Afterwords -- week 34
August 13, 2022
Dear friends,
In a blog post yesterday on Psalm 65 I wrote about how the redemption which Christ accomplished would also bring about the redemption of creation. The painting above by Quaker preacher, Edward Hicks, is his portrayal of nature at peace. However, in seeing the value and beauty of creation (now and future) we may end up neglecting the work we are supposed to do now, which is to reach the nations and our neighbors with the gospel of peace. We can become more involved in saving the environment than in saving human souls.
IN PSALM 67 the author applies the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:25 to the people of God in general (Ps 67:1). But the purpose is stated in the next verse: "...that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations" (v 2). God's blessing upon his people is not to be merely a private matter for personal joy, it is to be the occasion of drawing others Godward. So, when I'm asking for healing, or for wisdom, or for God's provision in my need, am I asking for myself only, or also that other people might see the display of God's goodness? Consider these words from Jesus: "...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matt 5:16) And, to the man who had been delivered from a legion of demonic forces, he said, "Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." (Mark 5:19)
LET THE NATIONS BE GLAD. In verse 6 the psalmist speaks of the blessing of God: "the earth has yielded its increase..." And again, this blessing results in worship -- "...let all the ends of the earth fear him!" (v 7) Often when we think of the blessing of the Lord we think in individual, material terms. However, our Lord Jesus turns creation blessings into redemption blessings. Material imagery is used for spiritual ends: fishermen become fishers of men (Matt 4:19), lost sheep are people who need a Savior (Matt 9:36), and the plentiful harvest is the multitude of souls yet to be saved (Jn 4:35). Again, we should ask ourselves, when we are seeking the Lord's blessing upon our lives, is it primarily for ourselves, or for others too, that they may know and worship the Lord?
"YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN." We really enjoyed Jeff Highfield's message last Sunday on 1 Cor. 15:58. You can listen here. And we learned a new (to us) song by CityAlight, "All My Ways Are Known to You."
BIBLE READING. I wrote a Bible reading guide based upon the M'Cheyne reading schedule, arranged over two years. Here are links for this weekend in 2020 and 2021. Readings in Jeremiah and Psalms are here. Readings in 1 Samuel and Romans are here.
GOAT BOOKS, as in the Greatest Of All Time books -- here's two more: Mere Christianity, by C. S. Lewis, and Basic Christianity, by John R. W. Stott. Here's an excerpt from Stott's book:
"We know that to find God and to accept Jesus Christ would be a very inconvenient experience. It would involve the rethinking of our whole outlook on life and the readjustment of our whole manner of life. And it is a combination of intellectual and moral cowardice which makes us hesitate. We do not find because we do not seek. We do not seek because we do not want to find, and we know that the way to be certain of not finding is not to seek." (John Stott, Basic Christianity)
IN OTHER READING.
--Here are the "15 Best Hikes Near Blacksburg". There are so many wonderful trails and hikes in our region! How many have you done?
-- Here's advice for the college-bound... "Most of your friends are both moral relativists and moral absolutists at the same time. For some behaviors, they are one; for other behaviors, they are the other. They pick and choose." (Michael Kruger)
-- The Gospel Coalition publishes a quality (free!) theological journal, called Themelios. Check it out here.
BIBLICAL STUDIES. If you live in the New River valley, please consider joining us for a class studying systematic theology with the Biblical Studies Institute of Blacksburg, on Thursday evenings, beginning September 15.
That's it for week 34! If you have enjoyed this newsletter, please consider subscribing.
Sandy
Credits. Image above is "The Peaceable Kingdom of the Branch," an oil painting on canvas, c. 1826–1830. It is one of over sixty versions of the Peaceable Kingdom (based on Isa 11 and 65) that he painted. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.