Water For The Desert

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It was my observation, in the mid 70’s I have a recollection of being taught the downside of meditation. Yoga instructors were barely permitted in church because of the strong eastern influence in their thinking and articulating, the Davidic discussions on meditation was not part of the common teaching and conversations of the mid 70’s Christian scene. For reasons that are unclear to me, none of us noticed the recurring concept of meditation in scripture. Goodness, how things have changed.

Somewhere along the way in the last few years I noted that word ‘meditation’ in the bible and wondered how did that term sneak into God’s vocabulary. Of course, the concept has been there always, just not talked about because of the extreme struggles of the late 60’s when musicians fully abandoned western thought and embraced the eastern thought processes.

To be clear — we all know that scripture provides a formidable discussion of meditation in the Psalms, it explains how we use meditation to embed the teachings of scripture in our heart and influence our actions. We should know that prayer becomes deeper and more personal when we move from prayer to meditation. This is not to say we abandon prayer. Not at all. Each format has its place. Prayer is the tool of choice to bring requests and supplications into his throne room. Prayer is the tool of choice to communicate with God, to learn of his will for our life. But within the context of walking with God, meditation goes much further by transforming our gait into something that brings us closer to him and his plan. We do not do the transforming, HE does, but transformation does gradually occur. Lest we think that meditation is just another trendy notion, please consider the thoughts of Thomas Brooks, a seventeenth-century church leader.

Thomas Brooks said — Remember that it is not hasty reading but serious meditation on holy and heavenly truths, that makes them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the mere touching of the flower by the bee that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time on the flower that draws out the sweet. It is not he that reads most but he that meditates most that will prove to be the choicest, sweetest, wisest, and strongest Christian. Selah.

In Psalms, we see David meditated on God’s law, His righteousness, His word, His deeds and works, His precepts, His ways, His testimonies, and God Himself. Review Psalms 19, 39, 48, 77, 104, 119, and 143. Read slowly and breathe in the message. God is speaking. Meditate on his word.

Paul says — Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—MEDITATE on these things (Philippians 4:6-8).

Paul tells Timothy to meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all (paraphrased from I Timothy 4:15) — note again that meditation is expected to produce something in us. Eastern meditation empties us so we can see ourselves as God. This is not what David is doing, Biblical meditation is about infusing our mind with the pure virtuous message of scripture. We become very aware of the one true living ‘God who is there’, Jehovah-Shammah.

I think — meditation is deep focused contemplation by a renewed mind on the amazing wisdom of God. David tells us in Psalms 1 to delight in the Lord’s Law. David “meditates (Hebrew – hâgâh) day and night” (Psalms 1:2). This term means to murmur, ponder, to mull over carefully. The word translated meditate in Psalm 119:15 (Hebrew – śı̂yach) talks of a preoccupied mind, often murmuring audible words. This term can be translated as pray (Psalms 55:17) or talk (Psalms 119:27). Psalms 143:5 includes both words, showing their relationship. David says — I remember the days of old; I meditate (hâgâh) on all Your works; I muse (śı̂yach) on the work of Your hands (Psalms 143:5). You want to know what he is thinking? Meditate on His Word.

Meditation is to our heart as water is to the desert. I live in the desert. Most of the year the desert is a dry and dusty place. Shade from a tall mesquite tree is a gift from God. Then comes the monsoon. Oh my.

The desert leaps to life overnight. The brilliance of the morning sun on the fresh green leaves is glorious to the eyes. The entire land looks different after the rain, it really is different. This is the impact of meditation focused on the Word for our soul. Our soul is refreshed.

Our dry and dusty life is filled with power. God moves in us. God is unleased by his tools and his Word. For meditation to be effective – the wall clock is not our friend. We cannot rush God, he will infuse himself and his word into us as he deems proper, at his pace. We are not in control, He is. But rest assured – he will infuse us with His life. Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord who Is there (see Ezekiel 48:35) will arrive.

Therefore, I focus on the Word, meditate on his precepts and….

I choose Jesus.

Learning From David

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It has been my observation that one of the more difficult passages for soldier’s (including me) to review and learn from is 2 Samuel 11. This is one of the most poignant accounts of human failure in Scripture notwithstanding the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. Yet, at the same time, it also has great value as it offers us redemptive hope about the greatness of God’s extremely gracious forgiving heart. This passage provides a plain, easy to understand warning about the terrible consequences of sin, coupled with the aftermath of forgiven sin. I traveled down a similar path during the divorce process from my first wife. I am not proud of the time, nor do I talk about it very much. It is my past not my present.

When you start reading 2 Samuel, David is moving in concert with Gods will. He is popular, successful, and able to inspire his people. His throne has been established. His enemies have been subdued, he is respected in the kingdom, and plans are in progress. Then trouble starts.

David sees a beautiful woman near his palace in the evening, he calls her to himself. He sleeps with her and she gets pregnant. Her husband (Uriah) is part of David’s Mighty Men. David knew Uriah. David has Uriah murdered to coverup his sin (2 Samuel 11). As a soldier, I can think of no more heinous action – my commander killing a fellow soldier and taking his wife. I would guess that trust in David as a commander drops to zero among his troops. The prophet Nathan confronts David on behalf of God (2 Samuel 12). David repents. God forgives. David is told that Elohim has forgiven the sin, David’s death will not be required, nor will his throne be required (2 Samuel 12:13). But for David there are consequences for his sin. When much is given to a man; much is expected (Luke 12:48). David’s troubles are not over.

Later, David writes — Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them (Psalms 32:1–2). Centuries later, Paul writes of God’s forgiveness for David to demonstrate salvation has always been for the unworthy, we are saved by grace through faith (Romans 4:4–8).

I suspect, it is with humility and tears that God chose to document the tragedy of Uriah, Bathsheba, and David in scripture. This could have slipped into obscurity. But God chose to mark this event in history books. Every time I run across the message in both 2 Samuel 11 and Psalms 51, I am reminded of the extraordinary grace offered to us by the one true living God. It is especially important that we not only see David’s initial reaction; but we need to also take note of the things that happened to David later in life. Review 2 Samuel 12, you will see the death of Davids first born from Bathsheba, you will see civil wars and outside attacks on the Israeli kingdom. You will see the violence and murder committed by his two sons Amnon and Absalom. You will see struggle after struggle as David reels from one mess to another. Yet, Bathsheba is one of a handful of women mentioned in the bloodline for Jesus. Selah!

Words cannot accurately describe the fullness of God’s grace offered to us, especially when we are acutely aware of just how widespread sin is in our life. Death is very near. Yet, we know that God justifies us while we are ungodly (Romans 4:5). Nothing we have ever done is out of range for God’s grace and redemption. God invites us to seek his compassion, his pardon, his shelter (Isaiah 55:6-7).

The deeper truth – there is a wonderful balance to Scripture. While grace draws us close to him, we know that bad things may happen in our life to keep us focused on him (see Hebrew 3:15). I see David’s example as proof that God will always embrace us. God wanted his complete attention. Even during the consequences for our actions – our salvation is not at risk. Elohim’s amazing redemption for us is renewed every morning. His mercy will always overpower the troubles we create. Always…

I choose Jesus.

Hollywood and his old Boss

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As Hollywood got older and spent his Christmases with his wife, Miss Tillie, sometimes he would go through his old Christmas cards, remembering the memories from that time frame, recalling who sent the card, and where in Wyoming or South Dakota the card came from.

Hollywood had one specific Christmas card that really touched him because his old Boss had written a song and inserted it into the card. He did not exactly know how the song sounded, but he knew the poetry. From time to time, he would remember and apply sage advice from his old Boss.

His old boss, like Hollywood, also had Christmas cards, he did the same thing that Hollywood did. His boss would dig through those old cards and spend time thinking about the men that used to work for him. He would often reach out to those men with little notes of appreciation and of kindness, hoping that they were doing well.

And so, Hollywood would carefully place these cards on the mantle of the fireplace in his little cabin. Miss Tillie and Hollywood would go deep into the pine forests of the Wind River Range and locate the perfect Christmas Tree. They carefully pulled the tree home with her horse, set it into the cabin, and would stand up the tree to stretch out overnight. Then, the next day, they would decorate that tree with ribbons, cookies, and small candles. Miss Tillie was more than a little bit careful not to burn those candles on the tree. They burned their candles on the table because they never wanted to have a problem. But they loved the way the candles look on the tree.

Hollywood had a hand carved star that he had made many years ago that he carefully protected through the year. Early December, each year, that star would come out from a little hiding place in the cabin. During the second week of December, that star would be placed on top of that tree. It would sit there ever so beautifully until the 1st week of January. Then this family treasure would be carefully taken down, wrapped up and tucked away in its secret hiding place. Miss Tillie very much treasured that star.

In addition to the star, they created little mementos each year for the tree. Something fresh and something new to go on their tree to remind them of all the blessings that God had given during the year. Sometimes, when the year went well, they were able to get each other a small gift, but more often than not, they just made something for each other. It was never the size of the gift, rather it was the love and the care that went into building those gifts for each other that was important.  Anyone could walk down to the local store and buy something. The love between them created the memories.

They always had a nice meal; they obtained extra vegetables and spent a little extra time preparing those vegetables — they were just ever so tasty. Hollywood read the Christmas story to Miss Tillie and then they would sing Christmas carols. So then out came his favorite Christmas card on Christmas morning and he would read the poetry that came from his boss. He reads each year —

I was digging through my Christmas cards, from friends near and on the coast.

One card stood out from all the rest, the one I treasured most.

It was a small birch bark card, With a twig of Spruce inside.

Sent by the boss of the Box Elder ranch, where I once worked as a Guide.

The card told me about Grace, God’s mercy given to me.

The card talked about a child, born to hang on a tree.

The card told me about God’s love, eternal life for me.

The card talked about Jesus, born to hang on a tree.

The words are running through my mind, like a gentle sweet refrain.

May you climb back in the saddle when the grass grows green again.

May you climb into God’s arms, when the grass grows green again.

May you see his face smiling at you, when the grass grows green again.

And then when it got to be New Year’s Eve, Hollywood would remember his mother because she always liked to sweep out the old and bring the new in on that evening. And so, Hollywood would continue that tradition, he would think about his mother’s songs, remember all the things that she taught him, and he would think about the one true living God he serves now. Hollywood was very aware that he would have never known about the one true living God had it not been for his mother and Miss Tillie.

Finally, they always would thank God for all the children that Miss Tillie had taught in the classrooms over the years. Hollywood and Miss Tillie knew that they had had a good life; they had been helped by many people; and they had been able to help others. And with that, they went to bed, rose the next morning, and embraced the new year — it was a very, very good year.

Isaiah 7:14. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel…

Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Please note: In 1956 a cowboy poet, Jim Jennings, published a short book about his experience working at ‘dude’ ranches in the west. My Great grandmother, Goldie Livingston, obtained a first edition copy of Jim’s self-published book in the fall of 1956. The poetry in this story is adapted from Jim’s book.

We are Remanufactured.

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It has been my observation that Jesus came to restore our original righteousness which was lost through sin. He fulfilled the law of God on our behalf and then offered his own life as a sacrifice to God’s justice for our sins. Romans 3:23-25 explains: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.”

Jesus remedied our standing with God and restored God’s image within us. Thus, the language of Genesis 1:27 is echoed in our New Testament faith in Jesus, “renewed in the spirit of [our] minds … to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:23-24). Paul says that by God’s grace “we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we live in restored relationship with God and we can love others with the love God gives us. We live an abundant life in the presence of Jesus and participate in God’s mission of healing and restoration to the world. Life in relationship with Jesus increasingly becomes marked by joy, love, peace, and light. The body may die, but the soul lives on eternally with Christ. Indeed, God’s goodness and wholeness has the first and the last word.

God loves us and proves that love by sending His Son, Jesus, to show us what He is like (John 14:9). Although God loves us, our sin separates us from God (implied in Romans 3:23; 6:23). Jesus came to earth and offered Himself in our place. He took the punishment our sin deserves (implied in 2 Corinthians 5:21). God raised Him from the dead three days later, proving that Jesus is Lord over everything, including death (implied in Romans 10:9–10). Then God decreed that everyone who places faith in Jesus will be forgiven and enter a relationship with Him (implied in John 3:16–18). So, God’s first desire is that we come to know Him through faith. When we know Him, we can discover who we are.

Paul says — Could this be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to sin and that miserable life—we are no longer captive to sin’s demands! What we believe is this: when we are included in Christ’s sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead, it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again, death shall not have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, and then God comes close to us. From now on — Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word from Him. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That is what Jesus did – that is what happens to us (Romans 6:6-11 paraphrased).

This is a game changer. Paul says – do not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Do not give it the time of day. Do not even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly into this new life—remember, you have been raised from the dead! — We are living life God’s way – not our way. Sin cannot tell you how to live. We do not live under that old tyranny any longer. Now and forever more we live in the freedom of God (Romans 6:12-14 paraphrased).

The New Testament reflects on our divine image – we are made for covenant communion with God in righteousness. While the Fall has marred the image of God in us – distorting the righteousness which we were first made to reflect – God sent Jesus to redeem us and restore the image of God “in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:24). We are remanufactured.  We have permission to walk with God.

I choose Jesus.