4 Reasons I celebrate Christmas

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” Luke 1:30-32 (NKJV)

A new Christmas season is here. It seems it comes sooner and departs even more quickly than it arrived. As it is often said, “When you hear Christmas music it means Thanksgiving is just around the corner.”

I want to take this time to extend my holiday wishes to you personally, and to your families offering my sincerest desire to you for a Merry Christmas and a Happy and fulfilling New Year. Whether you feel you may celebrate Christmas or not, is between you and the Lord (Colossians 2:16-17). I was once counseled by a trusted shepherd, “Ken, there’s nothing in the Scriptures that commands us to observe the birth of Christ, and there’s nothing in Scripture that forbids it, either. The choice is yours.”

I have 4 reasons why I have the freedom to celebrate Christmas:

(1) Forgiveness and reconciliation. Jesus was born so my broken fellowship with God could be reconciled and restored. 

(2) Love demonstrated by giving. God freely gave me what was most precious to Him in His only begotten Son (John 3:16). I can freely give of myself in so many ways that help and bring relief to others that cause them to glorify our Father in Heaven for any good work I can do. 

(3) Life, both physical & eternal. It relieves my burden of guilt and shame by God’s forgiveness through Christ that completely justifies me in His eyes. I live a more satisfied life now with the knowledge it is life eternal in its fullest beauty and glory, right now and forever.

(4) Hope. Without hope there is despair. With hope I rejoice that this world is fleeting and what I do not currently see now, I yet sense and believe. This invisible world is the truer reality. God exists and is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). 

I do not worship Celtic men of oak, pine trees, boughs, wreaths of holly, candles, lights, ornaments, the sun, moon, stars, winter solstices, nor revere Stone Henge, or Mother Earth, but only our Father in heaven. I celebrate Christmas for one reason-and one reason alone-Jesus Christ who, as God, became a human just like me. He was born as a wee babe and laid in a manger. He did so to save me from my sins (Matthew 1:21, John 1:1, 14). These are things indeed worth celebrating.

I will be taking a short break from our study in 1^st Samuel to rest, recharge and refocus on family. Take time to do the same and be zealous to do good to all and especially to the family of believers (Galatians 6:10). 

I will return 9 January of 2023 and resume our study in 1st Samuel. Best wishes to you all and God bless you one and all. Thanks for your continued support and prayers. God is faithful. Praise His holy name. Merry Christmas from the Evans household and a very Happy New Year!

Ken & Family

 

Lessons From a Muddy Ditch

Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” Samuel was angry, and he cried out to the LORD all that night. 1^st Samuel 15:10-11 (NIV)

I will never forget a sermon where my pastor wanted to demonstrate to us how a little sin defiles a lot. It had rained the previous night, and on his way to church, he stopped at a ditch and filled a jar with muddy water. He presented to us a bottle of purified water, pouring it into a clean drinking glass. He then asked, “How many of you would be willing to take a drink from this glass?”

Many of us raised our hands. He then took an eye dropper and put three drops of muddy ditch water into the glass of water and asked, “How about now?” He had no takers, for pristine water is always the better choice over water that has been tainted. In a glass of 100% purity, a mere 3 drops, or 3% impurity, was enough to cause us to reject his offer.

Saul had begun his rule as king over Israel with what seemed a heart dedicated to serving God fully and obediently. But Saul was a three percenter, willing to be satisfied with only adequate obedience to God but remained willing to keep drinking the taint.

At this time, he had probably ruled over the nation for some twenty years, but his spiritual commitment had spiraled down into megalomania, setting up a monument in his own honor, and intending to execute his own son, Jonathan, over a foolish vow, he, Saul, had made. It took the intervention of the army stepping in to save the young man’s life.

God had directed Saul to destroy the Amalekite people who had opposed Israel’s passage in their sojourn out of Egypt some 450 years before. God had given the descendants of Amalek centuries to repent, yet they refused, and with His patience run out, His justice, as always, prevailed. As they refused to repent God directed Saul to destroy everything of the Amalekites, including the people, their substance, and even every animal.

Saul disobeyed God’s direct command by taking their king, Agag, alive, and keeping the good livestock, killing off the “despised and weak” animals (v 15:9). When Samuel saw it, he was displeased and said, “What have you done?” Saul immediately went to lying to justify his disobedience. Samuel cut him off and said ”Enough!” then pronounced the judgment of the LORD on him (vv15:15-23).

It is interesting to note God said Saul had turned away from Him which means God's faithfulness had never wavered. A part of Saul’s heart was willing to be content drinking the three percent. Three percent does not seem like that much or even enough to lose a kingdom over, but a 3% taint for God is 3% too much for His purity to accept. Being king was not dependent on valor or great leadership. It was dependent on heart attitude, and God had found one in the young shepherd David from the family of Jesse of Bethlehem. This choice to replace Saul as king would be to raise up a man whose love, devotion, and commitment were in line with His own heart (I Sam. 13:14, Acts 13:22).

David would certainly commit some glaring sins, but because he had a heart for the LORD, he was quick to see his fault, confess it, take responsibility, make restitution where he could, repenting (turning away from the sin), and asking forgiveness. In other words, being willing to reject the 3%.

We will see David display a steadfast heart for the King of Glory. Even with all of David’s failures God would bless him with a kingdom that would last forever (2nd Samuel 7:11-16, 25-29). God has given this Eternal King to the Jew first and then to we Gentiles (Luke 24:47, Romans 1:16) in His Son Jesus Christ, a fully righteous king who will rule forever on the throne of His ancestor David.

David composed a psalm that acknowledges Him when he asks “Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory” (Psalm 24:10). He does not give us 97% of his time or care. He is a 100% beneficent King in His care and calls us to be 100% committed to Him in our obedience and service.

We need not be content with a 3% taint from a spiritual ditch. He offers the freshest and cleanest living water imaginable, which will quench our spiritual thirst (John 4:14, 7:37). It will be, in its purity, rivers of living water welling up to eternal life. We will become the man or woman with a heart after His own. If God believes we can do it, we can trust and believe it too. Let us not be only hearers of the word and be deceived, let us be doers (James 1:22), 100% of the time. Grace and peace to you this week.

Ken

From Provocation to Preeminence

And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and valiant men went with him, whose hearts God had touched. But some rebels said “How can this man save us?” So they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace. 1^st Samuel 10:26-27

Some of us have experienced situations where when elevated to a position of leadership we have encountered jealous provocation from others, either passive-aggressively, or in outright hostility.

There was a band of men whose hearts and minds were locked in rebellion against Saul for no other reason than he was appointed to a position of leadership. The king James Version calls them ”sons of Belial” which seem to sum it up nicely. “Belial” is translated as ‘without profit, worthless, and wicked.’ They were scoundrels and troublemakers.

Wisely, Saul held his peace, not acting rashly (Proverbs 14:17). I have found in my own experience God has a way of cutting through this kind of thing when I trusted Him, and Saul’s heart still trusted Him. God was about to take him from provocation to preeminence.

The Ammonite people, enemies of Israel, came against the Israelites in Jabesh Gilead. The Jews immediately capitulated and asked for a treaty instead. The Ammonite king, Nahash, said he would agree on the condition of the Ammonites gouging out the right eyes of the Jabesh Jews as an insult (disgrace) on Israel. The Jews said, “Give us seven days to send for help. If no one rescues us, we will surrender to you.” (v11:3). Amazingly, Nahash gave his permission, for the people of Jabesh Gilead immediately sent messengers to their fellow Jews asking for help.

When Saul heard what the Ammonites had done, he was furious, and as Samuel had prophesied their king would conscript thousands into the army. Saul led them against Nahash, and God gave Israel a great victory over the Ammonites, saving the people of Jabesh Gilead.

When all was said and done Saul had solidified his power and people were calling for the execution of those fellows who had rebelled against the king. But Saul refused for it was a day of thanksgiving to God for having rescued Israel. Samuel brought the people to Gilgal and there they renewed Saul’s kingship.

Why spend time studying things outside of the New Testament? Aren’t we supposed to be about spreading the gospel and not looking back? Yes, we are called to share the gospel, yet it is always good to remember that God says, I am the LORD and I change not” (Malachi 3:6). It is written of Jesus Himself, as Deity, God in human flesh, He is the same yesterday [in history], today [present], and forever [in-the never-ending future] (Hebrews 13:8).

There is none like Him who is so fully faithful and true. He will be your shield, your glory, and the lifter of your head (Psalm 3:3). He is with you to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Believe Him, trust Him, and rest in Him. He can overcome every provocation set against you today if you trust Him through your circumstances. In His time, He can completely and easily lift you to preeminence, for He never changes.

Ken

Jesus, I am in a very tough place where others are making my life hard and difficult. I really do want You to work on hearts and minds to their good, remembering You love them as much as You love me. Help me to believe, trust and rest in the reality of Your love that never changes. I am so appreciative You can raise me from provocation to preeminence and that in all things You remain the Same. Thank You for Your loving devotion. Amen.

When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.” Then Samuel said to the Israelites, “Everyone go back to your own town.” 1^st Samuel 8:21-22 (NIV)

A New King in Town

There is much historical background in these books of the Bible. For brevity, I will encapsulate the story to just the essential context. I encourage you to read the books of First and Second Samuel for yourself. It is both an enlightening and encouraging read in God’s imminence (presence and work) among His people.

The people of Israel wanted to be like the other nations (v 8:5). It was not God’s will for His people to have a king, but He gave them what they wanted in Saul, the son of Kish.

Saul was everything we find attractive in physical looks and power. He was tall, extremely handsome, and from a wealthy family (vv 9:1-2). In searching for some of his father’s donkeys that had strayed he was brought to Samuel. God had told Samuel the previous day about Saul and that he was His choice to be king. After telling Saul God had ordained him to be king Samuel anointed him with olive oil, kissed him in the middle eastern fashion and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?”

Saul was off to a good start as king. He demonstrated a willingness to follow God’s leading. He even opened himself to being used by the Holy Spirit and it changed him into a different person (vv 10:6,10). Then he demonstrated humility at his presentation to the nation by Samuel at Mizpah (vv 10:20-23). But, alas, as admirable as these traits were, they were not firmly set convictions and they did not last. Saul could have allowed his good start to carry him into a monarchy blessed and strengthened by the hand of the LORD. He began as a popular leader but because of a headstrong and disobedient heart, God would eventually give the kingdom to another.

A point I wish to leave you with is how the Israelites said they wanted a king “to be like the nations.” That can be a huge problem for us as believers when we look around and want to be like everybody else. God calls us to a different way of living, not just for our satisfaction but for His glory. He chose Israel as His own particular people to serve and represent Him to the nations, not to mimic them. He has chosen us in the same manner.

We have one King and Lord who is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:3), and His Majesty the King has called and ordained us to a higher calling, as a specially chosen royal priesthood (1^st Peter 2:9). In Christ, we have received His highest honor.

 People often become angry when discussing their opinions, but that is seldom the case with convictions. Let us hold to convictions of righteousness. Are your convictions anchored in the righteousness of Christ the King? What are yours and what will you do with them?

Ken

 

The Six Takes of Israel

   But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. 1^st Samuel 8:6 (NIV)

God raised up a shepherd/leader for Israel in Hannah’s child, Samuel. And “As the shepherd goes, so go the sheep.” Samuel led the nation in righteousness, causing them to destroy their idols and obey the LORD. He was an itinerant pastor of the nation, going from town to town in a yearly circuit, returning to his hometown of Ramah where he would hold court for Israel (1st Sam 7:15-17).

As he grew old, he appointed his two sons, Joel and Abijah, as Israel’s leaders. It looked like a Hophni and Phineas do-over, for Samuel’s boys turned to dishonesty, accepting bribes, and perverting justice (v 8:3). 

The first question that comes to mind is why did God not judge Samuel as He had Eli? Eli had willingly ignored the problem of his sons evil until it was too late (v 3:13). There is no indication anywhere in scripture that Samuel did that. It is the heartbreak of some parents, to have children who refuse to follow the godly teachings they received.

The elders knew Samuel would not live forever and were apparently unwilling to repeat Israel’s disreputable history under Eli’s family. They came to the prophet and asked for a king to lead them. This displeased him that the people were so willing to disregard the will of the King of the Universe. He went to the LORD and was told they were not rejecting Samuel but God’s reign over their lives. He said to give them what they wanted, which is always a red flag to any nation that disregards God’s leadership and protection. Many times, getting what we want is the last thing we need. Samuel spelled out what a king over them would claim in a ‘six takes’ address. 

First, a king would take their sons to serve his military (conscription). He would take their daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers (denial of a free job market). He would take their land from them and appoint men of his choice to oversee their upkeep (confiscation of personal property). He would take a tenth of what they produced and give it to his officials and attendants (bureaucracy). He would take their male and female servants, and their livestock for his own use, and he would take a tenth of their flocks and themselves as captive laborers (slavery). His caveat was, “When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you” (vv 8:11-18).

The people said, “Uhhhh, OK, Great. That sounds doable. We’ll go with a king.” They sacrificed their liberty for security, and as Franklin said some 3,000 years later, when a people do that, they, “get neither.” If they had waited on the LORD, He would have given them both, and much more (Deuteronomy 8:1-13).

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people (Proverbs 14:34). It would only take 120 years under three kings until their rebellion against God brought civil war and a divided kingdom. The straw that broke the camel’s back was the heavy economic burden, taxation, and oppression the kings had imposed on them, just as Samuel had prophesied (1^st kings 12:3).

As a nation, have we acted righteously? Evidence is to the contrary. We have turned away from God’s commandments in accordance with His nature, character, and holiness to trusting in what is “right” in our own eyes or in government and elected officials to save us.

I have grown up in an America that is now unrecognizable to me. I love our nation and consider myself a man of conservative values, but a monarchist first, for I serve a King. Only God can save this nation, not by getting on our feet and moving to change but first on our knees in repentance and prayer. As important as moving in action is, and it is, prayer is its shoe leather. As we do, we will allow God to add the rest of the kingdom to us (Matthew 6:33, James 1:22).

“They have not rejected you, they have rejected Me.” When God is willfully and continually rejected, He will give us what we want, and it can be a tough education, but it always comes down to our choice (Romans 1:28). Now is the time to turn our eyes on Jesus as the only One with the power and authority to save us. Let us look to Him as our hope. He alone is the rightful King, and the King commands us!

Ken

Hearing and Listening

The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”  1^st Samuel 3:10

When I was in grade school, I discovered to my dismay the vast difference between hearing and listening. I was a daydreamer, and many were the times when my teachers would give class assignments and my mind would be away walking in meadows of afterschool fun. When the fog cleared, I would be in a panic and turn to my classmates and whisper, “What am I supposed to do?” The word had been set forth. I had heard, but I had not listened.

Before the Philistines were victorious over Israel God called a new national leadership who would be faithful to what He commanded for His people. This was in the young boy Samuel. He grew up and worked in the tent of meeting (tabernacle) at Shiloh, as a Levitical apprentice under Eli the high priest (v 3:1). He was assigned various duties in line with his age and physical abilities, yet in training in the priesthood, he had not yet encountered God on a personal level.

One night after everyone had gone to bed, the LORD spoke in an audible voice calling Samuel’s name. Samuel thought it was Eli calling him and went obediently to Eli’s bedside to inquire of him. After the third time the old man realized it was the voice of the LORD the young man heard and instructed him to say next time, “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.”

Samuel had not been seeking selfish ambition nor walked in vain conceit, but in humility (Philippians 2:3). He was not even looking for the God of Israel to put a special appointment upon his life. He was simply serving where he found himself and he did so faithfully. To Samuel’s credit when he heard the voice of the Lord, he listened. He followed the leading and will of God in his current circumstances.

Be greatly encouraged if God has you only tending the tent of meeting and not working in the spotlights, for wherever it is you find yourself it is by His will and desire for your life. If just a cup of cold water is all you are commanded to give, you shall not lose your reward for doing so (Matthew 10:42). Be open and receptive to His word for you, whether in circumstances high or low. In his life Samuel was not looking to hear anything from the LORD but when he did, he listened.

Be faithful and humble yourself under His mighty hand in all that you do that He may exalt you at the right time (1^st Peter 5:6). When God speaks you will know it and He will always direct your way. Patience is a virtue and listening a skill we learn through practice.

When His word comes to us in our current circumstances, let us say, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening,” no matter what we might be experiencing in our lives. It is always easy to hear, and His benefit is always bestowed when we listen.

Ken

But the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and He ravaged them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory. 1^st Samuel 5:6

God Judges in The End

The Philistines had beaten Israel in two decisive battles killing 34,000 Israeli soldiers. In that massive defeat the Philistines captured the ark of God which Hophni and Phineas had foolishly allowed the army of Israel to carry into battle, thinking it alone would give them victory. When the 98-year-old Eli heard the news that the ark had been captured, he fell off his seat breaking his neck and died. He had ruled as high priest for 40 years.

The Philistines took the ark into their city of Ashdod and as a trophy of war placed it in the temple of their fish god, Dagon. The next morning, they found Dagon’s statue on its face, prostrate before the ark and the God of Israel. They put the statue back on its pedestal only to find the following morning their god prostrate and broken before the ark. All that was left was the statue’s torso. It was such a shock and embarrassment that their god had been so disgraced that never again would a priest of this false god step on that area (v 5:5).

God’s chastisement was just getting started. He struck Ashdod and its surrounding territories with tumors. The Hebrew word means an inflammation of a boil or ulcer especially of the anus. The archaic KJV English is the word emerods from which we get our word hemorrhoids, and it pains me to say they did have these tumors in their “secret parts” (v 5:9). God is never mocked (Galatians 6:7) and always has the end in mind for those willing to bend over backwards to do so.

Ashdod began passing the ark around to other Philistine cities which suffered the same consequences. After 7 months of hot potato, they thought the better part of valor would be to return the thing that had them saying, “Uh, no thanks, I think I’ll stand,” when offered a chair.

To pacify the God of Israel, the Philistine priests had them make a “trespass offering” of 5 golden emerods and 5 golden mice. The vermin had apparently also brought disease on the land. The ark was loaded on a new cart with two cows and sent south. The ark of God was recovered by the Jews and was once again in Israel’s hands.

We currently live in biblical times where we are daily seeing evil people defying and mocking the Living God. But is God really mocked? We need not lose hope for He has always proven Himself faithful to His word and shown Himself powerful to save.

Let us not be weary in doing what is right and let us not give up hope that He will remain true to His promises to return and make all things new. We shall reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). God continues to work in all power, wisdom, and strength to bring righteousness and restoration, and be assured, He always triumphs in the end. 

Ken

Many Parts /Many Powers

And what happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phineas, will be a sign to you-they will both die on the same day. 1^st Samuel 2:34

The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phineas, were raised in the home of a man who would be the high priest and spiritual leader of Israel for forty years. Eli was apparently a pious man, and the boys knew about Yahweh and His righteous commandments. Being in the line of Levi and Aaron they were able to serve as priests. They however continued to prostitute their Aaronic office, both spiritually and physically (vv 2:16, 22). God sent an unnamed man to Eli who prophesied He would judge the two men for it, and they would pay with their lives.

God has many attributes. While love is one of them, the one He wants to be known for is not His love but His holiness and that surprises many. His holiness means He is set apart and perfect without any kind of imperfection and that perfection defines who He is. Unrighteousness goes against all He is and represents. His purity and perfection demand He judges all unrighteousness.

When a warring tribe called the Philistines moved to attack Israel, the Jews decided to use the Ark of the Covenant as a magical talisman to lead them to victory. It demonstrated their superstition and spiritual laziness in ignoring the LORD and His commandments. The Ark was made for Israel’s yearly atonement through the sprinkling of sacrificial blood by the high priest (Leviticus 16:14-16, Romans 3:25). The people were using it contrary to God’s will and design in the Law of Moses. In the ensuing battle, God allowed the Philistines to triumph over Israel and capture the Ark. As He commanded, His judgment against Hophni and Phineas was fulfilled, and they died in the battle on the same day.

The ‘Whole Counsel of God’ means the entire Word of His revelation to mankind. Love is just one part of who God is, a very important part to be sure, but it does not define His totality. He is a God of many parts and many powers to save us in every scenario. Thankfully, He is the Becoming One, able to become what we need.

Because He is holy all He does is perfect, even to judgment which is just every time. His love will always temper His judgement against sin, but His justice will never overlook it, as in the case of Hophni and Phineas.

If God were only a God of love, He would be one-dimensional. A one-dimensional God of only love could never judge anything with full equity or impartiality. Many parts show us His many powers. He calls us to know Him and take upon ourselves His servitude and learn about Him (Matthew 11:29).

Thankfully He always judges righteously (rightly) now and will do so at His soon returning to judge the nations (Joel 3:2, Matthew 25:31-46). Many parts of our Living God mean many powers. The Becoming One in all our situations. Yes, He does love us for sure, but He is so much more for us who believe-many parts, many powers-the kind of God that in which we can trust and serve with confidence.

 Ken

Hannah's Horn

And Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation.” 1^st Samuel 2:1 (NKJV)

In the Old Testament a horn always symbolized strength. Hannah’s horn was the strength of the LORD. He is the only strength we can fully trust in to give us exactly what we need. That is, not always what we may want but always what He knows we need.

We saw that the LORD worked miraculously for Hannah and Elkanah. After Samuel’s birth God give them five more children. In her prayer of praise and thanksgiving in speaking of smiling at her enemies she makes a clear reference to her rival Peninnah. It is notable that the Lord put an end to Peninnah’s vicious verbal assaults, and her name is never again mentioned in Scripture.

In giving Hannah a son, He was also giving Israel what He knew the nation needed. It was at the end of the time of the Judges where people did what was right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). As the last judge of Israel Samuel’s call was different as he was also a priest to the nation.

Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phineas, were priests but they were also wicked and unprincipled extortionists, using the priesthood to threaten and cheat their fellow Jews for gain and using women for sexual exploitation.

Eli knew what they were doing, and he reprimanded them, but he was very old (v. 2:22) and it was too little too late. Even as the rebuke came from the high priest of Israel the men ignored him and continued to blaspheme the LORD. But Eli was held accountable for not reigning them in sooner. God would demand their lives and declared an end of Eli’s priestly line which came some 130 years later in the time of King Solomon (1^st Kings 2:26,35). God proved He reigns in power and authority throughout all time.

Dare we hope He is able and willing to do the same for us in our day? Scripture tells us we can. We may see people pulling a Hophni and Phineas con but nothing gets by the eye of the Lord. He never changes and righteous judgment is an absolute aspect of His character. He not only will judge righteously but currently is judging righteously.

As Corrie Ten Boom said, “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.” We can trust in His horn of strength and there is rest and refreshing in that.

Ken

But If Not

“But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:18 (NKJV)

I had a young woman in a bible study I was teaching tell me, “I hear all these testimonies from Christians who say God did miracles in their lives. God has never done anything like that for me. When I hear people talk about how God worked in their lives, it makes me angry. Do I not have enough worth for Him to move like that for me?”

It's a pivotal question: why does God answer some prayers and not others? Hannah gave insight in her prayer of thanksgiving, even after giving up the one thing that was most precious to her, her only son.

She speaks of God’s holiness and sovereignty; there’s none like Him. As the God of all knowledge, all actions and all outcomes are weighed by His wisdom and understanding that will grow and strengthen us. What we might see as a benefit in the present could be detrimental in the future and only He knows that. That Supremacy even defines life and death (v 2:6).

So, if we’re walking through 1^st Samuel, why do we begin with Daniel’s three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?

The context of today’s verse is that King Nebuchadnezzar ordered the peoples, nations and languages to worship a golden image he set up (Dan. 3:5) under threat of being burned alive (3:11). These three young Jewish captives refused.

In their refusal they said they knew God could save them from the fire but could not be absolutely sure He would. Their answer to the furious king was swift and sure. God could save them, but if not, their confidence was in Him, and they would not bow. Their faith remained steadfast in the God of Israel and that any outcome under His control would turn out perfectly on their behalf, be it life or death.

In his rage Nebuchadnezzar had the furnace heated seven times hotter than normal. The fire was so intense it killed the men who put the three Jewish men in (vs 3:22-23). The Lord protected the captives and was seen by the king as the fourth person walking with them in the fire (Dan 3:25). All three were brought out unhurt and unsinged, with not even a smell of smoke on their clothing (v 3:27).

And for Hannah? God blessed her and opened her womb. He gave her three more sons and two daughters (1^st Sam. 2:21). A great end to a great story of faith. God be glorified. But what if it had not turned out as she had hoped? Would it have meant God had loved her any less? No, nor would it have lessened her worth in His eyes at all.

How about when things don’t turn out as we have hoped and prayed?  There are many blanks we can fill in where God is silent yet remains ardent in His love for us. After sincere and concerted prayers hit brass ceilings the words “But if not” can become a phrase we can confidently live by. God remains ardent in His love toward us. However, if He chooses the fire, He doesn’t want us to embrace the mistake of fury.

When we pray specifically, and God chooses to answer in another way then let us rest in His wisdom. When we put our trust in whatever answer comes, He is able to open any barren womb, but if not, He will always be the Fourth Person walking with us in the fire.

Ken

“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshipped the LORD there. 1^st Samuel 1:27-28 (NIV)

The Honor of Hannah’s Sacrifice

It’s often been quoted “There are no atheists in foxholes.” I have watched many documentaries where someone in a horrific combat situation said, “I called out to God and said ‘God, if you get me out of this alive, I’ll serve you the rest of my life.’” God apparently did, as these men were there to testify to His gracious deliverance. But I have yet to hear any say, “And since then I have honored that vow.”

Whether they did or did not is up to me to judge but leaving that out seems an important aspect that speaks of the integrity of honoring a vow made to the Lord. God said, “If a man [which includes both men and women] makes a vow or a pledge they must not break their word but must do everything they said,” (Numbers 30:2).

Hannah’s vow had a time limit when she would be brought to having to choose to surrender her only son and child to the LORD with no guarantee she would have any more children. I’m sure there were moments of flittering justifications in her mind as to why she could keep Samuel for herself.

The ages of Samuel’s offering to the LORD have been estimated to be between 5 and 12 years old. The context seems to be at a lower age, as it says she waited until he was weaned and ‘the child was young,’ (v 1:24). If one is a parent, it can be easily imagined how difficult giving a child up would be, even if you knew there might be more that could be born.

Hannah’s offering was more than just keeping her word to the LORD, it was a deeply personal sacrifice, a sacrifice of a broken and contrite spirit. While Scripture tells us God has taken pleasure in the aroma of the sacrifice (Genesis 8:21, Leviticus 2:2), it isn’t the odor of smoke that pleases Him but evidence of a humble and steadfast heart of trust.

Hannah’s sacrifice was an especially wonderful fragrance, for it was given in the preciously tender spirit of the widow’s mite, for it touched her at her very existence and at that point of her life was all she had that was too precious for words. That Hannah refused to find justification to keep her baby boy is a lesson in trust and integrity that speaks of the strength available to us through Christ Jesus to do the same.

When a vow comes due, we won’t have to say, “Oh, yeah, God, about that…it was a foxhole. Surely you aren’t going to hold me to that vow?” What He desires to hear is, “My offer to give my life to you in that foxhole has been honored.” If done in honor and truth, it is a sacrifice that might have hurt, but it will be a sacrifice of a rising and fragrant honor, pleasing to the Lord, as it was with Hannah’s honor.

Next week we’ll see that God honored the faithful fulfillment of Hannah’s vow and how He did it.

Ken

When Hannah Was Heard

And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 1^st Samuel 1:2 (NKJV)

As the narratives of 1^st and 2^nd Samuel begin, Samuel’s mother, Hannah, is unable to conceive. In the culture of the day infertility had deeply disturbing implications, involving embarrassment and even shame. She wanted desperately to give Elkanah her husband, children. What made things worse was Elkanah had a second wife named Peninnah who was prolific in her reproductive capacities, having sons and daughters. However, Peninnah was prone to jealousy that played out regularly against Hannah and in a vicious and spiteful way.

Elkanah’s marital acumen showed he wasn’t the sharpest chisel in the toolbox for he loved Hannah and openly favored her (1^st Sam 1:5). It sparked resentment in Peninnah who took every opportunity to mock Hannah and her inability to conceive and to make her life a living misery.

It became so great a heartache for Hannah, she wept and couldn’t even eat. In desperation she made a vow to the LORD, saying if the He would give her a male child, she would give him to His service all of his life, in the lifelong Nazarite vow of spiritual purity (1:11). 

This vow was made at the Tent of Meeting in Shiloh in front of Eli the High Priest, as she silently prayed. She was so intent in her prayer that Eli watching her lips moving thought her drunk and rebuked her. She assured him she was just a woman of sorrowful spirit. He then told her to go in peace and blessed her in her petition. The LORD heard her and honored her supplication.

While God can answer our petitions not every denial means disapproval, but there are times in His wisdom God says what we ask for isn’t in our best interests. Every move on His part is predicated on His perfect will and His plan to grow and strengthen us. It means His way is best. If He had denied Hannah, He was offering His best to her and the nation of Israel. Consider the tragic story of Samson (Judges chapters 13-16).

Asking and waiting can be tiresome and discouraging and feel like we’re losing all hope. Have you seen the t-shirt that says, “I had my patience tested. I was negative,”? That’s one option. But God’s T-shirt always reads, “I had my patience tested. I trusted.” Can that be wrong If He is God? Whatever the outcome my money’s on t-shirt number two.

Next week we will look at how Hannah was faithful in honoring a difficult vow and how God honored her for her faithfulness.

Ken

For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. Psalm 33:4

 When God Answered Anyway

Virginia had been attending a weekly Bible study I taught at a company I worked at in the 1980s. The weekly study was at the request of our company’s Christian chief executive officer. One day Virginia and her friend, Dee, dropped by my department to ask if I would pray for her and a surgery Virginia was having the next day on her jaw to help correct a degenerative bone disease issue. It would be her second surgery.

Even though I was very busy, we went to a private room, and I prayed a quick, and mostly faithless prayer for her. I can’t even recall the words I prayed. It was quick and easy, and I went back to work and forgot about it.

The next day Dee came to my department and asked excitedly, “Has Virginia talked to you yet?” She went on to say, “The surgeon opened her jaw this morning and was stunned to find her jaw and surrounding tissue were all healthy, pink, and normal. Even the scar tissue from her first surgery was gone! The doctor kind of panicked and thought he’d operated on the wrong woman. He had his nurse pull her chart and verify this was the same Virginia he’d operated on before.

The nurse verified it to his amazement. He had no explanation, but Virginia testified to the miracle of God’s power that was shown through prayer. All he could say was, “There’s nothing else I can do for you, Virginia. There’s nothing wrong with your jaw. I’m going to stitch you up and send you home. I don’t understand it.”

Dee related this testimony of God’s graciousness much to my shame and embarrassment. I confessed to her how quickly I had prayed with them and that there had been absolutely no faith to my prayer. I had been more concerned about getting back to work. I asked for her forgiveness and when I saw Virginia, I asked hers too.

In seeking God’s forgiveness, He taught me a valuable lesson in His sovereignty, and grace and that He can work in any situation to show forth His ultimate glory. It is not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).

This is just one episode in my Christian experience that has been a continual comfort to me in times when my prayers feel dry and ineffectual or even without faith. I am moved as I recall the mercies of the Lord and how He glorified Himself through a faithless prayer I once offered a little too quickly and easily. So rightly did the psalmist say, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory in the heavens.

Ken

Grace That Is Greater

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV)

I recall a story the evangelist Billy Graham told of his relationship with then President John F. Kennedy. Reverend Graham had presented the gospel to the president who was very attentive and interested, but never made a commitment. Graham said when he was down with a very serious case of the flu, he received a call from the president. JFK said he was ready to accept Christ and wanted to meet with him.

Graham politely begged off, saying how sick he was at the moment, and would it be alright to meet in a couple of weeks when he was better? The president graciously said, “Of course. I understand.” Graham said the president was assassinated two weeks later and he (Graham) never got to speak with him. Graham said, “That will haunt me for the rest of my life.”

God, who does not change, says, “As surely as I live, declares the LORD GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live” (Ezekiel 33:11, 2^nd Peter 3:9).

The thief on the cross asked for forgiveness (Luke 23:42), yet Paul told the Philippian jailer to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved,” (Acts 16:31). God honors both, asking out loud and sincerely believing in the saving message of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross. It comes down to a sincere heart of repentance and that’s what He sees.

If the grace of God is as true as Scripture teaches it leads me to believe John F. Kennedy had already made his decision for Christ’s salvation when he decided, it was what he wanted. In his phone call to Graham the president admitted he was ready and willing. When he decided “I’m ready,” that’s when Christ’s redemptive work could happen. God saw his heart and I believe we’ll see him in the New Kingdom. In fact, I believe we’ll see many there who we now believe are beyond the scope of Christ’s compassion and mercy. We can’t know their heart of hearts, but He does.

Grace brings forgiveness to the sincerely penitent to be sure, but grace is also pertinent to any problem or predicament you may be facing right now. Grace means He’s hearing your heart at all times and grace means He will never stop caring for you (1^st Peter 5:7). Thankfully, the grace of God remains constant for us.

Regardless of our past biases, a perfect day is coming when we will all join together in the harmony of worship and thanksgiving (Revelation 5:13). God’s fathomless grace will roll upon us throughout eternity like huge waves of the ocean. Who can know it? Thank God for Jesus Christ. Thank God for His grace, for it means He cares for each and every one of us in every second of this life and our lives to come.

 

Grace, grace, God’s grace

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace, grace, God’s grace

Grace that is greater than all our sin

(Grace Greater Than Our Sin, Public Domain)

Ken

 

 

Serious Clock Watchers

O Lord, how long shall I cry, And You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save. Habakkuk 1:2 

 

Remember how those last 30 minutes of school dragged on? Even fervent prayer couldn’t make those seconds tick one millisecond faster. Believe me, I tried. I found some of the most difficult lessons I had to learn in school were the lessons of patience and that school clocks always worked, if ever so slowly.

The Jewish prophet, Habakkuk, lived in a very dangerous time in Israel. It was a time of violence, plundering, and rejection of the commandments of the LORD, much as things seem in our day. It became so bad in Habakkuk’s day that the prophet finally cried out to God, asking him where He was and why wasn’t He fixing it. He knew the LORD was able, but had time in heaven stopped?

America is at a time of tremendous upheaval, and not only in America but all across the globe. People who have the power, and wealth to hold that power, are working to move themselves into a new and dangerous elite ruling class. Has the Clock of Heaven stopped? Habakkuk thought it had.

A lot of us may wonder at times if God’s Celestial Clock is working. Why are things getting worse? When will His promises to make all things new be realized? We must remember God’s clock doesn’t run on linear time. It’s set to Divine Time.

Jesus said He was going to His Father’s house to hetoimazō (make ready, provide) monē (abodes-mansions) for us. He said if it were not true, He would have said so (John 14:2). Another indication He wants to be true and authentic with us. That means He will truly sort everything out to His glory and honor.

In all this current world turmoil (not the Great Tribulation) Jesus wants us to rest easy and not allow anxiety to overwhelm us. Not to be driven by emotion, which can cause us to abandon truth, but to be driven by devotion to the Father, which settles our hearts, calms our fears and gives clarity to factual data and evidence.

Finally, let us remember God’s delay is always for His display, that we might see He is always at work bringing something bigger and better. His clock is always moving. If He doesn’t answer immediately, His love for us never flickers with the houselights.

We are looking with the greatest excitement for the blessed hope of His glorious appearing to become His own special people (Titus 2:13-14).

We can depend on the truth Of Jesus Christ. He alone holds all power and authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18, John 17:2), along with all wisdom and understanding to do it right. 

He is returning, and Tempus fugit, time is flying. If you’re ready He’ll be coming to take you out of this mudhole to a new and wondrous world, beyond your imagination, a world He has prepared with you in mind. He’s true to His word and be assured Eternity’s Clock is still moving. Are you watching?

Ken

The Amazing Grace of the Have-nots

Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him. Isaiah 30:18 (NKJV)

Have you ever wanted something so badly you could taste it, yet never received it from the hand of God, even when the desire was to serve Him? At times, that can be what I have come to call the amazing grace of the have-nots. 

I began feeling a call to pastoral ministry in my early teens but as the old saying goes, “On the way to our dreams, life happens.” Things didn’t come together as I planned. I forgot how a person’s heart plans but God guides their steps (Proverbs 16:9).

I received my ordination in Pastoral Theology at age 33, with the intention of pioneering a Christian fellowship in my local community, yet God closed every door to pastoral ministry. When that didn’t come to fruition, I tried becoming a military chaplain. All those doors closed too. I prayed for God’s favor and grace to serve Him from my own drift. Instead of a church He gave me a weekly ministry on a devotional blog to what I can only term as My Faithful Fourteen. The Fourteen readers who faithfully return each week in my blog count.

Looking back on life since my teens, I have remained steadfast in my belief in God’s grace, but for reasons most do not consider. Grace is often touted in Christian circles as “Unmerited Favor.” We hear the word favor and we automatically think of benefits in the present without counting what the cost might be in the future.

God always answers; “Yes,” “No,” or “Wait.” Sometimes in His grace and mercy, He withholds things that could be destructive to ourselves and to others. I see now I had a lot of stones in my sack, harboring unconfessed angers, resentments, and even grudges, sins that could have played out in disastrous ways. I am dealing with these issues while marveling at God’s grace in protecting myself from my wants while being faithful to supply my needs.

While grace can mean favor that is not merited, it can also be a favor God gives us in withholding something because He loves us. Is God smarter than us? Yes, indeed. Sometimes I’m astounded at how smart He is. I look back and can now say, “Thank You, Lord, that in Your mercy You didn’t give me what I wanted.” It is have-not grace, yet grace for which I am truly thankful and remains amazing all the same.

Ken

Found By the Father

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. John 4:23

We’ve all wondered at some time what God may look like. In our humanity it helps us relate to Him thinking of Him in some kind of visible, material form yet He has none. However it helps to imagine what God must be like, He is not corporeal, He is Spirit.

In His encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well Jesus confessed to her He was the long-awaited Messiah. He had come to deliver a new order of worship, where true worshippers are those who realize He is the Truth (Jn 3:21, 14:6), and the only Way to the Father (Acts 4:12).

I have experienced praying to Him is a freewill offering of praise, worship, thanksgiving and praying my needs. It gives Him pleasure when I pray and when anyone does so in spirit and in truth.

Jesus’ first mission was not to restore the physical kingdom of Israel, but humanity’s hearts and souls back into fellowship with the Father. This is what baffled the Pharisees of His day. Rabbinical teachings had come to put all the emphasis on the nation’s physical restoration of the Messianic promises, ignoring sin and its heart problem.

Messiah’s Second Advent will be to restore Israel as the preeminent kingdom of the earth. His First Advent was to deal with sin and unbelief and offer the gift of salvation, to the Jew first and then the Gentile (Romans 1:16). To understand that goes beyond fleshly understanding and is only reasoned through true spiritual pursuit. His Holy Spirit guides into all truth (John 16:13).

It’s not that difficult to comprehend. God is looking for those who hunger and thirst for the contentment only His Spirit can bring. He’s already desiring that for you and ready to take your hand. You are already found by the Father. You only need lift your hand. The Hour now is.

Ken

Jesus, I want to go beyond material ’things’ and into a new exciting spiritual communion with You that goes beyond religion and is relational. I know You’re desiring that for me, too. I ask You to meet me there and guide me into Your Truth to worship You in all Spirit and Truth. Amen.

How Majestic Is Our God!

He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our LORD, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. (Psalm 147:4-5)

Have you ever wondered how out of the billions of people on planet Earth God hears everyone’s thoughts and prayers at the same time and understands them individually? It would truly take a Being so Sentient He would have to be on the level of Majestic. He is that and beyond. He created the stars by command alone and calls them all by name (Genesis 1:1, 1:16). I was curious as to how many stars there are. It is estimated their number could equal 600 quadrillion! You could go to the other side of the universe and ask, “What’s that one’s name?” Out of those millions of points of light He wouldn’t need to ask which one you meant. That’s Majestic.

He knows everything about everything down to the number of cells in the bodies of everyone on earth, and down to the numbers of hairs on their heads. He’s never lost, confused or suffers a senior moment.

We all, at times, wonder if God hears us, or if He’s even listening. We might feel unimportant, or even abandoned. We can be assured of His fidelity. The stars served as a reminder to Abraham of the promise of his offspring (Genesis 26:4) and God’s faithful attention to Abraham’s every detail. Looking up into just his own Milky Way Abraham could not fully count them all.

God is not conditional in His love and interest in who you are. You mattered enough to send His only Begotten Son that if you believed on Him, you would gain salvation and eternal life (John 3:16).

Jesus said no sparrow falls without the Father’s will and knowledge and you, being made in His image, how much more of value are you than those?

He never sleeps, slumbers, or dozes. He sees all and knows all. He hears your every prayer and knows your every thought. He’s aware of these things right now, and since He is eternal, He has had all your problems, worries, hopes and dreams in mind, forever. How Majestic is our God!

God counts hairs, He doesn’t split them. A God who can remember 600 quadrillion names with ease would have no problem remembering yours. In all He has going and with all He holds together by His power, He’s still got your number. He’s still got your name. You’re that special. His understanding is infinite. He’s That Majestic!

Ken

Long Spirited

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 1^st Corinthians 13:4

The ancient Koine (common) Greek language was the perfect linguistic vehicle to communicate the Gospel. It had many words that more fully expressed the meaning of the message. It can be different in our English language. For instance, in English we can have one word to cover many emotions. One such word is love. We can love our spouse and our children, but it is also possible to say we love our car or even our favorite ice cream. There are four words in the Greek for love. Eros (er-ros)-romantic, philia (fi-lee-ah)-brotherly, agape (ah-gahp-eh)-selfless, acting in another’s best interest, and storge (store-gay), love of family.

Some will see suffering long as being a martyr, but the meaning in the Greek conveys something very different and beautiful. The words suffering long are translated long-Spirited. It goes far beyond tolerance. To tolerate simply means to have the capacity to endure pain and hardship, riding out or putting up with something or someone. The Spirit calls us to go long-to agape-in these matters.

The problem with toleration is there’s no room for forgiveness. Toleration offers only anger and bitterness as its means of action. It’s an OK, I’ll be nice but I don’t have to like it attitude, or an apology of I forgive you without spirit-led philia and agape that defines a tender and changed heart of love. With the love of Christ helping us and working through us the Spirit grows long with its own sweet fruit, love being the first one mentioned in Galatians 5:22.

Having a long-spirited heart is giving up a heart carved in stone, replacing it with a heart of flesh. It’s the same heart that brought our Lord Jesus to say, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they do,” as He prayed for the ones who had just nailed Him to a cross (Luke 23:34).

Having someone grind our gears doesn’t mean we need to grind our teeth. Love goes beyond that. It is only possible through the Holy Spirit’s strength as we humble ourselves to accept His helping hand.

One may say. “Yeah, but Ken you don’t know how much damage they did to me. It’s something that I just can’t forgive at this time.” I understand. I’ve been there and have the scars to prove it. And you are certainly right-you can’t do it on your own. But before you throw your hands up in frustration read the Lord’s words on it in Matthew 18:21-22 and Luke 17:4. It can only truly happen by the power of Christ, and whose wounded heart spoke those words from the cross? It was Emmanuel (God With Us).

He wants us to ask for His help. When we ask for it, we surrender and taste the sweetness of the Fruit of the Spirit called love. It never withers-it always grows long. It is long-Spirited.

Jesus, I need relief from this pain of hurt and resentment and I can’t do it on my own. I surrender it to You, realizing it can’t be done by might or power, but only by Your Spirit. I ask You to help me do it by Your power and grace and to say with all truth and understanding, “Father, forgive them for they didn’t know what they were doing.” Amen

Ken

With Malice Aforethought

Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him [Christ Jesus], that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Romans 6:6-7 (NKJV)

Today’s devotional thoughts may upset some, but in light of Scripture I offer no apologies. To God sin is so heinous in its ability to destroy us that it is the one thing we are to hate with every ounce of our being and to be ready to put it down every time it whispers rebellion in our ears. The Apostle Paul makes a valid and graphic case of how we are to deal with it. We are to crucify it with malice Aforethought.

 Malice Aforethought is a legal term that Webster defines as the intention to kill or harm, which is held to distinguish unlawful killing from murder. In other words, its violence thought of beforehand and done with deliberate and malicious intent to do harm. The 1611 King James translation of the Sixth Commandment (Exodus 20:13) as kill is unfortunate and has caused much confusion. It has been misunderstood to forbid all death, whether justified or not.

The Hebrew word rȃtsach (raw-tsakh’) can be translated as kill, but in this sense and context, its meaning is better translated murder. After Noah and his family were brought through the worldwide flood (Genesis chapters 6-8) God instituted capital punishment for murder as every human is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26, 9:6). 

As those of us who aspire to the laws and commandments of God we cling to the love and teachings of Christ. We know and believe murder is wrong, but Paul tells us there is one part of our Christian experience where a violent attitude toward the sin that rests in our carnal (ungodly) appetites is appropriate and to be exercised as needed. That’s the side of us that consistently gets back up from the cross after we nail him or her to it. While accepting Christ unfortunately doesn’t destroy sin, a relationship with Him frees us from remaining a slave to it. We have the choice to take those old natures and nail them to the cross when they tap us on the shoulder and say “Hey, I’m back. Let’s sin.”

We want to have a willingness to crucify them. Crucifixion is vicious and is meant to be done with malice aforethought. Put him, or her, to death! When we show those appetites mercy, they always bring us degradation. We must be willing to first die to self, with a determination toward Old Man extermination.

It’s not a one-time-fix. So, when is this old geezer gonna die? We’ll be rid of him when we draw our last breath, or our bodies are regenerated when Christ comes for His church (1^st Thessalonians 4:17). Until then it’s a daily, and sometimes hourly, struggle. We have to crucify them every time he/she shows up. We can’t white-knuckle it, but by the Power of the Holy Spirit, we can nail it! When we hear the old man say, “Hi there, guess who’s back?” we have the choice to turn our minds and our wills over to God and ask Him to empower us to resist. Pray it. “Jesus, I can only do this with Your help and power. Please help me.” He is our strength. When it’s necessary we must nail that buzzard to the cross-with the greatest of malice aforethought-every time.  

Ken