Scott Lane

Written

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 1:16-21 (day five).
It’s one of the things I love most about FBCSA- the regard and affinity for the scriptures. Re:Verse is just one example. Peter had this same perspective. This written message from the prophets and apostles was and would be of the utmost importance AND authority. I found these comments from Charles Spurgeon this week very enlightening:

“Do not say that you would accept (God’s) call if it was spoken with a voice rather than written; you know that it is not so in daily life. If a man receives a written letter from his father or friend, does he attach less importance to it than he would have done to his spoken communication? I reckon that many of you in business are quite content to get written orders for goods, and when you get them, you do not require a purchaser to ask you in person, you would just assume that he should not; in fact, you commonly say that you would like to have it in black and white. Is it not so? Well, then you have your wish, here is the call in black-and-white: and I do but speak, according to common sense, when I say, if the Lord’s call to you be written in the Bible, and it certainly is, you do not speak truth when you say, ‘I would listen to it if it was spoken, but I cannot listen to it because it is written.’ The call as given by the book of inspiration ought to have over your minds a masterly power, and if your hearts were right before God that word spoken in the scriptures by the Holy Ghost would be at once obeyed.”

Wake-up

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 1:12-15 (day five)
Saturday was my favorite day of the week. Why? That was the day I most likely could sleep late. I could (in theory) wake up whenever I wanted or needed. Monday thru Friday was an early morning wake-up for school. And Sunday was the consistent wake-up for church. What I remember and want to point out, is that there was always a reason and activity for the “wake-up” announcement- school, church, trip, vacation, sports game, activity. Some were more appealing than others. Yet, there was always purpose and opportunity behind every “wake-up sleepyhead!!”

Same here in the Re:Verse passage. Peter is using the same language. “Stir you up” is the translation for a word used in the context of being woken-up from sleep. And with this wake-up message and action there is good reason. Peter wants to ensure there is attention, focus, activity, and energy needed and given by his readers to this message of the gospel. A good reminder for me to faithfully and continually wake-up and remember the gospel.

Remember

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 1:8-11 (day five)

“For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.”

I had a professor in college who used to say, “You won’t know how saved you are if you forget how lost you were.” The human heart has a tendency to forget these things. King David knew this as well. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” Psalm 103‬:‭2‬-‭5‬

Need a reminder? I do too! When the elements for the Lord’s Supper pass by, remember His sacrifice and my/your sin. When someone is baptized, remember when it was me/you who met Christ and was changed forever – buried and raised. When we read the scriptures, remember how big, holy, and kind God is. Remember that we are not. When we sing and praise God, remember how worthy He is of our adoration and worship – and that we (all) fall short of His glory.

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see.”
(emphasis mine)

Action and Activity

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 1:5-8 (day five)

One of the approaches I use in my Re:Verse reading and study, is to look at different translations. Sometimes a word or words used in other translations resonate better with me – causing me to think deeper and reflect more clearly. That happened this week. In verse 5, translators used the words – add to your faith, supplement your faith, building on (your faith), applying diligence. There is action and activity required on my part to grow my faith. There is work and dedication needed on my part for “increase” (verse 8). Reminds me of Paul’s writing that God is at work in us resulting/requiring that we work as well. Jerry Bridges describes it this way:

A farmer plows his field, sows his seed, and fertilizes and cultivates—all the while knowing that in the final analysis he is utterly dependent on forces outside of himself. He knows he cannot cause the seed to germinate, nor can he produce the rain and sunshine for growing and harvesting the crop. For the successful harvest, he is dependent on these things from God. Yet the farmer knows that unless he diligently pursues his responsibilities to plow, plant, fertilize, and cultivate, he cannot expect a harvest at the end of the season. In a sense he is in partnership with God, and he will reap its benefits only when he has fulfilled his responsibilities. Farming is a joint venture between God and the farmer. The farmer cannot do what God must do, and God will not do what the farmer should do. We can say just as accurately that the pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian. No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on his own part. God has made it possible for us to walk in holiness. But He has given to us the responsibility of doing the walking; He does not do that for us.

Precious Promises

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 1:1-4 (day five)

For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

How incredibly important are the promises of God. Peter connects them to becoming partakers of divine nature – thinking, hoping, praying, loving, and living like Jesus – all informed by the promises of God found throughout the scriptures. Look at David for example. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.” We see circumstances (walk through the valley) and a divine reaction (will not fear) because of the promise of God (you are with me). There is both faith and freedom found in God’s promises.

“The full evidence of Jesus’ power will be seen only in the future when he keeps his promise. That truth frees us from having to pretend to be perfectly whole people today. We are Christians, who are gripped by God’s promises for the future, thrilled by them, and motivated to live godly lives now in his power.” – Christopher Green

Clarity and Courage

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 13:15-22 (day five)

What was it that caused Nehemiah to have “spiritual eyes” (all throughout this book)? – Seeing and perceiving not simply the actions of the people, but the spiritual danger and destruction of such actions (2 Kings 6:17, Ephesians 1:18). His concern/burden for the Israelites was more about who they were becoming than what they were doing. Worship mattered more than walls. Their hearts mattered most. (See verse 31- Thus I purified them…)

So, back to the original question. 2 Things: 1- The reality of God’s wise and powerful presence as evidenced in an intimate relationship between Nehemiah and the Lord, through prayer (4 times in chapter 13). 2- Nehemiah’s affinity and affection for God’s Word- He heard God’s voice through God’s word.

May our conviction for God’s presence and God’s Word give us the clarity and courage to see, love, lead, and serve like Nehemiah.

Sing and Serve

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 12:40-47 (day five)

This is one of my favorite pictures of worship found in the scriptures. It shows the complexity and completeness of worship. There is preparation. There is precision. There is order. There is energy. There is joy. There is awe. In their dedication to God, the people see God at work- in the secular (building a wall) and in the sacred (God’s guidance and provision). They are reminded of and find the deeper meaning and appreciation for the purpose and character of God- restoration and reconciliation. Jerusalem is beginning to become the city of God again – not just in the geography, but in the people. Hearts are stirred. God is glorified. There is a beautiful balance between the “moment” and the “mission”, as the people are committed to singing, shouting, praising, and serving. May our worship cause us to both sing with joy and serve with passion!!

Everybody

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 10:28-30 (day five)

Did you notice in verse 29 who all were included in this covenant agreement? At first glance my answer was everybody. But that is the point, EVERYBODY- to include the nobles. Remember chapter 5? We see those same nobles (who were persecuting and oppressing the people) now a part of the community. The same nobles who were not willing to work or serve are now in community soon to be covenant community. What happened? What caused this change of heart in the Israelites who were “crying out” earlier to the injustice caused by these nobles, to now seemingly have them be a part of this accountability through a covenant? The answer is repentance- true repentance. There was an acknowledgement by the nobles, (confession) of their sin, then there was restoration and reversal (a sure sign of repentance). But also notice the grace and courage exhibited by the people. There was opportunity and invitation extended to join and finish the wall, build a nation, and restore relationships. That’s a testimony to the Living God who redeems, restores, and renews (everybody)!!

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬

Revival and Renewal

“While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the Lord their God for a fourth of the day;”

Now that the Israelites have finished working on the wall, God has begun working on them. Have you noticed how much and how often the scriptures are being read and taught? Have you also considered that God’s Word is accurately accomplishing its plan and purpose? It is a lamp and light, and it is also a sword (Hebrews) and a mirror (James). There is an intense tension as the scriptures reveal a loving and holy God as well as a finite and flawed people. The scriptures guide, guard, and grieve the human heart. The scriptures also reveal the glory and goodness of God- for the purpose of redemption and renewal. “Will You not Yourself revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?”
May the scriptures do that work in us as we read, study, pray, confess, and worship!!

Where’s It Come From?

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 8:9-12 (day five)

Have you ever sung this VBS song?
“I’ve got joy, down in my heart, deep deep down in my heart.
J-O-Y down in my heart, deep deep down in my heart.
(Where’s it come from?) Jesus put it there, and nothing can destroy it, stroy it, stroy it.
I’ve got joy, down in my heart, deep deep down in my heart.”

I’ve led this song on guitar no less than a thousand times.

In actuality, the song asks a very deep and meaningful question. “Where’s it come from?“ The song quickly answers the question with a significant truth. “Jesus put it there.” Yes, as believers we do have joy. But left to our own strength, effort, and energy, we cannot produce it. Just like His other gifts and provisions, we must steward God’s joy. The joy OF THE LORD (my emphasis) is your strength. This is what the people in our Re:Verse text were promised and experienced. God’s joy and His strength. Make no mistake, it is His, it comes only from Him. Same for us today. See John 15:11. “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (Blog for another time- the connection between God’s Word and joy).