The Cedars of Lebanon

Cedar of Lebanon

'The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The Lord is upright; He is my rock and there is no wickedness in him." ' Psalms 92:12-15

The Cedar of Lebanon is a strong tree with deep roots and extensive foliage. The wood is durable, gives out a strong pleasant aroma and is much sought after for timber since ancient times. The Bible described the cedars as strong and durable (Isaiah 9:10), graceful and beautiful (Psalms 80:10), high and tall (Amos 2:9), and fragrant (Song of Songs 4:11).

Its aromatic wood is used for buildings, notably the temple of Solomon and the palaces of King David and King Solomon.

The Bible said that this cedar tree is planted by God.

'The trees of the Lord are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon which He planted.' Psalms 104:16

The cedars of Lebanon has been used as a metaphor for growing old gracefully. Indeed the Pasir Panjang Hill Brethren Church's senior generation ministry used Psalms 92:12-15 to describe their group. These verses tell of longevity and vitality in old age. 

Many of us take this to be promises of strong physical health. Yet the reality is that as we grow old, our bodies become frail and disease set in. Our bodies weaken and we are no longer as strong as we used to be. 

While it is true that the Lord will remain our strength and shield in old age, I learned that the descriptive qualities of the Cedars of Lebanon refers to our spiritual selves; more so than our physical bodies. 

How will we prosper in old age? The elder generations will possess and show the following attributes: 

• Abiding Witness and Testimony. The righteous man and woman will be like the cedars with abundant foliage and spreading branches. They will flourish in the courts of the Lord, witnesses of Jesus Christ.

'Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night.' Psalm 1:1-2

• Firmly Planted Faith. The roots of the cedars run very deep underground. These roots sustain the formidable tall tree. Deep roots represent deep faith, unshakeable and immovable. 

'So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing that you do for the Lord is ever useless.' 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT)

•  Abundant Fruitfulness. In the silver years, the lives and testimony of faithful elders will bear much fruit and yield good results.

 'That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit is season and whose leaf does not wither - what ever they do prospers.' Psalm 1:3

And so the Cedars of Lebanon bear witness to our spiritual strength and fortitude in old age. God himself planted and continue to tend us.

'This is what the Sovereign Lord says, "I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel, I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shades of its branches." ' Ezekiel 17:22-23 

Psalm 1 extols the man that the Lord plants. Blessed is the man. 

Blessed is the man

The man who does not walk

In the counsel of the wicked

Blessed is that man

He who rejects the way

Rejects the way of sin

And who turns away from scoffing

Blessed is that man

But his delight by day and night

Is the law of God almighty

He is like a tree

A tree that flourishes

Being planted by the water

Blessed is that man

He will bring forth fruit

His leaf will wither not

For in all he does he prospers

Blessed is the man

The wicked are not so

For they are like the chaff

Which the wind blows clean away

The wicked are not so

The wicked will not stand

On the judgement day

Nor belong to God's people

The wicked will not stand

But God knows the way

Of righteous man

And ungodly ways will perish

Lionel

Facing God

Facing God

'Then if my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.' 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT)

How many of us dare to face God? On the day of reckoning, many of us will have tremendous trepidation even fear when we have to stand before God. What will be our attitude? What posture can we take? 

Some of us have entered into the presence of God through prayer, some through meditation and others through our interaction with nature and creation. Almost all of us do so with genuine humility and contrition. However in the three chapters of the Book of Habakkuk we see a dialogue between a prophet, a holy man, with God in a confrontational manner with some air of defiance. Habakkuk questioned God.

'How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?

Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save?

Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds." Habakkuk 1:2-3

There is much anxiety and perplexity in Habakkuk crying out, overwhelmed by unanswered questions. He was living in Jerusalem at the end of the 7th Century BC in an age of moral decline and spiritual decline. There was an impending doom as the Babylonians' conquest of Israel and the sacking of Jerusalem was imminent. Yet God seemed remote and did not take any action. Habakkuk complained, "Why aren't you intervening, God?"

This 'to your face' dialogue went on over the two chapters with God delivering a series of woes and rebukes. Finally Habakkuk changed his tone and learnt to keep silent in the presence of God.

'The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silent before him.' Habakkuk 2:20

Jonathan Lamb in his 30-day devotional on Habakkuk wrote 'The word silent is onomatopoetic in Hebrew, like our word, hush: be silent, stop all the arguments, all the arrogant assertions of human power, the efforts of human glory, the petty ambitions. It is a call for reverence, because the one who is speaking is the Lord of the Universe.' (Ref 1) 

When we face God, stand in His presence, do we realise that we are facing the God of the Universe? 

In a sermon on 19 Feb 2023, Rev Peace Choi of Charis Methodist Church made 3 points on Habakkuk's final humility in relating to God even in the face of impending doom and disaster. There was a change of tone in Habakkuk's approach; this time a more humble approach to God, not confrontational. When we face difficulties, perplexities and problems,  

• Plea for God's mercy, be humble enough to plea for God's help.
• Recollect God's goodness

'Lord, I have heard to your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.' Habakkuk 3:1-2

'But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from His sanctuary, my cry to Him reached His ears.' Psalm 18:6 

• Proclaim God's greatness
• Recollect God's glory, what He has done in your life.

'His glory covered the heavens and His praise filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise. He stood and shook the earth; He looked and made the nations tremble.' Habakkuk 3:3a,4 and 6a 

• Pledge to God's praise
• Recollect God's provision

'Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my saviour. The sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights.' Habakkuk 3:18-19

In the face of God, a penitent Habakkuk accepted that the will of God will prevail,

'Though the fig-tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the sheepfold and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.' Habakkuk 3:17-18

How do we face God? When we face life's uncertainties, when everything is stripped away, can we respond to God with a prayerful expectancy? This prayer-hymn, 'If My People Will Pray' composed Jimmy and Carol Owens will help. 

If My people

which are called by My name
shall humble themselves,
shall humble themselves
and pray.

If My people
which are called by My name
shall seek My face
and turn from their wicked ways

Then will I hear from heaven
then will I hear from heaven,
Then will I hear
and will forgive
forgive their sin.

If My people
which are called by My name
shall humble themselves,
shall humble themselves
and pray.

I will forgive their sin,
I will forgive their sin,
I will forgive their sin,
and heal their land.

Lionel

Ref 1: Jonathan Lamb with Elizabeth McQuoid, 30 Day Devotional - Habakkuk Inter-Varsity Press, 2018

How Wise Was Solomon?

Solomon's Court

 

'So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: walk in obedience to Him and keep His decrees and commands, His laws and regulations...' 1 King 2:2-3

The wisdom of King Solomon was dramatically evident by the judgement he made on the custody of a child disputed by two mothers. It is a well-known account of sound judgement found in the Bible in 1 King 3:16-28. 

Two women living in the same house gave birth to a child each but one died soon after. The two mothers claimed the living baby as their own, resulting in a child custody dispute brought before the king. Solomon called for the living child to be cut into two giving each half to the mothers. The false claimant did not contest the verdict agreeing that if she could not have the baby then no other person should. In contrast the true mother, protested against this action and asked for the child to be kept alive and be given to the other woman. The King declared her to be the true mother because she was prepared to give up her claim if it meant that the child could be kept alive.    

This was a moment of profound wisdom that marveled many and became an epitome of sound judgement. That wisdom came from God. Early in King Solomon's reign, God asked the King what he wanted and Solomon replied,  

'Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?' 2 Chronicles 1:10

God answered, 

"Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you." 2 Chronicles 1:11-12a

It was a brilliant and unselfish request from Solomon, so much so that God promised Solomon great wealth and prestige along with wisdom. 

"And I will give you wealth, possessions and honour, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have." 2 Chronicles 1:12b  

Under Solomon's wise leadership Israel reached its zenith but it all went wrong subsequently. The strong united kingdom broke into two under Solomon's successors, decayed until the Jews were driven from their land first by the Assyrians (733 BC) later by the Babylonians (598 BC). Finally, in AD 70 with the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple by Rome, the remnant Jews were scattered. The State of Israel ceased to exist until 1948 when it was established after the British Mandate of Palestine.

Why did Solomon self-destruct? Kevin and Lynette Teo (Ref 1) in analysing 1 King 11:1-11 gave the reasons

• Distraction. Solomon had many wives and concubines, nearly 1000 in all, many of them foreigners. It was recorded that these wives led Solomon astray. 

'As Solomon's grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.' 1 King 11:4

• Disobedience. Solomon was disobedient in having many foreign wives and of worshipping other gods and idols. He built places of worship to these other gods causing God to be angry with him

 'Although He had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord's command.' 1 King 11:10

• Drift. In time, Solomon drifted and turned away from God. His beliefs and faith became nominal and compromised.

'So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done.' 1 King 11:6

• Decline. Solomon's relationship with God went downhill. It is not only in his actions but in his attitude too. Thus the kingdom that was established by his father King David went into a tailspin decline.

'So the Lord said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinate." ' 1 King 11:11

Kevin and Lynette put it plainly and bluntly, "The wisest man on earth became the greatest fool."

What about us? The Christian Life begins with Salvation but it should continue to Sanctification. Like Solomon we can start off well but many falter in a continuing journey to righteousness by being distracted and disobedient. To avoid the pitfalls of a compromised Christian Life, let us wisely learn from the Solomon blunder.

The journey of sanctification requires a undivided devotion for God as the hymn 'Be Thou My Vision' articulates. Notice how Kristyn Getty sang with much prayerfulness. Isn't this like the prayer of Solomon at the start of his reign?

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art

Thou my best thought, by day or by night

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord

Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son

Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one

Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise

Thou mine inheritance, now and always

Thou and Thou only first in my heart

High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art

High King of heaven, my victory won

May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall

Still be my vision, O ruler of all

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall

Still be my vision, O ruler of all

   

Lionel

Ref1: Kevin and Lynette Teo, Passion with Purpose: A weekly devotional 38.2 2023/6

The Hand On The Plough

'No man, having put his hand on the plough, and looking back is fit for the Kingdom of God.' Luke 9:62

Jesus was speaking about commitment when he made this 'hand on the plough' comment. He was teaching the disciples to follow him unconditionally. There should also be the element of sacrifice. Just prior to this comment, there were several followers who upon being invited to follow Jesus made specific requirements and conditions; clear indications that they were unprepared to surrender their prior lives.

Luke Chapter 9 recorded that Jesus specifically laid down the conditions to become disciples. 

• Be Serious   Discipleship is a serious matter. It is not to be taken frivolously. There are to be no half measures. We cannot place conditions to following Jesus, it is an all or none decision.

'Then He said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake will save it." ' Luke 9:23-24

Jesus warned, 

"Foxes have dens and birds have nests but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head." Luke 9:58  

• Surrender All.  There must be complete surrender to Jesus Christ, complete obedience and a willingness to part with all ambitions and aspirations including all our possessions.

 "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?" Luke 9:25

• Be Sanctified   Our lives will be set apart and we begin the journey to holiness. We are called to be a living sacrifice; complete, consecrated and clean. 

'Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship.' Romans 12:1

"Total commitment is the only rational course to take when you really see who God is. Nothing else makes any sense. Halfway commitment is irrational. To decide to give part of your life to God and keep other parts for yourself—to say “Everything is yours, Lord, BUT this relationship, this business deal, this pleasure”—is beyond spiritual logic." - Kent Hughes

For many of us, total commitment is a very difficult choice to make. So many Christians remained nominal and non-committed. It is not an easy thing to surrender our lives to Jesus, we are afraid to lose control.

In 1896, John W DeVenter wrote 'I surrender All.' He struggled to give up control of his life, and wrote:

“For some time, I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life. I became an evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord, He caused me to sing.” 

All to Jesus I surrender,

1. All to Him I freely give;
   I will ever love and trust Him,
   In His presence daily live.
   • Refrain:
     I surrender all,
     I surrender all;
     All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
     I surrender all.
2. All to Jesus I surrender,
   Humbly at His feet I bow;
   Worldly pleasures all forsaken,
   Take me, Jesus, take me now.
3. All to Jesus I surrender,
   Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
   Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
   Truly know that Thou art mine.
4. All to Jesus I surrender,
   Lord, I give myself to Thee;
   Fill me with Thy love and power,
   Let Thy blessing fall on me.
5. All to Jesus I surrender,
   Now I feel the sacred flame;
   Oh, the joy of full salvation!
   Glory, glory, to His Name!

Lionel

Ref: Keith Gambill, Totally Committed to Christ and My Church, Faithlife Sermons.

https://sermons.faithlife.com/sermons/231063-totally-committed-to-christ-and-my-church