XV_Remembering

XV
Remembering …
‘What do you mean by these stones’? Joshua 4:6

If your first reaction to these words is that I have ‘lost it’, read on!

I believe that by pondering these words that God can give us fresh insight. I wonder if you have somewhere special that has particular memories for you? Perhaps when you revisited you will remember either a sense of wellbeing or an unhappiness as dark memories began to gather like storm clouds. Whatever remembering may involve for us, it may be like crossing a stile on a walk; you might look back at where you have come from, but ahead is a different footpath and fresh direction as you journey on with God. It is important to move on. We were never meant to live in the past, but memories of the past should be balanced by hope for the future.

In scripture there is often a strong link between God doing something amazing and the place where it happened. How many times were God’s people called on to remember what God had done in the past in giving deliverance, sending food, providing water, guiding across a trackless desert, to name but four? The tragedy was that so often they forgot. What about you? The tragedy of those words ‘They forgot …’

In your own journey are you strengthened or brought down by something from the past? If the latter, bring it to God in confession and ask Him to take you across the river and into a new place. The story from Joshua marks a break point in the people’s journey.

Crossing Jordan might seem like a repetition of crossing the Red Sea, (of which they would have heard, but not experienced – the parallel is drawn by Joshua). Crossing over now was their new experience. Entering into the land across the Jordan was the first stage of their claiming the long-promised inheritance. The waters of the river were stayed just as long as the priests and the ark stayed in midstream for their crossing. Special stress is put on the stones as a memorial of the staying of the river, which was in spate. To cross the river unaided was inviting death; but the presence and power of God in the middle of the river brought a safe passage. The stones speaks of life out of a place of death.

What would following generations make of this? By listening to the story of that great day handed down they would learn about it – but how to remember? That is why they had the visible and tangible reminder.

Isn’t that why we have a remembrance of God’s saving act in Christ? We have bread and wine as visible signs of what God has done through Jesus’ cross, resurrection and defeat of death – ‘the waters were stayed’. The sting of death has been drawn and we long for the day when ‘the last enemy’ will be finally destroyed. Till then, remember Him.

XV_Mighty

XV

Mighty

‘I have come to call not those who think they are righteous but those

who know they are sinners and need to repent’ – Luke 5 v32

So Jesus and the disciples are walking in the fields. It’s a Sabbath day and as they go along they start pulling off some of the heads of grain, rubbing them together, and munching on them as they walk and talk. Suddenly out of nowhere the Pharisees jump out (perhaps from behind a bush...?) and accuse them of breaking God’s law by ‘harvesting’ on the Sabbath. You can see what’s happening here. Jesus’ response is classic.
First he asks them ‘have you never read the scriptures?’. These are the heavyweights of the Torah - the top authority on the scriptures. These are people who would have had the torah, the histories, psalms and prophets memorized by the age of 14. And Jesus asks them ‘have you never read in the scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves...’. Now if you’re the disciples, the moment the Pharisees appear your thinking ‘oh man...we’re busted!’. Yet here Jesus is standing up to the Pharisees narrow interpretation of the law, their yoke.
But there’s something else going on as well. Turning to Chronicles 11 v11 we see what Jesus is referring to. David, we know, as the disciples and Pharisees would have known, was the most famous and blessed of Israel’s kings – but what about his companions...?
In Chronicles we learn just who these guys are...’Joshobeam the Hacmonite’ (great name!) the leader of the three and mightiest warrior among David’s men...’Eleaza son of Dodai’ victorious with David at the battle of Pas-Dammim.....’Benaiah son of Jehoiada’ -> whom on a snowy day went down into a pit and killed a lion! ...‘Cos we all like to kill our lions on snowy days.
So as Jesus stands between the Pharisees and his disciples, who in the story is He representing?... ->David ....and so who is he comparing the disciples with?..........->the mighty men.

.If you’re one of the disciples you’ve just gone from ‘Man we’re busted!’ to ‘......yeah......I could take a lion if I wanted!’. Jesus thinks I can be like that? Jesus thinks I can be one of the mighty men?
Jesus is showing just how much faith he has in these simple, flawed and very human followers of His. People like us. Despite all their imperfections – their sin – Jesus sees more in them than others would.
In a world where we often find ourselves attacked, or see our self confidence rising and falling like a rollercoaster – these words are of genuine comfort. I know that I doubt myself; I know that I question why God should be interested in me, after all my failures and all my shortcomings. Yet Jesus stands in front of me, in front of us and says ‘he/she/you/they are kind of like the mighty men...I am the King...and they’re my crack troops...they’re my loyal followers....they’re my companions’. Maybe today, right now, you could pray that you would know that, and maybe if you do, pray for a friend who doesn’t know it.

XV_Change

XV
Change

‘The spirit of the Lord will come upon you and you will prophesy...

and you will be changed into another person...’ – 1 Samuel 10:6

Recently I read these words once again and have been unable to get them out of my mind. It has struck me forcibly how much they say to us, although first spoken centuries ago. Perhaps it is because these words are saying so much about us? Do we see what God wants to do in us?
The idea of change can provoke strong feelings of resistance. On the other hand, people look to lifestyle gurus (of whom there seems to be no lack) by reading their books and attending seminars promising life change. Can the advice ‘Change your life in a minute’ be taken at face value? Change like a chrysalis changing into a butterfly! Been there, tried that? The fact that there are so many would-be counselors may only reflect our inner desire to be different.
How do you feel about your life at the present? Have you tried to make changes which like New Year’s resolutions have not lasted? Has this left you with a sense of frustration? In the quiet as you ponder these things, ask God to speak to you in reassurance. Ask him to remind you of his purpose that one day you (and all Christians) will be changed beyond our present understanding.
What does the quotation above say to us? The person addressed is promised three things. The Spirit of God is sent to begin the process of change. As a way of bringing change, it differs from any human solution because there is an external power at work. When we read Jesus’ promise that God our Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him, we who live today can claim that same gift of the Spirit.
For a few moments, reflect on the Spirit and his power. A power beyond our natural experience –his coming into human lives produces change. The wonder of what he does is that it has a transforming effect that may begin quite suddenly but which continues as a process – ‘we are being changed’. Seen on an apron – be patient God hasn’t finished with me yet.
The sign that God is changing something on the inside might take you outside your comfort zone. You may not think that you could ever operate in the area where natural abilities take second place in order to let God speak through you; remember that the promise ‘you will prophesy’ was new for this man. This gift is one of nine that accompany the coming of the Spirit and seek God to find out what he wants to give you. Rather like a present left unopened, we may leave on one side the gift God has given us.
It is time for change.

XV_Chopsticks

XV

Chopsticks
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. - John 14:18

Everyone takes their seats, the hustle dies down and a gentle hush is all that can be heard in the great auditorium. The anticipation mounts up as they audience all decked out in their finest clothes wait to hear one of the worlds greats. This piano player is something to be experienced ....he’s an artist.
The grand piano sits there gleaming under the stage lights, alone, waiting for the master pianist to come and make it sing. The concert in New York has been sold out for 6 months, this is a big deal. Towards the front is a lady, sitting next to her is her nine year old son in a tuxedo. He’s been complaining about his piano lessons for some time now and his mother is hoping that hearing the great Ignace Jan Paderewski, the master pianist will motivate him to enjoy his own playing.
However as Mike Yaconelli puts it ‘you can dress a nine-year old in a tuxedo, but he’s still nine!’. This boy is getting impatient and restless in his seat...suddenly he’s up on his feet...making his way towards the stage...
His mother, earlier distracted now realises what is going on, she calls after him but he’s already decided to go for it. Clambering onto the stage in front of the packed auditorium he approaches the great Steinway piano and settles himself onto the seat...the stunned audience watch as the boy starts to tap out his version of ‘chopsticks’ onto the grand piano...
‘Get him off the stage....this is outrageous...where’s the boy’s mother?!’ cries the audience.
The ushers start moving towards the stage just as Paderewski is coming out of his dressing room. Seeing what is happening his grabs his jacket and makes his way onto the stage. The audience has no idea what is going to happen next...slowly...totally unnoticed by boy, Paderewski kneels down by the piano and whispers in the boy’s ear ‘don’t stop...keep on playing...you’re doing great’. And with that he puts his hands around the boy to the piano and starts to accompany him with a concerto based on ‘chopsticks’. The two play together, all the time Paderewski whispering in the boy’s ear ‘don’t stop...you’re doing great!......’
When we look at our lives and the things we strive towards - the tune we play can sometimes look a bit muddled, a bit messy and a bit off key or out of tune. It’s easy to compare ourselves to others who seem to be playing a better tune than us. When I think of God and the wonder of his melody, I wonder just what my little tune on my little piano must sound like! Jesus said he came so that the world might know the Father so that we wouldn’t be orphans, on our own, playing that tune by ourselves. He came so that we could know our true Father by our side as we play out our tune. Today, whether things are going great or you whether you just don’t have a clue and feel you’re way off the page and you feel like giving up – know that God has his arms around you, that he is playing along with you, helping your tune soar to the heavens.
We are not alone. Wherever we are. Whatever’s going on. Even at the hardest times.

He is whispering like a Father to His child ‘don’t stop...keep playing....you’re doing great’.