gabriel). Also, the appearance of this man in chapter 10 doesn’t exactly fit with an angel. When angels are described in the Bible, they are indeed described at bright and powerful in their appearance, but this individual is on a different level of glory. The most intriguing detail in identifying this man is the effect he has on Daniel. As we trace this throughout the chapter, the most likely answer is that Daniel was speaking with Jesus. Now, this is obviously a pre-incarnate form that Jesus takes – meaning before His own conception and birth into this world. It’s clear that if this is Jesus, He has purposely taken this glorified form to draw attention to the importance of His message. As God, we don’t know what Jesus’ form was in heaven at this point, or even if He had a form. But, for the purpose of this vision, Jesus took this form to reveal this message to Daniel.

And quite a message it was. At this point, let’s work back from chapter 11. The reason we take chapters 10 & 11 together is because it’s difficult to understand them separately. Chapter 11 is essentially a very detailed prophecy about the history of God’s people – first the history of the physical nation of Israel up to the time of Christ and second, the history of the Church up to the final day of judgment. This vision is very much along the same lines as the others that we have studied which God gave to Daniel. They all serve the purpose of preparing Israel for the period of history leading up to Christ’s first coming, and also to prepare believers for the period of time leading up to Christ’s second coming.

The prophecy of chapter 11 is probably the most detailed prophecy in all of Scripture. Like the others in Daniel, it traces the history of kings and nations that played a role in God’s plan of salvation. We don’t have the time to go into detail about the entire chapter, but as a summary, the different parts of the prophecy, and its fulfillment are printed in the bulletin. The transition from v.35 to v.36 marks the transition from Israel to God’s Church. As we saw in chapters 7and 8, Antiochus Epiphanes was a precursor of the actual Antichrist. Just as Antiochus tormented God’s people of Israel, so that Antichrist torments God’s Church. So, Jesus was giving Daniel a message about both Old Testament and New Testament events as they affected God’s people. Therefore, the details of chapter 11 were helpful to the people of Israel in their preparation of Jesus’s first coming. But they are also helpful to us today in our preparation of Jesus’ second coming. What Israel endured before the first advent was a picture of what the Church will endure before the second Advent.

That is about all we can say at this point about chapter 11. The more important area of focus is understanding the connection to chapter 10 within this context.

As we mentioned at the beginning, everything in chapter 10 revolves around the messenger – which we believe is Christ. There’s a reason He spends so much time prepping Daniel for this vision. To start, Daniel is near the end of his service and he strikes us as someone who is worn down. He speaks of being in mourning for three weeks and refusing to eat choice foods or drink wine. When Daniel first witnessed this messenger, he was terrified and put his face to the ground. It’s probable that some of Daniel’s anxiety was generated from the difficulty the returning exiles were having in the land of Israel. If you read the historical accounts of this side of the story – from Ezra and Nehemiah, you will remember that even though the people had Cyrus’ blessing in returning, they were not exactly welcomed back home. This news may have been the source of Daniel’s mourning, but clearly there was a lot that concerned him in this chapter.

Since there is so much emphasis in chapter 10 in the messenger, and because this individual clearly was sent from God to enlighten and encourage Daniel, we can track the flow of the chapter through the words that are spoken. In this way, chapter 10 serves as a timely metaphor for our lives. As we were reminded of last weekend, the age of prophetic vision has been sealed shut. We should not expect God to appear before us as He did here in chapter 10. He does not reveal His will to us through dream and interpretation as he did throughout the life of Daniel. But here in chapter 10, we see what God uses in our lives – words.

When you have the opportunity, I encourage you to review chapter 10 in your Bible and underline all of the references to words spoken. It’s the predominant theme. And as the source of God’s revelation to us today, we trace our life with God through words. Think about our worship service so far and every other weekend. Every special thing we do, each item of truth from God, is given and received through Words. Sometimes that seems old fashioned and boring. Our traditions and methods are often criticized by those who are interested in a much more emotionally and visually stimulating experience – those who desire the “dream and vision” forms of communication. But God has sealed shut outwardly miraculous forms of communication and so we trust that He works in us and teaches us through His Word.

What we also see in chapter 10 is that God’s Word breaks down to build up. It’s not just a matter of breaking down and building up. Sometimes, we think of the Word’s effect in that way but there’s a more deliberate process to God’s activity. He breaks down to build up. He’s intentional about doing it that way. Why is that an important distinction? Because who wouldn’t rather skip out on the breaking down process and focus on the building up process? (we like to separate those two ideas)

In Christian, Bible-based terms, you’ve learned about this as the distinction between law and gospel – and it is the heartbeat of your faith in Jesus. Law and Gospel not only come only through God’s words, they also are the only way to properly break down to build up.

You can see the Law and the Gospel come forth in Daniel 10 when you track the words. The initial dialogue between Daniel and Jesus is filled with the effect of the Law. In verse 9, we’re told that upon hearing the first words of Jesus, Daniel put his face to the ground. In verse 11, Daniel said that the words caused him to tremble. In verse 12, Jesus tells Daniel that he came to Daniel because of Daniel’s prayer (words) which were offered in the humility of faith. In verse 15, Daniel again turned his face to the ground and was speechless.

We don’t know what exact words were being given to Daniel from Christ, but clearly they produced the same effect as the law of God. The law is righteous and true, and inwardly we desire it because we know it is good. But, inwardly, we also struggle with imperfection and the decay of sin. The law’s effect, therefore, when we are honest about it, is to convict us of unrighteousness before God. Daniel certainly felt that reality and it caused him to tremble before this divine messenger. Daniel knew that he had no right to stand before Christ, because Daniel was a justifiably accused sinner before God. The only thing that Daniel did deserve was judgment.

But what a different response he received from God. As Daniel bowed in humility, Jesus came and touched Daniel’s lips and strengthened him. And He said to Daniel, “O man, greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” And upon receiving that divine renewal, Daniel stood, strengthened, and confessing, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” And so, chapter 10 ends, and Jesus proceeds to reveal the vision of chapter 11.

Everything changed when the Lord came to Daniel and strengthened him with His Word. This scene reminds me of a similar instance for another one of God’s prophets. In Isaiah 6, Isaiah sees a similarly remarkable vision from God and is overcome in humility at the prospect of his sin. He confessed, "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts." And in that moment of repentance, an angel from God took a live coal from the altar and touched Isaiah’s lips with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips, your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.”

From that moment, Isaiah was not only equipped to move forward as a representative of God as a prophet, but he was comforted in his heart that his own sins had been cleansed by God. We see the same thing happen here with Daniel. In his weakness, the LORD strengthened him. He renewed Daniel in this moment of agony, and He used words. So much attention is given in the book of Daniel to the dreams, visions, and miracles that we quickly forget – God’s Word has the most powerful effect. (the signs confirm the Word, just as in Jesus’ ministry) Jesus came here to Daniel in chapter 10 for the express purpose of reaffirming Daniel’s trust in the Scripture of Truth, so that Daniel would no longer mourn, tremble, or fear. And it worked. Daniel was renewed. He was at peace. He was strengthened.

Since the truth of Scripture never changes, you have access to that same source of renewal, peace, and strength. God gives you words to encourage you. Each moment you spend in God’s Word He is coming before you to reveal an important message. When you use the Word of God without adding your opinions to it, without detracting from its intended meaning, and with confidence that it delivers what God promises – it will break down to build up. Don’t be intimidated or offended that the Word works this way – it is God’s way; it is His design to encourage and strengthen you.

The law will expose unrighteousness wherever it is found, whether that be in Satan’s schemes, the world’s lusts, or your own heart. It will shine the light of truth in an unapologetic way. Many try to hide and avoid it, but no one can. But don’t let your reactions of sorrow, frustration, or anger block out God’s purpose through it – to build you up in His grace. The gospel is good news indeed, sweet and consoling – but only to the sinner stricken with grief before God. Let it be so in your life.

We can be patient with the dreams and visions. One day Jesus will appear before us in His full glory – the day is coming. But for today – we have God’s Words – powerful, effective, and precious – let us use them as God intended. Amen.

November 3, 2020

Daniel 9 | November 1, 2020 | Pentecost 22

Theme: A shared reality and difficulty.

We’re covering two very important, yet difficult topics today: 1. Personal responsibility before God and 2. Understanding the “why” of God’s will. I’m going to frame today’s study by referring to #1 as the “reality” and #2 as the “difficulty.”

Up to this point in our study of Daniel, in all the stories we have covered, God’s people have been the protagonists and foreign entities have been the antagonists. In simpler terms, the problems we have covered have been orchestrated and implemented by unbelieving rulers and individuals. Daniel, his friends, and the people of Judah have been the victims of such abuse. Because we have been looking at this limited window of context, it’s easy to forget that God’s people were not heroes or righteousness in this history. Today, as we reach what is really the most important chapter in Daniel’s book, we are reminded that everything we have covered came about as a result of the unfaithfulness of God’s people in Judah. Daniel gives us the extended view of the history.

Throughout our study we’ve learned many valuable lessons. Faithfulness to God. Humility before God. Trust in God in extreme trails. Patience and longsuffering in the midst of disaster. Each one of these important lessons in Daniel, and wherever else we find them in Scripture, are meant to bring us to the theme of chapter 9 – repentance before God and hope through His mercy. Faith is not about academic lessons that we learn and get better at mastering in our lives. Faith is about having Christ. The themes and lessons of the prior chapters have brought us to the theme of chapter 9 – so also this is the purpose of every other truth (doctrine) from God’s Word. Every word of God’s truth is important – but it ultimately it is meant to bring us to Christ. And one’s relationship with Christ is personal – therefore, these themes also necessitate responsibility. No matter what happens to us in life or what others do to us that is unfair, the single most important truth of faith remains what Christ has done for you – and to focus on that you need to retain personal responsibility.

Too often, people become victims in a totalistic sense, meaning, they never get back to their personal responsibility after they have been wronged or mistreated. Therefore, despite the many atrocities we’ve seen from Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and many others – and the lessons of faith we’ve gained from them – God brings us back to consider our own hearts. Daniel’s entire emphasis is that no matter what happened to him, or any other person, the single most important thing for them was confessing their sins before God so that they would be forgiven. This is the most important lesson, and it is only between you and God. Every other lesson from God is meant to bring you closer to that most important reality.  

So, Daniel brought it back to the beginning, saying: Righteousness is yours, Lord, but we are filled with shame this day—we the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and all Israel, both near and far, in all the lands where you have banished them because of the treachery with which they betrayed you. 8 Lord, we are filled with shame—our kings, our officials, and our fathers, who sinned against you. 9 Acts of compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, even though we have rebelled against him. 10 We did not listen to the voice of the Lord our God by walking according to his laws that he set before us through the hand of his servants, the prophets.

This reality is not to excuse the prevalence of wickedness, injustice, and persecution in this world – those things abound. Rather, God’s intention, even through those realities, is to keep your faith alive and strong, and to do that He needs to re-focus you on your responsibility in the matter. Unless an individuals has been flawless in the things Daniel states, righteousness, obedience, listening to God’s Word and those who teach it, showing compassion and forgiveness to others – you have no reason to avoid personal responsibility. 

The danger in embracing the victim mentality is that it gives us a reason to think that our personal responsibility is no longer important, or in the least, not as important as what others are doing to us. But in every activity – God is trying to bring you back to considering yourself as an individual before His divine nature and immutable will. He does not want you to avoid that reality – which really has eternal consequences. This reality about personal responsibility brings directly to the difficulty – understanding the “why” of God’s will.

Sometimes, the more we dig into faith in Jesus the harder it becomes and the more strain it puts on our senses. This is not to discourage you from growing in your faith, or in seeking answers to questions of faith. Rather, it is simply an attempt to be honest about the struggle of engaging in this as a sinner before God. Here’s the dilemma. God created all humans as rational and emotional creatures. This means we have the ability to perceive and sense the divine nature of God, even if we are unable to fully comprehend or accept it. We are different from animals and plants – the other living creatures of the world – because we are designed with an ability to perceive God – and even more than that – to have a union with Him.

And as it is with all created things – you prosper best when you do what you were created to do. So, avoiding the reality of God is not going to work for our lives. It does not help us. We were made to perceive God and to have a relationship with God. But because of the fallenness of our natures, the more we attempt to be in union with God, the harder it becomes. The more we attempt to do what we were created to do in this way, the more questions surface, the more inconsistencies of our natures are brought to light, the more concerns we have about life here on earth as it is now. And naturally, we want to avoid what makes us uneasy or what reveals our limitations.

Personal responsibility now comes back into the picture. As Daniel states, to truly commune with God one must deny himself. The path to God must come through humility and repentance because 1) we are not equal to God and 2) we are sinners who are naturally separate from God. But no person feels inclined by nature to embrace repentance and humility.  

When we look at the “Why” of God’s will, the answer is that it is meant to bring us closer to Christ. This is why God allowed the judgment to happen to Judah. This is why God allows hardship, temptation, and persecution to come into your life. So these difficulties are meant to bring us back tot eh reality – trust in Jesus by faith on an individual, personal level.

So, what we see through this chapter is that, not only is there more than what we typically think about as it concerns the difficulty we face (there’s a loving plan from God behind all that), there’s also much more than we typically think about as it concerns the blessings that come out of following God. Taking personal responsibility is hard, and easily avoided, but it is also a tiny step on the path to receiving eternal blessings from God.

The imagery of the 70 weeks was given to describe God’s plan for bringing people into union with Him by faith. This would start with re-establishing true worship in Israel – the restoration of God’s people going home and rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple (the first seven weeks). The next step would be the arrival of Jesus – the fulfillment of God’s long-standing promise to send a Savior that was first given to Adam and Eve (the next 62 weeks). And the final step was the work of that Savior – offering His own life as a payment for our sins and thereby nullifying Satan’s claim to humanity through the just curse of God’s law (the final week).

Jesus, therefore, provides the only true and coherent answer to the both the reality of personal responsibility before God and the difficulty in discerning the “why” of God’s will. Jesus provides clarity and peace to both. We emphasize personal responsibility because faith in Jesus is a gift to the individual. It does not change the pain or disastrous effects that can come about at the hands of others. But Jesus also provides fulfillment to our desire to see why God does what He does. Every word God has spoken, every action God has committed, every step God leads you upon in your life, is meant to bring you closer to Jesus. You may not always understand how God is doing this, but that doubt is of lesser importance to your life than the truth that you can trust God is doing it.  

Notice how Daniel points to the work of God through Jesus in this chapter. He comes back again and again to it as his hope – as his reason for confessing his sins.

v. 4: O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him.

v. 9 :To the LORD belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. (Grace)

v.17: For the LORD’s sake, cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary.

v. 18 For we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.

Gabriel to Daniel v.23: “you are greatly loved.”

Daniel did not complain or wallow in self-righteousness because he was being mistreated by others. Daniel did not rebel against God because God allowed this. Daniel accepted his role in the matter – even though there were other factors beyond his control. It was not Daniel’s fault that the nation of Israel had forsaken so much. It was not Daniel’s fault that they tolerated idol-worship. It was not Daniel’s fault that they rebelled against God’s will. But, Daniel knew the guilt was collective because they were all sinners.

And Daniel’s willingness to deny himself created an opening in his heart for Jesus to fill. This led to greater peace, hope, and sense of purpose than Daniel could ever have achieved on his own. And Daniel confessed exactly how he received such a tremendous gift. In mercy, God acted for His own sake (out of His own power), to keep His long-standing covenant that He would forgive the sins of the repentant. – that is how Daniel was forgiven.

This, too, is the heritage of faith you share with Daniel. It’s why we can study the narrative of his life in Scripture and benefit from it today for our lives – not just in learning moral lessons for wisdom or good behavior, but to be truly restored and forgiven by the same Savior in the exact same way as Daniel. This is the heritage that is so often clouded and obscured by the craft of man’s vanity, as churches become beacons and havens for humanism rather than justification by faith in Christ. This is the heritage that was restored from such a fate at the time of the Reformation. Each one of you has been blessed by God to have been raised upon such a foundation and to have the opportunity to daily build upon it.

But just as it was for Daniel and for Martin Luther, so it is with us. No shortage of dangers surround our faith. The need to be diligent, faithful in Scripture and the Sacraments, and walking with wisdom and love is just as great. The reality and the difficulty continue – but in all things they point us to Jesus. May it ever be to His glory – Amen.