Dr H Reflections

To an unknown God ∙∙∙

To an unknown God ∙∙∙

God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.” – Exodus 3:14

Acts 17:23-31

23 As I was walking along, I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.
24 He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples,
25 and human hands can’t serve his needs – for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need.

27 His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him– though he is not far from any one of us.

30 God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him.
31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.

From Concept to Communion

Would it be too radical to suggest that most individuals throughout the millennia, irrespective of their geographic location, have possessed some concept of God? People everywhere have asked, “Who or What is God?” Yet, when we speak of God, we are somewhat limited by the English language. English uses a single term, “God,” to signify both the concept of God and the person of God.

When we use the term “God,” especially in English, we risk oversimplification. One word stands in for both the idea of God and the person of God. Yet, the difference between a concept of God and the living God revealed in Scripture is vast and deeply significant.

Limits the Concept of God

Theism, the prevailing Western view of God, offers a lofty vision. It posits God as the creator of the universe, endowed with omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, and unmatched moral perfection. While this philosophical framework is compelling, it falls short of capturing the vibrant, personal essence of the God of Scripture. A concept can be admired, dissected, and debated, but it cannot truly be known.

This is a grand vision, but it’s worth pausing to reflect. It is essential to distinguish the things that differ. Is there a difference between the concept of God and the living God revealed in the Scriptures? Absolutely.

Consider Moses. When he stood before the burning bush at Mount Sinai, he wasn’t encountering a concept. Moses, a man raised amidst the majestic pagan deities of Egypt and grounded in the faith of his Hebrew ancestors, already understood the idea of God. Yet, this moment was extraordinary. He wasn’t facing a vague, distant, unknowable force. He was standing in the presence of the living, personal God.

Introducing “I AM”

Moses was driven by curiosity and caught up in the moment. Moses was now in face-to-face contact with the God of his fathers, the living, personal God. Heretofore, He was simply known as “He-Who-Has-No-Name” (The Ten Commandments) or simply “The Unknown God.”

So, driven by awe and necessity, Moses asked, “What is Your name?” He knew the children of Israel would demand an answer as to who sent him to set them. A mere nameless concept wouldn’t suffice.

At that moment, God declared, “I AM WHO I AM. Tell them I AM [Yahweh] has sent you” (Exodus 3:13-14).

The Lord revealed Himself not as a fleeting abstraction but as an eternal, self-existent person. The declaration “I AM” signifies a God who is always present and personal, bridging the gap between knowing about God and truly knowing Him.

This revelation wasn’t new but a continuation of the personal encounters woven into the history of Israel. Adam walked with God in the garden, hearing His voice directly. Noah trusted God’s specific instructions to build the ark. Abraham heard promises spoken to him personally while Jacob wrestled with Him face-to-face. These stories and oral traditions were the heartbeat of the Jewish people. At the time of Moses, they had not yet been collated and gathered into the single book we now call Genesis. That great privilege and honorable task would fall to Moses.

An Invitation to Relationship

Moses’ writings, beginning with Genesis, unveil the heart of God for His creation. They remind us that God’s name matters because it points to His desire for connection. Scripture introduces us to Yahweh, the God who calls us by name. He invites relationship. Moses encountered the Father God of Scripture: a living being to love, trust, and relate to, not a distant “Unknown God” or “From Concept to Communion” as earlier generations might have whispered.

Unlike vague deities that don’t engage, Yahweh is present and active in our lives, captured in Exodus 3 when Moses learns His name. Through the name of Yahweh and His ultimate revelation in the Lord Jesus Christ, we recognize that God’s desire for connection is both remarkable and deeply significant. He is not merely a concept but a personal Savior who invites us into a deep communion.

Moses recorded his interaction with the Father in Exodus 3:13-14: “Then Moses said to God, ‘If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, “The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,” they will ask me, “What is his name?” Then what should I tell them?’ God replied to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.’”

The choice is ours. Will we remain content with a concept, or will we step into the deeper reality of a God who longs to be known? His hand is extended to all who seek Him. He is not an idea to grasp but a living God to meet.

REFLECT & PRAY

As A.W. Tozer warned, “Nothing twists and deforms the soul more than a low or unworthy conception of God.”

Father, thank You for being more than a human construct or a fleeting thought. You see past my ignorance, pursue me, and reveal Yourself as I AM—personal, present, and real.

INSIGHT

To Know the Unknown God

The Greeks of the ancient world were famous for their pantheon of gods, a vast collection of deities whose stories permeated their culture. Names like Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, and Apollo are still familiar to us today. Yet despite their devotion to these gods, the Greeks’ concept of divinity was fragmented and flawed. Their gods were changeable, selfish, and unpredictable. And in their fear of offending a deity they might have overlooked, the Athenians built an altar dedicated “To an Unknown God.”

This altar was meant to serve as a safety net, which reflected their uncertainty and spiritual restlessness. They felt there might be more to the divine than they understood, but they couldn’t grasp it. When the Apostle Paul visited Athens, he used this altar as a bridge, a starting point to introduce them to the one true God.

Introducing the True and Living God

Paul masterfully connected with the Athenians by pointing to their own altar. Their altar, erected “To an Unknown God,” provided common ground for communication. He seized the opportunity to speak of the true and living Father God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul used the concept of God as a launching point, a bridge to explain the personal God. He opened his speech in Acts 17 with these words: Acts 17:23: “For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: ‘To an Unknown God.’ So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship–and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.”

From there, Paul revealed the profound truth about the God they had missed. Unlike their deities, who were limited and required human worship to stay relevant, the true God is infinite, self-sufficient, and deeply personal. Paul described Him as the Creator of the entire universe, the one who gives life and breath to every living thing.

“He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since He is the Lord of heaven and earth, He doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve His needs–for He has no needs. He Himself gives life and breath to everything, and He satisfies every need.” (Acts 17:24-25)

The purpose of this God, Paul explained, was not simply to exist as a distant deity but to draw each person into a relationship with Him.

“His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him–though He is not far from any one of us.” (Acts 17:27)

A Personal, Infinite God

Unlike the fickle, capricious deities of Greek mythology, the God of Scripture is both infinite and personal. He is near and accessible, yet so vast in His glory that we can never fully fathom Him. This paradox is captured beautifully in art, such as Michelangelo’s famous fresco in the Sistine Chapel.

“On the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, there are the tremendous frescoes by Michelangelo. Among them is the magnificent picture of the creation of man. God is reaching out His finger, and man, just having been created, reaches out to God as well. But their fingers do not touch. This is a true Christian insight” (Francis A. Schaeffer).

The Father God of Scripture is personal yet infinite, close at hand yet distant. Being a person, He thinks, feels, and desires to enter into a relationship with the people He created in His image. His desire for connection is not distant or abstract; it is deeply personal. He reached out to humanity through His Son, Jesus Christ, offering an invitation to know Him, not just in passing but with intimacy and depth.

To Truly Know Him

The apostle Paul sought to know Him. He expressed this longing to know God personally and deeply. His words in Philippians 3 reflect the heart of a man who sought not just knowledge of God but communion with Him.

Philippians 3:10: “That I may know Him.”

To truly know Christ is more than studying theology or gathering intellectual understanding. It’s about experiencing Him and being united with Him in a personal relationship. It’s living in such intimacy with Christ that His life becomes interwoven with our own. It’s not an abstract knowledge of who He is but a shared experience of His presence, His love, and His grace.

William Barclay captures this truth perfectly, saying, “To know Christ is not to be skilled in any theoretical or theological knowledge; it is to know Him with such intimacy that in the end, we are as united with Him as we are with those whom we love on earth, and that just as we share their experiences, so we also share His.”

God did not create us merely to believe in Him from a distance. Faith is good, but it’s not the end goal. It is not good enough for eternity! Knowing Him is. He calls us to a relationship where we can not only understand His truths but walk with Him daily, experiencing His presence in real and tangible ways.

An Invitation

It is not enough to know about Him. He created us to know Him. He seeks us out. The altar to the Unknown God was a symbol of spiritual searching. But Paul’s message reminds us that we don’t need to search blindly. The Father has revealed Himself to us through Jesus Christ, inviting us into the most profound relationship possible.

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Be pitiful ∙∙

Be pitiful ∙∙

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. – Romans 15:5

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.

The Timeless Power of Kindness

In 1897, a simple but profound message was shared by The Reverend John Watson, writing under his pen name, Ian Maclaren. Invited by the British Weekly to provide a Christmas message, his response was astonishingly brief yet deeply moving. He wrote, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

Over time, the wording shifted slightly to, “Be pitiful, for everyone is fighting a hard battle.” At the time, “pitiful” did not carry the negative connotations we associate with it today. Before the twentieth century, pitiful and kindness were nearly synonymous. It was a word laden with compassion, tender mercy, and a genuine sense of care for others. To be pitiful meant to be full of pity, offering kindness without expectation or condition.

Kindness in Times of Crisis

The enduring truth behind Maclaren’s words has echoed through generations, yet it found fresh relevance during the unprecedented challenges of recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world faced unrelenting hardship. Fear, isolation, and uncertainty touched nearly every life. And in the midst of that darkness, small acts of kindness became glowing beacons of hope.

People reached out in ways both big and small. Whether it was a phone call to check on a loved one, dropping off groceries for an elderly neighbor, or just offering a word of encouragement, these seemingly simple actions carried extraordinary weight. They reminded us that even in times of great struggle, we are connected by our shared humanity.

The spirit of kindness is beautifully expressed in another timeless phrase coined by Anne Herbert in 1985, “Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” This sentiment became a rallying cry for many during the pandemic, urging us to extend generosity and care to others.

Kindness, as Herbert described, is not about deciding who is deserving. It’s not our role to sit as judges, weighing the worthiness of others before we decide to lend a helping hand. Josh Radnor said, “We just need to be kind, unconditionally and without ulterior motive, even–or rather, especially–when we’d prefer not to be.”

REFLECT & PRAY

Being kind takes strength, courage, and genuine concern for the welfare of others. When we choose kindness, we mirror God’s own tenderheartedness toward us.

Father, encourage me to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving in the same way that you have been to me. May my life be a reflection of Your love, and may my actions bring hope where it’s most needed.

INSIGHT

Finding Strength in Compassion

Life in our fallen world often feels like an unrelenting battle. We face doubts that linger, fears that grip us, and wounds from the past that never seem to heal completely. These hurts from yesterday cast shadows over today, influencing our reactions in ways that reveal the depth of our unresolved pain. We may think we’ve moved on, but the sting of old insults and offenses reminds us otherwise.

Yet, as time passes, our struggles reveal a profound truth. Battles we face are mirrored in the lives of others. This realization awakens something in us. Sympathy gives way to empathy. We begin to grasp and understand the common path we all walk, which reshapes our relationships in a fresh perspective.

James 1:20 reminds us, “Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” Clinging to anger, regret, or resentment cannot yield the goodness God seeks to cultivate in us. There has to be a better way.

A Call to Compassion

The Apostle Paul provides this better way in Ephesians 4:32 with simple yet profound guidance, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

Paul’s words invite us to transform our relationships by reflecting the same tenderheartedness and forgiveness we have received through Jesus Christ. We’re reminded that we are forgiven entirely, immersed in divine grace. The transformation we’ve experienced calls us to extend that same grace to others. This is not simply a guideline; it is a reflection of the gospel in action.

Paul expands on this in Colossians 3:12-13, where he writes, “Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you.”

This new life we’re called to live is more than theoretical. It requires action. Just as we put on clothes each day, we are to clothe ourselves with compassion and mercy, aware of the struggles others endure. True compassion means moving beyond mere feeling to desire to ease the pain of those around us.

“Compassion is often expressed in figurative language, for example, ‘your heart should go out to others,’ or ‘you should feel sorrow in your heart for others,’ or ‘you should weep in your insides because of others’” (UBS).

Kindness, born of compassion, becomes the next step. Kindness, or chrestotes in Greek, is “the virtue of considering another’s well-being as equal to your own.” “It’s a selfless outward focus that requires courage and strength, particularly when kindness must be extended without regard for another’s perceived worthiness.”

Mark Twain beautifully noted, “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” It transcends barriers and touches hearts in ways words cannot. It is truth wrapped in gentleness, reaching beyond personal comfort to extend hope to those in need.

Learning Through Struggles

The Father, in His infinite wisdom, has a unique way of preparing His children to offer kindness and bring comfort to others. This preparation takes place in an extraordinary school with a challenging curriculum. It’s sometimes called the School of Sorrow.

This lifelong program invites us to experience pain and hardship firsthand. But we do not face these troubles alone. The Father is there in the midst of our deepest struggles, offering His comfort. Each sorrow we endure teaches us something new about His care; the comfort we receive is tailored to our specific circumstances.

Through this process, He equips us with the ability to comfort others. What we learn in the School of Sorrow becomes a gift we can share, offering hope and healing to those in the midst of their own pain. Paul writes of this truth in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “The God of all comfort…comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

The difficulties we face become tools in God’s hands, shaping us into helpers. Far from making us bitter, they allow us to become vessels of His grace, prepared to minister to others as we’ve been ministered to. The school of sorrow is challenging, but it is a place of redemption where suffering is never wasted.

Reflecting the Father’s Love

Mr. Rogers once said, “When I was a boy and would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” This simple advice points to a profound truth. The world may be filled with countless battles, but God is working through His children to bring comfort and kindness even in the darkest times.

The road is often hard, but through the Father’s comfort, we find the strength to help others. Every moment of sorrow prepares us to be a light for someone else. And when we choose kindness, driven by divine love, we show the world the power of His redemptive grace. Wherever you are in life, remember that God is both your comforter and your teacher. Lean into His love, and He will guide you to be a helper in a world that desperately needs it.

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Repentance without regret ∙∙

Repentance without regret ∙∙

“How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace.” – Luke 1:25

Luke 1:11-24

11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar.
12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.
13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son; you are to name him John.”
17 “He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”
18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”
19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!”
24 Soon afterward, his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months.

The Transformative Power of Repentance

Sorrow comes in many shades, and words like regret, remorse, repentance, anguish, and shame are often used to describe these deep emotions. Yet, two of these terms, regret, and repentance, are often treated as if they are the same. A closer look shows they carry very different meanings and implications.

Regret is a painful emotion, a reaction to past mistakes, failures, or missed opportunities. It pulls us into a loop of guilt, shame, or even anger, as we replay old memories over and over. Regret is about feeling bad, but it doesn’t naturally lead to change. It’s grief without resolution, turning our focus inward to the mistakes we’ve made and the consequences we’ve felt.

Repentance, however, is about more than sorrow. It’s not just a feeling of regret; it’s a conscious decision to change. Repentance begins in the mind, a commitment to turn away from harmful choices and align ourselves with righteous ones. Repentance is about learning from one’s mistakes and making a genuine effort to avoid repeating them. It’s marked by action, by taking steps to grow, learn, and become better. While repentance may involve remorse, it is forward-moving by its very nature, ushering in positive transformation and a renewed relationship with God.

A Story of Waiting and Redemption

To see the beauty of repentance unfold, consider the story of Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah. Elizabeth lived for years under the weight of regret and shame because she was childless. In her time and culture, barrenness was often seen as a sign of God’s disfavor (1 Samuel 1:5-6). Though she and Zechariah were righteous and faithful to God, their lack of children cast a shadow over their lives and put them in the judgmental spotlight of a gossiping community. Yet, Elizabeth held onto faith, continuing to walk in obedience even when her circumstances didn’t seem to reflect God’s favor.

Then, in His timing, the Father intervened. He sent His angel Gabriel to deliver a message straight from His throne. Elizabeth would have a son, a miracle child who would become John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah foretold in Isaiah 40:3-5.

The timing, while long delayed from a human perspective, was divinely orchestrated. Why did the Father wait so long? His timing is always perfect. John’s birth had to align precisely with the arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though Elizabeth and Zechariah were well beyond the typical childbearing age (Luke 1:6), their lives reminded the world that nothing is impossible with God. Just as He brought life through Sarah’s barren womb to establish the nation of Israel, He brought life through Elizabeth to prepare the way for His Son.

Romans 4 speaks to the kind of faith that drives trust in God’s promises, even when circumstances seem hopeless.

Romans 4:19-21: “And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead – and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this, he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.”

Zechariah, however, faced doubts. His moment of questioning drew a direct response from the angel Gabriel, whose reply left no room for argument.

Luke 1:19: “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was He who sent me to bring you this good news!”_

In spite of their doubts, God’s plan unfolded, revealing His goodness and sovereignty.

REFLECT & PRAY

Scripture makes it clear that God doesn’t waste sorrow. Regret, shame, and guilt can weigh us down, but in His hands, these heavy emotions can be tools for transformation. While regret on its own leaves us stuck in the past, God uses godly sorrow to push us toward repentance and renewal.

Father, take away my feelings of loss and remorse and grant me a renewed spirit to live and serve You without regret or shame.

INSIGHT

From Sorrow to Restoration

The Father has a unique way of dealing with regret, shame, and the consequent sense of inadequacy and self-doubt they produce. The Father turns it around by using sorrow to produce repentance without regret.

2 Corinthians 7:9-10 “9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret . . ..”

How did the Father bring about this miraculous occurrence? How did He do it? The ultimate resolution for our guilt, shame, and regret was accomplished through Jesus Christ on the cross. Isaiah 53 describes the profound weight He carried to free us from the chains of sin and sorrow once and for all.

Isaiah 53:3-10: “He was despised and rejected, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief . . .. Surely, he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin . . ..”

Every child of the King is cleansed completely the moment they accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. We only have to appropriate it by faith to make it real in our lives. The Lord Jesus Christ died not only for our sins but also for our personal guilt, shame, and feelings of inadequacy. Through His blood, we are redeemed, and our guilt is permanently removed. Although we may stumble in this fallen world as we walk with the Father, feelings of shame and regret are entirely avoidable. This is terrific news!

From Regret to Repentance

How do we move from regret to repentance? The answer lies in surrendering to God’s truth and trusting in His capacity to bring about change. Mary, the mother of Jesus, demonstrates this beautifully in her response to the angel Gabriel’s astonishing news. Instead of resisting God’s plan or pleading for it to be altered, she responds with simple, profound faith.

“May Your will be done,” she says (Luke 1).

The Father has given His children a marvelous gift of a clean slate. It is time to actualize it and put the past behind us.

Gabriel stood in the very presence of God. Where do you stand?

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The haves and the have-nots ∙∙∙

The haves and the have-nots ∙∙∙

A great chasm is fixed so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able and that none may cross over from there to us. – Luke 16:26

Luke 16:19-31

19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.”
20 “At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores.”

22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried,”
23 “and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.”
24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’”
25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.’”

26 “‘And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’”
27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home.’”
28 “For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’”
29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’”
30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’”
31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Divided by Badges, United by Truth

In 2021, a peculiar social phenomenon emerged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, one that went beyond health concerns—Vaccine Envy. This cultural epidemic led to heightened vaccine anxiety and changed the way society functioned, centering interactions on whether someone had been vaccinated. What unfolded next further divided humanity into two distinct groups—the “haves” who had received the vaccine and the “have-nots” who had not.

For the vaccinated, life began to resemble fragments of pre-pandemic normalcy. Gyms, restaurants, travel, and social gatherings became privileges for those who could prove their vaccination status. This created the contours of a two-tiered society, echoing the dynamics of separation that the world had sought to overcome.

Denmark, for example, introduced the “green badge,” which was awarded only to individuals who had been vaccinated. This badge granted access to public spaces like gyms, hotels, and pools. Similarly, Israel implemented “vaccine passports,” allowing vaccinated individuals to travel freely and reenter the global tourism sphere. Meanwhile, IBM developed a “digital health pass” to help organizations verify vaccination status before granting access to sporting events, workplaces, or public venues.

Regulatory bodies like the CDC reinforced this divide by promoting guidelines that granted immunity privileges. Fully vaccinated individuals could gather indoors or outdoors without masks—so long as everyone in attendance was also fully vaccinated. Yet for the unvaccinated, those glimpses of normalcy remained just out of reach, and societal interactions were riddled with friction.

History Repeats Itself

How ironic that in an age of progressing social awareness and deliberate efforts to dismantle class structures, an entirely new division was erected. New badges emerged, each a status symbol dictating the haves and have-nots in a modern context. Society was bifurcated anew. The catchphrase of the day demanded “your-papers-please.” Proof of vaccination came to represent inclusion, much like the possession of material wealth defined access in centuries past.

Even more paradoxical was Israel’s pivotal role in implementing “green badges,” given its painful legacy with mandatory badges in the past. Throughout history, Jewish people wore “yellow badges,” marked with the Star of David, to identify them as outsiders. From forced badges in the Middle Ages to the Holocaust’s deeply dehumanizing yellow insignia, these markers symbolized division and ostracism. They indicated they were the have-nots, the outsiders. How strange it was, then, that badges would make a resurgence—albeit for different reasons—and draw lines anew.

This time, however, the division was not based on ancestry but on something society framed as a choice. Yet the result was eerily similar—separation, privilege, and exclusion.

REFLECT & PRAY

There is a tendency among people to set expectations regarding what God must do for them so that they might be willing to believe. They already have all the Truth they need through Moses, the prophets, and the New Testament. Yet, how many people will say that if I had known the Truth, they would have acted differently?

Father, thank You for making Truth accessible to everyone so that they might repent, believe, and be saved. Thank You for touching the hearts of Your children and leading them to Your grace.

INSIGHT

A Tale of Two Destinies

In Luke 16, the Lord Jesus told the parable of a rich man and a poor beggar named Lazarus. Their lives were worlds apart, divided by class, wealth, and health. The rich man lived in luxury and ignored suffering Lazarus, who lay at his gate, longing for scraps from his table. Though their lives intersected, their fates were eternally separated, first by indifference and later by faith—or the lack of it.

Both men eventually died and arrived in Hades, the realm of the dead. Yet again, an impassable chasm lay between them. This time, the division wasn’t about their earthly status but the condition of their hearts. There, once again, they are separated by a great chasm. But this time, the separation is based upon the response to the truth of the Word of God. Lazarus, who had faith, was carried to Abraham’s bosom, a place of comfort. The rich man, who ignored the Truth, found himself in torment.

The Consequences of Choice

One might ask, “How could a loving Father send someone to a place of torment?” Yet the heart of this parable isn’t about divine judgment as much as it’s about personal responsibility. The separation in Hades is the direct result of choices made during life. God didn’t place the rich man in torment—his own unbelief did. He had heard the Scriptures, which consistently pointed to the coming Messiah who saves people from sin. He chose to dismiss that Truth and his hard-heartedness sealed his fate.

It’s ironic that the rich man only begins to pray in Hades only after facing the consequences of his choices. From his place of suffering, he calls out to Abraham, pleading for mercy and relief. He even requests that Lazarus—whom he ignored during life—be sent to warn his brothers so they might avoid the same outcome (Luke 16:30). His newfound concern for others might seem noble at first. However, Abraham’s reply reveals an essential truth about human nature and disbelief.

Hearing but Not Heeding

Abraham tells the rich man, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:31). This statement underscores a sobering reality—miracles cannot cure willful unbelief. At any given moment, every person has access to enough Truth through Scripture to recognize their need for repentance and salvation. But if someone refuses to act on the Truth, they already have, no additional evidence will convince or change them.

The underlying issue is not the lack of Truth but the condition of the heart. A hardened heart, resistant to God, clings to darkness rather than turning to light. The rich man failed to respond to the Truth in life, and now it was too late. Similarly, his brothers already had the message of Moses and the Prophets—the Word of God guiding them to salvation. Whether they would believe it or ignore it was up to them.

John 3 reminds us of the eternal implications of belief and unbelief. John 3:36 says, “And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

The truth is out there for anyone and everyone to find and accept. Every person has the opportunity to see and accept the Truth. But that opportunity has a definitive expiration—the end of life on Earth.

Accepting the Greatest Opportunity

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is not just a story about two vastly different individuals; it’s a reflection of how we respond to the greatest of opportunities. The Father sent His Son not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17). Those who respond in faith step into the light, receiving eternal life. But those who cling to sin and reject the light remain in darkness, separated by their own choices.

Galatians 6:8 gives us this simple yet powerful reminder, “Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will reap everlasting life from the Spirit.”

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus invites us to examine our lives and choices. It challenges us to consider what awaits us when life on Earth reaches its conclusion. The time to act is today—tomorrow is never guaranteed. Faith is the bridge that connects us to the eternal promise of life with the Father. Don’t procrastinate. No one knows their expiration date until it’s too late.

In John 3:17-20 the Lord Jesus Christ laid out the facts for all to consider: God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world but to save the world through him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.

The judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it, fearing their sins will be exposed.

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What is the biggest mistake you have ever made? ∙∙∙

What is the biggest mistake you have ever made? ∙∙∙

But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not a prophet of the LORD still here, that we may ask him?” – 2 Chronicles 18:6

2 Chronicles 18:1-2

1 Jehoshaphat enjoyed great riches and high esteem, and he made an alliance with Ahab of Israel by having his son marry Ahab’s daughter.
2 A few years later he went to Samaria to visit Ahab, who prepared a great banquet for him and his officials. They butchered great numbers of sheep, goats, and cattle for the feast. Then Ahab enticed Jehoshaphat to join forces with him to recover Ramoth-Gilead.

The Danger of Compromising Choices

Why partner? When companies partner in today’s competitive world, their goal is often to create “synergistic momentum,” combining resources and expertise to achieve something greater than either can manage alone. This concept of partnership is not new; in fact, it mirrors the partnerships we see throughout history, some of which are wise and others woefully misguided.

Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, made a grave mistake with significant consequences. For all of his commendable qualities as a godly leader, he had a blind spot—his alliances. His decision to partner with the infamous King Ahab of Israel would become one of the biggest mistakes of his life. This alliance wasn’t born of prayer or wisdom but of flattery and persuasion. Jehoshaphat neglected to seek the Father’s counsel and nearly paid with his life.

Consequences of an Unequal Alliance

The northern and southern tribes of Israel were divided at this time in history. Jehoshaphat ruled the southern kingdom of Judah, while Ahab—an evil and deceitful king—ruled the northern kingdom of Israel. Ahab was a real piece of work. He was notorious for his corruption and idol worship, yet Jehoshaphat allowed himself to be drawn into collaboration with him.

What did Ahab do? Ahab’s approach was cunning. He hosted Jehoshaphat with grand festivities, creating an atmosphere of pomp and circumstance. Imagine the imagery—royal processions, magnificent banquets, and flattery aplenty. Trumpets blaring, large crowds cheering, the Royal Orchestra of Samaria strikes up the equivalent of “Hail to the Chief.” It would have been epic. Ahab pulled every trick to inflate Jehoshaphat’s pride and lower his defenses. And it worked.

Undoubtedly, it would have gone right to Jehoshaphat’s head. His yarmulke probably stretched 2 or 3 sizes as his head swelled. But Ahab was only getting started. He wined and dined Jehoshaphat. Ahab presumably flattered Jehoshaphat with compliments and obsequious accolades. Jehoshaphat became utterly caught up in the moment.

Ahab had planted the hook. At the right moment, he yanked the string. He enticed Jehoshaphat to join forces with him to attack a mutual enemy. Foolishly, Jehoshaphat agreed. He neglected to confer with his current partner, the Father.

“Will you go with me to Ramoth-Gilead?” King Ahab asked. Without consulting the Lord, Jehoshaphat responded, “Why, of course! You and I are as one, and my troops are your troops. We will certainly join you in battle” (2 Chronicles 18:3).

The Hebrew term suth, meaning “entice” or “to persuade cunningly,” is used here. It carries with it a “tone of deception.” The same word is found in 1 Chronicles 21:1, where Satan incited David to take an unauthorized census, highlighting its deceptive nature.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Flirtation with those in apostasy is flirtation with catastrophe” (Thompson).

Father, grant me wisdom and discernment in my decisions. Strengthen me to stand firm in truth and refuse the influence of ungodly alliances. Help me to seek Your guidance in all things and trust in Your direction.

INSIGHT

Seeking the Lord—Too Late

Jehoshaphat was loopy from the wine but was not completely impaired. Jehoshaphat had one condition. Though swept up in the moment, Jehoshaphat eventually realized the gravity of his decision. Before the battle against Ramoth-Gilead, he finally paused to seek the Lord’s direction.

“But first, let’s find out what the LORD says” (2 Chronicles 18:4).

Jehoshaphat turned to the Lord after the agreement had already been made, placing him in a precarious situation. Ahab was not on good terms with the Father’s true prophets. He disdained them because they always told the truth. Ahab, who cared little for God’s truth. So the king of Israel [Ahab] summoned his prophets, 400 of them, and asked them, “Should we go to war against Ramoth-Gilead, or should I hold back?” They all replied, “Yes, go right ahead! God will give the king victory”(2 Chronicles 18:5).

But Jehoshaphat wasn’t entirely deceived. These hollow assurances didn’t align with the voice of truth. Jehoshaphat’s less-than-stellar judgment, with a pinch of pride, had got him into the present situation. Mercifully, he was not totally hoodwinked by every outright lie and subterfuge. As they say, he may have been born at night, but he had not been born “last night.”

Those who are used to handling the truth, the Word of God, have “their senses trained to discern good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14).

For Jehoshaphat, false prophets would not do. He insisted on hearing from a true prophet of the Lord. Knowing what the truth sounds like spoils you. Hearing the truth provides a built-in guard against deception and lies.

“Is there not also a prophet of the LORD here? We should ask him the same question” (2 Chronicles 18:6).

The Courage to Speak the Truth

Jehoshaphat’s insistence led Ahab to reach out to a true prophet of the Lord reluctantly. Ahab made no attempt to hide his contempt, saying, “There is one more man who could consult the LORD for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah.” (2 Chronicles 18:7).

Jehoshaphat was a bit appalled by Ahab’s response. Perhaps the dulling effect of the wine was wearing off. He replied, “That’s not the way a king should talk! Let’s hear what he has to say” (2 Chronicles 18:7).

Reluctantly, Ahab sent for Micaiah. But in the process, Ahab’s guy tried to put in the fix. He pressed Micaiah to give the same prediction as the false prophets. Micaiah would have nothing to do with it. That’s one of the things about God’s prophets; they tend to be harder than flint and do not back down from proclaiming the truth.

2 Chronicles 18:8, 12-13

8 So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Quick! Bring Micaiah.”

12 Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Micaiah said to him, “Look, all the prophets are promising victory for the king. Be sure that you agree with them and promise success.”
13 But Micaiah replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will say only what my God says.”

The Father calls His prophets “My servants.” They only say what He tells them to say. They do not add, take away, or alter His words. The Father’s words are the plumb line by which everything will be measured.

At this juncture, Micaiah was well aware of what was going on. Micaiah resorts to a bit of sanctified sarcasm.

2 Chronicles 18:14, 15

14 When Micaiah arrived before the king, Ahab asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-Gilead, or should I hold back?” Micaiah replied sarcastically, “Yes, go up and be victorious, for you will have victory over them!”
15 But the king replied sharply, “How many times must I demand that you speak only the truth to me when you speak for the LORD?”

Well, Ahab wasn’t stupid either, well, not that stupid. And he knew that Micaiah was not saying what God had revealed to him. He cries a few crocodile tears. He then calls out Micaiah. So, Micaiah comes clean and tells the rest of the story.

True prophets of God cannot be swayed by human opinion, and Micaiah stood firm in delivering the Lord’s warning. Initially using a touch of sarcastic humor, Micaiah appeared to echo the false prophets, but when pressed, he revealed the truth. His vision foretold disaster for Israel and Ahab’s death.

“In a vision, I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace’” (2 Chronicles 18:16).

Micaiah clearly prophesied Ahab’s death. Bad news, just what Ahab anticipated. He responded with fury. Though Micaiah’s words were clear, Ahab chose anger over wisdom. They had had him imprisoned on a diet of bread and water (2 Chronicles 18:25-26). Obstinate as ever, Ahab rejected God’s counsel and barrelled toward his doom.

Lessons from Jehoshaphat’s Mistake

Jehoshaphat’s story is a sobering reminder of the consequences of unwise alliances. His failure to seek the Lord’s guidance at the outset of his decision-making led him into a dangerous and compromising partnership. His eventual insistence on finding a true prophet highlights an enduring lesson—discernment and truth are critical safeguards against deception. Yet, in His mercy, God provides guidance and second chances. Through His Word and Spirit, He directs His children to walk in truth, offering protection and hope even after we have faltered.

The Word of God sharpens our ability to distinguish between truth and lies. “Their senses trained to discern good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). Those steeped in the truth develop spiritual insight that can protect them even when they’ve stumbled into error.

Jehoshaphat’s misstep underscores the importance of seeking God first in every decision. Compromising alliances can lead to disastrous outcomes when we fail to seek the Father’s wisdom and rely on our own understanding. Through His Word and Spirit, He directs His children to walk in truth, offering protection and hope even after we have faltered.

“If you play with fire, you get burned.” Instead, it is wiser to rely on the Father, who provides a safe and unwavering path forward.

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