Quick Note – Deuteronomy 29:29 – What We Already Know

There are a lot of things in this world that we don’t understand. There are things that God allows which we wonder why He allowed to happen. There are questions about certain moral dilemmas, which the Bible doesn’t seem to address – things like stem cell therapies and artificial intelligence.  In those cases, we are puzzled as to how to proceed, which is why theological debates are held. But as of now, we can only try our best to do what is right based on what is written in the word of God.

In contrast though, there are many things that are clear, that are black-and-white, that are right and wrong without question. There are things the Bible makes no qualms about.  For example, it is clear that we should not kill. It is clear that we should not commit adultery. It is clear that we should not steal, that we should not bear false witness, and that we should not covet. In these cases there is no debate. We must follow what God says. 

This is what our passage today is talking about. Moses was telling the people of Israel that there were secret things that they did not know, things they didn’t know about God or His plans. But regardless of whether they had a complete picture or not, they already knew enough about God and His law to obey.  God had already given them commandments that were clear.  Those laws could and should be obeyed.  That is why in Deuteronomy 30:11-14, Moses tells the Israelites:

“For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.

The Word of God in those cases was near, clear, and in their hearts.  They knew what to do, it was simply a choice whether they would do it.

Today, we have a more complete understanding of God’s will and way.  We have His complete Word in the Bible – both the Old and New Testament.  We know that we should love our neighbors as ourselves.  We know that we should share the Gospel and be ready witnesses of our faith.  We know that Jesus Christ is the only True and Living Way of Salvation (John 14:6).  We have commands and rules and statues that are near and not far away, not hidden or distant or unclear.  There are many things we already know God’s stance on.  So why do we allow the things we aren’t clear on to prevent us from obeying the commands that we do know?

Let’s not allow the questions we have to prevent us from obeying what is clear.  Let’s not allow questions about if we should allow stem cell therapies, if we should praise God with loud music or quiet worship, or if it is okay to lie to save a life, keep us from doing what we already know.  For things not set in stone or clear, we try our best. But for those commands and laws that we do know, let us obey without question.  

Not In Vain

Ecclesiastes 1:2 – “‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher, ‘vanity of vanities!  All is vanity.’”

1 Corinthians 15:56 – “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Don’t you hate it when you spend hours upon hours doing something, only to find out that all the time you put in will be going down the drain because none of it will be used?  This situation comes up quite often in scientific research.  A project is started with a young, aspiring student spending countless of hours on the lab bench, only to find out that a few months later his work amounted to nothing significant enough to get published in a scientific journal.  This has actually happened to me quite often in my last three years in research, except I never even got far enough to get finished results.  Instead my experiments would just fail to the point of the project being scrapped, leaving me overcome with a wave of sadness, slight depression, and cynicism.  In the end, all I felt was that all my work was useless.  Fortunately, this trend doesn’t happen with everyone, but, I believe, that many scientists, even the successful ones, still do share my opinion that most research that is performed will eventually become worthless.  Paraphrasing a previous colleague of mine, “I don’t think that in the next ten years most of the things we publish will even matter.  No one will care.”  What a sad commentary, right?  On the brighter side, there will be the few slivers of greatness that outlast centuries (Newton, Einstein, Salk).  But even they in the end will eventually be forgotten.  It doesn’t matter whether you are in science, politics, art, literature, or any other field; no matter who you are or what you do, eventually it all amounts to nothing.  At least, that was the conclusion that Solomon, the wisest person that ever lived, first came to in Ecclesiastes.

Whenever I read the book of Ecclesiastes, I feel quite depressed after meditating on the thoughts shared there, because the constant theme is “All is vanity.”  The book clearly accomplishes its purpose, because it forces a person to reflect on the life he is currently living and examine it to see if he has been spending the short time he has on this earth wisely.  Are you chasing after the things of this earth like money, houses, or gadgets?  Consider that these things will eventually be eaten by moth and rust.  Are you looking to build a name for yourself, so that you will be remembered in the history books?  Consider that ten thousand years from now, people will hardly be able to remember your name just like you can’t name the first man to win the Olympic Games (the first as in the one in Ancient Greece).  Are you looking to do good for others and help them out in any way possible to make your heart feel good?  Consider that happiness fades even if it resulted from a good deed.  No matter what is done, it is all for vanity.  But surprisingly, Solomon doesn’t end the book of Ecclesiastes on the same note; he finishes off by saying, “The end of the matter; all has been heard.  Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”  (12:13-14).  In the end, one thing and only one thing was not in vain, fearing God and keeping His commandments.  What is done for God – that will last.

This thought is reiterated by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:56, when he exhorts the Corinthian church, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”  As Paul was finishing his letter to the Corinthians, he encouraged them by reminding them that anything done for the Lord is never in vain.  He understood that as time passed and tangible results lingered in absence, it would be easy for the church to just give up its work.  So instead of just letting this passively happen, Paul made sure to nip discouragement at the bud and to reaffirm them of their labor in the Lord.  Working with and for the Lord is sometimes a difficult thing, especially when results are not immediately seen.  For example, we all know of the frustration we feel for the friend/relative we have already spent years praying for but have yet to see come to Christ.  And most certainly, we have experienced a time in which we served God in some capacity yet have never seen the results of our labor.  William Carey, for instance, ministered to the people of India for several years before he even saw his first convert.  Although the effects of our serving the Lord may tarry, we should never grow weary in doing good “for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)  Instead of giving up, let us be steadfast in our faith, immovable in our determination, and focused in the work of the Lord, remembering that anything that is done for God will never be in vain.  Unlike everything else you do in this world, when you serve Christ the rewards that are reaped are eternal – ones that moth nor rust nor thieves can destroy or steal.  If you feel like giving up don’t, instead be encouraged knowing that laboring with and for the Lord leaves lasting value.

Humility in God’s Presence

Job 42:5 – “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

In high school, I was literally the best student in my class of forty.  I got straight A’s every year from 1^st grade to senior year, making me the shoe-in for valedictorian.  Seeing that I was easily the best in high school, my head was so filled with hot air when I entered college that one could easily fill up the balloon that took Phineas Fog around the world in 80 days.  To my surprise, after the first few weeks of classes, I was struggling just to do well in all my classes, especially Calculus, my best subject in high school.  I was no longer breezing through the assignments, no longer flying through the exams, and certainly no longer jumping to the top of my class.  I quickly devoured my slice of humble pie and studied hard, seeing that in the large crowd of other valedictorians at a university, I was nothing more than another student.  By comparing myself to the actual standards of academic excellence, instead of just the ones that managed to put me on top, I realized that my pride was misplaced and that I needed to reevaluate my “highly honored,” self-proclaimed position.  Surely, we all have placed ourselves on some type of unmerited pedestal at one time or another, whether in athletics, academics, or any part of life.  We even see this take place in the Bible with Job, who probably did it unintentionally as he poured out his heart to God.

To set a short background for those who may not know who Job was, Job lived during some time after the Flood.  He was a righteous man who worshipped the one true God and was blessed materially and spiritually.  He would probably be considered one of the richest people in that region having flocks of camels, sheep, oxen, and donkeys.  He was blessed with ten children and was also well-respected by the people around him, being a person that others went to for counsel.  Most importantly, he was loved and praised by God, who even said, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”  God was proud of his servant Job.  Due to his righteous life, Job became the target of Satan’s wiles, who asked God if he could test Job’s faithfulness through trials.  With God’s permission, Job was tested over and over again, losing everything from his riches to his children to, finally, his health.  All the while, Job was faithful to God, never budging, except for the feelings of depression, discouragement, and heartache that Job poured out in his conversation with his friends.  It is in these conversations, that we kind of see some of Job’s pride creep out although probably unintentionally, as he rightly defended his righteousness.  He was so discouraged that at times he even sounded like he questioned why God took so long to punish the wicked.  He went so far as to challenge God to answer him, so that he would finally be able to just sit in silence, which is exactly what God did.  In the last chapters of Job, God responded by reminding Job of who He was – the Creator of heaven and earth, the Provider of all living things, the Judge of the evil and the good, and to sum it all up, the All-Powerful, All-Knowing, Omnipresent God.  It was at that point, that Job realized who he was in the sight of God, a mere human saved by the bountiful grace of God who was lucky enough to have experienced His blessings even for a season, and he responded likewise, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”  All Job could do, as righteous a man as he was, was kneel before the Lord and repent, for he knew that before God even his righteousness was but filthy rags.

This same response of humility occurred with almost every single person who ever saw or heard from God directly.  We see the immediate kneeling of Joshua before the Angel of the Lord (Joshua 5).  We see the inability to speak in the presence of the Lord by Isaiah (Isaiah 6).  We see the casting down of crowns by the twenty-four elders before God’s throne (Revelation 4).  The only response we can have when we see God and experience Him personally is humility, for in the presence of God, we quickly recognize how insignificant we are.  Even David proclaims in Psalm 8, “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you visit Him?”  This knowledge should move us not to depression but to gratefulness, for as small as we might be, we are treasured in His sight.  As dirty as we might appear, His blood cleansed us and made us white as snow before His eyes.  As sinful and unteachable as we are, He seeks to use us for His service.  A disciple of Jesus Christ rightly recognizes his place before God as a servant but does not allow that knowledge to move him to ineffectiveness but to love.  He sets the standard of righteousness that God would have upon Himself and relies on the grace and mercy of God to reach it.  The next time you spend time in the Word of God, look to meet Him there as you read and when you find Him, repent in dust and ashes, seeking to renew your commitment to Him, who loved you and gave Himself for you.

Trusting the Lord even in the Bad

Psalm 112:6-8 – “For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.”

 
One of my favorite past times is reading superhero comic books. I love seeing the development of these characters who transform from ordinary human beings into heroes in their own right, heroes who at times are called to make the greatest sacrifice of their lives. One current story that I am reading is called Fear Itself, where an ancient Norse villain called the Serpent causes mass fear to occur throughout the world by sending his minions to spread fear. He does this because fear gives him more strength. In telling this story, the writers did a great job in showing the fears of many of these superheroes. We see Spider-man with fear in his eyes as he constantly worries about what has happened to his dear Aunt May. We see Captain America afraid that all hope is lost. We even see fear in the heart of Odin, the father of Thor, making him act irrationally and causing him to plan to destroy the earth all together to prevent fear from empowering the Serpent. This storyline just showed that all men, even superheroes and mythological Norse gods, are afraid of something.

 
The title for this story was actually inspired from a famous line in the first inaugural address given by President FDR – “…The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” He spoke these words to try to bring comfort to the American people who were struggling through the Great Depression. He was trying to remind them that fear is irrational, but the fears of every person were elevated as people had no clue if the economy would ever recover, if they would ever be able to own homes again, or if they would even be able to put food on the table. The conditions of that time sound very similar to what we are experiencing today. No wondering fear is running rampant in our society today.

 
But we find quite the surprise in our passage today, for Psalm 112 tell us that a righteous man is not afraid even when bad news comes and his adversaries attack, instead he firmly trusts in the Lord and is never moved from his faith. The reason this man is not afraid is because he simply knows who is in control and who his hope and trust is founded in – the LORD. He knows that the God he serves is faithful and just. He knows that the God he serves is loving, merciful, and gracious. He knows that the God he serves is both Creator of the universe but also the loving Father and Keeper of his soul. These verses are a strong reminder to every Christian that the God whom they serve is one in whom they can place their trust. They need not fear persecution by men, hard economic times, or even bad news in health, family, or work, for they are watched over by a loving Heavenly Father whose plan for them is bigger, better, and greater than they can imagine. Let us not be fearful when difficult times arise, but instead trust in the Lord knowing that He is our Rock, our Shield, and our Salvation. Proverbs 18:10 states, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” We can be assured that if we run to the Lord in our troubles, if we lean our burdens on Him, and if we cast all our cares upon Him, He will take care of it all. Stand firm without fear for the Lord is with you, and you can trust Him even in the bad.
Other verses of encouragement:

• Psalm 46:1-3 – “God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble.God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah”

 

• Psalm 18:2 – “The LORD is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my Strength, in whom I will trust; my Buckler, and the Horn of my Salvation, and my High Tower.”

 

• 2 Samuel 22:31 – “As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”

 

• John 10:28-29 – “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”