Today’s post is written by a very good friend, Ron Saxby. Ron and his wife, Marcelle lived in Johannesburg and we have known them for over forty years. It has been a privilege to share life in Jesus with them and heart warming to experience friendship with a couple who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. (Psalm 84:5). Now living in New Zealand they continue to inspire fellow pilgrims to walk the Jesus way!
“…have you seen my servant Job..”
I have recently been intrigued and impressed by Job. Have you noted his remarkable comment in the account of his walk with God?
“…but He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.
I have not departed from the command of His lips;
I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread…”
Job 23:10-12
A beautiful sense of Grace, to walk through the most trying circumstances, noting that his heart is set on the revelatory word spoken to him.
History is marked with significant people, many who are unknown and not exposed to our scrutiny. They have taken the biblical injunction to “stand…” [1] in circumstances and events which changed the landscape. Reflecting a depth of character, an intimate focus to walk before their Lord despite the extreme challenge.
The arena may appear quite ‘local’ and ‘ordinary’ but each one is placed very specifically to influence
(a wonderful aspect of Grace) and inject a reference point of the Kingdom of God.
The lyrics of a song caught my attention the other day ….
“…There’s a table where we meet
In the presence of the enemy
I will listen, I will feast
On every word You are speaking to me…” A Sound Mind – Melissa Helser
This took me back to well known words that we may have grown up with. Well known, but ever fresh, I have discovered that this table is a very real place! [2]
In the presence of the enemy there is a Kingdom transaction taking place, demonstrating a place of intimacy, a mutual relationship of choice. Fellowship with Jesus in the Holy Spirit bringing a fragrance to a tense ‘valley of the shadow …’ and the potential to change the landscape! [3]
I listen for this word that, with the anointing, brings ‘overflow’.
No doubt Job understood this so long ago. This is a life-giving conversation at the Table. The ‘life word’ which sustained Job ….and Moses …and David …and numerous believers through the ages is the Living Word which changes the landscape!
It can be intrusive, but the outcome is Life! [4] It produces that inner assurance that nothing can move!
When you hear Him speak …. don’t let it drift. Let that Word find root in your life. Cherish it! Nurture it! Live in it! [5] It is the source of overcoming and with it, the grace to walk right through. In Job’s thinking …it is my daily bread!
“…when life gets in the way! …”
At a pivotal point in history (538BC) a man called Cyrus, a Persian King, makes an entrance to life’s stage. As prophesied by Isaiah 100 years before his advent, he initiates a significant event. [6] In the heart of God’s exiled people there is a desire to return to their beloved Jerusalem. An occasion to restore that broken covenant relationship.
The next 80 odd years brings a number of significant people into play, including Esther, with courage in the face of life-threatening opposition. There is a team of inspired men to lead the nation with expertise and skill, but notably, an intrinsic relationship with God.
A diversity of function in the work, inspired by a handful, of what we call the ‘minor’ prophets! Really? Men, in response to the life word of God, who encouraged the people with a sense of destiny.
Ezra, the scribe, is my standout!
“For Ezra had prepared (set) his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes (principles) and ordinances in Israel” Ezra 7:10
His journey back to Jerusalem is a beautiful exhibition of faith in adversity!
Inspired by the prophetic words of Haggai and Zechariah, Zerubbabel and Jeshua begin the rebuild. Despite delays, discouragement and conflict, the enormous task of rebuilding the Temple, the defensive walls and gates, is underway.
The biblical account is well known and has been the subject of preaching for generations. There is a marvellous highlight. A people, hearing the Law for the first time. They stand with hands held high in worship with leaders, shoulder to shoulder, their praise flows to heaven. A consecration of a people in accordance with the Law. [7]
However, there are a handful of accounts where ‘life got in the way’! It is one thing to ‘hear’ the word of God! It is entirely another to ‘respond and commence’. My heart was stirred when I discovered a well known passage, not often included in preaching, that exposed the lack of attention to detail as Zechariah reveals the heart of God. It is so easy to say “we know that” and “yes, we heard that” …. but …. miss the detail and therefore the heart… ‘when life gets in the way’. We can even relegate it to the ‘future’? I will explain.
“… and then came the Word of the Lord …”
Faithful men committed to the project. Significant sacrifice in the labour. Internally working through the devastating words of discouragement. Exposed to the real threat of violence. They were a courageous company of people inspired to fulfil the calling despite opposition.
The account sounds quite familiar and contemporary.
Zechariah arrived on the scene early in the piece. There is no record of how the team responded to his words. It is therefore open to conjecture and perspective to determine the import of his revelation!
We will therefore leave that remarkable time in history and draw modern day conclusions and outcomes! It is true that his vision incorporated a later stage ….. a time unfolding as we live! It is all in the detail!
A Man with a Measuring Line
Then I looked up, and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand. I asked, “Where are you going?”
He answered me, “To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.”
While the angel who was speaking to me was leaving, another angel came to meet him and said to him:
“Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. And I will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.’ Zechariah 2:1-5
The word of the Lord brings us back to my title: ‘Without Limits’ ….
As we contend for the Faith. As we face the integral challenge of the Kingdom. As we confront the contentious days in which we live …. There is a call to the ecclesia of God to hear and respond with alacrity and agility to a living word engendering spontaneity and life that will influence our day, our walk and our community.
Our Father reveals His heart for His people … not a walled city with fixed perspectives. No walls of definition and division. No walls of habitual, measured activity…
But a walking together in grace and mercy, looking way beyond walls to a life without limits where the fire and the glory within will influence our community.
“Your Kingdom come …Your will be done in our lives as it is in Heaven”
References:
1. Eph. 6:13, 16 2. Psalm23:5 3. Psalm 90:1,14, 17 4. Hebrews 4:11-13
5. Colossians 3:16 6. Isaiah 45:1-13 7. Nehemiah 8:1-18