Monday 31 October

Obadiah 1-21

Don’t mistake where history is headed.  That is the message of Obadiah.  And it was a sorely needed message.  For all the world it looked like Israel was copping the thick end of the punishment stick and Edom (or Esau) was wielding it.  For all the world it looked like human powers, intellect and military skill and prime living locations were what dictated the fate of individuals.  It looked like history was defined by the powerful and the influential and the famous and the wealthy.  But God had a different perspective.  “The day of the Lord is near for all nations.”  There are no exceptions to the rule, you can’t buy your way or fame your way or power your way out from under the sovereignty of God.  No matter how things look for a while, the Sovereign Lord will be as his name declares.  Obadiah’s voice needs to be heard today.  Maybe an echo of it is found in Jarvis Cocker’s recent observation that fame is the new heaven - becoming famous is seen to be how you fulfill all your dreams.  If Jarvis is right we need to beware we don’t get sucked in.  Nor to the lure of riches or professional success or good reputation.  Only in the Lord is a future hope found.  Because one day the Lord’s deliverers will govern the mountains of Esau.  One day every kingdom will be the Lord’s.  

Hebrews 2:1-18

I know this is more tightly packed than a flamenco dancers trousers but it all flows from a single premise which I think bears some pondering; Jesus has brought us such a great salvation.  The ‘s’ word is banded around in church like a squash ball on a court but does it ever actually lodge itself in our souls?  Do we pay careful attention to our great salvation?  Do we explore every aspect of it?  Is our being entirely convinced of the credibility and scope of it?  I fear mine is not.  I fear I have sped on too quickly from the words passed on to me.  I regret I have not lingered on the signs, wonders and various miracles that testify to the saving work of my God.  I’ve been too keen to get the washing up done.  But Jesus - the vastly superior Jesus - allowed himself to be made lower than those he was greater than and then he suffered at the hands of men.  And then he died.  He died to make us holy.  He died to call us brothers.  He died to destroy the devil.  He died to free us from our fear of death.  I think my trouble is I so quickly try to deflect myself from thinking about suffering and sin and death and the devil that I don’t appreciate the enormity of my salvation from them.  Salvation has not only brought me happy, happy, joy, joy but has also slashed and severed the horrific and horrendous powers that make life suck.  Jesus has dealt with it all.  I don’t need to deflect myself from thinking about these things any longer.  I can revel in them.  Because Jesus has overcome them.  And Jesus can help me in every single one of them.  What a great salvation this is.

Proverbs 26:13-22

My trouble is I love tasty morsels too much.