SOAP 04/05/2016; Amos 2:6

Today's reading: Ruth 1, 2; Psalm 53, 61; 2 Corinthians 5*

S) "⁶ Thus says the Lord,
'For three transgressions of Israel and for four
I will not revoke its punishment,
Because they sell the righteous for money
And the needy for a pair of sandals.'"

Amos 2:6 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Amos 2

O) Through the first and second chapters (up to this verse), Amos was prophesying against seven different nations. He was prophesying to the Israelites about surrounding countries, which were all long-standing enemies of the kingdom of Israel: Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, sons of Ammon, Moab, and even Judah. All of the prophecies start with the same opening, "For three transgressions... and for four." All the while, his listeners would have been gaining confidence in his words. He was, after all, telling them agreeable things. He was promising that that LORD would execute judgment against their enemies. Normally, the true prophets of the LORD (when speaking to Israel) would have nothing but negative prophecies against Israel. But, Amos starts his discourse against all of the surrounding nations, something that would have been very well received by the people of Israel. As he worked through the culpability of the six gentile nations first (their crimes being general inhumane treatments and wickedness), they would have no cause for alarm whatsoever. Then, Amos got to Judah, and the crimes he mentioned were more specific, as sins against the LORD. Namely, that they broke His laws and their covenant. This was the beginning of his shift to the real topic and purpose of his prophetic vision/message. At this point, some of the more shrewd listeners may have had their ears tickled, if they had any convictions left at all. But, they may not have recognized that the shift was on, but when Amos got to the words in the above verse, they surely understood. All the while up to this point, Amos would start the words of judgment the same, and the people would doubtlessly agree, "Yes, the LORD should punish that nation!" By saying it was, "for three... and for four," it made it clear that God had already extended grace and mercy, but this was far enough. By saying, "I will not revoke it," God was making it clear that there would be no plea bargaining. All the while, they must have been agreeing. After all, who would have disagreed about God executing His perfect justice against their enemies? And by agreeing all the while, agreeing that these neighboring enemies had gone far enough, agreeing they should not be able to plea-bargain, they were unknowingly agreeing that they, themselves, had gone far enough and should have no opportunity to plea or bargain. The details of their sins were much more specific, building sin upon sin (not just persecuting the righteous or poor, but perverting justice as well. Not just adultery, but father and son both committing fornication with the same girl, etc.). Their guilt was compounded upon still more guilt.

A) Even as I read this, and as I typed those last few sentences, there was a shade in my heart that wanted to react in self-righteousness. There was a moment of disgust, tempting me to think, "How could they?!" But, in a very real sense, this was exactly part of the problem Israel had. We're all guilty of the same things, like Relient K said. That's what this verse is all about. That's what this transition was, that Amos was making. This is the lesson I must learn, to remain humble and correctable. I can never allow myself to think I am less in need of mercy or grace, than anyone else. Sin starts in the heart, and even if I never do what another person does, the same sin might still rear its ugly head in my heart. Even if the same sin doesn't, another sin does. At the core, I still need Jesus, every single day.

P) Father, You are holy and righteous. Your judgments are right and true, never out of place or time. Your punishment always fits the crime. In Your great mercy, lovingkindness, and compassion, I do not face the punishment for my sins against You. That same mercy and compassion is what I desire for others, too. Help me dwell on the grace I receive, at all times, so that I am not tempted to see myself more highly than I should. Help me to dwell on it, so that I am more compassionate to others when they also need the same grace, Father God. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, that people would be reconciled to You through the grace of the gospel. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/04/2016; Jonah 3:7-8

Today's reading: Judges 19, 20, 21; 2 Corinthians 4*

S) "⁷ He issued a proclamation and it said, 'In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. ⁸ But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands.'"

Jonah 3:7-8 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Jonah 3

O) Jonah had barely made it a third of the way through the city, when the people responded in unity, believing his words and repenting. As news reached the king, he responded with the above words. He was extreme with his response, leaving no possibility for a lapse in repentance.

A) This part of Jonah's book really resonates with me. I tend to have an extreme attitude, when it comes to repentance. There seems to be no biblical reason to think that animals should fast, or that they are capable of culpable violence. Still, the king wanted to be sure, so they were forced to fast as well. Similarly, when I have a conviction, I may also "overreact" with extreme measures in my repentance. While it probably does no harm, forcing my pets to fast (so to speak), it surely does not help. In the case of this king, he didn't really know the LORD. He could not have known what God wanted, and must have thought it was better to be safe than sorry. Conversely, I do know what God wants. He made it plain in Scripture. I have to think that my Father God wants my reactions to be more reasonable. Throughout the Bible, He asks for clear thinking, sober minds, and rational thought. So, when I feel a conviction, I should carefully seek to balance my reaction, not letting my emotions carry me, even if it's "better safe than sorry." This is a matter of maturing in my relationship, knowing my Father God. I should certainly understand better than this king did.

P) Father, thank You for the convictions You have given me. Thank You for discipline and correction. You treat me, graciously, as a son. As emotional as I often am, I still want to think clearly. I want self-control. I don't want to live out a hyperbole, cutting off my hand when I sin. You desire a change in my heart, not in my abilities. That's what I want, too. I don't want to be a rash person. I don't want to be swayed by polarizing emotions, Father. So, when I feel Your convictions (and I pray I feel them my whole life), help me to pause, pray, and carefully consider what to do about it. Please continue to discipline me as a child, and also to instruct me, and help me continue gaining self-control as a fruit of the Spirit. I want to have self-control to avoid sin, but even after I sin, I want to have self-control in my confession and repentance. Thank You for knowing me, and letting me know You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/03/2016; Jonah 2:7-8

Today's reading: Judges 17, 18; Psalm 89; 2 Corinthians 3*

S) "⁷ While I was fainting away,
I remembered the Lord,
And my prayer came to You,
Into Your holy temple.
⁸ Those who regard vain idols
Forsake their faithfulness,"

Jonah 2:7-8 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Jonah 2

O) Jonah had run from God, took a ship ride in the opposite direction that God wanted him to go. God caused a storm, the sailors were distressed and confused. Jonah confessed that he was running from the LORD, and he told them to cast him overboard (see ch.1). Whether that was a noble thing to do, or a suicidal thing to do, I'm not sure. In either case, God sent a fish (sea monster) to rescue Jonah by swallowing him. While in the belly of the beast, he prayed to God, repented of his stubborn selfishness, and the animal vomited him up on the shore. Toward the end of that prayer, right before he promised to do what he said he would do, and confessing that salvation is from the LORD (salvation, which he knew was going to come to Ninevah by his own prophecy against it, which he did not want), right before that assertion and confession, he prayed the words above. I think this is particularly revealing as to why he had the change of heart that he did. In that moment, while death was knocking at his door, his mind was consumed by the LORD. And in that same moment, he prayed what is, perhaps, his most compassionate prayer, that those who regard vain idols, forsake their faithfulness. That phrase seems to be translated in several ways. One version says they, "forsake their hope of steadfast love," and another says, "forsake their own mercy," Remembering that he is contrasting the reactions of idolaters with his own reaction, we see that he is realizing their hopelessness. He is understanding they are completely lost. When a day of destruction comes upon a person whose only hope is the creation of a man, and they realize that it has no real hope to give, they have nothing. Then Jonah declared that salvation is from the LORD.

A) There were times in my life that I really struggled to have compassion. There may still come about circumstances that can make it hard, but by the grace of God, He has given me a soft heart for others. At the root of that compassion, is my realization that God has redeemed me. Everything I have is because of His grace. Everything I have, is because of who I am in Christ Jesus. Other people simply do not have that. When I see people in the world, acting in ways that seem immature, unreasonable, mean, etc., it's easy to wonder why they don't just do better. This is not a person who just makes a mistake, but I mean people who are this way. When I see a homeless person, it would be easy to judge their motivation, will power, or sobriety. When I see a husband who is mean to his wife, it would be easy to judge his morality. But through all of the murky, obstructed view that I have of them, one thing shines brightly - the grace of God is what they need. There is no hope in a better job, a prettier wife, better medicine, or another bottle. What people need, just like what I needed, is God. They need the grace of Jesus Christ working in them. That understanding, that outlook, is what will motivate me to spread the gospel.

P) Father, thank You for working in me. I know that I am not anywhere close to finished, but I also know that You will continue this good work in me, until the day of completion when I am resurrected to glory with Jesus Christ. In the meantime, open my eyes. Help me to see the world, to see people, as You see them. God, continue to soften my heart and let me know the depths of despair that people have in their hearts, as they pursue empty vanities that will never deliver them. Let them learn of Your faithfulness. Salvation comes from You, God. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/02/2016; 2 Kings 16:7

Today's reading: Judges 13, 14, 15, 16; 2 Corinthians 2*

S) "⁷ So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, 'I am your servant and your son; come up and deliver me from the hand of the king of Aram and from the hand of the king of Israel, who are rising up against me.'"

2 Kings 16:7 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Kings 16

O) Ahaz actually had a dad, whose name was Jotham, and he was even a decent king. However, because his dad didn't follow the LORD completely, some idolatry remained in the kingdom. When times of war came (which was according to the will of God, per 2 Kings 15:37), Ahaz did not respond correctly by seeking God, but instead sought political help from Assyria. In his address, he referred to himself as a servant and son of Assyria. While it seems pretty obvious that this is an idiom, not to be taken literally, what it is conveying is clear enough. His words to Tiglath-pileser would have been perfectly fit to speak to the LORD, had he seen himself and his identity properly.

A) Identity is a tricky thing. Even the most positive markers can end up snaring us to points of view that hinder, or even harm, the way we react to change and challenges. This is a great reminder that I really must limit how I define my own identity, to make it God-centered. I need to resist the temptation to expand it beyond that. There is a culture around me, even the Christian culture, that applauds being a husband, father, career-man, and working in ministry. However, if I am allowing those definitions to shape how I see things, react to things, and what I believe to be good and true and right, then what happens if/when God takes away my wife? My kids? Any of the things that I had allowed to define me and shape my worldview? It will shake me and could cause me to stumble without recovery. However, if I limit my identity to that of being a servant and son of God, then I will be unshakeable because those two things will never change. God has promised, in Christ Jesus, that I will never be forsaken. As long as I am choosing to serve Him, through my faith and obedience of Jesus, then I will always be allowed to be His servant and son, by the grace given to me through the work of the gospel.

P) Father, I am humbled to be called Your servant and son. It is such great love that You have lavished on me, just as the Scriptures say. Please remind me, to limit the scope of my identity and restrict it only to who I am to You. Jesus is the truth, and in Him my identity is verified. When I am tempted to see myself beyond who I am in Christ, please discipline me and bring my focus back to You, Lord. Be glorified and honored in my life, by Your grace at work within me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.