“Do not forget to entertain strangers…Remember the prisoners as if chained with them.” Heb 13:2-3

The Church of Jesus Christ has always stood head and shoulders above every other institution as excelling in generosity. From its infancy when believers sold their possessions to assure that not a single member of their community would be in need, to the present when this year the American church will donate a whopping $150 Billion, Christians have always been hilarious givers. It’s no wonder. Those who are bighearted have discovered a hidden source of joy—God says He loves those who love to give (2 Cor 9:7).

It’s not just about dollars either. Our benevolence is expressed in so many ways. A disciple named Judas (Act 9:11) opened his home on Straight St in Damascus to the very man who was en route from Jerusalem to drag him and fellow believers ruthlessly to prison. Yet another, saved only a few hours, harbored and nursed bloodied Paul and fellow prisoners at his home in the middle of the night, then served them all a meal. As the guard of the prison, he knew it could cost him his life. He did it anyway (Act 16:33-34).

Jason was a new believer of not more than a few weeks when he sheltered Paul in his home even as the authorities were seeking to brutally arrest him for preaching the gospel (Act 17:5-9). When they did not find Paul, Jason faced the brunt of an angry mob and vile authorities in his place. He knew the risks! Heb 10:32-34 affirms this attitude was common, stating that the early Christians had their properties plundered because they stood in solidarity with those who were being cruelly persecuted for Christ. Scripture says they accepted mistreatment joyfully. Wow!

These virtuous displays have continued to the present. Far and away, Christian charities are the world’s most generous and active, serving people indiscriminately from all faith backgrounds and irrespective of political affiliation or race. My daughter Anna and her husband Nate (both doctors) are soon bringing four of their kids to Egypt for five weeks to volunteer at a medical mission there. Many of us have done similar things, and count these times among the most cherished of all our life’s experiences.

Christians’ response to the Sichuan earthquake in 2008 was so impactful (many stayed for months—even years—others typically lingered for days), that the Communist mayor of Chengdu gathered dozens of House Church leaders to recognize their contribution and personally thank them. When the tsunami destroyed huge swaths of Aceh, Indonesia and other regions in 2004, again, the altruism and roll-up-your-sleeves approach of the Christians from around the world far outshone all other agencies, and brought great honor to the Name of Christ.

Beloved, when we are filled with the Spirit of God, we are instantly and forever transformed. The Father’s heart in us begins to compel us to selfless acts of kindness. It is not just what we are supposed to do; it is who we are! We discover faith in Jesus is so much more than a bunch of slogans or lofty ideals. By nature —and fanned into flame as we consider the nail-scarred Savior’s sacrifice for us—we embody the code that it is truly more blessed to give than to receive (Act 20:35).

At His bidding, we open our wallets, our hands, and our homes. When called upon, we go to the ends of the earth, or lay down our lives. We’re not perfect (yet!), but by any standard, the Bride of Christ sure is a beautiful thing to behold.

“I know your works, your labor, your patience…you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for my name’s sake.”  Rev 2:2,3

When Jesus appeared to the Apostle John, before unveiling the mysteries and dramatic parts of what would become the book of Revelation, he first inspected seven churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) to determine their health, then issued instructions and warnings as needed. One of the main things He appraised might surprise us today: He was looking for patience. 

Patience–also translated longsuffering, perseverance, or endurance—is not a priority for us who live in the age of instant gratification. Ours is the time when near limitless information unfolds in milliseconds at the stroke of a key, or touch of an icon. Our forebears toiled long and hard to harvest food for their families. We get a week’s worth of groceries delivered to us “next-day” after a fifteen-minute surf on our favorite supermarket website. In a world of finger-snapping provision, patience can seem rather…old-fashioned. 

And yet, keeping our head’s cool is, according to Jesus, a top-tier requirement for us as at the sunset of history. It was in this context He spelled out specifically, “He who endures to the end shall be saved” (Mat 24:13) and “By your patience possess your souls” (Luk 21:19). James also reemphasizes the call to not get scuttled by restlessness: “Be patient, until the coming of the Lord…establish your hearts…do not grumble…the Judge is standing at the door!” (Jam 5:7-9).

Thank God patience is not simply a product of our best white-knuckled efforts. We are filled with the Holy Spirit! Patience is one of the precious fruits the Spirit has so richly deposited in us, “against which there is no law” (Gal 5:22-23). This essentially means that while all men are capable of cultivating a measure of patience through discipline, by His Spirit, we are empowered to excel in endurance–to manifest a qualitative and distinctly higher standard of patience in the face of every manner of hardship and circumstance than those who have not the Christ. As we abide in Him and take our daily doses of life-enriching Word, it’s natural for the Life that’s in the Vine to infuse our branches with plump grapes of patience by which the Father is most marvelously glorified (Jn 15:5-8). Expect it. 

For those who serve the Lord, the bar is raised even higher. Consider that Moses was disqualified to enter the Promised Land after one, embarrassing temper tantrum. Consider too that while men look for charisma and fantastic signs and wonders as proof of those we esteem as Apostles, Paul begins his list of “signs of an apostle” in 2 Cor 12:12 with “perseverance”, and affirms the marks of his ministry in 2 Cor 6:4 by stating at the outset: “we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience…” 

The Mighty Pruner still strolls among His vineyard squeezing its grapes. The Judge is approaching the fateful door of history’s climax. And yes, the Great Inspector is again ambling among the lampstands of His people. We now know what He’s looking for. Come on, beloved, let’s make a quality and collective decision today: Days of chaos are upon us. Therefore, let us excel in patience! 

“About that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.” Acts 19:23

Christianity was originally called “the Way” by the people of first century Palestine. Paul had gone to Damascus to find “any who were of the Way” (Acts 9:2). Testifying both to the crowd in Jerusalem, and later to the governor Felix at his trial, Paul referred to Christ’s followers as “the Way” both in public and in official proceedings (Ac 22:4; 24:14,22). It was many years later that “Christian” replaced “the Way” as the common term for followers of Christ.

That the Early Church was called the Way is more than incidental. People witnessed something extraordinary about their lives–the way they walked, the way they served, the way they built community and shared things in common. It was their lifestyles, i.e. their way of life, the values they espoused, by which they were known. It is the natural product of what Jesus had told his disciples at the conclusion of the Last Supper: “By this all will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35).

When people “accept Jesus” or “get saved”, the first thing churches often do today is invite them to study the Bible. Of course, studying the Bible is important, critical even. But if we are not careful, we are communicating a message that says: the most important thing about being a Christian is to become a good student. To be a good Christian, you have to know the right things. The priority is flipped on its head: if we are not careful, it is what we know, not how we act, that is emphasized.

The effect of this approach is subtle and yet conveys a shift away from our roots. The dynamic Church that arose in humble circumstances but soon leavened and ultimately won over the Roman Empire proliferated not only because they convinced non-believers that its beliefs were true; but because their lives—the way they treated each other, or cared for the poor and downtrodden, or honored their bosses and neighbors in speech and action—brought people under conviction. An example of this is Paul’s instruction to slaves in Tit 2:9,10. By their obedient and diligent service, and “not talking back”, they were to “show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good [making] the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.” The NKJV says “adorn the doctrine of God”, from the Greek word “kosmeo” (eg. cosmetic), meaning that it’s our behavior that beautifies what we believe.

Jesus was not so subtle when he told the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:30-37). When a man is mugged and beaten by thieves on the roadside, the priest and the Levite—those who knew and taught the Bible—couldn’t be bothered to help this dying man. They passed by, unperturbed, taking particular care not to become soiled or dishevelled. Perhaps they had an evening sacrifice to attend to, or were hurrying to lead a Bible study about the prophetic signs of the coming Messiah?

Jesus then magnified the way of the common Samaritan. Only he responded with compassion, pouring oil and wine onto this stranger’s wounds, then hefting the grown man’s bloodied body onto his donkey to bring him to the nearest town where he booked a room in an inn and “took care of him” (v. 34).

Jesus looked for fruit, not perfect scores, in His disciples. This means behavior, not ascent to doctrine, was his paramount concern. He emphasized character, not catechisms. He gave them a model–pointing to Himself as the Way–not an instruction manual. This does not mean Jesus did not affirm the jots and tittles of the Law; but people are not meant to live in the foundation of their homes! True faith is manifest in the rooms of where and how we live.

Call me nostalgic, but something deep inside of me would be thrilled if the people of our generation, too, were brought under the conviction of the Holy Spirit because of being enamored and inspired by the quality of our lives. May our lifestyles, our compassion, our vibrant communities of faith, draw those who are confused, lonely, and lost to join us who are joyfully walking…in God’s Way.

“Now let me show you a way of life that is best of all…” 1 Cor 12:31 NLT

I’ve always loved birds. I’ve had canaries, parakeets, chickens, ducks, geese and even an owl as pets. My children have often collected feathers for me because they know how much I appreciate them. Now my grandchildren do it, too.

I take comfort in knowing that many of God’s servants, including King David (Ps 50:11) and even Jesus (Mt 6:26), shared my interest. You see…they were bird lovers, too.

John the Baptist watched in fascination as the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus, “like a dove”. Raised in urban, ancient Egypt, Moses, too, was forever impacted by a bird scene he most likely observed while spending weeks on the mount with God.

“As an eagle stirs up its nest,
Hovers over its young,
Spreading out its wings, taking them up,
Carrying them on its wings.” De 32:11

There is perhaps no verse in the entire Bible that captures the nature of the Holy Spirit more than this one. Let me break it down.

The Holy Spirit is the One who anoints the prophet’s eagle eyes. They see from a distance. They are laser-focused, penetrating, and relentless. We know when a prophet speaks; but it is his vision—his ability to see movement on the other side of deep, dark ravines—that forges his words into weapons, that make his voice a rallying cry to action or to war.

Like an eagle, Holy Spirit hovers over each of our lives. We see this characteristic manifest in the Cloud that camped over the nation of Israel in the wilderness, as well as when He hovered over the face of the waters in creation (Gen 1:2). Through this, we understand: Wherever He broods, darkness is bathed in light, chaos surrenders to peace, and confusion gives way to order. The ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives is absolutely essential. It has always been, and always will be “not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit.” It is only and ever through Him that anything transformational or eternal is accomplished.

He spreads out His wings around us, sheltering and nurturing us as only the Comforter can. David famously marveled that we are covered with His feathers and given refuge under the shadow of His wings (Ps 91:4). There is a sweetness to this endearing image that, once impressed upon the recesses of our hearts, never fails to bring a tickling smile.

What Moses saw next could have become a National Geographic highlight reel. He witnessed those scrawny eaglets climbing onto Papa’s back, perched in first class comfort, and being regally carried far above threats and danger. Or, maybe, he just wanted to take them out for a bit of fun! For Moses, this wasn’t about posting a scintillating meme for likes. This was deeply personal. Moses had been struck by the realization that he was just like one of those chicks and God the Holy Spirit was his majestic sweep-me-off-my-feet Giant Eagle.

Peter later described the work of those who wrote the Scriptures in this way: “no prophecy of scripture comes from one’s own interpretation…but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pt 1:20-21 BSB). Amen.

Finally, Moses writes of how the eagle stirred its nest. Beloved, stirring the hearts of men is the exclusive domain of the Holy Spirit. He stirred the prophets. He stirred King Cyrus. He stirred Samson. He stirred people to give sacrificially. He stirred people to rise up and build. He stirs people who were once apathetic to give themselves unreservedly to divine purposes. He stirs nations to set aside everything else to seek a visitation from God. To be stirred is to be given a holy injection of resolve to pursue God, to exercise our gifts, to be bold and courageous, and to move as one man in lockstep with His will. Stir us, O God!

Holy Spirit has taken the backseat in the Church for too long. And yet, at this very hour, He is hovering over us, brooding to catalyze the great revival we have all been longing for. Like a mighty Eagle, He is stirring our nest.

The hour is late. It’s time for “bird lovers” to arise. Get yourselves to a high place and strap those binoculars on your neck in watchful anticipation. Clothe yourselves in your forerunner’s garb, that together we may witness Holy Spirit descending upon our generation…like a dove.

“Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” Mk 8:15

Leaven is an invisible, virtually unstoppable, insidious, and pervasive kind of influence. Once it’s worked into dough, how does one extract it? What can possibly be done to stop this natural process from leavening the whole lump?
No wonder Jesus doubles His warning to the disciples. Even after they’re admonished to “take heed,” He still exhorts them: “beware”. Be on guard and vigilant, my friends. Once this stuff gets into the system there are going to be major problems. So, what exactly was this red flag Jesus was waving? What was this deadly poison?
Actually there are two corrupting forces here of which we must be ever watchful. And they are as real in 2022 as they were in the dusty streets of first century Palestine. Beloved, the Pharisees and Herod are still very much alive today.

The Leaven of the Pharisees: Legalism doesn’t always wear a robe and turban. It can also be dressed in a T-shirt and sandals. Religious spirits are loosed from pulpits, and backyards too. The subtle tactics of the Pharisees’ leaven are as numerous as the stars; but the malignant effects it has on the believer are not difficult to spot.

Legalism brings you into bondage. Religious spirits constantly accuse and leave you feeling guilty and tired. The standards raised are always too high. The rulebook keeps getting thicker and heavier. “Believing” gets complicated. Detailed roadmaps are carefully crafted then diligently followed. What a contrast with Jesus, who simply invited people to “Follow me”. This leaven introduces other “ingredients” into your dough as well: criticism, envy, pride, hypocrisy…Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees!

The Leaven of Herod: Herod the Great was the King of Judah at the time of Jesus’ birth. He was a powerful ruler who built roads, theaters, aqueducts, and, most importantly, the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This, plus the prosperity he brought, endeared him to many Jews. His son ruled the region where Jesus grew up and was involved in the trials at which Jesus was ultimately sentenced to death. He also was infamously responsible for the beheading of John the Baptist. So, what was Herod’s leaven? Political power.

Political yeast is perhaps more subtle yet every bit as pernicious as the yeast of the Pharisees. It offers manmade solutions to problems we face every day. Because it doesn’t bear the stigma of being spiritual, when its tentacles invade our world and subjugate us, we are easily caught unaware. When the goals of politics line up with our faith aspirations, our allegiance to God alone becomes muddled. The greyness that results leaves us vulnerable to deception. What starts out as a hope that our political leaders and systems will help us enact policies to benefit people of faith becomes a marriage of convenience, giving birth to compromise, syncretism, and conformity.

Jesus knew that religion and politics are forces which believers from every tribe, nation, and generation would have to exercise extreme vigilance against. While Jews of his time may have faced a greater impact from religious leaders, Jesus warned his followers about both because He knew the weakness of man. In our generation, we may be more easily duped by the political forces around us. In reality, the devil will use all kinds of tools to distract us or cause us to direct our energies, resources, and affections to anything else other than to God and God alone. In Mark 8:15 Jesus shows us two of Satan’s favorites, then issues us this emphatic, perennial command: “Take heed, Beware”!

“His name shall be called Wonderful…” Is 9:6

Words, like fashions, adapt with the times. Whereas “nice” used to mean “silly, foolish”, nowadays it depicts someone who is pleasant and likable. To be nervous used to mean to be strong and courageous (eg “you’ve got a lot of nerve!”). Until recently, a “bump” was commonly described an obstacle, not a leg up or indication of a gained advantage that is its colloquial use today.

Often these changes mirror shifts in attitudes or culture. Saying someone was “religious” used to be a compliment, referring to a person of high moral standards who regularly performed good deeds on behalf of others. “Pious” was used to describe a reverent and devoted person; but it is now almost exclusively used in a pejorative sense to mean hypocritical, even pompous. These changes are a reflection of a world that is increasingly secular and dismissive of the Church.

One of my favorite names for God is “Wonderful”. He is, as the word’s traditional meaning suggests, absolutely and completely full of wonder. But do we even know what it means to “wonder” anymore? The use of the verb “wonder” was preceded by its noun form, meaning “extraordinary, supernatural, and miraculous”. Hence, the Biblical coupling of “signs and wonders”. Responding to impossible and spectacular occurrences came to be known as “wonder”. When you wondered, you were awestruck, speechless, and likely on your knees—if not your face.

The arrogance of “The Enlightenment” has cast a long shadow over civilization. As a result, skepticism became vogue, and “wonders” became like crumpled paper headed for history’s dustbin. Religious experiences, feelings of amazement, marvel, or being enthralled were mocked and pushed to the fringe. In lock step, to “wonder”devolved, adopting its present-day usage: to consider or be curious, even to be doubtful or suspicious.

We’ve inherited a generation that downplays the Biblical call to “worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” because we have lost touch with the reality that He “is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:28,29 NIV). Isaiah could call God by the name Wonderful in Chapter 9 because of fresh recall; in Chapter 6 he was “undone” during an encounter with the majesty and holiness of God. Likewise, we may need an old-fashioned face-to-face—a knock-down-drag-out—with the Almighty in order to overcome the barriers erected by a world that has discarded a working vocabulary of the one thing we so desperately need!

Samson was born in an age riddled by perversion and evil. The Word was rare in those days (1 Sam 3:1). “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes” (Jud 21:25). Worship waned. Reverence dissipated. The Jehovah in their memories began to resemble the counterfeit gods of the pagans who had become their oppressors. But God broke through every cruel scheme of Satan to keep the children of Israel shackled in ignorance. It began when Samson’s parents had an encounter with living God. As the Angel of God ascended to heaven in the flames of their burnt offering, they cried out, “We are doomed to die…we have seen God!” (Jud 13:22).

Before He left, Manoah wisely pressed to know the name of the “very awesome” Angel who had appeared to them. He had spoken mysteries no man could know. He had healed the barren womb of his wife. He had directed them to offer a sacrifice “to Jehovah”. This was no angel, it was God Himself! He answered Manoah, “Why are you asking about my name? It’s Wonderful!” (Jud 13:18)

Beloved, as we enter Advent season, preparing to celebrate the birth of our precious Savior, let us seek a fresh encounter with this miracle-working, all-so-awesome and holy God. It’s why He came. “For unto us a Child is born…and His name will be called Wonderful” (Is 9:6)

“They were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke….” Acts 6:10

Jackie Pullinger came to Hong Kong from England as a missionary in 1966 at the age of 22. She moved into the lawless, gang-infested Walled City and all these years the Lord has used her mightily to reach thousands of prostitutes, drug addicts, homeless, and gang members. The rehabilitation rates for hardcore addicts, which includes praying for them to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, proved so much more successful than similar government programs that they donated land to Jackie and her team to operate her rehab centres. The wisdom God gave her (along with faith and courage!) has given her a legendary testimony, numerous accolades, and brought much glory to the Lord.

Supernatural wisdom, anointed/creative ideas, downloads of solutions to complex problems, are all things we should expect when the Holy Spirit comes upon us (Is 11:2). A few examples of standout wisdom from Scripture deserve mentioning:
• Joseph’s interpretation of dreams (esp Pharaoh’s) and then overseeing the food distribution during seven years of famine for Egypt and surrounding nations.
• David assuming command of Saul’s army despite having no training and only being a youth. 1 Sam 18:5 says it is because he “behaved wisely”.
• Solomon’s wisdom was so acclaimed “men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth came to hear” his wisdom and see its effects on his rule.
• Daniel and his young, exiled friends were ten times wiser than all the counsellors and advisors who served the King of Babylon.
• When Stephen addressed the crowds and the Sanhedrin, he spoke with such wisdom “they were not able to resist” him. They concluded stoning him was the only way to keep him from impacting countless people in Jerusalem and beyond.

As amazing these examples are, it’s time to prepare for an upgrade. The OS of the last days church is about to go through a major overhaul. Jesus warned that signs will precede His second coming–earthquakes, wars, pandemics, etc. In the midst of great confusion and perplexity, He says: “I will give you a mouth of wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict” (Lk 21:15). He adds there is no need to worry about how to answer people: “Simply be confident and allow the Spirit of Wisdom access to your heart, and in that very moment he will reveal what you are to say to them” (Lk 12:12 TPT).

It gets better. When the angel Gabriel spoke to Zacharias before John’s birth, he spoke of three “turnings” that will mark the days in which we now live (Lk 1:16-17). The first is something we all greatly anticipate: the turning “of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.” The second is the turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children, signalling a restoring of the families of the faithful in otherwise savage times. Finally, Gabriel says the disobedient (insubordinate, unruly, rebellious) are going to turn “to the wisdom of the just”.

In other words, men of every background will come to us as they came to Solomon because they will be astounded that we are able to solve knotty conflicts or destructive crises through insights that only God can give. Like Sheba, a pagan, they will return all the praise and glory to the Lord our God. We can expect such flashes of brilliance among us that people who have been radically opposed to God’s ways—the “disobedient”–will have Nebuchadnezzar-type encounters with the Him, and proclaim: “Wo, boy, how’d you go ‘n figure that out? Ain’t no one gonna do dat ‘less the Big Guy upstairs shows ‘em how!” (Dan 2:47 KAG).

If the Holy Spirit is about to make us ten times wiser than the peers in our fields, I want in! In fact, knowing this ought to generate an earth-shattering, collective cry ascending to the highest heavens during our personal devotions, our services, in our cells, and from our family altars. If Jesus is about to open up the spigots and fountains of supernatural wisdom, it’s time to get in line with our buckets! Then the thirsty among the nations, including those we least expect–from drug lords in the streets to Nebuchadnezzars in palaces—will come running to us to drink.

The last great harvest will be two directional. First, God is raising up scores of Jackies who will GO in simple obedience to Christ’s command to take His message “into all the world”. We can expect that they will have access to more and more wisdom as they go, and as the time of His appearing nears. Secondly, wherever we are, as we interpret the world’s dreams or get revelations downloaded to us of how to solve quagmires that stump experts, we are going to see the multitudes COME from all directions to us for answers. Then they’re going to get saved out of every tongue, tribe, and nation. Zechariah the prophet says it this way:

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeves of God’s people, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’” Zech 8:23

There are two theories for the origins of the idiom “a clean slate”, which means to be given a fresh start, an opportunity to begin again with no strikes against you. The first refers to a time when slates were used to tabulate orders when a party came into a tavern for food and drinks. It was subsequently and literally “wiped clean” when the patrons paid their “bill” in full. 

The second theory is something I am quite familiar with. When I was young, our school blackboards (made of the stone, i.e. slate) were cursorily erased but still dusty and smudged throughout the week. But by Monday morning we came to class to find they had all been wiped clean—shiny and like new. 

My year began with a clear message from Is 54:1, “Sing, O barren one!” Not only did it set the tone for my year, little did I know that this chapter would keep coming back to me like a ping pong ball these many months—through sermons, prophecies, as well as the promptings of the Holy Spirit. 

A few days ago God again led me to Is 54 as a question reverberated inside me: What chapter does this follow? I knew instantly. This is the chapter graphically portraying our crucified Savior, “smitten by God, and afflicted”, bearing our griefs and being wounded for us. Then I heard the Lord say, the riches I have for you in Isaiah 54 are unearthed because of 53. 

To fully appreciate what it took for a barren woman to sing, let us consider how worthless a childless woman felt in ancient times. She harbored rejection, imagining herself accursed and socially marooned. Take Sarah as an example. In her pain, she suggested the unimaginable—Abraham, “go in to my maid”! Oh how she regretted such a brainless decision when Hagar ridiculed and despised her following the birth of Ishmael. 

As Isaiah’s “barren woman” is told to “enlarge the place of her tent” to make room for the children she will soon raise, God makes it clear he intends to restore more than just her womb. The bruises and stripes of the Man of sorrows, himself despised (Is 53:5,3), are applied to deeper scars:

“Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed;

Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame;

For you will forget the shame of your youth,

And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.”

Oh the ocean of mercy contained in this one verse! The Holy Spirit shows that He understands every excruciating emotion infertility had caused. He knows the fears. He knows the disgrace and public humiliation, the sense of alienation and abandonment. The Hebrew is rich here, using three distinct words for shame to describe the crippling impact each dimension has on the human heart. Every soul-wound is completely healed in the cross, once and for all. 

As I studied and meditated on these words, I was undone for a time. As I considered the scourging, the crimson thorned brow, the penetration of spikes crushing the bones of His feet, I could only worship. 

Beloved, survey this scene with me! Let the wonder of what our Lover and Lord has done for us sink in as the nails did that day. Lift afresh the bread and cup of Communion. In the shadow of Calvary’s bloodied beams, all fears, contempt, mocking, and shame in all its forms—all the pain we have carried unwittingly in our barrenness—is, like those old tavern slates, wiped completely clean. Paid in full. 

It’s time to break forth into song. 

“I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jer 29:11 NIV

This is one of the most loved and frequently quoted verses of the Old Testament. And well it should be! It contains one of the greatest messages of all times–a message which is worth shouting from the rooftops. It’s a message the world desperately needs to hear in our day. And the Church is like the only legitimate, exclusive, and authorized dealer of this priceless commodity. I’m speaking of hope.

A little context will serve to magnify the beauty and force of Jeremiah’s words. Israel was facing a holocaust-like moment, one for which its very survival was hanging in the balance. Whole towns had been emptied of their citizens–bereft, pillaged, and set ablaze by marauding, Babylonian hordes. Overnight, countless thousands in Judah lost everything—homes, lands, livelihoods, security, freedom. Exiled on the banks of the river in Babylon, the psalmist poignantly penned these unforgettable verses that unmasked their despair:

“There we sat down, yea, we wept
When we remembered Zion.
We hung our harps
Upon the willows in the midst of it.
For there those who carried us away
Captive asked of us a song
And those who plundered
Us requested mirth,
Saying, ‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’” Ps 137:1-3

Languished and perplexed, the captives huddled hand-to-mouth under the moping willows until one day a letter arrived from Jeremiah, the man of God. Perhaps expecting it contained more gloom or brimstone decrees, a swell of exhilaration must have swept through the camp as despondency gave way to anticipation. The Word of the Lord exhorts us to build houses, plant gardens, to marry and have sons and daughters. God has not forgotten us! Here in this foreign land, yes, even here, the Prophet says God is executing an extraordinary plan to restore and redeem, even to prosper us! He’s been holding us in His heart the whole time! Break out the tambourines!

Since the pandemic, counselling services around the world have been inundated with a landslide of new clients. Divorce and suicide rates have peaked to all-time highs. Mental illness has crept out of the shadows in our world, unexpectedly taking the podium at the Tokyo Olympics, but also manifesting among our colleagues and neighbors. Lockdowns may have dammed COVID’s onslaught only to open the floodgates to a dozen other scourges.

Without a doubt world is shaking, reeling to and fro like a drunkard (Is 24:19-20). But we, the Bride of Christ, hold the key to prosperity and peace. Our feet are planted on the Rock. Unlike those without Christ, our circumstances do not define us. The proliferation of confusion and uncertainty will never take us captive. God’s Letter has come to us instructing us to lift up our heads, our hearts, our hands. Build! Plant! Multiply! God’s got plans for you—good plans, and lots of them!

We all go through times when we are tempted to hang our harps upon the willows. But at the end of the day, we have to know who we are. We’re the people of God! We are His chosen, His redeemed, His beloved! If someone tries to carry us away and mockingly ask us to sing one of the songs of Zion, we’ll just reach up, grab our instruments with a wink and say, “Great idea. Which one?!”