Bibledoorajar: Where's the Water and Food?

     I have just gotten in from Dallas where over 5,000 of us gathered in the Hilton Annatole to observe children from the 3rd to the 12th grades compete in various areas of Bible knowledge and means of sharing that knowledge. It was an amazing process to see how congregation after congregation met the needs of their kids and those accompanying them. No one hungered for water or food. But then, on the other hand, we were only there for 3 days and the 5,000 were split into many groups with their own supervision caring for them.
    For Moses, caring for multitudes went on day after day. And when they arrived at Marah and there was bitter water, those cries went up. And later, when food was hard to find, the cries and questionings grew even louder. Moses went to the One who had authorized him to lead. Lack of water and thirst are serious, so the Loving God of Heaven revealed a tree that if thrown into the water would sweeten it. And on they marched out of the Wilderness of Sin. But then, no food. Could God provide a banquet in the middle of a wilderness? That was the question put before Moses. Some question, huh? Again a loving God rained down bread from Heaven. It was called Manna. And, it was nourishing food.
     How are you doing on reading about the Bread of Heaven that God provided for you and me. Need to dust that Bible off? Spiritual food is a necessity in this world of sin. Dig in.

Bibledoorajar: It's Catching

      Joy in the powerful redemption and deliverance of the Israelites was at an all time high. So magnificent were the works of God on behalf of them, that Miriam picked up a tambourine and started singing again about how great  God was. The word says the women followed after her and joined her in the song of praise. Once again, the poem's words had to do with how powerfully their God had thrown the enemy into the Sea. The message was communicated for a second time: God ransomed His people and God powerfully delivered them.

     It is a message that each of us should never forget. As we approach Easter, we will be reflecting on that same theme. God sent His only son as a ransom for His people. We will focus on the Lamb on the Cross and rightly so. But our songs must also reflect the Lion who has the great power to completely deliver us. Over the years, the Holy Spirit has led many a heart to sing about these two great themes: ransom and deliverance. It is after all the crux of the matter is it not? It's catching. Hallelujah! Here's a chorus that is good for this time of year:

  "It only takes a spark to get a fire going.
And soon all those around, can warm up in glowing.
That's how it is with God's love,
Once you've experienced it, you spread His love to everyone;
You want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are budding;
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming.
That's how it is with God's love;
Once you've experienced it, you want to sing
"It's fresh like spring"; you want to pass it on.I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I've found.
You can depend on Him, it matters not where you're bound.
I'll shout it from the mountain top - PRAISE GOD
I want the world to know; the Lord of love has come to me,
I want to pass it on."
                                 It Only Takes a Spark by Kaiser

  Happy Spring. He is Risen! 

Bibledoorajar: He Gave Them a Song

     When the children of Israel had passed through the Sea unharmed and had arrived safely to the other side they must have stood there in great awe. But then as the attributes of their God really sank in, Moses led them in a song of praise. What did Moses want to sing about this God who wanted to be their God? If He was as powerful as they had seen, then He must be all powerful. If He possessed that much knowledge of their enemy, He must possess all knowledge. If He was faithful to do what He said He would do through Moses, then He must never be unfaithful. Wow, they were beginning to see that they served a God who was unchanging. Each thought of an unchanging attribute brought forth awareness of another in their minds.  No outside force compelled Him. He was the Almighty God and He was their God. So what did their song of praise say anyway? Why it said what people have been singing about for centuries. It spoke of the greatness of the God who had brought them out of bondage into freedom. So great was He that early on in the song they declared that they would exalt Him above all else. Over and over they referred to Him as Lord. It was all about Him and His mercy. Not once did they sing of themselves or anything they may have done. Not once did they say, "we ran like...." It was He who triumphed gloriously. It was He who threw the horse and rider  into the Sea.
     When I was a younger Christian I was taught a song based on Israel's song's theme:

             "I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously.

               The horse and rider thrown into the Sea.

               The Lord, my God, my strength and shield has now become MY victory.

                The Lord is God and I will praise Him, The Lord is God and I WILL EXALT HIM."

                                                                                              Unknown

There is great peace in knowing that God threw the horse and rider into the sea when Christians accepted His beloved Son. The promises of the Cross are unchanging. And if they are unchanging then God knows all and if God knows all, He is surely faithful to His promises to get us Home. He deserved all of our exaltation. While we humans may not know the time or the hour or the how all will be completed on our behalf, we can rest assured that there is One who does. Exalt Him. He will do what He said He would do through Jesus Christ.  Lord, Lord, Lord, He, He, He. You, You You. Thank you Father for Your triumphs in our lives.

"He gave me a song, a wonderful song"

Alton Howard

Bibledoorajar: Change in Perspective

     In the last blog, we watched as the Israelite's perspective about their situation changed. Fearful and trapped, they were told by Moses to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Their perspective changed from fear to faith as documented by the writer of Hebrews who states that they crossed the Red Sea in faith. It is always hard for humans to grasp the transcendence of God. That He is spirit and abides in eternity does not command our rapt attention as much as the natural fears of what is around us. But that is indeed what the Spirit of God is instructing is it not? He teaches that we must grab hold of these traits about our God that we find so mind boggling. Only then can fear become faith. Only then can we see the salvation of the Lord. It is He that gives worth to what He provides and how He is providing it. In deed, it is He, Himself, that is worthy. His means get the applause.
     When Jesus, God's ultimate provision for the fearful and trapped, came to earth it was the traits of the Father with which He fascinated His listeners. It was the acts of God which He did in their presence. No matter how much else He did, He never failed to show how awesome the Father is and how our insufficiency is only made complete when we grasp by faith the wonderful plan He has for us.
     Let it be remembered that each Israeli had to respond to Moses directive with faith and each Israeli had to take the steps through the walls of sea. Each Israeli saw the Father as transcendent above all. He was able, and though they were not, they took the steps because of Him. At that point their perspective changed and they were committed to Him and Him alone. At that point they moved in mass.
     One of the hardest things which Christians have to deal with in the church is maintaining the correct perspective of God's transcendence. Their confession about His transcendence seems to be more of a history report than that of a present and living God who is more than able. Lest we forget, the Household of God must constantly share His transcendence and His might, that are a part of His love for us. Let us encourage each other to maintain this perspective at all times.

"Tis the grandest theme thro' the ages rung

Tis the grandest theme for the mortal tongue

Tis the grandest theme that was ere' sung

Our God is able to deliver thee." 

                               William Ogden      

"Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us," (Eph. 3:20) we give praise.