Jacobs Thoughts and Doings

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Isaiah 52:7

The Blessed Carrier.

Beautiful feet, usually covered, not exalted.
Seeing the vista from a high, high mountain, the vision caught – God redeeming
people.
Running with the Good News, using those blessed feet, to welcome all to Jesus.

The Redeeming Message.

God brings peace.
God brings Good News.

The Compelling Message. 

God saves.
God reigns in Zion!

This is the eternal appeal, the Gospel is for all people, now and ever.

This fellow just came up in our garden, over two feet tall, studded with these glorious flowers.  And notice the horn-shaped blossom to the left.  An enjoyable sight, free!

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

Eph. 1:1

Paul squeezes so much into so few words.  I love this opening greeting to the brothers and sisters in Ephesus.  First off, Paul.  This is not just a name but stands for what he is writing to them about.  He is now one of them, with a family name, a history, an ordinary human being, a brother indeed.

I, too, feel most loved when I ponder again how a very ordinary person, a sinner, can be a carrier of the love of God. That is why I can introduce myself as Don.  It opens a door of welcome for all who believe.

Paul’s arm of fellowship is wide open.  He is “an apostle” of Jesus Christ.  I love that “an.”  This revered man is overjoyed by the fact that he is considered one of the followers of Jesus, along with those to whom he is writing and to all mankind. So, while taking his place among all saved persons, he rejoices in their common salvation, a gift so great it is hard to comprehend.

His greeting goes on.  He bravely acknowledges that God almighty chose him to be an apostle of Jesus Christ.  It was certainly not his own doing.  In fact, that is the last thing in the world Saul the zealous Jew could possibly imagine.  Saul did not choose Jesus, but Jesus chose Saul.  That makes all the difference.  Paul and those to whom he is writing all shared this personal testimony – they are in Christ because they, too, were called by the Lord himself.

I recall vividly how, as a young white missionary, I found peace in my soul by repenting of my sins which the Holy Spirit revealed to me.  What a glorious moment.  I found myself standing all by myself before the Father praising.   Then, I was astounded to realize that I was not alone, not at all.  Around me were brothers and sisters, black and white, educated and uneducated, you name it. I found myself in a family of love.  All tribal and cultural superiority faded, I was one of those who were chosen by God to be there.  And I wanted to be nowhere else!

On our small plot we raise lettuce for eating.  I do enjoy that but I am also impressed with the beauty of flourishing lettuce.  Here are a few of our favorite varieties.   Thank God for such wonderful foods!

Are you finding that often the big comes little and the little becomes big?  I know a bit about that!

Recent example – I just got a phone call from my dermatologist telling me that the three spots they examined on my head do need attention, all squema cell.  Appointment Friday, day after tomorrow.  Ouch!  More of that?  I have had too much already.

The truth is, I find this a bit upsetting.  Too much attention has already been focused on my head.  But that is where my problem is.  Why can I not just determine to praise God for the 99+ percent of my body that is just fine and let that feeling of thanks just wipe out the wee parts that cause me grief?  I try but am not very successful.

It reminds me of Jonah, how he was distressed when the vine God provided to keep out the hot sun withered.   Jonah hated that but was not a bit concerned for the welfare of Nineveh, that huge city on the Tiger River in Iraq to which he was sent to help.  He thought more about the inconvenience he felt when his vine withered than what God was going to do to the great city of Nineveh if they did not repent.  That concerned him little.  His withered vine concerned him more that the thousands of people he was sent to help.

Lord, may I concentrate my attention on what bothers you, not on what bothers me!

Drenched with an early morning rain, our bush roses burst with delight.  An impressive sight, if I may say so.

But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?”

Dear reader, I wish to look again, briefly, at the last sentence in this most amazing Old Testament book. Embedded in those few words is the point God is making. “Should I not be concerned?” 

To be sure Jonah showed no concern for the vast multitude of people who lived there, each precious in the sight of God.  Jonah wanted to see Nineveh destroyed.  God, in his mercy, wanted to see Nineveh saved.  This was the point of contention between God and Jonah from the beginning of the story to the last words.  “Should I not be concerned?”  Can I suggest that this is the question that we still deal with today?

Jonah is concerned with Jonah, and with his beloved Israel.  God is concerned about the many people in Nineveh who need to be given the opportunity to repent.  Of course, he is concerned for Jonah, that is taken for granted.  How, however, can he get Jonah to have compassion on Nineveh?  Is this not the story line of the book?  And as true today as it was then?

Jonah’s desire to destroy Nineveh crossed with God’s willingness, even the desire for the salvation of Nineveh. This tension is the thread of the story.  The church lives in this tension until today and will experience this tension until Jesus returns.

Are God’s concerns our concerns? 

Here is one of my favorite hymns of Watts that has to do with helping to bring all people into the knowledge of Jesus Christ and that, because of him, we can praise God as the Gospel goes forward in amazing power these days..

From all that dwell below the skies,
let the Creator’s praise arise;
let the Redeemer’s name be sung,
through every land by every tongue.

Eternal are thy mercies, Lord;
eternal truth attends thy word.
Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore,
till suns shall rise and set no more.

Your lofty themes, ye mortals, bring,
in songs of praise divinely sing;
the great salvation loud proclaim,
and shout for joy the Savior’s name.

In every land begin the song;
to every land the strains belong;
in cheerful sounds all voices raise,
and fill the world with loudest praise.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Our little triangle at the shed is the extent of our family garden.  It seems like everyone needs a wee bit of land to work with.  Here is ours.  We enjoy the lush lettuce (several varieties), tomatoes, potatoes and marigolds  Just enough to delight the spirit!