On Disappointment and Placing Our Hope in Our Future Union With Christ

When life does not turn out the way that we want it to or expect it to, we experience disappointment. Disappointment can lead to anger, discouragement, anxiety, or depression. Disappointment is not sin, but it can lead us into sin. Brothers and sisters, is life going as you expected or hoped? Are you experiencing disappointment? Failure, relational conflict or strife, physical illness, financial trouble, loneliness, business, grief over the loss of a loved one, stress on the job, not having the job you had hoped for, childlessness, prolonged singleness, divorce, your own sin, or the sin of others can all result in disappointment.

Brothers and sisters, where are you placing your hope? Some good questions to ask yourself to determine where you are placing your hope would be, "What am I usually desiring that I am not getting when I get angry?" and "To whom or what do I turn for comfort when I am stressed out or discouraged?" Hope is ultimately what we count on in life to bring us fulfillment or joy. Biblical hope is not merely wishfulness or desire, but a confident expectation. The Bible teaches that if we place our ultimate hope in anything other than our union with Christ, we will be badly disappointed. The problem with placing our hope in anything other than our union with Christ is that nothing else lasts. As the apostle John wrote, "the world is passing away and the desire of it" (1 John 2:15-17). Jesus said, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Jesus made it clear that our possessions and worldly treasures will not last. We may be tempted to place our hope in our marriage, our family, or in other relationships, but our relationships with our spouses, our parents, our children, and with other people will not last in this world because eventually death will bring an end to these relationships. Jesus also informs us that even if we are together with our loved ones in heaven, the nature of these relationships will not be the same after death. In Matthew 22:30, He said, "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven." While we can look forward to seeing some of our loved ones again in heaven and being united with them in Christ, it will not be our relationship there with them that will bring us everlasting joy.

There are times that we wish that the good things in our lives would never change, but only Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The opposite of Biblical hope is uncertainty, but our union with Jesus is certain because He does not change, and our union with Him is everlasting because Christ is everlasting.

In Genesis 21:33, He is the Everlasting God of Abraham. Although the wells that Abraham dug did not last because Abimelech's servants seized them, Jesus Christ is the living water, and all who drink from His fountain will never thirst again (John 4:10-13). In Proverbs 10:25, He is the Everlasting Foundation. If we build our houses or our hopes on anything but Him, we are building on sand (Matthew 7:24-27). In Isaiah 9:6, He is our Everlasting Father, who will never leave us nor forsake us, but will be with us always even until the end of eternity (Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20).

The hope that protects us from the snare of disappointment is in our present union with Christ, in our progressive union with Him, and in our future union with Him. Biblical hope is a confident expectation that looks forward to things in the future, but there is a present element to that future hope in that we have the confident expectation that certain realities of our union with Christ will continue in the future.

There is a sense in which our union with Christ is already accomplished, but also a sense in which it is not yet fully accomplished. In our present union with Christ, we the bride await our wedding with Christ, our bridegroom and the celebration at the marriage supper of the lamb.

According to Ephesians 1:4-6, we have been united with Christ in our adoption, having been chosen in Christ and predestined by the Father to be adopted sons by Jesus Christ to himself. It is by Jesus Christ that the Father adopted us to Himself. We became sons of God the Father through our union with Christ. Since He is already the Son of God, when we were united with Him, we also became sons through our union with Him. To use an analogy, when a daughter is married, her husband becomes a son-in-law. In a similar way, when we united with Christ, whether we are a male or a female, we became sons-in-law because the one to whom we are united is the Son of God, and the Beloved of God the Father. We are accepted by God through our union with Christ. This is why we are considered heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

We have been united with Christ through His blood, which was shed for our sins. Through His sacrificial death, we have redemption and forgiveness of sins. We are bought out of our slavery to sin, and we no longer have to suffer the penalty for our sins because He suffered the penalty for us on the cross (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 3:18). The Lord's Supper is the remembrance and celebration of our union with Christ through His sacrifice of His body and His blood for our sins and that we have partaken of this sacrifice through faith. Jesus said, "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him" (John 6:56).

Not only are we free and forgiven. Since Christ became sin for us, taking the guilt of our sin on Himself on the cross, we have become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthains 5:20). We are united with Christ in that His righteousness has been imputed to us. We have been justified, or declared righteous or perfectly good before God, not because of our own righteousness, but because our sins were placed on Jesus on the cross and we have been clothed in His righteousness (Romans 3:21-26, 4:25, Job 29:14, Isaiah 61:10, Zechariah 3:4). Though our sins were like scarlet, they have become as white as snow. Though they were red like crimson, they have become as wool (Isaiah 1:18).

In Romans 6, the apostle Paul shows us that through our spiritual baptism, we are united with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. Through our union with Christ in His death, our old man was crucified so that we are no longer the slaves of sin. We are free to not sin. Through our union with Christ in His resurrection, we are free to walk in newness of life. We are free to be obedient servants of God or slaves of righteousness. In Christ, we are not our own. We belong to Him having been bought by Him with His blood. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

We are united to Christ in and through the Holy Spirit, which Christ sent to us. Through the Spirit, Christ indwells us, and we become His own body and the temple of God. Through His Spirit, Christ lives in us and carries out His work in and through us. The Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession (Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20; Galatians 2:20).

There is not only a present element to our hope, which protects us from the snare of disappointment. There is also a progressive hope in that we are growing or progressing in our union with Christ. Our union with Christ becomes stronger and closer as we become conformed to His image. What a wonderful hope we have from Romans 8:28-29, that God is working all things together for good in our lives. He is using both the good and the bad for good in us. He uses both the joys and the disappointments. He uses both our good works and even our failings and sins. He uses the trials and temptations and the mistreatment of others for our good. And what is the good that He is working through the all things? He is conforming us to the image of His Son. He is making us more and more like Christ (Romans 8:28-29). One of his tools that God uses to chisel the character of Christ in us is suffering through trials and tribulations. God uses our trials to test our faith. This produces patience or perseverance, which leads to perfection of character or Christ-likeness, and this perfection of character leads to hope (James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-5). Through our union with Christ, we have become partakers of the divine nature and we will partake in this nature more and more as we grow in Christ-likeness (2 Peter 1:4).

Finally, we are protected from the snare of disappointment by the hope of our future union with Christ. Colossians 3:1-3 says, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." We can rejoice in our hope of appearing with Christ in glory--of being united fully and forever with Him in heaven. In John 14, Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for His followers, and that in His Father's house are many mansions, but the best thing about heaven is not the place but the Person. Jesus said that since he was going to prepare a place for us, He would come again and receive us to Himself so that where He is there we may be also. In other words, the purpose of the place He is preparing for us is so that we can be with Him. Heaven can be defined as our future union with Jesus Christ or the place where our ultimate union with Him will occur. In the fairy tales, the princess usually ends up living in a castle, but it is not the castle that makes the ending happy. The princess lives happily ever after because she gets to be with the prince. As wonderful a place as heaven will be, it will be our union with Christ there that will make that place heaven. John wrote, "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." Because we will be perfectly pure in heaven and because we will be like Christ, we will see Christ in all of His glory. Not only will we be free from the presence and even the temptation to sin. We will have new resurrected, imperishable bodies. And in this state of perfection and Christ-likeness, "we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Worship Styles and Idolatry

I grew up in a musical family. My Dad directed church choirs and led congregational singing in churches most of his life. He had me singing solos in church when I was almost too small to hold a microphone. I love singing in church, and like every American Christian, I have my preferences or tastes, concerning style and genre in worship, but I have come to the realization that musical style or genre has about as much to do with worship as frying eggs has to do with what color of spatula you use. Jesus said in John 4:24, "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth." True worship requires a correct knowledge and expression of who God is, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of God's people, not a particular musical style. Furthermore, singing and the playing of instruments are only two of many Scriptural expressions of worship, including prayer, fasting, the preaching of God's word, the Lord's Supper, giving, and the exercise of love and good works.

If you are quarreling or fighting with your brothers and sisters in Christ over what particular style or genre will be used in the public worship of your church, I encourage you to take a look at the desires of your heart no matter which "side" you are on. It may be that in your allegiance to a particular style, you are worshiping the experience or the pleasure that music brings you rather than worshiping God.

James wrote to the church, "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war . . . (James 4:1-2). When James speaks of "murder," he seems to be referring to the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus said that not only those who murder will be in danger of the judgment, but even he who is angry with his brother without a cause or calls his brother a fool will be in danger of the judgment and the fires of hell. In other words, James is referring to murder of the heart--anger, hatred, complaining, division, and quarreling that results from our selfish desires for pleasure, when we do not get our way. Could it be that you are "murdering" your brothers and sisters in Christ for the pleasure of music or a "worship experience?"

James continued in v. 4, "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." James is clearly referring to spiritual adultery or idolatry. If our love of musical style and the pleasure it brings us takes precedence over our love for God and our love for one another, our priorities are mixed up. We are guilty of spiritual adultery, which is idolatry. We are just like the world, worshiping the creation rather than the Creator. Music is a god of the world, not the God of the church. We are supposed to worship the One who created music. We are supposed to use music to worship Him. But is God pleased with our worship when there is bitterness in our hearts? Does he even want our sacrifice of praise when we are at war with our brothers and sisters?

Jesus said, "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24). Jesus does not want our sacrifice of praise, if we are not willing to obey His commandment to love one another as He loved us (John 13:34). He does not want to hear our "traditional worship," or our "contemporary worship," or even our "blended" praise, when there is murder and dissension in our hearts.

Often people on one side or the other of the issue will argue that the church needs music that will appeal to those outside the church so that they will feel comfortable coming to church, or that the church needs music that is appealing to a particular generation or age group. Then they will argue that the particular style of music that they prefer is the best suited to draw people into the church. I do not think there is anything inherently wrong with using music as an outreach tool, but that is not the purpose of music in public worship. The purpose of music in the church is two-fold: 1) to praise God; and 2) to encourage or edify believers. Paul said, "be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:18-19).

Furthermore, the Bible never instructs us to use music as an evangelistic tool, or as a means of getting people to come to church. Rather Jesus commanded the foolishness of the preaching of the Gospel and the exercise of love and good works as the means of advancing His kingdom (1 Corinthians 1:21; Romans 10:14; Mark 16:15). Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16) In other words, people in the world will not be drawn to God by our music, but by our good works and by the work of the Holy Spirit in opening their blinded eyes to the truth of the Gospel that we proclaim, which is "foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 1:18; John 6:44; Romans 1:16; 10:17).

Jesus also said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). What does the world think when they see us fighting over music. Often in the world, music brings people together. Many who love music in the world are open-minded to different expressions and genres. I wonder what they think when they see that music is a source of division in the church? Do they recognize us as the true disciples of Jesus when we bicker and quarrel over our personal preferences? Do unbelievers see anything that distinguishes us from the world based on the way that we treat one another? The world already has music! They can have it anyway they want it, and the church cannot compete and should not try to compete with the show of music that the world puts on. If we do not have the love of Christ, we have nothing to offer them (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). But if we do have the love of Christ, we have everything to offer them!

Think of it! Jesus left the majestic music of heaven and the worship of the angels surrounding His throne to hear the humble music of the bleating of sheep and the lowing of oxen in a filthy, earthy cave where animals were kept. That is what the Son of God heard when He was born. There was no fanfare written to celebrate His arrival. For our salvation, He "made Himself of no reputation," and "humbled Himself" by becoming a man, a bondservant, and by becoming "obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:5-8). He did this for us! And He has commanded us to love one another as He loved us (John 13:34). If any principle in Scripture should govern our selection of musical style or genre in the church, it should be Philippians 2:2-3, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Brothers and sisters, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:4). Put the preference of your sisters and brothers above your own! And if you truly want to reach the world with the Gospel, "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:14-15).

The Sin of Pride and the Weapon of Worship

With a Tribute to Our God

for the Life of Eleanor Horine

Pride is that last undefeated foe at the end of each journey of spiritual success. He greets us as a familiar friend celebrating our return and inviting us to a feast in our honor. Then when our hearts are filled with the wine and song of our self-celebration, he sneaks up from behind and stabs us in the back, stealing away our inheritance and the spoils of our heavenly rewards. For "pride goes before the fall and the haughty spirit before destruction."

We must not allow him to catch us off guard time and time again but should anticipate his attack and meet him with the weapon of worship. Like Noah, we must prepare a sacrifice of praise. For when he left the ark he did not turn back and praise himself for the ark which he had built with his own hands. Rather he built an altar to the Lord and sacrificed a burnt offering, giving God the glory for his deliverance, and the Lord blessed man with a promise because of His pleasure with Noah's offering. Let us feast on the Bread of Life and the Living Water from the Everlasting Fountain rather than the slop of self-aggrandizement, and let us secure our heavenly reward by defeating this treacherous fiend. We must meet pride with the weapon of worship.

Ironically, while I was thinking about pride when I wrote the paragraphs above, I discovered that I was thinking prideful thoughts and that I was being tempted with pride. I was proud of my insights about pride and looking forward to the praise I might receive when others had read my reflections. That is just what Pride is like. He is sneaky. He creeps up upon us when we least expect it and disguises himself as righteousness, or spiritual giftedness, or even as humility. When we begin to feel good about ourselves for any of these things, we are committing the sin of pride. Our focus must immediately shift from self and self-accomplishment to God and His gracious accomplishments in us and in others. " Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!"

I attended a funeral yesterday of a woman who accomplished great things for God. Her name was Eleanor Horine. I did not have the pleasure of knowing her well, but I do remember her warmth and kindness from my limited interactions with her. This dear, godly lady was 86 when she died. In her last 15 years, she raised over $50,000 for the Pregnancy Resource Center in Bloomington, IL to save the lives of the unborn. She left a legacy of godliness to her family, including 22 grandchildren, if I remember correctly, and several great-grandchildren. What impacted me most about her funeral was not what she had accomplished in her life-time, nor how many present, family and friends, held her in such high regard but the song she chose to be played at the end of her own funeral--The Hallelujah Chorus.

When I stood with all who surrounded me as the familiar yet majestic anthem resounded and Eleanor's casket was rolled out, I could not hold back the tears. I was overwhelmed with the realization that I was not standing for Eleanor. I was standing for her Lord and King, who accomplished so much in and through her. All the glory for all the wonderful things she had done in her lifetime belonged to him. I believe Eleanor chose this song for the end of her own funeral for this reason. She wanted to redirect the attention of her family and friends from herself to God. She wanted the glory to go to her Lord because she knew that He deserved it, and she delighted in His receiving it. I don't know how much Eleanor struggled with the temptation of pride in her lifetime. I know we all struggle with it to different extents, but I know that in Christ, Eleanor defeated any temptation of pride in the end with the weapon of worship. May our desire be as Eleanor's. May we delight in giving all of the glory for anything good in us to the one who alone deserves it. "Hallelujah, for the LORD God, Omnipotent reigneth . . . the kingdom of our God and of His Christ . . . and He shall reign forever and ever."

Snotty, The Secret Weapon

[This is a true, funny story about animals that has nothing to do with Theology, Bible Study, Counseling, or Christian Living. I wrote it as an e-mail to my wife before we were married, and she asked me to post it. So here it is . . . a cat and mouse tale. No pun intended.]

One night, I was sitting in my room watching a movie, when I saw a mouse just run out in the middle of the floor and then run behind the bed. Determined not to let this one get away, I stuffed a blanket under the door and ran outside to find my secret weapon--the snot-nosed cat. Actually, there are three cats that keep constant vigil on our doorstep with snotty noses because I guess they have sinus infections. We don't really have names for them, but this one is the snottiest nose of all. Some of the kids call this cat Tetris. I really don't know why. She didn't come in pieces, and there is nothing rectangular about her.

After a few minutes of frantic searching, I found Snotty the cat in the doghouse. By the way, she is the one who bit my nose and whose tooth went up my nostril. I took her into my room, and I started moving furniture, while she peered around every corner. We had this mysterious connection going on. It was as if she knew exactly what I was doing. Every time I would move something, she would walk behind it to inspect. At different times each of us accidentally got stuck to the same glue mousetrap that I had laid down so we both lost a few hairs during our search, but neither of us ever felt our lives were in serious danger. There is a hole in the floor under my bed, and I wanted to make sure the mouse did not escape through it so when we searched under the bed, I took a bowl I had just eaten macaroni and cheese out of and turned it over upside down and placed it over the hole.

Snotty and I continued our search until every piece of furniture was moved and nothing was left on the floor in the closet or under the bed, but still no mouse. I decided to pick up the bowl so I could wash it, but what happened in the next instant was quite a surprise. When I lifted the bowl, a mouse ran out. Apparently, the mouse had run down the hole before I had covered it up with the bowl. The bowl still had cheese stuck to the inside so when I put the bowl down, the mouse came back up the hole to eat the cheese. When I finally lifted the bowl, the mouse darted back and forth a couple of times and then a paw sprung out from underneath the bed, and that was the end . . . well, at least close enough. A few more games of cat and mouse yet to play, but Snotty had detained the troublesome mouse, which was now only a few moments away from its last breath. Once the cruel torment of the prisoner was concluded, I took Snotty and the body of her victim, which I carried by the tail using toilet paper to avoid contact, outside. I first set Snotty down on the porch. Then I presented her with her trophy, which she probably did not eat because she had already eaten enough of the Marshall's dog food. Oh well, at least now we can all sleep better at night thanks to Snotty. I think she earned a tissue. Achoo!

A Flawed Ruler and A Sovereign God: What Christians in America Can Learn from the Story of Saul in 1 Samuel 9-10

Chapter 17 - A Practical Study of 1 Samuel - 1 Samuel 8

1. Sometimes God gives sinful people the kind of ruler they want in order to demonstrate to them the disastrous end to which such a ruler will bring them.

As the old adage goes, "Be careful what you ask for!" In the case of Saul, God gave the people a man with great stature and small character. Although Saul was head and shoulders above the rest of the people, the flaws in his character were apparent even before he became the king. First, he was careless in failing to inform his father of his whereabouts when searching for his donkeys. Second, he seemed to have little regard for God or His prophet in that he himself did not think to consult the prophet Samuel to find his lost donkeys. His servant suggested consulting the man of God. Saul did not even seem to know anything about Samuel. Third, he showed ignorance and poor judgment by seeking to pay a prophet of God (The Reformation Study Bible, 389). Fourth, when Saul prophesied, the people who had formerly known Saul were startled. Perhaps they were startled to see him among the prophets because his character had not been such as was fitting for a prophet of God. However, the reason for their astonishment is not clear.

Finally, Saul displayed a cowardly reluctance to be king on three occasions: 1) When Samuel first suggested that he be king, Saul claimed that he was from the least important family in the tribe of Benjamin when he was a descendent of a "mighty man of power;" 2) When his uncle questioned him about what Samuel told him, and he left out all information about becoming the king; and 3) When the people were looking for him after Samuel announced that he would be the king and the LORD revealed that he was "hidden among the equipment." The last two occasions were even after the LORD had demonstrated to Saul that He had chosen him through three signs of fulfilled prophecy. Thus by cowardly reluctance, Saul revealed a lack of faith and confidence in the LORD even after the LORD had clearly demonstrated His omniscience, His purpose, and His power.

Saul, however, was the kind of king the people wanted--a king that was impressive to look upon, who would stand out in a crowd--a king that would make them like all the surrounding nations, who would judge them and would stand out in front and lead them into battle. They wanted a king to make them prosperous and secure, but not necessarily a righteous and godly king who would lead them in worshipping and obeying the LORD.

Isn't this the kind of President that America wants--a man who is charismatic and eloquent and who promises security and prosperity for our nation? Elect me and I will protect you from terrorists. Elect me and I will fix the economy and provide more jobs. But what about character? Every time moral character is brought up or questioned in an election, those who bring it up are accused of mud slinging and told to get back to the real issues. Most Americans, including many professed Christians, don't care anymore whether a President cheats on his wife, lies, supports the murder of innocent babies through abortion, endorses homosexual marriage, or worships a false god. They do not understand that true and lasting security and prosperity belong to those who trust in the LORD and obey His commandments. God blesses a nation whose God is the LORD. Furthermore, many Americans like many of the Israelites in the days of Samuel and Saul do not want a ruler who submits to God's commandments because they themselves do not want to submit to God's commandments, and, therefore, they don't want a ruler who will hold them accountable to God's standards.

Review and Reflect

Why was Saul the kind of king that Israel wanted? What were some of Saul's flaws?

What kind of president do most people in America want today? Is this the kind of president that Americans should be looking for? Why or why not?

2. Although God appoints flawed and sinful human rulers, He remains in control. He remains the King of Kings.

Even as Saul is becoming the king of Israel, we see in these two chapters, a God, who is planning and orchestrating everything. God chooses Saul to be king. He reveals this to His prophet Samuel. He uses lost donkeys to bring and the advice of a servant to bring Saul to Samuel. He tells Samuel various signs he is going to perform, and then brings these signs to pass by preparing two men to prophesy to Samuel, preparing three men to give him goats, bread, and wine, and a preparing group of prophets to meet him with instruments, prophesying. His Spirit comes upon Saul and causes Saul to prophesy. Then when Saul is hiding because he is reluctant to be king, it is the LORD who reveals his whereabouts.

We must remember that even when flawed, wicked men are elected to government, God remains in control. They are in power because he has chosen and appointed them to rule. God's people can trust him even when wicked and oppressive governments rule over them.

Review and Reflect

In what ways do we see God ruling over Saul's appointment as king?

Does God control who is elected to office in our country? See Romans 13:1-7.

Is God still ruling over sinful rulers in the world today? See Proverbs 21:1.

3. God plans the future, and, therefore, He knows the future.

God basically told Samuel everything He was going to do and then did it. He knew what was going to happen because He was making it happen. He caused Saul's donkeys to be lost, brought Saul to Samuel, and then brought various signs to pass after revealing them to Samuel. God knew that Saul would be he king because He chose him to be the king. Then He carried out His plan and made Saul the king of Israel.

God will not be surprised by the results of the next election because regardless of the results, He remains in control. He already knows the outcome because He has decided it. This does not negate our responsibility to fight injustice by seeking to elect a candidate that fears God and honors His commandments, but it does give us assurance that even if a wicked man is elected President, this man cannot thwart the sovereign and perfect plan of God.

Review and Reflect

In what ways does the story of Saul demonstrate that God knows and plans the future?

How can this truth that God knows and plans the future encourage believers today? See Romans 8:28.

4. God arranges circumstances and events to reveal His purpose and power to His people so that their faith in Him will grow stronger.

God told Samuel that Saul was coming so that Samuel would know that Saul was to be king, but also so that Saul would know that this was God's plan and that God had everything worked out. Then God demonstrated His plan and His ability to carry out His plan through various signs. These signs were meant to encourage Saul and to give Him confidence that the LORD was with him, and would empower him to be king. Although, Saul remained reluctant, one has to wonder how cowardly he would have been were it not for the signs that God used to encourage him. Saul is eventually courageous enough to lead the Israelites to victory in battle. Samuel and the people of Israel were also encouraged through the clear presence of God's hand in Saul's appointment as king.

When believers look at history, we see God's wisdom in appointing certain men to leadership. When reflecting on our pasts, we see His wisdom in bringing certain things to pass in our lives though at the time we might not have understood the good in what He was doing. Sometimes He even shows us in the present that He is working all things together for our good.

Review and Reflect

How did God arrange circumstances and events to reveal His purpose and His power to a) Saul, b) Samuel, and c) others in the story?

How has God revealed His purpose and His power to you through circumstances and events in your life?

SOURCES CONSULTED

Keil, C. F. and F. Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament in Ten Volumes, Vol. II: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I & II Samuel. trans. Martin, James. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1988.

Sproul, R.C. et al., The Reformation Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995.

You Shouldn't Let A Fly Come Between You: A Story of Restoration and the Lesson of Forgiveness

Chapter 1 - Christian Forgiveness

The Story

[This is a true story, but the names of the students in this story have been changed so that none of these events can be traced back to them. Some of the dialogue has also been slightly changed for artistic purposes.]

One day, while working at Salem Ranch, I walked from the school building to Clinton Cottage, where the students lived, to talk with one of the students that I was counseling. On my way there, I ran into Jeffrey, another student, who was skateboarding in the cul-de-sac in front of the cottage. Jeffrey promptly asked me if he would be allowed to move into a different room.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I'm tired of Thomas playing rude jokes on me, and I don't want to be his roommate any more," said Jeffrey.

"But Thomas is your friend. What happened?"

"Thomas put a fly in my mouth, and I swallowed it."

"Well, you shouldn't let a fly come between you and Thomas. You're a good friend to Thomas, and Thomas is a good friend to you. You need to talk with him and work this out."

"Okay, but can I move into a different room?"

"Absolutely not!" I said.

Jeffrey frowned.

I continued, "Not until you make an effort to make this right with Thomas. Thomas is a good friend. He needs you, and you need him, and you shouldn't let a fly come between you." I left Jeffrey and walked inside, where I saw Thomas sitting on the couch.

"Thomas, I need to talk with you. Let's go outside," I said. Thomas got up and followed me through the dining room to the sliding glass door. I opened the door, and we stepped outside onto the back porch.

"Thomas, Jeffrey is upset with you. I heard you put a fly in his mouth."

"I did not put a fly in his mouth."

"He said you did."

"I did not put a fly in his mouth."

"What happened? Why does he want to move into a different room?"

"Derek was holding his hands over Jeffrey's eyes. I walked up and put my hand up under his chin like this." Thomas demonstrated what he had done. "He said I put a fly in his mouth," said Thomas.

"Thomas, you shouldn't let a fly come between you and Jeffrey. You're a good friend to Jeffrey, and Jeffrey is a good friend to you. If he thinks you put a fly in his mouth, I would say something like this: 'Jeffrey, I was not aware of putting a fly in your mouth, but if I did, I'm sorry.' You need to work this out with Jeffrey.

"Okay," said Thomas, "But I think Jeffrey lied to get me into trouble."

"Okay, Thomas. Come with me."

Thomas followed me back inside, through the dining room, through the living room and back out the front door. Jeffrey was still skating in the cul-de-sac.

"Come with us, Jeffrey," I said.

Jeffrey followed me across the parking lot on his skateboard. Thomas followed behind on a strange skateboard with only two wheels. We walked inside the school building, down the hallway, past the bathrooms, and into the family meeting room. Brent, the executive director was in his adjoining office, and his door was opened. I asked him if I could shut his door while Jeffrey, Thomas, and I talked privately. He agreed, and the three of us sat down in nice sofa chairs around a small, round coffee table. Jeffrey was on my right, and Thomas was seated directly in front of me. I looked at Thomas, and I looked at Jeffrey.

"When men have a problem, they talk and work it out," I said. "They don't say, 'I don't want to be around you anymore,' like immature little girls. So let's talk about this 'cause you shouldn't let a fly come between you. Jeffrey, why are you upset with Thomas?"

"Because he put a fly in my mouth."

"I did not put a fly in your mouth," said Thomas.

"Jeffrey, how do you know Thomas put a fly in your mouth?" I said. Did you see him do it?"

"No, but Derek said he did, and I felt something go down my throat, and I swallowed it."

I suddenly began singing, "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly. I don't know why she swallowed a fly. I guess she'll die."

Jeffrey recognized the words to the popular old children's song and started laughing. I continued, "There was an old lady who swallowed a spider. It wriggled, and wiggled, and tickled inside her. She swallowed the spider to catch the fly, but I don't know why she swallowed the fly. I guess she'll die."

Jeffrey laughed and even Thomas seemed intrigued by the silly old song though he was not familiar with it.

"Jeffrey, has Thomas ever lied to you before?" I asked.

"No."

"Has Thomas ever done mean things to you before?"

"No."

"Has Derek ever lied to you before?"

"Yes."

"Has Derek ever done mean things to you before?"

"Yes."

"Why would Thomas lie to you now? And why would you believe Derek's word over Thomas's when Thomas has never lied to you and Derek has? You are a good friend to Thomas, and Thomas is a good friend to you, and you shouldn't let a fly come between you."

"But I felt it go down my throat."

"Are you sure it wasn't Derek?"

"Derek had both of his hands over my eyes. He couldn't have put it in my mouth."

"Are you sure it wasn't someone else?"

"No one else was around."

"How do you know it was a fly and not something else?"

"Thomas was catching flies, and Derek said he put a fly in my mouth."

"I was catching flies earlier, but I did not put a fly in your mouth," said Thomas.

"Well maybe it wasn't a fly," I said. "Did you put something else in Jeffrey's mouth, Thomas?"

"I did not put anything in Jeffrey's mouth."

"Well maybe something fell from the ceiling, or maybe someone spit something in your mouth, Jeffrey. Whatever happened, you shouldn't let a fly come between you," I replied.

"Thomas was catching flies. He touched me, and something went into my mouth, and I swallowed it. And Derek said that Thomas put a fly in my mouth," said Jeffrey.

"Thomas, did you put a fly in Jeffrey's mouth?" I asked.

"I did not put a fly in his mouth."

"Did you put anything in his mouth."

"I did not put anything in his mouth."

"Well, Thomas, I would apologize if I were you because you are a good friend to Jeffrey and Jeffrey is a good friend to you. You need him, and he needs you, and you shouldn't let a fly come between you."

"Jeffrey, I am sorry if I put a fly in your mouth," said Thomas.

"That's okay, Thomas," said Jeffrey.

We left the family meeting room, and Jeffrey and Thomas followed me down the hallway, past the bathrooms, and back outside. We walked across the parking lot into the cul-de-sac, and there I saw Derek shooting the basketball into one of the two basketball goals in the cul-de-sac. Derek turned around and greeted me as I approached. Thomas and Jeffrey continued to skate while I spoke with Derek.

"Are you causing trouble between Jeffrey and Thomas?"

"No," Derek replied.

"Did you tell Jeffrey that Thomas put a fly in his mouth?"

"No, I didn't."

"Jeffrey said that you did."

Derek turned toward Jeffrey, who was skating several yards away, and yelled, "Jeffrey that's bologna! I didn't tell you that Thomas put a fly in your mouth! Leave me out of it, and keep your mouth shut!"

Jeffrey walked over. "You said in the hallway that Thomas put a fly in my mouth."

"That's because you said it first. You're the one who said he put the fly in your mouth."
Jeffrey walked away.

"Derek, did you see Thomas put a fly in Jeffrey's mouth?" I asked.

"Thomas was catching flies. Then he walked up to Jeffrey and put his hand close to his mouth."

Thomas walked up. "I did not put a fly in his mouth."

"No, wait!" Derek replied. "He put his hand under Jeffrey's chin like this." Derek demonstrated what Thomas had done--the very thing that Thomas himself had said he had done when I first spoke with him.

"Derek, did you see a fly in Thomas' hand?" I asked.

"No."

"Did you see a fly go into Jeffrey's mouth?"

"No."

"Tell Jeffrey what you just said!" I instructed. "Hey Jeffrey come here!" I yelled.

Jeffrey walked up.

"Derek, did you see a fly in Thomas' hand?" I asked.

"No."

"Did you see a fly go into Jeffrey's mouth?"

"No, Thomas put his hand under Jeffrey's chin like this." Derek again demonstrated what Thomas had done so that Jeffrey could see.

I looked at Jeffrey and Thomas. "See guys. Don't let a fly come between you!"

Everyone seemed content to leave it at that, but as far as Jeffrey goes, "I don't know why he swallowed that fly. I guess he'll die."

The Lesson

Letting a fly ruin a friendship might seems ridiculous to adults, but how often do we hold grudges over things that do not amount to anything more than a fly? "Flies" are known to separate the best of friends. Anger and bitterness can easily find their way into our hearts over trifling matters and can quickly take root and grow in us. Paul described unresolved anger as a place or territory we give to the devil from which he can gain ground in our lives (Ephesians 4:27). To prevent this from happening, we must confront anger and the seeds of bitterness in our hearts on a daily basis. This need to tackle anger promptly before it gets out of hand is the reason Paul says in Ephesians 4:26, "Do not let the sun go down on your wrath" (NKJV). Furthermore, this is why Jesus included "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:12). While we are praying daily, asking the Father to forgive our sins, we should be reminded to consider whether we have forgiven others, as we should.

The Bible On Human Government: Principles Drawn from 1 Samuel 8 and Other Scriptures

Chapter 17 - A Practical Study of 1 Samuel - 1 Samuel 8

1. The LORD is the King of the whole earth and of all the nations in the earth. All people are subject to His law and commandments (Zechariah 14:9; Psalm 2; 24:1, 7-10; 93:1-2, 5; 45:6; Jeremiah 10:7; Revelation 1:5-6; 19:16; 15:3-4; Malachi 1:14; Daniel 4:37; 1 Timothy 1:17; 2:5-6; Romans 1:18-20; 2:14-15; 3:19, 29-30.

2. Human government is appointed by God to reward the good and punish the evil; therefore, we should obey our government's laws and pay taxes (Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26).

3. Human government is necessary only because people are evil. They fail to acknowledge God as King. Neither do they obey His commands, nor submit to His law (1 Samuel 8:6-9; 10:17-19; Judges 17:6; 21:25; 2:19; 18:1; 19:1; Genesis 9:5-6).

4. The worse the people are, the more human government is needed (Romans 13:3-4; Exodus 18:13-26; Genesis 9:5-6).

5. Although human government is not inherently or necessarily evil, having a human government is a "necessary evil" because human government has a tendency to become corrupt and oppressive. It has this tendency because it is made up of sinful men (1 Timothy 2:1-4; 1 Samuel 8:10-18; 13:13-14; 15:10-11, 23; 2 Samuel 11; 1 Kings 11:11; 12:13-14; 15:3, 26, 34; 16:13, 19, 25-26, 30; 22:52-53; 2 Kings 8:18, 27; 13:2; 11; 14:24; 15:18, 24, 28; 16:2-4; 17:2; 21:2, 20; 23:32, 37; 24:9, 19).

6. When the commands of a corrupt human government contradict the commandments of God given in the Scriptures, we should obey God's commandments and disobey the contradictory human commands (Acts 4:18-20; 5:27-29; Joshua 2:3-4; Hebrews 11:31; Esther 4:11, 16).

7. People often turn to human government for security and prosperity when they should turn to the LORD for these things (1 Samuel 8:4-5, 7-8, 19-20; Isaiah 31:1; Deuteronomy 28; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 20:7; 33:16-22; 37; Proverbs 21:31; Deuteronomy 20:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3).

8. In times of turmoil, people are willing to give up their liberties to government in exchange for security and prosperity, but security and prosperity can come at a high cost--the loss of liberty (1 Samuel 8:10-20; Genesis 47:4, 15-25; Exodus 1:8-22).

9. People need protection and deliverance from corrupt government, which takes away their liberties and enslaves them (1 Samuel 8:10-18; Exodus 1:8-22; 3:7-10; Judges 2:18-19).