Peter Misselbrook's Blog
Jul 14 2019 - Psalm 91 – God our dwelling

You may remember that a number of weeks ago we looked at Psalm 46:

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way… (Psalm 46:1-2)

The theme of Psalm 91 is similar as the psalmist declares, "I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust" (Psalm 91:2). The psalm is full of wonderful pictures of God's care for his people. Those who trust in him need fear for nothing since they have the protection of almighty God surrounding them; "no harm will overtake you" (v. 10).

But how does such protection work in practice? All around the world there are Christians who suffer for their faith; some have had to abandon their homes and flee for safety to other countries, others have lost their lives. And we know that we and our own Christian friends are not immune from the troubles that are common to humanity: sickness and disease; the loss of love ones; financial difficulties and broken relationships. This psalm may seem very comforting, but is it realistic?

Satan used the words of this psalm to tempt Jesus. He took Jesus to a tower of the temple and told him to throw himself down from there, confident that God would protect him. "For it is written", said Satan, "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone" (Matthew 4:6 quoting Psalm 91:11-12). Jesus responded, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test'" (Matt 4:7). But if God has promised these things in his word, how is it putting God to the test to depend on what he has said?

These are not easy questions. However, in the case of Jesus being tempted by Satan, he was clearly reacting to the suggestion that he deliberately put himself in danger to test God's care.

I believe that the promises of this psalm should not be read as a promise of protection from all danger, but a promise of God's presence with us and care for us in all danger. The psalm concludes, "With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation" (v.16). But we all know of Christians, or of children of Christian families, who have died young, and sometimes in pain. For them and for us we can take to heart the words of the apostle Paul who, out of his own experience of persecution, imprisonment and the threat of death wrote:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

‘For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)

Christ suffered the traumas of agony and death for us, even feeling himself separated from his loving Father, that we might never be separated from God in life or in death. This is our confidence; God has shown us his salvation and will satisfy us with life in his presence for all eternity.

Father God, we thank you for your great and precious promises and we trust in your protection. Lord Jesus, you have given yourself for us and have gone to glory to prepare a place for us. Spirit of God, thank you that the work you have begun in us – filling our hearts with a sense of God's love for us – you will complete when you bring us safe to glory. Triune God, help us always to trust in your protection and care.

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Jul 14 2020 - 2 Timothy 2:1-19 – Handle with care

Paul is in prison in Rome. He is no longer able to travel around the churches to preach Christ and expound the Word of God. But, he says, “God’s word is not chained” (2 Timothy 2:9). God cannot be chained up and imprisoned, neither can his word be robbed of its power. Paul knows that those to whom he has committed the gospel message will continue the ministry he had begun. Paul writes to Timothy, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).

Paul reminds Timothy that those who preach the word have an awesome responsibility. And what Paul says to Timothy he says also to us. We are not to use the word of God to our own ends. God's word is not to be massaged, reshaped and repackaged by us so that our listeners are impressed with the ingenuity of our preaching. The word must master us, shaping our minds and hearts, thrilling our souls and shaping our lives. We are then to communicate the word that has addressed us with clarity and power (ambiguity intended). We are to be transparent communicators so that our listeners hear not us but God speaking to them. We want them to be transformed by God's word and Spirit not entranced and captivated by our preaching. This is no easy calling; it is both serious and demanding.

The word of God is precious; it is to be handled with care. The word of God is powerful; it is not to be taken captive but is to be set free. We are to be servants of the word rather than proud masters of the word.

And this word has been set free. All around the world the Scriptures have been and are being translated into the heart language of its many peoples. Scriptures are being printed and distributed, along with audio and Braille versions. Again and again we hear how lives are being touched and transformed. God is at work through his word to create a people who will be his very own.

But there are also those who seek to put a stop to this work of God – as they have done from the first. Those who preach the word are threatened, imprisoned or even killed. Scriptures are confiscated and destroyed. Christian bookshops are burnt down. But still God’s word cannot be chained. God has sent his word into the world and he will not allow it to return to him void; it will accomplish what he has purposed. And he has called us to become part of his great army of conquest – to be good soldiers of Jesus Christ (2:3), fighting not with the weapons of this world but with the powerful word of God.

What could you do to free up the word of God and send it to every corner of the world?

Father God, thank you for your powerful word. At your word, creation sprang into being. Your word brings light and life. Thank you for Jesus Christ your Son, the word made flesh. Thank you that in him we read your passion for the world you have made and your great love for us. Thank you that he died for us and has been raised from the dead and is seated at your right hand. Thank you for your Spirit poured out upon us and upon this world. Help us to minister your word in the power of your Spirit that many might come to know the Lord Jesus and have life in him.

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Peter Misselbrook