She Meditated and Marveled

The Christmas gospel tells us, Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Lk. 2:19 NKJV)

So many things had happened to Mary. There was an angelic visitation, a miraculous pregnancy, prophetic words from her cousin Elizabeth. Then Joseph believed her, accepted her into his home, and provided for their journey to Bethlehem. When Jesus was born, shepherds unexpectedly arrived and announced another angelic visitation.

Small wonder that Mary pondered. She thought deep thoughts about events related to the child sent by God. But her pondering was not merely excited mental gymnastics racing out of control. Nor was it doubt. Rather, Mary meditated upon—marveled over—the great love and power of her God. God was doing a mighty work on the earth, and she was privileged to be a part of it.

If God is truly alive in our hearts, we will ponder, too. He has done—and continues to do—mighty works on the earth. We cannot help but think deeply about His great love and power toward all who believe.

Originally published December 21, 1990.
Picture: Karen's garden, Winona, MN, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Doubt God's Word?

Even righteous people occasionally doubt God’s Word. Zecharias was such a man, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (Lk. 1:6b NKJV)

Then one day, as he fulfilled priestly duties in the temple, an angel appeared to Zecharias, telling him, your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. (v. 13b)Furthermore, the child would be unusual, set apart by God for a special purpose.

But both Zecharias and Elizabeth were old—too old to have a baby—and Elizabeth had been barren their entire marriage. Zecharias questioned the message. That was when the angel pronounced a hard saying: you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe . . . . (v. 20a)

Perhaps it was all part of the master plan. People understood that something unusual had happened when Zecharias could not talk—that he might have seen a vision. When Zacharias received his voice again—and immediately prophesied about his son and about the coming Messiah—they knew God was at work.

Originally published December 15, 1989.
Picture: Wild flowers, Minnesota Lake Country, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

"So I Prophesied"

God is omnipotent—meaning He has all power on heaven and on earth. But for reasons we do not understand, He chooses to work through people.

Ezekiel recorded an example of this when he wrote how God gave him a vision of a valley full of dead bones. As Ezekiel looked over the scene, God asked him, [C]an these bones live? (Ez. 37:3a NKJV)

Ezekiel knew God could make dead bones live, but He did not understand God’s plan. So, with the voice of one familiar with the ways of his inscrutable God, he replied, O Lord God, You know. (v. 3b)

Today almost everyone knows the story. In fact, it is such a familiar story that we might gloss over how God made a humble human being an instrument of such great and incomprehensible power.

The dead bones represented the Israelites, and God did want them to live. He could have spoken life into them directly without Ezekiel's help, but He chose to use a person. God said to Ezekiel, Prophesy to these bones and say to them, “O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! (v. 4)

Ezekiel recorded, perhaps with a sense of irony and resignation, that he followed the Lord's instructions. So I prophesied . . . there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together bone to bone . . . and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.”(v. 7,10b)

Death cannot stand against God's Word. Even when spoken by a man, God’s Word brings life. Israel would live.

Originally published October 13, 1989.
Picture: Commercial landscaping, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Turmoil in His Soul

Ezekiel experienced an overwhelming encounter with God. He could not even stand upright in the vision until God lifted him up. Through the vision, he learned God had a message for him to deliver to the stiff-necked Israelites who would not listen to God—who did not even want to hear from God.

Nevertheless, God wanted to send a message, and He said to Ezekiel, I will make your forehead . . . harder than flint. Do not be afraid. . . . (Ez. 3:7 a & c NIV)

How would you like to have been Ezekiel? God showed him a scroll with words of lament and mourning and woe. (2:10b) According to God’s instructions, he ate it, and it tasted sweet as honey in my mouth. (3:3b)

But the scroll caused turmoil in his soul because he knew it would cause a separation between him and the people.

We do not know what Ezekiel’s life was like prior to his call, but it was an unusual life after his call. He shared how he was physically transported—with the strong hand of the Lord upon me—to another land and another group of exiles where he sat among them for seven days—overwhelmed. (3:14c,15c)

God spoke again, telling Ezekiel his position would be that of a watchman who would warn wicked people. (3:17) Ezekiel did not have an easy calling.

Originally published August 24, 1984.

A Prophetic Word

David is well-known as a shepherd, poet, musician, military leader, adulterer, city planner, and king. He united the tribes of Israel to form a viable nation. He established Jerusalem as Israel’s capital—and its centrality became a key Scriptural concept. He collected materials for the temple that his son Solomon would build and he made extensive plans for the design of the building. When he brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, David established temple liturgy.

Among all his accomplishments, however, David's prophetic messages are rarely emphasized. But Psalm 22, written by David, is a key prophetic image. It provides a vivid picture of Christ’s crucifixion: My God, My God, why have You forsaken me. . . ? I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint . . . They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots. (Ps. 22:1-8 NKJV)

Jesus learned Scripture as a child and He would have frequently quoted many Old Testament passages. He must have identified with David because many prophecies identified Him as the son of David. He knew all about the accomplishments of his forbearer.

Jesus also would have been familiar with Psalm 22, and He must have understood it as a prophecy related to His death. Although the rabbis or teachers of His time did not recognize a suffereing Savior, Jesus had a greater revelation than the rabbis. He knew how Romans killed people, and He knew how He would die. He told His disciples exactly what would happen to Him.

Jesus understood and received the prophetic Word of God.

Originally published March 6, 1987.

He Gave Up His Plan

When people love God, they want to do something for Him. David had the power to do big things, and he wanted to build a temple for God’s glory. See now, he said, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains. (II Sam. 7:2b NKJV) As a reigning king who had won many battles, he had collected much spoil that would provide precious metals to be used in the structure. It was an exciting project. (II Chron. 22)

God understood and valued David’s intentions. But God had a different plan. While David desired to build an earthly house for God, God desired to build a spiritual house through David. God said, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body . . . He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (II Sam. 7:12b,13)

David might have been disappointed. (In fact, much later, Solomon referred to his father's disappointment.) However, instead of focusing on his loss, David focused on God's promise to him for the future generations. In response to a the prophet’s Word, he gave up his heartfelt and worthy desire—his precious plan—and submitted to God. He said in his heart, As for God, His way is perfect. . . . (II Sam. 22:31a)

Originally published October 2, 1987.
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If King Saul Had Repented

Saul began his reign as a good king. He was humble because he was insecure. During the early days of his reign he listened to Samuel and accepted direction from the prophet. Then, as Samuel had foretold, Saul’s focus changed from God to himself. After a victory over the Amalekites—an occasion when he did not obey God—Saul built a monument to himself. (I Sam. 15:12)

God spoke to His prophet Samuel about the event and told Samuel that He regretted making Saul king: he has turned back from following Me. . . . (v. 11 NKJV)

Samuel felt the weight, and sought God all through the night. (v. 11) The next day he confronted Saul with God’s message.

If Saul had repented—and maintained a repentant heart—he could have remained king. But he did not. Instead, he blamed others. But the people. . . . he said. (v. 21)

At that point a devastated Samuel responded with a hard word: Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king. (vs. 22,23) Saul lost his kingdom because he refused to repent. Samuel anointed David to replace him.

Originally published September 28, 1990.
Picture: Greater Twin City area, 2009. Photo by Solveig.