Tag: bible

Shalom On The Other Side Of Letting Go

Published on by Christine Wyrtzen1 Comment

May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”. Genesis 43:14

When Joseph disappeared, Jacob held Benjamin close. He wasn’t going to let this other favored son out of his sight lest some something bad happen to him too. God tested him. For everyone in his family to live, Benjamin must go to Egypt. Jacob didn’t give in easily. Only famine and the threat of extinction wore him down until He finally caved.

Are you tired of fighting? You’ve held on to hope and clutched your dream. You’ve not let anyone too close for fear that your resolve would be challenged. No one knows that your iron will is really quite fragile.

No one can predict the moment when someone will give up control. Resolve to make things work eventually crumbles. Sheer grit melts away and surrender to God’s providence takes over instead. The humility of true surrender marks a stunning turning point.

Dreams are fragile things in a fallen world. Perfection here is impossible. The cancer of sin metastasizes and touches everything I want. While good things do happen and pleasurable seasons come for a time, perfection is deferred. And ultimately, loss and grief will consume me if I don’t learn to invest all my dreams into the storehouse of eternity.  It’s okay, and necessary, to let my Benjamin go. David said, “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.” Psalm 39:7 Everything holy thing I long for will eventually be mine.

Help me understand that longing is to mark the life of every saint. Let mine be joyful confidence, not malcontent. Amen

Light and Bread

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A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the larnpstand, the table and the consecrated bread. Hebrews 9:2

In the outer room of the tabernacle, two things could be found. A larnpstand with a light that burned continuously, and a table with the showbread on it. The tabernacle was windowless, therefore very dark. The only way a priest could find his way to the table with the showbread was with the light the candles provided. Light and bread were connected.

They still are. Nothing has changed. The Bread of Life can only be found today when the Light of the World shows me the way. I live in darkness. There are no windows to eternal life. I’ve been left wanting, aching, and longing for meaning beyond what’s here. My soul is hungry but my eyes are blinded and unable to recognize the bread that will satisfy my hunger. I won’t see Jesus for who he is until there’s illumination. I won’t be attracted to spiritual food until he shows me that he is what I’ve been seeking. The Bread of Life will not appear palatable unless the lamplight of his Spirit reveals it as the banquet it is.

After all, Jesus was a suffering servant. He was continually misunderstood. He preached humility and repentance. He commanded his followers to forgive, seventy times seven times. He encouraged his friends to love their enemies. Such spiritual food would appear to taste sour. I might even think I had stumbled onto the wrong meal. Until divine light shines on the showbread, I will not dare to partake. Ah, but when my eyes can finally see, I behold delicacies that are not of this world.

I am hungry for you, Jesus. Illumine my spiritual meal for today. Amen.

The Great Exchange

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The righteousness of God is revealed for faith to faith.  Romans 1:17a

When God’s holiness is revealed to an unbeliever, sin is exposed and a crisis of shame becomes evident.  He realizes that he can not show his face to a righteous God.  No matter how much good he’s done, the shame and guilt of his sin can not be erased.  Most, at this point, run away.  Ah, but a few are grieved by their sin and want peace with God.  They want to talk with Him as Adam and Eve did before the Fall .  They wonder if it’s possible for God to ever accept them.

And this was my angst as a seven year old.  I had just heard a Gospel message from the evangelist, Jack Wyrtzen.  I felt the great weight of my sin and the painful separation from God.  Heavy hearted, I went back to our vacation cottage with my parents and couldn’t sleep.  My dad knelt by the bed with me and I prayed the sinner’s prayer.  I realized that someone had paid for my sin.  Someone righteous.  Jesus.  Though I had little theological grasp of all that took place when I repented and asked for forgiveness, this outcome was certain ~

I was emptied of my sin and Jesus gave me His righteousness.  He took my sin as though it were His and gave me His holiness in return.  It was such an unfair exchange and I will forever be aware of my debt.  I am dressed in Jesus’ righteous perfection but only because Jesus was willing to exchange what He had for what I didn’t have.

Who dies for an enemy, pays for His worst sins, and offers the best of Himself?  Only a Savior whose love is outrageous.  The Gospel is such extravagant good news that every person who has experienced this great exchange struggles to find a language that adequately tells the story.  The love that prompted it can not be grasped.  The best poetry falls short so we try to tell the story with our lives.

I often lose my words when something is too painful.  I also lose words when I try to explain what Your love is like and what You’ve done  for me.  The great exchange was our beautiful beginning.  Amen

The Lord of Hosts Is His Name

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Their redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name. He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, and unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon.”  Jeremiah 50:32

Many of God’s children are fighting for their lives today.  They are in the center of a battle.  The strife is not about a difference of opinion but about good and evil; the kingdom of heaven versus the kingdom of darkness.  So much is at stake and it feels like life and death.  Perhaps they on their knees this morning, absolutely at the end of themselves.  They are weary from being battered.  They are disillusioned by a trail of broken promises.  They are confused because those who argue with them are clever and cunning.

King David’s enemies were powerful, physically, mentally, and even spiritually.  He also reached the end of himself.  His life hung in the balance and he knew he needed an advocate.  There was not a human one to be found.  No lawyers waited in the wings to take up his case in court.  He needed God.  Who better to argue for him, to plead his cause and sort out the cobweb of controversy to administer justice than Jehovah Sabaoth.  Jeremiah recognized His role as the Lord of hosts when Israel was oppressed and had no way out of captivity.  Today’s scripture captures Jeremiah’s great statement of faith.

The Lord of Hosts is also engaged on my behalf because He takes up the cause of His people.  He does it for people groups and He does it for individuals like you and me.  No cunning adversary will defeat Him nor deceive Him to be prejudiced against me.  Jesus knows me, knows my plight, knows my adversaries, and takes up my defense.  I will be vindicated in heaven’s perfect timetable.  It may be swift, it may occur in the next decade, or it may happen one day when God judges the earth.  I can trust my Commander in Chief to know when is the perfect time to implement justice.  In the meantime, I must believe that no one will get away with their evil deeds.  Though it may appear that way, they are held firmly on God’s leash.  My strength lies in Who it is that aligns Himself with me.

Are you weary of fighting your own battles?  Have your arguments been silenced by deep fatigue?  Have you lost your way?  The Commander of the angel armies is fighting for you.  He will redeem all that the locusts are consuming.  In the distance, the sound of horses can be heard.

Strengthen the man on his knees today, the one who cries out to you as his only hope.  Lift his head to see the armies of heaven.  Amen

The Hosts of Heaven Have My Back

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“At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book.”  Daniel 12:1

When ancient armies entered into battle, they sought to secure evidence that the gods favored them and would give them victory.  Military leaders offered sacrifices, even consulted the flight of birds and the entrails of animals for clues that might point to a coming success.  Armies brought soothsayers with them onto the battlefield so that they could interpret these signs.  Imagine how the hope of victory would energize a soldier.  When he was assured of success, he dared become bold with his sword.

God is gracious to reveal that the ultimate outcome for every single believer is victory, not defeat.  It is for salvation, not wrath.  This builds confidence into my steps today.  The gates of hell shall not prevail against me when I follow Jesus because, not only am I armed with the sword of the Word, but Jehovah Sabaoth and His armies of angels have my back.  I may suffer, appear to lose a skirmish or two, but victory is written into the storyline of every child of God.

The evangelist, Jack Wyrtzen, signed every letter “On the Victory Side.” He believed it and traveled to Eastern bloc countries with the Gospel by smuggling bibles behind their iron curtain.  He was willing to lose his life if discovered but death wouldn’t have been a defeat.  Knowing that, he enjoyed spiritual adrenaline.

He would encourage us today to shun fear and walk confidently.  Having traveled extensively to visit missionaries on the field, he heard many miracle stories.  They told him about God’s angelic interventions when they had faced life threatening situations.  And, I’m sure he told them of his divine encounters when he had crossed borders into communist countries.  Sometimes, Bibles had been in clear sight but customs officials were blind to them.

This is the time to make our boldest advances for the kingdom.  Time after time, God delivers us from the schemes of the enemy.  But not always!   In this life, Jesus said we will have tribulation.  At some point, we may not see Him intervene to preserve our earthly bodies.  But know this ~ martyrs are never casualties.  They are children of the King of Kings, carried safely to their eternal rest in God’s perfect providence.

I often live crippled by fear, like I don’t know who wins this present battle.  Forgive me.  I know better.  Amen.

Commander In Chief of the Angel Armies

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The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted.  The LORD of hosts is with us.  Psalm 46:6-7

God identifies Himself as the “Lord of hosts” time after time in scripture.  The problem with growing up in the church is that one can hear this phrase but because of its familiarity, the power of the title is never appreciated.  Eugene Peterson’s, THE MESSAGE, translates “the God of hosts” as “the Lord of the angel armies.”  Now that grabs my attention and causes me to consider the implications of this God-declaration.

The critical points made are these:

  1. There are angels around even though I may not be aware of them.  I can be so consumed by the material world that I fail to realize the relevance of what is transpiring in the spiritual realm.  Scripture instructs every child of God to be cognizant of the fact that we are spiritual beings, part of a spiritual realm, citizens of a spiritual kingdom.  That reality is to define who I am and what I do.
  2. There are angel armies and there are also demon armies.  The battle between good and evil is being fought twenty-four hours a day.  There is a war being waged against me personally, against my family, against my church, and even against my city or town.  I can train to fight, appropriate the weapons God has provided in order to be victorious, or I can choose to remain passive and become a casualty.  There is no neutral ground, only winners and losers.
  3. God is the Lord, the commander, of the angel armies.  He wants me to know the chain of command and be comforted by the fact that His hosts of angels are carrying out orders within a hierarchy that is extremely well structured.  God loves His children and has not sent me, nor anyone else, to the front lines to be slaughtered.  He has provided angelic hosts to fight on my behalf, their activity fueled by prayer and faith.

God is not an anemic God.  He may be my Father, tender-hearted and full of mercy, but He is also a commander-in-chief, not to be trifled with.  The One who loved me enough to give His Son’s life to win my freedom is also the One to whom all of creation will one day bow.  I endeavor not to lose my head over things and situations that are temporary.

You, the Lord of the armies, the fiercest of warriors, have me in the palm of Your hand.  Now that gives significance to my day.  I engage in the battle with hope and expectations of victory.  With Jesus’ name on my lips, Amen

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Adonai, Adonai, Plus Obedience

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Not every person who says, “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 7:21

There are many who profess that Jesus is Lord and almost as many who will say, “Jesus is my Lord.”  But words can be easy to speak.  Actions are a far better indicator of sincerity.  Faith without works is dead.  

Matthew recounted the story of Jesus telling a crowd that words do not translate as real faith.  The kingdom is not set up to be accessed that way.  While that’s sobering, we know that to be true about words.  Words alone can’t build any relationship, let alone the one with Jesus.    

Consider when a relationship is broken.  Words will be important to save it but on their own, healing will be limited.  Promises may be made but the ‘proof will be in the pudding’.   Trust will be rebuilt with works of love and sacrifice.  It will be the behavior of a person that reveals whether their words can be trusted. 

In heaven, some will be turned away from entering heaven and the reaction will be one of shock.  They will protest when they remind Jesus of all that they did in His name.  They will defend themselves and say that they professed the words, “Lord, Lord”, or “Adonai, Adonai,” but Jesus will tell them that they never gave up their life to His lordship.  Goals remained self-centered.  Choices were made without Him in mind.  Gospel songs were sung in community but only out of a need to fit in.  The trappings of religious life gave them a false sense of security.  The message for us is this ~ words alone don’t translate to saving faith.

Jesus is the Master and Owner of all things He created.  He invites us to be His bondslaves – the role for which we were created.  Ironically, it’s the role where true freedom exists.  Never will I thrive more than when bowing the knee to Adonai.  And for any I know who say the words but fail to live the life, I pray for them.  

In all things I am to do today, I will discern their importance to You.  It is not my life, but Yours.  Amen

How I Feel About Ownership

Published on by Christine Wyrtzen1 Comment

God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ “This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.  Exodus 3:15

Adonai means ‘lord, master, and owner.’   It is used 434 times in the Old Testament about Yahweh ~ and also refers to people in positions of authority.  

  • In I Samuel, David called Saul his ‘Adonai’ when he called him ‘my lord the king.’  
  • In Judges, it says that the Philistines had five lords ~ or five ‘Adonais.’  
  • In Genesis, Sarah referred to Abraham as her Adonai. 

Earlier in life, the idea of anyone owning us and having to refer to them as lord and master contradicted our valued autonomy.  Wanting our way, regardless of how we achieved it, was our default. Our desires were governed by soulishness. However, this was only because we didn’t know God well enough.  Eventually, we realized that we are only safe if He owns us.  Autonomous choices made apart from God’s wisdom will inevitably lead to disaster.  Only Lordship and our obedience guarantee a safe passage for our feet. 

We were born searching for where we belong.  Belonging means ownership.  Instinctively, we were crying out for an Adonai.  As children, many of us felt lost.  Childhood prepared us to seek someone to shelter and guide us.  Driven and stretching out our arms indiscriminately, we allowed others to control us.  We surrendered our autonomy.  Adonai was not ‘Jesus’ because we had long placed Him on the sidelines in search of counterfeit owners.

Oh, time reveals that there are no safe masters except Jesus.  Daily, I experience freedom when I open my hands, stop clutching what I’ve been afraid to relinquish, and give up rights to all areas of my life.  I turn over the deed to myself and everything I own.  When I cry “Lord, Lord,” … my profession of faith is matched by my deferment to His Will for my life.  I am joyfully His slave, and He is my safe and only Master. 

Oh Lord, I am owned by the One who fearfully and wonderfully made me.  How safe I am!  I praise You for such wonderful providence. Amen

A Name Reserved For True Children

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He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 3:5-6

I was born one way on March 16th, 1954, but many years later, I was re-born as a brand-new person.  I didn’t look that different on the outside, but I was completely transformed on the inside. The enemy could no longer see any traces of my sins.  All proof of his prior ownership ceased to exist. The chains fell away along with my sin-stained soul.   With confidence, I could cry out, ‘Abba Father.’ This new name of endearment was evidence that the curse of sin and death had been reversed. No one could use the name except for true children of the Father.

In that beautiful moment of my legal spiritual adoption, the Holy Spirit was poured out by Abba Father, seeping into my every spiritual pore.  My soul absorbed Him like a sponge, so thirsty was I for everything that He was.  You’re mine,” He said.  I came to life as He spoke each word deliberately.  His love became my new source of energy.  No longer would I have to generate a reservoir of gritty resolve to do right and live right. The power of love and my new identity overcame me, and flowed continually like a river.  

When we are born again and the Spirit enters us ~ and then impels us to cry the intimate family name “Abba! Father!” ~ we surely sense the climax to the redemption story.

There is more eloquence in the words ‘Abba, Father,’ than in all the orations of Demosthenes or Cicero put together! Martin Luther

Warm Welcomes Are Certainties

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Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  Hebrews 4:16

 A lukewarm welcome feels terrible, doesn’t it?  Even worse, when there’s no welcome at all, the memory of it sits interminably in our soul.

Never will I experience this when I approach God.  Because Eloah Selichot forgives extravagantly, His welcome of me is always passionately warm.  There is a history of longing where He is concerned.  He knew me before I was ever conceived, knew I’d be born with the sin of Adam, and knew I’d be lost without the intervention of a Savior.  His longing for reconciliation made a way for my sin to be forgiven. Now, warm welcomes are a certainty.

Because of forgiveness, His Father welcomes me even though I was an enemy.  Because of forgiveness, He welcomes me even though my list of offenses against Him was long.  Nothing, absolutely nothing, threatens His open embrace.

When I walk the halls of church, I can be tempted to welcome some more than others.  I remember and can rehearse petty offenses.  God is not like that.  His embrace is never tentative.  My sin, past, present, and future has been removed from me.  Approaching Him with boldness carries zero risk. I can always run home.  The door is never locked.  Like the father of the prodigal son, He’s on the porch, eagerly waiting for my arrival.

If I’m shy of You, it’s about me.  Not you.  I hold up my shield of faith and believe in Your character.  Amen