keep

In as many days, I’ve come across two sources of the short and wonderful Psalm 121. I would encourage you to read those eight verses. In our Lent reading we went through this Psalm with regard to how God cares for His children, sometimes in ways we don’t understand. In our ladies Bible study, we are concluding our study of the Psalms, and looking at how we end with a benediction, blessing. Arlene Bergen asks us to dive into the word “keep” as we consider this Psalm. What might there be to dive into, with such a common little word? Allow the vast definition to impress. (dictionary.com has 55 entries!)

““to watch over and defend; to take care of; to continue to maintain; to retain in one’s possession or power; to stay or remain on or in, usually against opposition; to continue to have and hold as opposed to losing, parting with, or giving up; to provide sustenance of someone; to own or look after for pleasure or profit; to honour or fulfill a commitment or undertaking.”

“As you read definitions of all the meanings and nuances of the word keep, don’t you just get shivers up your spine when you realize the benediction God told the priests to place upon His people, began with the words, “Yahweh bless you and keep you” ?!” – Arlene Bergen

Reading through Psalm 121 in the English Standard Version, it impresses upon us once again, just how magnificent God’s unfailing love is for His people, all the ways he keeps us.

There is one thing however that He does not keep. My meditation topic for this week is the truth that as one who is in Christ, I am completely forgiven. (Colossians 1:14) God no longer has record of my sin. God, who is love, keeps no record of wrong (1 Corinthians 13:5); we are to learn reverent fear of God in response to the offered forgiveness (Psalm 130); marvel at the depth of contrast of our great and compassionate God to how helpless and human we are (Psalm 103); and be amazed to now be allowed to be in His holy presence because we’re forgiven of all sin, how amazing! (Colossians 1:13-20)

As we recall the benediction offered us, may we also rejoice in the offer of forgiveness as part of this blessing.

“The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the LORD lift up his countenance upon you

and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26 ESV)

Ambassadors – part 2

Do you have a favourtie TV show? What about a great new recipe? Or have you found a new product that really works for you?

We readily become a form of ambassador for the things that get us excited.

If Jesus has taken your deserved punishment of the wrong you’ve done, so that God only sees the perfectness of Jesus in your place, how come we aren’t more excited about that? Generally, we stay too quiet about such an awesome change that affects us eternally.

May we take seriously the fact that we are called to be Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), and let others know that Jesus is longing to do for them what He’s done for us.

Ambassadors

We are well into Lent for 2017, and this week I’m considering how I am Christ’s ambassador. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

At church, we are doing a set of readings called “Lent for Everyone” by N.T.Wright via a reading plan at www.bible.com. These readings are focusing on the first book of the New Testament, acting as a commentary on various parts of Matthew for each day, bringing new light to familiar topics and stories. The thoughts of my meditation topic together with the Lent reading, has caused a certain quote to pop out at me. It’s related to thinking about who the long awaited Messiah would be, from the perspective of a first century Jew – the traditional thoughts the Jews had formed over the centuries between promise and fruition, in comparison (and contrast) to the different looking truth of who Jesus is.

“He seems so different from what they’d imagined. You know that in yourself. You’d had a vague idea of a warrior king on a white horse, or of a new, strict teacher of the ancient law, insisting on sterner obedience to God’s commandments. And Jesus — well, Jesus did indeed make it clear that God’s commands mattered deeply, but that was in the context of him healing people, celebrating God’s kingdom with all kinds of unlikely people, so that somehow, when he was around, holiness seemed different: exciting, liberating, rather than constricting and gloomy. So it seems to you, along with Peter and the others, that though this isn’t what you thought the Messiah would look like he can’t really be anybody else.” (Day 11 of “Lent for Everyone” via bible.com)

If I am to be Christ’s ambassador , then I need know who He is. He is the Messiah, but one that was totally different from what was expected.

God’s kingdom is so backwards to what we’re use to. For example, to be great you must be a servant, and where the meek inherit the earth. When love, unconditional and all encompassing, is the overarching foundation, things most certainly look different from our current state of affairs. We are to be showing this love to all around us, full of hope, serving others, being mindful we are a “resident representative of his or her own sovereign for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment.” aka, ambassador. (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ambassador)

(Part of me wants to explore the rabbit trail of how we are here temporarily, as how Abraham knew life here was but a shadow of the things to come (Hebrews 11:9-10). I think I’ll leave those thoughts for another post.)

We are to be sharing, with words and actions, what God’s kingdom is like, who the King of kings is, and that all are welcome to come to Jesus to join His kingdom.

building a foundation

I was not sure how to think about the truth “I am not condemned by God (Romans 8:1)” and so didn’t write anything down that week. Still pondering things, the next week’s topic was “I am justified (Romans 5:1)” which was another great topic, but hard for me to relate to. This week is “I have Christ’s righteousness (Romans 5:19; 2 Corinthians 5:21)” and is more tangible for me.

I know these meditation topics are not supposed to always be easy. It is admittedly easier to meditate on something I can connect with my life experiences. Taking the time to still go through these topics is important, not just because they are true and worth thinking about, but they will provide material for the foundation of my faith when/if circumstances cause me to waver.

Sometimes I give myself a pat on the back, “I’m doing pretty well,” against my own set of morals. Even if against God’s own rules, “pretty good” is as far from holy and perfect as if I were regularly acting (and thinking) things worthy of jail time. When sin happens, I can rest assured, that God will forgive, I am not condemned, for He sees in me His Son’s righteousness because I am “in Christ.” I ask for God’s forgiveness, the strength to actually repent (turn away from and not repeat) and move forward, justified in Christ.

These truths are not new concepts to me, but have largely remained purely head knowledge. There hasn’t been a time I’ve felt condemned by God. And maybe that’s a lesson I need to (re)learn – to truly appreciate God’s amazing grace, I must truly understand all I’m being saved from: punishment for sin, eternal separation from God.

One summer while teaching kids Bible school, we were given the definition of sin as anything you think, say or do that breaks God’s laws/commands. Good reminder.

Again, head knowledge is one thing, but allowing true depths of understanding… It’s a little scary. And very humbling.

May I allow for the time to dive deep into who I was, and who I am now – in Christ. May I continue to be transformed into His likeness, acting out the truth that I have Christ’s righteousness.