The dictionary says the word "provoke" has four meanings; 1.) To incite to anger or resentment; vex; irk: 2.) To stir to action or feeling, 3.) To give rise to; evoke: [provoke laughter] 4.) To bring about deliberately; induce: [provoke a fight]. Synonyms include; incite, excite, stimulate, arouse, rouse, elicit, evoke, kindle, enkindle, fire, raise, create, make, and stir. Provoke is a verb; provocation noun, provocative adjective, provocatively adverb.
We need to consider what the Bible says. There is a negative side to provoke and God identifies it clearly. This kind of provoking has serious consequences - in families... "And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4) and in God's people... The children of Israel provoked God to wrath continually. "How oft did they provoke Him in the wilderness, and grieve Him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel." (Psalm 78:40-41) For further reference, see, Numbers 14:11,23; 16:20; Deuteronomy 31:20; 32:21; Psalm 78:56; 106:33; Isaiah 65:3; Jeremiah 44:8; & Zechariah 8:14. In the New Testament church we still find this potential for provoking God... "Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than God?" (I Corinthians 10:22) and we are warned about repeating Israel's folly. See Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 3:15-19.
But provoke also has a positive side. The Bible says...
"And let us consider on another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)
"For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. (II Corninthians 9:2)
"I say then, Have they [the Jews] stumbled that they should fall? God forbid! but rather, through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy... If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are of my flesh, [the Jews] and might save some of them. ...blindness in part is happened unto Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." (Romans 11:11, 14, 25b)
In each of these instances, provoking is a good thing. Something good, something wonderful, something that reveals the hand of God is at work in salvation's plan, in history, in the hearts of His chosen people, to the end that He will bring both Jews and Gentiles into reconciliation and right relationship with Him throughout eternity. It's God's Plan for the Ages!
We Gentiles received the Truth in part because of the Jews faithfulness in recording the Word of God throughout their generations. We found mercy through their unbelief! Now, they, in turn, through our mercy and faithfulness are also going to obtain mercy. No wonder our message is - "Be ye reconciled to God."
Let us be about the business of provoking... of inciting... inviting... enlightening... ambassadors for Christ, and of the increase of His Kingdom, may there be no end!
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out... For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to Whom be glory for ever. Amen." (Romans 11:33, 36)
Showing posts with label Kindness of God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kindness of God. Show all posts
Monday, April 07, 2014
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Wonder of Wonders!
Wonder of wonders, Amazing grace,
That JESUS in love would die in my place;
Marvelous mystery that ALL my past history -
Should become HIS story! To GOD be all Glory!
[See Ephesians 2:4-7.]
by mjk ~ April 11, 2011
Friday, May 07, 2010
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sometimes...
Sometimes life is hectic,
Sometimes slow and sweet,
Sometimes joy surprises us -
Hidden 'round our feet.
But this we know assuredly,
In Jesus all is well;
He measures every day with love,
Secure in Him we dwell.
mjk - 4/20/09
Monday, March 23, 2009
Because of Love!
The Great I AM – the all-seeing, all-knowing, all-sufficient, all-encompassing, all-wise, all-powerful, all-majestic, all-perfection, all-holy One dwelt in a realm our human minds cannot grasp. Isaiah glimpsed it – the Throne room with angels, 24/7/365-1/4, crying, “Holy, holy, holy…the earth is full of His glory!” – the train that fills…, the incense, the fragrance, the worship, the purity, the aura, the perfection, the altar, and the coals from off the altar… (Isaiah 6) Heaven’s splendor is beyond human imagination. Yet all that God is – He laid aside and took on Himself human flesh – because of love!
The angels were created to worship and they pleased Him. But He longed for full fellowship with someone who would choose Him above all other attractions. So, He created a perfect environment and placed a perfect candidate in it – one with whom He could freely fellowship – because of love!
How He enjoyed that fellowship, those walks and talks in the cool of the day. His heart knew great joy in those days. Yet, all-knowing, all-seeing, He watched as Eve listened to the serpent and Adam joined her. He watched as they believed the lie and tore fig leaves away from their life source, making a futile covering of dead things. The rupture of the fellowship He had with Adam was more painful to Him than it was to Adam. Something had to be done to restore that fellowship and there was only one solution. (It had been planned before time.) His love constrained Him.
Webster says constrained is to compel by physical, moral, or circumstantial force; oblige.] He instituted blood covering for sin. Mankind continued wayward. Noah found grace. Abraham chose to follow freely. That choice caused God to covenant with him and his children. But weakness was deeply imbedded. God’s chosen people, Israel, also fell. Idolatry, pride and fullness of bread pulled them away from their Life Source. In their folly, they made coverings of dead things. (Isaiah 28:20; 30:1) They too, believed the lie that mankind could somehow engineer his own salvation by human means.
Sad to say, even with all these examples of what not to do, we are no different. We still listen to the lie, thinking that by our goodness or by some chance of Divine oversight or neglect, we can cruise into a relationship based on our priorities and agendas. It never ceases to amaze me how persistent He is. “For God so loved…” His love constrains Him.
Knowing full well the price reconciliation would exact, Holy God, who was all-powerful, placed Himself “in the hands of sinful men” (Luke 24:7) and because of that love, He allowed them to do with Him as they would. Beaten, mocked, spat on, tortured, crucified and buried – man did his worst. What those Roman soldiers did that day was an open acting out of what mankind has been doing all along. “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Hebrews lets us know where His priorities were. “For the joy that was set before Him – He endured the cross, despising the shame!” (Hebrews 12:2-3) Note that the joy to come was first and foremost in His mind. All the rest was something to be endured, to be considered as nothing by comparison.
Man’s mess required God’s best. His love, His desire for Heart to heart fellowship – not just here and now, but for all eternity – constrained Him to bridge the awful gulf. (Colossians 1:21-22) There was no way for us to reach to Him but He willingly bankrupted heaven to make a way out of no way… All because of love!
The angels were created to worship and they pleased Him. But He longed for full fellowship with someone who would choose Him above all other attractions. So, He created a perfect environment and placed a perfect candidate in it – one with whom He could freely fellowship – because of love!
How He enjoyed that fellowship, those walks and talks in the cool of the day. His heart knew great joy in those days. Yet, all-knowing, all-seeing, He watched as Eve listened to the serpent and Adam joined her. He watched as they believed the lie and tore fig leaves away from their life source, making a futile covering of dead things. The rupture of the fellowship He had with Adam was more painful to Him than it was to Adam. Something had to be done to restore that fellowship and there was only one solution. (It had been planned before time.) His love constrained Him.
Webster says constrained is to compel by physical, moral, or circumstantial force; oblige.] He instituted blood covering for sin. Mankind continued wayward. Noah found grace. Abraham chose to follow freely. That choice caused God to covenant with him and his children. But weakness was deeply imbedded. God’s chosen people, Israel, also fell. Idolatry, pride and fullness of bread pulled them away from their Life Source. In their folly, they made coverings of dead things. (Isaiah 28:20; 30:1) They too, believed the lie that mankind could somehow engineer his own salvation by human means.
Sad to say, even with all these examples of what not to do, we are no different. We still listen to the lie, thinking that by our goodness or by some chance of Divine oversight or neglect, we can cruise into a relationship based on our priorities and agendas. It never ceases to amaze me how persistent He is. “For God so loved…” His love constrains Him.
Knowing full well the price reconciliation would exact, Holy God, who was all-powerful, placed Himself “in the hands of sinful men” (Luke 24:7) and because of that love, He allowed them to do with Him as they would. Beaten, mocked, spat on, tortured, crucified and buried – man did his worst. What those Roman soldiers did that day was an open acting out of what mankind has been doing all along. “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Hebrews lets us know where His priorities were. “For the joy that was set before Him – He endured the cross, despising the shame!” (Hebrews 12:2-3) Note that the joy to come was first and foremost in His mind. All the rest was something to be endured, to be considered as nothing by comparison.
Man’s mess required God’s best. His love, His desire for Heart to heart fellowship – not just here and now, but for all eternity – constrained Him to bridge the awful gulf. (Colossians 1:21-22) There was no way for us to reach to Him but He willingly bankrupted heaven to make a way out of no way… All because of love!
“Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan,
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man,
Oh, the awful gulf that God did span –
At Calvary!”
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Blessings of the Lord!
I'm in Jacksonville, Florida over the Memorial Day holiday...
Visiting with my grandchildren is always a joy. Right now, there are two little girls hiding under blankets as I type. They're playing turtle. One tells me turtles have hard shells and the other says that the shell is like a house they carry around. They peak out from under their blankets and say "Hello!" every so often and crawl down the hall and back discussing turtledom in the most fanciful of ways. Their sweet little voices fade as they head into their room to play awhile.
When they weary of that, the blankets become royal robes and the princesses settle in for tea. Lillie and Skittles (the cats) get drawn into the play - but they do not linger long. It seems cats don't want to play royalty (maybe to a cat's mind, they're already royal enough).
One is away at school, the rest are on the road coming from Virginia and will be here later today; and in the midst of the preparations, I'm taking time to reflect on the blessings of grandchildren who love Jesus, who quote and sing Bible verses, and who make my heart sing with thanksgiving at the goodness and mercy of the Lord.
"The blessings of the Lord
Are new every day;
He addeth no sorrow,
Only takes it a-way!"
I'm in Jacksonville, Florida over the Memorial Day holiday...
Visiting with my grandchildren is always a joy. Right now, there are two little girls hiding under blankets as I type. They're playing turtle. One tells me turtles have hard shells and the other says that the shell is like a house they carry around. They peak out from under their blankets and say "Hello!" every so often and crawl down the hall and back discussing turtledom in the most fanciful of ways. Their sweet little voices fade as they head into their room to play awhile.
When they weary of that, the blankets become royal robes and the princesses settle in for tea. Lillie and Skittles (the cats) get drawn into the play - but they do not linger long. It seems cats don't want to play royalty (maybe to a cat's mind, they're already royal enough).
One is away at school, the rest are on the road coming from Virginia and will be here later today; and in the midst of the preparations, I'm taking time to reflect on the blessings of grandchildren who love Jesus, who quote and sing Bible verses, and who make my heart sing with thanksgiving at the goodness and mercy of the Lord.
"The mercies of the Lord
are new every day;
He addeth no sorrow,
Only takes it a-way!"
Saturday, January 27, 2007
The Kindness of God
When I consider the kindness of God toward us, my heart is overwhelmed with thanksgiving. The knowledge that He granted repentance to me is precious indeed. His kindness, goodness and faithfulness are so intertwined with His mercy as to be one in One. While we were unlovable, He loved us. When we didn't even love ourselves, He had compassion on us. He saw us in our sins and set about to make a way to redeem us from our own folly. What love! The wonderful old song says...
From the outset, He created a beautiful universe - sun, moon, planets, stars, galaxies - all are evidence of His creative genius. The earth on which we roam is filled with wonders. Lush greens, beautiful blues, flowers of every hue, shape, size and scent, a wide variety of animal life, each with it's own contribution to the whole - and all this wonder and beauty was bestowed upon the object of His affection - man.
He gives men abundant blessings; family, friends and the joy and hope found in the laughter of children. Summer and winter and seed time and harvest; the seasons merge and with them tender, green shoots become fields of golden grain. Then comes the harvest when work is fast and furious and the rejoicing when the harvest is in the barn and there is rest for everyone and everything.
All nature reminds us of His love. Each season reinforces our understanding of His kindness toward us. He planned it that way... gentle nudges from eternity, beckoning, wooing, entreating.
The Bible says He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
When I consider the kindness of God toward us, my heart is overwhelmed with thanksgiving. The knowledge that He granted repentance to me is precious indeed. His kindness, goodness and faithfulness are so intertwined with His mercy as to be one in One. While we were unlovable, He loved us. When we didn't even love ourselves, He had compassion on us. He saw us in our sins and set about to make a way to redeem us from our own folly. What love! The wonderful old song says...
"Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan,
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man,
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span - At Calvary!
Mercy there was great and grace was free,
Pardon there was multiplied to me,
There my burdened soul found liberty - At Calvary!"
From the outset, He created a beautiful universe - sun, moon, planets, stars, galaxies - all are evidence of His creative genius. The earth on which we roam is filled with wonders. Lush greens, beautiful blues, flowers of every hue, shape, size and scent, a wide variety of animal life, each with it's own contribution to the whole - and all this wonder and beauty was bestowed upon the object of His affection - man.
He gives men abundant blessings; family, friends and the joy and hope found in the laughter of children. Summer and winter and seed time and harvest; the seasons merge and with them tender, green shoots become fields of golden grain. Then comes the harvest when work is fast and furious and the rejoicing when the harvest is in the barn and there is rest for everyone and everything.
All nature reminds us of His love. Each season reinforces our understanding of His kindness toward us. He planned it that way... gentle nudges from eternity, beckoning, wooing, entreating.
The Bible says He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
- "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Romans 1:20, NIV)
- "...Thus saith the Lord, Turn ye even to Me with all your heart, with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your heart, and not your garments. Turn unto the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness..." (Joel 2:12-13)
- "With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer." (Isaiah 54:8)
- "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:19-20)
- "...The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." (Romans 2:4)
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