Prayer's wardrobe

'I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness…' Isaiah 61:10.

           

Grandchildren in concert

God has certain ‘dress standards’ for His people. His requirement for priests was holiness when they came into His presence. The book of Leviticus stresses this fact over and over again. God delights also in the prayers of His people. Isaiah 56:7: ‘these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer...for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.’ That applies to a future temple but at the same time there is a glorious principle to apply to ourselves. We are the “household of God” (Hebrews 3:6) as well as being His temple. (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20) Such being the case implies God wants us all to be a ‘house of prayer’.  That means we must worship and serve Him in the beauty of Holiness. To approach Him otherwise is to be denied a hearing. Why? Isaiah 57:15: ‘this is what the high and lofty One says ―he who lives for ever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and lofty place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit’…’

We must consider holiness as the atmosphere of ‘the house of prayer.’ Within the house will be hanging various garments in which to be dressed when talking with the Lord.  Philippians 4:6 reveals some different clothes hanging up and waiting for us to ‘put on.’ ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’ Paul repeats a similar point to Timothy in 1Timothy 2:1–2.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16 the readers were urged to pray continually. This is impossible if it implies without a break. God however does the impossible even with His ‘house of clay.’ His purpose is to have the Holy Spirit exercise His delight in praying in His house (Romans 8:26–27). Only then can we be in an unceasing prayer mode. As we walk, talk, sit and sing, the Holy Spirit prays freely in His prayer chapel. When we stumble the Holy Spirit’s prayers are stifled by a grieving process. Our garment is soiled, spoiled and defiled by unholiness (Ephesians 4:21–30). Fortunately there is provision for our cleansing and restoring His prayer ministry. He wants to take us to the cleaner. ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.’ (1 John 1:9)

Being a moveable spiritual house for God means He can place us anywhere. Circumstances which we may or may not like or choose can be turned into prayer matters. He does this so as to achieve His purposes. There often is needed an effort of the will not to allow a negative attitude to prevail over us in unpleasant situations. A consciousness of the situation helps to choose the right ‘gear’ to make our request to the Lord. Should we be called upon to confront seditious, cunning and depraved leaders we will need Christ’s Battle gear. Remember Ephesians 6:10–18. We are Christ’s commandos defending Truth and Righteousness.

Being a pastor means there are times to be ‘dressed’ in the robes of a shepherd. This ‘robe’ is made for the heart as well as the mind. We are not only to feed the ‘flock’ but protect it from the wolves and robbers by using the Lord’s rod and staff. Sheep can be mauled or do self harm. It is then our oil of specific prayer and godly wisdom is to be applied where they are and as it is needed.

There are many more ‘clothing choices’ we could consider. Pursue that at your leisure. However there is one type of garment for an effective prayer life within ‘the house.’ This is strictly for a husband and also a father. This is perhaps the most demanding apparel because it is the one most often worn. The tragedy of Christian homes falling apart is due in no small part because the husband/father is not properly ‘dressed or groomed.’ Unfortunate but true it applies to those in ministry households.

Men should seek the ‘spiritual ‘tailor’ to fashion a designer suit to wear at home with the family. He has set out specifications in 1 Peter 3:7. Ephesians 5:25–33. 6:4. 1Timothy 3:1-10. The garment best designed for this setting would be the relaxed casual suit tailored for all household activities. This ‘suit’ will need regular cleaning. However by the grace of God the knees never wear out, the shoulders refuse to sag, it will not be too small or large or go out of date. God’s prayer suit for a husband/father is the most precious garment in the ‘wardrobe.’  What is the more remarkable about such a ‘suit’ is it can be duplicated in the lives of the children, especially the boys. There can be no greater joy for a godly father than to witness his children seeking the heart of God. What a thrill to see their desire to be dressed in a similar style to dad.

Request:  Lord, Are there items in my ‘wardrobe’ needing removal, mending, dusting down or added too once again? Be Thou my Tailor for whatever task you have in mind for me. Amen.

Where the Shepherd lives

 Psalm 23 is a sheep’s travel diary. He is being lead through green pastures and by still

waters. Along a right path he walks even though it goes through a foreboding valley. What is the ‘sheep’s’ expectation? To settle down with the Shepherd. How long was the journey likely to be? Unstated.

When we read the word dwell it is so easy to imagine it as meaning what Jesus said about ‘mansions’ in John 14. The two are entirely different. David’s imagery focuses on the tabernacle which is called ‘The House of the Lord.’ He knew however, that as a ‘sheep’ from a different tribe he wasn’t permitted to move in the Shepherd’s precincts. The tabernacle and later the Temple’s courts were segregated. The outer courts for non-Israelites, next the court of the women which butted onto the court of the men. Then it was the exclusive domain of the descendant of Levi who had their restricted areas. Then finally there was the area only accessible to sons of Aaron, the priests. There hidden from view was the Holy of Holies, the place of the presence of Yahweh.

It was this Sanctuary in which the Lord was able to dwell with His creation. He was ‘Immanuel’ for His people. Although it was strictly segregated the people saw it as a wonderful place. David wrote in Psalm 26:8, ‘O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides.’ Would the reference to God’s abiding Glory indicate that something like the Shekinah Glory radiated from the Holy of holies? There was certainly some heart drawing power for many, many people as epitomised by David and others. It would seem that although knowing the various restrictions the flock still wanted to be somewhere near where his Shepherd dwelt.

For us, because of the cross and resurrection of Jesus, we look on this part of the psalm differently. Belonging to the ‘other sheep’ Jesus talked about in John 10, He has made us into one fold. We, it must be admitted, would have been seen by the angels as wild, unclean, ‘morally and spiritually moth-eaten sheep.’ Here again is the wonder of Christ’s putting His brand upon us. We have been accepted into the fold by the Father. On top of that, the Holy Spirit has been pleased to make His presence at home within us, as promised by our Saviour. When we look back over our lives and our conversion encounter with Jesus it dawns upon us what an awesome make-over He has done on us and in us. But, there is still more work being done to us, as you would undoubtedly agree!

More than that, Jesus has done a cleansing of the heavenly house. In Hebrews 9:23-24 we read of Him purifying the Heavenly dwelling. Satan’s rebellion certainly made a mess throughout the universe. Our Lord told His disciples in John 14 that He was going to build new lodgings for His ‘sheep.’ I wonder how close it will be to the Heavenly Sanctuary. How is this possible? Because Jesus has been granted by the Father, the order of the High Priesthood of Melchizedek. The old Aaronic order still exists and according to Ezekiel 4o-45 has a future role to play. The new order has come into operation due to the cross and resurrection of Christ. His ministry realm is in Glory. It is there our Shepherd watches over us and prayers for us (Hebrews 7:25).  Hebrews beautifully and graciously outlines the superiority of Christ Jesus’ rule as Shepherd over His people. By faith we are walking with him. By faith we keep our focus on Him according to Hebrews 12:1-3. By faith we experience the spiritual reality behind what David wrote in very physical terms in psalm 23.

David’s longing was that his relationship would last forever, meaning while he had breath. For us our longing is open ended. We live under the conviction of His pastoral oversight in this life. We live with hope’s unshakeable certainty that when death embraces us we are released into the presence of our Saviour. For us the word forever is like the eternal ‘Now’ for it is the realm of the Good Shepherd. It is where He takes His flock. Sure, David and the original ‘flock’ will be there although it would be uncertain how many would have understood ‘forever’ in that way?

As we conclude our short ramble through psalm 23 I hope you have had a deepening appreciation of it. Familiarity can rob us of its richness and meaning for our own journey with our Good Shepherd. We, similar to David, will have our detours, stumbles, ‘head-butts’ and spiritual or moral parasites. But our Lord restores our soul and pours His oil over us and goes searching for us when we meander of the track. How eternally grateful we will be that He keeps His sheep who wear His brand for ‘His Name’s Sake!’

©Ray Hawkins March 2016.

A Table in a strange place

 

‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.’ Psalm 23:5a.

It reads as though the Shepherd has taken the ‘sheep’ on a picnic. The word picture of ‘prepare’ indicates He had gone to a lot of trouble for it means ‘to set out in order.’ What has He placed upon it? Refreshment for the body after a day’s journey. What has preceded this ‘picnic?’ The possibility of or the fact of travelling through the valley of the shadow. Whilst fear may not have dominated, it would strike me as unusual if a wee bit of nervousness wasn’t tingling the spine. So, here is the Shepherd’s opportunity to settle the sheep and to provide nourishment for the next day. Treats with which to surprise and please may also be on the menu. David makes this a personal, one on one ‘picnic.’ We can understand the imagery of Shepherd waiting upon the sheep, but what about the Master waiting upon the servant? Jesus said He would do this for the servant found faithfully fulfilling his responsibilities when Jesus returns, Luke 12:37. The One who was prepared to wash the disciples feet is not adverse to being a waiter to honour the faithful. What a wonderful and gracious Lord we serve and worship.

When we apply the psalm to our circumstances can we recall the Lord ‘feeding’ us in a strange place? Mary and I were on a short term mission and study trip to Africa and experienced the Lord’s ‘picnic table.’ We were not so much in enemy territory, but in the midst of a different culture. What did the Lord do to refresh us? We went to a camp for refugees from a civil war. There we met some Christians who welcomed us, spoke English and shared a time of worship with us in their distinct celebratory style. Also, in the camp were family members of people we knew back home. What a joy to tell them of their loved ones and to be able to take messages back home! The stress and strain of ministry and travel were eased then swamped by God’s grace reaching us through His people.

The concept of the table is also more than simply sharing a meal. It is coming under the protection of the householder. Even if enemies found themselves within the same house and at the same table honour forbade them to begin hostilities. It was offensive to the owner and to the culture. In psalm 41:9 David speaks about a person who breached this trust. Such a person is personified in Judas at the Passover time in the Upper Room with Jesus. (A similar breach is told in Jeremiah 41:1-3.)

With that in mind I wonder if the following words of the verse take on a deeper meaning: Rather than David’s enemies prowling the perimeters or spying from hidden vantage points, they are sharing in the table time. This may be hard to accept until you realise the grace and power of the Shepherd. ‘When the ways of people please the Lord, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.’ Proverbs 16:7. The heart of the Good Shepherd and His transforming power is written about by Paul in Ephesians 2. An implacable dislike, even hatred, between Jews and Gentiles, is overcome when both make Jesus Saviour and Lord. He is our peace. He breaks down our barriers. He puts us into one Body (the Church) and we are ‘built together spiritually.’

What then does this tell us about ‘sheep head-butting sheep?’ Something is wrong. The have been bitten by a parasite and its causing them to be ‘unsheep like.’ It also effects their relationship with the Shepherd. Something is overriding His indwelling grace. Something is creating a betrayal of their ‘table manners.’ Unless this spiritual ‘bug’ is removed it will devour faith, relationships and testimony. Imagine what would have happened after the betrayal of Jesus by all the disciples in the Upper Room. Guilt, self-righteousness, denial, shame and the ‘blame-game’ would have made null and void their future message – if they had a future. What did Jesus call on them to do to prove each of them as disciples? To love each other! (Read John 13). That was the power of Christ’s resurrection grace, redemption and forgiveness. It had overwhelmed their betrayal of their Lord. It also dealt with any recriminations they would have held against themselves and each other.

The Lord’s Table (Communion or Eucharist) is the ‘sheep’s’ table today. There our Shepherd wants to refresh us, equip us, sooth our troubled heart and mind, heal broken relationships and mend any shredded witness. Read why this is so important in 1 Corinthians 1o:16-22. 11:17-32. When Jesus is our Lord and He breathes His peace in us then we will be at peace with each other.

Then He can anoint our individual and collective heads – but that is for next week.

©Ray Hawkins March 2016

When Dark Valleys are ahead.

 Mountains and valleys play a very prominent role in Biblical history. They also have a spiritual significance for our life. An interesting comment by Moses about the Promised Land comes from Deuteronomy 11:11-12. ‘The land you are crossing over to occupy is a land of hills and valleys, watered by rain from the sky, a land that the Lord your God looks after. The eyes of the Lord your God are always on it …’

We enjoy the mountains for the vistas they offer. However, we live down on the plains and in the valleys. The psalmist now takes us into one of the numerous valleys of life which even the right paths have to negotiate. David, seemingly takes a deep breath and confesses his thoughts about the valley of the shadow of death. Even then he will face any fear in the confidence of knowing his Lord. Sheep are guarded from brigands and predators by the shepherd’s rod and staff. Their spiritual applications are applied to the believer as he or she faces this and other shadowy valleys.

The rod can be translated as a sceptre. As such it defines authority and kingship, Psalm 45:6.  And it is also translated as a rod which smites as in Psalm 2:9.  Here is the flock’s protection. The regal nature of the Shepherd plus His righteous character and power unite in the image of ‘thy rod.’ The staff is used for rescuing the sheep caught in a difficult situation. It is also a source of strength on which the shepherd can lean. When we apply this to God’s word and its many shades of meaning we also will know comfort. It is through God’s involvement in people’s lives we realise He keeps His promises. Consider the case of the weeping prophet, Jeremiah. He was opposed though he walked the right path. His God given messages and warnings were despised and rejected. God’s judgement upon the nation, courtesy of Nebuchadnezzar, meant a valley of the shadow of death experience. Innocent though he was, Jeremiah suffered with his nation.

Jeremiah wasn’t deported to Babylon. He saw the destruction of his beloved city and temple. Evil had fallen. How did Jeremiah handle the sorrow, the grief and answer the fear of the survivors. In what way would he, could he, endorse the nice sounding words of the psalmist about being strengthened by comfort? In Lamentations he records, through tears, his hope. As you read the following from that book, understand it as referring to the ‘Rod and the Staff’, God’s word and promises. ‘The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is wormwood and gall! My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24).

How could he feel that way in the shadows of suffering? Because he believed God’s promise about a coming Messiah, about the reign of that descendant of David over Israel and about God’s promise to Abraham. God had taken His flock through many valleys and endured their bleating and waywardness, especially in the Wilderness. He would not abandon them now. Interestingly, that experience is likened to going through the valley of the shadow of death. (Jeremiah 2:6 in KJV) Why does the Good Shepherd persevere with them? As we have said in the previous blogpost, it’s ‘for His name sake.’  He keeps His word. It was in that certainty Jeremiah trusted as he sat in the rubble of Jerusalem. It is the confidence of the prophets about Israel’s future role even as the nation endures judgement. It is the assurance for those who believe that Jesus is the Messiah and their personal Lord and Saviour. In fact, it is your personal commitment to Jesus that declares the Shepherd took the nation through their valley of the shadow. It culminated in the fulfilment of Scripture about the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53. Sure, Israel is in another valley of unbelief at the moment, but Scripture points to them coming out of it.

Hosea spoke of another valley called ‘Achor.’ It means sorrow and its story is in Joshua 7. The prophet likened Israel’s history to one of defeat and dispersion and being disowned. However, in Hosea 2:15 he foresees a future time when that valley will be transformed. The Lord (Israel’s Shepherd) said He will ‘make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.’ How? The Lord will reclaim them, will gather them and will make them conquerors. Truly, as the psalmist wrote ‘even though I walk through [notice it is ‘through’] the darkest valley … your rod and staff comfort me.’

Can you find comfort through God’s word for whatever valley is the way your path of rightness is taking you? Let His rod of authority protect you and His staff keep you safe. Then even the valley of the shadow or the valley of sorrow will be faced with faith and hope.

To be continued.

©Ray Hawkins, February 29th 2016.

The Path can have potholes.

Psalm 23:3                                                           Where He Leads.

 

The Shepherd, Jesus, is up front of the flock. He leads. He calls. The sheep follow. How many of us in the flock wonder about some of the ways He takes us. For, there are times when we see ourselves in strange and unexpected places. This is where the flock and the individual sheep must trust the Shepherd. In this psalm two paths are mentioned. We will look at one of them today.

He leads me in right paths. This brings to the fore the fact that there are wrong paths we can wander onto. Being human and being responsible to keep the unseen Shepherd in ‘view’ is an interesting struggle. We have a stubborn, self-interested nature which sometimes fights against walking the ‘right paths. The mind is inclined to delude us into thinking ‘if we cannot see the Shepherd, He can’t see us.’ In the Old Testament a whole book has stories summed up by ‘They did what was right in their own eyes.’ Judges is a depressing book, yet at the same time most illuminating and with a strong warning embedded in it. Proverbs 16:25 ‘Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right, but in the end it is the way to death.’

How then do we keep the unseen Shepherd in our focus? ‘Set your minds on things that are above, and not on things that are on the earth.’ (Colossians 3:2) Easy words but we live in the visual how can we discern the way we should go? We have been given the equivalent of a GPS. Let’s call the Bible our ‘Godly Pathway Service.’ While it isn’t audio controlled God does cause it to ‘talk to us’ when we open it and want to know His will.

We like the idea of being led by still waters and even in right paths if they’re comfortable. Unfortunately sometimes they lead through some tough territory. We will look at verse 4 later. From that verse David understands the fact, the right path can take him and us through valleys. It is those times which play on our mind and test the depths of our trust in the Shepherd of my soul. Psalm 25 was also written by David. Was it at a much later date? In it he talks about his Shepherd helping him in his life’s experience. What David wrote here could be inserted in various parts of Psalm 23. Many of us can identify with him in this Psalm.

What is very apparent is the road (in Psalm 25) he was walking had enemies, foes, affliction, distress and trouble. Such can be the case when a person wants to do the right things in life. In this psalm David wants to know truth, to fear the Lord and know the wonder of God’s covenant of love. Such desire can be opposed by others whose ways are shrouded in unrighteous darkness and hostility to the God of Israel. In psalm 23 is the grace of the Shepherd anointing the sheep with oil. In psalm 25 we gain a picture of why this healing, refreshing act was needed. David had transgressed, had a sense of guilt, was troubled in heart, and was caught up in some messy net. His cry “O guard my life, and deliver me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.’ How many of us have cried words of a similar vein?

Little understood by ‘the flock’ are the words of Psalm 23 which finish verse 3, ‘for his name’s sake.’ The honour of our Shepherd is bound up in the way the sheep follow. When we walk according to the path of righteousness it is our testimony of trust and obedience. Onlookers don’t see our Shepherd. This may cause them to wonder about our lifestyle, priorities, endurance and relationships. It is this principle of the honour of His Name’ which Ezekiel especially stresses. The Lord made a covenant with Israel and will keep it, regardless of their waywardness. The Shepherd will discipline them. He will deliver them from their enemies. He will not only restore them to their land (which has happened) He will return to them at the proper time. Why does He bother? ‘For His name’s sake!’ For in that Name we are baptised. In that Name we pray. In that Name we have a refuge. In that Name we approach the Father. It is that reason which places us under a lifestyle responsibility of walking in the right path.

Proverbs has a saying to remind us, the sheep in His flock, about the heart matter we need to be led.  Proverbs 3:5-6. ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely upon your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.’

 To be continued

Ray Hawkins 21 Feb 2016

The Effort of the Shepherd.

Kylemore in Ireland

I wonder to whom David was speaking when he speaks about the Shepherd Lord in the third person. When David says ‘He makes me lie down’ is reads like it caused the Shepherd some effort as the sheep resisted. This is almost a confession of a hyperactive personality needing the Lord to intervene. There would be some reading this or the psalm that would nod in understanding of what the Lord did or might have to do. Why is this? Because sheep seem to have a silly, stubborn, wandering nature which is applicable to men and women in the Lord’s sheepfold.

What David alluded to we don’t really know. However, we can get some ideas from the life of the apostle Paul. He was a dynamo for preaching the Gospel, writing letters, debating, getting assaulted, ship wrecked and doing a lot of walking and talking. When you read the book of Acts in the New Testament Paul spent time in prisons. Would it be fair to say the Lord, his Shepherd, was making him lie down?

How then could we honestly equate a prison cell or home detention as ‘green pasture?’ One thing would be sure, there wouldn’t be much running or turbulent water in the place. The psalmist in this verse is contrasting the everyday experience of a sheep in Israel. The grass was sparse and needed constant searching if it was to have a good meal. The shepherd would know when it was time to give the sheep in his care a bit of a treat. He would take them to such a spot indicated by the writer. Would it be similar to an Australian billabong? That’s where fresh water ‘sits’ and is easy to access. For Paul in prison his cell was a place of stillness. Would he take heart from a psalm which talks about being still and knowing God? Psalm 46:10.

Being in such green pastures and beside still waters sounds idyllic. For a man or woman with a sense of mission, with restless energy to accomplish a calling, it can wear thin after a while. Paul, I think, would have gone mad in jail if he couldn’t share his faith. Prayer, devotion and reading parchments and books is well and good. But, they must have outlets! As you read the accounts in Acts and his letters you realise there were numerous opportunities for this man, beside the ‘still waters.’ In Caesarea the Governor dropped by seemingly regular. Paul was presented before King Agrippa to state his case. In Rome, under house arrest, he somehow met and led to the Lord a runaway slave called Onesimus. (Read the letter to Philemon). Paul was a driven man refreshed by God’s turning a place of ignominy and shame into green pastures. Through him, the Lord was able to share with otherwise untouchables the ‘Living Water’ of the Holy Spirit. In that place he also was able to meet and discuss with the Jewish leaders of Rome. (Acts 28) Later under guard and chained to Roman soldiers Paul had a captive audience. Some of these battle hardened and cruel men became Christians. Philippians 1:12-14 reveals that fact.

Reading Paul’s journey’s we can see that his Shepherd led him along many a hard track. It is also apparent the apostle wasn’t always sure just where the Lord was taking him. Paul had his way blocked here, intersected there and on another occasion had a dream which led him to Philippi. How true that is of us. We might have some ideas as to where the Lord intends us to be but the road isn’t always direct. The call of the Lord is to “Follow me.” That includes taking up a personal cross of obedience and trust. It often has a high price attached to personal ambition and expectations. However, as in the psalm and as displayed in Paul’s life, the Lord takes His followers into green pasture (some surprisingly unattractive at the first glance). Then He causes us to drink the still, the cool and clear water of His grace. Remember what the Lord said to His disciples? They had to draw aside and rest awhile before beginning any new work.

What is the purpose of all this? To restore the disciples life. It may include restoring a believer’s faith, health, priority or testimony. Being restored he can be led again to walk in the right paths with renewed enthusiasm.

To be continued.

©Ray Hawkins February 2016.