Heart Soul and Might

I listen to a lot of Mark Driscoll sermons. Mark is the Senior Pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle and he accompanies me on many of my morning runs (he shares my iPod podcast rotation with John Piper during my runs). I would have to say Mark is one of the most interesting and engaging speakers (preachers) I’ve listened to. I don’t always agree with everything he says or even his approach sometimes, but it is obvious he is a man of God who holds strongly to conservative evangelical theology and orthodoxy and is very funny to boot. I laugh out loud a LOT when I’m running and listening to Mark.

He posts here on the Resurgence on how he prepares for sermons, and whether you’re a preacher or not, it is intriguing to read his approach and his method of preparation. We may not all be public speakers, but we should all take the Word of God, prayer, repentance and the Holy Spirit as seriously as Mark does as he prepares to preach. Read this post and be inspired. In addition, go to the iTunes Music Store and subscribe to the free Mars Hill podcast - you won’t be sorry. I can’t wait to listen to my next Driscoll message. He’s currently going through 1 Corinthians - Christians Gone Wild. It’s highly worth your time.

This morning, I came to another one of my favorite passages where Paul conveys the immeasurable worth of reading, studying and meditating on the treasures we find in the Word of God. Colossians 3:16-17:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

What does it mean to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…?” It is living and active - life-giving and powerful… and in order for it to “dwell richly”, we must read it, cherish it, know it. And if it dwells in our hearts and our minds, it will guide us when we need to call on its wisdom and direction into the counsel of God’s will for our lives - that we may “stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God” as Paul says later in Colossians 4:12.

Al Mohler writes a great commentary on this crucial issue in today’s Church given the cultural landscape in which we live. Read the whole transcript here. I highly recommend reading the whole thing. Below is an excerpt:

Confronted by the biblical evidence, we must make a vitally important interpretive decision. We must choose between two unavoidable options: either the Bible is affirmed as the inerrant and infallible Word of God, and thus presents a comprehensive vision of true humanity in both unity and diversity, or we must claim that the Bible is, to one extent or another, compromised and warped by a patriarchal and male-dominated bias that must be overcome in the name of humanity.

For biblical traditionalists the choice is clear. We understand the Bible to present a beautiful portrait of complementarity between the sexes, with both men and women charged to reflect God’s glory in a distinct way. Thus, there are very real distinctions that mark the difference between masculinity and femininity, male and female. Standing on biblical authority, we must critique both the present and the past when the biblical pattern has been compromised or denied. Likewise, we must point ourselves, our churches, and our children to the future, affirming that God’s glory is at stake in our response of obedience or disobedience to His design.

For too long, those who hold to the biblical pattern of gender distinctions have allowed themselves to be silenced, marginalized, and embarrassed when confronted by new gender theorists. Now is the time to recapture the momentum, force the questions, and show this generation God’s design in the biblical concept of manhood and womanhood. God’s glory is shown to the world in the complementarity of men and women. This crucial challenge is a summons to Christian boldness in the present hour.

I just had a conversation with Heidi tonight about why we love reading the Word of God so much. I had been sitting on the couch reading in Luke, Philippians and Psalm 119 (my appointed readings in the Discipleship Journal Daily Bible-reading Plan) and was really just enjoying the richness of taking in the Word… and I thought to myself “Why am I naturally drawn to pick up the Bible and read?”

I’m wondering if any of you have any thoughts on this as well…

I asked Heidi why she loves reading the Word and she said “It’s my anchor.” There are many times over the years that she’s been in a difficult life-situation, and the Word was her comfort. In fact, just today she was able to find her NASB Bible that had been lost somewhere at church a few months ago. It ended up finding its way into one of the classrooms at church, and she was so happy to find it because it’s become a sort of journal from over the years. She’s written dates and names next to significant passages… and she really was grieving the fact that her Bible might have been lost or stolen. But now it’s back!

Thinking about the “why” question, I had this thought: I like to be “productive” most of the time - growing in some way either by reading or learning or observing or experiencing. Sure, I like to have some down time, but most often, I like to know I’m moving my mind or heart in a positive direction. I told Heidi that there really are only three major activities that we can be assured are not wasting time at all: reading the Word, praying and spending time with family. I know that every time I get out the Word and start reading, I’m doing my heart, soul and mind good. It really doesn’t matter what you read, how long you read or why you read. If it’s the Word of God, it’s going to be good. The Word of God is “living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword…” It’s so true! It is living and active and through the Spirit of God, we can always hear from Him as we read. What an incredible thought!

The primary reason why I’m so drawn to God’s Word is this: I ALWAYS hear from Him when I read. He is always speaking. I love to hear from God and know that I’m in the center of His will. This is my incentive. It’s a natural part of my relationship with Father.

My encouragement is simply this: put a plan together and consistently read the Word. It doesn’t matter where you start. It doesn’t matter how fast you go. If you are looking for a resource, I HIGHLY recommend the Discipleship Journal Daily Bible Reading Plan. It is incredible for someone like me who is not, by nature, disciplined. It gives a short section every day from 4 different places in Scripture and if you stick to the plan, you will have read the whole Bible in a year. I am fed almost EVERY day by this plan. It’s not for everyone… and maybe you already follow a plan… But it is better than nothing! So, if you’re on track, that’s great. If you don’t have a plan. Get one.

God’s Word says it best. Here is a portion of what I read in Psalm 119 tonight:

“Your testimonies are wonderful,
therefore my soul keeps them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
It imparts understanding to the simple.”
Psalm 119:129-130.

Adrian Warnock posts an excerpt (and a few thoughts) from a message of John Piper’s entitled “Building Our Lives on the Bible.”

In [this sermon] Piper stresses the vital place of building our lives on the Bible - it seemed appropriate to share this quote with you as we have been looking at the place of doctrine and Scripture, thanks to the T4G statement challenge.

“We are a people of the Book. We know God through the Book. We meet Christ in the Book. We see the cross in the Book. Our faith and love are kindled by the glorious truths of the Book. We have tasted the divine majesty of the Word and are persuaded that the Book is God’s inspired and infallible written revelation. Therefore, what the Book teaches matters . . .

That is God’s word to us as we launch into EDUCATION FOR EXULTATION. Bethlehem, “Continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of . . . the sacred writings” - the Word of God, the Bible. Don’t advance. Don’t go forward. Don’t proceed from this. Continue in this. Stay in this. Remain in this. This kind of conservatism will make you the most radical, counter-cultural, risk-taking, free people possible in Christ. If you leave the Word, you will, in the end, just conform to the world - to the spirit of this age. This may feel freeing for a moment. But it will make you the slave of every passing fashion - and they are passing faster and faster.

So God’s word to us in this vision of EDUCATION FOR EXULTATION is: Continue in your absolute allegiance to the unchanging truth of God’s Word, the Bible. Stay here. Abide here. Build children’s ministries on it. Build youth ministries on it. Build adult ministries on it. Build church planting strategies on it. Build marriages and families on it. Lead elder meetings with it. And whatever else you do, John Piper, don’t preach anything but the Word of God, the Bible.”

Do you have a friend that, when you talk, it’s just comfortable? Where you know that no matter what he/she says, it will be just what you need to hear in that moment? Is there someone who, when you know you are going to be able to spend time with him/her, you can sense the anticipation as the time draws closer?

To maintain some discipline in my life, I use a daily Bible-reading plan that takes me to four different places in the Word each day. (I highly recommend the Discipleship Journal reading plan.) One of the four places starts with Psalm 1 on January 1, and while I’m certainly not always as consistent as I’d like, it’s usually not very hard to keep up the pace with the Psalms since I really love starting off my day with a Psalm.

Well, the last couple weeks, I was spending time in Psalm 51 (”create in me a clean heart…”), 52 (wrote a post on the “green olive tree“) and on to the late 50’s - Psalm 59 really spoke to me in a real way in this reading, given life’s context… But something very sweet and familiar is just around the corner…

God reminded me of His faithfulness in 60:12 - “With God we shall do valiantly…” and the anticipation began to increase. I knew it was coming soon… although I didn’t want to just blow through Psalm 61 and 62 and miss out on what God might want to say to me… I do love Ps. 62 (”For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is in Him…”) and yet, being in Psalm 62 actually reminded me of what was coming next…

And finally, the moment arrived. Yesterday morning, I came to my good and faithful friend, Psalm 63. I have a bunch of favorite psalms - 1,8,15,19,33,34,42,66,72,99 and on and on… But there is just something special about David’s Psalm 63 - I think it may be the Psalm I’ve gone to most often over the years. During those periods of deep longing, searching and thirsting after God, Psalm 63 has been the food I’ve feasted on.

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek You.
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh faints for You,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

I remember a season many years ago where I felt I was in a dry and weary land without any water, and getting on my knees to read this Psalm, God met me and spoke to me. Racine, Wisconsin. My first apartment… my living room floor… Just me and God.

“Because Your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise You.
So I will bless You as long as I live;
In Your name I will lift up my hands.”

I’ve asked myself many times “Is God’s love better than life to me right now?” Sometimes, this is an easy question - but other times, I’m too self-focused to see that something is better than my life. And truly, what could be better than God’s love?? The result: praise and worship of our most worthy and loving God.

Ok: Here’s one of my favorite verses:

“My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food.”

I happen to like food. Good food. When I sit down to a good meal, take my time and enjoy not only the food, but the experience, I am satisfied. Not merely my body (which needs food), but my mind and my spirit are also satisfied when I’ve had a wonderful dining experience. So I do have a paradigm by which to undersand how my soul will be satisfied through seeking and ultimately finding God. Obviously, an earthly meal is only an analogy and pales in comparison with all that God does and has to offer. But, the result: “my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.” In finding satisfaction in God, my only natural response is to praise and worship our Great God.

And having sought, remembered and meditated on God day and night, I know this is true:

“For You have been my help,
And in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
Your right hand upholds me.”

No matter what life throws at me, I can rest. I can rest in the shadow of the wings of my Almighty. I am SO dependent and needy. My soul does cling to Him - and He is faithful to uphold me.

I wasn’t surprised by anything I read in Psalm 63. I knew what I was coming to, and I couldn’t wait. And when it finally came time to read this most precious psalm, my heart was ready. I wasn’t surprised by any new content… but God certainly revealed Himself to me in a new and fresh way through the timeless, familiar words of my good friend, Psalm 63. I really do feel like God’s word is a good friend. An old friend that always says what I need to hear - not necessarily what I want to hear…

And I know this same anticipation is going to happen as I approach Psalm 72, 84, 90, 91, 102, 103… O, how precious is the Word of God. Thank you, Father, for entrusting to me Your life-giving, refreshing, restoring, convicting and promise-laden words. What a gift is Your word, O God.

The following is the ”Bible Study” I submitted to coincide with the release of “In The Cross Alone I Glory” on Worshiptogether.com. Both the song and the Bible Study can be downloaded here for free starting Tuesday, March 7. I’ll update the link when it goes online. It is my prayer that this will be an encouragement to you as you grow in what it means to glory in the cross of Christ.

In the Cross Alone I Glory  

The world bombards us almost constantly with messages that compel us toward success, stuff, status and image-consciousness causing a real battle with our values. When the world wins the battle, we will often find that what we most highly value in life is “self.” And when self wins, we tend to order our world around what makes us feel good  – our possessions, the accolades we do or don’t receive, the position we seek to attain, the recognition we crave… because all of these things, if not brought under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, can feed the ugliness of “self” that stands in stark contrast to the abundant, Spirit-filled life God wants for each of us.

This is why I wrote the song “In The Cross Alone I Glory.” I don’t know about you, but I fight this battle daily, and I need a prayer I can pray during those times when my flesh desires attention or recognition. Those times when I need to remember what is really important in life. I need to ask myself often “What is it that I glory in – Christ and His work on the cross on my behalf - or myself?” That’s a question we all need to ask.

I know I’m not alone in this battle – because so many of Paul’s words in the New Testament speak to his struggle in the same areas – and where he went to find LIFE. So much of this song’s lyrics are taken right from Paul’s words, especially in 1 Corinthians, Galatians and Philippians.This song’s title is taken primarily from Galatians 6:14 where Paul says: 

“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” 

The context here at the end of Galatians 6 is those “works” that we might boast in for giving us a greater standing in the eyes of God. Something that we “do” to gain God’s approval – or even closer to this context, to gain the approval of those around us. However, Paul says very clearly that none of these works (in this case, circumcision) counts for anything, but only the work Christ performed for us on the cross. Paul will not boast, or “glory” in, anything but the Cross of Christ: the forgiveness, mercy and grace we received when Christ died for our sins.

Is there something in your life that is causing you to glory in something other than the cross of Christ? Take a moment to think about what it might be.  Write it down.

Now, confess it to the Lord - and claim the prayer of this song’s chorus over your relationship with the Lord:

“In the cross alone I glory
Nothing of my own to give
Only that which Christ has offered
For my soul that I may live.” 

The cross meant death to Christ, but it means LIFE to us. I have nothing of my own to give Him. The only thing I have of any value to give to the Lord is my redeemed and dependent life, bought by the blood of Christ on the cross! And in living out this truth, we find the abundant life that He desires to give each of us.   The first verse lyric says this: 

“In the cross alone I glory
Recognition laying down
Greatest treasures count as worthless
Standing next to heaven’s crowns.” 

Read Philippians 3:7-11.

In verses 2-6, Paul sets up the case for why he might be able to boast, or glory, in who he is and what he’s done. But in vv. 7-8, He says:

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

The crowns we will receive when we get to heaven will far surpass anything we could ever receive on this earth, so why not live with that perspective right now? The problem many of us have is that we live for ourselves today and forget that God has something much greater planned for us (both now and in the future) if we will only live with an eternal perspective.

Is there an “earthly treasure” you are valuing more highly than the heavenly crown that awaits you? Is there something you need to lay down at the foot of the cross - recognition, status, or accolades of any kind? They only pale in comparison to the rewards that await you for living a faithful life that glories only in the cross of Christ.   Just a few verses further in Philippians, we see where the song’s second verse comes from.

Read Philippians 3:12-14.

The song says this: 

“In the cross alone I glory
Ever reaching for the prize
Pressing on and laying hold of
That for which my Savior died” 

In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul gives us a picture of someone reaching for a prize – motivated by the prize – ordering his world around the prize. This prize – “that for which my Savior died” - is eternal life with Christ and rewards for how we’ve lived on this earth. This prize is found in Christ, brought about by His claiming victory over death, pride, sin and self at the Cross. Ask yourself this question: “Am I living like I’m reaching for the prize?”

Philippians 2:15-17 provides the backdrop for the song’s third verse.  Read those three verses.

The song says this: 

“In the cross alone I glory
Holding fast the Word of Life
Toiling not in vain but being
Poured out as a sacrifice” 

What does this mean to you? What does it mean to hold fast to the Word of Life? What does “holding fast the Word of Life” look like in your life? In my life, it means saturating my life with God’s Word – daily taking in His beautiful, life-giving words – so that my every word, thought and decision would be filtered through the objective truth and life-source of Scripture. Then, I can know that my toiling will not be in vain. All of life then has meaning, because the meaning is found in living out God’s will in my life.

If you don’t already, find time every day to get into God’s Word. Whether you are a morning person or a night owl, find time to hold fast the Word of Life and you will find it will come back to you when you most need it.

All the glory belongs to God. We should never seek to take any for ourselves – it was never meant for us in the first place. The sooner we realize that, and live it out in our daily lives, the sooner we will experience the abundant life God wants for each of us… focusing and centering our world on nothing but Christ and the work He accomplished on our behalf on the cross.

O, that this song, this prayer, would be true for each of us, Father. May we glory only in the cross of Christ, laying our very lives at Your feet and reflecting all glory and honor to the One who alone is worthy.
  

Earlier today, a story in The Jerusalem Post was circulated in which Dr. Jerry Falwell was said to have agreed with televangelist John Hagee’s assertion of a “dual covenant” theology, holding that Gentiles and Jews are covered by two different covenants, and that the Jewish people therefore have no need to come to faith in Christ. This is the idea that the Jewish people, as God’s chosen people, have an everlasting covenant with God prior to Christ and therefore have access to God apart from Christ. This kind of theology is contrary to the Gospel of the cross of Christ and is not based on the truth of Scripture. Falwell quickly issued this clarifying statement and demanded that The Jerusalem Post correct its story:

Earlier today, reports began circulating across the globe that I have recently stated that Jews can go to heaven without being converted to Jesus Christ. This is categorically untrue.

These false reports originated from a March 1 Jerusalem Post front page column which said: “An evangelical pastor and an Orthodox rabbi, both from Texas, have apparently persuaded leading Baptist preacher Jerry Falwell that Jews can get to heaven without being converted to Christianity. Televangelist John Hagee and Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg, whose Cornerstone Church and Rodfei Sholom congregations are based in San Antonio, told The Jerusalem Post that Falwell had adopted Hagee’s innovative belief in what Christians refer to as ‘dual covenant’ theology. This creed, which runs counter to mainstream evangelism, maintains that the Jewish people have a special relationship to God through the revelation at Sinai and therefore do not need ‘to go through Christ or the Cross’ to get to heaven.”

While I am a strong supporter of the State of Israel and dearly love the Jewish people and believe them to be the chosen people of God, I continue to stand on the foundational biblical principle that all people — Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, Jews, Muslims, etc. — must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ in order to enter heaven.

Dr. Hagee called me today and said he never made these statements to the Jerusalem Post or to anyone else. He assured me that he would immediately contact the Jerusalem Post and request a correction. Before today, I had never heard of Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg or had any communications with him. I therefore am at a total loss as to why he would make such statements about me to the Post, if in fact he did.

One Way to Heaven

In this age of political correctness and diversity, the traditional evangelical belief that salvation is available only through faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ is often portrayed as closed-minded and bigoted. But if one is to believe in Jesus Christ, he must believe in His words: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father but by Me” (John 14:6). I simply cannot alter my belief that Jesus is The Way to heaven, as He taught.

Again, I do not follow this teaching of “dual covenant” theology and I believe it runs counter to the Gospel.

I have been on record all 54 years of my ministry as being opposed to “dual covenant” theology. In fact, Dr. John Hagee has indicated to me, as recently as today, that he likewise does not accept “dual covenant” theology.

I want to reaffirm that I am a Zionist in terms of Israel’s entitlement to its homeland. I continue to pray daily for the peace of Jerusalem, as the Bible instructs Christians to do. And I have dedicated my life and ministry to working for the peace of Israel. I dearly cherish the highly esteemed Jabotinsky Award which was given me in 1981 by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. I have led thousands of pilgrims through the Land Of Israel during my 31 tours over 36 years. I seriously believe that few Americans have invested more time and resources in the defence of Israel in this generation.

However, I simply cannot alter my deeply-held belief in the exclusivity of salvation through the Gospel of Christ for the sake of political or theological expediency.

Like the Apostle Paul, I pray daily for the salvation of everyone, including the Jewish people.

Al Mohler covers the whole controversy well here, and I’m so glad Falwell issued this statement of clarification. I must admit, when I first read it, I could hardly believe my eyes. A good example of terrible journalism by The Jerusalem Times. I do question some of Hagee’s theological positions, but I’m glad to see someone of Falwell’s standing is still walking in truth on this matter of the gospel. I truly love the Jewish people, and hope that they would place their faith in Christ alone for their salvation. For all of us, there is only one Way - through Jesus Christ. (John 14:6)

(HT: Justin Taylor and Al Mohler)

I’m not very far into it yet, but I can already tell Randy Alcorn’s Heaven has the very real potential of being one of my all-time favorite books. I can say that because 1) Randy Alcorn is one of my favorite authors, and 2) Heaven is one of my favorite places. (now how’s that for a severe understatement?!) Although I haven’t been to Heaven yet, Alcorn is opening my eyes to what Scripture says about our eternal home in such a compelling way that I can see this will be life-changing. I’m only a few chapters into it, but I highly recommend this book - and I would love for anyone taking this journey with Randy and I to comment with any thoughts you have.

At the very beginning, Alcorn quotes another one of my favorite authors and theologians, Jonathan Edwards, speaking of Heaven:

“It becomes us to spend this life only as a journey toward Heaven… to which we should subordinate all other concerns of life. Why should we labor or set our hearts on anything else, but that which is our proper end and true happiness.”

from Jonathan Edwards: Basic Writings, Ola Elizabeth Winslow, New York: New American Library, 1966, p. 142

This is true eternal perspective, and gives us a paradigm for living that changes everything. When we have a heavenly perspective informed and shaped by the truth of Scripture, every word, thought and decision is filtered not through the short-sighted vision this world offers, but one that promises infinite, eternal and soul-satisfying pleasure - because we’re spending eternity with the One for whom we were created to spend eternity - Jesus.

Alcorn spends the first chapter reshaping what most of us have as un unbiblical misconception of what Heaven is. It isn’t an eternal hymn-sing or even an eternal contemporary worship service. (Thank goodness!) It’s not an “ethereal realm of disembodied spirits.” It isn’t floating in the clouds in a toga playing a harp. It’s not even walking around on streets of gold, following cellestial choirs in an eternal procession of praise. Unfortunately, most people don’t have a realistic and Biblical conception of Heaven sadly because there has been so much theological neglect in the writings and teachings of the Church on this subject. That changes with this book. Alcorn paints the Biblical picture of Heaven being a real, physical, tangible place - a New Earth - the place we’re suited for - what we’ve been specifically designed for. Alcorn invites us to use our imaginations, and based in the very real truths of Scripture, imagine what life on earth would be like without sin, death, suffering and corruption. And even then, Heaven will be far better than anything we’ve ever seen or could ever imagine:

“So look out a window. Take a walk. Talk with your friend. Use your God-given skills to paint or draw or build a shed or write a book. But imagine it - all of it - in its original condition. The happy dog with the wagging tail, not the snarling beast, beaten and starved. The flowers unwilted, the grass undying, the blue sky without pollution. People smiling and joyful, not angry, depressed and empty. If you’re not in a particularly beautiful place, close your eyes and envision the most beautiful place you’ve ever been - complete with palm trees, raging rivers, jagged mountains, waterfalls, or snow drifts.

Think of friends or family members who loved Jesus and are with Him now. Picture them with you, walking together in this place. All of you have powerful bodies, stronger than those of an Olympic decathlete. You are laughing, playing, talking, and reminiscing. You reach up to a tree to pick an apple or orange. You take a bit. It’s so sweet that it’s startling. You’ve never tasted anything so good. Now you see someone coming toward you. It’s Jesus, with a big smile on His face. You fall to your knees in worship. He pulls you up and embraces you.

At last, you’re with the person you were made for, in the place you were made to be. Everywhere you go there will be new people and places to enjoy, new things to discover. What’s that smell? A feast. A party’s ahead. And you’re invited. There’s exploration and work to be done - and you can’t wait to get started.”

Heaven, Randy Alcorn, Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, p. 18.

I can’t wait! I have to admit, I struggle at times in the same way Paul described in Philippians where he said “I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” (Phil. 1:23) Don’t get me wrong - I am blessed. I love the life and ministry God has given me and the family He has WOW’d me with… But, I have within me (and I guess many of you do as well) a strong, compelling desire to be in Heaven where everything is as God intended, and I can just sit down and have a good, long conversation (with a grande, easy vanilla, two percent, no foam latte) with my Savior. And, Alcorn’s book is painting an amazing picture that is even more compelling than any vision I’ve had previously. I’m going to dig in, finish this book and write a book review on it. You’ll be hearing more from me on this subject! In the meantime, click on this link and buy yourself a copy, and we can journey together.

I came to Psalm 45 this morning. The whole Psalm is beautiful and full of richness, but the Lord had me camp out on verse 1:

“My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;
I address my verses to the king;
my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.” Psalm 45:1 (ESV)

This verse captures me every time I read it. It is so refreshing and so convicting at the same time. The psalmist - one of the sons of Korah - was in a good place when he penned these words. We don’t know the exact “theme” he refers to, but from the words of the rest of this psalm, it is evident that he was in a place of rest, trust and peace with his God.

My first observation is that this “pleasing theme” comes from an overflow. The overflow from a heart that is trusting in God for protection, fulfillment and satisfaction - living in truth, meekness and righteousness (v.4). In order for something to overflow from one’s heart, the heart must already be full. It’s not enough for us to work to fill our hearts with the things of God, but we need to live in such a way that we allow God to fill us. No amount of our effort will fill our hearts in the way that our infinitely loving and gracious God longs to fill our hearts if we allow Him. And as we live in this way, allowing Him to fill us and supply us with all that He offers, our life will overflow with a “pleasing theme.”

Does your life overflow with a pleasing theme? I pray that mine does more than it doesn’t, but this verse is convicting also, because too often I’m afraid the theme of my heart isn’t as pleasing as it should be. That is when I operate in my own strength. When I neglect trusting in God’s providential hand and instead trust my own way. When I become self-focused and allow the world to revolve around my needs, my wants, my rights… as opposed to God’s goodness and glory. My heart’s theme will naturally lean toward pride, bitterness and self-love if I don’t continually seek to clothe myself with Christ and live in the fruits of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Oh, that these fruits would mark the theme with which my heart overflows!

My favorite part of the verse is the last third: “…my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.” So much of our heart’s theme will flow out of our mouth by way of our tongue. What is the posture of a “ready scribe?” I picture myself with pen in hand, fresh white piece of paper awaiting its text, eyes fixed with anticipation on the one who will speak and give life-giving the words I will write. A “ready scribe” is not aimlessly doodling, scribbling or even writing down his own thoughts, distracted from his task. He is focused, intent on writing down only what his subject will dictate.

Here, the psalmist says our tongue is like the pen in the hand of this “ready scribe.” Does this describe my tongue? I would like to think so, but I fear that far too often, my tongue is not ready. The words of my tongue flow from a heart that is not awaiting the words of my Father, but is instead speaking from a position of self. But, if my heart’s theme is pleasing to the Father, my tongue should at ALL TIMES be ready to speak words of love, compassion, mercy, forgiveness - building up and edifying, not tearing down. Not condescending. Not positioning. Not gratifying self. Not biting or bitter. But beautiful words, full of grace written from the pen of a ready scribe - listening to the Father and speaking the words of the Spirit.

May our heart’s theme be a pleasing theme to You, O gracious Lord. May the words of our mouth and the mediation of our heart be a pleasant aroma up to Your throne.  

I read from Matthew 19 and 20 this morning and once again came face to face with the theme we find throughout the New Testament and especially in the teachings of Jesus: the first will be last and the last will be first. He puts wealth, possessions and priorities into perspective in Matt. 19:29-30, where He says:

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

He’s giving us an eternal, Kingdom perspective here. The gospel and the Kingdom of God should come first - everything else should come second. The context in 19:16-22 is the rich young man’s perplexity at giving up his possessions to give to the poor. This quandry, and Christ’s following statements should serve to remind us that in God’s economy, the temporal is simply a means to the eternal. But we get it turned around and upside down. In vv.29-30, Christ says that not only riches, but even family should come second to the kingdom. That one’s a hard one to swallow at times - especially because family IS so important. But, Christ’s point is that it should never come at the expense of God’s Kingdom.

Jesus’ interaction with the mother of James and John in vv.20-28 provides such a convicting perspective on life. She’s trying to be a good mom and look out for her boys in asking Jesus who will have the places of position in His kingdom. Again, Jesus turns the perspective upside down in outlining the Kingdom’s perspective regarding position and authority:

“but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:26-28

Be first, we must be a servant. To have the place of position, we must be as a slave. Oh, to live like this! Lord Jesus, may you give me your mind, your heart, your perspective. May I live by Your example of a humble servant who gave His life. Help me be a servant for Your glory.

I don’t know if this will be my last post on this subject, but I think this controversy may be coming to a close now that Dr. Ben Witherington has taken down his original post and all related comments from his website, regarding the origin of the ESV translation. However, Dr. Witherington’s statements compelled a response from one of my favorite professors in seminary, Dr. Wayne Grudem, who also sat on the ESV Translation Oversight Committee. Thanks to Justin Taylor, who saved the text before it was deleted, you can read Dr. Grudem’s response here.

I took three or four classes with Dr. Grudem while at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in the early-mid 90’s, and often refererence his widely-accepted Systematic Theology. He is a very wise and highly-regarded scholar and his response to this controvery is extremely gracious considering the errant and unsubstantiated comments that were made - a testimony to his character and integrity.

I would encourage you to read his response and also do some reading on the esv.org site related to why the ESV is such a great translation. It’s very interesting to understand the nuances of the behind-the-scenes work being done at the highest levels of Biblical translation and scholarship.

(HT: Between Two Worlds) 

I had alluded to Dr. Ben Witherington’s mistaken comments regarding the origin of the ESV translation… Between Two Worlds publishes here Witherington’s apology concerning his comments. I admire his humility, and agree that he should have done more research before making those statements.

HT: Between Two Worlds

A year ago, I was inspired by an evening with John Piper (is anyone surprised?) to consider changing from reading the NASB version of Scripture to the ESV. Piper presented a very compelling and impassioned case, and I made the switch. I have truly enjoyed the last year diving into the Word in this fresh, very readable, highly accurate and literal translation.

Click here to read ESV Blog’s story of the origins of the ESV translation. This is in response to Ben Witherington’s inaccurate account. For perspective, you can read his thoughts here.

Click here for the ESV homepage for more in depth information regarding this beautiful translation.

I read Psalm 36 this morning and am always compelled by the following verses:

Psalm 36:7-9 “How precious is Your steadfast love, O God!

The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.

They feast on the abundance of Your house,

And You give them drink from the river of Your delights...

For with You is the fountain of life;

In Your light do we see light.”

O, how I long to feast on the abundance of God and drink freely from the river of His delights. To delight in what He delights in… this is my desire. To taste and see that the Lord is good and experience all that He has in store for those who truly treasure Him, cherish Him, value Him above any other. To put my hands down into the fountain of life and draw the water to my lips, drinking to my heart’s content. This is what God desires out of His relationship with me… He longs to be the refuge under whose wings I find shade - and the ever-abundant source of goodness from which I draw my strength. What delights await, O Lord, for those who by faith come to the river, get down on their hands and knees and drink to their satisfaction? The river of delights - love, grace, mercy, forgiveness… May we come to you in our neediness and our complete dependence to simply drink… and be filled.