Again Well it’s spring again. It’s also quickly approaching graduation time. The trees and flowers are in full bloom and the transformation from the dormant state of winter to the long, hot days of summer is in full swing. If you have read my posts over the last several years you might note that I tend to get a bit nostalgic during these seasons of change during the year. With that in mind, I would like to think with you about some of the things that we know about change and how we should deal with change as believers. Inevitable Change is inevitable. This can be both good and bad. This obviously means that change cannot be avoided. Sometimes when things are going well or we are experiencing a truly sweet time of blessing in our lives we can wish that everything would just stay that way. However, in reality, since you and I have not yet lived in a world free from the presence and consequences of sin, to stop even at the best of moments is to rob ourselves of the future glory that we will inherit (2 Corinthians 4). It is also a reality that the coming struggles, trials, and even sufferings will be used by God to produce the kind of maturity and obedience that brings God ultimate glory (1 Peter 1:3-12). This is why we exist so we can know that God is going to help us to grow in Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16). Beneficial On the other hand, when we are going through things that are very hard and difficult we can trust in the fact that, while our God does not change, our circumstances do change. This means that we will have the benefit of seeing the gloomy clouds part and the sun shine again. We know that no suffering will endure forever because we have God’s promises as a sure and steady anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:13-20). We must understand that most of the things that we celebrate in life are the result of positive changes that the Lord has brought about in our lives. Change is the flow that causes our lives to be like a pure bubbling spring not a stagnant pond. The beauty of the transformation that the Lord brings to each person who is born again is the most amazing testimony of positive change (Romans 12:1-2). Also the blessing of new life that invigorates a family when a precious baby is born. Or consider when a child is adopted into loving, believing homes out a difficult or dangerous situation. Also, when we celebrate a high school or college graduation or a couple entering into the covenant of marriage. All of these things are examples of the benefits and blessings of change happening in our lives. Unchangeable But we also must remember that in a world so full of changes and developments, we can rest because our one constant is that our God does not change (James 1:17-18). He is unchanged by anything that happens or could happen. This should give us amazing confidence because we can trust Him to bring about the promises He has made because those promises haven’t changed. It is also true that we can know that the character of God is trustworthy because He is consistent in His perfect character. Because our God does not change we can trust Him with all the twists and turns of our life and our eternity (Hebrews 13:8).
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That’s Good What are some things that you really enjoy? As you ponder the list that is forming in your head, consider the investment you are willing to make in those things or experiences. For instance, if you love a certain kind of food, you can go to restaurants that serve that food. You can also spend time learning the proper ingredients and techniques so that you can prepare your favorite meals yourself. You might even take a cooking class specializing in that type of food. You could even go to the extreme of learning to produce the necessary ingredients in your own garden or sourced from local farmers to have the freshest experience. What is described above is someone who is receiving a great amount of pleasure and is therefore willing to expend a great amount of effort for this experience. However this is not the kind of lazy seeking of instant gratification that is common in our comfortable western culture today. Often we think that the problem in our world is the appetite for pleasure, but actually the problem is our willingness to settle for less than what will bring the maximum amount of joy. The sure and clear path to our lasting and satisfying joy is the straight and narrow journey (Matthew 7:13-14) in the footsteps of our Savior and following the voice of our Good Shepherd (John 10:1-16). Imagine the sheep traversing the difficult trail around the mountain and down to the lush green meadows of the valley by the gently babbling brook. If a sheep instead turned aside to munch some weeds along the way instead of staying on the path, then soon it would be lost and in danger of ravenous wolves. This poor pathetic sheep has also missed out on the joy being experienced by the rest of the flock in the fresh field. My point is that our real joy is found in the blessing and will of God, and it is worth pursuing that joy rather than the weeds of the world. Diligent Study In the 111th Psalm we are told that the works of the Lord are great and that those works are studied by all who delight in them (Psalm 111:2). Notice that the person who delights in the works of God also studies the works of God. Like the person who discovers a new favorite food and learns to make it because it is such a joy. Consider the Razorback fans right now who will seek to learn everything they can about each new recruit coming through the transfer portal. The reality is that we are prone to study those things about which we truly care. But does it really mean to study? The dictionary defines study as the devotion of time and attention to acquiring knowledge or a detailed investigation and analysis of a subject or situation. Bible study is not something that just happens randomly but it is the purposeful setting of our hearts and minds on God’s word for the magnification of His glory and our joy! People with regenerate hearts and renewed minds (Romans 12:2) have an appetite and hunger for the word of God. My goal in this post is not to dictate methods or plans for how you must study the Scriptures. (I do have opinions on that also.) But I must ask you: Are the great works of God studied by you? Because the Psalmist again says that those things are studied by ALL who delight in them! All does not leave room for you or I to be in a different category. The only categories are those who do not study because they have no taste for the glorious deeds of divinity. And those who do study God and His works because they desire the delightful delicacy of His glory. The Eclipse The recent eclipse on April 8th was a very impressive thing to experience. To be honest, I don’t know what I was expecting. The kind of hype that I had heard was that it would be an amazing thing to see and it would fully live up to the anticipation. I had seen videos where people would scream and cry and express many emotions when viewing the totality. I did not experience any of that but, I was impressed to see the phenomenon. One thing that stood out to me was that what really made this a big deal was that most of us had never seen one and would never see one again. The sight was beautiful and astonishing but I was struck by the thought that if we had one daily or weekly, we would probably become immune to the amazement. Rareness makes us think of things as special and often regularly repeated things get disregarded simply for being common. Later that same day, I happened to be outside at sunset. I noticed just how glorious the sunset was as I contemplated this majesty. I was reminded that I ought to be attentive to the many amazing ways that God so richly displays His glory, both those that are rare and those that are regular. Sustained Glory As mentioned above, our sense of wonder and awe can often become dull from regular repeated exposure. But if this is true, how will we not become numb to the glory of God in His eternal presence forever in our future? I propose that this is a serious issue because we were created to worship. It is our purpose as the image bearers of God to eternally magnify and rejoice in the glory of God. As the catechism says our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. But will we be able to sustain such astonishment, such wonder, such awe! I think that there could be many facets to consider about this question but here I would like to consider just two. The first point to consider is probably the one that we all assume most naturally. That is that God’s glory unveiled and unmediated will be of a kind and scale so great that we will always be overwhelmed with His greatness. I am sure that this is true. Consider the last chapter of the Bible (Revelation 22:1-4). Here the Lord describes through the Apostle John this eternal scene. One thing that we must not overlook is the newness of this place. We are told that the river of life is flowing out from the throne of God and Christ. Flowing rivers are pictures of continual renewal. If I go down to the Buffalo river today and swim I cannot return and swim in the same water tomorrow because the water is constantly flowing. Also, on either side of this river the tree of life is yielding its fruit every month. Also, the night never comes for the light of God's glory shines on for this glorious eternal day. The point I am making is that God’s glory and our eternal existence is perpetually new. The newness will never wear off because we will be living in the eternal newness of God’s glory. I, of course, cannot explain how this is or how we will experience it for no one has yet to experience it but we will! Eternal Capacity The second aspect that we also must remember is that we will not be the same as we are now. Of course in this life the things around us get tarnished and fade from their youthful beauty. But in eternity it is not only our surroundings that will be renewed but us also. We will be living in glorified bodies! We will be thinking with renewed minds! We will be hearing with perfected ears! We will be seeing with clear eyes! We will be loving with our regenerate hearts unbound by even the presence of sin! My point is that we will be different. We will have the capacity to glorify, worship, rejoice, and enjoy God that we cannot now even fathom. I believe that this is what the Apostle Paul referred to as an eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). As wonderful as the Eclipse was, it was beheld by my fallen and frail eyes. But when we see Jesus in glory, we will see Him as He is and be like Him (1 John 3:2). This means that we will be able to experience the glory perfectly and fully! The Eclipse It seems that there are many different emotions and opinions surrounding the upcoming solar eclipse. Many people are excited about the opportunity for what, for many of us, will be a once in a lifetime event. On the other hand, many others are pursuing an economic profit from the visiting spectators. Still, many others are concerned about problems that could range from minor inconveniences to full on catastrophes. Finally, I am sure that many people are just ready for it to all be over. However, it does seem that those who have experienced a total eclipse almost universally report a significant experience. I am sure that that type of experience is a mix of expectations and surprises. Those who come to the eclipse with scientific interest probably are impressed by what they can learn and observe in the event. Others who come to the eclipse with spiritual, even pagan or mystic expectation, will probably have some sort of sensual experience. Still others will witness the rare and incredible product of our awesome and sovereign God through His own creation. Remember, the heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1). Danger It is amazing to me how everyone is so attracted to some fleeting moments of darkness. I know that there will be interesting things to observe in the daytime sky which are usually obscured by the sheer brilliance of our sun, but still, we do experience darkness every night. The fascination with the totality of darkness illustrates a Biblical truth. Jesus tells Nicodemus that the light of God had come into the world. He meant that He was the light meant to lead those who could see and love the light to eternal life by trusting in Him (John 3:19-21). But Jesus also points out in this same text that humanity loves darkness because man’s deeds are evil. The point is that darkness helps us to hide both our sin and the shame and guilt that comes with our sin. Even in a society that seems to flaunt even grotesque sin in the broad daylight, it is still true that men love to hide away their sins in the darkness. Darkness is dangerous not only because it affords us the opportunity to hide our sin from others but we can often even deceive ourselves as long as the light does not expose our evil deeds. As long as we remain trapped in the practice of wicked works we will continue to seek out the darkness rather than the light because we know that our deeds are evil. However, when by God’s grace and through faith in Jesus, we are delivered from the domain of darkness by having all our sin forgiven, we now come to the light (Colossians 1:13-14). This sudden attraction to the light is not to show off that we are now doing right and true things but rather to glorify God who is the source of these righteous actions (John 3:21). Impact So what should we do with this eclipse as believers? First, we should seek to behold the glory and grandeur of God in the breathtaking beauty and vastness of His creation. Second, we should not be looking for this eclipse to fulfill biblical prophecies. Let me give you a couple of reasons. The texts dealing with the darkening of the sun or signs in the moon and stars were primarily figurative and most, if not all, have already been fulfilled in the immediate context of the Bible. But even if that is not the case there is no reason to interpret prophecies given to Israel or the first century Roman world about signs in the heavens to be fulfilled over North America. Finally, we should look for every opportunity to use this eclipse to tell others about the true light who has come into the world. The greatest experience a person could have on April 8, 2024 is to come to a saving faith and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 8:12). |
AuthorEddie Ragsdale Archives
May 2024
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