July 10, 2024

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to Me and keep My requirements, then you will govern My house and have charge of My courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.’” (Zechariah 3.6-7)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

The validation of Zechariah’s request that a proper covering be put on Joshua’s head comes in the verses following which are presented today. Of course, we know that those redressing Joshua, and thus Israel, into new clothes and a renewed promise were already validating the observation by putting a spiritual covering on Joshua’s head. Their obedience to this directive “completes” Joshua in his appearance as the Chief High Priest. Whether a hat, or clothes, make a “man” or not, the real truth is what followed after. The goal, objective and accountability stated by God to Joshua is the actual confirmation of his reconciliation and restoration. How often have we overlooked the “if, then” statements presented by God to His people? All His people? Yes, even those who do not yet know Him, accept Him, believe in Him and give their lives to Him? It is a statement holding contractual authority and empowerment. How often do we dwell on the “then” of such statements but ignore the “if”? We want the results but not the responsibilities. We want the blessings but not the obligations. We want the free but not the cost. What may be significant here is the desire for a future without resolving the past. The truth of the matter is that none of us is able to resolve the past in order to gain the best possible future. Just slow your roll, mighty ones of God, and don’t jump ahead of Zechariah’s prophetic message as I say what I said! Yes, I know that it is because of Jesus the Christ and our faith in Him that we have such a future. The truth is not lost to Zechariah either as he repeats what he has heard: it is God who makes it possible. The “if/then” statements to this point and after it point directly to the right relationship humans are to have with God. Without God, all these things would not be possible. We hear the echo of this in the New Testament (Luke 18.27 and Matthew 19.26): “What is impossible with humanity is possible with God.”

Of course, this truth has been stretched as if it were a rubber band drawn around the whole of life so that many will say “all things are possible.” I emphasize the word “all” because the presumed understanding is that “anything we want, we want to do, are doing and want validation that it is good and acceptable” is possible if we just believe in God enough. Mighty ones of God, there is not enough belief in God who believes in us to make “sin” good and acceptable. Not everything is possible with God. But all things that work together for good in those who believe in God are possible to effect salvation and the pursuit of righteousness. Nothing is beyond God’s ability to effect redemption except our false beliefs and false religion. Even God has limits! Haven’t we already experienced those limits in our discussions concerning the “Luciferian Insurrection” and the “Garden Temptation”? The very construct of Hell itself and the New Jerusalem which Jesus will establish eternally are bounded by strict and unchangeable limits. The powerful effect of righteousness can create a pushing back against the troubling effect of unrighteousness. The light cannot be consumed by the darkness. The light itself establishes the strong boundary between light and dark. The dark does not control the light. And neither does the then take priority over the if. Let me draw our attention to two test cases: one from the Old Testament (and is popular today among Christ followers) and one from the New Testament (popular for Jesus in His day.)

2 Chronicles 7.14: “If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” How I remember where this verse is found becomes for me a sense of trust in what God has promised. As some see the “if/then” in this verse, it would seem to add up to a truth. As I see it, the “if/then” in this verse shows the multiplying of God’s blessing into the bounty we truly desire. Multiplication, you ask? Yes, it’s simple for these verses as 2 (Chronicles) times 7 (chapter) equals 14 (verse). 2×7=14 (book, chapter and verse). It only shows itself here but for me it is significant because of its effect to a more abundant blessing. As I said previously, people tend to want the “then” and pay less attention to the “if.” The “then” in this case is “I will hear. I will forgive. I will heal (meaning “I will bless life with abundance.”) The cry goes out from the people, even today, for our nation to be blessed, abundant and powerful because so many of the people see it as cursed, poor and weak. Yet, every farmer knows that until you plant the seed there can be no harvest. So, if we want “blessing, abundance and power” then we must “humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and repent.” The tendency seems to be that “we” are good enough but somehow God is moving too slow to reward and effect the blessing we want. As I listened to a farmer describe the process: if we don’t like the fruit we are harvesting, then go back to the seed that you sowed. The problem is not the harvest because the harvest is a product of the seed sown. The problem is then what kind of seed did we sow to reap the harvest that has been gathered in. Paul said it this way to the Galatians, “As a man sows so shall he also reap.” Stands to reason that if we sow righteousness, we shall reap righteousness and vice versa. (Of course, Jesus taught something along this line drawing attention to the proficiency of the soils. The most abundant harvest would be found in the most fertile soil. The principle would apply to both good and bad seed, don’t you think?) So, if we want the blessing then what must we do ourselves to gather in that harvest?

And speaking of Jesus with this “if/then” paradigm in mind, let’s go to Mark 9.23 for the New Testament sampling. A man with a critically ill son pleads with Jesus to heal him. From what we have already been alerted to in 2/7/14, let us here the critical verse: “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Now a quick reading of what Jesus said might sound like a challenge. The man is not doubting Jesus but understands the serious nature of his request. It is almost a polite request, “if You can” or “if You will” take pity on us and help us. Jesus’ response is almost rhetorical as to His ability. Then there is the additional caveat “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Now it sounds like Jesus’ introductory remark “If you can” is a challenge to the father. His statement is not a polite request but a bold affirmation and encouragement to take hold of faith. It is as if Jesus is saying “Don’t ask with doubts and questions about if and what can happen.” Instead, ask (…and it will be given, seek and it shall be found, knock and the door of opportunity will be opened to you. ref. Matthew 7.7). Immediately the father affirms “I believe, help me overcome my unbelief.” In the midst of this conversation the if/then paradigm becomes an as/then. And so it should be for us as we remember to live not for the reward but the requirement. Have faith. Believe. Act faithfully on what you believe. Believe in what you seek to do and not just what you want to happen. Jesus was transforming the marginal believers into gatekeepers and watchpersons for the sake of the community of faith.

Now, we can read the words of God to Joshua the renewed High Priest of Israel with the awareness they deserve. The requirements of faithfulness and faithfully believing belong to us. We are not changing God’s mind. His plan is in place. He is leading us into the paths where His will shall be done in us and through us. As members of the priesthood of all believers, this is the covering of confirmation. Being faithful and faith-filled is what affirms our decision to be God’s people in whom God’s will for life shall be done.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, before we were conceived in the womb, You had already formed us in Your love and by Your Spirit brought us into being. Each one of us is blessed with the opportunity of doing right, being good and producing the fruit of the Spirit so that others may be fed the truth of that same love so that the two will become one. It is our soul’s sincere desire to embrace the oneness You have in mind that we would know that we are Your people and that You are our God. Lead us in that discovery of the truth and the manifestation of that love for us all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.