God is Indescribable - the King on His Throne

 

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.” (Revelation 21:1–7 ESV).

 

Some imagery that appears in the beginning of the Bible is contrasted or expanded upon in the final chapters of God’s grand story of salvation. The unformed abyss in Genesis 1, for example, is contrasted with the stunning architecture of the heavenly city in Revelation 21. The tree of life in the garden of Eden (cf. Genesis 2:9; 3:22-24) is multiplied in Revelation 22 and described as constantly bearing fruit and providing healing for the nations. And the image of the Spirit hovering and brooding over the waters is contrasted with the One who is now seated on the throne.

 

Creation will be complete, fully formed and mature, and we will enjoy glorious, delightful friendship with our loving Creator, who invites us to live with him in the perfect unity of love that has always characterized God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The awe-inspiring creation that we live in today will be the foundation for the new creation, and we can look forward to rejoicing along with birds and all other creatures in the new heaven and earth.

 

Not only is Christ seated in the heavenly realms, but we who love and trust him are also raised up with Christ and are seated with him even now (cf. Ephesians 2:6). This means our lives are firmly grounded and maturing in Christ as we enjoy the intimacy of living in communion with God each day while awaiting his coming again. That is Good News!

 

God is Indescribable - the Shepherb of the Shadows

 

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23 ESV).

 

In some translations of the Bible, the “darkest valley” in Psalm 23:4 is called “the valley of the shadow of death.” Regardless of the translation, the idea of a shadow-cast valley can be frightening. This imagery can remind us of a traumatic loss or a difficult crisis, and our memories of such things can be fearful and frightening.

 

I have had many conversations with those who have experienced the grief of their spouse of many years dying. One in particular stands out to me as I think about the protection that God gives to us when we are walking through these darkest of times. This lady had been married for over 60 years when her husband died. While sitting across from me in the office she began to spread out some of the photos taken during their ling life together. Each one carried a special memory for her. The stories were vivid and interesting. After she finished she shared with me her insight on Psalm 23. She spoke about the “valley of the shadow of death,” and how dark it can be when mourning the loss of a loved one. She talked about how quiet and still the house had become; how hard it was to stay in a home filled with memories. It was heartbreaking to hear, yet she also shared a glimpse of hope she had discovered while traveling through that valley. The only way for a shadow to exist, she said, is for a source of light to be present. A shadow is not the absence of light, but rather the evidence of a light nearby. She also noted that the greater the source of light, the smaller the shadow that is cast.

 

As we move closer to the holidays, I pray that whatever valley you may be in, the light of Christ may shine bigger and brighter—and that he may be the source of your strength.

 

God is Indescribable - the Great Encourager!

 

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9–10 ESV).

 

There is no doubt in the description of God as the ultimate encourager due to His attributes like mercy, omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscience. He is with people in all situations, to have the power to handle any circumstance, and to know what is needed to bring people out of discouragement. In the giving of the Holy Spirit to every believer who stays by our side, comforts us, counsels us, and helps us through stressful times we can see another aspect of this indescribable characteristic of God. The Holy Spirit is the one who gives strength and prays for us. And, then, when we see the life of Jesus we see the perfect description of an encourager through His teachings and actions. God is indeed the Great Encourager.  

 

Let’s dive a bit deeper to understand the practical application of this truth. Peter, one of Jesus’ closest followers, urgently encouraged Christians in the first century as they endured intense persecution, suffering, trials, and hardships. I imagine that Peter’s words also helped to lift himself up in some way, especially considering the changes he went through since first meeting Jesus near the Sea of Galilee. Once a professional fisherman, he soon became a church planter, a pastor, an encourager, and a defender of the faith. He went from mending nets to leading the newly formed church of Jesus Christ, full of freshly baptized believers. He could only have become this man because of Jesus’ encouragement after the resurrection (cf. John 21:15-19).

 

In our reading today Peter’s words are unapologetically bold while also being full of grace and love. Although these words were written over 2,000 years ago, they are just as true today for you and me, because we too are God’s chosen people, a group called to be ministers and shepherds in our homes and communities. We have been set apart by God’s grace, and we are heirs with Christ in his glorious kingdom, which is yet to come in its fullness. God has given us the wonderful and beautiful gift of salvation, the light of eternal life that eliminates the darkness of sin and death, for which we were once destined. We are encouraged to be an encourager!

 

God is Indescribable - a Master Gardener!

 

[Jesus said] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:1-8 ESV).

 

I do not claim to be a gardener, much less a master gardener. My father-in-law certainly was a master horticulturist, having earned his PhD in Plant Genetics and teaching and doing research in the development of many different varieties of vegetables. I do remember a brief lesson in the pruning of grape vines when he was living in Longview, Texas. He had several varieties of grapes growing in his backyard. I learned there is a very specific way to prune in order to create the right growth for maximum fruit yield.

 

I don’t know if there is any pain involved for the vine when the shoots are pruned away, though in the spiritual sense of “pruning” it certainly can be a painful process for us. It can also be a time of frustration with the Gardener for lopping off parts of me without asking for my opinion or permission.

 

Thinking about it a little more, gardeners don’t prune out of anger or frustration. They prune because they want the plant to grow healthier and stronger so that it can bear good fruit. The gardener sees the overall vision of the plant, while the plant can only “see” what’s right in front of them. With that in mind, Jesus’ words here make good sense. Pruning is the way God removes parts of us that are overgrown and not producing. It may mean we have to let go of some comforts, and doing that can remove troublesome distractions in our life. Through pruning we are able to see more clearly who we are and what God has in mind for us, even if that means enduring some pain along the way.

 

Whatever might pain us in the pruning process, it’s the transforming of our heart, mind, and soul that God wants to see, because he wants our fruit to grow—fruit that one day we will be able to share with others for the goodness and glory of our Lord, the master gardener. He won’t make any unnecessary “cuts.” Trust Him!

 

God is Indescribable - a Master Angler!

 

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV).

 

You may have read in previous posts of my love of the sport of fly-fishing. I have enjoyed many different locations seeking rainbow trout with my fly-rod. Anyone who has experienced catching a rainbow can tell you about all the excitement that can unfold when you hook one. The jumps and tail-walking across the surface of the water are exhilarating! It’s even greater when you hook a fish much bigger than one you planned for. The picture I’ve included today was taken in Tennessee with one of the rainbows I caught. It was a very good one, though I did catch a bigger one in Alaska. My face certainly reflects my joy at this accomplishment.

 

An angler—that is, a person who fishes with a rod and line—typically uses the equipment they need for catching a particular kind of fish. To catch a medium-size fish (like a trout), for example, you need tackle for that size of fish. But sometimes with that gear you can hook a much larger fish (like a salmon). And when that happens, chaos can break loose. The reel will spin furiously, unloading the line as the large fish swims powerfully away. Usually then you’ll have just two options: to let the fish run, and hopefully tire it out so that you can catch it; or simply to cut the line and let the fish go. A determined angler may decide to hold on, skillfully using the rod and line through a long tug of war and gradually reeling the fish in.

 

In some ways our relationship with God can be like that. We might be thinking we are free to do as we please, but God can “hook” us, and even though we might try to outrun and overpower him, he will never cut the grace-line or count us as a lost cause. He’ll fight for us and battle with us—and when all is said and done, he gives us the freedom to live a new and full life that is far beyond our imagining! In that way, He is a Master Angler!

 

God is Indescribable - a Strong Fortress!

 

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah (Psalm 46:1–7 ESV).

 

If you’re somewhere in the neighborhood of my age you will remember the polio outbreak of the 1950’s. It was a series of epidemics in the United States that peaked in 1952, causing widespread fear and resulting in nearly 58,000 cases, over 3,000 deaths, and thousands of cases of paralysis. The outbreaks led to public health measures like quarantines, and fear of contagion resulted in cancelled events and social isolation for many children. The crisis was eventually resolved with the development and widespread use of the polio vaccines by Jonas Salk in 1955 and Albert Sabin in 1961. The first delivery system of the vaccine was a series of three injections.

 

I was only 8 years old at the time, but I remember the experience vividly. We had a family doctor who made “house-calls” as was common then. The first time he came with his little black bag I was unaware of what he was there for. Daddy simply called me downstairs to come. I did and was greeted by the doctor with the BIGGEST needle I had ever seen in my young life. Of course he said, “this won’t hurt.” Never believe that! It hurt a lot. About two weeks later the doctor came again, black bag in hand. Well, I wasn’t lining up for that again, so, I went into the garage and grabbed my baseball bat and threatened to defend myself with all the strength I could muster. Needless to say, that didn’t go well. Another big shot in the arm! I began my planning immediately, since I overheard the doctor tell Daddy that he’d see me in a couple of weeks with the last of the injections. When I saw him approaching I grabbed my trusty BB gun and climbed up in the rafters of the garage offering me a perfect snipers’ perch when he walked into the garage. Well, that ended the same as the first two with the addition of a good spanking for trying to shoot the doctor! Thankfully that delivery system was changed soon and everyone could take the vaccine by eating a sugar cube on which it was placed.

 

Here’s the point… no matter what I tried, there was no safe shelter from what I perceived as a great danger. This is at the heart of our reading today. God offers us a more effective security and safety from the storms of life when pain flashes through our hearts and crises rattle us to the bone. Like a great comforter and yet stronger than a mighty fortress, our God invites us to take shelter in him and to be protected by his love, which is gentle and yet stronger than any force or calamity that may threaten.

 

A part of God’s indescribable nature is that He is our mighty fortress! Run to Him! He will not fail you!

 

God is Indescribable - an Advocate

 

[Jesus said] “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:15–17 ESV).

 

The word Jesus uses in our reading today and translated “Helper” is actually the word for “advocate.” We should remember that an advocate offers support and pleads on behalf of someone (or something), ensuring fair and honest treatment. An advocate aims to look after, protect, care for, and fight for the one they are assigned to. The Bible’s word for this, in Greek, is paraclete, and this means “called to the side of.”

 

The Holy Spirit, our paraclete, is God’s gift to all who follow Jesus. The Spirit of God continues the work of Jesus by empowering us to continue the Lord’s work on this earth: teaching, sharing the good news of God’s salvation, caring for the sick—the list goes on and on. In addition, the Holy Spirit helps us understand the truth of the message and ministry of Jesus. The Spirit of truth not only helps our understanding but is also our Counselor and Comforter, and these roles tie in with the work of an advocate as well.

 

Christians and the church have been given the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit, who comes alongside to protect and defend, encourage and embolden, admonish and correct. And through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord’s people carry on the truth of God’s redemptive plan for all creation.

 

If you are depending on anything or anything else to be your advocate, you will be disappointed. Trust in the only One who has the power to redeem and protect us! If you have God, you have all you need!