Form in Chaos
Crazy times, eh? Tensions are heightened by our constant influx of news (usually bad) and our ability to weigh in and discuss (or more likely argue) with others around the world through the amazing tool of the Internet. All that to say, passions are running high. It is an hour for Christians to exhibit self-control, orderly thoughts, and above all, the beautiful truths of God. May the Holy Spirit empower us to be self-controlled and well-ordered in our thinking, feeling, speaking, and doing, both now and always.
The Reformed Doctrine of Cutting Rugs
William Tyndale was an English Reformer who was executed in 1536 for translating the Bible into his native tongue. In his preface to the illegal Volume, he had this to say about its main message (which may give some account of his bravery):
Evangelion (that we call the gospel) is a Greek word; and signifieth good, merry, glad and joyful tidings, that maketh a man's heart glad, and maketh him sing, dance, and leap for joy: as when David had killed Goliath the giant, came glad tidings unto the Jews, that their fearful and cruel enemy was slain, and they delivered out of all danger: for gladness whereof, they sung, danced, and were joyful. In like manner is the Evangelion of God (which we call gospel; and the New Testament) joyful tidings; and, as some say, a good hearing published by the apostles throughout all the world, of Christ the right David; how that he hath fought with sin, with death, and the devil, and overcome them: whereby all men that were in bondage to sin, wounded with death, overcome of the devil, are, without their own merits or deservings, loosed, justified, restored to life and saved, brought to liberty and reconciled unto the favor of God, and set at one with him again: which tidings as many as believe laud, praise, and thank God; are glad, sing and dance for joy.
Triple Threat
Basketball was invented by a Christian in order to reach others for Christ, so it may come as no surprise that the wondrous game furnishes us with spiritual analogies. One of these is the classic triple threat position, where a player holding the ball is postured in such a way so as to shoot, dribble, or pass with equal ease. Well, the prophet Micah provides us with the true triple threat in his well-beloved words:
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8
Faith-filled godliness is a posture of heart and mind which makes us ready at all times to work justice (do what is right), to love faithfulness (to God and others), and to walk mindfully of God’s greatness and our eternal dependance upon him. May he grant us to walk in this simple yet profound Way for his glory.
The Unity of Middle-Church
The Silmarillion is Tolkien’s mythological account of the forming, marring, and populating of Middle-Earth in the deeps of time. His evil one is Morgoth, an angelic spirit who asserts his own will over against the Creator’s. He possesses great power but his chief weapon against the righteous is the sewing of discord among them. Through his subtle lies, they begin to view one another with suspicion, leading to division and even bloodshed. Such are the devices of the real evil one. Let us therefore be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3), “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). In Christ we are truly strong together.
Who Knows?
The prophet Joel foretells the terror and destruction of the coming Day of the Lord. The people of his day were given to gluttony, drunkenness, and lawlessness. Because of their sin, their precious houses, fields, vineyards, and storehouses would be laid waste. But he also says this to them:
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning… Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful… Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God?”
Joel 2:12-14
Truly the Lord is good! Through the gospel, he promises to forgive us, save us, and even (who knows?) restore to us what we have corrupted with our sin. Let’s return to such a gracious God with all our hearts at all times. As Joel says a few verses later, “It shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Joel 2:32).
We Can Do Nothing Against the Tolkien
Well, against the truth at least. And Tolkien speaks a fair bit of it. In the Ainulindalë, Eru the One allows the Ainur to participate in creation through singing. But one of them, Melkor, begins adding his own notes into the music. The discordant sound from his own will muddles the tunes. Nevertheless, Eru weaves all into one great tapestry in the end and gives the disobedient Ainur a stern warning:
And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.
Such are the evil works of man. We may try to thwart God’s purposes by asserting our own sinful will but all that we do will only serve his purposes in the end. Praise the Lord that what we have meant for evil, he has meant for good. Let us then join cheerfully in the song that God has played for us in Christ by singing the parts he has given to us. And if any should wish to ruin the vibe, we may rest at ease knowing that God will work all things for an unforeseen and superior good. Is not the gospel this very kind of work?
The Soft Pillow
The prophet Daniel had a difficult life. Even in his posterity he wrestled with high mysteries that shook him deeply. The rise of evil rulers and the persecution of God’s people haunted his dreams and visions. He was like Paul, anxious about all the saints and their steadfastness. But the visions land Daniel on a soft pillow:
But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.
Daniel 12:13
That is the promise for us all in Christ. The future may fill us with apprehension and woe but this much is always true: we have a place with God forever and ever.
When the World Stares
J.K. Rowling is pretty funny (I wonder if the initials stand for Just Kidding, or maybe Joking Konstantly). In the Harry Potter saga she finds hilarious ways of describing how the regular world of Muggles (that’s us) react to wizards and witches when they happen upon them by chance. For instance,
Most of the Londoners who passed them were used to eccentric dressers and took little notice, though occasionally one of them might glance back, wondering why anyone would wear such long cloaks in this heat.
Seeming out of place is something every believer can understand. The Muggles could little guess what dangers and destinies hung in the balance over their own heads as Voldemort (whom they had never heard of) seized control of the wizarding world (which they knew nothing about), and Potter and his friends fought back. Just so, our walk with Christ may seem pointless to some, or eccentric to others, but we do not need anyone’s recognition or approval to trust the Lord and follow him into spiritual battle.
Messianic Magician
The book of Daniel brings a mystical vibe to the Bible. Like wise Joseph before him, the humble Jewish slave rises to prominence in the highest heathen court in the world by interpreting the king’s disturbing dreams. Neb’s magicians were lore-masters of Chaldean sacred literature but they could not pierce into the mysteries of heaven. Daniel was indeed learned in their knowledge but surpassed them all with the supernatural knowledge which God showed to him. Let this be a lesson to us all: natural knowledge is good but God’s word is far superior, flying higher, shining brighter, and searching out the Mystery of time and space.
Nothing but Net
Fishermen will stand beside the sea.
Ezekiel 47:10
If Ezekiel’s visions are bananas, his last one is the cherry on top of a Sunday split for the Lord’s Day. In it, water flows from the altar and becomes a healing river which issues eastward into the Dead Sea, turning its salt waters sweet. The Book of Revelation mirrors this mighty stream as the water of life, flowing clear as crystal from God’s throne through the city with the tree of life in its midst (Revelation 22:1-2, can’t wait).
Anyway, all types of fish now swim in the sea and Ezekiel sees fishermen pictured there. Perhaps another New Testament passage comes to mind, even the legendary seaside scene where this whole party got started: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt 4:19). A Church Father named Ephraim the Syrian had this to say about Ezekiel’s Fisherman:
He was baptized and came up who draws all things into his net. Out of the stream from which Simon caught fish came the fisher of men, and he took him. With the cross, which catches all robbers, he caught that robber up into life.
Amen. And may the Lord of the catch use us in the ongoing family business.