HIS Inheritance

Posted on March 7, 2014 by jimtheyouthguy

Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on his head, kissed him and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you a ruler over His inheritance? (1Sa 10:1 NASB)

The people wanted a king.  God says, “You have rejected me.” (1 Sam 8:7 & 10:19).  He expands on that a little:

“Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day–in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods–so they are doing to you also. (1Sa 8:8 NASB)

We’ve seen this continually throughout the desert wandering, even at times in the conquest of Canaan, certainly in the book of Judges – over and over, the people turn away from God and are told to repent and return to Him alone and to get rid of the idols, whether those of their forefathers, of the Egyptians or of the people in the occupied land.  Even while they are crying out to Him, they still maintain their idols.  How frustrating it must be to have willful, defiant, self-interested children!

He tells Samuel, “They have rejected me,” but then look what Samuel says at the anointing of Saul (quote above).  Saul is appointed as ruler over God’s inheritance!

Despite the obstinate, defiant, ignorant, malcontent, disobedient, arrogant, malevolent, petulant, indolent and probably a few other “-ants or -ents”, God still views His people as precious – that special part that He has claimed as His own.  What an amazing love.  Despite all that has been done to separate man from God, God still loves – intensely.

And that is very good news for this obstinate, defiant, ignorant, malcontent, disobedient, arrogant, malevolent, petulant, indolent child of God.

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God Alone

Posted on March 6, 2014 by jimtheyouthguy

And it came about from the day that the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim that the time was long, for it was twenty years; and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD. (1Sa 7:2 NAS77)

The Israelites went out to battle with the Philistines and not only were they beaten badly, but they lost the Ark.  The Philistines took the captured ark and put it in the temple of Dagon, their god.  Soon they began to suffer with a plague that killed many and left others with tumors growing from their flesh.  They moved it from Ashdod to Gath and then from Gath to Ekron.  Everywhere it went, more death and disease followed.  Finally, the sent it back to Israel (It’s a great story – worthy of an epic film.  You can read it here.).

Once again,Israel laments after God – for 20 years.  Finally, Samuel comes to make sacrifices for the nation and to heal the breach between the people and God.  Immediately, we get this phrase:

If you return to the LORD with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the LORD and serve Him alone (verse 3)

All this time, it was God and . . .

Yes they cried out to God.  Yes there was a great lament.  But it was still the God of Israel, plus some others.  God is quite clear on this.  His expectation is that we worship Him alone.

During this Lenten season, as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our King, let’s look for the “foreign gods” that we need to remove from among us.

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The LORD shall rule over me . . .

Posted on March 5, 2014 by jimtheyouthguy

But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you.”
(Jdg 8:23 NAS77)

It seems so natural that there be someone in charge.  There has to be a boss.  A place where the buck stops.  Someone has to be responsible.

But what if God intended for each of His children to be responsible.  Could it be that maybe God is the One in charge?

When Israel finally got to the point where they demanded a king, God tells Samuel:

And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. “Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day–in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods–so they are doing to you also. (1Sa 8:7-8 NAS77)

God had given them all the commandments, laws and principles to live by.  All they needed to do was to serve Him and Him alone.  He was to be King over them.  Is it any different now?

I know it is tempting to say that since every thought of the heart of man is wicked (Gen 6:5), we need someone in charge.  But what we really need is God as our King.  Isn’t putting someone else in charge another way of saying, “It’s not my fault.”

Maybe the buck stops with me?!?

On this year’s Lenten journey, my theme will be “The LORD shall rule over me.”

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from the morning until now . . .

Posted on February 27, 2014 by jimtheyouthguy

“And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ Thus she came and has remained from the morning until now; she has been sitting in the house for a little while.” (Rth 2:7 NAS77)

Ruth was a “stranger” in the community, but God had provided for her.  In the Mosaic law, poverty was addressed and provision made for the widow, orphan and stranger.  The law spoke about not gleaning the fields or orchards, not harvesting to the edges, allowing fields to lay “fallow” (preparing the field, but not planting to allow it a “rest” – during this time, there was always wild production from seeds that had fallen and sprouted naturally) as provision for this need within the community.

Unfortunately, greed often led to ignoring these principles.  That was apparent in the admonition from both Boaz and Naomi to stay in his fields where she would be protected.  Not everyone felt this way.  Many land owners were not so observant.

But, even in that provisions, Ruth had responsibility.  She went, she asked, she gleaned.  The context seems to imply that she was somehow remarkable in her efforts.  She started early.  She worked hard.  She acted with respect.  She didn’t take a lot of breaks or complain.  The foreman noticed.  Boaz noticed.   There was something different in Ruth.

I spend a lot of time with addicts and homeless folk – usually at the jail.  They all talk about living a different life, but few of them actually do anything to change.  I could probably write a dozen posts on the many reasons why they are “trapped”.  They are victims of abuse, their past, addictions, oppression, discrimination, societal indifference, lack of resources, lack of education, low self-worth, mental disorder, family dysfunction, etc.

But, every now and then, maybe once or twice a year, I run into someone who is really trying.  They walk miles and miles to go to AA/NA meetings or school or both.  They get to their job by bicycle, bus or foot no matter what the weather.  They do without things others view as necessities simply because they can’t afford it.  They learn.  They serve.  They put their feet on the ground every morning and do something no matter how they feel.  They practice integrity even when it costs them.  Even in jail, they work to change who they are and how they see things.

These are the folks worth fighting for and investing in.  They are rare and special.  Not because they are gifted, blessed, fated, genetically superior or just plain lucky, but because they believe.  They believe that there is something different out there than what they have experienced in the past.  They believe that they have value to contribute to this world.  They believe that they have power to change their circumstances.  They believe that there is a power greater than themselves that believes in them.  And they try.

Ruth was rare and special.

Just like us.

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