When you build a pyramid, you must lay the wide base on the ground and work your way up to a point. Just like when you build a house, you don’t start with building the roof; you start by laying a foundation. When you start by putting the important pieces in their correct place, everything else falls in line. If you start building at the wrong point, everything else gets messed up as well.
The same can said when you are building your life. You constantly face this longing to improve life and make it more pleasant. You encounter questions like: How can I be a better parent? … grandparent? How can I be a happier individual? How can I be more forgiving? How can I be a better steward of my wealth? In reality, you are searching for wisdom. You are searching for guidance so that you can avoid unpleasant pitfalls and frustrations, failure and disappointment. The problem is, so many times we start by looking for wisdom in the wrong place, and when we start at the wrong place, we end up with an answer that falls apart. So, God brings you (and me) to the very heart and foundation of true wisdom. He urges you: Humbly Recognize Life’s Truest Treasure, by starting at the Source of wisdom and by discerning true joy in God’s blessings. And what better place to start than by looking at the life of the wisest man the world has ever known? Our reading tells us (1) how Solomon receives his incredible wisdom and (2) how that wisdom is displayed. Now (just for a little bit of background), Solomon is the third king ancient Israel ever had. Israel’s first king is King Saul and when he dies, his family tree leaves the throne. A new dynasty rises, and its king is King David (an ancestor to Jesus). Eventually David dies and his son Solomon ascends the throne. So at the time of our reading, Solomon’s just a few years into his reign. You read that the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream. Stop and think about that for a moment. How do you picture young Solomon? Can you imagine what his palace looks like? …how his subjects treat him … what advice his advisers give? Do you envision Solomon as stressed out? …nervous? …a little timid? Solomon was probably in a good position to start ruling right where his father left off. The royal treasury holds over a centuries’ worth of tax revenue. His father was king, and if people respected David, then they would already respect him. His army marches at his order to any place, any time, for any cause. Solomon would seem to have everything necessary for a successful reign. Money, authority, military. So, it may sound out of place for God to say: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” What could Solomon ask for? “God, I’m king. So, my word stands. I have money; I can buy my way out of problems. I have respect, so people will listen to me. No thanks. I’ve got my kingdom under control.” That’s what you might expect to hear, but he doesn’t say that, does he? Instead he answers: [G]ive your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. Hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children want him to lead the nation. An economy needs his assistance for trade and income. Military must know whether to attack or defend. Solomon recognizes that he will need guidance, but he cannot rely on his own personal decision-making. He humbly admits this. He Humbly Recognizes Life’s Truest Treasure by starting at the Source of wisdom. He turns to God and following his Word. That humility is not natural. That is not something we are born with. The Bible says our sinful nature is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so (Romans 8:7). The sinful nature inside of us treasures our word more than God’s Word. It means, you will be constantly tempted to follow the guidance of whatever your heart feels is good and right. When God says: “Set aside in your heart an offering to give me,” (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7), the heart shouts: “No! That’s mine! I don’t want to give you anything! You’re not worth my money!” When Jesus says, “Forgive, each other as I have forgiven you” (Matthew 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:32) our heart screeches: “No! She hurt me! I’m not going to forgive until she hurts more than me!” When God says: “Trust me. Even as the world’s morality rapidly decays, I am with you always” (John 16:33), our heart cries: “No! I don’t believe that! There are more people who do not believe what I believe. Life’s not pleasant! I need to take over, God!” That sinful heart arrogantly claims your word is more valuable than God’s Word. That your thoughts are more important than the thoughts of God. The way you act must line up with how you feel, instead of what God calls “right.” Simply put, that sinful heart wants to rely on your decisions and to your decisions alone. And if God will not lead you to what you heart demands, then your heart will look for joy outside of God. If you look for lasting happiness anywhere else, you will only find eternal misery. Humbly Recognize Life’s Truest Treasure. It does take humility. It takes humility to put someone else’s word ahead of your own word. It takes humility to follow someone else’s guidance even when it means you are not in control. It takes humility to find priceless value in the wisdom God gives you. Solomon could not help but approach God in humility. After God asks Solomon to request anything, Solomon replies: “[God], you have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart… you kept your promise and [gave] him a son to sit on his throne.” Solomon does not brag about how his military cleverness won the throne. He does not thump his chest, boasting how his intelligence will govern the nation. It’s quite the opposite. Solomon humbly admits: The only reason he reigns is because God put him on the throne. The only reason you can stand before God today is because he gave you the most priceless treasure of all: his Son. For thirty-three years, the devil tries to persuade Jesus in finding value in the treasures of the world. He begs Jesus to challenge God’s promises. “Hey Jesus, look, you’re hungry. You’re a smart guy. You’re pretty powerful. Why don’t you make bread since it doesn’t look like your Father’s going to feed you today?” (Matthew 4:1-3) He pleads with Jesus to place his desires ahead of God’s wants. “Jesus. Hop off of the temple. Just do it. You know the Bible—and in the Bible your Father promises to protect you. You’re wise enough to know that” (Matthew 4:5-6). He even urges Jesus to find real joy in what the world offers. “Hey, Jesus. Look at all these kingdoms and their thrones and their banks filled with gold and their armies and their people—and see? See, look, they can all be yours. Just worship me and then you’ll be rich” (Matthew 4:8-9). Jesus is tempted just like you are—to follow your decisions and find real happiness in this fading world. And Jesus— he finds true wisdom in knowing the kingdom of heaven is his real home—and not just his home, but a home created just for you. He Recognizes Life’s Truest Treasure by starting at the Source of wisdom: The Word of God. Every time the devil tempts him, Jesus points back to the Word and says: “This brings real life” (Matthew 4:10). As he starts walking up Mount Calvary, he prays: “God, if it is your will, spare this pain, but let it be your will” (Matthew 26:36-46). God’s Word proves to be packed with wisdom as Jesus follows it to death for you. He sheds his innocent blood to unlock the gates of heaven. He hands over his life so that you can wear his perfection. He enters heaven in your sight so that you can know for sure: heaven holds your real inheritance! This truth does not come naturally. You must learn it. You must hear it. So, Jesus gives you his Word, the Bible. My friends, Humbly Recognize Life’s Truest Treasure, by starting at the Source of wisdom and then, you will discern true joy in God’s blessings. That’s what Solomon finds. He starts at the foundation of all the decisions that needed to be made in life. He did not construct an upside-down-pyramid. He did not start building a house roof-first. He asks God for the wisdom to start with the Word of God first, and then make a decision. God gave him a wise and discerning heart. “To discern” means to “pay attention to” or “listen with interest.” Solomon understood his real joy would not be found in money because you can never have enough money and because money always leaves you. He knows real joy is not found in long life because life ends and then you meet your Maker. He knows real joy is not found in the death of his enemies because that does not prevent danger forever. True joy is found in a life lived with God. When God is at the head of your heart, everything else falls into line. Do you wish to be a more trusting person? Where do you look to start the change? Well, do you notice where many look for comfort? Politicians. The media. The military. Group A protests that Group B lay aside their strongly-held-belief and embrace Group A’s strongly-held-belief. Yes, politicians and military are beneficial and necessary, but they are not the source of your joy. Neither will they fill your heart with gladness. They will fail you and let you down because they are sinners like you and me— imperfect and frustrating. True joy comes from knowing that whatever the future holds, God holds you tight forever. You may worry how long you will wait for a new Pastor (or if you receive a new Pastor). I cannot peer into the future and bring back an answer. I will tell you this: God has put his Word in your life. Your former Pastor did not retire and take all whispers of the Word with him. God has not closed down your building so that you can no longer hear the Word interpreted correctly and Jesus proclaimed clearly. You still have these things! Even if your surroundings change, you still possess the peace which comes from having eternal life. How do you become a better parent and grandparent? Not by looking at outward things to change about yourself. Like trying to become more patient or more caring or more flexible. Start at the Source. See how God has been a perfect Father to you. See his unconditional love poured out in your life and imitate it! When you Humbly Recognize Life’s Truest Treasure as the Word of God, you will discern true joy in God’s blessings. Solomon didn’t have all the answers as king—but he knew where to turn. The Word of God gave him guidance and wisdom for much of his life. You may search for guidance so that you can avoid unpleasant pitfalls and frustrations, failure and disappointment. Problems come when we start looking for wisdom in the wrong place. So, God starts you at the Source of wisdom: The Word of God. As you grow in the Word, you begin discerning true joy in God’s blessings. Then you Humbly Recognize Life’s Truest Treasure.
Sounds good, right? …that is, until you realize Happy Meals come with either a hamburger, cheeseburger, or chicken nuggets. You can select either (1) more French fries or (2) apple slices. Some toys are geared towards boys and others for girls. You understand Clara’s requesting dinner for a kid, but Clara is not sure (1) what the order-taker expects her to say or (2) how the order-taker needs to hear the order.
So, enter me: the helper. Clara knows I understand what she wants. She knows the request I make will result in receiving what she requested. So, I take Clara’s request and put it into words the order-taker needs. A chicken nugget happy meal with ranch dipping sauce, apple slices, and chocolate milk. This morning God reminds you about the helper you have in life. No, not someone to help you order McDonald’s. Rather, a helper who brings your requests and petitions to the throne of God. Forgetting that you have such a helper can leave you frustrated that your prayers are not being heard. You may even grow discouraged in praying— and may stop praying altogether. So, God reassures you: You Never Pray Alone! The Holy Spirit helps you and The Holy Spirit intercedes for you. Romans, chapter 8, yanks your attention right to the work of God the Holy Spirit. Reading through the chapter, you’ll discover the word [Holy] “Spirit” appears nineteen times! And each reference describes how the Holy Spirit works in you. He kills the sinful impulses flaring up inside of you (v.13). So, you know your limits when you’re out with friends. Your sentences do not contain a minimum usage of four-letter words. You give up some of your personal time to help your [grand]kids with homework. The Holy Spirit is always changing your attitude from serving yourself to serving the needs of others. Even when you fail to live as God expects, the Holy Spirit wraps his arm around you and testifies before God: “This one belongs to you! Forgive them! Remember, this is your child!” (v.16). That is who you are: God’s child— because by faith in Jesus as Savior, the Holy Spirit lives in you. You know that now, but when the world reaches its end, you will see it more clearly by the way you look and the way you act and where you live (v.23). Our reading adds another responsibility of God the Holy Spirit. You read: In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. Just think about that. God the Holy Spirit is one of the persons of the Triune God. This is the One who powerfully changed your unbelieving heart into a heart beating full of faith. This is the One who lives inside of you and strengthens your reliance on God. This is no mere angel; this is the God of the universe. And who is he helping? You! He does not only help your Pastor who spent decades studying the Word of God. He does not pay special treatment only to Christians you consider stronger [in faith] than you. Out of the billions of people in the world, the Holy Spirit directs his full attention on you— regardless of your Bible knowledge or your weaknesses or your struggles. He cares about you because through faith, you are God’s child— and that is who he sees now. Since you are God’s child, he does something. He helps you— always, now, in the next hour, later today, tomorrow, throughout the week. That is why the verb is present tense. He always holds your hand. He always stands beside you in prayer. He always brings your petitions to the throne of God— even when [you] do not know what [you] ought to pray for[.] This is his responsibility: The Holy Spirit helps you— meaning, You Never Pray Alone! He was always there when you poured out your heart to God. Yes, even when you heard new reports about violence, drugs, and murder popping up in your city. You may have felt all alone—unsure of what your city will soon look like, not sure if your neighbor is going to bring something dangerous right next door. Yes, you may doubt God cares about your concerns and still, the Holy Spirit is right there, unloading your fears of danger and violence at the throne of God. You see decreasing worship attendance in every church across America. You may even remember the days when everyone stopped what they were doing on Sunday and came to worship. Now, those days feel long gone— and you feel all alone— as though you are one of the last Christians remaining. You wonder if anyone cares about eternity in heaven or hell anymore. You wonder if God still remains to bless you in life, in your family, in your church. Even when you felt that it is not worthwhile to pray anymore, the Holy Spirit placed your every emotion into the hands of God. The doctor called again. The cancer’s spreading. The medicine list is growing. The side-effects intensify. “Where is God?” you cry out— and God the Holy Spirit was there and is there—understanding your frustrations, your fears, and your sadness and notifying God of those concerns. Sometimes you may feel that prayer is worthless because you feel no one is going to answer. No one cares. No one really knows what you are really enduring. Many times those calls to God stop simply because you believe the devil’s lie: God does not care. The truth is: he does care. And he shows his care for you on the cross. There hung Jesus—shouting out: “God, where are you?!” (Psalm 22:1). This Jesus had done nothing to deserve this God-forsakenness. He never questioned God’s care and concern for his wellbeing. He never doubted God’s assurance that he listens. He never relied on himself to make life better. It was us that did that! And it is Jesus who suffers for it! And he suffers and he dies so that you will not live apart from God forever. This is how much God cares for you: He gives you Jesus, who lived a perfect life in your place and has laid his perfect life on you so that you can live as a dearly loved child of God. God hears your prayers. He has filled you with The Holy Spirit who helps you. Your prayers are being delivered. Yet, it does not stop there. Be sure: You Never Pray Alone! because The Holy Spirit intercedes for you. It cannot be said any clearer: the Spirit himself intercedes for [you]… This “interceding” is putting your petitions into the right, exact words. The Holy Spirit does not change your message. If you pray for healing, he is not asking God to give you patience. Rather, he presents your requests to God as they stand. (Just like I present Clara’s Happy-Meal-request to the order-taker in the right words.) When the Holy Spirit approaches God the Father, he presents your petitions with groans that words cannot express. No, the Holy Spirit does not growl and groan and mumble. Neither is he speaking in fantastic tongues you can’t understand. Rather, the Holy Spirit stands before God the Father and shares your deepest inner feelings with unspoken words. God the Father knows exactly how you feel because he [… ]searches[y]our heart [and] knows the mind of the Spirit[.] It means God never makes mistakes. It means God knows you (and me) better than we know ourselves! Even when we are unsure of the solution to ask for, God gives the perfect answer because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. Did you catch where you are in this verse? You are a saint! Understand what the Bible teaches about ‘saints.’ It does not teach that some people are holier and more moral than others and therefore there exists different levels of Christians (as though a saint is loved by God more than a Christian). The Greek word: “Saint” means “holy person.” Christians are “holy” because Jesus places his holiness on them. You are “holy” because Jesus has placed his holy life on you. God sees you as: ‘Saint Bob,’ ‘Saint Sue,’ ‘Saint Roger,’ ‘Saint Betty,’ ‘Saint (fill in your name).’ Since you are “holy” (and therefore a “saint”), it means God cares about you! When you don’t know what to ask for, the Father’s reply will be what is best and perfect for you. Sometimes that involves God leading your heart to accept his will. Someone’s “will” is their desire. My “will” (or “desire”) might be that my spouse fully recovers from surgery, runs around like she is young again, and lives until the ripe age of 98[years old]. Yet, while she lies in the hospital bed, I may not be so sure my “will” is going to be fulfilled. Instead, God’s “will” (his “desire”) might be that my spouse leaves this earthly life so that she may live in her heavenly home. While I might not always understand God’s timing or reasoning, the Holy Spirit teaches me rely on God’s perfect decision. My “will” might be that this congregation grows to be the largest in the area. I do truly desire that everyone comes to know (1) Jesus as their Savior, (2) learn that eternal life comes because of Jesus and not because of their self working, and (3) that many find joy in serving God by living according to his Word. This is a good desire; after all, God desires that all people be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Yet, God’s “will” may not be that we become the largest congregation around. He knows how tempting it would be for us to brag about our efforts. He may take his Word away from this area because so many rejected hearing it for so long. Most of all, God may be teaching us that success is not found in numbers; success is found in trusting Jesus as our Savior. The Holy Spirit constantly intercedes for you. He brings our petitions right up to God—and God answers. Sometimes giving us exactly what we asked for because it lined up with his will. At other times, he teaches us to trust his will more than ours. You Never Pray Alone! You know that because God says that. You trust this because God gives you the Holy Spirit as your helper. Forgetting that you have such a helper can leave you frustrated that your prayers are not being heard. You may even grow discouraged in praying— and may stop praying altogether. Knowing that God always stands beside you, is always serious about listening to you, is always present to answer means you can pray with confidence.
Can you do what you say? Probably.
That’s right: probably. Not: ‘Yes;’ not: ‘No,’ but: ‘Probably.’ You know milk is in the grocery store. Your mind remembers how to find the store. Your healthy body is capable of traveling to the store. You have resources (like a car or bike or county bus) to reach the store. Chances are highly likely that you will accomplish the desire of your words. You will enter the store and buy milk. But, just how effective are your words? You may intend leaving, but your car’s dead battery prevents you from leaving the driveway. Your brain understands the necessity of your trip, but it cannot convince a sick body to get up and run your errand. You may have one foot out the door, but then your child grabs your attention. Your words reveal your intentions, but your intentions do not always come true. You do not have the power to fulfill everything you say or want to do. It reveals an eye-opening truth: your words have limits. That is why our Old Testament reading does not center on the power of your words. Instead, the prophet Isaiah focuses your attention on the fact that God’s Word Works Results. It belongs to God Almighty. It works for God Almighty. Listen again to our reading. [T]he rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater[.]Don’t rush through these words; God is not teaching another science lesson. Our eyes may be tempted to look only at the results. (1) The earth bud[s] and flourish[es]. (2) Thousands of seeds burst out for next year’s planting. (3) Fields of grain produce bread for the eater. But the results are not the main point. Rather, the chief point is this: What makes the results? What causes the earth to bud and flourish? What produces thousands of seeds for the sower? What brings bread to the eater? The rain! One little seed cannot spontaneously sprout. The soil lacks the power to crack the plant out of its little shell. A farmer does not pry open the seed, take out little roots and stretch out a stem, leaves, and flowers. Plants thrive and flourish from the powerful effect of the rain. The rain produces results! Here’s the comparison:[S]o is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. What produces results in your life? The Word— and not just any “Word.” Look at the pronoun attached to “the Word.” “My Word.” That “My” does not refer to you or to me or to the President of the United States or to the Supreme Court of the United States. That “My” refers to God Almighty. The Almighty God who spoke: “Let there be”— and heaven and earth and land and waters and animals and people instantly come into existence (Genesis 1). The Almighty God who stood in a boat and commanded brilliant flashes of lightning and booming thunder and heaving seas: “Be still!”—and immediately the waters become like glass, the winds gently blow, and the skies unlock the sun (Matthew 8:23-27). The Almighty God who seizes the hand of a dead child and whispers: “Get up”—and she opens her eyes, sits up, and begins walking! (Mark 5:21-43) God’s Word Works Results because It belongs to God Almighty. That means you have a source to silence every fear! When money gets tight and gas prices rise, grab onto the assurance that God daily provides for you. When you are frightened about the future, remember that your Almighty God governs the future. When death takes a loved one and you hurt inside, believe Jesus has welcomed them into heaven. You can live without fear because God’s Word Works Results! Is that how you live… fear-less? Maybe you wake up each day wishing to carry less worry in life. Yet, you feel like marriage cannot and will never offer you the security, the happiness, and the love you truly want. Your mind is consumed with questions about North Korea and their nuclear capabilities. You can even leave worship fretting over the future of your church. Every day we battle fear. Any worry you carry does not come because God somehow did not help you enough. God’s Word Works Results because it comes from the mouth of the Almighty. The reason we feel alarmed is that we think our word can work results. It happens when you push aside the Bible’s blueprint for marriage and listen to your own thoughts— feeling as though your answers are going to make marriage happier and better. Fear creeps up when you doubt God is really in control— that God makes a promise to certain people in the Bible, but those promises are not meant for you. You may treat God’s Word like it is powerless— that you expect God to provide food, but you don’t expect him to pay bills. You trust God can heal your cut, but you don’t know if he’s going to heal your stomach. You see God miraculously control winds and waves, but doubt he does those anymore. That sinful nature inside of each of us strives to push God’s Word off to the side. That sinful nature tries to convince you that God cannot be trusted. If you cannot trust God, then you will look for another object to trust—even if that means you take the place of God. My friends, remember this truth in our reading: God’s Word Works Results. It works because only God has the power to do everything he intends. The instant sin enters the world, God gives his Word: You will have a Savior (Genesis 3:15). He keeps adding Words to this promise. He will be born in a little town called Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). His mother will be a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). People will marvel at his message (Deuteronomy 18:15). He will bring comfort to the world (Isaiah 40) because the weight of the world will be draped across his back (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53). How effective are God’s words? He fulfills them all—including the words that have changed your life forever: “It is finished” (John 19:30). At your baptism, God’s powerful Word brought you into a relationship with him. It is by his command you are made his child. It is by his promise that the consequences of self-trust are washed off from you. It is by his Word you are made his child. God’s Word Works Results. It belongs to God Almighty and It works for God Almighty. Look again at verse 11. [S]o is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty[.] Let me ask you: When it rains, where does the water go? Into the ground. For what purpose? For plants to take in the water, use it, and grow. In the same way, God’s Word always works a result. Some hardened hearts reject the Word. Others listen, but cave into the pressure to deny their faith. Still others hear, but love for worldly wealth chokes the Word out of life. For you, every time you hear the Word, you are growing in your faith (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23). God’s Word works for God Almighty. [It] accomplish[es] what [he]I desire and achieve[s] the purpose for which [he] sent it. If you have ever cared for a plant, you know there is one thing that plant above all else: water. When you water a plant, sometimes you see results. You see new vines, new leaves, new flowers, new tomatoes and peppers and beans. In the same way, God’s Word Works Results. Yes, you can marvel at the many ways in which God has led the most confused soul to faith. You can stand amazed at the comfort it gives to the brokenhearted. You might delight in hearing testimonials how changed a person’s life entirely. Yes, many times we look for the Word to leave spectacular results that we can see! Yet, sometimes when you water a plant, you do not see the results. The plant is still alive, but you don’t know if anything about it has changed. Yet, God’s Word still Works Results--even when we cannot see the results. Those results may not always be what you expect. You may have in mind the perfect marriage with your spouse having perfect conversations and your every need being met in the perfect way. You feel your spouse is the one who needs to pay close attention to God. In reality, it just might be you who needs the Word to refocus your attitude. It is the Word that teaches you to put the needs of your spouse ahead of your own—even if it feels inconvenient. Those results may not always be seen now. You have worshipped here for weeks, months, years, decades— and it might feel like you get little out of worship. But then, one day someone close to you tragically dies. All of your friends and family mourn; grief rips into them. They have no idea where to find comfort. They reveal they have no idea what brings the greatest fulfillment to life. But you know. Because of all your years hearing and studying and learning about a Savior, you can share God’s love. You did not look like you grew, but in reality, you had been growing all along. Those results may not always look successful. God does not promise your congregation will always grow. He does not promise that your world will grow more godly. He does not promise that you will have lots of money and perfect health. It can feel like either (1) God did not keep his Word or (2) something is missing from the Word. Remember this: God sends out his Word to strengthen you. Faith grabs hold of God’s promises—even when you do not see the outcome of those promises. Even if money leaves you, trust God still cares for you more than the birds of the air or the grass in your yard. Even if health fails, understand God the Great Physician holds your wellbeing under his careful eye. Even if it looks as though Satan’s godless agenda is succeeding in this world, remember that Jesus won the war on Calvary. What happens is that your trust, your reliance on Jesus increases. The results may not be something the world praises, but you do not need the world’s praise. The result of the Word is to strengthen your trust in Jesus. Plants are living things; they either grow or they shrivel. To make a plant shrivel up, keep the water away. To make the plant grow, water daily. A plant cannot live without water. Christians cannot live without the water of God’s Word. To make a Christian rely more on himself, stay away from the Word. To make a Christian grow in faith, daily remain in the Word because God’s Word Works Results. So, just how effective are your words? Do you have the power to fulfill everything you say or want to do? No—but you don’t need to have that power. God’s Word has the real power to change hearts and to instill comfort. God’s Word equips you for whatever lies ahead this week. God’s Word tells you that the Almighty is in control. God’s Word tells you that God is powerful enough to make his Word bear results. That is why our Old Testament reading does not center on the power of your words. Instead, the prophet Isaiah focuses your attention on the fact that God’s Word Works Results. It belongs to God Almighty. It works for God Almighty.
teenager asking questions and answering questions, or you were the adult who investigated the Bible more and pieced together everything God has done and still does for you. You continue grasping God’s Word as you study in Bible class or read your home devotions or read through chapters of the Bible. Some of you even hunched into little Sunday School chairs and discovered just how much God loves you. So, you are here— gathered in a house of God, gathered to hear the Word of God, gathered for the sole purpose of growing closer to God because you are a Christian— someone whose life follows the teaching, example, and love of Christ.
But you’re not perfect, are you? You may know the lives of Abraham and king David, the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah. You may worship every opportunity you have. You may try your hardest to take one key truth and put it into practice. But you still struggle with temptations and still tumble into sin. A Christian and sinner! Those two don’t seem to go together! And you do not want to “sinner.” So, what’s the problem? Why can’t you be one instead of the other? What’s wrong with you? Maybe you woke up looking into the bathroom mirror, asking yourself that very question. So often you feel pulled in two different directions. Verse 18 reveals the first tug: (1) For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. You know what is ‘good;’ you remember God’s Ten Commandments, your mind recalls how just lovingly patient Jesus is with you and others. Your heart yearns to imitate your Savior’s life. So, it doesn’t take long for you to realize that your group conversation has just crossed the line. Everyone else no longer shares heartfelt care and concern. No, you now hear big, fat, juicy gossip meant to attack the character of your politicians, meant to make your friend look stupid, meant to elevate you as the wisest sage of all. And yes, you do not chime in because you know these words are not God-pleasing. The ‘good’ is to defend the reputation of others— but you just stand there, quietly silent, doing nothing because you do not want your reputation attacked. Or, you are well aware God calls your body his temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). A temple not to be filled up with drugs. A temple not to be abused with liquor. A holy temple with mind and body acting in decency. But then, you’re home alone and the struggle for self-control fires up again. The ‘good’ is to honor God with your body— but how difficult to grab the upper hand over your body and its desires! You know the good to do, but fail to actually do it! Then, there’s the pull in the other direction. Verse 19 says: (2) [W]hat I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do— this I keep on doing. Your wife spent hours pouring out her heart for you in dinner. She chars that steak to medium-rare perfection and places it right next to a baked potato loaded with sour cream, bacon, and butter. She beams with glee because she wants to make you happy. Yet, you had a bad day and you’re going to let her know about your bad day. In fact, you are going to make sure her day is not and cannot be any better than yours. So, you gripe the steak is too rare, the baked potato could use chives; you question the use of her time at home and grunt out some gloomy news you heard earlier in the day in the hopes of stifling her joy. Or, you recognize what words you should say. After all, when a four-letter bomb comes out near a church building, you quickly apologize. Yet, as soon as the building is out of sight, you can resume using God’s gift of words to express anger or excitement or astonishment or for so-called fun. It can be so easy to reflect on everything you said, thought, or did last week and see the evil stick out so plainly. It gets frustrating, doesn’t it? You are a Christian. Inside of you is this burning desire to become more Christ-like. You crave the willpower to say “No” to addiction and to say “Yes” to stable relationships. You want to grow more patient and to better control your temper. You want to watch the words that come out of your mouth. Try as you might, you still say things you cannot take back, you still act in ways you later regret, you still struggle to control your thoughts. It may leave you staring into the mirror, asking the reflection looking back at you: “What’s wrong with me?!” What’s wrong with me? [Pastor] What’s wrong with you? What’s “wrong” is trying to find spiritual rest in yourself. No matter how hard you may try to be nicer, kinder, and gentler, it takes only one action to plunge you right back into despair. It takes one sin to remind you: “God is not happy.” It is that guilt which can wrack your soul with terrifying fear: What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Well, it is the one who has the word “rescue” built into his name (and it’s not your name). Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! Let those words sink in. Thanks be to God! Don’t those words just jump out at you? Do you see what’s missing? The Bible doesn’t give a list of ways to earn this forgiveness! No: “Thanks be to God! Now I must be better or else.” No: “Thanks be to God! Now I must commit my life to Christianity more.” You do nothing; you simply sigh: “Thanks be to God!” because through Jesus Christ [y]our Lord you receive true rest. Jesus is the way God’s forgiveness reaches to you. It means when you are crushed by your tirade, look to the cross. When guilt torments you, look to the cross. When you feel absolutely terrible that you [again] failed to control your body, look to the cross. Ask yourself: “What happened there?” Jesus died, right? “Why did Jesus die?” Because he stood before God instead of you. And God sees your (and mine) lack of self-control on him. And Jesus is dealt the death you (and I) deserve. So, what does this mean? Jesus removed any reason for God to damn you to hell! He removes any reason for God to be angry with you! It means you are forgiven! You have peace with God! You can live without fear; you can run to the cross and dump your guilt off there because Jesus has done it all! Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! This is the answer! When you look into the mirror, shaking your head and sighing: “What’s wrong with me?”—understand, rest is not found in you. You (and I) are wretched without Jesus, but you (and I) are blessed with Jesus! So, when the mind stirs up guilt, run to Jesus. And keep running to him. The truth is, you and I will never reach a point when we no longer sin. Our reading makes that clear: So I find this law at work… A better way of saying it: I find this pattern constantly happening. (1) When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. That’s true. You learned in youth and adult catechism classes that you have a New Man (or a New Adam). The moment you came to faith, your heart had the desire to obey God, to listen to his commands, and to follow him. So, you delight in being the best parent. You want to serve him with your hands, your offerings, and your time. You do not want to gripe and complain; you want to encourage and build others up. Why? Because Jesus never complains about you. He never stops filling your life with money and possessions. He never stops forgiving you. He selflessly loves you, so you selflessly love him (1 John 4:19). (2) [B]ut the same time, I see another [principle] at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. You have this New-man-desire to please God, but the Bible teaches: you still have a sinful nature. Remember Adam and Eve— the first people on earth. The moment they sinned, their hearts filled up with ways to put their needs ahead of God’s wants. Since we all can trace our family tree back to them, it means we inherit their self-centeredness (Romans 5:12-19). So, a part of our hearts still want instant gratification. That’s why babies cry; they want you to stop what you are doing to meet their needs. That’s why toddlers fight over toys— because those are “Mine!” That’s why children spit out food— because it isn’t their liking. That’s why adults argue— because someone else is telling them “No.” You and I will always have this tug-of-war raging inside. On the one hand you crave to serve God; on the other hand, you want to block his Word from your mind. The struggle against temptation will always be present in your life— but never despair. Run to Jesus and collapse into the rest he gives you. Find rest in his Word, in the Bible. See Jesus and how he lives. See how Jesus lives for you. That means, he does not live to be only an example to follow (as though imitating him leads to a perfect life). He lives to be perfect in your place. When you continue grasping the fact he lives for you, your love and appreciation for him grows. So, if you recognize your language is a little too colorful, look to the language of Jesus. He uses his words to encourage and build up— even strengthening disciples who constantly let him down! He uses his words to forgive you. Touched by this love, touched by his words, you imitate him. The struggle will be constant. It will continue until you reach your home in heaven. So, if you ever wonder what’s wrong with you, look immediately to Jesus. See who you truly are— just as our reading does. Tucked in between all the “dos” and “nots” is the word: “I.” That little pronoun stands out apart from the sinful nature. You have been bought and made a possession of God. You are no longer controlled by sin. Your real self—the way God sees you— is a perfect child of God. Perfect— because Jesus puts his life over yours. Child— because God looks at you and smiles. Friends, nothing is wrong with you because you are connected to Jesus. The struggle comes because you love him most of all. Find your rest in Jesus. Then go, Struggle against Sin with Jesus. |
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