Month: August 2021

God has Regrets

On By TimIn 1 Samuel 15, ElectionLeave a comment

Then came the word of the Lord to Samuel, saying, “I regret that I have set up Saul to be king because he has turned back from following Me, and he has not carried out My words.” And it grieved Samuel, and he cried to the Lord all night.

1 Samuel 15:10–11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Is it surprising to know that God has regrets?

It is hard to understand the reality, God says, “I regret.” I mean, God knows all things. This didn’t blindside Him. He had to know this event when He chose Saul. Time doesn’t restrict God.

What is clear is God can be disappointed or grieved when we don’t trust Him. When we do not do what He asks of us, we turn our back on Him.

Samuel spent much time in intercession. He understood the task at hand. He went to Saul. Saul set up a monument for himself. Imagine that.

Samuel came to Saul. And Saul said to him, “Blessed are you of the Lord. I have carried out the word of the Lord.”

1 Samuel 15:13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Look at Saul’s perspective. He did what he thought was the word of the Lord. Samuel asks about the bleating of the sheep. Saul insists he did right by God. It was the people who spared the best of the best for sacrifice to God.

Samuel said,
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Obedience is better than sacrifice,
a listening ear than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
He has also rejected you from being king.”

1 Samuel 15:22–23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

One lesson we get from Samuel’s response is clear. Saul’s sin affected his calling from God in a particular office of service. He was rejected from his place as king.

We don’t think much of that, yet it is important. God forgives the sin, yes. But there are consequences.

In this case, Saul’s usage as a vessel of honor was marred by his own disobedience. I am using a specific reference because the clay becomes marred in the Potter’s hands. The Potter then must remold it. It won’t be like it was before (rejected from being king.)

Read the rest of the account. See how Saul confessed his guilt, but God won’t change His mind (the word used is repent.) Eventually, Samuel went with Saul to worship the Lord.

Saul’s sin affected how God would use him, in this case, God could not use him as king anymore. That’s what sin does. It affects how we can be used by God and it can have devastating consequences.

God wanted Saul to succeed. But Saul didn’t follow God, He succumbed to the pressure of the people who wanted to do something seemingly good.

Jesus Sets the Timing

On By TimIn 2 Thessalonians 02, Jesus, Last DaysLeave a comment

Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. For that Day will not come unless a falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction,

2 Thessalonians 2:3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. I have kept those whom You have given Me. And none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

John 17:12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is unmistakable that the coming prince shares the same epithet that Judas shared. It is also unmistakable that this imposter is not in control of timing.

There is some controversy on exactly what falling away entails. It could be the abandonment of orthodox Christianity by some. If so, it’s easy to see the beginnings of that even now. There are some who see it as a removal of people, specifically believers. Regardless, the revealing of the son of perdition cannot occur until after the event.

If Satan is not in control of the timing of things, that means he has had to have a man ready at any given time. He knows his time is short but has a specific beginning. He has no idea when the specific time starts.

God knows. In fact, God has shared intelligence with us in His Word. We are given vivid descriptions of exactly what is going to happen. But it won’t start until God gives the go-ahead.

For lots of Christians, we think that is what is called the rapture. That word comes with some baggage, too. But I think of it as a catching away of the believers.

As God would have it come to mind… Jesus also controlled the timing of the previous son of perdition. Sitting down to share a meal with his disciples, this is what happened.

Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” When He had dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. After receiving the piece of bread, Satan entered him.
Then Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew why He said this to him.

John 13:26–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It was Jesus that controlled the timing of His crucifixion.

Satan couldn’t move against Jesus at his own discretion and timing. He also can’t move in his short window of time in the end at his own discretion. He must first wait for God.

The very context of 2 Thessalonians tells us the sign…

Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I told you these things? Now you know what restrains him that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already working. Only He who is now restraining him will do so until He is taken out of the way. Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth, and destroy with the brightness of His presence, even him, whose coming is in accordance with the working of Satan with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all deception of unrighteousness among those who perish, because they did not receive the love for the truth that they might be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:5–10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He can’t move until that happens. He Who restrains. This time, it’s not Jesus… But the Holy Spirit Who works in the hearts of all believers now.

Time seems short.

The Name: See Jesus LORD

On By TimIn Exodus 14, JesusLeave a comment

But Moses said to the people, “Fear not! Stand firm! And see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show you today. For the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall never see again. The Lord shall fight for you, while you hold your peace.”

Exodus 14:13–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I love the Old Testament shadows that are given for our edification. At this particular point in history, the Israelis are being pursued by Pharaoh’s army and are in a seeming dead-end. They are hemmed in by mountains and the Red Sea, and the old ways are dogging them. There is no perceivable way of escape. (Israel serves as a type of the world and its sin.)

There are some important points that we must see clearly. First, Moses commands the Israelis to not be afraid. Fear is a tool of the enemy. It leads us to doubt God. Moses is telling those to stand firm. That is to be ready. God makes ways where there are none.

He makes a statement at the end to show the entirety of what he is speaking about. “The LORD shall fight for you.” When the word LORD is capitalized in English it is to convey what some say is the unspeakable name of God… YHWH. It’s odd that Moses used it twice in just the passage cited above.

What is expected of the Israelis to keep their salvation from the Egyptians?

  • Fear not.
  • Stand firm.
  • Hold your peace.

What is the promise to the Israelis?

They will never see the Egyptians again.

The application is easy. As we are saved from the world and sin, our admonition is to not be afraid and to stand firm holding our peace. It isn’t to work or find a way out. Trust God. He promises they will never see that again.

Amidst all of that Moses explains to the Israelis “see the salvation of the LORD.” In English, it is easy to brush over the phrase. But knowing just a bit about Hebrew leads us to dig just beneath the text. We know the word LORD is the name of God, YHWH. The other word, salvation is a translation of the Hebrew word Yeshua.

In the screenshot of an interlinear Bible, reading from right to left the phrase is literally Yeshua Yahweh (or Yeshua Jehovah.) Yeshuah is the Hebrew word that is the name of Jesus. What Moses is telling the Israelis hundreds of years before Jesus came is “Fear not. Stand firm! And see Jesus LORD.

The Name: No One Knows

On By TimIn Jesus, Revelation 19Leave a comment

I saw heaven opened. And there was a white horse. He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written, that no one knows but He Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood. His name is called The Word of God.

Revelation 19:11–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The Name no one knows. Continuing from the previous installment, we learned the Name of Jesus is too wonderful. As it would be, I literally stumbled upon this text this morning. There are no coincidences.

Look at how John describes what He sees. I find it particularly interesting that it is part of what he is seeing. The idea of the name being solely known by Jesus wasn’t spoken to John. But there it is… His Name is too wonderful that only He knows it.

Then as it were, John clearly apprehends the opening of his Gospel and uses it here.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing was created that was created. In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. The light shines in darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:2–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

All of these things (and more) are part of the too wonderful Name. He is above all things. As God has exalted Him and His Name above all.

Even Jesus Himself hallows this name. In one of His earliest teachings, He taught how to pray. Of utmost importance is recognizing the uniqueness and position of the Name.

Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

Matthew 6:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

His Name is to be consecrated and venerated. It is not to be something not said at all, as some practice. No, it is to be proclaimed plainly. Proclaiming His Name is part of worship.

Oh, give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing unto Him, sing praises unto Him; proclaim all His wondrous works. Glory in His holy name; let the heart rejoice for those who seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continuously.

Psalm 105:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is an integral part of salvation.

And in that day you shall say:
O Lord, I will praise You; though You were angry with me, Your anger has turned away,
and You comforted me. Certainly God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song; He also has become my salvation. Therefore with joy you shall draw water out of the wells of salvation.
In that day you shall say: Praise the Lord, call upon His name, declare His deeds among the peoples, make them remember that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for He has done excellent things; let this be known in all the earth. Cry out and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion. For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst.

Isaiah 12:1–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

With joy we honor His name. Those that call on It exalt Him and are saved. It is also how we share the truth to others… Call upon His Name! make known His deeds among the people.

Consecrating the Name of God is the foremost ideas God communicated to His people in the covenant He made with them. His name will not be sullied.

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold guiltless anyone who takes His name in vain.

Exodus 20:7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

You shall not defile My holy name, but I will be sanctified among the children of Israel: I am the Lord who sanctifies you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord.

Leviticus 22:32–33 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The Name is even part of the national identity of Israel, which comes from roots that mean wrestle and God. Even you by the appellation applied to you as a Christian are exalting the Name.

Even as much as we exalt the Name of God in worship. It is just a small glimpse into the presence of God. The people that gathered with Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem offered a song of of praise.

It is in that song that the Name of God is hallowed. As it tells of the many ways that Israel attempted to defile the Name of God with their actions. Yet it is in the mercies of God amidst those sins that God establishes His Name:

Stand up and bless the Lord your God forever and ever! Let them bless Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and You preserve them all. And the host of heaven worships You.

Nehemiah 9:5b–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Read the rest of Nehemiah 9 for homework.

The Name: It is too Wonderful

On By TimIn Jesus, Judges 13Leave a comment

Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that we can honor you when your words come true?”
The angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask my name? It is too wonderful.”

Judges 13:17–18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Manoah is the father of the biblical strongman Samson. His wife was visited by the angel of the Lord. This we know as a Theophany or a pre-incarnate visit from Jesus. Manoah boldly asked for the angel’s name. It is answered.

I find it interesting that this is written long before the kings and prophets, and specifically Isaiah. It draws a particular target to a specific verse.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The two words translated to wonderful are related and come from the same Hebrew root. The first usage in Judges is striking as the particular form of Hebrew hints at something secretively wonderful. Even the answer given to Manoah is ripe with intrigue.

The second usage is subtly different. It offers the idea of miraculous wonder. Again, given the way Isaiah writes, that idea is clearly conveyed in the text a human child is born, a divine Son is given.

I also hear that particular verse in Isaiah with the comma between wonderful and counselor. With the list provided, His name is too wonderful.

Therefore God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name which is above every name,

Philippians 2:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is the Name above every other Name. It is also the only Name by which anyone can be saved… That is rescued from perdition.

There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is no other. When the Angle of the Lord said His name was too wonderful, it wasn’t braggadocios boast. It was a simple truth. Jesus is exalted above all.

He is the example for us and how to conduct ourselves.

Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. But He emptied Himself, taking upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in the form of a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5–11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He didn’t just teach us what servant humility looks like. He took on the dirt body we humans have. He submitted Himself to death, the penalty for our sins. (He didn’t have any.)

That Name is too wonderful. There are no words that can adequately explain all that it encompasses.

Yet… Every tongue will confess His Name and honor His position. For those under the earth, there is no benefit. But you are reading this now, there is a great benefit available for you. By calling on His name, you can receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

Why wait?