John and Jesus

Jesus confirms the importance and relevance of John the baptist. He honours him and challenges the people about why they went to see and hear him in the wilderness for years (Matthew 11:7-15). It was not because John could give them money, or was a pleasing site, but because of his gift of being a prophet. Not only a prophet, but the one who was also prophesied about, the Elijah that was to come. As it says in Malachai 4; “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.” Not only was Jesus’ birth prophesied and expected as The Messiah, but the second Elijah was also expected to come, and John is confirmed to be this man. He was the one who began the work Jesus was to finish. 

John declared that the Kingdom of Heaven is near, and people turned their hearts and lives around because of his message, then they were baptised for the forgiveness of sins because of him. He was the pre-cursor to Jesus, and he lived in humble obedience to that, but Jesus also shows great value and honour to John. Jesus declares that, “among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.” (Matthew 11:11). No-one, no human person is better that John! What a great commendation from no other than The Son of God! John had lived declaring who God is to those around him, learning to be obedient himself, living differently, and faithfully sharing with the people what God had told him to. Therefore he was seen by God’s own Son as the greatest! John is publicly affirmed. Even though at this time John is imprisoned. Jesus is not put off by the strangeness of how John lived or his current circumstances like some were, for he was not swayed by popular opinion, but instead saw the heart and nature of who John was, and in the eyes of the Kingdom of Heaven, he was someone great! 

Jesus and John had different lives, styles, routines and habits, but they still followed God and honoured and valued one another in private and in public. They were both about Kingdom business, but in their own way and they respected one another for it. Do you do the same? Do you honour and speak well of those who declare the gospel even if they have different ways, cultures, routines and lifestyles? Jesus was accused of being a drunkard and a glutton (v19) and John was an interesting site to see eating honey and locusts and dressed in sackcloth! They had completely different lifestyles, but the same message. Some people accepted one and could not understand the other, some people rejected both of them, for they will reject the gospel no matter how it is presented or by whom. What is your response to those with the same message but different ways? Do you hear the truth and accept the differences? Do you honour, respect and value the Kingdom work others are doing even when it is in a different manner to what you are used to or prefer?

The second Elijah - the greatest of men, and the Son of God, both declared the same message of repentance and salvation. They did it through different means so that all people had the opportunity to turn and believe. This shows the love and kindness of God, that He gives people of different cultures, backgrounds, styles and life experience the same message that there is a God that loves you, and His Kingdom is near. God wants everyone to hear the truth of who He is and have the opportunity to join His family. That is why there are different people with different gifts, styles, cultures and behaviours. It is so that people who are far off and near by have the chance to see and hear who He is. 

Therefore let us take inspiration from the relationship that Jesus and John had. Acknowledge, appreciate and commend those who are about Kingdom business. If the message is the same and people are being shown and drawn into the Kingdom of Heaven through the declaration of who Jesus is - the Son of God, and people are repenting, being baptised and living life following Jesus, then show that you value your brothers and sisters who are doing this. Publicly and privately honour and value them and their message for they are reaching a people you can’t. The King and His Kingdom are being shared and people invited into it, so celebrate and appreciate the work God has called others to do.

Is being a disciple comfortable?

 Matthew 10:1 (ESV):

‘he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.’

Matthew 10:5–8 (ESV): 

‘These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.’

Jesus calls those who follow him to do the work he does. Not by their own might or intellect, but by his. His authority and power causes sick people to be made well, the dead to become alive and demons to be cast out. Witnessing these things surely was powerful proof of the message the disciples were told to deliver that ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’. Jesus told them to teach in different towns to those of different backgrounds, life experiences, genders and ages. Yet they were to teach the same things he had been teaching them. Jesus message and the truth of God are universally true and relevant wherever you go. The disciples were to share the words of Jesus beyond where and when they first heard it so that others had the opportunity to believe and follow Jesus. You have the same permission and authority - to share the news that, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’. You are equipped to do it with the faith and knowledge that you have, and with the power of the Holy Spirit which Scripture states is available for all believers (Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17). The mandate is for all believers to go and tell others who Jesus is, how to receive forgiveness and be restored in relationship to God the Father. You have the knowledge you need, the power you need and the permission you need to go and do it. What you know and have heard from Jesus, this is what you tell others. Jesus does give some clarifying instructions though:

• Do not take payment for signs/wonders/miracles/salvation. For God’s Spirit and access to His kingdom is freely available. 
• Live by faith - trust that God will provide your needs (miraculously and through others), 
• Accept hospitality,
• Be prepared to suffer, 
• Trust that God will speak through you by His Holy Spirit when in trouble with authorities, 
• Do not fear man but fear God. 

These are Jesus’ instructions and expectations for his disciples. He assures them that they have the same authority and power delegated to them as he has. Which is pretty incredible! Jesus also informs them of how to handle rejection and hospitality. He prepares his disciples for different responses because they will meet with them. Jesus prepares them well for the next level of responsibility and authority they are given by providing them good principles and clear instructions. This allows his disciples to faithfully display God’s kingdom in whatever situation they find themselves in. The same instructions, delegation and responsibility is true for you too.

As part of his instructions, Jesus did not tell the disciples that everything was going to be fine so don’t worry - He actually prepared them for the opposite! They will be accepted by some and rejected by others. Jesus prepares his disciples by showing them that life following God is not easy. It often means you have to live uncomfortably - Not relying on possessions, people or finances, but God alone. Sometimes you need to be prepared to accept help from those around you, give up the things you enjoy, go to places you don’t know, live without comforts, and you might even get in trouble with some people because you stand for a kingdom they are not a part of! Have you fully accepted this reality for yourself? 

If you are under pressure, harassed, feel lonely, confused, need help, are going without, then that is ok. It is the expected walk of the disciple. Life gets uncomfortable. Jesus doesn’t instruct his followers to pray for it to go away, but he says not to fear or worry. Just keep on sharing the good news for you will be equipped for whatever you face by God himself! 

As you share the truth of who Jesus and invite people to be a part of God’s kingdom, be aware that some will rejoice, turn and believe and accept you and your message.They will welcome you, look after you and listen to you. Yet others will reject you. Jesus warns, ‘Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues.’ (v16–17). Sharing who God is with people is risky. It could mean that you are physically harmed, thrown out of places like Jesus was, or have to answer before authorities. So Jesus recommends wisdom and innocence in what you say, and he promises that the Holy Spirit will help you. Some people and authorities today still do not like people living for God. We hear stories where christians in the workplace or in business are rejected and challenged for their faith, persecuted, sued, rallied against. Yet they remain secure in their faith. They refuse to bow to cultural and societal expectations or to align their values and business to the loudest, threatening voices when they go against what they believe. It is not easy to do that. They have to embrace the discomfort of tarnished reputations, loss of income and rejection. Yet they can remain wise and innocent and peaceful in spirit because they are quietly and securely obeying Jesus. The sheep that follow Jesus can survive the pressure. God’s instruction at such times is, ‘do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say.’ (v19)  and ‘do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul’ (v28). When you live for God, your eternal salvation is secure, your soul is safe. Are you living in the security of that knowledge? Life will get uncomfortable at times, and people will come against you and reject you, but your eternal assurance remains. Nothing can separate you from the love of God or His promises over you. So, keep on sharing the good news of Jesus. You are eternally safe, and you will meet some people whose souls will rejoice to have the same security you have. So keep going, keep sharing and keep trusting that God is with you and will help you.

Lord, Lord....

 Matthew 7:21–29 (ESV): 

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ 

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” 

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. 

Even those who talk about Jesus, do good things, work hard for the Church, are involved in miracles and can explain the gospel may not make it to heaven. This is what God's own son, Jesus, is saying. Even those who may have witnessed miracles, signs, wonders, incredible answers to prayer and spiritual freedom coming to others may miss out on the Kingdom of God. How is that possible? Those who seem to have incredible experiences of faith, even prestigious leaders, preachers and worshippers that you admire may not be as close to God as they seem. They might be gifted, sing beautifully, work hard, speak or teach well, serve or give sacrificially but be in danger of missing out on entering God’s house and even be rejected, why? 

Do you see the argument the people put forward in this piece of Scripture? “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” The things that they have been involved in they believe are their own doing. “did we not…” the emphasis is on them, not on God. It is almost like they use the name of God or His Son as a magic word rather than The Name that is above all names which carries all authority, love and power. They belittle the name of The Almighty and increase their own self worth, “did we not…”. The attitude of those who Jesus does not recognise is that they are somebody important - they have done good and great things in God's name. They take the credit for prophesying, casting out demons, and doing mighty works. The credit they take for themselves, they do not give the glory to God. Instead they become great in their own eyes.

Yet it is God who has allowed these people to witness miracles of salvation, hearing His voice, and people freed from demonic powers. However they have not recognised that it is God’s power that achieves these things. Those Jesus rejects are those who take the credit for the works of God and falsely believe in their own worth and importance in God’s realm. Their attitude is that, yes maybe they do believe in God, but they also believe in the power and capability in themselves too. Rather than crediting God with the incredible things they have had opportunity to be involved with or witness, they believe in the power of ME. Are you in the same danger as them? 

Do you REALLY believe that God has done the things you have witnessed, heard about and been involved in? Do you credit God with the works in your life and the lives of others, or are you taking some of the acclamation and gratitude for yourself? Only you and God know what you secretly think, so it is worth being honest with yourself now before you end up face to face with Jesus! For he will either welcome you or reject you dependent upon how you have lived your life. 

Only you and God know the truth. 

Does God really get the glory in your heart and mind or are you holding back some for yourself? Jesus says about such people, “I never knew you; depart from me”. Instead of investing in the glamour and acclaim of works and wonders, are you investing your time getting to know Jesus? Does God really get the priority in your life? It is the simple things like prayer and obeying Scripture, keeping your word, adjusting your life to honour God more, learning to love others as Jesus did. The understated, often unnoticed commitments that you make in your everyday life that show if you are someone who really knows Jesus. Like how you spend your time, make decisions, or what your priorities are. These reveal if God really is King in your life and if you are honouring and taking time to get to know Him. 

Does God get your gratitude and your time? Is he allowed to challenge your decisions and attitudes in order for you to become more Christ-like? Do you live in more fear of Him than anyone or anything else?

Those who make an effort to get to know Jesus, learn to walk and talk like him will be recognised and welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven. Are you living like you want to be there?

Pray right

Matthew 6:5–15 (ESV): 

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: 

  “Our Father in heaven, 

  hallowed be your name. 

 10  Your kingdom come, 

  your will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

 11  Give us this day our daily bread, 

 12  and forgive us our debts, 

as we also have forgiven our debtors. 

 13  And lead us not into temptation, 

but deliver us from evil. 

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 

Prayer is important. You should do it, and do it well. Yet prayer is not something to be proud of, boast about or to be intellectually profound. Prayer is talking to your Father in heaven. When you talk to a loving parent your speech is natural, you can speak honestly and with emotion. You do not need fancy words for a good parent knows their child, understands their simple language and the emotions they express. They can certainly tell if their child is showing off or not being genuine in what they are saying. God is like that, He is the perfect parent and He knows you perfectly well. You can be yourself when you speak with Him, your natural, normal, everyday self. You do not need to be intellectual, use theological vocabulary, over emphasise, impress or pray what you think is expected. You are speaking to someone who really knows you and loves you so you can be real and raw. You do not have to impress God or make Him think a certain way. Prayer is a chance for you to be heard and to hear what you need to from your loving Father in heaven. 

So, how do you begin to pray?

Jesus tells us that remembering God’s position as Father and His holiness is a good place to start (v9). Recall your relationship with God, and His nature. He is loving, kind, supportive and powerful, plus He is also pure and holy. It is important that you acknowledge that. By so doing you are recalling the great privilege of being in His presence, and the honour of being able to speak with Him. God is your holy Father, so start talking to Him by thinking about that first. 

Next acknowledge that God’s kingdom is different and better (v10). The way God works is not the same as the way the world works. So, asking for His kingdom to come means asking for His values to be displayed here on Earth. Asking for God’s will is asking for that to be of more importance than the things you want. Your desires are not always holy and pure like God’s, so do not insist on your own way being fulfilled, but learn to trust God that His way is best. Feel free to ask for what you want, but do not lose hope or faith if the things you want do not come about, God has a different plan than yours and it is a good one.

God will provide your everyday needs, so acknowledge tht. Do not take for granted the gift of the 'daily bread' that He gives you. Ask for it, and appreciate the provision from the hand of God for every mouthful, for every word of wisdom and for every breath. It all comes from Him.

Jesus also says that when you pray, remember that you need forgiveness. Ask for it. God is willing and able to forgive you. The reason you can even approach God is because you have been forgiven and are being forgiven due to Jesus laying down his life. When you pray, it is important that you take time to consider this. Asking for forgiveness is an opportunity for you to reflect on what has happened that you regret and have done (or thought) wrong and receive fresh mercy. As you do this, remember those that you need to forgive. For Jesus says that you will be forgiven as you forgive others. So, be generous in forgiveness. As you pray, ask God to help you do that, even if you have asked Him before. I have had to remind myself that i have forgiven some people multiple times, and have kept on asking for God’s strength to do it. That is ok. You can keep asking, God is a loving Father and He is patient and kind, and He will help you do the things that are hard if you are willing to do it. God is still needing to forgive you,  so make sure you to do the same for others. As you ask God to forgive, you do not want to continue in repetitive sin so ask God to help you avoid temptation. That may look like stopping going to certain places or. being around particular people. God can help, so ask Him. Show Him that you really want to get rid of the sin that seems to plague you, ask for His help.

The power of praying like Jesus modelled is the humility it builds in you. Humans are great at thinking they are greatly important. Praying in this manner causes you to reflect on who you really are and who God is. God is pure, holy, powerful, loving and good. You are a sinner in need of forgiveness, just like those who have offended you. You need forgiveness, help, strength and rescuing. God can provide that. Therefore when you pray it is a good opportunity for you to reflect on God’s and your own character. It is not just a chance to tell God what you want or to show how good you are by prideful gratitude. Instead, it is a chance to get to know yourself and your maker. 

Are you blessed?

Matthew 5:1–12 (ESV): 

5 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 

The Beatitudes

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

Jesus had something particular that he wanted the disciples to know, so he drew them close to him, making sure that they could see and hear him. Through this teaching, Jesus helped to reframe their thinking by showing them that God sees, cares about, and honours different things than what the average human does. 

God cares about not just the poor in a financial sense, but the poor in spirit. Those who recognise their need of God and live in humility before him - they are blessed. Those who mourn, grieve, are sad for a time (mourning should not last forever), are promised comfort. A sad demeanour should not be constant for anyone. The promise is that ‘they shall be comforted’. God will bring comfort, and when He does, accept it. 

The meek - gentle, humble and submissive, ‘shall inherit the earth’! Those who will not put themselves forward, who recognise their limits, who allow others to go first and treat them with kindness, these are the ones who get everything. Meekness is not admired, fostered or appreciated by the majority of the world, but God admires it. It is a quality that is rare, but is valued when it is seen. Can you develop meekness in your own life? 

Hungering and thirsting for righteousness promises satisfaction. There are many things you can hunger and thirst for; food, money, possessions, promotion, a particular standard of life. These things do not offer satisfaction, only hungering and thirsting for God does. If you want to be really fulfilled, seek God. he provides all you need, and more. 

The merciful shall receive mercy - that makes sense. We like to feel that you get what you deserve. This promise is that you do by not treating others as they deserve! When you show forgiveness and leniency to those who have wronged you, you too are dealt with leniently and can know forgiveness as you are afforded mercy by God. 

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God’ - being sincere and living with integrity means that you shall see God - how incredible! Are your motives and thoughts pure? Are you concerned about material matters or spiritual ones? Only one kingdom will last forever, so make sure you are aligning your thoughts, motives and behaviour with what God desires, then you shall see Him.

The peacemakers, those who strive to bring peaceful resolution and not riots, fall-outs, complications or arguments, are living like sons of God. It is easy to argue with someone, or cause strife between people, harder to get different people with different opinions, perspectives, and desires working together. Yet, is that not exactly what God does? He calls everyone to be part of His family, from every class, situation and nation. So, by drawing others into unity of purpose, you can demonstrate that you are indeed acting like God’s child. 

These are the things Jesus taught his disciples as he went up the mountain. These lessons were for the disciples, those closest to him, those he had called to himself. Yet others would have heard as it mentions that there were crowds. The real cost of discipleship is not what job you have, where you live, how much you do or give, but it is developing the character that displays the Kingdom of God. I am sure you admire and appreciate people who demonstrate these attributes, but do you also have them? 

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand

Jesus, after having had an intense emotional, physical and spiritual experience whilst being in the wilderness goes back home. Although he is not the same as he once was. He was baptised, affirmed by God, then tempted and pressed by Satan, now the intensity of that personal period of trial has stopped. What next?

Matthew 4:12–17 (ESV):  

Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 

 15  “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, 

the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 

 16  the people dwelling in darkness 

have seen a great light, 

  and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, 

on them a light has dawned.” 

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 

Jesus is having a confusing time. He has experienced the high of being baptised by John and being affirmed publicly by God. Straight after that the Spirit led him into the wilderness to suffer and be tried by Satan. Now, Jesus has discovered that his relative and the one who baptised him, John, is arrested. The same one who was preparing the way for him, who crowds followed, and who pointed towards Jesus as The Son of God, is now in captivity. After such a time of suffering, it would not be surprising if Jesus went back home, broke down, or went into hiding. I am sure some people at the time would have expected that Jesus would take John’s place and tell those waiting crowds, ‘Here I am, the one John told you about’. It seemed like a good time to do that as there were people ready and waiting for The Messiah to be revealed. Yet, Jesus doesn’t do any of that.

instead when Jesus hears about John’s arrest, ‘he withdrew into Galilee… and lived in Capernaum by the sea’. Jesus went somewhere else. Capernaum was a much more populated place than Nazareth, and it was well connected with other nations and people groups due to being in prime position for trading. So, when Jesus started his public ministry and began to preach, a mixture of people heard his message, and most of them were probably people that never heard the message of John. The rich, poor, traders, labourers, young, old, Jews, Gentiles, and even Romans would have had the opportunity to hear Jesus speak in Capernaum whereas John’s message had been primarily for the Jews. Jesus as soon as he starts his public ministry, is preaching to all people.  

So, what did Jesus preach? He spoke the same message John did - “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus picks up the same message, to different people in a different town. Yet, it was the same. The reality of God is true no matter which city, village or country you are in and people need to hear the same thing; There is a God, His Kingdom reigns and is being revealed, and He wants you to be a part of it. Yet there is a problem called sin that separates everyone from God, so there is a need for you to repent and be washed clean from all wrongdoing, so that you can turn your life around and become one of God’s people. Jesus and John taught the same thing, because it is true and people needed to know. People from every position, class, background and location still need to know. 

No matter the highs and lows of life, John and Jesus still presented the truth to people. They both had times of great encouragement and joy, but also of struggle, deep hurt and pain. John’s message remained the same whether he was in prison, at home or in the wilderness for he knew the truth and gave whoever would listen the opportunity to hear about God. Jesus continued this message, he boldly proclaimed that the ‘kingdom of heaven is at hand’ even though his ministry started out of confusion, joy and pain plus John had just been arrested for doing the same. Neither of these men allowed the truth of God to be hidden or muted. Is your life the same? 

Does your life reflect God’s Kingdom no matter what you are going through? God gives you opportunities to tell people about Him in every circumstance, in different locations and situations. John was in prison because of the message he brought, Jesus was in a different area having to deal with conflicting and confusing emotions, yet they both were still faithful to God and still carried on the mission God had given them. Are you?

Jesus revealed

 John has an established ministry, he is known, has a nickname (The Baptist), and a following. John is even know (and disliked) by Herod, so the leaders of the area know about him. You could say that John is pretty famous. People certainly flock to see and hear him. Then, during one of John’s teaching and baptising sessions, Jesus turns up. He seems like he is just one of the crowd, also listening and responding to John. Yet John knows who Jesus really is.

Matthew 3:13–15 (ESV): 

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” 

What an honour for John to baptise Jesus, i am sure the privilege of doing that would have never been forgotten by him. John knew Jesus was The Son of God - he had known that before he was born! Now, here is Jesus waiting to be re-birthed through the water of repentance, although no wrong could ever have been found in him. Through being baptised, Jesus honoured and affirmed John and his ministry. This must have been the highlight for John out of all the things he had said, seen and done, all of the people he had spoken to and all the lives that had been transformed through hearing about God’s kingdom. Baptising Jesus and the experience that followed must have given him great joy. What John had always known about Jesus was being revealed now to others. 

Matthew 3:16–17 (ESV): 

‘when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”’

Can you imagine that? John has probably baptised thousands of people by this point, none ever had a response like this. ‘The heavens were opened’ - what does that mean? What did that look like to the other people there? Then, ‘a voice form heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”’ Can you imagine being there? What would you have made of that? I wonder if John got to baptise any more people that day after that experience. It seems like no more words need to be said! John’s belief and understanding of who Jesus is, was confirmed in a mighty way. John must have celebrated! He had lived his life knowing this truth that seemed like a big secret, and he could only talk about the Messiah to come in a way that did not point directly to Jesus until it was God’s time to reveal it. The time was now! Have you ever waited a long time for something great, and when it finally happens - oh what joy! Relief, joy, contentment, satisfaction, i am sure John felt them all. He was living on the Earth at the same time as The Messiah, and not only that, he already knew and loved him! John had been waiting for this revelation, and he had seen it. Jesus time of ministry has come. 

The experience of Jesus baptism is a lovely moment, Jesus affirms John and God affirms Jesus. God reveals who Jesus is, and that He is pleased with him. I wonder what people made of it, and if people at that moment then started following Jesus. I am sure this would have been talked about amongst friends and families, the news spreading about John and Jesus. What is your response to the revelation of Jesus? 

Have you followed him into the waters of baptism? Do you acknowledge that he is the Son of God? Are you waiting for him to reveal himself in your life? For, he already has. John knew who Jesus was before this moment. Jesus has already shown up in your life too and has been revealing who he is - have you seen him and accepted him for who he is yet? John did, and his life was dedicated to preparing people to meet, hear and respond to Jesus. What is your response to Jesus being revealed to you as the Son of God?

Brood of vipers!

John has been baptising people in water, they are flocking to him to see the strange prophet in the wilderness, and to hear what he has to say. No wonder the religious leaders were curious and thought they would check out what this man is preaching. He is leading people to God and telling them to repent from their sins. It is no wonder that the Pharisees and Sadducees wanted to see what he was up to, as it was their job to teach about God and how to follow Him. Yet they do not get a very warm reception from John….

Matthew 3:7–12 (ESV): 

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 

What a greeting, ‘you brood of vipers!’ John referred to the religious leaders of his time as venomous snakes, implying that they were poisonous, evil and deceitful. Jesus later refers to them in like manner (Matthew 12:34, ‘You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.’). John saw what many of the Pharisees and Sadducees were like, they were not interested in people honestly following God, they were more concerned about what they could get out of their service to the people. John realises that these men do not believe in what he is saying, they are pretending to be godly, and making a good show of it, but they are not bearing good fruit. Therefore there is only one destination for them - being thrown into the fire. John uses two different examples which emphasise the same thing; the unfruitful and the wicked will be cut down and ‘burn with unquenchable fire’. There is one destination for those who do not follow and honour God with their lives, wrath and eternal fire. Are you heading there?

Listening to and understanding God’s Word is not enough, nor is being baptised with water. John makes this clear. An outward symbol and internal knowledge are not the markers of a transformed or godly life. Repentance, fleeing from sin, is what God requires and this leads to fruitfulness. A changed life, one without scheming or deceit, demonstrating the fruitfulness of living in right relationship with God, this is what is required. Everyday people can achieve it, from the young to the old, rich to the poor, it is possible for all. However it seems that it is harder for religious people. 

John saw the religious men approach, and he saw their desire - they wanted to make an outward show of being made right with God, they had no intention of doing anything about sin, wrongdoing or changing their lives. They just wanted to do the minimum to ‘flee from the wrath to come’.  Everyone else was going out to be baptised by John, maybe they could do it too. It was not through a genuine interest in becoming more godly or repenting of sin that they came. Maybe they were curious as to what the fuss was about. They were probably losing attendees in the synagogue because the people were coming to hear John instead, so they were checking out their competition. Plus they were responsible for the religious direction of Israel so they want to ensure that the people are not being taught something unbiblical. It makes sense that they would go to hear John and consider his teaching. So it can seem harsh John’s response to call them vipers. However, we know that John was empowered by the Holy Spirit, and Jesus made the same judgement upon them, so he clearly saw something about the heart and purpose of these men, and it was not ‘in keeping with repentance’. 

The way to become more righteous is not through attendance of meetings, routines or gaining knowledge. It is through understanding the words of God, and allowing them to impact and transform your life. Righteousness begins with recognising that you are not righteous, but desire to be. Repentance is a turning away from sin and temptation, letting that be washed away through baptism. It means your heart and mind need changing through recognising who God is and what that means for the rest of your life. There are no short-cuts. John led and supported people in knowing how and why they should change their sinful lives so that they could escape the burning hell that is the destiny of the sinful. 

Some people hear the message of repentance and the kingdom of God, and can even teach it, but do nothing about it in their own lives. Yet they can mistakenly think that because they know, they will be welcomed into heaven. Jesus and John teach that this is false. That was the position of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Do not be like them, they are heading for a place of, 'unquenchable fire'. Instead, recognise your unrighteousness, repent, accept God's forgiveness, and learn to live a different life. Then you will be like wheat gathered into the safety of a barn (v12) for living a righteous and fruitful life for the kingdom of God. God wants you in His kingdom, he invites and welcomes you. Listen to His words and let them change your life. 

The character of Joseph

Having set the genealogy of Jesus, Matthew goes onto speak about his conception and birth. For the circumstances of the pregnancy and birth of this child were most unusual and miraculous:

Matthew 1:18–25 (ESV):

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 

 23  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, 

and they shall call his name Immanuel” 

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. 

This passage of Scripture shows a humble and righteous man in Joseph. He had probably waited for quite some time before getting to officially marry Mary, the betrothal process taking up to 2 years. In Israel at this time betrothal was a long period to allow for negotiations about bride price and arrangements for the marriage to be made. It was not a private agreement between two people either, families and the wider community would be aware when a man and woman were joined together in this way. During betrothal the couple were considered legally bound to one another already, it is much more than what we may understand an engagement to be. Betrothal is an official agreement, already binding two people together that can only be broken through divorce. It is a serious commitment, and this is what Joseph and Mary had entered into. This makes the circumstances of Mary becoming pregnant so serious and devastating for them both.

During this process of betrothal Joseph finds that his promised wife is pregnant. Not only that, but she has a most unusual story as to how! No wonder he initially thought about divorcing her, she not only has been unfaithful, but is lying about it. However, Joseph did not act rashly, he considered what to do. He clearly loved Mary as he was ‘unwilling to put her to shame’, he knew what treatment would befall her as an unmarried mother. Joseph, simply referred to as a ‘just man’ acted in a respectful and honourable manner towards Mary when he did not need to. Society would likely have responded in a very different way. If she wasn’t stoned to death, Mary would at least have been ostracised. Joseph did not want that for her. Instead, he chose to love her even in the way he ‘resolved’ what action to take. He could have humiliated and shamed Mary in front of her family and the whole community, yet he honours her instead. Even though Joseph must have been heartbroken; the promise of a wife, the awaited union, the hope of family to come, all shattered as he finds out his betrothed is pregnant and he had nothing to do with it. Yet Joseph did not act out of anger or fear, or even in concern for his reputation. Instead he considered and determined his course of action. This shows he was an honourable and considerate man, sensible, not prone to anger, and he didn’t just go along with cultural norms. Joseph desired to do the right thing by himself, Mary, and his community. Even before the angel appeared to him, we can see Joseph is a kind, generous and considered man who is slow to anger. He would make a good husband and father with those qualities, no wonder God chose him.

Then, the angel comes. The circumstances of the pregnancy are revealed, and Joseph, despite his own reservations, concerns and the likely whisperings of society, is obedient to God. He did as the angel told him as soon as he woke up! He had considered and delayed his course of action before then, but as soon as he knew God had spoken, he acted. What faith and faithfulness! He did the unthinkable really, he married a pregnant young woman who was not carrying his child! Yet he did it because God said so. It would not have been easy for Joseph. He would have had awkward conversations as Mary’s pregnancy became more obvious, there would be rumours, his reputation would be called into question as well as Mary’s. It must have been difficult for them both. However, both Joseph and Mary knew what had happened and were obedient to God, even though it was scary and they didn’t know who would believe them. 

Not only was Joseph obedient in marrying Mary, but even after the official wedding ceremony is complete, Joseph chooses not to consummate their marriage until after Jesus is born. He respects God so much that he puts aside himself, his rights and desires, in order to honour both God and Mary. What a humble, sacrificial man. Joseph shows himself to be a man committed to God and doing the right thing, even at his own expense. Kind, generous and faith-filled, obedient, slow to anger, considered and considerate. It is not surprising that God chose him to be the earthly father to His son. Out of painful and difficult circumstances, Joseph got to help mould and develop the Son of God. We can see that as a great privilege, which i am sure it was, but it did not come without pain and difficulty. Joseph was willing to deny himself in order to honour God and others. If you want to make an impact in the World for God’s Kingdom, are you willing to do the same; to be obedient to God even when it is inconvenient, painful and cross-cultural? God can call you to do some amazing things, but do you have the right character for it? Joseph did.

Do not forget

 Psalm 137:1–9 (ESV): 

By the waters of Babylon, 

there we sat down and wept, 

when we remembered Zion. 

 2  On the willows there 

we hung up our lyres. 

 3  For there our captors 

required of us songs, 

  and our tormentors, mirth, saying, 

“Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 

 4  How shall we sing the Lord’s song 

in a foreign land? 

 5  If I forget you, O Jerusalem, 

let my right hand forget its skill! 

 6  Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, 

if I do not remember you, 

  if I do not set Jerusalem 

above my highest joy! 

 7  Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites 

the day of Jerusalem, 

  how they said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare, 

down to its foundations!” 

 8  O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, 

blessed shall he be who repays you 

with what you have done to us! 

 9  Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones 

and dashes them against the rock! 

The people of God have a sorrow that no-one else understands. The things that are lost when people and nations turn away from the truth of Scripture is heartbreaking. Throwing away teaching the principles and stories of the Bible in favour of 'new' thinking, or because some truths are uncomfortable as society accepts ways that the Bible does not. These things cause the people of God to lament. 

I think of how in my lifetime England has changed. Hymns, prayer and biblical teaching were an everyday part of primary school life. Teaching Biblical stories and principles commonplace in the home and community, like; treating others as you want to be treated, honouring your parents and those in authority. These were unwritten rules that you were expected to abide by, it was the same for everyone, and even unknowingly, communities and families were embedding principles and guidance from Scripture into their children's lives, in the workplace, and wider community. Alongside this culture, the laws of this land once reflected the truths of the Gospel, just like in Israel before this exile. Then men started to be persuaded that God’s way wasn’t as good as other ways. Other nations lived differently and had new ideas and ideals, so the law of the land changed to deviate from the truth of God. Kings desired divorce, men desired men, and women, women. Lying is acceptable if you are a politician or salesperson, sex before marriage no longer outrageous but expected. Children not expected to be in submission to parents or authority, instead expected and supported to rebel. Free speech is no longer free, even people who silently pray can be arrested. What has happened?! As a person of God, does this not cause your heart to grieve? 

Such recollections must have caused the grief that penned this psalm. For Israel, their nation had not only deviated from Scripture, but as a result they had been kicked out! Their nation was defeated and the people captured by the Babylonian empire. Yet even through the taunts of their enemy, Israel remembered the joy of Jerusalem, and the privilege of singing praise and making music to their God. They could no longer do this as grief had replaced joy because they were away from the centre of God’s presence (Jerusalem), so their hearts were heavy. They could not even pick up their instruments. As they were dragged into exile ‘we hung up our lyres’ and ‘sat down and wept’ demonstrating the level of grief they experienced. Is your heart aggrieved for the condition of your nation? 

Although the Israelites grieved what was lost, and lamented it, they did not conform, but they continued as best as they could to live as Israelites in this foreign land. Their God was still their God, they remembered the storied of deliverance, the commands, followed the laws, and taught each generation about The God of Israel. They made an effort to remember, to recall the songs, the teachings, the joy of Jerusalem, and they prayed for deliverance. Are you doing the same? 

When Christianity was the main religion of England, schools and hospitals were created, and charities founded. It is because of christians putting their faith into action through caring for others that these institutions exist. How much have those sectors deviated from their roots and the truth! How sad that their history is hidden, and the truth of God removed from those settings. It is like being in a foreign land where God is not known. How can the beautiful truth be forgotten? (v5-6). As people of God, let us not forget. Let us not forget the foundations of faith, the importance of the values of the Kingdom of God. For even if it feels that we are in a foreign land like the Israelites were, we can still live by and apply the truths and laws of the Kingdom of God. For though the Israelites were taken into exile, it did not stop them being Israelites! They knew they were still the people of God, no matter where they were. They still carried songs of praise in their hearts and poured out their hearts in grief to Him. They still remembered the goodness of God and the greatness of worship, and so can you. The Israelites said, ‘Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if i do not remember you’. Therefore recall the goodness of God. Remember the times when God was made known and extolled where you live, and teach the younger generation. Show them what God has done and teach them to hold onto the truth even in a foreign land and era. Do not forget ‘my highest joy’!

Even though times, culture, and laws have changed, and expectations, behaviours and language may seem foreign to you, do not forget. God is still God, even if you feel like a stranger or an exile as the Israelites did. They felt downhearted and distraught, but they could not forget the truth of God. They did not forget the songs of joy, hymns of faith, or the praise and worship of the temple. They would remind each other and encourage one another to remember and pray. They knew that one day, the situation would change, so they had to remember and teach their young ones what to look forward to. One day, like Babylon, this godless age is ‘doomed to be destroyed’. God’s people and His kingdom will once again ‘sing the Lord’s song’ in joy and unity! So remember, wait, and seek the return of God’s reign wherever you are right now. God will repay evil, and He will also repay righteousness. So are you remembering who He is and what life with God is like for yourself, your community and nation? Are you teaching the generation to come about God and how to worship Him? For they will need to know, and they need to be prepared. Even in a dark and disparate nation, people need to be told and encouraged that better times are coming, that there is joy beyond a nation, a situation and beyond this life! The highest joy is that there is a God that loves and cares, who is powerful and kind, who is King and who deserves to be remembered and honoured. Are you remembering Him, and sharing that joy with those around you? 

Fighting for truth

 Psalm 120:1–7 (ESV):  

1  In my distress I called to the Lord, 

and he answered me. 

 2  Deliver me, O Lord, 

from lying lips, 

from a deceitful tongue. 

 3  What shall be given to you, 

and what more shall be done to you, 

you deceitful tongue? 

 4  A warrior’s sharp arrows, 

with glowing coals of the broom tree! 

 5  Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, 

that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! 

 6  Too long have I had my dwelling 

among those who hate peace. 

 7  I am for peace, 

but when I speak, they are for war! 

When you encounter times of distress it is easy to become overwhelmed and think that the whole world is against you. It can seem that everywhere you turn there are enemies and deceit. When you’re in such a time of hardship, everything can seem difficult, and it can feel like you are on your own. It is easy to focus on the pain, discomfort and difficulty and not see anything else. You feel as if you are surrounded by; ‘lying lips’, ‘sharp arrows’, ‘glowing coals’, and ‘those who hate peace’, they are everywhere you look! When your attention is captured by negativity and hardship that can be all you see. Then it is easy to be overwhelmed, anxious and angry. When these emotions swamp you, the fight can seem futile. This is especially so when it feels like you are the only one standing up for what is right. A bearer of truth and peace encircled by lies, chaos and violence. It is exhausting continuing to attempt to bring peace and restoration when, ‘i speak, they are for war’. Every time you open your mouth to bring some kind of resolution, you are shot down by sharp arrows and glowing coals, a battle erupts and you can wonder; is it worth the fight? What is the point, i am not making a difference? 

When you feel like that, go back to the start of the psalm, ‘in my distress i called to the Lord, and he answered me’. Think about that. You are not fighting alone, no matter how it feels. When you stand up for righteousness, for the things God cares about, when you stand on truth and desire peace, you have God on your side! So the best thing to consider is not the difficulty, but what does God want you to do in this situation? Whatever He tells you, do it. You are one of His children, living amongst a people who do not acknowledge Him, so it will be tough at times. You will have to stand up and stand out from the crowd by displaying God's kingdom values, like not lying, or trying to enforce your views through terror. You belong to a different kingdom, so ask for God's strength to help you show it, and remind yourself that God sees, cares for, and is with you (v1). What greater power and influence can you have than knowing God is present and answering you?

Take time to think about previous battles, whether they are yours, someone else's, or biblical accounts - what happened then?! I am sure that you will see that the people of God were oppressed, battling, finding life difficult, until God answered in a tangible way. He stepped in, rescued, and sorted it out. Therefore, keep living life obedient to God. Don’t be swayed or misdirected by others, keep being the truth teller and the peace bringer, keep standing for what you know is right, and keep asking God to intervene. The Lord Your God will prevail in the battles you face. For what are lying lips, glowing coals, sharp arrows, deceitful tongues or war bringers in front of Almighty God?! 

the Lord our God is holy

 Psalm 99:1–9 (ESV): 

1 The Lord reigns: let the peoples tremble!

He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! 

 2  The Lord is great in Zion; 

he is exalted over all the peoples. 

 3  Let them praise your great and awesome name! 

Holy is he! 

 4  The King in his might loves justice. 

You have established equity; 

  you have executed justice 

and righteousness in Jacob. 

 5  Exalt the Lord our God; 

worship at his footstool! 

Holy is he! 

 6  Moses and Aaron were among his priests, 

Samuel also was among those who called upon his name. 

They called to the Lord, and he answered them. 

 7  In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them; 

they kept his testimonies 

and the statute that he gave them. 

 8  O Lord our God, you answered them; 

you were a forgiving God to them, 

but an avenger of their wrongdoings. 

 9  Exalt the Lord our God, 

and worship at his holy mountain; 

for the Lord our God is holy! 

How do you know God is holy?

1) Firstly, consider where He resides and rules (v1-3). Cherubim, the creatures of heaven, sit around His throne. They attend to God, to be near Him signifying His power, authority and goodness. When you read the Bible and see the cherubim described they sound like fantastic beasts, so how incredible must be the one who is enthroned 'upon the cherubim'! God is in heaven in authority, yet He is also exalted over, 'all the peoples'. His jurisdiction is seen and known in heaven and on earth. He influences both realms - it takes an incredible ability to do that, something significantly different, powerful, yet relatable to rule both realms well. God is set apart as He is significantly different. He does not have the responsibility and authority to rule because of wise and persuasive words or physical might, but because of His goodness, love and purity - His holiness. There is no-one like Him because He is completely good.

2) God is The King - the One King that all others are under. God is not just a king who has been endowed with authority and influence, but He is The King who ‘loves justice’, has ‘established equity’ and is righteous. This surely sets God above any other ruler! He rules with justice in mind at every step, meaning that He is fair. Plus He also treats people with equity. This is a term now becoming common in society, it is not about treating people equally, but ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to access to the same things. Providing support, equipment, training etc so that a person has the potential to achieve. God didn’t need any training to tell Him to do that. He created the notion that we should all be treated as the individual’s we are so that everyone has what they need. God establishes equity, justice and righteousness. God knows what is good and right inherently. He doesn't need teaching to do the right things, He was never taught about equity or equality, justice or righteousness because He is those things. He created these facets, and He models them due to His holiness. 

4) You will find nothing wrong in Him. No sneaky motive, selfish ambition or wrongdoing. He will not fail to be good, righteous, kind, loving, establish equity or justice. You can look, but you will never find anything wrong in Him - read the Bible from beginning to end and you will see His love, purity and holiness all the way through. He is pure in all of His desires and His actions, He is completely good. God does what He says He will in a fair, honest and right way each and every time. You can trust Him in that. Surely such a One is holy!

5) The psalmist mentions 3 patriarchs of the Jewish faith; Moses, Aaron and Samuel. Men known to have heard God and followed Him. They actively sought Him and lived their lives doing God's will to the best of their ability. Men credited with instilling faith to the nation of Israel during their lifetimes. They were so set apart that they had private conversations with this Almighty King and Holy God. In their private audiences with Him, He gave them direction and confidence for what they needed to do and say. They were so special that God favoured them because they were obedient, and faithful. Yet they were just men. Even though some may even say they were great men, and they must have been pretty special for their life stories are still read and admired thousands of years later, but they were still just men, and they still needed forgiving. Moses, Aaron and Samuel got things wrong even though they were great leaders, so they needed forgiveness. God had to be ’an avenger of their wrongdoing’. Only one who has done no wrong can forgive. Only God has the character and the will to provide forgiveness for the least and the greatest of us because He is the only one who has never erred. He never makes a mistake or sins, this is why He can forgive all people, the great men and women of faith like Moses, Aaron and Samuel, down to the prostitute at the feet of Jesus. God can forgive because He is holy. He alone is ultimately good, righteous, faithful and holy. Even the best person alive today who demonstrates faithfulness to God, like these patriarchs, they still get it wrong. When they do, where do they go, who can forgive them when they still get things wrong and fall short of the holiness, righteousness and justice? All men and women, no matter the signs and wonders, the pillars of cloud or fire that follow or precede them, they all need God’s forgiveness and vengeance of their sin. Therefore, in order to forgive them and make recompense for their wrongs, God has to be greater. Greater in His ability to forgive due to His holiness and greater in His desire to forgive. There is no-one and no sin that He will not forgive. His desire for equity, justice and righteousness extends to all people, no matter what. That is why, in God's great holiness and love, He sacrificed His Son so that we could all know forgiveness. So that we can all be restored to the standard God models; perfection and holiness. For Jesus is God, and human, and He lived the perfect, righteous, just, holy life which he gave up so that His life was exchanged for all sin. So you now, and anyone who chooses to turn and believe in him can be forgiven and can be made holy. This is only made possible through God's kindness, justice, authority and holiness.

Only God is holy.

In God’s holiness He deals with wrongdoing, avenging your sin. He reigns in righteousness and equity, displaying authority, power, love and justice because He is holy. 

Would you want to follow or worship something that wasn’t holy? If you wanted someone to rule over you, wouldn't you want them to do the right things, make just decisions and be able to fairly exercise their power and influence? Surely a holy God is the kind of king you want to follow!

What do you do when wickedness seems to be winning?

Psalm 94:1–23 (ESV): 

O Lord, God of vengeance, 

O God of vengeance, shine forth! 

 2  Rise up, O judge of the earth; 

repay to the proud what they deserve! 

 3  O Lord, how long shall the wicked, 

how long shall the wicked exult? 

 4  They pour out their arrogant words; 

all the evildoers boast. 

 5  They crush your people, O Lord, 

and afflict your heritage. 

 6  They kill the widow and the sojourner, 

and murder the fatherless; 

 7  and they say, “The Lord does not see; 

the God of Jacob does not perceive.” 

 8  Understand, O dullest of the people! 

Fools, when will you be wise? 

 9  He who planted the ear, does he not hear? 

  He who formed the eye, does he not see? 

 10  He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? 

  He who teaches man knowledge— 

 11  the Lord—knows the thoughts of man, 

that they are but a breath. 

 12  Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, 

and whom you teach out of your law, 

 13  to give him rest from days of trouble, 

until a pit is dug for the wicked. 

 14  For the Lord will not forsake his people; 

he will not abandon his heritage; 

 15  for justice will return to the righteous, 

and all the upright in heart will follow it. 

 16  Who rises up for me against the wicked? 

Who stands up for me against evildoers? 

 17  If the Lord had not been my help, 

my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. 

 18  When I thought, “My foot slips,” 

your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. 

 19  When the cares of my heart are many, 

your consolations cheer my soul. 

 20  Can wicked rulers be allied with you, 

those who frame injustice by statute? 

 21  They band together against the life of the righteous 

and condemn the innocent to death. 

 22  But the Lord has become my stronghold, 

and my God the rock of my refuge. 

 23  He will bring back on them their iniquity 

and wipe them out for their wickedness; 

the Lord our God will wipe them out. 

Do you ever ask God to destroy the wicked? You can, it is allowed. Many of the psalms ask for God to destroy the proud, the wicked, end evildoers. Not for no reason though, nor just for their own relief, but so that God’s people and His kingdom benefit. The psalmists are concerned not only with their own situation, but also for God’s reputation and the welfare of His people. So when you pray for evil to end - what is your reason? Is it just so that things are better for you? If you pray for evil to end because you wish to stop suffering that is too narrow-minded. God’s vision is beyond your own life and circumstances, His vision is wider and further, and so should yours be.

Instead of just asking God for vengeance or judgement on a person or situation because they bother you, let God hear your concern for the widespread problems of wickedness. The oppression of those God cares about like the widows, strangers, fatherless, His people. Tell God what you see and why it is not ok. Sure, tell Him your experience too and how tough it has been on you, but don’t limit your vision of what God can do. He can work on a much bigger scale than you expect, He has the future of a whole kingdom that He is concerned about.

If you are oppressed by wickedness in the workplace, then consider who else is affected. Petition God for them too, ask Him to see and hear and make Himself known in the whole of the workplace, for His kingdom to come there - imagine how many people would be impacted by the love, mercy and justice of God then! The same is true for any area of life you are seeing evil influence. Whether it be in your family, community, country, friendship group or neighbourhood. Pray and rely on God for the solution. 

In times when wickedness seems to reign there is often little that you can do to change the circumstances. You do not have to fix it. Often you cannot as it is a spiritual battle. So the most powerful weapons are prayer, dependence on God and love. You do not need to be the one that is trying to resolve things in your own strength, plotting and scheming the downfall of the wicked or digging the pit for the evildoers to fall into. Let God lead. ‘For justice will return to the righteous and all the upright in heart will follow it’. God is responsible for justice, you are responsible for remaining 'upright'. So make sure you are doing your part. Pray and pursue righteousness in the way you are living your life, even when you are encountering trouble and wickedness. Otherwise when God comes to judge wickedness, will He need to pour out His judgement on you too? 

When you feel overwhelmed, upset or angry, allow the thoughts of who God is for eternity comfort your soul, ‘When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.’ Consider God when you are afraid, worried, concerned, when you are facing a battle or seeing persecution. Approach God, and allow the truth of who He is and what He is capable of bring you comfort. Remember what God has said, and allow His words cheer you up. For His Word is everlasting and always true. Allow Him to take care of your heart, and trust Him with the hearts of those around you. Difficulties are an opportunity for your faith to be displayed. This involves being less dependent on yourself, less swayed by emotions and more invested in your relationship with God. He can become your stronghold and rock of refuge (v22), whilst also cheering your soul and taking care of your heart (v19). God sees and hears it all and, ‘the Lord will not forsake his people’. Trust Him. Not just for your protection, salvation and comfort, but trust that, ‘the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.’

Keep praying, Keep believing. Keep being upright.

In God's shadow

Psalm 91:1–16 (ESV): 

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High 

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 

 2  I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, 

my God, in whom I trust.” 

 3  For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler 

and from the deadly pestilence. 

 4  He will cover you with his pinions, 

and under his wings you will find refuge; 

his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 

 5  You will not fear the terror of the night, 

nor the arrow that flies by day, 

 6  nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, 

nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 

 7  A thousand may fall at your side, 

ten thousand at your right hand, 

but it will not come near you. 

 8  You will only look with your eyes 

and see the recompense of the wicked. 

 9  Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— 

the Most High, who is my refuge— 

 10  no evil shall be allowed to befall you, 

no plague come near your tent. 

 11  For he will command his angels concerning you 

to guard you in all your ways. 

 12  On their hands they will bear you up, 

lest you strike your foot against a stone. 

 13  You will tread on the lion and the adder; 

the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. 

 14  “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; 

I will protect him, because he knows my name. 

 15  When he calls to me, I will answer him; 

I will be with him in trouble; 

I will rescue him and honour him. 

 16  With long life I will satisfy him 

and show him my salvation.” 

Can you imagine living in the shadow of God?!

If you live as a follower of God, then you, ‘abide in the shadow if the Almighty’ because He has invited you into His presence, and you have opted to walk with Him. God overshadows you. This means you are safe and protected and you know His presence wherever you tread. You are privileged to be so close. Due to your proximity to God, He can save you from the enemy’s traps and heal you from sickness and fear.  

However, you still see and experience life in this world. Even from this space of comfort and shade, of closeness and protection, you see fighting, disease, deeds of darkness and destruction. You are not oblivious or immune to the suffering and pain of this world even when you know whose presence you are in. You will see the pain others go through as they decide to live outside the shadow of God. The psalm tells us that though thousands around us may be afflicted and harmed, we will know God's protection and provision. Those that follow God have a different experience of life due to their proximity to the Almighty, but it doesn't mean that life doesn't hurt or isn't difficult at times. For those outside of the shadow of God are neighbours, friends and loved ones and seeing them suffer causes grief. You will see the results of unholy, unfaithful living outside the protection of the Father and you will feel sadness and pain. 

Even though you can be confident that you are protected and covered by God, you will witness those not in God’s kingdom suffering in a way you will not. For you can always know God's promise to you is this, 'Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15  When he calls to me, I will answer him'. You have the beautiful assurance that you will be delivered, protected and cared for because you are known to God and you know God. You are within His shadow, so you are within earshot and can reach out and hold His hand. Ultimately, your future is secure for wherever you are, God is present whether in this life or the next. You have eternal security, it is well for your soul, but you know many for who this is not true. 

As you live in the shadow of God, you can know and appreciate the security of your position and at the same time mourn the lack of faith of those around you, as you see them suffer there may be little you can do but prat. Yet remember the power and goodness of the One you are walking and talking with. It is not your responsibility to go and rescue those outside of the kingdom. You should not leave God’s shadow even for a moment to go and try to help or persuade them. The best help you can give is by taking advantage of your proximity to God. Keep walking in God's shadow so you can talk to Him on their behalf, and demonstrate the joy and peace of a life lived in the comfort and shelter of God’s love. You, as one close to God, are saved from experiencing the lonely isolation, fear, hopelessness and torment of living life outside of His protection and love. Even when disaster strikes and plagues come along, you can know that God will deliver you as you ‘hold fast to me in love’. So, the best aid you can give to others is maintaining your posture of proximity with Almighty, powerful, loving God. From His side you can see and hear what God is doing. By being close to God and knowing the joy and power of His shadow over you, you can show others the beauty of living in step with Him. When they see that disaster and disease do not affect you in the same way, that you have peace, assurance and contentment due to your relationship with God, i wonder how others will respond. When they are having a rough time and you let them know you are praying, i wonder what they will think when their situation changes. When you speak kindness and truth when others do not, when you come at challenges with a different motivation and mindset, i wonder what others will see. 

Your responsibility and duty for others is best served by investing in your relationship with God. Getting close to Him makes a positive impact on those around you. You have the invitation to dwell ‘in the shelter of the Most High’ and ‘abide in the shadow of the Almighty’. Is that where you are living? Being close to Him is good not only for you, but also for those around you. Who knows, by demonstrating your relationship with God, maybe others will also come to benefit from being in His shadow too.

'this one was born here'

 Psalm 87:1–7 (ESV):  

1  On the holy mount stands the city he founded; 

 2  the Lord loves the gates of Zion 

more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. 

 3  Glorious things of you are spoken, 

O city of God. Selah 

 4  Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; 

behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush— 

“This one was born there,” they say. 

 5  And of Zion it shall be said, 

“This one and that one were born in her”; 

for the Most High himself will establish her. 

 6  The Lord records as he registers the peoples, 

“This one was born there.” Selah 

 7  Singers and dancers alike say, 

“All my springs are in you.” 

This psalm tells of the significance and beauty of Jerusalem as not only favoured by God, but founded by Him. A place where there is great protection and access to those who enter, for the ‘Lord loves the gates of Zion’. This gives a sense of openness and welcome from God Himself, a place where people can come and enjoy the kingdom that God has founded and loves so anyone can find a place there. Who wouldn’t want to be in this city where ‘Glorious things’ are spoken?! It is not only a place God has founded, built and delights in, but is the place that God has chosen to dwell, ‘the city of God’.

Although this psalm refers to Jerusalem, the physical place that has known the favour of God through the ages, it is also a prophetic picture of the city of God to come where ALL people are welcome if they choose to enter into God’s presence. in verses 4-5 the non-Jewish surrounding nations are mentioned as knowing God and even being born there. Therefore we can see that this is a glimpse of what was to come through Jesus - all people, even if not physically of the nation of Israel, can be born again into the kingdom of God. What a promise! Any person that believes and follows God is born into His kingdom, a place of knowing and dwelling with God. 

The phrase ‘this one was born here’ is repeated in this short psalm to demonstrate the call, connection and establishment of each person who is born into God’s kingdom. You do not need to be Jewish, from Israel or even have been to Jerusalem to be recorded as one who knows God and has been born into His kingdom. Every person from every nation has that opportunity no matter what. God himself establishes each believer in His family (v5), He even ‘records as he registers the peoples’. Just as seriously and solemnly as a child’s earthly birth is recorded in legal documents, so too does God do so for all who choose to enter His kingdom. He changes their citizenship and their birth right as they decide to belong to the city of God. 

Yet this sense of belonging doesn't stop there, but God also counts believers as, ‘those that know me’. The Hebrew word in v4 translated as ‘know’ actually means to have intimate knowledge, experience, and understanding of. God has allowed himself to be revealed in such a way through Jesus and the Holy Spirit that you and i, and every other individual on Earth can have this depth of understanding of who God is. You can know Him intimately as He has invited you into the gates of His dwelling place - you can literally get to know Him as you get up each morning, experience God throughout your day and can understand something of His glorious might, love and creativity! That is pretty epic! You get to understand things about God that those outside the kingdom do not because you live with Him, in His presence and in His home. Maybe you have an assurance, certainty, peace in situations that others don’t because you understand the goodness and love of God. How privileged are we who are ‘born there’! 

The gates are open for you to enter and enjoy the presence of God if you choose to. You can be adopted into God’s family, legally made His own through accepting the truth that Jesus died for your sins. Are you counted as one who has been 'born there'?

When you seek change, are you prepared for the change to start with you?

 Psalm 72:1–20 (ESV):  

1  Give the king your justice, O God, 

and your righteousness to the royal son! 

2  May he judge your people with righteousness, 

and your poor with justice! 

3  Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, 

and the hills, in righteousness! 

4  May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, 

give deliverance to the children of the needy, 

and crush the oppressor! 

5  May they fear you while the sun endures, 

and as long as the moon, throughout all generations! 

6  May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, 

like showers that water the earth! 

7  In his days may the righteous flourish, 

and peace abound, till the moon be no more! 

8  May he have dominion from sea to sea, 

and from the River to the ends of the earth! 

9  May desert tribes bow down before him, 

and his enemies lick the dust! 

10  May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands 

render him tribute; 

may the kings of Sheba and Seba 

bring gifts! 

11  May all kings fall down before him, 

all nations serve him! 

12  For he delivers the needy when he calls, 

the poor and him who has no helper. 

13  He has pity on the weak and the needy, 

and saves the lives of the needy. 

14  From oppression and violence he redeems their life, 

and precious is their blood in his sight. 

15  Long may he live; 

may gold of Sheba be given to him! 

May prayer be made for him continually, 

and blessings invoked for him all the day! 

16  May there be abundance of grain in the land; 

on the tops of the mountains may it wave; 

may its fruit be like Lebanon; 

and may people blossom in the cities 

like the grass of the field! 

17  May his name endure forever, 

his fame continue as long as the sun! 

May people be blessed in him, 

all nations call him blessed! 

18  Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, 

who alone does wondrous things. 

19  Blessed be his glorious name forever; 

may the whole earth be filled with his glory! 

Amen and Amen! 

20  The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended. 

Solomon (the king’s son) here is asking for God to give him the character and gifts needed to lead the nation well. He knows he will inherit the throne of his father, David, so he is preparing himself to lead. Therefore as he takes on this mammoth task, he asks for God’s help and blessing in the role. He is clearly not confident or sure of what he will need to do, but he is sure that God can help him and the nation. He prays for the kind of rule he wants, and the kind of kingdom that anyone would like to lead - righteous, just, prosperous, protected, free and God-honouring. Solomon knows that he cannot achieve this alone, and he knows the battles his father has fought to protect this people, so he is under no illusion that being monarch is going to be easy! Therefore he asks God for help, and for his character to be moulded into the king that the nation needs. Solomon is prepared to do the hard work of changing himself in otder to be the vessel God and the Israelites need (notice all the times he says 'may he'). When you pray for change, are you prepared for the change to start with you?

Solomon understands that in order to lead the nation into peace and justice that he will have to handle judgements and he desires to do that right. He needs the spirit of God to help him discern, so he asks. He goes to God and asks Him to help, do you? Whatever is needed to do the tasks you are given in life, do you ask God to help you do them well? Solomon did. He knew change was required for the benefit of the people he was serving, and he asks God for it even if that means he has to change, learn and stretch himself. Solomon recognises that he needs to take responsibility, but it is scary and too big a job for him. His vision and ideal reign will be peaceful and prosperous, so he asks God to deliver it and transform him into the kind of person that can lead a nation like that. He firstly asks to become just and righteous (v1-2), then he goes onto ask for courage to defend those with the least and defeat ‘the oppressor’ (v4), next he asks that he refreshes the people of Israel (v6-7). He does not want to be a burden, but a blessing, He wants to enable the country to flourish, and so realises that there are expectations and responsibilities that he needs to take on that he doesn’t feel ready for. Therefore he needs the power of God to come! To change him, to provide and go before him. 

Solomon must have learnt from his Dad how to pray! He must have seen him crying out in distress, praising and petitioning God for help. He may have read some of the songs and prayers David wrote. He had seen the success of a life lived depending on God, and reigning from an attitude of God first, and so he copied this successful way. Solomon had seen that the fear of God from the king will cause the nation to prosper (v5). As he wants to rule well and for a long time (v6-7), for a wide expanse of land (v8-11) in a peaceful time, and for the nation to be renowned for peace, justice and prosperity, Solomon knows he has to look to God for it. He trusts God for the things yet unknown and unrealised because he has experienced the success of his father's relationship with God and seen how that has brought salvation and restoration to Israel. So as the time approaches for him to be the leader, he desires to continue to develop and grow the nation into goodness. He was aware that David and his mother,  Bathsheba, were preparing him to be king, so he wanted to prepare himself. Therefore he sought God so that he could become the man God needed to rule Israel. He was prepared for the change to start with him.

We know that these things Solomon prayed for came about. Israel knew peace and prosperity during his reign, and he was known as a wise and just king, other kings voluntarily paid homage to Solomon voluntarily (v10). God gave Solomon what he had asked for. After all, Solomon had prayed for what God desired already, and so it came about plus Solomon was willing to change himself first in order to complete his job well. He asked God for His assistance in the everyday things that he needed to do, knowing that there was personal development required, and he trusted God with the vision he had for the future. We can read this psalm and conclude that Solomon was asking for the perfect nation, and why not?! Why limit your expectations of what God can do? Solomon didn’t, and look at the nation of Israel when he ruled - he was known to be wise and just, and Israel was a peaceful and prosperous nation with other kings and queens voluntarily bringing him gifts and learning from him. Solomon prayed for big things, and God delivered. Solomon allowed himself to be changed first so that the nation could be transformed, and it happened. When you desire change, are you prepared for it to start with you?  Will you ask God to help and prepare you for today and the future, asking Him to help you be the change He needs?