Dr H Reflections

So let it be written ∙

So let it be written ∙

I now teach you these decrees and regulations just as the LORD my God commanded me so that you may obey them. – Deuteronomy 4:5

Nehemiah 8:6,8

6 Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

8 They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.

In 1956, the legendary Cecil B. DeMille brought to the screen an epic masterpiece, “The Ten Commandments.” The film boasted a stellar cast, with Charlton Heston portraying Moses, Yul Brynner as Rameses II, Anne Baxter as Nefertiti, and John Derek as Joshua.

The movie is remembered for its powerful lines, including:

“It would take more than a man to lead the slaves from bondage. It would take a god. And I am no god, I am but a man” (Moses).

“His god…is God!” (Rameses II).

“He has forgotten both of us. You lost him when he went to seek his God. I lost him when he found his God” (Sephora, speaking to Nefertiti regarding Moses).

“So let it be written; so let it be done” (Rameses II). What does this mean? The Egyptians were meticulous record keepers. When important decisions were made or actions performed, they were written down by a court scribe.

The Father has provided people with an accurate, written record regarding Himself, biblical history, His will, His standards, and His plans for the future. To paraphrase Ramses II, “What has been written is what is to be done.”

The Father has revealed what He wants the children of the King to know, believe, and act upon. But sadly, people have poor memories. Do the children of the King know what the Father desires or asks of them? Do they know where to begin to fulfill His dreams for them?

The remarkable story and the events portrayed in Cecil B. DeMille’s movie, The Ten Commandments, are often considered nothing but myth today. How can this possibly have happened? The Scriptures have been preserved and handed down through the centuries. The warning to remember one’s history, issued to the children of Israel 3500 years ago, has never been more pertinent.

Deuteronomy 4:9-13

9 But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.

10 Never forget the day when you stood before the LORD your God at Mount Sinai, where he told me, “Summon the people before me, and I will personally instruct them. Then they will learn to fear me as long as they live and teach their children to fear me.”

12 And the LORD spoke to you from the heart of the fire. You heard the sound of his words but didn’t see his form; there was only a voice.

13 He proclaimed his covenant – the Ten Commandments – which he commanded you to keep, and which he wrote on two stone tablets.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father does not have grandchildren. He only has children. Each of us must decide to believe and eagerly desire to learn and follow what He has provided.

Father may I eagerly seek You. May I be attentive, hear, listen, and receive Your word, and may I respond accordingly.

INSIGHT

There’s a story about two graduate students discussing the event where Moses records the parting of the Red Sea in the book of Exodus. The first student expresses disbelief, saying, “I am at a loss; how could such an event ever occur?” To this, the second student responds, “It’s simple! The story of the Red Sea is the story of a miracle. When you believe in God, you believe in miracles.” The first grad student says, “Now I understand. I don’t believe in miracles because I don’t believe in God.”

Our culture has shifted away from theism, the belief in a prayer-hearing God Who is there and Who acts in the space-time continuum. The collateral damage has been considerable. Faith in the Father God, as revealed in the Scriptures, has become almost absent. Reverence and worship are becoming outdated notions for many. Tragically, the Father and His teachings have lost their relevance to a significant portion of the population.

This is nothing new. It has happened many times in history. Before we criticize others, perhaps we should examine ourselves. Do we read the Scriptures with eagerness and understanding? Do we make life decisions based on what we read? Or do we take the Father for granted?

By around 600 BC, the children of Israel had become complacent and fallen into a state of spiritual apathy. They were simply going through the motions of their faith. They had head knowledge, but the Father was far from their hearts. They defied the proclamations of His prophets. They ignored and disregarded the warnings of His prophets of impending doom. Prophets like Ezekiel and Jeremiah were met with hostility and horrible mistreatment.

There was no change of heart nor repentance; judgment fell. Jerusalem was conquered, the temple was destroyed, and the people were taken to Babylon.

Captive in Babylon, the children of Israel were demoralized, saddened, and afraid. So much had been lost. They lamented and longed for “the good old days.”

However, ironically, those “good old days” led to their current plight.

Eventually, Babylon fell to the Persians, and the people of Israel were allowed to return home. The Father raised up Nehemiah and Ezra. The Word of God was again available to be heard, understood, believed, and followed.

It was read aloud to the people, translated as needed, and explained. Truth and sound teaching were again within reach. The people were eager and attentive. Hard times have a way of turning things around, even for the hardest of hearts.

Nehemiah 8:2-10

2 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, including the men, women, and children old enough to understand.

3 He read it from early morning until noon to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.

6 Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

8 They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.

9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the LORD your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

10 This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”

The time for mourning and weeping was over. A new day had begun. The children of the King had rediscovered and embraced the Father God and His Word and soon discovered that, indeed, “the joy of the LORD is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10).

The “good old days” of Israel bear a striking resemblance to our own times. In our fast-paced streaming culture, it is easy to take what is commonly available for granted. As children of the King, the most priceless treasure we hold is the gift from our Father: His Word.

Today can be a new day for each of us. The Father has made His Word accessible and continues to speak; are we listening? Are we open to hearing His voice?

Oh, that today you would listen as He speaks! Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, but instead listen attentively to His words today (Hebrews 3:7-8).

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This hurts me more than . . . ∙

This hurts me more than . . . ∙

For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. – Proverbs 3:12

Lamentations 3:31-33

31 For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever.

32 Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love.

33 For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.

Many of us know the phrase, “This hurts me more than it hurts you.” Parents often utter this statement when administering discipline, such as spanking. However, the validity of this statement from the perspective of the child receiving the discipline is highly doubtful.

The expression, intended to convey a parent’s regret over having to discipline their child, rings a bit hollow. Pain is pain. Pain, whether physical or emotional, is experienced deeply by the child. The physical discomfort of discipline is not painless. On top of that, there is often emotional hurt, which may equal or exceed the physical pain. While the sentiment of the parent is understandable, is it accurate? If the parent were to exchange places with the child, would they agree? Tragically, some parents are simply angry and vindictive and take it out of their kids. How tragic!

When necessary, discipline should always be enveloped in love, reassurance, and comfort to ensure the child understands the context and feels supported throughout the process.

In 1962, the United States discovered, via aerial surveillance, that the Soviet Union was installing missiles capable of striking the US in Cuba. This precipitated the “Cuban Missile Crisis.” President John F. Kennedy announced that he was placing a naval blockade around Cuba to prevent the delivery of any more weapons. A maritime blockade is normally considered an act of war.

During the tense moments of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev issued a stark warning that any attempt to intercept Russian ships could lead to war. This period is vividly remembered by many Americans who lived through it as a time of heightened anxiety, with people stocking up on groceries in anticipation of possible conflict.

Ultimately, Khrushchev relented and agreed to dismantle the missile installations in Cuba. A memorable cartoon by Edmund Valtman, published on October 30, 1962, humorously portrayed Khrushchev as a dentist ready to remove missiles, depicted as teeth, from Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s mouth, capturing the relief and absurdity of the moment.

On a more personal and spiritual note, I recognize that trials and tribulations are inherent to life, especially from the perspective of being a child of the King. It is through discipline that the Father molds our character, teaching us patience, fostering a spirit of humility, and nurturing a deeper bond with Him.

However, amidst personal struggles, it is natural and normal to ponder the omnipotence of my heavenly Father, knowing He has the power to stop my suffering at any moment. This leads me to question why He chooses not to intervene immediately. The children of Israel posed this question some 2600 years ago, to which the Father provided an answer.

Ezekiel 18:25 You say, “The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!” Listen to me, O people of Israel. Am I the one not doing what’s right, or is it you?

Every now and then, I wonder if the Father is perhaps more like a marine drill sergeant or inflexible judge rather than a loving, gracious, understanding father. Sometimes, I imagine myself as a nail, and He is the hammer.

It is natural to have these doubts and feelings, but such feelings are totally incorrect and based not on the truth of His Word but on earthly, natural, and demonic wisdom (James 3:15).

The Father takes no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies (Ezekiel 18:32), not to mention suffering.

The Father may allow us to go through tough times, but He does all this to do us “good in the end.” We may not see that good right away, but if we trust Him, He will bless us in His time (Stanley). Enduring difficult times develops obedience and character.

Hebrews 5:8 Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.

It is way too common for the children of the King to become frustrated and even angry when the Father disciplines them.

REFLECT & PRAY

So often, we ask why. But if we really knew why, would it make any difference? Would anything change? Would it make our circumstances any better? During our difficulties, it seems like they will last forever, but in fact, they are only transitory. Paul calls them “momentary light afflictions” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Father I recognize that it is so easy for me to doubt You and even think the worst of You. Help me to remember that You are indeed my father, and I am Your beloved child. And to remember that it grieves Your heart when You see me struggle.

INSIGHT

“A Greek boy was expected to ‘work out’ in the gymnasium until he reached his maturity. It was a part of his preparation for adult life. The writer [of the book of Hebrews] viewed the trials of the Christian life as a spiritual discipline that could help a believer mature. Instead of trying to escape the difficulties of life, we should rather be ‘exercised’ by them so that we might grow (Hebrews 12:11)” (Wiersbe).

Hebrews 12:6, 10-11

6 For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.

11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

The Greek word for discipline is paideuo, which means to child-train. Paideuo originally meant to bring up a child or to educate. It was used as an activity directed toward moral and spiritual nurture. Its goal was to train the child and thus influence his conscious will and action. From a spiritual perspective, it involved guiding and correcting the children of the King to align with biblical truth. The English word pediatrics comes from this Greek word. Pediatrics is the medical specialty dedicated to the health and care of children.

Punishment and discipline are not the same. Punishment looks back and attempts to administer appropriate penalties or consequences for what has occurred. But discipline looks forward. Discipline is child-training. Godly parents provide their children with discipline in love. Sadly, many children of the King lacked one or even both parents who performed biblically-based parenting. Regardless, we are to persevere when we are child-trained.

Hebrews 12:5 He said, My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline and don’t give up when he corrects you.

Child training is intended to humble us. It often brings us to the end of ourselves. It is preparing us for the future and the dream that the Father has for us. Discipline is a part of His loving care for us.

Does discipline “hurt” the Father more than it hurts us?

The Father sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the world to die on the cross. He had to watch the horror of it all. Was it not horrific when the Lord Jesus Christ bore the weight and punishment of all the sins of the human race? As mere humans, we will never fully comprehend the pain and suffering that both Father and Son went through.

Suffering is not pleasant or easy, but it is part of life in our fallen world. The Father led the Lord Jesus Christ through suffering, and He does the same for every child of the King. The Father’s discipline demonstrates that He loves us rather than a lack thereof.

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Solid rock or shifting sand ∙

Solid rock or shifting sand ∙

Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. – Matthew 7:24

Matthew 7:24-27

24 Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

25 Though the rain comes in torrents and, the floodwaters rise, and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.

27 When the rains and floods come, and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.

Standing majestically in Dubai, UAE, the Burj Khalifa claims the title of the world’s tallest building. Construction began on January 6, 2004, and was completed on October 1, 2009. It’s a marvel of modern engineering, towering 2,722 feet with 163 floors.

The foundation of such an immense structure is crucial for its stability. The Burj Khalifa’s deep, firm foundation consists of 192 piles of steel and concrete that go nearly 17 stories into the ground.

Choosing the right location is paramount in construction. You need to build down to build up. It begins with a suitable location. Who would be moronic enough to build in a flood zone or a dried-up riverbed? The ultimate folly found in construction is giving no thought to the location or foundation.

This principle of building on a solid foundation applies equally to spiritual formation. A robust and dynamic spiritual life also demands a strong base. Unfortunately, many overlook the importance of establishing this foundation and never seriously consider it. They are embarking on their spiritual journey without direction. They start building haphazardly, a little here and a little there. When the storms of life come, it can lead to disaster.

Making informed decisions starts with asking the right questions. What is the basis of your life? Is your information accurate and proven to be reliable over time? Can your chosen foundation genuinely support your well-being?

While advice is abundant, not all of it is beneficial. Bad, paltry advice is even more plentiful. Some suggest following one’s passion, while others advocate pursuing wealth and material success as a path to comfort and security. Some recommend seeking love and finding the right person as the ultimate goal. However, given our imperfect nature and flawed world, even the soundest advice may be limited.

Every child of the King should diligently seek the best, wisest counsel available. Choose your advisors well. The Scriptures abound with narratives of individuals who have thrived under wise counsel. The Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, have a solid track record that stretches through the ages.

The Lord Jesus Christ provides the best of all counsel. He offers unparalleled advice. Listening to His teaching and acting upon it allows for a sure foundation for life.

REFLECT & PRAY

“It begins with a suitable location.. Those who obey out of love for Jesus build a solid life for themselves of strength and endurance. Terrible storms may hit them, but they can never destroy them.” (Stanley).

Father help me hear, reflect upon, and obey the words of the Lord Jesus Christ.

INSIGHT

The Sermon on the Mount was given near the Sea of Galilee. The soil surrounding the Sea of Galilee consists of alluvial sand. It was hard on the surface during the heat of summer. But during the winter, when rains came, the alluvial surface of sand would become soggy and unstable. However, there was bedrock approximately 10 feet below the surface of the sand. To build a stable structure, a wise builder had only to dig down to the bedrock and begin there.

“Houses built on bedrock would be able to withstand the floods. Excavations in the late 1970s in the region uncovered basalt stone bedrock that was apparently used for the foundation of a building in antiquity” (Wilkins).

Before the era of modern technology brought the threat of nuclear annihilation and existential fears, natural disasters loomed as humanity’s paramount concern. The Ancient Middle East was subject to periodic famines and earthquakes, but floods were the most common and frequent natural catastrophes. This is the cultural background and context in which the Lord Jesus Christ delivered his message. His audience knew well the dangers of building on a poor foundation.

Matthew 7:24-26

24 Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.

What does it mean to build your life on solid rock? When the Lord Jesus Christ closed the sermon on the Mount with the parable of the builders and the foundations, He did not pull any punches. His words were direct, plain, and clear when He spoke, penetrating the soul and spirit. They are intended to create a bit of discomfort, stimulate reflection, and spur self-evaluation.

Nothing has changed.

Lord Jesus Christ describes two individuals: one had chosen wisely, and the other had been a fool. The Greek word translated as a fool is moro. Moro describes someone devoid of wisdom, good sense, or sound judgment. The English word moron is derived from moro.

He explained that the wise man dug deep until reaching the bedrock, after which he constructed his home on a stable foundation. Conversely, the foolish man built a similar structure on the sand. The foundation of one man’s house is solid, and that of the other is unreliable. The onset of heavy rains and subsequent flooding reveal the quality of the foundation upon which the structure was built. The fool’s thinking was literally way too shallow.

“The man who builds his house upon the shifting foundation is likened to the person who hears Jesus’ words but does not put them into practice. The man who builds his house upon the rock is likened to the person who not only hears Jesus’ words but also puts them into practice. The difference between the two houses is, therefore, likened to the difference between obedience and disobedience” (Carson).

Becoming familiar with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ is crucial. But familiarity and even agreement with Him are insufficient. It is one thing to hear and even approve of what He said; it is quite another to obey and put it into practice.

Listeners to His words are at a crossroads: they can either embrace and act upon His guidance or reject it and turn away. There are no other options. There is no middle ground. The storms of life reveal the strength of the foundation upon which we have built our lives.

The Word of God is the owner’s manual for the human race. We “do” His words by making them our guidebook, our manual for life, and building our lives upon them.

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The love of many will grow cold

The love of many will grow cold

Because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. – Matthew 24:12

2 Timothy 3:1-5

1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.

2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.

3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.

4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.

5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.

The Wild West spanned from the Civil War’s conclusion in 1865 until the dawn of the 1900s. It was the result of Western expansion into the “frontier.” The journey westward was driven by a collective drive for freedom and opportunity, technological advancements, and government incentives. It was a period of severe challenges, including widespread disease, frequent violence, and the westward journey itself.

The Wild West is often depicted in movies and books as an era of lawlessness filled with uncertainty, unbridled freedom, and adventure. Cinematic portrayals have painted this epoch as teetering on the edge of anarchy, replete with ongoing conflicts, dire living conditions, and rampant lawlessness across the expansive frontier. However, these depictions amplify the myths, portraying a far more romanticized reality than actual history.

The gunslinger, a mainstay of Western cinema, did exist, but not in the glorified manner often portrayed. Instead, they more closely resembled modern serial killers. They would exploit their superior skills against inexperienced victims. They frequently attacked from ambush rather than face-to-face gunfights.

Contrary to the enduring myth of a perpetually violent Wild West, historical analysis reveals that this era was significantly calmer than many 21st-century American cities, upending the widely held view of an endlessly tumultuous frontier (Independent Institute).

Lawlessness dramatized by Hollywood’s Wild West was far less violent and unrestrained than what is prophesied concerning the last days.

REFLECT & PRAY

In the last days, the spiritual climate will be characterized by sin with an increase in lawlessness and a decrease in selfless love.

Father it is so easy to turn inward, selfish, and hardhearted. Encourage me to rise above it and supersize my love for you and concern for others.

INSIGHT

At first glance, the Lord Jesus Christ indicates a correlation between lawlessness and love. A correlation is a statistical measure that expresses how two variables increase or decrease together. Lawlessness and love are negatively correlated. When lawlessness increases, love decreases.

Matthew 24:12 Lawlessness will increase, and the love of many will grow cold.

The Greek word for increases is plēthúnō. Plēthúnō means to become bigger or greater in amount, to grow or increase. Plēthúnō is not merely additive but multiplicative. That is, it means to multiply. In the fast-food industry, we would say supersized. Lawlessness will be supersized.

The Greek word translated as lawlessness is anomia. Anomia does not simply mean being without law, that is, ignorant of it. Instead, it is far more sinister and pejorative, indicating contempt for law and authority. Lawlessness is a lifestyle that rejects the acknowledgment of any divine command or moral order. Lawlessness violates the Father’s ethical standards and principles, resulting in iniquity, wickedness, or sin.

People will become increasingly coldhearted. The Greek word translated as cold is psucho. It literally means to grow cold. It is used metaphorically with the sense of waning zeal or love. The King James translates it as wax cold.

Matthew 24:12 indicates that as society becomes more lawless, agape or selfless love will become less common. People’s hearts will grow colder, and they will become more indifferent to the needs and well-being of others. This cooling of love is seen as a symptom of moral and spiritual decay, contributing to the breakdown of community and compassion.

The apostle Paul turns up the heat a bit, indicating that people will not merely be coldhearted but become savage in their godlessness.

2 Timothy 3:1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.

The Greek word translated as difficult is chalepos. In Matthew 8:28, chalepos describesdemonic vicious ferocity. The word means violent, dangerous, perilous, harsh, fierce, and savage.

Are the times in which we live becoming more and more lawless and savage?

The last prophecy of the Old Testament speaks of these times directly preceding the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is bad news, but there is also good news.

It will be a time of division among families. Fathers and children will become estranged, broken up, and disconnected. This is happening before our eyes in unprecedented ways.

However, the good news is reconciliation and restoration are coming.

Malachi 4:5-6

5 Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the LORD arrives.

6 He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers.

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We were once dead ∙∙

We were once dead ∙∙

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. – Ephesians 2:1

Ephesians 2:1-10

1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins.

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,

5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

The mention of cancer often elicits intense fear and anxiety. However, it’s important to note that our immune systems are inherently equipped to combat cancer effectively. A healthy immune system routinely identifies and eradicates cancer cells. Conversely, a weakened immune system allows cancer to proliferate and pose a significant threat to life.

Every normal cell in our body has a built-in termination date. When they are no longer needed, they commit suicide. This is also called Programmed Cell Death (PCD). However, some cells are abnormal and do not die off. They continue to divide and multiply indefinitely. The term “cancer” refers to the unchecked growth of deviant cells that refuse to die.

For those diagnosed with cancer, the realization of their condition and its potential lethality without treatment is daunting. Yet, in the modern era, early detection and appropriate medical intervention make survival possible.

Sadly, many people think of sin in much the same way they think of the early stages of cancer. They underestimate its severity. They may be ill, but they will probably survive.

However, the Bible offers a starkly different perspective on sin. It doesn’t equate sin with an illness that can be treated or a fatal disease that will eventually lead to death. This may surprise you. But what comes next is even more surprising.

All of the descendants of Adam and Eve are fallen creatures and inherit human sin in the same way they acquire DNA from their parents. When they inherit sin, they inherit death!

Ephesians 2:1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.

It’s conceivable that, in the future, medical science will find a cure for cancer. But there is absolutely nothing that sinful people can do to cure sin. It may sound extraordinary, but at the moment we are born and breathe our first breath of life, we are already dead.

What people could never accomplish; the Father God has accomplished!

Ephesians 2:4-5

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,

5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

That is one of the remarkable miracles the Father has done on behalf of each child of the King and explained in His word. Why would the Father do such a wonderful thing for us? It was part of His plan for all children of the King from the beginning.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father has mapped out a spiritual path for every child of the King to follow. It is our responsibility to allow Him to show us His path for us. We need only accept His path as our path.

Father thank You that although I was completely dead in my sins and transgressions, You chose to make me alive. Help me to see myself as You see me, a masterpiece in the making.

INSIGHT

But there’s more. The Father has great dreams and plans for each child of the King. Now that we are alive, He is at work in us to fulfill those dreams and plans. He never makes mistakes! Often, it may seem that way to us, but that’s only the way it seems. “God doesn’t make junk” (Ethel Waters).

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

The word translated as masterpiece, handiwork, or, more commonly, workmanship comes from the Greek noun poiema. It is derived from the Greek verb poieo, a common word translated as do or make. The English word “poem” is derived from this Greek word. Each child of the King is one of His intelligently conceived poems.

When the Father looks at one of His children, He sees the finished product of His artistic creativity. On planet Earth, we are a work in progress. But from His perspective, His work is already finished, and we are a completed masterpiece, a work of art. The Father is the great master artist, and each of us, while on earth, is one of His unfinished canvases.

But to what end? The Father has a purpose for each of His spiritual poems, His works of art. He has created us anew in the Lord Jesus Christ so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. – Ephesians 2:10

Our task is to do good all the days of our lives. Because of our new life in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are now the “living dead.” As such, we are to do good for the benefit of others and the Father’s kingdom. That is precisely what He is equipping us to do.

From the Father’s eternal perspective, His work in us is already finished, and our work for Him is already completed.

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