"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." (Acts 7:59)

Have you ever thought of what it would be like to take Stephen's place and experience the last few hours of his life? For many of us that would be rather disturbing.

Stephen himself probably had little opportunity to ponder why this was happening to him. The events unfolded too rapidly. He was accosted by a group of hateful men with a pre-established agenda and was in up to his ears before he knew it.

On the negative side, here are a couple of the things we could mention. First, he experienced the pain of a violent death (although it almost seems like the grace of God so powerfully flooded his body that he was impervious to the beating). And second, he missed the spectacular expansion of the Gospel from Jerusalem on out into the world.

However, when we switch over to a different perspective, the scene doesn't seem quite as ugly.

Even as he felt the rocks hit, he was seeing the One who gave it all meaning. Jesus, the Lord, the Origin of life itself, was making eye contact with him! Apparently, a few saints down through history have been granted a similar privilege.

But most are called to die by faith.

And then, as he slipped into the presence of the Holy One, he instantly gained a vantage point from which to watch the rest of the story from the first row of Heaven's balcony. Wow!

Furthermore, even as the rocks go still and the martyr's body stops breathing, the Holy Spirit turns our attention to a different man. This surprising shift of focus is designed to remind us all of a wonderful and comforting truth, one that is just as true today as it was in Acts 7.

God is always doing more than we think He is.

Again, He is ALWAYS doing more than we think He is!

And He loves to surprise.

Nobody was paying too much attention to the young man who watched the clothes. Surely Stephen hadn't noticed him--he was looking up at the right hand of God. The eyes of the violent religious men were looking for stones and taking aim. If there were Christians nearby, they were focused on Stephen and praying for help. Saul himself was observing, with a smug sense of satisfaction, the permanent silencing of an extremely vocal and powerful opponent.

Little did anyone know, but a pair of heavenly eyes were looking down at the young zealot. There may even have been the hint of a divine smile.

Saul would soon be changing his name.

But back to the Stephen...

Sometimes God takes away loved ones suddenly and without explanation. The shock and loss are excruciating and there is no avoiding the pain, or explaining it away. But God doesn't ask us to do that. Instead, He addresses the perplexing topic in a subtle but undeniable way.

Notice how He strategically sprinkled throughout the Bible certain stories, each with their silent and anonymous sufferers. These all experienced the torture of tragic surprises, and they may not have immediately been given a measure of understanding.

Think of Abel's mother, Eve. Think of Naboth's wife. Think of Uriah's siblings. Think of John the Baptist's friends... and there are others.

Each of these deaths brought piercing pain to those closest to them. Undoubtedly, tears were shed, questions were asked, and hearts were stunned.

But what occurred to them happens all around us today. Indeed, they are part of the same family, the family of godly Christians who die or suffer in what appears to be random, meaningless, and painful ways. Surely as you read these words a name or names come to your mind.

The message from God, in the example of Stephen, seems to encourage us to remember a few things. First, every Christian life is a tiny part of a very large picture. The picture is not only huge, but it is eternal. Second, God is always doing more than we think. Stephen leaves the stage at exactly the right moment for Saul to make his entrance. At the time, neither one understands the significance of the other.

But the Lord did.

He is the Author of the grand story of grace, the story that spans every continent and every age. It is the story that links every believer and the details of his life directly to the Cross. No death is insignificant, no matter how short or unknown or unappreciated it was by other people.

This truth makes it all worth it and can give comfort when we or loved ones are hit with unexplainable hurt.

Dear Father, how important to keep in mind Your view, the real one, and to know You guide every single event towards Your glorious purpose. Please use these words to encourage someone who is hurting. Amen.

(JAM #165)

Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a lamb as it had been slain,... (Revelation 5:5-6)

Thanks to Peter's powerful warning about Satan's strategies, when we think of the lion in the Bible we often think of the Devil. And this was undoubtedly part of God's intention, as it is a very effective wake up call for when we are spiritually ignorant, lazy, or careless.

However, in the Book of the Revelation, where the loose ends of history are tied down and no lingering injustices get past the last chapter, the lion imagery makes its final appearance with an interesting twist.

The first and only mention of it is in 5:5, where the title is applied to Jesus, the Root of David. The statement is given as a matter of simple fact. He alone is worthy to be identified with the majesty and authority of the Lion. On the other hand, Satan's character is forever linked to the evil and vicious image of the serpent.

But in the very next verse John completely switches imageries. Never again does He refer to our Savior as the Lion. This should really be a surprise as it goes against what we would normally expect. On a human platform, it would be expected that victory and mastery be associated with strong and imposing physiques, like those of powerful cats. Lions, tigers, cougars, or panthers, would be prime candidates for the occasion.

But in twenty-three references, the center of attention is on the Lamb that had been sacrificed.

Among the strong implications are at least these three. First, He wants to be identified with the meekness and humility of this tender, innocent animal. Once and for all, He will establish the fact that these characteristics are not signs of weakness but of eternal righteousness and truth.

Secondly, far from being dead, the Lamb is very much alive. He is not tied to the tomb. He is free!

Thirdly, He was at the same time the almighty, all knowing, totally-in-control God. John was going to prove this very convincingly...

This Lamb is lovingly worshipped by millions of followers, but the world's VIPs cry out in terror for the mountains and the rocks to crush them from His sight. Paradoxically, this Lamb is also the Shepherd who gently and generously provides living water for his dear flock. This Lamb is the Conqueror of every evil force and the Subject of the huge choir of the redeemed. Finally, this Lamb ushers in the ultimate phase of His redemption plan with the most magnificent banquet of all time.

Yes, He enters the stage as the Lion. But as He walks across the final page of human history on earth, the thunderous applause of every living being goes to the Lamb.

He is the Messiah who will eternally bear the marks of crucifixion, the scars of man's salvation. His claims will always be visible.

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain!

Dear Father, there was a Saturday long ago in which your children felt lonely, sad, vulnerable, and humiliated. But then came Sunday morning, and now we all look forward to seeing your Son, the living Lamb of God, and worshipping forever. Amen.

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. . . . Rejoice in the Lord alway; . . . I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Nehemiah 8:10, Philippians 4:4,13)

Neither group receiving these words could possibly have expected them.

The one was listening to Nehemiah, the other was reading from Paul. These two peoples had never met, no more than the two leaders. They lived in different centuries and continents. 

Nor were there situations the same. One was a huge gathering of Jews who had heard the razor sharp truth of the Law and were convicted to tears. Having come face to face with their sin, they were shattered, and as one large body they cried.

The other was a congregation reading a strange letter. The writing told them of the apostle's imprisonment and of harsh criticism from those who should have been his friends. Surrounded as well by their own set of difficulties, these believers could not have predicted the contents of the epistle.

But both peoples were in great anxiety and needed encouragement. The builder had spoken in the Old Testament; the evangelist had written in the New.

Yet their message was the same: Be joyful! Be strong!

In that order.

In the case of Nehemiah, we see the immediate effect on the people. After repentance, they obeyed and were invigorated as a result. In Paul's situation we are not given the response of the Phillipians, but are allowed to see the truth worked out in his own life. He first speaks of rejoicing in everything and then pens the famous verse, "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me."

The key is in the joy.

We often think of joy as a gift from God, and it is.

But it is much more than that. It is more than just a passive virtue, something that merely comes to us. According to Scripture, there is an active, transitive, energetic, and powerful aspect of joy. It is easier to see if we switch the noun into its verb form, as Paul did.

In other words, "Rejoice!” Or, "Have joy!” Or, "Be joyful!"

Christian joy (is there any other kind?) is a potent force that is every believer's privilege.

Do I want to be spiritually strong? Do I long for power in my war against sin? Would I like to see victory in the battles of my mind?

One missing ingredient may be simply a change of attitude. Repentance is necessary, but so is the joy that should follow on its heels! Some never get past the sadness of their sin.

God loves to hear His people rejoice. It speaks of confidence, of faith, of wisdom!

One of the greatest military victories ever won by a Jewish king came to Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. A multinational, bloodthirsty horde of enemies invaded from the east and Judah was facing swift extermination. But the king humbled himself before the Lord and obeyed His very odd instructions. As they headed out to the battle site they began to rejoice. A choir made up of two Levite families started singing and praising God.

For some unknown reason an argument started between the enemy factions. It turned ugly and ended up with them slaughtering each other. A secular observer would say, “Coincidence.”

We know better.

Who of us doesn't face things that threaten to discourage us and flatten our hopes? Maybe we're spending too much time letting the difficulty rule our thinking. What if God has not changed and sometimes He's just waiting for us to shift our focus and start rejoicing?

Dear Father, to choose joy when the going is rough and complicated is never my natural choice. Remind me quickly and help me throw off my sour attitudes. Amen.

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil . . . And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written… (Matt. 4:1, 3-4a)

Some things about this scene I don't even know how to process — they generate more questions than answers!

For example, Why in the world did Satan even attempt to make the Lord Jesus sin? Did he have the tiniest hope that he could succeed? Did the Serpent really think he could trick his Maker into doing evil? It seems preposterous to answer these with a "Yes".

And yet he did try.

Could it be that we fall very short of understanding the full degree to which the Lord became man? Was He so boldly human that the tempter saw what he thought was a weak spot in the incarnation? Again, the mind gets dizzy trying to wrap itself around these ideas.

But there are a few things we can nail down with good confidence. One is that the Holy Spirit led Christ into the desert for the temptation and recorded what happened in selective detail. Another is that He was tempted at a level far beyond that of mortal man—these were no ordinary temptations! And then, of course, that He very simply and completely neutralized Satan's attacks.

Now we might say, “Sure, but He was God! It must have been easier for Him."

That totally misses the point.

The key here is HOW Jesus won. The Spirit did not lead Him into the place of temptation to see what would happen. He took Him there and recorded the critical facts, so we could witness the event and learn from it.

Christ's strategy was the one accurate defense against temptation, always relevant for you and me. He cleared the road to victory and paved it for us.

According to the text, the Lord answered Satan in a flash, with the written Word.

There simply was no debate, no argument, no consideration, no deliberation. Nothing separated the temptation from the swift swish of the sword.

And the more you think about it, the more logical the reason.

If when we are tempted, to anger, to lust, to envy, to complain, or whatever, we pause to think things over . . . at that moment we are already finished. It's as simple as that. It takes no more than the first second of hesitation to begin the nosedive into sin.

But if we have decided beforehand that we are vulnerable, weak, and unable to stand up to the Devil, and arm ourselves with swords of truth that we will instantly use to swipe the head off the temptation...

The Word will rapidly transform our thinking, even as we quote it. It will miraculously cleanse our mind and change our desires. By the time we finish the passage our whole perspective will be different.

One of the main challenges is exercising that mustard seed of faith to draw and swing. It's not that hard to do if the decision has already been made before the assault. It is supposed to become a spiritual reflex as real as the reaction to duck when somebody throws an object at your head.

So why do we not live in this victory?

Most of the time it's just a matter of pride. We keep thinking we can manage ourselves...

And the years go by.

Dear Father, the Lord Jesus has left me without a whimper of an excuse. Help me obey. Amen.

“And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief . . . Do thou therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace. (1 Chr 11:6/1 Kings 2:6)

These two statements of David were separated by forty years. The first paved the way for Joab to become his general commander. The second was spoken to Solomon, advising him to kill Joab.

What in the world had happened? Why was David now encouraging his son to get rid of the man who had successfully led his armies for so many years?

There are, perhaps, a number of reasons, but I think these two are key. First, and concerning Solomon himself, David was obviously trying to save him a ton of grief. He knew that if Joab stayed on the scene, Solomon would suffer hugely. The man was dangerous and bad.

But how had it come to this? How had David chosen such a man?

Part of the answer surely lies in a very early decision of David, just as he was setting up his  government. He had done many good things, but here he made a serious leadership mistake. Every leader has blind spots and David was no exception. I think he blew it in his method of delegating responsibilities and authority.

The setting was Jerusalem, before it was ever the City of David. The Jebusite inhabitants had taunted David, saying that even their blind and lame men could ward off his attack. Perhaps distracted by the sting of pride, the young king hurled a challenge to his men: “Whoever is the first to take him will be my chief and captain!"

And Joab, his very own cousin, did just that. He gathered a group of fighters and proved himself one of the best warriors in the land.

So began one of David’s nightmares.

He had found a great fighter but a vicious man. Joab had a strong personal agenda and would ruthlessly and deceitfully assassinate anyone who got in his way. First to fall was Abner, stabbed in the stomach when he expected a peaceful conversation. Then came Absalom, David’s own son, butchered as he hung from the tree by his hair, against the wishes of the emotionally distraught king. Finally it was Amasa, also reconciled to David, whom Joab gutted after tricking him with a fallen dagger.

No wonder dying David wanted him out of Solomon’s life.

How sad that David did not remember the words God had spoken through Samuel when he himself was selected for the position of king: “the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

When seeking leaders, he had focused on the outside skill, not the heart inside.

It is even sadder when we don’t learn the lesson. How often churches have split and pain has flooded a congregation because someone was chosen for leadership simply because they had talent. They could sing, they could speak, they could write . . . 

but they were not good.

Faithfulness is more important in ministry than talent. The problem is, faithfulness, by definition, requires a certain amount of time to be proven.

And we are often in too much of a hurry.

Dear Father, help me realize that you do not need my talent unless it comes with a faithful heart. And as I deal with others and serve your flock, give me discernment to know who is loyal and true to you. Amen.

Andy

And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. Deut. 4:19

There are over a thousand places on the globe labeled as World Heritage Sites. These may be natural or man made, and are so designated because of their cultural or physical significance. The basic idea is that they be protected and preserved so "humanity" can enjoy them in as pristine a condition as possible, and for as long as possible.

Of course, there are none in outer space . . . at least not yet.

Now, when God spoke the sun, moon, and stars into existence, one fact was automatically established. They were not Him. They were separate entities, by the most basic logic. No creation can occupy the same space as its creator. Though the first two heavenly bodies were given specific responsibilities, the rest were not. And as we read how they came to be, a shocking truth becomes obvious: that huge expanse, teeming with what seems like an infinite variety of objects, all of which completely dwarfs the earth, was added to the scene with one tiny little phrase. The sense of ease with which it all occurred should draw a gasp all by itself, but when the implications begin to sink in, well, our minds simply reel in wonder.

And that is exactly what God wanted; at least, as a first step.

The next Biblical mention of the great miracle above comes in the Lord's command to Abraham, telling him to gaze up in obedient worship. Sadly though, the attitude of mankind towards the stars and planets has mostly been perverse. By the time Deuteronomy was written, the scene was already pretty ugly. The nations had looked up and were amazed, but their depraved hearts refused to discern. They would not use common sense to look past the gifts to the Giver. Instead, they stopped at the first level and started building altars, sewing robes, and compiling rituals. They decided to adore what had been made instead of the Maker.

This verse describes the heavens as a universal, global heritage; something God has divided out for the benefit of every person on earth. He has wrapped it all around the planet so that every country can see a portion of it. The constellations are free for anyone to admire on a clear night and nobody is taxed for staring at them or enjoying their beauty.

However, usually we rush around too much to pay this kind of attention. We do not stop to consider the masterpiece overhead nor relish the privilege we have to admire it. What a shame, because a few minutes of serious contemplation will go a long way towards bringing closer matters into better focus. Our things, our accomplishments, our plans, will all seem a lot smaller and not quite so impressive. 

And that's a good thing.

So there are two entirely different errors man can fall into concerning the heavens, the second being more of an issue for the believer. The first is for man to look up and worship what he sees. The second is for God’s children to hardly look up at all, to not even consider or appreciate what He has given.

Next time you can see the stars, thank the Lord for them. Praise Him for the wisdom and power they display.

They are a work of art for you to enjoy, and include a personal challenge, as Abraham proved.

Dear Father, I am very inclined to look at life as revolving around my schedule and goals. Thank you for placing over my head a majestic reminder that I, and everything I ever do, are mere specks in your world. Their only significance comes as they relate to your will. Amen.

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. (1 Samuel 17:45)

We all face giants.

The question is, "How do we face them?"

As we walk into the future and the challenges it brings, what is our attitude?

The importance of the matter was highlighted for me recently as I listened to a lay preacher make some observations from this beloved scene in 1 SAMUEL 17.

But let’s first look at the context.

Notice what David did not have--the story of his victory over Goliath! That's obvious, of course, but my point is that this young man's challenge was unique. As in every other heroic, spiritual, victory in the Bible, God's believer had to walk into the battle without knowing exactly how the outcome would happen.

Sure, David had heroes, like Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Joseph . . . but none of them had gone into anything quite like this before, and besides, they weren't around to help him anyway. He would have to face his enemy without them. Like you and me, the chapter in front of him was new. Time alone would show how God would preserve his life.

But he did have one powerful asset from the past.

He could recall some very real and personal experiences with God. He had been dramatically kept from the deadly paws of a lion and a bear, and from these memories he deduced that the giant's paw was nothing to worry about either.

However, what has my attention now is his speech to the giant.

We do not see him crying out to God for help, describing the height of his opponent, the weight of his spearhead, or the makeup of his gear. The narrator does that for us. David doesn't seem to be perturbed in the least, nor really paying much attention to the giant's armor.

Rather, in six staccato statements, he tells Goliath just WHO he is dealing with.

In other words, David talks to the giant about his God, not to God about his giant.

He spoke of Jehovah's authority as Commander and Chief. He told Goliath how the Lord would hand his carcass over to him, and he wouldn't even get a proper burial! He presented the whole event as an opportunity God was making to prove to Israel just how powerful and sovereign He was.

This is not usually our approach.

Most of our attention tends to be on the size of our problem, its complexity, or its devastating potential. Our focus is on the obstacle. It looms before us larger than life and all we can think about is the crushing effects it can have on us. We plead to others for prayer, more out of desperation than of expectation.

And so, we talk to God about our challenge instead of telling our challenge just WHO God is.

It's a different mindset. A different way of heading into the battle.

Dear Father, very seldom do I take David's approach. I too quickly run to you about my giants instead of looking to them with Your glories in mind. Help me learn from this young lad, and then, please use my life to inspire others to do the same. Amen.

Andy

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. (Luke 2:29-32)

Thirty years before the Lord Jesus ever told those conniving Pharisees that He was "the light of the world", a pious, elderly gentleman had already said it.

This patient fellow had been waiting for the Messiah to enter the temple. We don't know how long he waited, but the impression is that it had been for years. Whatever the case, his understanding seems nothing short of astounding, as he shows no surprise at the "salvation of God" being an eight day old infant!

Then again, maybe it shouldn't shock us too much. For in three consecutive sentences the passage affirms an unusually close relationship between the Holy Spirit and Simeon. He had received a direct promise and I t was just a matter of time.
Imagine the scene.

Mary, a brand new mother, let a total stranger take her week old baby in his arms! Really? How could she do that? That isn't the way first time mothers usually act! Did some special look on the man's face tell her this was no ordinary event? Was there a glow in his eyes that spoke of wonder and mystery and glory? For some reason both she and Joseph were comfortable with it, and they watched him adore the little One.

And then he began to talk.

First he spoke of God's faithfulness to the promise, but soon Simeon focused on the baby Himself.

He was the Salvation of all people and the Light of revelation to the Gentiles.

What? A light? To the Gentiles? What in the world could that mean and how did he know about it?! Since when was the Anointed One of David's house going to be a blessing to the pagan world? Why would anyone want to bless the cruel, heathen Romans?

Why, that was something the disciples wouldn't grasp even after three years of intense training with the Master!

But Simeon did understand. The same Holy Spirit that was upon him and leading him, revealed to him the cosmic scope of the Life now cradled in his arms. That very Spirit would later fill the believers and thrust them out into the vast Gentile sea, to begin a Gospel advance that is still going on to this day.

This was the moment he had been longing for. Finally, the Light to the Gentiles and the Glory of Israel was right before his eyes!

He could die in peace.

Perhaps the most important responsibility we have at Christmastime is not so much to enjoy the luxuries our culture affords us, as it is to shine with the true message of the season. After all, we know nothing of Simeon's home, financial situation, or surroundings. The most important thing he ever did was what we've just read. Could it be that our life's significance will also be reduced to only that which was directly related to the One from Bethlehem?

Dear Father, this man's mission is also mine, to let the world know of Your Light, to shine with the message of Your Son. Help me, Lord, be this kind of instrument for those in darkness around me today. Amen.

Andy

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. . . . The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever. . . . (Isaiah 40:1,8)

The best comforter in all the world is God.

He made us and understands exactly how our minds are put together. He is fully aware of what goes on in the heart of the person who is discouraged and He knows the exact way to lift him out of his depressed thoughts. Whether we take the advice or not depends on our faith and desire, but if we truly want to rise above the circumstances that knocked us down, we need to listen and trust and obey.

How then does the Lord comfort His people? One answer can be found in Isaiah's fortieth chapter.

It begins with, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people..."

The words that follow are one of the grandest and most majestic theological dissertations of Scripture. Maybe this kind of therapy comes as a surprise to us. Is theology the medication we need in times of pain and depression?

Apparently so. It's what our heavenly Father chose.

Notice some of the key elements in the passage. They make a powerful combination, just right for the physically, emotionally, or spiritually hurting. They are a medicine that can soothe the drooping soul, turn it around, and make it soar into realms of praise.

First God exalts His Word. "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever." (8) He sets it far above any human being or earthly solution. Nobody else, anywhere, can claim to be the answer to the suffering of a sin infected race. The divine Word is man's only hope for hope.

Then, the bulk of the chapter is given over to one argument, to which the rest of the Bible agrees wholeheartedly: The infinite superiority of the Creator over all creation allows Him to offer real comfort.

Because of His massive strength He can deal gently with His people while simultaneously managing oceans, earth, and heavens. The totality of nations, both small and huge, are before Him as insignificant as the fine dust on a vender's scale. It is shameful to even mention His living personality in comparison with the dumb idols of pagan cultures. The dizzying array of heavenly bodies, in its mind boggling expanse, is as easy for Him to control as the sliding of a curtain in a tent. And finally, every object of the universe, even those outside our knowledge, He has personally given a name.

Here God stops.

He has made His point and there is absolutely no reason to go further.

It's at this moment, with a seemingly incredulous voice, that the Almighty basically asks, "How can you possibly say I don't see you and can't help you? Such thinking is preposterous!"

Look to me. Consider who I am. Then wait on me.

You will mount up with wings as an eagle.

True comfort comes when the human heart hears and understands and believes in the greatness of God.

Dear Father, how easily I look at big obstacles, big adversaries, big problems, and feel overwhelmed. I forget to see how You completely dwarf them with Your infinite being. Forgive me, help me fix my eyes on You, and I will need no other comfort. Amen.