December 14, 2008

• Third Sunday of Advent: His Kingdom is unshakable even when we're being shaken

  Though many of us may be facing turmoil and uncertainty and shaking in these days, our God reminds us:

  Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
  which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
  As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
  so the Lord surrounds his people,
  from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 125:1-2.

  

  But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. 27 This phrase, Yet once more, indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:22-29.

  Have you trusted in the LORD? If you are a child of God, if you have trusted in Christ by grace through faith, you are part of God's unshakable Kingdom.

  Your finances may be have been shaken. Your career may have been shaken. Your possessions may have been shaken. Your health may have been shaken. Your family relationships may have been shaken. Your friendships may have been shaken. Your love life may have been shaken. Your church may have been shaken. Your mind may have been shaken. Your emotions may have been shaken. Your best laid plans may have been shaken.

  No matter what kind of shaking you may be experiencing, no matter how much shaking you are experiencing today, remember that as children of God, we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. The government has been placed upon His shoulder and of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He reigns forevermore! Absolutely nothing can shake our King and the Kingdom of which we are a part.

  For unto us a child is born,
  unto us a son is given:
  and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
  and his name shall be called
  Wonderful,
  Counsellor,
  The mighty God,
  The everlasting Father,
  The Prince of Peace.

  Of the increase of his government and peace
  there shall be no end,
  upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom,
  to order it, and to establish it
  with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.
  The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
  Isaiah 9:6-7, KJV

  Although we are part of His unshakable Kingdom, many of us do worry at times, and some of us more than others. Here is the most wonderful thing we can and must remember: we have a great high priest who completely understands how we feel when our worlds are being rocked and shaken. A great high priest who is praying that our faith would not fail, just as He prayed for Simon Peter.

  Praise God that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, so Almighty God Himself might help us, the frail offspring of Abraham.

  Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:14-18.

  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15.

  Jesus told us we would experience tribulation. He also knows we are weak and prone to worry and anxiety when we are shaken. No wonder He spoke these words to us as a reminder of the continuing loving care of our Father in heaven:

  O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and our heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:31-34.

  Our heavenly Father knows! What comfort for the anxious soul. When we start fretting and worrying about earthly matters, we undermine our soul's peace and confidence. (See some very serious rebukes about fretting in Psalm 37: Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.) When we fret and worry, we begin to lose sight of the truth that we are God's children and we are part of a heavenly Kingdom, a Kingdom which cannot be shaken. We forget God's love for us. We forget His perfect and all-sufficient provision for His children. The Father who gave His Son for us, will He not also freely give us all things? O, brothers and sisters, don't let the father of lies shake your confidence for you are a child of the King, you are part of His unshakable Kingdom. The thief has come to steal, kill and destroy. We must keep reminding ourselves and one another of these things. We must keep speaking the truth of God's Word to ourselves, putting on our "hard hat" to battle against the lies and half-truths Satan continues to throw at us (half-truths are, of course, lies). (I've written more about that here.)

  Our Savior knows we will be tempted to be troubled and despair, so He gives us these words of comfort that He will return one day.

  Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:1-3.

  He is coming again and will take us to be with Him. What a glorious hope we have! Sometimes that shaking can overwhelm us and all but blind us to the glory of God and His Kingdom. For those of you who've read C.S. Lewis "Narnia" series, remember the White Witch's ploy in "The Silver Chair": "There never was a sun." That's a picture of the frightful work Satan is trying to work in our souls. When we are being shaken, we need to keep reminding ourselves of the truth about our King and His Kingdom, to keep looking away to the eternal weight of glory that will be revealed. When we remember we have an unshakable King and Kingdom, we can persevere and endure through the worst of shaking. Remember that in God's great Kingdom purposes, today's shaking is but a light and momentary affliction which is working for us a far more exceeding weight of glory. Dear ones, don't let the prowling lion that snatch that hope of glory away from you! For even today, our hope, our anchor, holds within the veil, in spite of all the chaos and turbulence we may be experiencing. Our Lord, the Lion of Judah, is faithful and true!

  We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19-20.

  Because we have a sure and steadfast anchor of our souls, the author of the book of Hebrews can encourage us with these words:

  Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16.

  The Prince of Peace is ruling today. We can count on Him no matter how much we are being shaken. He is unshakable. We can hold fast in the midst of all the shaking because He is holding us securely with Him in the most holy place. We can take hold of the hem of His garment and approach the throne of grace with confident assurance so we might receive His unshakable and perfect peace, a peace not like the world gives, but a peace that passes all understanding--no matter how violently we may be shaken:

  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9.

  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27.

  For all of you who are in Christ, remember that absolutely nothing, no amount or degree of shaking, can ever separate you from the love of God for you in Christ Jesus (see Romans 8:28-39) because you are now a part of His unshakable Kingdom and seated in heavenly places with Him.

  Brothers and sisters, even though you may be in the midst of shaking, remember that He is in our midst. So let us take our eyes off our current problems and look away to Jesus[1], the Prince of Peace, the King of the unshakable Kingdom.

  let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith...Hebrews 12:1b-2a.
  

  For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. II Corinthians 5:1.

  Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe...Hebrews 12:28.  

  
  

  This Christmas season, don't forget the Babe we worship in the manger is also the almighty King who is reigning today and will reign forever and ever and ever. His Kingdom will have no end. Of the increase His government and peace there will be no end. Praise God that we are part of such an everlasting and unshakable Kingdom!

  This is the Kingdom about which Micah prophesied:

  Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. 2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. 5 And this man shall be the peace...Micah 5:1-5a, KJV.

  The Kingdom Gabriel announced to Mary:

  And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.  Luke 1:26-33, KJV.
  

  
  The Kingdom the angel of the Lord proclaimed to the shepherds:

  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:8-14, KJV.

  

  
  And the Kingdom about which Isaiah prophesied:

  For unto us a child is born,
  unto us a son is given:
  and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
  and his name shall be called
  Wonderful,
  Counsellor,
  The mighty God,
  The everlasting Father,
  The Prince of Peace.

  Of the increase of his government and peace
  there shall be no end,
  upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom,
  to order it, and to establish it
  with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.
  The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
  Isaiah 9:6-7, KJV

  
  Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe...Hebrews 12:28.

  * * *

  Songs help to remind us of His unshakable Kingdom

  

  In addition to the Scripture, God often encourages me through song. Though I am not very musical, I greatly enjoy listening and singing along to music (mostly contemporary) and I also enjoy reading through hymn lyrics.

  First, I would like to share with you a couple verses of hymns which remind us of the certainty of God's unshakable Kingdom in the midst of our shaking. I hope they are an encouragement to you and serve to point you to the One whose Kingdom cannot be shaken.

  While life’s dark maze I tread,
  And griefs around me spread, be Thou my Guide;
  Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
  Nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.
  
  from "My Faith Looks up to Thee"
  Ray Palmer, 1830

  * * *

  Ever lift Thy face upon me
  As I work and wait for Thee;
  Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
  Earth’s dark shadows flee.
  Brightness of my Father’s glory,
  Sunshine of my Father’s face,
  Keep me ever trusting, resting,
  Fill me with Thy grace.
  
  Jesus, I am resting, resting,
  In the joy of what Thou art;
  I am finding out the greatness
  Of Thy loving heart.
  
  From "Jesus, I am Resting, Resting"
  Jean Sophia Pigott, 1876

  * * *

  When I woke up yesterday morning, I started to have some anxious thoughts and began praying, and then praise God, He brought my soul His comfort, peace and assurance in part through a hymn I'd not heard or thought of for a while, "Be Still, My Soul." I also want to share it with you here. I don't know about you, but so often my soul can be anything but still, even though my head knows all about the loving care of my Father in heaven and that my great high priest is steadfast and sure within the veil and His Spirit has come to dwell with me and will never leave me. I can tell you the Scriptures. In fact, I know full well when I'm lapsing into doubt and sin. But yet I still find myself looking at the storm and waves around me, rather than looking away to Jesus. I thank God that He often uses the gift of music to bring comfort to my weak soul so I might again refocus my eyes where they belong–squarely fixed on my King and His unshakable Kingdom. I thank God for those He has gifted to bring us such songs. I encourage you to pick up your Bible and your hymn book (you really should have one–make that several, you know) when you are feeling discouraged and dismayed. 

  Be Still, My Soul
  (Katharina A. von Schlegel, 1752, trans. by Jane L. Borthwick, 1855)

  Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
  Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
  Leave to thy God to order and provide;
  In every change, He faithful will remain.
  Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
  Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
  
  Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
  To guide the future, as He has the past.
  Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
  All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
  Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
  His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
  
  Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
  And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
  Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
  Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
  Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
  From His own fullness all He takes away.
  
  Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
  When we shall be forever with the Lord.
  When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
  Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
  Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
  All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
  
  Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
  On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
  Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
  So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
  Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
  Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

  
  

  Finally, I have to include "The Solid Rock" here. I know I've posted it before on my website, but the words are so fitting here...

  
  My Hope Is Built
  The Solid Rock
  (Edward Mote, c. 1834)

  My hope is built on nothing less
  Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
  I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
  But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

  Refrain

  On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
  All other ground is sinking sand;
  All other ground is sinking sand.

  

  When darkness seems to hide His face,
  I rest on His unchanging grace.
  In every high and stormy gale,
  My anchor holds within the veil.

  Refrain

  His oath, His covenant, His blood,
  Support me in the whelming flood.
  When all around my soul gives way,
  He then is all my Hope and Stay.

  And this man shall be the peace...

  Of the increase of his government and peace
  there shall be no end...

  Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
  which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

  As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
  so the Lord surrounds his people,
  from this time forth and forevermore.

  Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,
  and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe...

  
  
  

  ---

  Scripture quotations unless otherwise indicated are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

  Hymn lyrics accessed from The Cyberhymnal, a great site to peruse many of the great hymns of the Church (whether you have a hymn book or not).

  [1] I heard Martyn Lloyd-Jones say that Hebrews 12:2 "looking unto Jesus" is better translated as "looking AWAY to Jesus." I think that gives even a greater richness to the verse, which I'd already treasured. Think of it: looking away, looking beyond the here and now, no longer being consumed by our present problems and worries and earthly concerns...and choosing to looking away from all those things to Jesus. An intentional choosing to take our focus off what is here and now and fix our gaze, our attention, our hearts and minds on Him and allowing ourselves to be consumed by Him and His Kingdom and all things above. (You can listen the Doctor's messages on "The Author and Finisher, parts 1 & 2" here (from 11/30 and 12/7/2008--keep in mind they only archive messages for about six weeks. You may also be interested in his messages on "The Government Is on His Shoulders" as well.)

  • 9:17 AM
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