Nothing in the Corner

Acts 26:26 KJV

For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

This passage is a key text in the Bible. Paul asserts that both the teaching of Christ and His death burial and resurrection are known events to Agrippa because these things were "not done in a corner."

The life, death, burial and resurrection were not some secretive initiation that only a handful of privileged people were privy to.

• Even though Christ had His twelve and from time to time sought to get them away for private teaching, crowds of people followed and were instructed fed and in other ways ministered to.
• Christ was tried publicly.
• He was crucified publicly.
• There were gentile soldiers at his tomb so He was buried publicly.
• When He resurrected, He did so publicly and showed Himself alive to the public.
• The persecution of His followers has been public.
• Their faithfulness and their frailties have been well publicized.
• Our services are all open to the public.

There is nothing about Christianity that is "done in a corner."

And yet, despite the attacks of the devil and the frauds and phonies, there continues to be new believers in the death burial and resurrection; a testament to the veracity of the fact and it's efficacy in redeeming the soul. 

Festus the Leader

Acts 25:1 KJV

Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

Festus arrives to replace Felix and after just three days travels to Jerusalem where he is at once confronted by the Jews about Paul.

First, the grudge of the Jews

It has now been years since he was originally captured and they still have men willing to lie in wait to kill him treacherously.

Then, there is Festus

I am impressed at how quickly he got busy in his administration. He had barely arrived in the province before he makes the trip to the hot spot of the region, Jerusalem. I would have thought that he would have wanted time to get settled in to a routine and to acquaint himself to the peculiarities of the position. And then arriving in Jerusalem he is accosted with the case of Paul. But he was not pressured or swayed by them. He was completely in control and handled the early confrontation with professionalism and confidence. I would have thought that the pressure could have gotten to him. He is not one such as Pontius Pilate, who tried to wash his hands of the Jewish uproar. He is a leader.

I imagine Festus as a well trained and experienced leader. He has, I imagine, developed his skills in dealing with these sorts of pressures working his way up in administrative offices. Pilate seems to me to have climbed one step higher than he was capable of. Rather than taking charge of in Jesus' situation he allowed the situation to take charge of him.

Festus still was "willing to show the Jews a pleasure" but even that would have been a reflection of the purpose of his office. He is to maintain the peace in the land.

The fact is that God superintended in this whole affair to bring Paul into the court of the Caesar. 

Loyalty to Christ is to Know and Honor His Heart

2 Samuel 18:14 KJV

Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.

Joab is an interesting character of contrast. One the one hand he appears to be intensely loyal to King David. He follows him through thick and thin and even during times when he disagrees with him and could defect to another camp. On the other hand, he frequently disobeys David's most earnest and heartfelt orders. His loyalty is not true or else he would honor the heart of his king as well as his authority.

And he is an example of what we find in so much of today's type of Christianity. We have Christians so called that claim to be followers of the Lord and make a show of it in church attendance and perhaps some forms of ministry, but when push comes to shove, they do not understand the heart of their King and do as their own heart pleases; probably justifying themselves that their plan is better anyway.

Their loyalty to Christ is not true or else they would discover His heart and honor and obey it. 

I Confess

Acts 24:14-15 KJV

But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

This is a wonderful position for the Christian who is in any way persecuted to find himself: having to confess only that they believe what others would call heresy

• That Jesus Christ is God
• That Jesus died for our sins and arose with our victory
• That faith in Christ is the sinner's door into eternal life.

Paul challenged them to find any true accusation either of those present or those throughout Asia where he had ministered the gospel other than this one thing. He did not need to confess of any crime or other wicked deed because there was none.

Not that his case was fairly treated anyway. God had other plans for Paul in Rome, plans that even this imprisonment could further. Christians ought to occupy themselves

• To have a conscience void of offence
• To worship God as His Word teaches them, and
• To have no other accusation that may be laid to their charge

What David Did When Attacked

2 Samuel 15:26 KJV

But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

David's response to the events surrounding Absalom's rebellion serves two purposes:

First, it places God as sovereign.

David glorifies God despite the difficulty.

Second, it establishes David's personal peace.

He could refuse anger and vengeance because he trusted God's reign.

Whenever we find ourselves attacked, either justly or unjustly, we would do well to take David's position here. To surrender to the pleasure of God brings glory to Him. To refuse to seek revenge or retribution on our accusers builds trust in relationships. David's men were loyal to him because they knew him to never defend himself.

Mind you, this does not mean that David was afraid of battle. He had retained his testimony as a soldier since the days of Goliath. But David fought for the glory of God and the defense of his country; never for his own advancement.

We could all do well to do the same. 

Free Born

Acts 22:28 KJV

And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

I find in the contrast between the citizenship of the captain and of Paul a parallel between those whose religion requires they earn their way to heaven and the faith of the Christian who receives his heavenly citizenship freely through the new birth.

The captain says he obtained his freedom or citizenship through a great price. There are a variety of things he could have meant by that and we are not familiar enough with the culture to know which it might have been.

• He could be referring to a great sum of money. Some have put forth that as the Roman Empire began to wane in its last years, it sought means to finance its opulence. Requiring those who lived in Rome, though not born a Roman citizen to pay a hefty price for that citizenship would be one way to increase the income of the government.
• Others have said that he could be referring to the tedious nature of paperwork and other requirements that might have been necessary for citizenship.
• Still others suggest that he may have earned his citizenship through his exploits as a soldier, receiving citizenship as a reward for his years in the military or for some action he had been involved in as a soldier. In any case, he knew his citizenship had come at great price.

Paul, on the other hand, declares that he had been free born. Though a New by blood, the location of his birth provided Roman citizenship and all its benefit automatically and freely.

But then my parallel breaks down because in the case of the captain and Paul, both were equally citizens of Rome whether by purchase or birth. That is not so with a heavenly citizenship. Jesus said that no man cometh unto the Father but by Him. The Bible repeatedly expresses that eternal heaven cannot be purchased. It is obtained through the new birth which is by faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ or it is not obtained at all. 

Seasons of Rest

2 Samuel 11:1 KJV

And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

The commentaries all say that the time the kings went forth to battle was the spring, when

• The grasses were growing to feed the animals
• The ground was dry for the soldier's marches and
• The food was more plentiful to meet the needs

Times have changed in battle strategy. Technological advances unfortunately allow battles to be waged year round contributing to post traumatic stress and other serious problems among military personnel. But I see this natural break in battle as a grace of God. Even with today's advances I am thankful that there are some seasons of rest from combat. Those breaks in conflict that have allowed us as a nation to ratchet down a bit before the next season of battle has come.

In the spiritual world we also face combat. Our enemy is very real and very present. But I am thankful for those seasons of rest from the conflict and times of rejoicing as believers. How gracious God has been to design into our lives, not abstinence from trials, for they serve to build and strengthen us, but seasons of refreshing to restore and revive us. 

Yourselves

Acts 20:28 KJV

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

The Apostle first exhorted the preachers to take heed to themselves before their flock. They can do little good for the people of God who have done no good for themselves.

Gill has good notes concerning this subject;

"…take heed

to their gifts,

to use and improve them, and not neglect them;

to their time,

that they spend it aright, and not squander it away; and to their spirit, temper, and passions, that they are not governed by them; and

to their lives and conversations,

that they be exemplary to those who are under their care; and

to their doctrine,

that it be according to the Scriptures; that it be the doctrine of Christ, and the same with the apostles; that it be according to godliness, and that it tends to edification; that it be sound and incorrupt, pure and unmixed, and all of a piece and consistent with itself; and that they be not infected and carried away with errors and heresies"

David's Inspiration to Pray

2 Samuel 7:27 KJV

For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.

The chapter begins with David wanting to build a house for God and ends with God promising to build David's house. We never out give God. His resources are so rich and His goodness so great that whenever we become anxious in heart to do something for the blessing of God, He has already planned to do something greater for our blessing.

Here is a practical lesson attached to this verse as David claims he is motivated to pray for His family based on God's promise to bless his family. Our lesson is to let the Word of God be the motivation for our prayer life. Before we can ever pray as we ought, we must let the Lord speak to us. And He will speak to us if we are in the Word of God as we ought to be. 

Companionship

Acts 18:1-3 KJV

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

I find myself impressed over and over how the Lord coordinates the events of life to His glory. The apostle comes alone to Corinth but he will not be alone. Caesar had ordered all Jews to depart from Rome so a couple born in neither Rome nor Israel had just recently moved to Corinth. And it happens that besides being Jewish as is Paul, they are of the same trade. An immediate connection was made. Paul had companionship, employment and they had the opportunity to hear and receive the Gospel.

My wife and I moved to Astoria, OR in 1984 with the goal of establishing a church there. It had been my hope that another couple would go with us to do this work, but no one was found. We went alone and found that when we arrived God had already placed that other couple in Astoria. Rod and Karen Hockley became part of our family. Their faithfulness their friendship their stability their like mindedness in the things of the Lord carried us through the most challenging times of the ministry there. In time the Lord moved us as he did the Hockley family. But I will never forget and will forever be grateful to God for placing this family in our lives. 

Ethics

2 Samuel 4:9-11 KJV

And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:

How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?

Once again David shows his faith to wait on God to promote him rather than to take the kingdom by harming one of Saul's house. David's insistence that the kingdom not come through any force of his own against the anointed of the Lord is a lesson for those in ministry. What God chooses to do with us He can do without our doing harm to another preacher. There is no need for us to ever attack another man of God, even if we know them to be in error. God has all of that in his own hands. Neither must we encourage or support one who is under a man of God but seeks to cause him harm. Our duty is to keep about the business of serving the Lord. He will bless and promote our work as He chooses.

I do note however that David's rebuke of one under his authority is stern and far reaching, even pronouncing judgment upon Joab's children because of his murder of Abner. I assume this is because he has seen Joab's character already displayed in his children. David was no pushover. He was simply convicted to never touch the Lord's anointed.

Such an ethic does not seem to exist among many preachers today. 

In Parallel

2 Samuel 1:1 KJV

Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;

I have always been amazed when pondering that, as I go about my life, somewhere else someone else is going about theirs. That events happen in parallel with mine fascinates me. So I think it is interesting that so often we view

• David's battle with the Amalekites
• His rescue of his loved ones and
• The settling of the dispute about those who stayed with the stuff

as one event followed by the battle when Saul was killed. In actuality they each happened in parallel. The one was happening while the other was happening. David was doing what he must to rescue and protect his own while God was settling the issue with Saul.

In first Samuel 26:10 David had testified his faith that God would deal with Saul in his own way.

• He would get Ill or
• Something else would happen or
• He would die in battle

When the day happened, it would have been the furthest thing from David's mind. As his thoughts and heart was completely engaged in another matter God engaged Himself in dispatching Saul. Thus David need never grieve that, the day Saul died, he was wishing for it.

Life does not revolve only around our immediate experiences. God is capable of and is running multiple courses at any moment and all of those courses blend together for eternal good in the sovereign plan of God. My place is to occupy myself in serving the Lord and those He has placed in my life. He will care for all the rest. 

Today's post is number 2000 for me at this blog. I began the blog more as a place to house my thoughts as I walk with the Lord day to day. I am thankful that some of these posts have been a blessing to others as well.

To God be the glory.

Contention Among Brethren

Acts 15:39 KJV

And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

Gill says it is not easy to see which one, Barnabas or Saul, is most to blame for this contention. And yet it seems like we still try to place blame on one or the other. A preacher friend of mine, now passed away, pointed out that Barnabas, by parting from Paul, is never heard from again. But just today I read the words of a younger preacher who said it is completely wrong to judge John Mark for departing from the earlier journey because none of us are God who is able to judge the heart.

Of a truth we are all men of like passions and we do not do all things well. Barnabas took Mark back in and, though never directly heard from again, his influence on Mark obviously effected a reconciliation between Paul and Mark. He was heard from through Mark's future ministry. On the other hand Paul's insistence that Mark not go, even to the extent of separating from Barnabas, may have impressed upon Mark the seriousness of his earlier failure and led to his more humbly accepting further discipleship from Barnabas.

What I do know is that this incident did not alter God's plan or his determination to use Paul. The work of God progressed and perhaps was furthered through the division of this pair into two teams. Our passions and differences, though they should be tempered in our relationship with the Lord, do not alter or hinder God's work in this world. 

Brethren, though they have thought wickedly

1 Samuel 30:22-23 KJV

Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart.

Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.

David still has, I think, six hundred men. Two hundred of them had become faint and we're left by the stuff. When David and the four hundred returned from victory and with the spoils, some of them did not want to share with the two hundred. The Bible calls them wicked men but David calls them brethren.

First, David did not allow them to influence his decision.

Though they were the majority and though they were the ones who helped him in the battle, still he assumed leadership and vetoed their wishes.

Second, though they had responded selfishly, the Bible says wickedly, he identified himself as their brethren.

We are all still in this robe of flesh and do fleshly things. David did not despise them for it but neither did he allow them to do as their flesh suggested. The preacher's job is to direct his congregation in the way. He must not bow to majority pressure, he must insist on Biblical direction. But neither should he allow the fleshly choices of his congregation to bring him to hatred or judgment against them. His is to love them, lead them and let God make of them what God pleases. 

Passion or Politics

Acts 13:8 KJV

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

When a Christian seeks to be a witness he can expect that Satan will have someone nearby to withstand him and to seek to turn those we have witnessed to from the faith.

• From time to time it has happened that, as I have been out witnessing, someone has spotted me and followed in an attempt to harass me and distract those I hope to speak to
• Once in a while there will be Jehovah Witnesses or Mormons in the same neighborhood who, though likely did not come to intentionally withstand me, still seek to turn those I have witnessed to from the faith and
• More often there someone who, after I have gone comes and seeks to turn them from the faith.

Paul's reaction is a justified anger. He rebukes the sorcerer with his eyes before a word is said. His countenance is obviously against Elymas.

Some people say that it is always wrong to be angry. There are more than ample Scriptures to prove that is not so. Some would say we had better not react angrily unless we can strike a man blind like Paul did. I don't see it that way. The apostles were given many spiritual gifts that no longer are in action for the sake of proving their message was of God. I do not need to strike a person blind today. I only need to open my Bible.

To allow wicked men to do their evil work without passionately rebuking them is to deny the ministry God has given us. It reminds me of the political parties whose members can debate their opposing points and then laugh about their disagreements. In one case a married couple each works for the opposing party and though politically they do battle every day on their job, they claim to be able to come home and put all of that aside for their love toward each other. It proves that their party opinions have no real importance to them. They are mere jobs.

That is just not true with the gospel. Our message is the difference between heaven and hell. If we can't get passionately angry over those who would keep souls from the truth then we don't really believe this message. 

We'd Be Better Off There?

1 Samuel 27:1 KJV

And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

One of the great testimonials as to the divine origin of the Bible is that it tells the embarrassing stories of its heroes as well as the glorious ones. David was in so many ways godly.

• He meditated upon the things of the Lord
• When things got very difficult he would write psalms that were inspired of very God
• He trusted the Lord in troublesome circumstances

But David was, after all, a man. And in this passage we see a lapse of faith that is difficult to grip unless we remember he is just a man. Just one chapter previous he told his men that they were not to touch the Lord's anointed. He knew that God would deal with Saul in His own way and time

• He would get sick, or
• He would die in battle or
• Something else would happen

but David was not about to take matters into his own hands.

But here, in despair, David began to think that sooner or later Saul would be successful in his hunt against him and he would be better off risking himself among the Philistines.

I expect that most Christians have felt like that at some time. Though God has sustained them so far, yet there are so many enemies confronting them from so many directions that it is only a matter of time before they give in to them; they might as well give now.

Though I cannot be certain what my future on earth holds I can say today that my desire is to learn from David what not to do.

• I don't want to give in
• I don't want to leave my faith
• I don't want to change my convictions. I believe they are from God

• What I want to do is trust God more and more
• What I want to do is spend still more time with Him and in His Word
• What I want to do is urge even more to follow the Lord with me

It is a blessing to think ahead in David's life and see that it was not too late for him to return to the course God set for him. This lapse of faith did not negate God's plan for him and neither do ours negate God's plan for us. All we have to do is, like David, return. 

So...?

1 Samuel 23:3 KJV

And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?

A few things here:

First, though David's men had an enemy they still had a responsibility to aide those in need

Second, though they were afraid, they still must do the good thing

Third, though David's men questioned his decision David must still obey the voice of God and they must still follow him.

Fourth, though those who were helped were not of the same character as David, they still were to help them.

God gave sufficient warning to David that he and his men could escape. He provided for David's protection in a variety of ways in this chapter and the next but the key is that He did provide protection. 

The Best News

Acts 11:18 KJV

When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

The best news for the world today is Acts 11:18.

That God has granted repentance unto life to Gentiles as well as Jews has indeed changed the course of human history. Yea, it has become the course of history. The influence of Christianity, both pure and corrupt is the one major factor of history, certainly in the Western world.

The conflict of pure faith against corrupted faith which began with Cain slaying Abel has continued on first in God's hand upon the Jews and now for just over two thousand years, among the Gentiles. And in the same tradition of Cain and Abel, true faith has won out not in the physical power to overwhelm the opponent but through the humble blood of the righteous speaking from the ground.

Faith wins not through carnal weapons of the flesh but through God.

• We speak
• We trust and
• We wait upon the Lord

 And in waiting, we have victory.

It Takes Much More

1 Samuel 19:7 KJV

And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.

When Jonathan heard of his father's anger toward David he rose to action to both protect David and to convince his father to be reconciled. Jonathan's words so moved Saul that he turned from his anger and vowed to his son that he would not do David any harm. David returned to the king's home and it looked like things were back to the way they had been in times past.

But Saul's reconciliation was shallow and short lived. Though his temper had been soothed for a time, no real change had taken place in his heart. Soon he was angry again and soon David's life was in danger again.

Real reconciliation requires more than a vow to change. Anger as deeply set as was Saul's is not vented by a mere word.

First, it does not appear that David and Saul ever communicated about the conflict. Before Saul could have ever really reconciled with David he would have needed to speak to him. He would have needed to confess and offer apology and come to grips with the target of his aggression.

Secondly, Saul could never have reconciled with David until he had made peace with the fact that God had removed the kingdom from him.

In God's sovereign authority he had pronounced that the kingdom would go to another. If Saul could have made peace with that he could have made peace with David.

Third, Saul had not made peace with the preacher, Samuel.

It was Samuel who had communicated God's message of judgment to Saul. Saul's response was to beg the preacher to make it look like he was still in the grace of God. Samuel and Saul never spoke again. There could have been no real reconciliation with David without also making reconciliation with Samuel.

Too many have the Saul sort of reconciliation with God. They have vowed to live differently in hopes of having peace with God but they have not dealt with the real issues that separate them from God.

• They have never come to grips with God's righteous judgment against their sin
• They have not submitted to the role God's word has in this world and
• They have not surrendered to the only source of true reconciliation with God, which is the work of Jesus Christ of dying in their place

Without these, any reconciliation they have is only pretense on their part.

Turn Toward Another

1 Samuel 17:30 KJV
And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.

David had only recently come to the camp of Israel. His duty was to deliver some food to the soldiers, to bring some goods to his brothers and to get a report to bring back to his father. His hap was to arrive in time to hear Goliath's taunts which had been going on forty days. David was not a soldier but he was not afraid of Goliath's size or of his threats. So David began to encourage soldiers to take up the challenge and dispatch this enemy of Israel. Whether or not David had met with his brothers yet, I do not know. I do know that his brothers eventually heard him stirring up the soldiers and they rebuked him. David's response is the subject of my meditation today.

• David did not get angry and argue with his brother
• David did not get discouraged and quit because of his brother
• David simply turned from him toward another man and continued in his work

And that is the way Christians must go about their business for the Lord. As we speak to stir souls for Christ numbers of them will chide and rebuke us. That must not cause us to either grow angry or discouraged. If we grow angry and argue with them, they have in their own eyes won. If we grow discouraged and quit they have in fact won. The cause is just too great to give any sort of victory. Remember that cause and just turn toward another man.
• Keep turning
• Keep speaking and
• Keep stirring up the souls of men
until we find those ready to turn themselves to the Lord.