Requesting nothing but

When the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised.
-Esther 2:15

What if my approach to life was exactly the same…In this sense: That I would request nothing except what would be pleasing to the Lord. I realize this may seem far too pious, but I may entertain this idea for a time…What would happen?

As seen with this simple act of Esther,
What I choose to do, or not do, effects many.

Judgments of rebels and of kings

Now Absalom used to get up early and stand beside the road that led to the city gate. Whenever anyone came by who had a complaint to bring to the king for arbitration, Absalom would call out to him, “What city are you from?” The person would answer, “I, your servant, am from one of the tribes of Israel.” Absalom would then say to him, “Look, your claims are legitimate and appropriate. But there is no representative of the king who will listen to you.”

Then Absalom would say,
“Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice.”
– 2 Samuel 15:2-4

Let us study the nature of two men; one a rebel, the other a king.

Absalom was characterized with a heart of judgement, often taking matters into his own internal consultation. He sees all the wrong in the world, yet refuses to look at his own heart. Ironically if justice was truly served, Absalom would be dead (for he murdered his brother Amnon). But such is the blindness of one who is right in their own eyes.

David on the other hand, recognizes his blindness and allows wisdom to form his inner being. David, when cursed and hit with stones (2 Samuel 16:5), does not act out of a heart of self-righteousness (though the stone thrower deserved death according to law) David leaves the incident to the Lord, knowing that He is the perfect judge; trusting then in the retribution of God.

While my temperament leans towards judgement, I must submit to the rulership, the authority, and the judgment of God. I do not know better than He. His thoughts are higher than my own. If my heart is submitted to God, then I must also submit to those in authority above me…those He has placed to rightly judge my person. With this heart stance I avoid a life striving towards rebellion.

Lord will you shape my heart towards obedience. Keep rebellion far from my person. Help me to lead in humility. Keep my thoughts from rash judgement. Shape my person to be one of kindness and mercy towards others. May my heart be pliable to the yoke you have placed over me.
Amen

Shoot the messenger

And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.’ But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.
– Matthew 22:1-6

This parable mirrors a true event in the days of King David’s reign (see 2 Samuel 10). When the neighboring Ammonite’s king had passed, David said, “I will deal loyally with Hanun the son of Nahash (the dead Ammonite king), as his father dealt loyally with me.” David then sends his servants to console Hanun, but the princes of the Ammonite land spoke lies of David’s intentions…they deal shamefully with David’s servants and send them back with torn garments.

Why is this important?
Lets look at the parallels within these two stories:
– Both kingdoms have good natured kings.
– Both worlds have wicked people bent against the king.
– Both cases involve the mistreatment of their king’s servants…humiliation, rejection, even death.
– Both stories involve an open hand of friendship.
– Both endings resolve poorly for those who oppose the goodness and servanthood of their king.

As a servant of the King, I must recognize that the kindness and message that I hold is not always received well. Rejection is common for the servant of The Most High. I may often be misunderstood, may often be abused, shamed, possibly even killed. But my King leads an everlasting Kingdom, whose rule will never end…it is in this King that I may hope for a day of vindication, a day of rule and justice. Ultimately the balances are held within the hand of my Lord…I trust He will do what is Just, and True…for He is a Just God.

Lord today I struggle, and I feel agitated and anxious. Meet your servant here, recenter my heart to your purpose. I fear I am so far from your love.

Greater workings of the Holy Spirit

The queen of the South will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
– Matthew 12:42

ESV notes:
Jesus claims that he is greater than the temple (Matt 12:6), the prophet Jonah (v. 41), and the wise king Solomon. He thus elevates himself and his message of the kingdom to be greater than, and the fulfillment of, the three greatest institutions in Israel – priest, prophet, and king.

If then, that the work and message of Jesus was greater than the work of the Spirit in it’s primal offices – priest, prophet, king…how much greater then is the working of the Holy Spirit within the person of Christ. And if Christ as one man, and we as co-heirs, the children of God operate in the greater work of Christ…fulfilling the will of God for a people; a nation of priestly kings proclaiming kingdom come.

“for greater works will you do.”

Lord, help me partner with your Spirit’s work.
Amen

Watchmen: Intercession & Instruction

Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.
– 1 Samuel 12:23-25

ESV notes:
Praying (Intercession) and instruction are two of Samuel’s major roles as the prophet of the Lord, even after the inauguration of kingship.

From now on, Samuel is no longer the Judge of all Israel: the age of kingship has begun. But this is neither a retirement ceremony for Samuel, nor his last public address; as the prophet who gives the word of God to the king and people of Israel, his authority remains powerful, and he still has one more king to anoint (the shepherd David).

Despite Israel’s turn to man as king (instead of God as King), an evil sin, Samuel still plays his role as intercessor for his people. If Samuel were to choose to do otherwise, this would incur sin upon his own personal life…for this was his purpose, for prayer and for instruction as “the prophet”.

How sobering it is that this prophet’s prayers can be overturned because of the choices made by a people. No security within themselves, no security within their king, nor the prayers of this righteous man can save them from their own destruction. By choosing to fear their own strengths, by choosing to serve self, by choosing unfaithfulness, a people and their king will be swept away.

“Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf”
– Proverbs 11:28

In the midst of transition or unexpected turning of events, it remains critical to live out the purpose that is created within us. It is a call to walk the good and right path that is set before us. May that I not cease to be the man that I was created to be. Despite my surroundings or the actions of others, I choose to live in boldness.

Lord my hope is in you, reveal the good and right path that you have placed before me. Help me by your Spirit to do all that you have purposed for me.
Amen

Heritage

And he who was seated on the throne said,
“Behold, I am making all things new.”
Also he said,
“Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
And he said to me,
“It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
– Revelation 21:5-8

What touched me specifically in reading this morning was the verses right before this passage, it says,
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” This idea of “Emmanuel” or “God with us” is a rich reality, of which I long for. However, the verses that followed struck me rather strongly. The idea that I would be given a heritage, and that I would indeed be called his son.

Outside of a trinket or two, I have never inherited anything from my family. This has been a sadness both now and in times past. I would have liked to have thought that my family who has gone on before me would care enough to leave something behind just for me. I do however have a jacket that my grandfather gave me (he is still alive as I am writing this) I love that jacket, it has this ancient look to it, and it is in quite good condition. When people ask about it, and where I got it (and they ask many times) my answer is usually followed up with their response: ‘Your grandfather must have the same stature/shoulders as you, it fits you well.’ That statement is probably my favorite thing about that jacket; you see, my grandpa is one of my favorite people…he is quite the man. That jacket is perhaps the only piece of heritage that I have in this life.

I remember reading through one of the Books of Moses where the priest’s garment was passed down a generation to lay the mantle of priesthood upon new shoulders. I imagine those garments having an interesting musky smell about them; much like my camel-skinned leather jacket. It’s not a bad smell, just unique. The mantle was passed down, musk and all.

To the one who conquers, this is the man considered “son.” And through honestly feeling rather worthless, and not having a dad to call me son…this passage of truth tugs at my heart and my longings the most.

A purpose not of this world

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might be not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world – to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
– John 18:36-38

Here you see two men. A man who’s purpose is to reveal truth, but to not even know it when it stares right at him. This man is puzzled, perplexed, misguided to the notion that this truth standing before him is mere philosophies. We also see a man who is truth, knows his purpose, within his element and very nature a mystery…a king yet not in full glory, but also full of glory. The unearthly meets the earthbound, their purposes unfold and the question asked: “what is truth?”

I think sometimes I have struggled with this sense of purpose, but rarely has it been that I do not know my purpose. Rather, my struggles lie with those who oppose “purpose” or “reason”, trusting their own morals of randomity. There is no path for them for they do not know it, they have not seen it. “The plans to prosper you and not to harm you” are mere philosophy to them. Even those considered “strong believers” subscribe to this line of beleif. I must hold on to what God has spoken, the path that he has laid out for me and walk this road of righteousness. There is a plan, (and it is good) and I have seen the next foothold…so I must go.

Lord keep my faith alive inside of me. I know these new waters frighten me so much, but I know you have the helm…I trust you to direct my footsteps. I know your goodness is everlasting, that you are good, and you have good plans set before me. I trust in you because you are who you say you are…you are truth. Amen

The heart of a king

Lord I realize you are calling me to a new level of responsibility. And I know that I cannot do this without you and further more that a king cannot lead without his people. Help me to never loose sight of that. I thank you for the people you have given me. People that help bless your heart and others. I submit to you my King! Give me the resolve to live like your Son that I may please you. Steer my heart from my own agenda that I may live life others focused…in both your ministry and life itself. Give me grace when others hurt me, boldness when I feel weak, and a heart solely focused on you. May your calling always be before me. May my life never cease to worship you.
Amen