Merciful Joy

Not to us, O LORD, not to us,

but to Your name give glory,

for the sake of Your steadfast love

and Your faithfulness.

Psalm 115:1

Regarding this passage, John Piper in God's Passion for His Glory says: "We don't want the glory, we want the free and unmerited lovingkindness. In this rejoice, and in rejoicing, God alone is glorified. He gets the glory, we get the merciful joy.

Those last two words gripped me. What an interesting, amazing phrase. These two words did not seem initially compatable in my mind. My joy is my joy, is it not? I enjoy the birds, the sunset, my children. I enjoy time with my husband. Movies. Reading. Stamping. I forget, so often, that any amount of my joy is from the hands of God. It is a foreign thought, is it not? That I can enjoy anything in this world at all is because of His mercy.

We assume in our culture the sense of fairness. Everyone deserves equal treatment. Homosexuals with equal rights as a heterosexual couple. Equal opportunities for education. And a sense of entitlement that goes with it. Kids that deserve their own car at 16, because their friends all have one... Man is, so obviously, inherently good in the world's eyes. And deserves the best.

And, in our churches this stretches to the point of often demoting grace. We do not realise we have done it most times. It just does not seem fair of God to let some suffer. He does not seem loving to let children starve to death before their fifth birthday. We have, in effect, agreed with the world's opinion of God, and our situation before Him. But, have we forgotten that we are saved in our tresspasses and sins? (Ephesians 2:1) DEAD to God. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, in me that merits His grace. So fully against God when He stretched out His nail-scarred hand to me, His enemy.

We take the pleasures of this world for granted. Every second of joy is because our Lord has allowed it. In His mercy, He has been merciful to a wretch like me! Merciful joy? Yes, even merciful to everyone that does not know Him. Every breath man takes is mercy.

May I praise God for this breath. And the next. Praise Him for the joy I can find in this world. May it be joy in Him! May I remember, and be reminded by His Spirit, to delight in what is here, only as I thank Him for it!

Truth resounds with truth

What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will
be done,
and there is nothing new under the
sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:9

Solomon says this with weariness and monotony. He is frustrated at the repetition of life. But, as I am reading "Whatever Happened to the Gospel of Grace" and I get to the chapter on God's glory, there, in print, is a quote of Piper that I had underlined only a couple of weeks ago in "God's Passion for His Glory".

Piper is actually, in his book, merely writing a footnote on the Edwards portion of his book (the latter half of "God's Passion for His Glory" is Edwards "The end for which God created the world." But I loved the footnote enough to underline the itty-bitty footnotey print, and apparently I am not the only one who thinks them worth reading.... The THRILL! of finding truths echoed and re-echoed in my readings! The joy in discovering that God is the same, yesterday, today and forever! (Hebrews 13:8)

The short version of what was appearing in multiple readings was the discussion about "What is the chief end of man?" (Westminster Shorter Catechism) the answer: "Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever" (Piper would say BY enjoying Him forever, not AND enjoy Him forever) It is essentially moving from a man-centered view of life, to a God-centered one. And John Piper says this shift is the "continental divide" in theology. "If you really believe this, all rivers of your thinking run toward God. If you do not, all rivers run toward man. Settling this issue is worth many nights of prayer and months of study." (God's Passion for His Glory, pg 141)

Back to Ecclesiastes. Nothing new under the sun... sometimes that sounds boring, repetitive. And sometimes, it offers the greatest peace. This is not the first time I have multiple books on the go, nor the first time I have just finished a book and begun a new one, only to find verses, quotes, or thoughts that are repeating themselves. And oftentimes, the books have nothing to do with one another. Bonhoeffer's "The cost of Discipleship" and Spurgeon's "Being God's Friend" sounded remarkably alike in places. What I am learning about God are truths that have been loved by men long ago. Truth, enjoyed by theologians in many different ages. And I get goose-bumps when I see God revealing His truths to me! He is tattooing His words on my heart, and I praise Him for it! How unworthy am I!

I love that God does not need to be shrouded in mystery. I love the affirmation of finding truths about Him in author after author; when God affirms His teachings in my heart with this legacy and heritage of writers - Piper, Edwards, Boise, Spurgeon, Bonhoeffer, and ultimately the Bible....

Reminding God of His promises.

But the steadfast love of the LORD is
from everlasting to everlasting on
those who fear Him,
and His righteousness to children's children,
to those who keep His covenant
and remember to do His commandments.
Psalm 103:17,18

The thought of having children is always overwhelming. The thought of bringing children in this world, who may eventually rebel, and not know God for eternity, takes my breath away. There was nothing that more deeply impacted me as I was pregnant, and one of those thoughts that clings to my soul when I kiss their sleeping faces as I head to bed. O God - save them!

It is not in my hands. Oh - I am not negating my responsibility as a mom. This does not mean I can live a carnal, angry life, and expect them to draw near to God, since it is not up to me. I strive to live a life that glorifies God, a life that they view as glorifying God. They are always watching and listening, aren't they? It is everything from being productive with my day (whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God) to trying to learn Bible verses with them (Jeremiah 33:3 is good for us all!) I want to have a conscience clean before them and God - that says I raised them up in the way they should go.

But, it is up to God. My Dad told my Mom, when they were expecting me, that it was a good time to start praying for elect children. My Mom said "We can't do that!" and my Dad replied "Of course we can!" And they did. And God answered. With all three of their children who follow God.

And so, I look at my three, and pray the same. But, I also remind God of His Word. Pray His word - say "LORD, You have said.... You said you would save children's children...." And He answers, by entering the heart of my four year old. And, I know that He who began a good work in him will be faithful to complete it. I anticipate great things for them - that Judah's passion, and eventually Levi and Trinity's passions will be directed towards God. That He would, in His mercy and grace, save my children, and that I might enjoy an eternity with them.

It is all about God!

O our God, listen to the prayer

of your servant and to his pleas

for mercy, and for your own sake,

O Lord, make your face to shine upon

your sanctuary, which is desolate.

Daniel 9:17

Both in my Bible study group, and personal quiet time, both in my reading and my struggling, I am finding myself face to face with this doctine. God loves God. He does what He does, for HIS sake. Daniel pleads with Him for forgiveness, for himself and his nation - for God's sake. Daniel believes God is motivated by a love for Himself, by a desire to protect His name, to appear all-glorious. And he is right.

How much less then, can I seek to glorify God? If God is uppermost in His thoughts, should He not be uppermost in mine? We live in a man-centered society, and in man-centered churches. We pay lip-service to the idea of God - but do we really seek His glory in all things? And, what does that look like?

I thought Piper was nuts when I read a sermon of his, where he was frustrated at his enjoyment of his computer, without thinking about how it related to God's glory. He was not thinking about his Lord in that moment, and that bothered him. And, at the time, I dismissed Piper's level of passion as extreme, unneccessary and impractical. Good for Piper - but do not expect me to feel that way too. I have a real life.....

I am getting it now. It is a tough lesson to learn. Sometimes I resent it. (sin that that is!) I want to want what I want. Halo, my latest novel, riding a motorcycle, playing poker.... can I not just enjoy these things, without thinking about God? Happy in my mudpuddle then, aren't I?

We start with this false premise. ME. How do I want to spend my day? What should I do today? How can I serve God today? But - think on God, on His holiness, His majesty... the wonder of Him creating billions of stars in a moment, with a word. He is soooo amazing! And, I have the amazing priviledge, of standing in His court, covered in the blood of His Son, being declared righteous by His grace alone.

Charles Wesley said it so beautifully in 1738:

And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Savior’s blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain—

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:

Who can explore His strange design?

In vain the firstborn seraph tries

To sound the depths of love divine.’

Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,

Let angel minds inquire no more.

’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;

Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above

So free, so infinite His grace—

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam’s helpless race:

’Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For O my God, it found out me!’

Tis mercy all, immense and free,

O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,

That whispers all my sins forgiven;

Still the atoning blood is near,

That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.

I feel the life His wounds impart;

I feel the Savior in my heart.

I feel the life His wounds impart;

I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold I approach th’eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Bold I approach th’eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Start with God. Not yourself. Fall, prostrate at His feet. Be amazed. And, SEE! the wonders He will perform, when you glorify Him foremost in your thoughts.

God speaks.

Again one having the appearance

of a man touched me and strengthened

me. And he said, "O man greatly loved,

fear not, peace be with you; be strong

and of good courage."

Daniel 10:18,19

The following is from my favorite John Piper message. It struck me, because I got sucked in - he was talking like God spoke to him, personally, when he was away on a retreat. I got chills. And then he shared where God's Words to him could be found - Psalm 66:5-7. And, it was one of those awesome moments when my soul was awakened afresh to the wonder that is the Word of God on paper, for me to read.

"O how precious is the Bible. It is the very word of God. In it God speaks in the twenty-first century. This is the very voice of God. By this voice, he speaks with absolute truth and personal force. By this voice, he reveals his all-surpassing beauty. By this voice, he reveals the deepest secrets of our hearts. No voice anywhere anytime can reach as deep or lift as high or carry as far as the voice of God that we hear in the Bible.
It is a great wonder that God still speaks today through the Bible with greater force and greater glory and greater assurance and greater sweetness and greater hope and greater guidance and greater transforming power and greater Christ-exalting truth than can be heard through any voice in any human soul on the planet from outside the Bible." John Piper - The morning I heard the voice of God.

The relevance for my blog today? Well, my quote at the top comes from the passage that not only falls on the heels of the passage of my last blog, but when I shared with my Mom yesterday what God had showed me in Daniel nine, she pulled out her Bible, and read to me parts of Daniel ten. And, when I got home, and randomly flipped my Bible open, it fell to this passage. I love the thrill of reading my Bible this way. I figure God knows me, and He knows His Word. If I let my pages fall open "randomly" I trust Him to bring me to passages that apply to my daily situations. And He is faithful this way. And it is exciting.

So - He takes me to a word He has twice prepared me for this week. I say prepared, because it is hard for me to read words to His faithful servants, and trust that they apply to me. "O man, greatly loved...." But I know, I know what He has said to me "O daughter, greatly loved.... be strong and of good courage." I NEEDED this today, and God provided. Praise His holy name!

God hears.

At the beginning of your

pleas for mercy a word went

out, and I have come to tell it to

you, for you are greatly loved.

Daniel 9:23

Daniel has this wonderful prayer for most of chapter nine. Looking through it - he sees God as great, awesome, righteous, merciful, forgiving. He reminds God that He is a covenant keeping God, and has a steadfast love towards His people. He also talks to the LORD about His anger and wrath that is towards His city Jerusalem.

And he talks about his, and the Isrealites sin. Their rebellion and wickedness. Verse 13 is especially telling "As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the LORD our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by Your truth." Daniel acknowledges that they are getting what they deserved (even what he knows was coming), but that they still have not turned back to God.

But - look! Verse 17 - why Daniel thinks God will do something. Not just because He is merciful or forgiving. Not because of His great love. But "for Your own sake, O LORD" It is seen again in verse 19. God saves, and shows mercy, and forgives, to protect His glory! Not unto us... but to God! Daniel knows God will act if he reminds Him that Jerusalem is "called by Your name" (v19) because God is very protective of that name. He will look great, and mighty, and glorious, and will act for these reasons

And then, what becomes of the prayer? God hears! He sends Gabriel to talk to Daniel - because, at the beginning of his pleas, a word went out. The beginning! Oh - how quickly He answers! He does not even wait to hear it all - but responds to those who are greatly loved before the full thought is out! "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." James 5:16 What a wonderful truth! He hears, He answers - I know that! But with such speed! Praise God, for He hears!

Rules.

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world,

why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to

regulations - "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch"...

These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting

self-made religion.... but they are of no value in stopping

the indulgence of the flesh. If then you have been raised

with Christ, seek the things that are above, where

Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Colossians 2:20-3:1

This passage really struck me this week - mostly because this is so very much how I deal with sin. When I was trying to, at the very least, scale back on Halo, I could not find it within myself the ability to for very long. And certainly not the desire to. I so badly wanted to set up rules - Halo on Sunday, maybe for three hours. Or, only when Brad was out. Or... I did not really know. Maybe I would not play unless I had read my Bible that day. (How sad is that?)

And Laurel was quick to tell me "those rules, they are not going to work long term Nikk. That is no way to get over something." Legalism does not work for long, and it certainly does not change the heart. I could have set up a ridiculous list of boundaries, and still never be closer to God. At one point last year, when I did not really feel like playing much, I was surprised that I still did not draw near to God. I mean - I had given it up (for a week : ), but where was God? Is this not what He had wanted of me?

The answer, maybe more obvious to others, is no. It is not what He wanted. That we would come to Him... draw near to Him, that is what He wants. Am I the only one who maybe thinks that "if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from unrighteousness" is a great verse for a new soon-to-be convert? I guess I have been tempted to think I have FORGIVEN stamped on my forehead, without living out the walk of belief. Rules... so very useless, when they are not governed by the working of the Holy Spirit.

I try, in my own strength, to change myself. But, when I look to Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith, then, and only then, do the things of this earth grow strangely dim. Only, only when my eyes are on Him, when I am seeking the things from above, do I find relief from the things on earth - the weight and sins that cling so closely (see Hebrews 12:1,2)

Trampling the Courts

They themselves did not enter

the governor's headquarters, so

that they would not be defiled....

John 18:28b

I just want to scream "Are they SERIOUS???" The men referred to here are "a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees" (v. 3). They are dragging Jesus to Caiaphas - a Gentile - on the eve of the Passover. They would be defiling themselves if they entered his headquarters. But the irony! How holy of them - the commands they pick and choose to obey, for the intensive purposes of having the appearance of good, when they are trying to find someone who will murder the Son of God for them!

It is kind of (on a grand scale) like what Isaiah wrote; "When you come to appear before Me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings.." (Isaiah 1:12, 13a) The offerings they (and I) present to the Lord are so useless when they are out of propotion to the rest of one's life!

This is a struggle for me. The desire to look good on the outside - "to not defile myself". For all outward appearances to be following God with my actions, but in my heart I am trampling God's court with vain offerings. It is so easy to follow a list of do's and do not's, when what God requires of me is "to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with (my) God." (Micah 6:8) Oh! That I might seek Him, truly, with all my heart! That I might pursue Him, and seek to glorify Him, from the depths of my being! That I might remember, always, what is important to God - a changed heart.