"And lo, I am with you always"

The sad but true saga of the coronavirus (or Covid-19) continues.  The affect it is having on everyday life is staggering.  This week, in my home state of Colorado, the governor issued a “stay-at-home” order, until April 11; meaning unless you work for a critical business or are doing essential activities, you have to stay at home (I’m grateful that my job in food service is critical).  I know this is also the case for other states.  In fact, as I was writing this blog, I saw the governor of North Carolina just hours ago issued a similar mandate for that state.  This is so surreal to be a part of; it seems like the plot of a movie or something.

In tumultuous days like this, it is so important to lift our eyes off of the circumstances, and put them on a loving, faithful God.  Back on New Year’s Eve, in my other blog, I relayed that, in 2019, a pastor named Ryan Singleton had preached a sermon on the importance of looking back and reminding ourselves of what God has done in the past.  This was refreshing to hear because so often when the past is mentioned people speak as if they just want to forget their past forever; but as Ralph Dibny from the TV show “The Flash” once said, “Some things are worth remembering.”

Singleton’s sermon had three points.  Number one: “We remember God’s faithfulness in the past.”  His text was Joshua chapters 3 and 4.  In chapter 3, God miraculously parts the waters of the Jordan River so that the Israelites were able to cross on dry land.  In chapter 4, God tells Joshua to take 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan, and they would serve as a tangible reminder of what God had done.  The Lord has also shown up in many miraculous ways in my life; to look back on these memorable events, I find myself humbled by God’s divine intervention.

Point number 2 was: “We know God is with us in the present.”  This verse wasn’t quoted in the sermon, but it’s been coming to my mind a lot recently.  In Matthew 28, after Jesus had risen from the dead, He says to His disciples, “All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on Earth” (verse 18).  Obviously, a typical man can’t honestly say that he has been given all authority in Heaven and Earth, and if he did, he would be booked for a trip to the psychiatrist!  But Jesus can say it because He is God, and He proved it by His resurrection.  This makes His statement in verse 20 incredibly profound and comforting; He declares, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

And in conclusion, point number 3 is, “We trust in God’s power for our future.”  I concluded that blog in December by saying, “Ryan Singleton, the one who presented this sermon I’ve been referencing, was spot-on.  God has been faithful in the past; and He is faithful in the present; therefore, we have every confidence that we can trust in His faithfulness in the future.”  Three months later, the Coronavirus or Covid-19 intimidates us.  Is there going to be pain and maybe even loss of friends or family as a result of this?  My heart hurts at the prospect that someone reading this might be facing this grim reality.  But all I know to do is look to God in all of this.  I’m going to trust in Him, no matter what. 

Kevin

"Through the storm, He is Lord"

I wonder if you can relate to these words: “This year’s felt like four seasons of winter, and you’d give anything to feel the sun” (from the song “Reason” by the group “Unspoken”).  I deeply resonate with that sentiment!  I know that uncertainty, anxiety, fear, and stress can easily rear its head right now.  It can be distressing to ponder how words like “pandemic” “social distancing” and even “quarantine” have become commonplace.

Somebody wants to know the answer to this question: where is God in all of this?  He is where He’s always been: on His throne, in sovereign control.  Make no mistake: the coronavirus didn’t catch God by surprise.  The Bible says that God “works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11).  The Bible says, “The Lord has established His throne in Heaven, and His kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19).  It was Pastor Rick Ferguson who said, “Romans 8:28 has not been revoked.”  This would be a good place for an “amen”!

I’ve been re-reading Matt and Beth Redman’s excellent work “Blessed Be Your Name: Worshipping God on the Road Marked with Suffering”.  I have thoroughly enjoyed going through their book again.  At one point, they wrote:

“When trials come, trust must arise.  Where there’s nothing to rock the boat, our trust in God is rarely tested.  Seasons of stillness and calmness are wonderful; yet before too long the winds will start to gather, and we’ll find ourselves caught up once more in the storms of life…We may have faith to believe in God as Lord of the calm – but do we have faith to believe in Him as Lord of the storm?  He is the Lord of both the hurricane and the gentle breeze.  The One who rules and reigns amidst all of the earthquakes of this life – those times when our whole world seems to be shaking and breaking apart.”

That sounds a lot like our time, doesn’t it?  But in these wild, chaotic days, we can look to an incredible God who is worthy of our faith and trust.  In the “Hillsong Worship” song “Cornerstone” we hear these fortifying words: “Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all.”  I began with a line from the song “Reason” by “Unspoken”.  It goes on to say, “He’s the peace in the madness that you can’t explain.  He’s the hope in the heartbreak; the rest in the suffering.”  It’s true!  In fact, the Bible says in Ephesians 2:14 that Jesus Himself is our peace.

Kevin

Pandemonium from a pandemic

I’ve decided to take a break from the current blogs series.  I do this because of the pandemonium we are seeing.  The dictionary defines pandemonium as “wild uproar or unrestrained disorder; tumult or chaos.”  This describes the current climate of the day; we are all dealing with the coronavirus pandemic in some way.  In my own life, all this week, I have been working at a Chick-fil-A that is drive-through only.  I have worked in food service for many years, and I have never faced a week that looked remotely like this one.

Let me move to the main portion of today’s blog.  The song “I Will Fear no More” from the group “The Afters” is a powerful song.  It is apropos for this season.  I came across a resource where, Josh Havens, one of the writers of the song, shares his thoughts on it; he says: “Anxiety is something that I’ve struggled with for a lot of my life.  I remember...us just talking about hey let’s write a song that’s an anthem against anxiety.  We wanted to write words that you could sing over your life… I will not give in to fear and anxiety.  It’s an anthem for trusting God.  An anthem for not living in fear.”

(Source: https://freeccm.com/2018/10/30/behind-the-song-the-afters-share-the-heart-behind-their-song-fear-no-more/)

This same source gives the lyrics of the song; here is a sampling: “Every anxious thought that steals my breath it’s like a heavy weight upon my chest.  As I lie awake and wonder what the future will hold, help me to remember that You’re in control.  You’re my courage when I worry in the dead of night; You’re my strength ‘cause I’m not strong enough to win this fight.  You are greater than the battle raging in my mind; I will trust You Lord, I will fear no more.”

Incidentally, there is an important point that I think needs to be made: there is a difference between what I’m going to call legitimate fear and debilitating fear.  Legitimate fear says not to put your hand on a hot stove or it will burn you.  That kind of fear is healthy and normal.  Conversely, debilitating fear is an inner panic that grips your heart and refuses to let go of you.  The Bible says that fear is not from God.  I love 2 Timothy 1:7: “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Psalm 46:1-2 reads, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.”  Through these troubling days of pandemonium, I look to a trustworthy God.  I’m going to choose to put my confidence and faith in Him.

Kevin

"Looking unto Jesus" (part 4) - Peace

In John 13, Jesus is speaking to the crowd, and He predicts that He is soon going to die (verses 32-36).  He reiterates it again in John 13, this time in the company of His disciples (verses 33 and 36).  These men had been with Jesus for three years, and He shocks them with the idea that He isn’t going to be with them much longer.  What were they feeling?  They were probably feeling are sorts of emotions, but apparently high on their list was anxiety and fear.  We know this because Jesus speaks these words in John 14:1: “Let not your hearts be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (New King James Version).

As I write these words, the coronavirus has quickly spread to a pandemic.  It’s been a wild few days: the NBA cancelled the remaining games of their season; no March Madness; there have even been cancellations of concerts, schools, and church services.  As all of this unfolds, it’s easy to fall into the grip of fear.  I’ve seen with my own eyes the extra long lines, and the empty aisles in the grocery store, as people stock up like it’s end of the world or something.

Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying here: by all means, be prudent and take wise precautions.  Wash your hands thoroughly.  Cough and sneeze into your sleeve.  Be sensible.  But, through it all, Jesus’ words to His disciples are applicable today: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.””

Let me take it a step further.  I’m certain that someone is reading this and you are thinking, “The coronavirus is one thing, but I’ve got my own crisis to deal with.”  Perhaps it’s a financial crisis; perhaps your spouse unexpectedly walked out on you, and you’re devastated, shattered, and lonely; maybe the death of your friend, sister, parent, or a miscarriage, has filled you with inner turmoil.  It’s easy for a heart to be plunged into a state of fear and anxiety.  But Jesus wasn’t just saying flowery words in John 14:1.  In fact, a few verses later, He said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you…let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (verse 27).

As a matter of fact, in Isaiah 9, there is a prophecy that the Messiah will be known as the “Prince of Peace” (verse 6).  What does this mean?  I read a great article on this from got questions.org (https://www.gotquestions.org/Prince-of-Peace.html) that I want to share; it really blessed me, and I hope it does so for you as well:

“In our sinful state, we are enemies with God (Romans 5:10). “But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).  Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are restored to a relationship of peace with God (Romans 5:1).  This is a deep, abiding peace between our hearts and our Creator that cannot be taken away (John 10:27-28) and the ultimate fulfillment of Christ’s work as “Prince of Peace.”

“But Christ’s sacrifice provides more for us than eternal peace; it also allows us to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit, the Helper who promises to guide (John 16:7,13).  Further, the Holy Spirit will manifest Himself in us by having us live in ways we couldn’t possibly live on our own, including filling our lives with love, joy, and peace (Galatians 5:22-23).  This love, joy, and peace are all results of the Holy Spirit working in the life of a believer.  They are reflections of His presence in us.  And although their deepest, most vital result is to have us live in love, joy, and peace with God, they can’t help but to spill over into our relationship with people.”

Later on in the article, the author writes these words; I will conclude with them: “Jesus never promised easy; He only promised help.  In fact, He told us to expect tribulation (John 16:33) and trials (James 1:2).  But He also said that, if we called on Him, He would give us the “peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension” (Philippians 4:6-7).  No matter what hardships we are faced with, we can ask for a peace that comes from the powerful love of God that is not dependent on our own strength or the situation around us.”

Kevin

"Looking unto Jesus" (part 3) - Offspring

Before diving in today, I am amazed that God worked it so that I would be posting a blog titled “offspring” on the day of my mother’s birthday.  In light of this, I wanted to take a moment to say how thankful I am to be Rose Mary Bauer’s son.  Further, I want to state how much of a blessing she is to me, and to so many others.  With that brief personal word given, let us move on to the main content.

In Genesis 3:15, God is pronouncing judgment; He says, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (English Standard Version).  Let’s look at the first few phrases of that verse today.  What does God mean when He says, “I will put enmity between you and the woman”?

I read a fascinating article that stated that women have an inbred hatred of snakes; according to studies, they are four times as likely to have a phobia of snakes as men.  The writer quotes from a psychologist from Carnegie Mellon University, who states that women are born with a “perceptual template that specifies the structure of snakes” and this stems from the need to protect their children.  (Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/definition-enmity.html)

Dr. William Varner adds, “Here is a promise not only of hope but also of warfare.  The Hebrew language and its wider context are referring to something greater than mankind’s loathing of snakes.  The verse could refer only to a battle between followers of the Lord and of Satan.”  (Source: https://answersingenesis.org/gospel/seed-promise-genesis-315/) 

Furthermore, God declares in Genesis 3, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring” (emphasis mine).  I agree with Don Stewart when he states that this cannot be referring to physical descendants of Satan; he says, “There is no indication that Satan ever had any physical offspring.” (From https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_756.cfm). Rather this refers to spiritual descendants; another source states that this refers to “evil men and demonic forces” (https://www.gotquestions.org/protoevangelium.html).

Who is the woman’s offspring?  This is where it gets really good!  The just-cited got questions.org article goes on to say, “The woman in question is in a general sense Eve herself, all of whose offspring would forever be harassed by Satan and his minions…More specifically, the offspring of the woman refers to Jesus Christ, who was born of a woman.”  An “amen” belongs here!  “We must remember that this promise [in Genesis 3:15] is only the beginning of a long series of Messianic prophecies,” says William Varner in the same resource quoted earlier. “Like an inverted pyramid, this portrait of Messiah rests on the only one who could fit these and many other prophecies concerning Him – Jesus of Nazareth.”  

In conclusion, this Jesus is not like any other man who ever lived; He is the Messiah, the One who is fully man and fully God.  After living a life of perfect righteousness, teaching the most profound sermons, and performing the most astonishing miracles, this Jesus “died for our sins…He was buried…and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).  And this Jesus can change your life today.

Kevin

"Looking unto Jesus" (part 2) - Origins

One of the important aspects of the superhero narrative is what is called the origin story.  This is the telling of the events that led to their transformation into a superhero.  For example, there were great origin stories told in films like “Superman: the Movie” (1978) and “Captain America: the First Avenger” (2011); and many, many more examples could be named.  The book of Genesis is the Bible’s account of origins.  You might even call it the origin story, but it is not a fictional story; this is the historical record.

The opening chapters of the book of Genesis present lots of important events.  But for purposes of today’s blog, I want to look at Genesis 3.  This is a sad chapter; one might even call it the saddest chapter in the Bible.  At the start, mankind enjoyed a harmonious, intimate, delightful fellowship with God, until the events of Genesis 3.  The first human beings listened to the lies of the satanic enemy, in the form of a snake; they disobeyed God’s prohibition, and thus sin entered the picture.

In verses 14 and 15 of Genesis 3, God is giving His judgments to the snake.  Verse 15 is an amazing verse.  In fact, this is the verse that I want to examine and unpack in the coming days.  It reads, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (New King James Version).  For today, note with me just how incredible it is that even in the midst of the intense, somber event, God gave an announcement of a Coming Savior.

Dr. William Varner writes, “The gospel is not something God hid until Jesus came in the flesh.  After Adam’s Fall, God shared the seeds of a plan He had already worked out before time began.”  He goes on to say that many theologians actually refer to Genesis 3:15 as “the first announcement of the good news of the gospel.” (Source: https://answersingenesis.org/gospel/seed-promise-genesis-315/)

Let me conclude on this note.  The TV series “The Dick Van Dyke show” is still regarded very highly to this day, even though the program was on in the 1960’s.  I am a big fan of the show myself.  Arguably, one of the best episodes of their entire run was “Never Name a Duck” from season 2.

In the episode, Rob Petrie (Dick Van Dyke) brings home two baby ducks from his work.  Soon, his young son, Ritchie names them and wants to keep them as pets; which he does.  But three months later, after one of the ducks dies, and the other one subsequently gets sick as well, Rob has to take the ill duck to a lake.  He faces the unenviable task of telling his boy.  The normally calm and well-adjusted Ritchie doesn’t take the news very well, and runs to his bedroom.

In a poignant scene, Rob tells Ritchie that just like he couldn’t take his goldfish out of the bowl, the duck needed to be out in the lake, and he would be happier there.  At one point in the discussion, the subject of love is mentioned; Ritchie asks what love is.  Rob’s answer is invaluable: “Love is…you think more about what’s good for the one you love, than you think about what’s good for yourself.”

This illustration helps us to stop and think about the fact that this is how God loves us.  The first man and woman had blown it in Genesis 3.  He could have left them to flounder in their sin, and lost innocence, but He didn’t.  God revealed that there was hope; there was a plan already set in motion for the price of mankind’s sin to be paid.  Centuries later, this would be done by Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb of God.  The Bible says, “By this we know love, because He [Jesus] laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16). 

Kevin