ResponsiveReiding

For the audio Podcast of this and every episode, find us on Breaker, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify or HERE

If you’ve ever tried to remember someone’s phone number, or perhaps directions, you know how you repeat it over and over to yourself until it “sticks.” To be honest, the older I get, the less “sticky” my brain seems to be. Nevertheless, repetition is one of the best ways to get something deep down inside. Our God is well aware both of how that works in us, and how in the aftermath of the Fall – spiritual truths seem more difficult to find permanent lodging in our consciousness. It is why passages like Psalm 136 exist.

More on that today on Through the Word in 2020.

I’m your host, Reid Ferguson.

At the end of Ezekiel 40:44-43:12 – God tells the prophet to be sure he writes down all he has seen and to describe it to His people, so that they really get what God is all about. In Revelation 2:1-11, we twice hear what will close every one of the 7 letters to the Churches: “he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churchES” – plural. Make note of it. Don’t let it slip. And in John 8:12-38 the passage begins with “again Jesus spoke to them.” We need vital spiritual truth repeated to us over and over and over.

So, of the 26 verses in Psalm 136, the statement that His steadfast love endures forever, occurs in every one of them. If you didn’t get the message the first time, you should by the end.

What is of particular note, is the variety of contexts in which His enduring, steadfast love is being evoked.

In verse 1, it is simply because God is good. In His steadfast love enduring forever, we realize then that His goodness endures forever – as a manifestation of His steadfast love.

In verse 2, it is His supremacy as the God of gods – or His being absolutely supreme over all which invokes a remembrance of His steadfast love. It is a supreme love.

In 3, we have a Lord above all other lords with whom we may have to do – and His steadfast love endures forever.

In 4, He is the one who does great wonders; in 5 the One who made the heavens by a thoughtful, purposeful design. In 6 He was wise in the separation of earth and water, and in 7, how He appointed the cycle and characteristics of day and night.

Once again, we are asked to consider all of these as products of an everlasting and enduring love.

Even when fleeing from their enemies, or being delivered from them by miraculous means, when there is judgment poured out, and when provision is made. In every act, under all circumstances, in the deepest depths and in the highest heights, He is a God who is so full of love, so steadfast and sure, that His love will endure to all generations, and prevail in every circumstance.

Dark days attended God’s people. But their God did not change. Mighty upheavals and changes occurred. But still He remained the same. In His rescuing the Jews from Egypt, and we from our sin – in every place and at all times, no matter how extreme or mild, pleasant or unbearable – Our God’s steadfast love endures forever.

It can never be shaken. And it is never to be interpreted as less than it is because of outward or inward turmoil of any kind.

Seasons change. Circumstances change. We change. Our feelings, hopes, aspirations and reasonings change. But His steadfast love endures forever.

Maybe if we hear it 26, 27 or 27,000 times – we’ll finally get it.

Maybe, if He repeats it enough, it will finally sink in.

But whether we get it or not – the truth remains dear one: His steadfast love, endures – forever.

This is all the Christian’s hope and joy in Christ.

God willing, we’ll be back Monday.

For the audio Podcast of this and every episode, find us on Breaker, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify or HERE

There’s a joke around our assembly, that anything the Apostle Paul can say in 10 words, I can say in 1,000. Well, jokes often find their root in some truth. Guess I’ll have to own that one.

We have 3 readings before us today, Ezekiel 24:15-25:17; John 5:30-47 and then just a snippet of 2 John vss. 2-3.

In fact, the entire book or letter of 1st John contains only 245 words in the original. A mere post card. But don’t let its compact size fool you. There’s vital stuff in those few words. And I’ll try to unpack some of it in less than a 1,000 words today on Through the Word in 2020.

I’m Reid Ferguson.

Christians are often gullible folk. It’s one of the interesting byproducts of coming to salvation, but still damaged by the remnants of indwelling sin. Jesus warned us about the tendency when He prepared the Disciples for their first preaching tour. “Behold” – pay attention – “I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” In other words, don’t be naive. But don’t be hardened and bite back either.

Once we’ve come to the saving knowledge of Christ, we begin to see people as less still under the influence of Satan, the World and the Flesh. We tend to think they’ve got similar motives to ourselves – forgetting that our motives are new, and granted by the Spirit. Those still outside of Christ cannot think and feel as we do. And we need to be careful that we don’t get sucked in by thinking they want to do what is right the way the Spirit has now inclined us to.

And so it is John warns his readers in this short letter to watch out for 3 things which can trip the gullible Christian up. Deceivers will not only attack the Church from the outside, some are right in our midst already. We need expect them, and, to be prepared to detect them. But how will we know them?

There are 3 tell-tale signs to look for.

1. They will deny that Jesus Christ is God who has come in human flesh. They might claim to be “Christians” – but they will waffle on the incarnation. They will proclaim to own and follow Jesus, while at the same time denying He is actually God. Don’t get taken in.

2. They will not be content to remain with sound Biblical teaching, but will pervert it, or bring in their own invented ideas. They won’t “abide in the teaching of Christ” as vs. 8 says. They’ll have new insights or revelations that will move you from the principles of Bible interpretation, and set your eyes on things the Word never said. They will have secret knowledge they’ll say you need too.

3. They will not be characterized by a love of God’s people. It won’t be long before their private agendas will surface. And their chief concern will not be to point you over and over back to Jesus, but to something else. As though Salvation in Christ itself is just the means to some other end – rather than being conformed to the image of Christ. They will use the Church and God’s people as the means to gain power, money, recognition and even sex. We must beware.

And so John, as a faithful minister of God’s Word, gently and concisely gives us the tools to keep us from getting caught unawares. This is how a good Shepherd works. This, in the Shadow of the Great Shepherd of our souls – who has made sure we are well provided for.

That’s just 613 words. God willing, we’ll be back tomorrow.