Sorrow Over Sins

Posted on April 10, 2023 by Joseph V. (Josh) Carmichael

My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. (Psalm 119:136)

In my late forties I finally became attracted to Psalm 119. Formerly it was one of those chapters I would dread in the chapter-a-day Bible reading plan. I taught several weeks of brief studies on it to open our Wednesday evening prayer times a few years ago. I had broken through. Check that, God’s Spirit had broken through. Now, in my early fifties, I return to it regularly. It is made up of 176 verses, every one of which considers God’s word in some way. And the backdrop of it is prayer and meditation. What could be more needful in the midst of the spiritual warfare of our day than meditating on God’s word about God’s word and then offering your thoughts and requests to our Lord in prayer?

My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. Isn’t it an arresting comment? He weeps at the observation of people in rebellion against God’s good precepts. Let me ask myself, do I even weep over my own sin, not mention the sins of others? We do well to examine ourselves and consider our own consciences and convictions. The psalmist’s primary object of concern is God and his honor and glory. And second, he is sorrowful over lost sinners.

This causes us to recall a passage from Luke: As [Jesus] approached and saw the city, he wept for it, saying, “If you knew this day what would bring peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes … you did not recognize the time when God visited you” (19:41, 42, 44b CSB). Destruction would come in A.D. 70. They had rejected their Savior. And Jesus wept over their sin. Does the rampant sin and rebellion against God all around us cause us to weep and to plead with God for deliverance for the lost sinners in our midst? I want my heart to be heavy and my conscience tender as I observe those “as sheep without a shepherd.”

PRAYER: Dear Lord, our Savior was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He wept over the lost. Help me to have your heart of love the lost, for those who will perish if they continue in rebellions against you and your law. Help me to desire your honor and glory over all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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The Savior We Need (4)

Posted on April 6, 2023 by Joseph V. (Josh) Carmichael

During his earthly life, [Jesus] offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:7-10 CSB)

And so Jesus was indeed declared to be just the Savior sinners like us need. David Peterson helps us review the first three devotionals on this topic: “Son of God though he was, he experienced the temptation to swerve from doing the will of his Father because of the suffering involved. He needed to learn what obedience to God involved in practical terms, in the condition of human life on earth, so that he could sympathize with those similarly tested and teach us by his own example how far God ought to be submitted to and obeyed” (NBC, 1994, p. 1333). He thus was perfected, that is, he was qualified to be the perfect sacrifice for sinners. His resurrection from the dead and ascension into heaven confirmed his perfect accomplishment. His sending of the Holy Spirit sealed the deal.

Those who trust Jesus, who have been saved by grace through faith, share in his salvation accomplished from sin, death, and the devil. And so we obey Jesus. Jesus was once asked, what does it mean to be doing the works of God. Jesus replied, “This is the work of God—that you believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:29). Do you believe on Jesus? He is entirely fit to be the great High Priest you and I need. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them (Heb. 7:25).

PRAYER: Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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The Savior We Need (3)

Posted on April 3, 2023 by Joseph V. (Josh) Carmichael

During his earthly life, [Jesus] offered prayers and appealswith loud cries and tearsto the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:7-10 CSB)

Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. This is the part of the passage that really gets to me. Jesus learned obedience. The sinless Son of God learned. He suffered. He learned through suffering. That is astonishing. Or is it astounding? It is hard to put into words.

This is a part of Jesus’ humiliation. The Westminster Shorter Catechism helps us here. Question 26: How was Christ humiliated? “Christ was humiliated: by being born as a man and born into a poor family; by being made subject to the law and suffering the miseries of this life, the anger of God, and the curse of death on the cross; and by being buried and remaining under the power of death for a time.”

Think about it. Jesus lived with his parents and then all his younger siblings. They did not understand him (not until after his resurrection). At age twelve he confounded the religious teachers with his questions and his understanding. He had to tell his distressed parents, “Don’t you understand? I must be about my Father’s business.” Further, we are told that he was submissive to his parents and that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. (See Luke 2:41-52.) This really is worth pondering. Jesus grew physically and intellectually. Did he even grow spiritually? It seems he did.

Of course, Isaiah had told us about this long ago. In one of his four “Servant Songs” (found in Isaiah 42, 49, 50, and 52-53), a profound description of our Savior is given. Meditate on the following as we close this devotion: The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens me each morning; he awakens my ear to listen like those being instructed. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I did not turn back. I gave my back to those who beat me, and my cheeks to those who tore out my beard. I did not hide my face from scorn and spitting. The Lord God will help me; therefore I have not been humiliated; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. (Isaiah 50:4-7) What a Savior!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for learning obedience through suffering, for me and for my salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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The Savior We Need (2)

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Joseph V. (Josh) Carmichael

During his earthly life, [Jesus] offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:7-10 CSB)

Jesus did not only pray. He offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears. He prayed in the Spirit (Isa. 11:2; Mk. 2:10). He prayed in faith (Mk. 14:36). He prayed in dependence upon the Father. And he prayed with a proper respect for God the Father: he was heard because of his reverence. Jesus had an appropriate fear of God, his Father.

Therefore, he prayed with wisdom and with understanding (Job 28:28; Ps. 111:10; Prov. 9:10). Jesus prayed from a faithful heart (2 Chron. 19:9) and a clean heart (Ps. 19:9; 24:3-6). Jesus’ relationship with God was such that he prayed from a sense of righteousness, humility, and confidence (Prov. 8:13; 14:26). Jesus was heard because of his reverence.

So what does this mean for us? First, let us approach God in prayer from a sense of reverence and awe (Heb. 12:28). Second, pray in faith, believing that he exists and hears you (Ps. 65:2; Heb. 11:1-3, 6). Third, pray in confession of sin and repentance toward God (Ps. 32 and 51). We, after all, are sinners. Next, pray from your standing as justified by grace through faith (Rom. 3:21-26; 2 Cor. 5:21). Finally pray to your Father who loves you—as a believer (if you are one), you have been adopted into his family. Pray from the wonderful position of sonship as sealed by the Spirit (Rom 8:9-17).

PRAYER: Father in heaven, thank you for hearing our prayers. We thank you for Jesus, our high priest, who intercedes for us at your right hand. We thank you for your Holy Spirit who intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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The Savior We Need (1)

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Joseph V. (Josh) Carmichael

During his earthly life, [Jesus] offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:7-10)

At several points in the letter to the Hebrews, we get a close-up glimpse of Jesus’ human nature. (Remember, he is one person with two natures: divine and human.) As his arrest, crucifixion, and bearing of the sins of his people drew near, Jesus revealed that he felt the weight of his calling. At the time of his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was under deep emotional distress. He told his apostles he was full of great sorrow, deeply grieved to the point of death. He even asked his Father to let the cup of his wrath pass from him. But—Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will. (See Mark 14:33-36 and John 12:27.) And from the cross Jesus screamed with the psalmist, My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Psalm 22:1, quoted by Jesus in Matt. 27:46 and Mark 15:34).

Friends, Jesus knows our weaknesses and fears. He experienced them in his own pure and undefiled body and soul. He really does know. The Good Shepherd himself walked through the valley of deep darkness (Jn. 10:11, 14; Ps. 23:4). He was tempted as we are, yet without sin. We must remember this during times of tragedy and sorrow, of confusion and grief. When he was troubled, Jesus prayed. He appealed to his Father and ours. He cried out and he wept. Real tears streamed down his face (Cf. Jn. 11). Our only hope is the man of sorrows, the one acquainted with grief. He will never leave us. He will never forsake us. Nothing can separate his people from his love.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for letting us know that you really do know. Please continue your ministry of taking bruised reeds and putting them back together. Please continue to hold the flickering wicks in the calm hollow of your hand where they are safe and secure. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Blessing? (or Cautiously Optimistic)

Posted on March 28, 2023 by Joseph V. (Josh) Carmichael

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise. (Proverbs 27:21 ESV)

This one hit me hard the other evening. The NLT translates it: Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised. I had been basking in some encouraging words I had recently received. As I read those words above the conviction was instant. So, in God’s good providence, I know I needed to hear it. Temptation always lurks. I know that humility come before honor and pride before a fall (cf. 16:18; 18:12.) So I actually felt the warning. I can let that praise go to my head (as flattery) and move me toward trouble or I can receive it gratefully and humbly, looking forward in faith.

Several ideas and passages flood my mind as I think about this. First is the fact that receiving praise is a test. The crucible and furnace are instruments of purification. And they are hot! How I receive praise and commendation will reveal my heart and test my character. Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. (Prov. 4:23 CSB) Second, other passages confirm and advance this. For example, a crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the LORD is the tester of hearts (17:3). The Lord is behind this! He uses our experiences to improve us. We are to grow not only through difficulties, but also through successes. Perhaps he is also reminding me to hold on to things in this world loosely and to be slow to assume a high sense of my own importance. That is actually freeing (cf. Philippians 2). Finally, it is a reminder to be thankful. All I have is from God. Any profitable thing I do is as an instrument in his hand. And so as I trust in him with all my heart, he will continue to direct my path—and yours.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, all that I have is from you. Thank you for your steadfast love and your mercies. Help me rejoice in the Lord always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Foundations of Life (3)

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Joseph V. (Josh) Carmichael

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

God created man in His own image,

in the image of God He created him;

male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:26, 27 NASB)

Who am I? Who are you? We are human beings made in the image of God. God did not speak man and woman into being. He fashioned Adam from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (See Gen. 2:7; He made woman from man. See 2:21-23). Being made in God’s image means we have a unique built-in capacity to reflect the character of God in our lives. At the end of each day of creation, God “saw that it was good.” After creating humanity in his own image, “behold, it was very good” (1:31 ESV).

What does this mean for us today? As Richard Pratt writes in Designed for Dignity, this means every human being ought to view himself and others with both dignity and humility. You have inherent dignity. You are made in his image. But then there is humility. You are made in his image. We are the creatures. he is the Creator. He made us from dust: humility. He breathed into us the breath of life: dignity. This idea needs much more deep and robust reflection.

For now let us allow the Bible to apply this for us. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3, 4 CSB) Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) But how do we do these things, especially in the challenging culture within which we live? Grace and the Holy Spirit. He gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6; cf. Prov. 3:34).

PRAYER: Dear Lord, please cultivate a humble spirit within me that flows into my treatment of others. And help me to remember that each human being I meet is made in your image, and that I am too. Thank you for the grace and mercy you give me through your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Foundations of Life (2)

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Joseph V. (Josh) Carmichael

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:1-3 CSB)

And so it continues through six days of creation. God spoke, and it was. Everything that is, is, because of our Creator. Over the past few years I have found myself noticing all the wondrous cloud formations and the beautiful colors that are revealed as the sun begins to set. I do find myself filled with awe. It sort of takes one’s breath away–the wonder of it. This world did not create itself. That’s absurd! Nor did it just suddenly find itself to have come to be by chance. I still have a hard time believing that people really believe that. As Brad Olsen sang “Maybe I could understand how you called the darkness light / Maybe I could understand how you made the waters flee / Maybe I could understand how you gave all creation life / I’m an educated man / It’s not too hard for me to see” (“How Do You Do That” by The Waiting). (He goes on to say that the hard thing to understand is a holy God forgiving sinners like us! But that is for another devotional.)

Later after sunset, watching a full moon rise in the eastern sky takes me again before the throne of the One who gave us the greater light to rule over the day and the lesser light to rule over the night (Gen. 3:16). The Holy Spirit inspired King David to explain this impression that overcomes us in Scripture: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands….Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the worldl (Psalm 19:1, 4). There is an explanation for the wonder I sense. The Creator is behind this general revelation. But David reminds us of even better news, special revelation: The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise (v. 7).

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for revealing your glory through the wondrous things you have made. Even more, thank you for your word, the Bible. Thank you for making yourself known to us and giving us the words of salvation through faith in our Redeemer, your Son. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Foundations of Life (1)

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Joseph V. (Josh) Carmichael

In the beginning God. (Genesis 1:1a)

Do you ever have sudden moments of panic or disorientation? Or you just feel plain scared? You just wonder who you are and what is going on. At these moments, by God’s grace, I often just remember in the beginning God. God is. As he told Moses, “I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3:14a CSB). He is the foundation of reality. He is. Why is there something rather than nothing? In the beginning God. Why am I here? In the beginning God. How can I know anything? In the beginning God. Where am I going and what am I to do? It all starts with in the beginning God. There is more to the story, as we find out in Genesis through Revelation. But sometimes we just need to remember that no matter what is going on or how stressful life can be when I look at the sky, blue or cloudy or dark and starry, I remember: in the beginning God. Then I can breathe again and find that peace that passes all understanding right there within me guarding my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. (See Isaiah 41:10 and Philippians 4:4-7 for more comfort.)

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All Things

Posted on March 16, 2023 by Joseph V. (Josh) Carmichael

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Romans 8 is one of the profound chapters in the New Testament. It is a chapter that describes the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. Among the many memorable verses in this chapter is verse 28. Usually one has to look back to see how a particular circumstance works out for good, especially when we are dealing with suffering or unplanned events. The key to this verse is to remember that we must define good according to God’s terms. And our greatest good is to know God, to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. Douglas Moo notes that the “final good” we are discussing here may include difficulties such as poverty, suffering, and the challenges of illness or poor physical health. I have recently changed employers. I moved from one hospital to another in my calling as a chaplain. I left behind many dear colleagues and now I am meeting new ones. I am experiencing joy and sorrow simultaneously. I miss those with whom I have spent these past months, and in some cases years. I am trusting that God has completed the portion of the good work he has called me to there (see Phil. 1:6) and will continue to work on, in, and through me here. Closing a chapter in our lives and opening a new one is hard. For those I recently left behind to continue to serve God’s kingdom without me and for myself in missing them, I know that God will use our past experiences together and new experiences apart to continue his commitment to each of us “to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom 8:29b). God’s call is his appeal to each of us to believe and embrace the gospel and it is an effective summoning to draw us into relationship with him (and one another). And, praise God, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:39). God’s goal for you and for me will prevail.

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