a model for us

This morning I was reading Hebrews 11, and had to stop and re-read verse 8 a few times:

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

There are times when we will be called by God to follow Him in faith, not knowing where we are going. Abraham's experience, and the way that he is placed as a model for us, make it seem like these "called out . . . not knowing where he was going" moments are the rule and not the exception in the life of faith.

But, even though Abraham did not know where he was going, he did know what he was looking forward to:

By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. (vv. 9-10)

There will be times in life where we are called to follow God, not knowing where we are going. Maybe more of these times than times where we do know where we are going.

But do we know what we're looking forward to? And Who we're going toward?

more on Myanmar

I just received an e-mail from Sovereign Grace Ministries about a Burma Disaster Relief Fund their ministry has started to collect money for cyclone relief:

Burma Disaster Relief Fund

And here is a note from the e-mail:

Most importantly, please join us in praying that amid the destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis, victims of the storm would receive swift and effective help, and that many in Burma would hear and respond to the gospel.

I also found out yesterday about a Christian relief organization in China that is in one of the provinces most affected by yesterday's earthquake. They too are collecting money for disaster relief:

Caring for China

On Sunday I was reading in Ezekiel 34 and found a new passage about God's love for all peoples. I saw in this rebuke to the shepherds of Israel a challenge to the way that we use the wealth with which we've been blessed.

Here's a selection from the passage, but you really need to read the whole thing.

The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them.

Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.

Pray for Myanmar

The headline 4,000 dead in Myanmar caught my eye this morning. I followed a link to an article from the New York Times reporting on the devastation caused by a Cyclone that hit the country over the weekend.

Pray for the people in Myanmar. Pray that help from outside countries would be mobilized and welcomed. Pray that in the midst of such pain and suffering, God would use his church to bless, to help, to restore and to point people to lasting hope in Jesus Christ.

For more on Myanmar:
BBC Country Profile
Joshua Project

Think About the Cross

One of the books I am working through right now is called In My Place Condemned He Stood (if you're looking for something to read, this would be a good choice). Last night I was reading and found a few quotes from Luther very helpful. Helpful because they served to focus my thoughts on the wonder of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. I've found that knowing and meditating on the cross of Christ is a very real help for life and a source of unparalleled joy and happiness. In the midst of dry worship, failing time in God's word, doubts of God's love, fear of falling away, bitterness, envy, longing for things I shouldn't want, selfishness, lack of love for others, worry, hopelessness, and desperation, knowing well and meditating on the cross of Christ is an effective remedy.

Commenting on Galatians 3:13 (a good verse to know) Luther says:

All the prophets did foresee in spirit, that Christ should become the greatest transgressor, murderer, adulterer, thief, rebel, blasphemer, etc., that ever was . . . for he being made a sacrifice, for the sins of the whole world, is not now an innocent person and without sins. . . . Our most merciful Father . . . sent his only Son into the world and laid upon him the sins of all men, saying: Be thou Peter that denier; Paul the persecutor, blasphemer and cruel oppressor; David that adulterer; that sinner which did eat the apple in Paradise; that thief which hanged upon the cross; and, briefly, be thou the person which hath committed the sins of all men; see therefore that thou pay and satisfy them. Here now cometh the law and saith: I find him a sinner . . . therefore let him die upon the cross.

A few passages we should all know well:
Romans 3:21-31; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21; Galatians 2:17-21

May hearts be filled with wonder at such grace.