SOAP 09/13/2014; Ezekiel 34:25

Today's reading: Ezekiel 33, 34, 35; Revelation 18

S) "²⁵ I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate harmful beasts from the land so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods."

Ezekiel 34:25 (NASB)

O) Just like any verse in the Bible, it is important that this is not read out of context. For the purpose of this journaling, I am only highlighting this one verse because, well, it was the highlight for me. But, this verse comes in the midst of God's declaration of restoration for His faithful people - specifically after establishing His shepherd over his people again (v.23). That is foreshadowing the coming of Jesus. The message continues to the end of the chapter, to tell of the many blessings God will restore, but this one stood out as a good reminder that the LORD is God of all creation, not just the God of people.

A) Camping time! But in seriousness, this verse is a specific blessing to specific people at a specific time - God has not eliminated harmful beasts from Bothell, WA - but He could. Most specifically, I may live securely- anywhere- according to His will. The beauty of becoming a child of God, is that the dangers, and even real pain, that He allows in my life are going to be for my good. His will might very well be for me to suffer from natural dangers, but if that's the case (whether for discipline or glorifying Him), I am assured that it is for my good in the end. I will continue to ask for safety and security (especially when traveling/camping), but I will acknowledge that if that's outside of His will, then that means He must have a better plan in mind; He must have a bigger purpose.

P) Father, You have made me to dwell safely thus far. In my life, I don't encounter many physical dangers (certainly not dangerous beasts), but I don't know that will always be the case. I do know, that You are the same God who closed the lions mouths for Daniel, made a large fish swallow Jonah, but not consume him. You made ravens feed Elijah, and Paul was not harmed by a snake's bite. You are sovereign over all that You have created. I am humbled and thankful. Please continue to protect me, but not according to my will; only Your will be done. Be glorified in my life, whether or not wild beasts ever cause me harm. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/12/2014; Daniel 3:16-18

Today's reading: Daniel 3, 4; Psalm 81; Revelation 17

S) "¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. ¹⁷ If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.'"

Daniel 3:16-18 (NASB)

O) This is a pretty popular Sunday school story. It was made, perhaps, even more popular with the adorable (and catchy) rendition by VeggieTales ("one of them's real shiny!"). The trio-friends of Daniel refuse to worship a golden monolith created by Nebuchadnezzar (v.12), even in light of a death penalty. The verses above are their response to the king, when he asserts that no god can save them from his decree.

A) There is a pitfall, in mistakenly reading the above verses to mean that the faith of the trio was wavering. In Christian culture today, a person can catch a little bit of flack when they admit they are not certain God will do one thing or another. "Have more faith," is a common admonishment. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego's words did not show their lack faith, though (the proof is in the pudding on that one). Their declaration was one of humility, not doubt. They freely admitted that they were not in control of their own destiny. Their faith was in a God, whose plans were bigger than their collective lives. There are a lot of things I'd like to do in my life, and not dying in a fire is near the top of the list. But, in the end, I want the LORD to be glorified in my life and/or death. Ultimately, that's what their response ensured. They didn't make some dramatic, "faith-based" claim about what God would, or would not, do. This meant that, live or die, their Lord GOD would be glorified in their willingness to die. Which is exactly what happens (as we see in v.28, when the king notes their trust and yield).

P) Father, I want Your will for my life and death. In my lifetime, and especially after my lifetime, I want You to be glorified when people think of me. I want my faith to be evident in my actions, not simply my words. And, if it is at all possible, let my faith and devotion to You create curiosity to know You truly. Keep me humble, if I fail to humble myself, to remember that Your will and plans are bigger than my life alone. The problems I face, the difficulties or trials, may not even be about me at all. Thank You for the mercy and grace You give. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/11/2014; Daniel 2:30

Today's reading: Daniel 1, 2; Revelation 16

S) "³⁰ But as for me, this mystery has not been revealed to me for any wisdom residing in me more than in any other living man, but for the purpose of making the interpretation known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind."

Daniel 2:30 (NASB)

O) The backstory for this verse is pretty rich, and so is the rest of the chapter. Nebuchadnezzar had seen a dream that disturbed him (v.3), and he required his wisest of wise men to give him the interpretation, but there was a twist. In order to know that they were interpreting the dream honestly and correctly, he also required that they recount the dream back to him, without him sharing any information about it (vv.8-9). Daniel requested time to pray, got some intercessory support from a famous trio of friends (v.17), and then the LORD revealed the mystery to Daniel. In the following verses, Daniel reveals the details of the dream, and the meaning, and glorifies God throughout. The above verse, I think, is the fulcrum to the story arc, and it really shows what made Daniel successful throughout his life. He was given innate wisdom, but that's not the reason he had understanding, and it was not the reason he was successful. It was because he sought the LORD - and not just for himself, but to benefit others. The LORD was able to use Daniel, in large part, because Daniel was humble enough to give all glory to His Lord GOD.

A) For a large portion of my early life, I relied heavily on my own intellect, and my ability to "wing it" to get me by things. I was a terrible student, because I could figure out enough to pass with minimal effort. I was in constant conflict with people, because I believed I was smarter than them, or that I had it all figured out (for whatever the instance was). My intelligence or wisdom, were for me, for my benefit. That meant that it was also, usually, against others. Thankfully, in Christ Jesus, I am a new creation (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). Now I have a new purpose. In Daniel, I see a great example, that my own wisdom, although it is God-given, is useless, unless it is God-used. The gifts I am given by the LORD are not mine to keep. They are not for my own benefit. When I turn it out, to benefit others, to serve others, then it becomes what it is meant to be. Then, the LORD will reveal things to me that are even beyond my own mind, and He will be glorified through it all. That was the end result of Daniel's servitude to all of the kings he served, and that is my ultimate goal.

P) Father, glory and honor, power and praise, these things belong to You. Wisdom and understanding, knowledge and logic, these things belong to You. These are for Your glory alone, Lord. Using the gifts You gave me, to my own benefit, is a perversion that puts me on the same level (and in the same mortal danger) as the wise men in Nebuchadnezzar's court. In my marriage, home, church, or market place, I want the gifts and abilities You gave me to be used how You intended. Be glorified in my life, Lord. When people look upon me, and try to praise me, let me be quick and bold to put the focus back on Your glory alone - or else do not let me do anything praiseworthy. Let Your will alone be done, for Your glory alone, that every person who sees me will also see Your glory, sovereignty, and lovingkindness. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/10/2014; Lamentations 4:10

Today's reading: Lamentations 3, 4, 5; Revelation 15

S) "¹⁰ The hands of compassionate women
Boiled their own children;
They became food for them
Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people."

Lamentations 4:10 (NASB)

O) Brutal. Disgusting. There is no easy way to comprehend this level evil. It takes a particular blend of desperation and perversion. One of the most alarming things to learn, though, is that it is actually the fulfillment of prophecy (see Deuteronomy 28:57), when Moses lays out the warnings of unfaithfulness and disobedience toward the LORD. I must be very clear here, though, to point out that the prophecy did not dictate what evils would take place. God warned the people that their disobedient, unfaithful hearts would eventually result in this evil. That is not, at all, to say that the LORD somehow made this come to pass. Jeremiah recounts the horrors of the war, siege, and exile of Jerusalem in this book of Lamentations, but this was the most difficult for me to read.

A) There should be no way to literally apply this verse. I think there can be a parabolic application, though. While it is true, this is a historical narrative, a record of actual events. This verse is not a parable, but I think the lesson can be used as one. One element that led to this atrocity, was perversion. Thankfully, through the Holy Spirit, we are given a correct understanding of right and wrong (see Jeremiah 31:32-34). The other main factor was desperation in their hunger. We all have physical hunger, but Jesus made it clear that we also have a spiritual hunger. He quoted Moses when He said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'" (Matt. 4:4) and then again, Jesus describes Himself plainly as the bread of life (see John 6:33-51). So, this is the crucial lesson for me, now. If I am not consuming Jesus, the Bread of Life, the Word of God, reading my Bible daily, then I am going to be hungry - unable to be spiritually satisfied by anything else. The longer I go, the more hungry I will get. Eventually, the danger is a spiritual starvation. If I ever get to that point, what kinds of things will I sacrifice, spiritually? I can tell you right now, with fearful confidence, that if I am not fed by Jesus, my children will suffer. My wife will suffer. This is an extreme example, I know. I don't know how long I could go without reading the Bible, before I ever got to that level of spiritual starvation, but I don't ever want to know. The verse above is a brutally honest reminder that spiritual starvation could be devastating. Considering the inexhaustible source, that is Jesus Christ (see John 6:35), and the ease of access, there really is no excuse to ever be anything, other than satisfied by His word.

P) Father, the brutality of this verse, and the Lamentations in total, is enough to make me weep. These are the very real dangers of life without You. I am so very thankful, that I never have to experience this terror. Remind me, though, that there is a spiritual cost that is equally severe. Your words satisfy me daily. Let them be sweet to my mouth for my entire life, LORD. But, even if they were bitter, give me the discipline and wisdom that your Simon Peter had, in John 6:68, to see that Your words hold eternal life, even if they are difficult. Thank You for the eternal promise of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/09/2014; Lamentations 2:13-14

Today's reading: Lamentations 1, 2; Obadiah 1; Revelation 14

S) "¹³ How shall I admonish you?
To what shall I compare you,
O daughter of Jerusalem?
To what shall I liken you as I comfort you,
O virgin daughter of Zion?
For your ruin is as vast as the sea;
Who can heal you?
¹⁴ Your prophets have seen for you
False and foolish visions;
And they have not exposed your iniquity
So as to restore you from captivity,
But they have seen for you false and misleading oracles."

Jeremiah 43:2-3 (NASB)

O) Jeremiah was lamenting the final exile of the kingdom of Judah. The leaders of Jerusalem refused to heed the warnings of Jeremiah. He knew they weren't going to listen, but he was still heartbroken when they refused to repent. In this passage, he struggled to find some way to comfort them, and it hinges on two difficulties. First, they were still largely unrepentant. How could he comfort them when they would not hear his admonishment? How could they be healed if they were still refusing to hear him. His second difficulty was the precedent set. Jeremiah saw the way the leadership had reacted to his prophecy (truly the words of the LORD) and the false-prophecy of the oracles in the kings' courts. In these two hurdles, we see a link: the word of the LORD is not always pleasant.

A) Bear with me as I draw this up...
The word "prophet" comes from a Hebrew word meaning "bubble up" or "fountain" which becomes something like "utterance." So, a prophet is a person who speaks, utters, the words of the LORD. In this sense, all Scripture is actually prophecy. Now, let's refer back to the third line of v.14, "And they have not exposed your iniquity," We see a direct reference to the first line of v.13, now. Now, as we apply that to the Bible, what do we see? The Bible should absolutely be an admonishment. In fact, if I read the Bible, and it does not expose my iniquity, then I'm doing it wrong. Now, let's not forget the fourth line of v.14, "So as to restore..." being the ultimate mission of the Bible, right? However, we should be very careful not to separate "admonish" and "prophesy" because they clearly go hand-in-hand, and I think this is never more true, than with the Bible. There is some difference of opinion, regarding Gifts of the Spirit in the modern church. I think, regardless of how we define terms like, "continuing revelation" or where prophecy goes from confirmation of specific Scripture to application of Biblical concepts - one thing is abundantly clear throughout the Bible: a word from God is never completely positive. Even reading Messianic Prophecies reveals destruction and judgment. I don't want to be part of a church community that only ever tells me positive things. "Encouragement" is only good if it actually gives courage. And, what use is courage if it is not married to action? No, I think I'd much rather hear challenging words. I'd much rather be convicted, then love can be proven in encouragement that cultivates action.

P) Father, as I read through Your words, I see over and over that You have a standard of behavior. I have failed that standard countless times, and will no doubt fail again. So, I am reminded again, to be thankful for the single most important gift of grace: the death, burial, and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, my Savior. In that, I am redeemed, but not yet perfected. So, as I read the Scriptures, I pray that the Holy Spirit stirs in me, to admonish me as I read. Let the Your holy words be prophetic to me, every single day. If ever I am reading the Word, and I do not feel convicted about something, if I am not challenged to repent, to change, in some way, then make me immediately aware. Please let that be the day I am in heaven in Your presence, perfected, because I fear what it could mean otherwise. Please continue Your work in me, until the day of completion, just as the Word says, in Philippians 1:6. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/08/2014; Jeremiah 43:2-3

Today's reading: Jeremiah 42, 43, 44; Psalm 48; Revelation 13

S) "² Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, 'You are telling a lie! The Lord our God has not sent you to say, "You are not to enter Egypt to reside there"; ³ but Baruch the son of Neriah is inciting you against us to give us over into the hand of the Chaldeans, so they will put us to death or exile us to Babylon.'"

Jeremiah 43:2-3 (NASB)

O) This shows the true colors of the men who came in Jeremiah 42:6, supposedly humble, asking Jeremiah to inquire of the LORD about taking refuge in Egypt. Their words said all the right things, declaring that they wanted what God wanted, even if it was unpleasant. But then, when Jeremiah spoke truthfully to them, they discarded it because it wasn't what they wanted to hear.

A) There are a lot of little phrases that circulate Christian prayers. I hear things like, "whatever it takes, God;" or someone will pray with a caveat, "but only You say it's good for me." Phrases like this aren't bad, but they become empty clichés when they are not honest. I need to be especially careful to pray honestly, or else my final condition could actually be worsened, I think. If I am saying with my mouth, "Your will be done, Lord." but in my heart, I am harboring arrogant pride, thinking I know what's best, determining to follow my own plans, instead of being obedient to Him, then I am not just disobeying in rebellion, but I am also lying! God cannot abide haughtiness (see Psalm 101:5), but a deceitful tongue is also egregious (see Psalm 5:6).

P) Father, my heart is plain to You. In Your omniscience, You know me better than I know myself. Open my eyes, Father God, to see myself as plainly as You do, to know the honest posture of my heart. Before I pray for Your will to be done, let the Holy Spirit within me convict me of pride and deceit. Help me to humble myself, but humble me if I am still haughty. There is nothing more important than my relationship with You, and my eternity in heaven. Whatever it takes, whether that means I lose every earthly pleasure, or that it literally costs me every temporal thing, LORD keep me as Yours alone, discipline me as Your son, and let me continue to be found in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/07/2014; 2 Kings 25:15-16

Today's reading: 2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 40, 41; Revelation 12

S) "¹⁵ The captain of the guard also took away the firepans and the basins, what was fine gold and what was fine silver. ¹⁶ The two pillars, the one sea, and the stands which Solomon had made for the house of the Lord—the bronze of all these vessels was beyond weight."

2 Kings 25:15-16 (NASB)

O) This was the final siege of the temple of Solomon, in the city of Jerusalem, in the nation of Judah. This was not, even close, to the first. In fact, more to the point, some of the ransacking of the temple was actually done by unrighteous kings of Judah, looking to buy favor from other nations. From David's initial preparation and funding, into Solomon's great success and wealth, there was a steady decline in what the temple of the LORD had as loot, as a matter of fact. Some of Solomon's original design had a lot of bronze, to be sure. However, when you read about the original details of the temple (even back to Moses in the wilderness), we see that gold and silver were featured prominently. In fact, the bronze that was used, was comparatively pedestrian. When we fast-forward to the above exile, the bronze seems to have become the most valuable part. The pedestrian had become exceptional, because the exceptional had disappeared.

A) There are not a lot of possessions that I have, that are significantly valuable. Maybe not even remotely valuable. In fact, someone broke into my car once, and left every single thing in it. But, the New Testament speaks a lot about the insignificance of earthly valuables. The above passage is not about preserving earthly treasure, it is about preserving spiritual treasure. The successes that God brings, and the things I value, are not temporal but eternal. Now, the question is this, since satan is a thief, when he comes to ransack my life, will he find anything worth taking? Is my spiritual stock rising or falling? Am I upgrading, or downgrading, the "metal" in my life? I think a lot of that is determined by my mettle, and that is answered in Christ Jesus. As I commit myself more and more to Him, to following His example and obeying His commands, committing my life to His will, the more and more my mettle is found to be the same as His. I want a target on my back, because I have something worth stealing.

P) Father, open my eyes to clearly see my life. Help me to view my heart's desires, and the things I value, correctly. Increase my wisdom, to see when I am placing too much value on insignificant things, losing the value of what You hold in high regard. Teach me to pursue what You value, and dismiss what You don't. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.