August 25, 2024

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?‘ declares the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 8.6)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

Someone wanted to challenge the following statement I made because it did not include a “supernatural reality.” I said, “There are truly only two realities present in the universe whether in the Kingdom of Heaven or the Kingdom of Earth: natural and unnatural. Consider this when I propose it this way: “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” (Romans 1.25) or “For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4.3-4) Let’s take a quick survey of the current culture and climate which has been presented to the younger generations by those before them who desired to be saved and protected by “super humans.” The visual media is inundated with more examples that I care to consider. I, too, enjoyed them for a time until I began to consider what they were promoted to be “super humans” who possessed “super” natural powers. Where did the “powers” come from? They came from mythical gods, scientific anomalies or extreme measures of personal development. They all existed outside the “natural” realm of life and were seen as “unnatural” beings; such as the “X-Men” which also included women. We even see that many were accompanied by unnatural animals or machines as part of that “next generation” of humanity. Counter such thinking with the great heroes and heroines of scripture who because of their faith in the One who had faith in them could do great things. Even Jesus Himself encouraged the disciples to not be surprised when they would do greater things even than He did as He ministered with them in the world. From the human standpoint, such things are considered miracles. Some may call them “acts of God” as if they were beyond the realm of possibility for humankind. Yet, Jesus shows us that when we walk with God and are in tune by faith in Him with Him nothing is impossible. Left to our own device, understanding and presumptions (i.e. considering ourselves to be “only” human) we fall into the impossible, incapable and falling short category of life and living. I believe that these two categories of natural and unnatural may also be identified by two other words: righteousness and sinfulness.

When I read Zechariah 8.6, I can’t help focus on this previous logic run as God declared “It may seem marvelous (read “miraculous,” “impossible,” “out of this world,” “unheard of,” “beyond our imagination” or “too good to be true”) to you who are the remnant of that people, but will it seem to Me?” The thrust of that question is that God is not bound by the thoughts, considerations and definitions of humanity. It is of no surprise to Him when, by His grace, His people are restored to the culture and climate of peace, longevity and prosperity. What God desires is that the unnatural focus of living (that which is bound and defined by sin; all things which deny or stand against the authority and blessing of Yahweh Elohim) be overcome, transformed and reconciled back to its natural state of existence (pre-Fall of Adam and Eve.) For God, it would be the most natural and common of responses to the restoration of His mercy and grace for those who believe and trust in Him that “the elderly would sit along the streets of Jerusalem being assisted by canes (indicating extreme old age) and the streets would be filled with boys and girls playing happily (a dream we all share even for ourselves reflecting back on “those good old days.”)” What is unnatural is for there to be hatred, jealousy, power-mongering, envy, strife, bitterness, racism and unrighteousness (choosing any other way but God’s will to conduct one’s life).

Further, let us consider that those who might say “it is marvelous, too marvelous” or a miracle or a fantasy or just a dream, may be reflecting more upon their own estimation of self. The common theme of those impacted by sinful thinking is that they are too far removed from any opportunity to be restored. In other words, “It would take a miracle and we are far past that unless we get some supernatural, lucky break.” Oh, yes, I don’t believe in luck or karma either. I don’t subscribe to magic and prestidigitation, illusion or wordplay (i.e. lying). As we pursue all righteousness we will see the natural way of life as it was initially created restored with a healing that is designed in our DNA by God as well. Will we always experience it? No. Even our great stands in faith may not overcome the worldly manifestation of the lie. Is it because we do not have enough faith? No, for in this world of brokenness where God desires to redeem the lost, having faith even in those seemingly impossible situations reaps a benefit we may not be able to conceive. What does the Word of God say but “Others intended for evil, God is fully capable of working together for good.” That ultimate good is the restoration of the unity of Heaven and earth in a balance of nature that cannot exceed itself but thrives for the glory of God. So, those in Zechariah’s day may have thought too little of themselves to accept being included in the blessing of God where such restoration and reconciliation is actualized. It would stand to reason since the leadership of their day was the product of seventy years of faulty teaching built on the foundation of inaccurate theology by prophets, priests, teachers and kings who preferred their own brand of righteousness over God’s. In other words, they preferred to live unnaturally (out of relationship with God) over living naturally (living in relationship with God and one another by the exercise of love). Worse, many of them preferred to live the lie that there either 1) was no God or 2) they were gods themselves equal in this world to God whether there was one or not. They were living in the day when it was so easy to exchange the truth with a lie and/or believe the lie is actually the truth even if there was evidence to the contrary.

So, what shall we believe in today’s world? Shall we succumb to the belief that we are too far gone and must strive merely to exist regardless of the cost exacted on ourselves and others in a futile attempt to survive? Shall we submit to the truth which is ours in Jesus Christ who is Lord and Savior as the Son of God that walking by faith is the most natural expression of true love and authentic living? We do not need to be more than we are meant to be. We do need to be all we are intended to be as now those new creations born by faith in Christ and blessed again with His Holy Spirit.

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 in order that others 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 so we would know we are Your people and 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.