Actually, this story is NOT FOR KIDS!

Perhaps the story should be called David and Saul, because Goliath only plays a bit part. In fact after we are first introduced to him he is simply called ‘the Philistine’ – he doesn’t even warrant a name.

So, what is really going on in this story, for us grown ups? Well, Saul, the king, the leader in battle, the adult is sitting on his hands waiting. He can see the enemy, he knows where the battle lines are drawn, he has experience and authority and yet he is doing nothing. Think of David’s older brother, Eliab, when David comes to enquire, his brother as good as tells him: “You’re too young to know anything about fighting a war, go home.”

Somewhere in our Christian lives we become jaded, battle worn, loaded with the cares of the world. Somewhere down the line we find that we have more in common with Saul than with David. Yet, although David is young, he is a man, and he proves that in a wonderful way, with God’s help.

You see, the point of this piece of history is to show that as mature men and women in God’s kingdom we need to keep our eyes fixed on God rather than on the enemy, or on this world, which for now is the enemy’s domain. As grown up Christians we need to see that God’s glory is everything and that God will work in us and through us and will do great things for His kingdom if we would just take Him at His word and act.

By this point whatever relationship Saul had with God was gone. He had done his own thing in his own way too often. David had a moment by moment trusting relationship with God that had seen off bears and lions, not to mention older brothers! His action was a natural product of his walk with his God. His walk, his faith and his actions are an example to every grown up man and woman who is a part of God’s kingdom.

The collection of his words and letters is entitled The Practise of the Presence of God and is one of the must have reads for the believer. (The best translation that I have found is that by E. M. Blaiklock and is readily available online).

Here is a brief quotation that I think summarises his attitude to this practise:

“What can God have that gives him greater satisfaction than that a thousand thousand times a day all his creatures should thus pause to withdraw and worship him in the heart.”

This simple, yet profound statement by a humble lay brother of the barefoot Carmelites, who is now closer to God than before, is well worth meditating on and applying to our daily lives. Better still, read the book, it’s simple, honest and will be a real source of blessing.

If the objective requirement that God demands purity in His people is not enough (although it should be), this beatitude should persuade us.

It is the pure in heart who will see God. Of course, one day we will all be transformed, and we will all stand arrayed in pure robes before His majesty, but, until then, our sanctification determines our ability to see Him.

Seeing God is the answer to our purity, God’s loving response. Just as those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be satisfied, so the pure in heart will be able to see Him in His purity more perfectly.

Surely this should drive us to become more pure in heart.

In the introductory scene of the book of Job God tells Satan to consider Job: blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. This is an incredible statement to make about an individual, all the more so when you realise that it is God Himself who makes it!

The question is: could God say this of you?

If not, consider carefully what in your life is the barrier to this description applying to you; God knows all that you do, think and are. Once you have established what that barrier is, then ask God to give you grace to remove it from your life.

Wouldn’t it be great if knew that God could apply His description of Job to you?

And they watched Jesus … so that they might accuse him

The lines were drawn from the outset. The Pharisees were watching Jesus to see if He would ‘break’ the law. Jesus in turn was watching the Pharisees, looking for a glimmer of love, or willingness to help rather than hinder, to use their religion to heal rather than to harm.

This story illustrates all that is wrong with religion that is devoid of God’s love. Following the rules was more important than actually loving and helping one another.

When Jesus questions them it is not on a point of  law, but a challenge to their hearts. Jesus calls the man to Him and brings a single specific act of healing to the floor. How Jesus frames the question is vital. This is not a theological question but a philanthropic one: is it lawful to help, to heal, to do good?

It is their silence that angers Jesus. They know what is right, but their religion is more important to them than their fellow man, than loving their neighbour. The would rather leave a man maimed than revise their religion.

Jesus’ act of healing is a stern rebuke to the Pharisees and to all who allow religion to take precedence over love. Too often we’d rather allow someone else to be hurt than to back down or rethink our motives.

My aim for 2009 is to my fellowship of believers built up and blessed in every way, to refuse to use religion as a weapon against the body of Christ, and not to remain silent when Jesus challenges me or others about healing rather than hindering.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God

I can picture the scene in heaven. God has assembled the heavenly host. His Son is about to be born into His own creation. God asks the question: “Who wants to make the announcement?” In an instant every angel arm is raised aloft, determined to be the one who gets to tell the world about Jesus.

“I only need one of you” God tells the assembled multitude.

Later as the chosen angel appears in the sky over the Bethlehem fields the rest of the heavenly host watch with bated breath while the announcement is made. Barely able to contain their excitement they listen intently as the message is given. And then, they can contain themselves no longer and in an instant the poor shepherds see the entire heavenly host, revealed in their glory, worship and adoration saying as one:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased”

This story was too big for them not to be a part of! They couldn’t stay away from it. This story is too big for us not to be a part of it. We need to play our part with the whole host of heaven in worshipping our great God and Saviour this Christmas, and every day as we enjoy the fruits of His incarnation in our lives.

Enoch walked with God and was not

In the Garden of Eden, we are told, God was to be found walking in the cool of the day. The implication is that this was a time of fellowship between God and His created creatures: Adam and Eve. After they had sinned Adam and Eve’s instinctive reaction was to hide from God and from this time of fellowship. Men and women have been doing the same ever since!

1 John 1:6 tells us that if we claim to be having fellowship with God while we walk in darkness we are lying. Walking with God involves walking in the light, because He is light. Walking with God involves allowing His light to shine on every thought, word and deed because He is by our side, in our thoughts and on our lips, because He is the focus of our lives.

In our modern busy lives of constant attention to trivia walking with God is more difficult than ever to cultivate. But, cultivate it we must. We were made for fellowship; we were made to walk with God. Right through Scripture God promises that He will be our God and we will be His people – a special relationship! But we keep walking away.

The story of Enoch is a one line mystery, and yet a fascinating account of one man’s walk with God. I generally don’t tend to speculate on what Scripture omits, but can’t help but envisage this scenario:

Enoch was a man who was devout; he cultivated his relationship with his God in a generation that were far from God and about to be judged. In his walk with God he grew closer and closer to God. One day Enoch was walking and sharing in fellowship and worship with his God. As they walked Enoch forgot the time and the place, so engrossed was he with his Maker. On and on they walked, getting further and further from Enoch’s home and world both physically and spiritually. When they eventually looked up God said to Enoch: “You’re nearer to my place than yours, you might as well come all the way.”

Brother Lawrence, on his death bed, when asked what he was doing stated that he was doing what he would be doing for all eternity: blessing God, praising Him, adoring Him and loving Him with all his heart. For Brother Lawrence, as for Enoch it was a small step from this world to the next.

This is how I want to be. In the distraction of this world I want to live where I belong, in the world to come. Colossians 3:3 states that our life is already hidden with Christ in God. Lets seek to walk as Enoch walked: in God.

There is one simple satisfaction for the believer. It is the fact that Almighty God has chosen to bring me near to Him! To be brought into His courts, where He reigns is true blessedness!

I will be satisfied with the goodness of His house, the holiness of His temple. This is enough, this is everything. Nothing else compares.

“We shall be satisfied…”

Hezekiah was a brave and wise king. The bronze serpent had been made by Moses at God’s command. Moses was the leader who led Israel out of Egypt, who brought them the 10 commandments. The serpent reminded them of God’s mercy in a time of judgement.

This serpent was their spiritual heritage – something too sacred to dispose of. But, it had become a snare to the people; it had become a substitute for God, and as such it caused harm.

Hezekiah saw this and broke the serpent in pieces – the people needed to have their spiritual heritage broken in order for it not to become a snare and a stumbling block.

There are many stumbling blocks in our own spiritual traditions: things that somehow become more important than God, or His people: the way that we dress, our church government, views on communion.

Anything that takes our focus away from the proper worship of God and fellowship with His people, no matter how sacred it appears to be needs to be broken up and removed from our lives and our churches.

Despite its context, this verse is one of the most hopeful verses in Scripture! This is that crucial point in all of time where the focus of all eternity rest on the cross, and what was taking place between Jesus, the Christ, and God.

The one Greek word ‘tetelestai’ which is usually translated as ‘it is finished’ embodies all our hope: it has been accomplished. This is not ‘I’m finished, done for’, but ‘I have completed the very thing for which I came into the world!’ – what a difference!

Jesus is in control, and with this statement our salvation is purchased, our destiny is secured, the bride is betrothed. With this ‘accomplished’ heaven is assured for all who hope and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ!