They Did Not Thirst


"This season is very revealing..." This has been my sentiment as we continue through 2020 full of her pandemic and racial tension. When shaking happens, things are uncovered and our deepest hopes, bias, and perspectives are revealed. This has been a significant reality in the church and while it does not make for the easiest relationships or partnerships, it is good.





I brought this reflection to my reading this morning and Isaiah 48's recounting of the refining of Israel. It is essentially God retelling the ways he has used circumstance to chisel away at the hearts of his people. To reveal their disobedience and to show the way of trusting his will and way. "Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea;" Isaiah 48:18





There was hope for them still and it was in recounting the faithfulness of God.





"Go out from Babylon, flee from Chaldea, declare this with a shout of joy, proclaim it, send it out to the end of the earth; say, “The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob!”





"They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock; he split the rock and the water gushed out." Isaiah 48:20-21





I was talking to a few pastors just yesterday and they mentioned the "battle weariness" of this season of ministry and I can relate. Simple things are not simple anymore and rapid transformation in the church is not only exhausting, it is like the fires have been set to be quite a bit hotter.





Yet we, like Israel, can recount the faithfulness of God in the midst of the refining. We can return to him in repentance and reliance on his grace and power. We can live "hydrated" by his Spirit as we, ministers and the rest of us, persevere through the unknown of tomorrow.





Some of us need to take some breaks; get off of social media and replace the time with Scripture. Some of us need to have more real conversations where gospel reminder is the end point. Some of us need to keep being bold where voices have been absent. And some of us just need to get away, to a place of solitude to be with the Father.





All along the way my prayer is that we would look back on this year and say we did not thirst as we journeyed through this desert, that the Lord's provision was gushing out. Will you pray that with me?


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Artisan Disruption

This week while in Phoenix for a couple of stirring days thinking about equipping the church and living into our missional calling together I experienced artisan disruption.  The lads and I were heading to the second day of the gathering and decided to find some local coffee spot to fuel our morning. When the first stop was closed we rounded the corner into another shop that pushed against our attempts at constant efficiency.  Inside a small art gallery (which also had a hair salon) there was a coffee bar, with one barista doing more than just making drinks, he was making art. The guy had form, precision, and and exacting hand as he made each drink.  The line was out the door yet he carried on, unhurried, unhindered by demand. He was the artisan.  At first I felt out of place. After all I am the guy who drinks from carafes at Panera because I have a sip membership. So to be in a bespoke establishment pulled me out of my element to begin with. This is a discomfort I enjoy
Read more

We don't need better slogans we need to better understand grace

Admit it, you, like me have wasted entirely too much time thinking of new acronyms and poster ideas that will launch us into holiness. And all that we have achieved is lame preaching on being "better" and trying harder and the realization that we fail time and time again. We don't get grace. Matt Chandler is staring this problem in the face and calling it out. "The problem as I perceive it as a Pastor is that most of those who claim to know and love God want to see sin lose its power in their lives and walk in greater intimacy with Christ; most are exhausted and have been trying to mortify sin by promises and threats rather than through the weapons grace provides. By "promises" I mean they believe that they will have life to the “full” and get a great house in heaven if they behave in this manner or that manner..." "Another very popular sport... is fighting residual sin with our own vows and resolution—these become our defense.  In the end, you a
Read more

Art Azurdia on Spirit-Empowered Preaching

This week the Philadelphia Partnership hosted Dr. Art Azurdia. The partnership's goal is to encourage and edify pastors in Eastern Washington, three times a year through preaching from respected influencers. Art was asked to preach on what it means to be Spirit-empowered preachers. In his two sessions he challenged assumptions and gave pastors a thorough study of scripture on being filled with the Spirit and emboldened to preach. I am pleased to share these sessions with you and encourage you to share them with others. In session one, Art showed us that Spirit-empowered preaching must share Spirit-purpose. [vimeo http://vimeo.com/85478195] In the second session, Art walked through Acts and revealed the fruit of being filled. [vimeo http://vimeo.com/85478194]   Many thanks to Art Azurdia for joining us and special thanks to Dave Stone for capturing these sermons.
Read more