Daily Archives: October 30, 2012

The Holy Puzzle of God

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An icon from icon theme Crystal Clear. Русский...

An icon from icon theme Crystal Clear. Русский: Иконка из темы Crystal Clear. Česky: Ikonka z ikonkové sady Crystal Clear. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Men create puzzles for themselves.  These puzzles test and stretch their abilities, both mentally and physically.  Games of various kinds are created for this purpose.  Some games created by man lend that certain aspect of the threat of death to them.  And these games are reserved for the “mighty of heart” among us.

With this in mind I ask you to consider the following:  Man is a puzzle created by God to test His mind and strength.  Consider His Patience, Mercy, Righteous Judgment, and His Perfect command of all things at all times for eternity.

He created man and gave this creation a will to choose.  Then He applies Himself to watch them, draw them to a knowledge of Himself, and provoke those chosen toward all things perfect.

While men may encounter a puzzle and finally admit they are not able to complete the tasks required, this is not so with God’s puzzle.  He has had in mind, from the first, the finishing of this puzzle He has created.  And He will accomplish that for which He began this place of testing.

Now I see and freely admit that I have been mistaken in light of this revelation.  I have called this place we live a “place of testing”.  And from our perspective this is true.  However it is not complete to say that only man is being tested.  God has created a test worthy of His Majesty.  And for this reason all praise will be given to Him at its completion.  Who else is capable of solving the puzzle the Lord has created?  Even the Lord Jesus gives honor to His Father by admitting there are certain things the Father has kept for himself.

Let this revelation provoke us to renewed praise for what the Father of Life has done.  Let this give a glimpse to the reasons for the praise we will give and witness when we appear before His Glory.  For now the “living puzzle” presents praise as best we can.  At its completion there shall be a united and vibrant shaking of heaven at the sound of perfect praise.  Thus will the puzzle be complete.

For this I say, “Come taste and see that the Lord is Good.  His mercy endures forever.  He is First in all things and amazing to behold (even through eyes blinded by virtue of our position among the pieces of His Holy Puzzle).

Amen.

A Lesson Learned

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English: The portuguese Throne room in Ajuda P...

English: The portuguese Throne room in Ajuda Palace, Lisboa, Portugal. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the town there was a scuffle.  A slight moment of time when chaos appeared then quickly vanished.

Two brothers were caught by three of the King’s guards.  They resisted a moment.  Then were subdued without mercy or waste of effort on the part of the mighty men sent to retrieve them.

Word was run to the King that these brothers had been captured and were being brought to his throne room.  “Bring them in just as they are”, declared the King.  Preparations were made to receive them.

The two were forced into the King’s presence and charges were read against them.  They had been hiding in this place and that for over a year.

The King sat up straight on his throne and asked the first, “What do you have to say to these charges?”  Then he put his body at rest and waited to listen to the words of the condemned man.

“All that was said against me is true, my Lord King.  And I have done far more things than those charges which your herald has spoken.  I have no means to clear myself from your mighty grasp.  And I have heard that all your judgments are swift and just.  So I appeal to the great mercy that has been spoken through all your land.  It is said you will have mercy on whom you desire to have mercy.  And you will condemn any you choose to condemn.  I can say no more without betraying my lack of intelligence Lord.”  This was the reply of the first of the brothers.

The King looked at the other brother without moving his head.  “What do you say for yourself?  Are these charges true which have been spoken against you?”

In reply, the other brother simply frowned at the King.  Looking at all assembled there, he simply spat on the

gleaming white polished marble floor of the King’s throne room.  He said no other word.

No trace of change came over the King’s face as he motioned to one of his strong warriors to come forward to him.  The warrior leaned toward the King and a whispering was had between the two.  After that the warrior took his place next to the two brothers.

The King drew a short breath.  His face still calm and completely in control of what was happening.  He finally spoke to the first brother.  “You have wisely called on my mercy.  And mercy you will receive.”

Then, again without moving his royal head, he looked toward the second brother.  “You have been found guilty as charged.”  This is all that came from the King’s mouth.  And with a gesture from his hand, the warrior raised his sword and swung with vicious speed.  So fast was the judgment employed that no one in the room had time to watch it happen.

The second brother’s head fell and bounced off his right foot.  It landed about 3 feet from his falling body.  As the body slammed the floor the first brother watched in horror at the finality of this judgment.  Emotion had not even had time to develop.  His eyes wide in every form of surprise a man can muster, he simply stood and stared at the pool of blood which came from that which had been his brother only a moment before.

While the first brother stood transfixed by horror and fright, the King arose.  He walked around the “mess” with regal steps.  He came to the first brother and put his hands on his shoulders to turn him from the sight of his dead brother.

And as tears developed in the King’s eyes he spoke these words to the man, “You have asked for mercy.  And it is my heart to have compassion on those who call to me for help, regardless their transgression to my laws.  I have set you free from every crime that has been read against you.”

With saying that, the King leaned forward with tears running down his cheeks.  He brought his face close to the brother and kissed him on the forehead.  “Go now and leave the things which have brought you here.  You are a free man.”

The brother was led gently from the throne room and ushered into the sunlight.  At the head of the steps he was released with smiling faces of those who had dragged he and his brother to this place moments ago.

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This is a parable which the Lord gave me this morning.  It’s meaning is clear.  But let us consider that the swiftness of promise is equal from the Lord.  Death is sure to the enemies of God.  And surely mercy is granted to those who humble themselves to accept their sentence.  May the Lord Jesus receive praise for His Glorious deliverance of this story.  It is He whom we praise with all our soul.  And it is He who will remain the King of Kings.

Amen.

The Command of Yearning

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It has been popular to attribute the entirety of salvation to the work of God.  In one fashion this is absolute and true.  For He alone is to be desired.  He alone is Righteous, pure, and eternal.  What lacks, quite often, in this formulation of thought regarding the entirety of salvation, is the work of man.

It is reserved by the Rule of God that man should play an essential part in his own salvation.  It is given to man to yearn for God.  This is the part we are commanded to play in the salvation of our souls.  And this is the very part that is horribly lacking among men.  If it is commanded and is lacking what shall be the outcome of those who rebel against this commandment of God?

Men prefer to yearn for the things of this world.  These are lazy in their approach and shall not receive blessing.  And because of this worldly yearning heaven will not be granted to them.  The Righteousness of God does not inhabit the wickedness associated with the things of this world.

Therefore let us put aside all the yearning after the things of this world and fall on our faces to learn what it means to yearn after the Holiness, Righteousness, Purity, and Godly Love which waits to embrace every soul who will humble themselves and seek His face with that commanded yearning.