July 10, 2014

Posted on July 10, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Now that’s a magnificent promise! What’s more, the only condition I can find related to it is simply being part of the People of God. The last half of this verse is picked up in the old hymn, “How Firm a Foundation.” Many of the old hymns are Biblically based, though they don’t quote Scripture as directly as some modern worship songs. However others, of all ages, are no better than humanistic exhortations. It has been said, accurately enough, that you can tell the theology of a church by what they sing. Pastors who don’t pay attention to the lyrics of what is being sung in their churches are asking for trouble down the line. It would be nice if all believers memorized Scripture and spent their time “talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up,” as it says in Deuteronomy 11:19. We all know that isn’t common, but music has a way of sticking in our heads, and if the lyrics are Biblical, that can be a very good thing indeed. If we would live out even what we sing in church we would make good strides down the road to true discipleship. Music is a powerful, glorious gift from God, which is why the devil tries so hard to pollute it. We need to take it back by focusing on music that glorifies God and builds people up. I won’t get into the mess that is secular music. Some of it is innocuous, but much of it strongly encourages a very twisted world view, and that is dangerous indeed.

I was blessed to grow up in a highly musical family. Our music certainly wasn’t limited to “church music,” but we delighted to gather around the piano and sing through the hymnal. I have enjoyed what at the time were called “worship choruses,” which has morphed into what today is called “contemporary Christian music.” I have heard, and sung, a fair amount of junk, as well as some real gems. I have come to the position that church music needs to be of a style the congregation can relate to, but that “comfort zones” need to be stretched as well. Sometimes setting good lyrics to a different tune can give people a fresh appreciation for what they are singing. Living and ministering in Japan, song translations are a real issue. Lyrics need to be contemporary enough to be fully understood, while being poetic enough to stick in the mind and heart. Sometimes going between languages can provide an opportunity to straighten that sort of thing out! I have been privileged to translate quite a few songs, from brief choruses to multi-verse hymns, because of our bilingual congregation. I wish my quality were a little more consistent, but every creative person produces some duds! I am to be faithful with what the Lord gives me, sharing it as He directs, so that the Body of Christ may be built up with true disciples, for His glory.

Father, thank You for music, and for all that it has been in my life. Thank You for the privilege of translating songs for You. Thank You for directing me to start blogs to share those translations. I pray that those translations would fulfill the purposes You have for them, building up Your children indeed, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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July 9, 2014

Posted on July 10, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are terrified;
trembling grips the godless:
“Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire?
Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?”

Sinners are always trying to run and/or hide from God, when that is a physical and logical impossibility. They recognize on a subconscious level that their actions destine them for an eternally blazing furnace, yet too often they aren’t willing to repent of their actions in order to avoid that furnace. From the very next verse Isaiah describes a lifestyle that will guarantee blessing, but too often, people love their sin too much to change to such a lifestyle. That is abundantly obvious in the uproar over homosexuality in the US today. The Bible says nothing about condemning homosexual attraction, but it is very clearly against homosexual activity. The thing is, society in general is dead set against celibacy, so anyone with homosexual feelings thinks they are compelled to act on them. That’s the great lie. The devil twists the truth that Jesus spoke about adultery of the heart (Matthew 5:25) to say that sinful impulses must be acted on, whether they are heterosexual or homosexual. I am frequently reminded of the great advice D. L. Moody gave to a young seminarian who was protesting that he couldn’t avoid impure thoughts: “You can’t keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building nests in your hair.” It is when we dwell on and nurture thoughts of sin that they become spiritual adultery, and sinful indeed. The devil doesn’t much care which sins he traps you in, he just wants to hide from you the possibility and necessity of repentance.

I will never forget the release I experienced from a particular sin when I accepted the reality that in Christ I was forgiven. If I was forgiven, I could put it behind me and didn’t have to dwell on it any more. The more I had dwelt on what I had done, the more likely I was to do it again! (2 Peter 1:9) God indeed calls us to holiness, (1 Peter 1:15-16) but the only way we can walk in it is by keeping our repentance up to date. We all stumble! 1 John 1:9 is written more to believers than it is to unbelievers, because the biggest thing unbelievers have to repent of is their unbelief. The thing is, if we do walk in repentance, then the sins of the past will just drop away from us and we will be able to walk in glorious fellowship with our Creator. This has been my experience, yet I often have great difficulty getting people to believe it is possible for them. They see it in me and might even be envious, but they are blinded to the reality that it is as available to them as it is to me. All I can do is pray for them and be faithful to speak the truth in love to them.

Father, You know who came to mind as I wrote that, and You know the many more that aren’t so sharply on my mind. I ask Your grace and mercy for us all, that Christ’s victory might be manifested and the lying traps of the enemy be destroyed, and multitudes be set free to repent and believe, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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July 8, 2014

Posted on July 10, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 33:2 O Lord, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress.

This is certainly a heartfelt prayer, and an appropriate one for any believer when times are difficult. It is interesting how often the Bible speaks of prayer in the morning, or God’s blessings being renewed in the morning. Lamentations 3:22-23 was written in a time of particularly severe distress, and is perhaps the most famous reminder that God’s mercies are new every morning. There are all sorts of reasons for God arranging things so that the earth rotates as it does, but the regular appearance of morning, not just on a physical level but on an emotional and even spiritual level, is surely one of them. Since we are confined, for the moment at least, to the flow of time, it is helpful to us on multiple levels to have morning and evening on a regular schedule. Those living close to the poles, even for a relatively short time, often have psychological problems because of the lack of regular mornings. The question then becomes, what do we do with our mornings? Do we use them to renew our commitment to our Creator, and ask His guidance for the next step in our path? Those who have done so have certainly discovered the truth of the Lamentations passage, but far too many don’t let God into their thinking at all, and they are far the poorer for it.

I don’t remember when I became aware of my parents’ habit of regular morning devotions, but it was certainly early in my life. I didn’t establish a consistent habit myself until I was already a father, and I envy those who successfully start earlier. I do know that now, inability to have a morning devotion time is very distressing, whether it’s because of external circumstances or, especially, inner turmoil. In the latter case, even when I can’t follow my regular pattern I do cry out to God, and I find Him more than faithful. As a pastor I seek to encourage everyone in my care to get into such a habit, and it is a mystery to me that some seem to have great difficulty in doing so. It is no surprise that such people generally have a multitude of other problems, which they often cite as excuses for not reading the Bible and praying, but they don’t realize they’re putting the cart before the horse. If they were to focus on God first, then He would guide them out of their problems!

Father, thank You for knowing our weaknesses better than we do, and for loving us anyway. Help me be open fully to the flow of Your grace, Your Spirit, through me to all I encounter. May I receive what I need even as I pass it on, so that all of Your plans, for me and for those around me, may be fulfilled for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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July 7, 2014

Posted on July 10, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 32:8 But the noble man makes noble plans,
and by noble deeds he stands.

For once the NIV is downright poetic, in a very defensible translation. The Japanese says “high quality” where the NIV says “noble,” and that is certainly one of the meanings of “noble.” In the last part of the verse, the Japanese says, “he always does high quality things.” Checking various translations, some seem very unclear and none top the NIV for impact. However it’s translated, this verse calls to mind what Jesus said about false teachers in Matthew 7. That is, we can evaluate people by their lives. A less-than-noble person might occasionally do something good, but it’s surprising when it happens. Such a person is certainly not going to stand in the long run! In contrast, a noble person might occasionally trip up and do something bad, but there too it’s surprising. The thing is, all of us are imperfect, so we need God’s help if we are to have any hope of being truly noble. That is what Jesus’ famous parable, also found in Matthew 7 about men who built their houses on sand and rock, respectively, is talking about. The decisive factor in both cases is whether they apply what they hear from Jesus. In other words, noble deeds come from a heart that is obedient to God. Such deeds last, and tend to be self-perpetuating, forming habits that are a bulwark against evil. We need to be planning to obey God, and asking for His help both in the plans and the follow- through.

Planning has always been a weak area for me, but that’s no excuse for failing to listen to God. I do honestly desire to be noble by God’s evaluation, whatever people think of me. I am at times painfully aware that I can accomplish nothing apart from Christ, (John 15:5) but that’s not anything to complain about, because through Him I can do everything! (Philippians 4:13) As I have been reminded recently, sometimes all I can do is take one baby-step at a time, but if those steps are in the right direction, God’s grace will be manifested and Christ will be active in and through me.

Father, You know the stress I am dealing with right now, and You know what You want to work in me through it. Thank You. Help me not “kick against the goads,” (Acts 26:14) but rejoice to submit myself to what You are doing in and through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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July 6, 2014

Posted on July 8, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 30:18 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!

Once again we have a greatly comforting statement after a section detailing the consequences of sin and rebellion. The verses immediately following this one are more famous, but this one sets the tone. The Japanese puts it as “The Lord is waiting to be gracious to you,” with the image of real desire, of impatience even. After that, Isaiah says that God stands up to be merciful to us. The context is of a king, who stood from his throne only when he wanted to, and others either stood or bowed in his presence. God is indeed the great King, the King of all kings, yet He gets up from His throne to show us mercy. That should be a very moving image. The verse then goes on to remind us that God is the God of righteousness, (which the NIV renders as “justice”) which should be very encouraging to all who desire to do right. The Japanese expresses the last of the verse as, “How blessed are all who wait expectantly for the Lord.” This is exactly the same phrase Isaiah uses again in the very famous line in Isaiah 40:31. The NIV says “hope” in that verse, but the Japanese phrase of “wait expectantly” seems to agree with the Hebrew very well. Tradition tells us that Isaiah was martyred by being sawed in two, which is a pretty horrible end to this life, but he certainly received a glorious reward on his arrival before the throne of God! He knew in faith of what he wrote, even though he didn’t see the fulfillment in this life.

I’ve always loved the book of Isaiah, and am delighted when the Bible reading list gets there. I have much to learn from him, both in his grasp of the character of God and his understanding of waiting expectantly for God. The better I grasp His character the more patient I become, too! The picture of God rising to be merciful brings to mind Psalm 18:35, that the NIV renders very movingly as, “you stoop down to make me great.” (Also in 2 Samuel 22:36.) God as the Creator doesn’t have to do anything for us, His creation, but His character of love causes Him to do so. I have experienced this time and time again, and my desire is to introduce as many people as I can to such a wonderful, magnificent, gracious and loving God. I am grieved when people, through their words and actions, express such distorted ideas of who and what God is. I am to express the truth to them in love, but not think that I can change them by my own efforts. Rather, I am to hold myself available to God for Him to use me in being gracious to others, so that as many as will may repent and believe, for their salvation and His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for all the saints who were faithful to record what You spoke to them. Help me likewise be faithful to transmit what You speak to me, so that the earth may be as full of the knowledge of You as the sea is full of water, (Habakkuk 2:14) for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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July 5, 2014

Posted on July 6, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 28:16 So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who trusts will never be dismayed.”

Once again, in the middle of a very severe statement of judgment, there is a beautiful statement of hope. This pattern occurs again and again in the Old Testament prophecies, and is a reminder that judgment does not come because God wants to punish us, but because we earn such punishment as the natural and logical consequence of our actions. This verse is undeniably Messianic, and was quoted by both Paul (Romans 9:33) and Peter (1 Peter 2:6) in relation to salvation in Christ. Society in general might be ignoring God and thinking they can cheat death by their own wits, but individuals within society who cling to Jesus instead of to such lies are kept safe. As is so often the case when I read such passages, I am reminded of the situation in America today. Medical advances are wonderful, as are advances in technology and the like, but people who trust in such things and turn their backs on God will find they ultimately have no refuge. On the other hand, people who trust in Christ rather than in any humanistic “salvation” will be secure. Various modern English translations use words like “dismayed” or “disgraced” as the condition believers will avoid, but the Japanese is closer to the King James in translating it as “be frantic.” When you are confronted by a danger you don’t know how to avoid, you get frantic! However, those whose hearts are anchored in Christ know what the ultimate solution is to any problem, however unclear immediate details might be.

I wish I could say I never get frantic, but that would certainly be untrue! However, the longer I walk with Christ the more assured I am of His faithfulness. I see so much of society around me trying to “make a covenant with death,” as it talks about in this passage, and I can only shake my head and try to communicate the truth to them in love. Faith in Christ doesn’t insulate us from living in a fallen world, but it gives us a totally different perspective on everything. I am not to despise those who refuse that perspective, but exercise the same patience and grace that were shown to me, seeking to lead as many as will accept it into repentance and faith. I certainly can’t accomplish that in my own wisdom and strength, so I’ve got to rely on God speaking and acting through me by His Spirit. There are so many I desire to see in the family of God! I am not to give up on any of them, but keep praying and walking in faithfulness.

Father, thank You for Your grace toward me. Help me be an open channel of that grace toward those around me, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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July 4, 2014

Posted on July 6, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 26:12 Lord, you establish peace for us;
all that we have accomplished you have done for us.

Verse 3 of this chapter (You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.) is justly famous and I love it dearly, but this verse also is vitally important. People search after all sorts of peace, both absence of external conflict and inner peace, but this verse is a reminder that it is God who supplies true peace. Anything that we can work up on our own is at best a poor copy. That’s because we can’t have any other kind of peace in a truly meaningful way until we have peace with God, and He has supplied that through the cross of Christ. (Romans 5:1) That peace is actually a major theme of Paul’s letters, but Isaiah recognized it too, and he certainly wasn’t the first person to do so. The second half of this verse is also vitally important. It is when we realize that everything we actually accomplish is something God has done through us that we receive the peace He has for us. As long as we are claiming our accomplishments as our own, a wall of pride is separating us from God. This is an obstacle to many, especially men, because we desire pride of accomplishment so much. It’s not that it’s wrong to take pride in work well done, it’s that we need to recognize that the ability, wisdom, and everything else came from God, and give Him the glory. Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us that the ability to produce wealth comes from God. Those who refuse to acknowledge that are the ones who try to gain wealth through dishonest means of all sorts, but they find that in the end, any material wealth gained that way is ashes in their mouths, less than useless.

I’ve never been a big one for producing wealth, but I have as much hunger to say I’ve done something as the next guy. I’ve got to remember that as Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) The more God allows me to do, the more I’ve got to give Him the credit, because that’s only being honest. If I ever try to claim I’ve done something without His help, I lose whatever benefit I might have received from that thing, regardless of what it does for others. I am not to rebel against my dependence on God, but rather rejoice in it in profound gratitude. God’s power and ability are infinite, and He pours them through those who are yielded to Him. Just yesterday I saw a report of a man who literally twisted a car door off its hinges to rescue someone trapped inside. Had he thought about it ahead of time he would never have attempted it, but his motive was pure and God supplied the power. That should be my attitude, not considering who or what or how I am, but focusing fully on God and allowing Him to use me as He sees fit, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You did in and through me yesterday, and all that You will do today. May I be fully open to You so that I will recognize every opportunity You provide, to make full use of it (Ephesians 5:16) for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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July 3, 2014

Posted on July 4, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 24:16 From the ends of the earth we hear singing:
“Glory to the Righteous One.”
But I said, “I waste away, I waste away!
Woe to me!
The treacherous betray!
With treachery the treacherous betray!”

When drawing up this Scripture reading list I almost left this verse out, or at least specified just the first half of the verse, because the change in mood is so drastic. However, as I read it just now, it struck me that this situation isn’t so uncommon. People can be rejoicing all around you, but you are unable to “get with the program” emotionally. Actually, in the context of this chapter that is talking about a terrible drought, the joy expressed in verses 14 and 15 is rather startling. It is certainly true that for the mature believer, our joy in the Lord isn’t dependent on external circumstances, but few people operate in that all the time. Just yesterday I was reading that David Wilkerson, who was certainly a saint of God and magnificently used by Him, had times of real depression and doubt that he was acceptable to God. If a man like that could feel that way, it’s no surprise that anyone else would! In this verse, it is human betrayal that has Isaiah so down, and not the drought of the first part of the chapter. However, God’s faithfulness is not only greater than physical circumstances, it is greater than man’s sinfulness as well. Particularly because God doesn’t force people to be good, sometimes we wind up feeling like human sin can be beyond God’s power to redeem. That’s a deception from the devil! It doesn’t matter what we face, whether visible or invisible, in our own lives or in the lives of others, God is greater. If we will trust and obey Him, in the end He will bring it all to a glorious conclusion.

I’ve certainly struggled with this over the years! Actually, it’s one of the biggest issues I face in pastoral ministry, because of how easily people become convinced that their weakness is greater than God’s strength. When it’s expressed clearly like I just did, the absurdity of that thinking is obvious, but that doesn’t immediately lift people out of that thinking trap. All I can do is keep praying that people will be given a revelation of the power and grace of God. When we have a firm hold on that, nothing can shake us. Of course, that applies to me as well. Just three days ago I came under a concerted spiritual attack, and all I wanted to do was withdraw from everything. I had to choose to trust and obey to take tiny, baby steps, and one step at a time I came out of the shockingly deep depression I was feeling. That should give me much better empathy with those to whom I minister who are in similar emotional pits, and there are several even as I write. I need to express God’s love and grace to them in word and deed, letting God use me to give them hope, and I must not let go of hope myself, no matter how humanly hopeless a situation might seem. After all, God “gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.” (Romans 4:17)

Father, thank You for this clear Word. Help me operate by it, and help me communicate it to those who need it. Help me keep my own perspective, looking at Christ first and then at everything and everyone else. Help me lift others to that perspective as well, so that they may understand on every level that You are gracious, loving, and mighty to save, and together we may rejoice in You, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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July 2, 2014

Posted on July 4, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 16:5 In love a throne will be established;
in faithfulness a man will sit on it–
one from the house of David–
one who in judging seeks justice
and speeds the cause of righteousness.

It’s very interesting to find such a clearly Messianic prophecy in the context of a passage about Moabite refugees. David’s grandmother was Ruth, a Moabitess, which is a connection, but it is still clear that the Messiah will not be just for the sake of the Jews. The Old Testament actually is loaded with such prophecies, yet even after Jesus’ resurrection the Jewish believers had great difficulty wrapping their minds around the idea. In John 10:16 Jesus said He had “other sheep, which are not of this fold,” but even Peter, who was doubtless present when He said that, had to have a dramatic vision before he could grasp that salvation in Christ was for Gentiles as well. (Acts 10) We are often slow to grasp the breadth and depth, the magnificence, of God’s plan of salvation. From Ephesians and elsewhere in Paul’s writings, my grandfather W. O. Carver referred to it as “the plan of the ages.” In Revelation 13:8 it says that Jesus is the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world,” which means that God’s plan was in motion from Creation, which shouldn’t be surprising when we realize that God is outside of time and so truly sees the end from the beginning. Our task is to recognize God’s plan and specifically our part in it, because it is in fulfilling that plan that we will have peace, joy, and satisfaction, and God will have glory.

I have quite a missionary heritage, from a grandfather who has been called “the father of Southern Baptist missions” to parents who were lifetime missionaries, but it ultimately comes down to how well I listen and obey as to my part in God’s plan. He has called me to live and work in Japan, but I must still make the daily, moment-by-moment choice to “make use of every opportunity” (Ephesians 5:16) He gives me to communicate His grace and love to others. He has given me a gift for words and has been remarkably faithful in speaking through me, but if my actions, my daily living, aren’t in line with what He says through me, I personally have failed. I must remember the justice and righteousness Isaiah prophesied of Jesus, and apply myself that they may be demonstrated in my life.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the magnificent spiritual heritage You have given me, and for the opportunity to pass that on to both physical and spiritual descendants. I ask You to enable me to be effective in that, for their sake and for the sake of those they will impact, in ever-widening circles, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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July 1, 2014

Posted on July 4, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him –
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord

The Spirit of God is mentioned in the Bible from Genesis 1:2, but this is the first description of Him that I’m aware of. It certainly bears close attention. Once again, comparing the English and the Japanese translations gives broader and deeper insight. Wisdom and understanding are both fairly common concepts, but I’ve always been a bit uncertain as to what “counsel” would mean. The Japanese uses a term that carries the meaning of decision-making, which to me illuminates the verse considerably. Likewise, where the English simply says “power,” the Japanese says “ability,” that is, the power to get things done. That’s different from strength, as in muscles. One more difference between the translations is that the Japanese specifies not simply knowledge, but knowledge of the Lord. Simply knowing stuff isn’t the same thing as an intimate relationship with God. It follows that such knowledge brings an appropriate fear of the Lord. All of these things are important to consider when we think about being filled with the Holy Spirit. As this verse says, from His baptism onward, Jesus was never “unfilled” with the Spirit, because the Spirit rested on Him. However, we leak! We aren’t intended to be cisterns of the Holy Spirit, but conduits, allowing Him to flow through us. At the same time, the only things in this list of descriptors that seem active are decision-making and ability to get things done; the primary focus is on our relationship with God. The more we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the deeper our fellowship with God will be, and the more we will sound and act like His children. Our goal in seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit isn’t the gifts of the Spirit, as important and useful as those are, but rather to be as close to God as possible, to allow His character to be manifested in us.

This is as important for me as it is for anyone. I am to be active and intentional in making the Holy Spirit welcome in my heart and life, neither grieving (Ephesians 4:30) nor quenching (1 Thessalonians 5:19) Him. As a pastor, as I encourage people to open their hearts and lives to the activity of the Holy Spirit, I need to help them understand that it’s not about merit badges or parlor tricks, but about the most important relationship they can ever have. I need to exercise all of the things listed in this verse to break through the fortresses of deception that the enemy builds in people and societies, so that they may know the truth and be set free indeed.

Father, thank You for this clear, strong Word. Help me follow it! Thank You for yesterday and all it held, from the attack I endured in the morning, that gave me such empathy for one person to whom I’m ministering, to the times counseling with people over the phone, to my interactions with family members. Thank You for all You have planned for today, from my school teaching to my ministering in various ways to various people. May I be Your agent in each encounter, speaking Your truth in Your love, drawing people to You for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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