Recently the journey explored the tragedy of Israel’s failings in keeping a faithful covenant relationship with God. That failing expressed throughout their history from their wilderness experiences, to their early years in the Promised Land even to the age of the kings and the return of the people from exile.
It was not relayed to suggest that this is just their problem. We are given these writings to instruct and warn us. Christian history is just as littered with episodes where those who are supposed to be the called out ones shining the light of the King compromise their status for money, for status, for prestige and for a bid to wield power that is state sponsored. Just as the children of Israel compromised and corrupted the old covenant relationship, so there have been tragic episodes from those who profess to be of the new covenant.
We also consider the challenges today on a personal and communal level. When we come to faith in Jesus Christ there are so many helpful resources and support systems as we embark on our journey. Yet sometimes, as well as those systems and resources, we come into the relationship with crutches. Maybe in the area of relationships, possibly in the matter of finances, could be on the topic of employment and a variety of other issues, we have developed coping mechanisms and fall-back routines that have helped us navigate and tolerate challenging circumstances. What those mechanisms and routines have in common, however, is self-reliance or trusting in other people or things, rather than primarily trusting God. Some may appear innocuous and harmless on the surface to some, but when explored further in the light of the love of Jesus, it becomes clear that relying on that mechanism, that routine, that person, that hobby, that pastime is what we have placed our trust in, it’s leaning on our own understanding. It is an alliance we have developed and a treaty we signed off on that now threatens the faithful covenant relationship God extends to us in Jesus Christ.
God works in times and seasons in our relationship. We can have those moments of euphoria beginning to get to get grips with the love that’s so amazing and so divine that sent Jesus to live and to die for us to have a right relationship with God. We can be thrilled and excited at experiencing the promise of the Holy Spirit leading and directing us on the paths of righteousness. Yet there are also seasons in which the light of God shines on those crutches – those alliances. As it shines on them, so we are brought to a startling reality that we have a choice to make where what matters is concerned. We will not be able to make further progress in the relationship unless we acknowledge both what the light is shining on for us to deal with, as well as what else the light shows …
The point of the light is reveal Jesus. Our eyes are to acknowledge and appreciate Jesus through His word and how who He is should shape what matters to us. That faith and trust in Him should lead to that place where we trust Him to help us as we take the step of cutting the ties. Ending the treaties. Breaking off the alliances that threaten our faithful covenant relationship. Let’s be clear – God remains faithful even when we are faithless. But that is not an excuse to entertain sin, accommodate those things that grieve Him and to endeavour to have it both ways – tolerate the compromising factors we hold and imply we still love Jesus. As we look at who He is and hear what He says about us in the light of who He is, so that light should help us to put away those things that do not bring honour to Him.
The sadness of Solomon is how he allowed others to draw his heart away from God. For us to make progress in our own journey with Jesus we have to recognise the signs of God pointing out to us what can draw our hearts away from Him. Whether before we come to know Him, or even as we grow in knowing Him, we need to be aware of those treaties and alliances that can threaten the relationship we have with Jesus.
We need to be aware of them and cut the ties so we can progress to even greater intimacy with the one who sets us free to be all that we were created to be.
(Photo by Jackson David on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 