Hardened for righteousness ∙

Hardened for righteousness ∙

Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” – Acts 5:29

Acts 16:22-32

 22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods.

 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape.

 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

 25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!

 27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself.

 28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

 29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

 30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”

 32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household.

On June 9, 1963, Fannie Lou Hamer and six other black passengers stopped to eat in a diner at a Greyhound bus terminal in Winona, Mississippi. They sat at the “white only” lunch counter. The Winona Police Chief, Thomas Herrod, demanded they move to the “colored” side of the depot, but they bravely refused and were arrested and jailed.

Tragically, each of them endured severe beatings, with Fannie Lou Hamer suffering the most brutal treatment. Regrettably, Ms. Hamer never fully recovered from the physical and emotional trauma inflicted upon her during that incident.

What transpired in Hamer’s heart afterward is arguably even more remarkable than the events that occurred in the jail. Despite the physical toll the whipping took on her body, her spirit emerged fortified, steadfast and hardened for righteousness. The ordeal ignited an unyielding fire within her.

Hamer spent the night in silence, but a day later, while still in jail, she started to sing. Known for her resonant and inspiring voice, the same mouth that had been screaming in pain just the night before began sounding the strains of freedom.

          “Paul and Silas was bound in jail, let my people go.

          Had no money for to go their bail, let my people go.

          Paul and Silas began to shout, let my people go.

          Jail doors open and they walked out, let my people go.”

Doing the right thing often results in harmful downsides. When adverse consequences emerge, we always have a choice: complain and gripe or be grateful and rejoice.

REFLECT & PRAY

Courage and cowardice lurk in each of our hearts. We imagine both fleeing from danger and standing firm.

Father I long to have the courage to stand firm for You. It should not take the risk of a severe beating, jail time, or immolation to force me to decide. Encourage me to stand for You right now and keep right on standing!

INSIGHT

Taking a stand for the Father, sharing truth, and bringing joy to others, even in the face of potential consequences, is not merely a matter of conscience. It is an imperative, a call to action we must answer. The only question is will we follow it?

Matthew 28:19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Imagine the scene in Acts 4 and 5 more and more people accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Messiah and Savior. They were drawn by the gospel and the miraculous power wielded by the apostles. The religious leaders were alarmed and confronted them.

The apostles were unintimidated and went returned to the streets preaching the Word. The religious authorities were astonished and had them brought before them to threaten them again. The apostles were busted for upsetting this status quo and publicly proclaiming the truth.

“It is a tense moment. They have been duly warned, and now they can be convicted and severely punished. Peter, as always, speaks up for the group. Putting in positive form . . . this bold apostle now declares for all time: We must obey God rather than any human authority!” (Acts 5:29) (Chalmer Ernest Faw).

And so it was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Daniel 3:14-29

 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up?

 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”

 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.

 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.

 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.

 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

 24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.

 25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four unbound men walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”

 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire.

 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!

 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”

Acts 16:34 And he [the Philippian jailer] brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.

The Greek word translated as rejoice is agalliao. Agalliao means to exult, rejoice greatly, and experience ecstatic joy and delight. Secular Greek writers do not use this word. In the New Testament, it always signifies a deep spiritual joy. “Their hearts were singing” (UBS).

Jude 1:24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 5-21-1

© Dr. H 2023

Jail time ∙

Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” – Acts 5:29

Acts 16:22-32

 22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods.

 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape.

 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

 25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!

 27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself.

 28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

 29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

 30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”

 32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household.

On June 9, 1963, Fannie Lou Hamer and six other black passengers stopped to eat in a diner at a Greyhound bus terminal in Winona, Mississippi. They sat at the “white only” lunch counter. The Winona Police Chief, Thomas Herrod, demanded they move to the “colored” side of the depot, but they bravely refused and were arrested and jailed.

Tragically, each of them endured severe beatings, with Fannie Lou Hamer suffering the most brutal treatment. Regrettably, Ms. Hamer never fully recovered from the physical and emotional trauma inflicted upon her during that incident.

What transpired in Hamer’s heart afterward is arguably even more remarkable than the events that occurred in the jail. Despite the physical toll the whipping took on her body, her spirit emerged fortified, steadfast and hardened for righteousness. The ordeal ignited an unyielding fire within her.

Hamer spent the night in silence, but a day later, while still in jail, she started to sing. Known for her resonant and inspiring voice, the same mouth that had been screaming in pain just the night before began sounding the strains of freedom.

          “Paul and Silas was bound in jail, let my people go.

          Had no money for to go their bail, let my people go.

          Paul and Silas began to shout, let my people go.

          Jail doors open and they walked out, let my people go.”

Doing the right thing often results in harmful downsides. When adverse consequences emerge, we always have a choice: complain and gripe or be grateful and rejoice.

REFLECT & PRAY

Courage and cowardice lurk in each of our hearts. We imagine both fleeing from danger and standing firm.

Father I long to have the courage to stand firm for You. It should not take the risk of a severe beating, jail time, or immolation to force me to decide. Encourage me to stand for You right now and keep right on standing!

INSIGHT

Taking a stand for the Father, sharing truth, and bringing joy to others, even in the face of potential consequences, is not merely a matter of conscience. It becomes an imperative, a call to action we must answer. The only question is will we follow it?

Imagine the scene in Acts 4 and 5 more and more people accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Messiah and Savior. They are drawn by the gospel and the miraculous power wielded by the apostles. The religious leaders are alarmed and confront them.

The apostles were unintimidated and went returned to the streets preaching the Word. The religious authorities are astonished and have them brought before them to threaten them again. The apostles were busted for upsetting this status quo and publicly proclaiming the truth.

“It is a tense moment. They have been duly warned, and now they can be convicted and severely punished. Peter, as always, speaks up for the group. Putting in positive form . . . this bold apostle now declares for all time: We must obey God rather than any human authority!” (Acts 5:29) (Chalmer Ernest Faw).

And so it was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Daniel 3:14-29

 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up?

 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”

 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.

 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.

 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.

 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

 24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.

 25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four unbound men walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”

 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire.

 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!

 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”

Acts 16:34 And he [the Philippian jailer] brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.

The Greek word translated as rejoice is agalliao. Agalliao means to exult, rejoice greatly, and experience ecstatic joy and delight. Secular Greek writers do not use this word. In the New Testament, it always signifies a deep spiritual joy. “Their hearts were singing” (UBS).

Jude 1:24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 5-21-1

© Dr. H 2023

A word from the Lord was rare ∙∙

A word from the Lord was rare ∙∙

A word from the LORD was rare in those days, and visions were infrequent. – 1 Samuel 3:1

1 Samuel 3:1-11

 1 Now in those days messages from the LORD were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.

 4 Suddenly, the LORD called out, “Samuel!” “Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?”

 5 He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did.

 6 Then the LORD called out again, “Samuel!” Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.”

 7 Samuel did not yet know the LORD because he had never had a message from the LORD before.

 8 So the LORD called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” Then Eli realized it was the LORD who was calling the boy.

 9 So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed.

 10 And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

 11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel.”

George was a master persuader. He had an uncanny ability to move a roomful of people to his perspective. How did he do it?

George would ask thought-provoking questions and then retreat into silence. George created a space for others to provide their viewpoints and allowed their voices to take center stage. He had perfected the art of active listening. He was mindful of the underlying guiding principles and perspectives contributing to what was said.

Consequently, George cultivated a deep understanding of others’ viewpoints and unspoken desires and motivations. He then acknowledges what he had heard (which is, most likely, more than has been said). There is almost always more substance below the surface of what people say than there is in their words. George would present his own arguments in a manner that corresponded to the underlying needs and aspirations of the audience. The result was a persuasive, resonating impact. George was always willing to learn something from others’ perspectives and to let them know when he was shifting his view as a result of theirs.

Because George had listened to them, people did not argue with him. Due to the fact that he had heard them, his perspective became the wisest in the room.

Listening is far more persuasive than speaking. If you want people to listen, Stop Talking (Peter Bregman, HBR).

The Father is always listening. Some people talk more with their deeds than they do with their words. At the right time, He speaks.

1 Samuel 3:7 Samuel did not yet know the LORD because he had never had a message from the LORD before.

When the Father first spoke to Samuel, the boy did not know or recognize His voice. He had never heard the Father speak before. Samuel was actively engaged in fulfilling his responsibilities at the Tabernacle, assisting Eli. He was serving the Lord, but he had not yet met Him.

Eli realized that the voice that Samuel was hearing was the Father speaking to him. The Father was calling out to the boy. Eli was wise enough to tell Samuel how to respond the next time he heard the Father’s voice.  

1 Samuel 3:9 “Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.”

There’s no longer a need to wonder how to act upon hearing the Father’s voice. Eli provides us with clear guidance on how to respond when the Father speaks. With a straightforward declaration, we surrender control and recognize the Father as our Lord. He is the Master, and we are His servants.

Samuel stands out in stark contrast to Eli and his sons. Eli was a passive and absent father. Eli’s performance as a priestly leader was marked by failure. His sons were worthless men who did not know or respect the LORD (1 Samuel 2:12).

At the same time, the people of Israel were defiant and distant from the Father. Could this be why messages from the LORD were very rare and visions were quite uncommon?

REFLECT & PRAY

It is all too possible to serve the Lord without ever knowing Him (Matthew 7:23).

Father how I long to be like Samuel. Let me quickly respond when You speak: “Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.”

INSIGHT

Now that Samuel was ready to hear and respond appropriately, he did not have long to wait. But this time, there was more than just a voice.

1 Samuel 3:10 Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

This was no mysterious voice nor mystical experience. The Lord was there, physically present.

Was all that preceded this moment preparing Samuel to hear and take in what the Father said? Samuel was still just a boy but a prophet, a man of God in the making.

The Father’s words were dreadful and terrifying. No doubt, Samuel was already intently listening and focused. But now, his eyes widened, and he took a deep breath. I can imagine that under his breath, Samuel whispered, “Oh God no!” Perhaps he wept.

1 Samuel 3:11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel.”

The Hebrew could be literally translated, “When anyone hears about it, both of his ears will tingle.”

Habakkuk had a similar reaction to comparable unnerving news.

Habakkuk 3:16 I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror.

What was the Father about to do? The world, as the Nation of Israel, knew it was about to collapse. “The catastrophe was the impending defeat of Israel by the Philistines, the death of Eli’s sons and Eli himself, the capture of the ark of God, and the desolation of the national sanctuary at Shiloh” (Smith).

But there was a new world coming. The time of the Judges was ending. The Nation of Israel would no longer be twelve loosely confederated tribes. It was about to become a kingdom. And Samuel was being prepared to anoint the first king, the people’s choice, Saul. But Saul was a poor choice.

Samuel would also anoint the Father’s choice, David.

When the Father is silent, it’s not always a bad thing. Perhaps He is preparing you for the day that He speaks. Get ready. His perspective is always the wisest in the room.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 5-2-1

© Dr. H 2023

That dog won’t hunt ∙∙

That dog won’t hunt ∙∙

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. – James 5:16

James 5:16-18

 16 The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!

 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

President Lyndon B. Johnson popularized the phrase “that dog won’t hunt” in the 1960s, although its exact origin remains unknown. The expression had been in use since at least the 1930s. Notably, in 1986, Waylon Jennings transformed the phrase into a song.

“That dog won’t hunt” is a colloquialism prevalent in the southern United States. It conveys the idea that something will not serve its intended purpose or that a plan or scheme is bound to fail. Close alternatives to this saying include “It just ain’t going to happen” or “It ain’t going to work out.”

Too often, when it comes to prayer, “That dog won’t hunt.”

What is ineffective prayer? We may not like to admit it, but we all know what ineffective prayer is. It is all too common and happens so much of the time. Ineffective prayer is prayer that does not get answered. Ineffective prayer does not achieve the desired results and seemingly does not influence the Father. It is inadequate and useless.

While there are undoubtedly additional factors to consider, such as timing, the acid test for prayer’s effectiveness is remarkably straightforward. It can be attempted by anyone at any time or place. If you pray without a discernible outcome, your prayer is likely ineffective. In other words, “that dog won’t hunt.”

To understand this better, simply review the meanings of effective and ineffective words.

To be effective means to achieve the desired effect, intended outcome, or expected result. When something is effective, it accomplishes the task at hand. It gets the job done. It can exert force or influence that contributes to the ultimate outcome.

The term “ineffective” denotes not producing the desired effect or effects. When something is ineffective, it falls short in terms of adequacy, competence, capability, potency, or usefulness.

Why are prayers so often ineffective? If the children of the King are sincere in their prayers and genuinely seek the best possible outcome, there is no need to examine the motives of their hearts. Perhaps the ineffectiveness stems from the assumptions made by His children.

Could it be that we think we “know” what is best in a given situation which contributes to the ineffectiveness of our prayers? Do we believe that we know what ought to happen? If so, do we pray and ask the Father to do what we think is right? Do we try to persuade the Father to carry out our plan and not His?

If so, we need to change our way of thinking. The Scriptures are pretty clear. Prayer is effective when the children of the King seek to pray His will into existence rather than their own.

Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Luke 11:2 When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.

Take a moment to reflect on one of your favorite athletes. Now, envision them performing at the level of excellence that you know they are capable of. What do you witness in your mind’s eye? Let’s shift gears and imagine that same athlete as a 5-year-old child. While traces of the talent that will later make them exceptional as an adult may be apparent, can the child perform at the same level as they will when they reach adulthood? Of course not!

What does it take to transform a 5-year-old child into an accomplished world-class athlete? The short answer is at minimum time and practice.

Our heartfelt desires may be pure. We may sincerely seek what we believe is the best for others. However, in the realm of prayer, could it be that we frequently resemble 5-year-old children, incessantly tugging on our parent’s clothes, yearning for our wishes to be granted? What if our best is not aligned with His best?

REFLECT & PRAY

It’s often said that the purpose of prayer is not to get man’s will done in heaven but to get God’s will done on earth (Wiersbe).

Father I wish my prayers could be more effective. Enable me to get to know You better and hear and recognize Your voice. Give me a willing heart to carry out Your wishes.

INSIGHT

“Praying itself is not a shot in the dark, not a net cast into the sea with the hope of a good catch. Praying is working along with God in the fulfillment of His divine plan” (Thomas Haire).

“In prayer, we need always to obtain the wisdom of the Spirit so that we may pray according to the will of God and not suffer discouragement from failure to see our prayers realized” (Thomas Haire).

When our goal is to pray the Father’s will into existence, effective prayer begins with first discovering His will. This means establishing a deep connection with the Father and cultivating the capacity to recognize His voice. The prophet Elijah shows the way.

James 5:16-17

 16 The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

What is the difference between Elijah and us? Nothing!

How was Elijah able to know how to pray? What enabled him to pray effectively? How did he pray the Father’s will into existence on earth? The Father revealed His will to him and told them to pray that His will be done and what to say to others.

1 Kings 17:1-2

 1 Now Elijah, the Tishbite in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives – the God I serve – there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!”

 2 Then the LORD said to Elijah,

1 Kings 18:1 Later on, in the third year of the drought, the LORD said to Elijah, “Go and present yourself to King Ahab. Tell him that I will soon send rain!”

James explains how knowing the Father’s will energizes our prayers and makes them effective.

James 5:15 could be translated as “The energized prayer of a righteous man is able to do much.” Such prayers are “a potent force in calling down the power of God” (MacArthur). The Greek word translated as energized or effective is energeo. The English word “energy” comes from this term.

Where does the energy of effective prayer come from? It comes from the Father. When a righteous child of the King prays effectively, they are energized by the Father. He communicates with them. He works through them.

Now that dog will hunt!

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 5-17-1

© Dr. H 2023

Are we listening? ∙

Are we listening? ∙

Long ago, God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now, in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. – Hebrews 1:1-2

Hebrews 12:25 Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!

One unintended consequence of our digital, streaming era is the decline of the art of listening among individuals in the Western world. Similar to any skill, listening can be developed and honed through practice. However, it resembles a muscle that atrophies when not exercised regularly.

Henning Mankell, in his article, “The Art of Listening,” December 10, 2011, wrote, “In Africa, listening is a guiding principle. It’s a principle that’s been lost in the constant chatter of the Western world, where no one seems to have the time or even the desire to listen to anyone else.” He added, “Many people make the mistake of confusing information with knowledge. They are not the same thing. Knowledge involves the interpretation of information. Knowledge involves listening.”

Good listeners focus on the content being communicated. They actively engage with what they hear and ask questions to clarify and better understand what they hear. They take thoughtful pauses, allowing time for reflection while formulating their responses.

Understanding the nature of the Father The answer to this question requires direct communication and disclosure from Him. He has revealed truths about Himself and His ways through the Word of God. The messages, stories, history, and prophecies of the Old Testament were written between 2000 B.C. and 400 B.C., while the New Testament was written between 30 A.D. and 90 A.D. Despite spanning a considerable timeframe and utilizing various methods, the self-revelation of the Father maintains a sense of continuity and unity. Although written by many individuals, the ultimate source is the Father Himself.  When the Lord Jesus Christ came, the revelation reached its zenith.

Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence.

If we want to know the Father, we simply look at the Son. The Lord Jesus Christ is the complete and definitive representation of the Father. He is the unequivocal embodiment of the Father’s essence.

The Greek word translated as representation or imprint is charakter. Charakter comes from the Greek verb charasso, to cut, to scratch, to mark. In its early usage, it referred to the tool used to mark or cut. Later it denoted the mark or impression made with the tool. Thus, it came to mean the exact reproduction (A.T. Robertson).

The second Greek word translated as nature or essence is hypostasis. It denotes the objective aspect and fundamental reality that underlies all things (Friberg). When applied to God, this word assumes a more abstract and philosophical connotation, making it challenging to grasp its full meaning (Moffatt). It is beyond our grasp to completely comprehend what it entirely means. In simple terms, the Son shares the same essence as God the Father, being fully God Himself. The Son is exactly like the Father.  

The Lord Jesus Christ is the exact representation, the imprint, of the Father’s nature and essence.

REFLECT & PRAY

Conceptually, we understand that the Father knows everything and desires only the best for every child of the King. But when it comes to the individual details of our everyday lives, do we really listen?

Father may I hear, listen, and receive what You are trying to communicate with me. May I respond accordingly?

INSIGHT

In the 21st century, copies of the Bible are plentiful throughout much of the world. In the United States, we tend to take them for granted. However, this is not the case for the rest of the world, nor has it been throughout history. Imagine for a moment what it would be like to have an unquenchable desire for something that meets the insatiable longing of our souls but find nothing that satisfies it. Then, unexpectedly, we stumble upon something extraordinary and marvelous that fills that void. It is more delightful and sweeter than the sweetest honey from the honeycomb (Psalms 19:10).

Such was the remarkable experience of the people of Israel after the Babylonian captivity. After enduring decades without access to the Word of God, they were finally granted the opportunity to listen to its teachings, internalize its wisdom, and experience an immense delight.

Just imagine being present among them as they gathered to hear Ezra recite the law of God for the very first time. Their innermost beings were saturated with profound truths as they absorbed them. Overwhelmed with indescribable joy, they found themselves filled with awe, euphoria, and an outpouring of spontaneous praise and worship toward the Father. In light of such a profound encounter, would you do anything less?

Nehemiah 8:1-10

 1 all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had given for Israel to obey.

 3 He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.

 4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. . ..

 5 Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.

 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.

 7 The Levites . . . then instructed the people in the Law while everyone remained in their places.

 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 And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate . . ..”

The people responded with eager attentiveness (Nehemiah 8:3), reverence and worship (Nehemiah 8:5-6), understanding (Nehemiah 8:7-8), and repentance Nehemiah 8:9) (Stanley).

The word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). As it reveals the Father to us, we are enriched yet convicted and experience a kind of inexplicable joyful sorrow. The Father offers us a personal, intimate relationship. It is a two-way communication. We speak to Him in honest, heartfelt prayer. We hear His voice as He speaks to our minds, hearts, and spirits.

Hebrews 3:15 Today, when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.

God continues to speak, but are we listening?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 5-20-1

© Dr. H 2023

The messenger ∙

The messenger ∙

I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. – Malachi 3:1

Malachi 3:1-5

 1 “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

 2 “But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes.

 3 He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the LORD.

 4 Then once more the LORD will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in the past.

 5 “At that time, I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers, and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

The close of the 20th century witnessed the emergence of a groundbreaking technology known as SMS (Short Message Service). Initially limited to alphanumeric characters, SMS swiftly expanded to encompass digital images, videos, sounds, and ideograms (emoji). SMS was first employed in the United Kingdom in 1992.

Text messaging, or simply texting, became a quick and easy way to meet and communicate.

Messaging, of course, is nothing new. In the Old Testament, the Father used His servants, the prophets, to communicate His messages. Messages bring good news or bad news and are often intended to challenge and provoke repentance and restoration.

The Hebrew word translated as messenger is malak. The Greek word for messenger is aggelos. From this, we get the English word angel. The name of the prophet Malachi translates into English as my messenger.

The prophet Malachi is the last writing prophet of the Old Testament. He prophesied between about 450 BC and 425 BC. The Father sent him to the Jewish people living in Judea after their return from the Babylonian exile. In the Protestant Bible, Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament. The end of his prophetic ministry inaugurated a time of silence from the Father that lasted over 400 years.

The silence was finally broken by John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness, preparing the way for the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The last Old Testament prophet anticipates the appearance of the first New Testament prophet, John the Baptist.

How do we know that John is the messenger that Malachi spoke of in his prophecy? So often, people simply share their opinions and ideas without any biblical basis. In this case, the Lord Jesus Christ identified John the Baptist as fulfilling Malachi’s prophecy.

Matthew 11:10 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.”

REFLECT & PRAY

The words of John the Baptist prepared a way in the wilderness for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Father within Your compassionate heart lies the desire to communicate with the children of the King. When You send forth Your messages, make my heart sensitive and open to receiving them. May the words of John the Baptist prepare the way in my heart to receive and walk with You fully.

INSIGHT

Malachi is among the most confrontational minor prophets. His book is a long, heated argument between Malachi, the Father’s servant, and the rebellious, materialistic religious leaders. After all, they have endured, they are still intractable and bellicose. Sadly, when they defied the Father, the living God, our misguided priorities moved them to make tremendously poor choices. Sadder still, they had learned little from the dreadful consequences of their actions: the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple, the cessation of the reign of Davidic kings, and 70 years of harsh, oppressive captivity.

They had returned from the Babylonian captivity. But rather than focusing on making things right, worshiping the Father, and restoring the Temple, they spent their time and resources on themselves. Rather than honoring the Father by offering top-of-the-line, spotless sacrifices, as required by the law of Moses, they presented the Lord God Almighty with their rejects, seconds, and paltry leftovers. Their trifling performance was essentially good for nothing.

If you were on the receiving end, how would you feel if something similar happened to you? The Father is livid! His words spoken through Malachi are burning hot. You almost have to duck as you read them.

Malachi 1:6-12

 6 “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name! But you ask, ‘How have we ever shown contempt for your name?’“

 7 “You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar. Then you ask, ‘How have we defiled the sacrifices?’ You defile them by saying the altar of the LORD deserves no respect.”

 8 “When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn’t that wrong? And isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

 10 “How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “and I will not accept your offerings.”

 12 “But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it’s all right to defile the Lord’s table.”

The people are in total denial. In essence, they are saying, “We have done nothing wrong! What’s the problem?” Besides, the Lord God Almighty does not truly deserve our best, does He? It’s just too much trouble!

Malachi 1:13 “You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the LORD,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the LORD.

Indeed, almost any reasoning child of the King would experience a sense of outrage towards such utter disrespect and contempt of the Father that they love. However, before we condemn them for their actions outright, a bit of self-reflection is in order. Are we free from similar attitudes? Do we give the Father our best? Or do we simply give Him what we have left over? What was the last time a church received a brand-new piano rather than a secondhand one?

In my mind’s eye, I visualize Malachi confronting me about my misplaced priorities and poor choices. My heart is sad; my countenance is fallen. I know in my heart of hearts I am not significantly different from ancient Israel.

The Father calls it robbery! Were they really stealing from the living God? Did they honestly think they could cheat Him of what He deserves? Indeed so! And what about us? Do we rob God (Malachi 3:8)?

Malachi is a book of transitions. His writings marked the end of the Old Testament itself. He is the last of the Old Testament messengers. His book inaugurates 400 years of silence from God. The silence is only broken by the messenger of which he prophesied. The Old Testament ended without the hoped-for, promised King or kingdom. The New Testament opens with the entrance of the King. The Father’s promised messenger introduces His promised King, the Lord Jesus Christ, to Israel (John 1:29-31).

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 5-12-1

© Dr. H 2023