Author: BJ Armstrong

Jonah 4, Psalm 1

As we conclude the book of Jonah, I find myself working through some tough questions.  For example, why did God choose Jonah?  First he runs away, repenting only when God pins him down.  Then, he reverts back to his old attitudes.  Finally, when God confronts him about his indignation, Jonah doesn’t attempt to change.  He doesn’t even express remorse.  Instead, he wishes for death. 

He’s an Idiot.  That’s the best descriptor I can find.  In fact, I can’t believe that God is still talking with him.  Seriously, God should wring his neck! God’s frustration with Jonah must be unbearable.  What is God thinking?  How could he?

Do you hear it?  Righteous indignation shows up fast!  Just like Jonah, I find myself running from God’s calling.  Just like Jonah, I repent and choose obedience when He reigns me in.  And, just like Jonah, I revert to my old self, full of righteous indignation.

Thankfully, God never changes.  God loves me and calls me to do his bidding, just like Jonah.  God tests and reproves me because he loves me, just like Jonah.  And, God listens to me, even when I’m an idiot, just like Jonah.

Joshua 23, Proverbs 23

People love to talk about their difficulties.  Think, for a moment, about a difficult season in your life.  Trouble seems to follow you everywhere.  Your trials are always on your mind, weighing you down.  You talk with other people about them, strategize for solutions and even complain.  They consume our prayers.  In fact, these trials and tribulations can lead us to our most intimate moments with God.  You see, it is our desperation, not our success that creates the most dependence on God.  Why?  I have no idea but apparently, it was no different for Israel.  

Consider this, Israel is experiencing a long period of peace.  They are, according to verse 1, at “rest.”  Mirriam-Webster defines rest as both freedom from activity or labor, and peace of mind.  I’m sure both are true for Israel here.  They had no threats from surrounding enemies and they are living in the land of milk and honey.  Not only that, they live under the promise that God will push back all of their enemies.  It seems everything is going their way.   I’ll bet that they feel invincible.  Eat, drink and be merry, right?  This is exactly why Joshua called them together. But Joshua did not call them to celebration.  Instead, he offers up warnings.

Joshua knew that good times can be very destructive.  Why?  Because humans have short memories.  We quickly forget how our victory was secured, often downplaying the difficulty and challenges that led us to our current success.  In fact, when our circumstances are positive, we take credit.  We convince ourselves that our strength and might, enabled us to conquer and achieve victory.  Furthermore, we believe that we are all we need to continue.  Joshua, however, remembered.  Wisely, he calls the Israelites back to reality, emphasizing that it was the Lord that fought for them (v3).  In fact, God is still fighting for you (v5).  And, if you want it to continue, Joshua chides, “you must be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses” (Joshua 23:6).

As I read through Joshua 23, I wonder how faithful they really were.  More importantly, I wonder how faithful we really are.  For example, rare is the occasion that I stop and remember why I am here.  Scarcely do I recall the battle that was fought and the blood that was shed on my behalf.  Hardly ever do i think about God’s ongoing promises of protection, provision and pardon.  As i think about them, just now, my heart is filled with love and peace.  Thank you, Joshua, for the reminder about the good times and who is responsible for them. Thank you, Jesus, for making them a reality.

Joshua 11, Proverbs 11

While reading the book of Joshua, I find my focus shifting.  I either excited about the tremendous victories of Joshua or disturbed by the brutal violence.  In fact, the two stand in such opposition that I am questioning who God is.  One is good and the other horrible, right?  How can he be responsible for both?  My heart hurts for the lost cities.  It hurts for all the people killed.  I struggle to celebrate victories that are won because of the mass destruction.  I want it to be different.  However, a closer look reveals that my perspective is short-sighted. 

Consider for a moment that you were Jabin, the king of Hazor.  You just received the news of Joshua’s great victory and the utter destruction left in his wake.  Not just the destruction, but the ruthless hanging of five kings (Joshua 10:26).  It’s obvious who is next on Joshua’s list. You are!  Think for a moment about the two choices you have.  Make peace with Israel, or take them out.  Their choice is documented in verse 19.  “There was not a city that made peace with the people of Israel except the Hivites.”  Simply put, Hazor chose to protect his own kingdom rather than come under the authority of Israel.  What other choice does Joshua have?  What other choice does God have?  

Do you see how Hazor and Israel correlate with our own lives?  Think about it,  God shows up, all powerful and sovereign.  While stand, silently, watching his work, we get to choose.  Will we make peace with him, or will we fight?  Unfortunately, like Hazor, we often choose to build and protect our own kingdoms rather than come under His authority.  How long should we expect God to watch us?  You see, He has a choice to make too.  For Hazor and his buddies, God’s compassion had a limit.  As a result, He hardened the hearts of the five kings after they proved to be fully against him.  It is important to note that God has not changed.  In fact, Romans 1:25 reminds us that when we exchange the truth of God for a lie, we too will be given over to our sin.  Its the same thing!  Make no mistake, when that happens, death and destruction is on our horizon. This is not what God wants.  He is not planning destruction for us.  In fact, He wants us to live, fully, with him.  

Today, God is offering us hope in the name Jesus Christ.  It is written:

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”  John 3:16-17 (ESV)

John 6, Psalms 108

As I look back on my life and the choices I’ve made, I find a startling reality.  Most of the time, I seek comfort.  What does that mean exactly?  Comfort is the absence of pain, stress and exertion.  Easy is another way to define it.  Today’s reading of John 6, has me asking questions about Jesus and comfort.   Specifically, am I choosing Jesus so that my life will be easier and, therefore, comfortable?

The answer to that question can be found in our prayers and private thoughts.  For example, when we pray, or wish, for a better paying job, a new car or another sale, aren’t we really asking to be more comfortable?  Don’t get me wrong, those prayers are ok and I do think that God honors them, but we have to be careful.  You see, when God provides for our needs, we may reduce him to a sort of Santa Clause, loving him for all the ways he make us comfortable.  Thankfully, Jesus knew that this is our weakness.  In fact, shortly after feeding the 5,000, the crowd followed him to Capernaum.  Their arrival prompts him to give this admonition,

Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”

He wanted them to understand why they were seeking him.  And, if it is to be fed, there is a problem.  His goal is not to feed us so that our bellies are full.  In other words, he is not about our comfort.  No, He is about who we become internally and eternally.  He is talking about our soul.  Thinking back to our own prayers, is see that this is why God doesn’t answer our prayers.  According to James 4:3, 

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” 

What would it look like if we focused our prayers and private thoughts on the condition of our souls and His deity rather than our comfort?  This is the bread of life that Jesus is talking about.  It is “soul food.”  We will do well to remember this as we wish and pray.  I am reminded of a comment in the book Soul Keeping.  John Ortberg recounts Dallas Willard’s words, who says, “Your soul is not just something that lives on after your body dies. It’s the most important thing about you.  It is your life.”  That is a scary comment to me.  In fact, it makes me very un-comfortable Why?  Because souls are unknown places.  I don’t understand what lives there and I don’t  know what to do about it.  But, Jesus does.  He is dying for us to ask Him about it.  Pray and wish that with me this week.

Matthew 27, Psalm 100

when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind ~Matthew 27:3

Today, in Matthew 27, we read about Judas’ victory. Or, at least, what Judas thought was going to be his victory.  He finally achieved what he set out to do.  There are two reasons, I surmise, for Judas’ choices.  One is money and the other is acceptance.

Consider first that Judas was the keeper of the purse for the apostles.  Not because he was specially gifted with finances, however.  No, Judas was concerned with the amount of money in the purse.  Not for the benefit of Jesus, or humanity, but for his own gain.  This is evident in John 12:1-8.  Judas was, in fact, greedy for monetary gain.  HIs relationship with Jesus was nothing more than a vehicle to gain wealth. Perhaps, that is why he was willing give up Jesus’ location for 30 pieces of silver.  Unfortunately, 30 pieces of silver is only about $600 in todays dollars.  There must be a secondary motivation for his choices.

Perhaps Judas was also looking for the respect of men.  Looking back to Matthew 26:14-16, Judas was hanging out with men opposed to Jesus.  Given his position, I imagine that they did not fully trust him.  Maybe they made fun of him for being with Jesus.  Maybe Judas wanted to be liked by them.  We all do stupid things when we are seeking the approval of men.  I imagine Judas puffing himself up with stories about Jesus and the Apostles.  Eventually, to build creditability, he chooses to make a grand gesture.  In this case, it was about selling Jesus’ location. 

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

Once Jesus was condemned, however, Judas rethought his choices.  In fact, he realized that he was on the wrong side.  I can only guess why.  Honestly, its like most things of this world.  We all choose things that will serve our wants and build our own credibility and not the kingdom’s.  Seriously, think about a time when you were tempted to compromise your values for something that you would gain.  Maybe its an oversight on your taxes or taking credit for work so that your boss will see you in a better light.  Maybe, like Judas, we are ok with your choices.  Until, you get caught and are able to see the bigger picture.  Perhaps we have all experienced what Judas felt in Matthew 27, realizing that our gain is actually a huge loss.  When that happens, don’t we do exactly what Judas did in verse 3?  We change our minds!  Sadly, for Judas, it was too late.  He could not see past his betrayal.  The only restitution he could think of was death.

We do have an option.  Today, and everyday, we can choose life.  Simply put all of my faith in Him and His goodness.  Nothing else.  Before, it’s too late.

Matthew 13, Psalm 86

Matthew 13:47-50 (ESV) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Reading the parable presented in Matthew 13:47-50,  I find myself contemplating good vs. righteous.  Did you notice that the fisherman saves all the good fish?  Compare the fisherman to the angels in verse 49.  Alternatively, the angels don’t save good men, they save righteous men.  Why do these words change?  What is the difference? 

To start, consider what is good?  Who is good?  These questions remind me of Jesus’ conversation with the rich young man in Mark 18.  Jesus challenges the rich man’s definition of good.  Why?  Because it wasn’t enough.  In order to receive the full grace of God, being good didn’t earn him salvation.  The rich man needed something more.  Isn’t the same true today?  Everyone thinks that they are ‘good.’  In fact, just like the rich young man, we have followed the rules.  We have never murdered anyone, we don’t commit adultery, we don’t steal or bear false witness.  No, we do not defraud, in fact we are very honest and, yes, we honor our father and mother.  In fact, we see them every weekend and love them very much.  So clearly, we too, are good.  Unfortunately,  good is enough to save the fish, but apparently, not enough to save men. The salvation of men requires righteousness.

Verse 49, shifts the conversation from good to righteous.  Why?  Consider Jesus’ reminder in Mark 13:18.  Despite all our efforts, He insists that “no one is good except God alone.”  Paul backs him up in Romans 3:12, saying ‘no one does good,  not even one.”  As I consider these exhortations, everything in me wants to defend the good that I have done.  Maybe its about how much money I’ve given or how many hours I’ve spent serving and volunteering.  To be true, I have to ask, how am I, how are we, different from the rich young ruler?  Answering honestly, I must admit that we are not different.  We are just like him.  In fact, our failure to accept it strips all power from Jesus Christ, rendering his sacrifice on the cross impotent.  If, on the other hand, we embrace their admonitions, we are finally able to receive the deep desire of our hearts, righteousness.

When I think about good vs righteous in this way, I get a hint at their difference.  Good is about my life.  Good carries elements of carnality and the desires of the flesh.  Righteousness, on the other hand, is all about God.  It disregards my-self.  It prefers the kingdom of God over everything else.  There is only one way that this heart condition is rendered.  We see it in Romans 4:20-22.  Abraham “grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”  How then, do we gain righteousness over goodness?  Give glory to God and rely on him to do what he has promised.

Luke 18, Psalm 66

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him.  But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”  When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18:35-41)

Did you pay attention to Jesus’ question in this story?.  How would you respond to him?  Think about it.  If you captured Jesus’ attention and, point-blank, he asks you, “what do you want me to do for you?”  How do you respond?  My own answer to that question sends panic through my heart.  Why?  Because, my answer reveals the condition of my heart.

There are a thousand things that I want from him.  I want a new car, a new house and another sale.  I want my company to grow faster and have more influence.  I want him to heal my friend with cancer and to provide more money for the needy.  All of those things are what I want.  Do those Lord.  Should we be surprised that God doesn’t jump in and honor all of my requests?  We shouldn’t.   James 4:3 reminds us that, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”  Yes, that answer stings a bit.  There is, however, a better way.  Consider the response of young King Solomon.

Similar to the blind man, the Lord appeared to Solomon.  He asked him, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” (1 Kings 3:5).  Solomon replied, “Give your servant an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”  (1 Kings 3:9).  Solomon’s response pleased the Lord.  So did the blind man’s.  He answered, “Lord, I want to see!” (Luke 18:45).  Jesus immediately responded to this request.  Why?  Because like Solomon, his request required faith in God for the sake of God.

Do you know what you want?  Do you know that the Holy Spirit is here, waiting for you to ask?  What do you want him to do for you?