Month: May 2013

IS IT WRONG TO ASK FOR A SIGN?

         And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.  Genesis 9:12-13

         Most anytime a believer talks about God giving a sign, or asking God for a sign, it is inferred that signs are unpleasing to God.  I had a discussion about this yesterday with Jaime.  We were celebrating the times God had given signs to us in the ministry after asking Him to confirm a decision we had made that we felt was right.  We said to each other, yet again, how gracious God is to give signs to those who are wanting to walk in His paths.

         Today’s story is another confirmation that God is a sign-giving God.  Most every Biblical covenant has been confirmed by some visual symbol.  The Abrahamic covenant included circumcision, the Mosaic covenant had the Sabbath, and the new covenant had the Lord’s Supper.  God made a covenant with Noah by setting a rainbow in the clouds.

         “But wait!” you might say.  “What about Jesus words in Matthew where he says that only an evil and adulterous generations seeks for a sign.  Then He called them wicked and perverse.”  That whole account was characterized by rebellion and unbelief.  Jesus was the sign.  Yet, they rejected Him.  In their denial of the truth, they asked for another sign.  This was an affront to God the Father.

         If I love Christ and walk obediently in His ways, I will encounter times when I’ve prayed about a critical decision but am just unsure which way to go.  In that instance, I ask for a sign, or a series of signposts, where God shows me that I’m on the right, or wrong, path.  My experience is that He is very eager to give markers.  He wants me to get it right.  He applauds my obedience and celebrates that I care about making a righteous decision.  Why wouldn’t a good Father show me the way?!

You took the Moses by the hand and gave him, and Your children, signs along their journey.  Thank you for being willing to lead me as you did Moses.  Amen

THE DIFFERENCE ONE SACRIFICE MAKES

And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.   Genesis 8:22

            What changed from the time before the flood to the time after the flood?  Not much as far as sin goes.  Judgment hadn’t take away the sin nature of man.  The family who exited the ark was just as sinful, by nature, as the families who had been destroyed in the flood.  Judgment had not changed individual hearts.  So why was God making a beautiful promise to Noah if he and his descendants were going to sin again?

            Because he offered a sacrifice to atone for his sins.  Oh, the difference one sacrifice makes.  Those who perished in the floodwaters were stiff-necked.  They refused to see their sin and make atonement for it.  Noah recognized his sin and recognized his need to offer a sacrifice.  Mercy and the promise of blessing was God’s response.

            When no atonement has been applied to mankind, eternal judgment is the end result.  When there is a Savior, and a man or woman acknowledges their sin and embraces the atonement He offers, judgment is withheld.  Mercy appears.  Sin’s debt is paid.  The promises of God are in full effect.

            Atonement has always had an aroma that affects God.  It causes a visceral reaction inside of Him.  When Christ died as the ultimate and final atonement for my sin, God breathed in the powerful fragrance yet again.  “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”  Eph. 5:2   When Jesus breathed His last, God tore the veil in the temple and drew near to be intimate to those who would embrace His Son as their Savior.  Then He extended mercy.  Judgment was removed.

            As if anything could supersede the beauty of previous story, there is one more piece that brings me joy.  Does God still smell the aroma of a sacrifice?  Yes.  It’s not from an animal.  It’s not even ‘just’ from Christ.  The aroma is coming from you and me.  “For we are the aroma of Christ to God.”  2 Cor. 2:15   The pleasure experienced by God is enhanced when, daily, I offer my life as a continual sacrifice to Him.  I am the aroma of Christ not only because I made Him my Savior but because I am passionate to think like Him, love like Him, live like Him, and rule with Him.

When you look at me, you don’t see my sin.  I am dead to sin and alive to You.  Because of Your mercy, You breathe deeply when I am in Your presence and feel nothing but pleasure.  Amen

THE FIRST ACT OF NOAH

Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.  Genesis 8:20

         What was Noah’s reaction to mercy?  The first moment his feet stepped off the ark, he built an altar and offered burnt offerings.  It wasn’t like he had plenty of each kind of animal either.  He had pairs of each, that’s all.  Yet, he didn’t think twice at offering half of his food supply to the Lord in response to God’s salvation of him and his family.  Mercy understood equals generosity expressed. 

         My offerings to God are a barometer of how much I believe God has been merciful to me.  If I really understand that I’ve been snatched from the fire, won’t I give everything?  Expressions like, “I can’t afford to give that much while times are hard!” will be obsolete.  Especially in light of the fact that when we give, God promises us increased blessing!

         The greatest thing I can lay on the altar is not a sacrifice for my sin.  While Noah had to offer atonement for the sins of he and his family, Jesus came and laid on the altar for us.  In response to such love and sacrifice, my offering to God is not the blood of an unblemished animal but my life. 

I lay my life on the altar.  Take it all.  Not just a token act of service on a certain weekday.  All of it, Lord.  Your mercy, and your grace, came kicking down the door to rescue me.  I know it and spend my life to show you my gratitude.  Amen

FORCING THINGS TO WORK

Then God said to Noah, “Go out from the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you.”  Genesis 8:16

         God shut the door to the ark, bringing finality to Noah’s time on land.  When he put his feet on solid ground again, it would be on a new and pristine planet.  After 100+ days in the ark, I can imagine that everyone on board was antsy to get off.

         I’m one who gets motion sickness easily but I will also tell you that I’ve been on violent seas.  In my early twenties, the singing group that I was part of went on a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season.  We encountered very rough seas.  To sing in the ballroom for our Bible Study sessions, each of us in the group had to clutch a pillar in order to stand up while singing.  To say that I was eager to get off the ship is an understatement.

         As anxious as Noah was to exit the ark, he knew to wait for God to release him.  To leave the safety of his wooden haven was to risk living on an earth that wasn’t ready for habitation.  The seeds he would plant there wouldn’t encounter proper growing conditions.

         There is not much of a harvest when it is forced.  Only God can prepare the ground for the seed.  I have known the frustration of trying to make things happen on my own.  I produced one Ishmael after another.  Utter frustration was the result.  Getting older has taught me to wait for God to till the soil and release me from present confinement.

         Someone wants to be a truth teller to a family member today.  The seed will not be received if God has not prepared the soil of their heart.  Another wants to step out of a stressful place and start fresh by forcing circumstances to work.  A heavenly rhythm will not accompany their efforts and striving will bring exhaustion and futility.  Still someone else wants to implement a God-given vision that has been simmering for years.  Tired of waiting, they will bring their vision to a people not ready to understand it nor recognize its source as God.  Mis-judgment will result, bringing pain and rejection.

         We must not leave the ark of safety until there is obvious release.  God is a gracious Father who will speak clearly and give many confirmations that it’s time to move.

Oh how I’ve learned the hard way.  Striving is not your way.  If the axe falls at just the right part in the grain of wood, without effort, the wood will split.  Show me holy rhythm and timing.  Amen