Substitutionary Repentance; July 25, 2024

Posted on July 26, 2024 by jgarrott

Daniel 9:18 Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.

This prayer is often held up as the ultimate example of substitutionary repentance. Daniel was personally righteous, to the degree that He is held up elsewhere in the Bible as an example of a righteous person. (Ezekiel 14:14) However, he identifies with his ancestors and says that God’s judgment on them was just. That said, he still intercedes for his people and for their land, not on the basis of human righteousness but of divine mercy. And from verse 20, we have the record of God’s response to such confession and intercession. Not too many people get a personal visit from the archangel Gabriel! We tend to like to think that our ancestors were good people, but everybody’s human, and as Paul said, all have sinned. (Romans 3:23) It never does any good to try to come before God on the basis of human righteousness. However, coming before Him on the basis of His mercy and grace is a different matter. That’s why personal pride is so deadly: we have nothing to be proud of! God is the source of everything good, not man, even when the good flows through a human instrument. It is when we realize, as Daniel did, that God’s grace and mercy are greater than our sin that we learn to come boldly before Him. Daniel didn’t know about Jesus, unless God showed him the plan of redemption by personal revelation, but he did know God’s character and that’s what he relied on. We have the huge advantage of knowing not only John 3:16, but all of the New Testament, not to mention the flow of Christian history since then. We have every reason to pray as Daniel did, not depending on human righteousness but on the God who loved us enough to send His Son to die for us.

I still remember my father telling me, essentially, that he was as human as I was. He didn’t go into graphic detail, but the message got through. I have every reason to be proud of my ancestors’ devotion to God, but I am quite aware that they were all human, just as I am, and human righteousness is imperfect at best. I am not to be proud, but grateful, because I have enjoyed generational blessings to a degree few can claim. That said, God has had to teach me that it is all grace, because I have done things that should have disqualified me from the succession! I keep coming back to it, but the time when God showed me, just for a moment, the state of my own soul was absolutely devastating. When I pray for America and her many sins, as I do, I must remember that I am in the flow of those sins, and pray in humility as well as in the assurance that God is far greater than all those sins put together, and the cross of Christ cancels them all out, if they are placed under the blood of the Lamb.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for what You are doing in America even as I write. Thank You for Your miraculous protection for Donald Trump in the assassination attempt, and how that is convincing even some sceptics that You are real. He is certainly a flawed vessel, but then we all are, and You are clearly working on him. I pray that in the next four years and following that much would be done to restore America to the image You had of her at her founding, for the blessing of the world and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Miracles; July 24, 2024

Posted on July 25, 2024 by jgarrott

Daniel 2:11 “What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans.”

On one level, Nebuchadnezzar’s demand was entirely unreasonable, and the “wise men’s” response entirely correct. On another level, this was an entirely effective ploy on Nebuchadnezzar’s part to unmask these men, who doubtless enjoyed all sorts of privileges because of their claim to special knowledge or ability. Behind all that, however, was God’s plan to show Himself real, and His servants genuine, in contrast to these “wise men.” As the story famously goes on to reveal, God indeed let Daniel know what Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was, as well as its meaning, thereby showing that Daniel’s God was real, in contrast to the Babylonian pantheon. There’s something about the “impossible” happening that is very convincing! God has always done miracles of various sorts, but seldom in response to human demands. The irony is that we tend not to recognize His hand even when we see it, but attribute events to “chance.” That’s not very smart! We need to remember always that, as Gabriel told Mary, “Nothing is impossible with God,” (Luke 1:37) and expect Him to act in accordance with His character.

I saw several “minor miracles” yesterday. I was working with a short-term missions group that was coming through Omura on their way to the Goto Islands. Weather issues had made them miss their connecting flight in Atlanta and they had to come by a different route than planned, naturally delayed, with other complications on top of that. However, God worked it all out and they made it to Goto just a few hours late, ready to start ministry as planned this morning. Then later in the day as I was driving around taking care of various things I had two very close calls, missing collision with other cars by inches. In both of those cases my actions had been reasonable but insufficient, because I didn’t know what the other drivers would do – but God did, and He enabled me to stop without contact each time. I can’t take credit for either of those, any more than I could take credit for working things out for the mission team. God does act in my life, and I need to pay attention and give Him the glory!

Father, thank You for Your grace toward me. Help me recognize that grace at all times, whether other people recognize it as miraculous or not, and give You the gratitude and glory that are due You alone. Thank You. Praise God!

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Ministers; July 23, 2024

Posted on July 24, 2024 by jgarrott

Jeremiah 3:15 Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.

What a succinct description of a true minister of the Lord! Once again the Japanese gives fresh insight. Where the NIV says “lead,” and the ESV says “feed,” the Japanese says “raise,” as in raising children. To me that really captures what I’m sure the Lord is saying here. In the first place, ministers need to be people after God’s own heart. I’m reminded of my experience in seminary. Many of the students were indeed called and sent by God, but a sad percentage were “Mama called and Papa sent,” and there were even those who were there out of personal ambition. Anything less than submission to the Lord does not produce a genuine minister. Then we have the two factors of knowledge and understanding. These cut both ways. The minister needs to have knowledge and understanding, and they need to impart knowledge and understanding to their flock. Some go overboard on the knowledge side, producing an academic, theoretical exercise of religion, and that is dry and empty. There must be understanding that we are powerless without God, but that He is totally gracious and loving and delights to work in and through us. Both knowledge and understanding are areas in which we can and should keep growing as long as we are on this earth, and that is the commission of the minister. Talk about life-long education! Even in our moment of taking our last breath we are learning more about the God who created and loves us. Titles and degrees are meaningless in all of this. What matters is a heart that continually seeks after God.

As a missionary pastor, this certainly gets my attention! How well I meet this description is for God to decide, but I do know that it is my personal ambition and goal. I have told people for many years that pretending to be a minister, without the calling and anointing of God, is the most dangerous thing anyone could do. That automatically makes someone a false prophet, however well they might mouth platitudes and truisms. A minister should always be a prophet, in the sense of speaking out what God is saying. That has always been my desire and goal. I have been used in predictive prophecy a few times, and even in prescriptive prophecy, telling someone what God wants them to do, but very seldom have I done either of those things in this church. That said, I pray and hope never to say anything from the pulpit that God is not saying. I don’t want to impart knowledge without understanding! Recently we have started having a sharing time after every service where believers can share what the Lord has said to them, particularly through the message that day but sometimes in other ways as well. I have been touched and grateful as even mature believers have shared fresh insights, and I give glory to God that He would use even me to bring that about. I want to raise up strong, obedient children for my Heavenly Father, and every evidence I see of that happening gives me peace and joy.

Father, thank You for the incredible privilege of being Your minister. Thank You for all You have done to prepare and use me. May I indeed fulfill all of Your plans and intentions for me, so that the Body of Christ may be built up and Your name glorified. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Father God; July 22, 2024

Posted on July 23, 2024 by jgarrott

Isaiah 63:16 But you are our Father,
    though Abraham does not know us
    or Israel acknowledge us;
you, Lord, are our Father,
    our Redeemer from of old is your name.

This strikes me as an intensely beautiful verse. Fathers and father figures didn’t just become a problem in modern times, however bad the issue might be today. God is spoken of as Father countless times in the Old Testament, but He gave Isaiah this intense revelation of His unchanging nature, and we are the richer for it. It is interesting to note that this came in a time of difficulty, when Isaiah was wanting God to act in power on behalf of His people, but it didn’t seem to be happening. It is always true that we don’t have God’s vantage point of seeing all of history, the present, and the future at a glance. That’s precisely why faith is essential for us. I have always liked the line from It Is Well Withy My Soul that says, “O Lord, haste the day when our faith becomes sight.” That won’t happen until we are with Him, but He does give us faith to get us through until then. The sad thing right now is that many people did not have a physical father sufficient to give them an appreciation of what Father God is like, and so this verse rings hollow to them. However, for even such people, God can, will, and does give a revelation of Himself to us, if we are willing to accept it. Some people have a deep-seated anger at God, rooted in their anger at their inadequate human father, even to the point of rejecting that revelation. God is amazingly patient, but it is ultimately our own choice whether we will be His children or not. The entire plan of redemption is to make that adoption possible, if we will only accept it.

I was blessed with a very good father, as was my wife, but we deal constantly with people who were not so blessed. I know that a good father blesses but doesn’t pamper his children, allowing them to learn things through sometimes painful trial and error. Total avoidance of danger is not on the menu! My father was certainly not a “helicopter parent,” and I have the physical scars to prove it! However, he was both loving and just, meting out discipline as it was called for and expressing affection and respect. I at times have to remind myself that very many of the people around me did not have such a father, so the idea of Father God doesn’t really click for them. At this point I am a father figure to many, even including some people who are physically older than I am! I am not to draw back from that, but rather point them consistently to Father God, because only He can heal and fill the “father wound” in their soul.

Father, thank You for Your incredible grace toward me. Help me share that grace freely, so that others too may know You intimately as Father, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Repentance; July 21, 2024

Posted on July 22, 2024 by jgarrott

Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

God’s invitation is universal and it is clear, besides being incredibly gracious. Here He isn’t addressing “good” people, but the wicked and unrighteous. As Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32) Many people seem to think they aren’t worthy to enter a church, and on at least one level, they aren’t; none of us are. However, God’s love and mercy are so great that He calls us anyway, and rejoices when we respond. The parable of The Prodigal Son (Luke 15) is spot on. The son who ran off and wasted what his father had given him was indeed not worthy to be called his son, but the father loved him and welcomed him anyway. That parable was told by Jesus Himself, and can’t be accused of being wishful thinking by someone else. People hesitate to come to God because they think their acceptance depends on them, when all God asks of them is repentance for not having come sooner.

Most of this chapter has been set to music, and I have memorized even the remaining parts, in addition to being able to sing the musical arrangements. However, familiarity doesn’t always mean assimilation and application. Though I have been reading the Bible for over 65 years, I can’t say that I put it all into practice. I’m grateful to say that it is an essential part of me, but its depth is such that I can’t claim mastery. In reference to this specific section, I’m deeply grateful that I’ve never gone through what has been called “the dark night of the soul,” when God seems impossibly distant. That said, there have been plenty of times when I have ignored Him, even knowing on at least some level that He was right there. Repentance is as necessary to me as it is to anyone else – that is to say, absolutely essential! I haven’t been snared by many “wicked ways,” but when it comes to “unrighteous thoughts,” I have absolutely no defense. I need constant care to keep my thoughts in submission to my Lord. I am reminded of the time a young man complained to D. L. Moody that it was impossible to keep lustful thoughts out of his mind. Moody replied, “You can’t keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” I have had times of helping them build the nest! I am strongly aware of God’s grace and mercy, but I am never to take it for granted, and keep my repentance up-to-date.

Father, thank You for this reminder. There’s a lot going on, and when I am tired I am often more vulnerable to the devil’s subtle lies. Help me depend fully on You, so that I may walk in step with Your Spirit to do Your will alone, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Politics; July 20, 2024

Posted on July 21, 2024 by jgarrott

Isaiah 47:6 I was angry with my people
    and desecrated my inheritance;
I gave them into your hand,
    and you showed them no mercy.
Even on the aged
    you laid a very heavy yoke.

This verse is obviously why this passage came up in readings on mercy, but beyond that, it has an important cautionary note. God does use human beings to punish evildoers, but those doing the punishing need to remember mercy. That is very pertinent in America right now, where it looks like the Democrat Party will be largely wiped out in the coming election. Those involved in their machinations, including media companies, are in rather a panic at the moment, as well they should be, but the “Trumpians” need to remember the principle expressed here. There is every evidence that Republicans will gain control of the White House, the House, and the Senate. They are indeed to use that power to enact righteous laws and correct much that is wrong in the nation today, but they aren’t to be vindictive. That doesn’t mean that those who have actively broken existing laws aren’t to be prosecuted, but witch hunts should be out of the question. There are indeed whole departments of government that need to be abolished, but those who gain power in November need both God’s wisdom and restraint. It is far more productive to lead people to repentance than simply to punish them. Motive will be key here, and Christians need to pray, speak, and act as God directs, or they might find themselves in the place of the “daughter of Babylon” mentioned here.

I never expected to become so political, but the events of recent years have certainly grabbed my attention. Living in Japan, these things might seem irrelevant to me, but I am very aware of America’s influence in the world. Since childhood I have wondered why Japan seemed to copy America’s bad points instead of her good ones! I have already discovered that politics can be very divisive, sometimes painfully so. I need God’s wisdom in when to bring the issues up and when to let them lie. Even Japanese often have strong opinions about American politics! At the same time, I must remember that I am called to be salt and light, and if no one speaks out for truth, then lies will predominate. This might seem unrelated to my calling as a pastor and missionary, but the policies espoused by politicians are often closely related to matters of faith and righteousness. As Paul said, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18) I’m not to go picking fights, but I am not to draw back from speaking God’s truth.

Father, thank You for this clear Word. Being so wrapped up in politics is very unfamiliar territory! Help me keep my focus first and foremost on You, so that even “good” things will not distract me from being Your faithful servant, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Attitude; July 19, 2024

Posted on July 20, 2024 by jgarrott

Proverbs 28:9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
    even their prayers are detestable.

This verse kind of hit me between the eyes! It doesn’t matter how pious we might seem, if our hearts aren’t committed to obedience, then we are despicable. This is the big argument Jesus had with the Pharisees of His day, and human nature hasn’t changed. We go through assorted motions, thinking they qualify us for heaven, when God is always looking at the attitude of our heart. If we are set in our ways, always choosing whatever we think will advance our agenda rather than listening obediently to God, then He wants nothing to do with us. That actually breaks His heart, because He loves us enough to die for us, but if we ignore Him, what can He do? That is a big part of the mystery of free will. God did not create robots, or even pets; He created children, and generally speaking, children are not by nature obedient. If we want our prayers to be heard, we need to have the right attitude in the first place! God is incredibly gracious, and sometimes prayers get answered almost by accident, as it were, but if we want a consistent relationship with Almighty God, our hearts have to be lined up with Him in grateful obedience.

Of course I’m talking to myself here. I like to pray, and will do so at the drop of a hat, having grown up in a home where prayer was as natural as breathing. That’s why this verse hit me so hard. I cannot assume that because I can use words in a way that moves and impresses others, that those words go any farther than the ceiling. My heart has to be submitted to my Lord before my words are acceptable before Him. My heart attitude must be one of grateful obedience, or I am just playing a game. Over the years I have had real problems with this, with a level of spiritual pride that makes me shake my head just to think about it. I am not to presume on past encounters with my Lord, but always seek to hear and obey Him in every situation. That’s not automatic! Now that I have retired from school teaching, I need to be active and intentional in seeking God’s direction as to the use of my time, doing His will on His schedule for His glory, as I often pray to do. Just because I succeeded in doing that before doesn’t mean that I don’t need to stay focused right now. There are countless distractions, so I’ve got to let Holy Spirit be in charge, and rejoice to go along for the ride.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Feeling like I need to walk to maintain my physical health is awkward in this weather, because I come back soaked with sweat, which doesn’t leave me presentable for the visitation I feel is also on the schedule. Likewise, I need to write out Sunday’s message notes and draw up the August Scripture list for the church, and the heat is distracting from that. Help me hear what You say to me about my use of each moment, so that I will indeed do Your will on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Pride; July 18, 2024

Posted on July 19, 2024 by jgarrott

Proverbs 21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart—
    the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.

In reading this verse this morning I felt I was to write on it, but then I checked other translations, and was shocked! The ESV and the Japanese agree, but the NIV is very different. One of the difficulties of Hebrew is that it is written in consonants, with vowels indicated with marks like punctuation. That can lead to such things as the long-held misunderstanding that the name God gave for Himself to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14) was Jehovah, when the current understanding is that it was Yahweh. That, coupled with the fact that every language has homophones, words that sound the same but with different meanings, and you get what we have here. Where the ESV and the Japanese say, “the lamp/flame of the wicked,” the NIV says “the unplowed field of the wicked.” That threw me for a loop! In any case, the point that caught me as I read is that pride and haughtiness are sin. Recent news events are what made this jump out at me. Every human being is deeply flawed, which is why we need a Savior. However, God allows events in our lives to point those flaws out to us and give us opportunity to repent. One of the most polarizing people in the world today is Donald Trump. He was the darling of the media and the “glitterati” until he became a politician espousing common-sense changes to the system. Those policies gave him quite a following, but his pride, his reaction when attacked, has been an issue that has made him hard for many to accept. Yesterday, watching video from the Republican National Convention, I saw a very different Donald Trump. Coming within millimeters of having his head blown open seems to have knocked the haughtiness out of his eyes, and that is a very good thing indeed. From the very first reports after the assassination attempt, he has seemed to be very aware that God spared his life, and it looks like he has repented of his pride. If that is indeed the case, it is a very good thing indeed, both for him and for the nation, not to mention the world. The spiritual battle is intense, even when it doesn’t spill over into physical violence, and we are not immune from deception. We need to stand strong, but not in pride. As James said, we must submit first to God, and then resist the devil. (James 4:7) From that position of humility and strength, we are to pray for our leaders and for our neighbors, that the lies of the enemy may be defeated and God’s rule and reign be established, for His glory.

I didn’t like Donald Trump at all when he was simply a media personality, but his policies as president won me over. That said, I continue to be amazed at the depth of Trump Derangement Syndrome I see displayed with great intensity, even by my own relatives, and very intelligent relatives at that. I have come close to serious rifts with people who are very dear to me, and that pleases no one but the devil. Of all people, I should be aware that pride is sin, period, and walk in loving humility, without letting go of the truth. We live in a sinful world, but we are no longer of the world (John 17:14-15) and I must not act like the world. I have no wisdom or strength to get it right on my own, but God is able to do anything, and I am to be fully submitted to Him.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I get very upset at the blindness of people I love, but I have certainly been blind about a lot of things. May I continue to grow as You intend, extending Your grace and love to those around me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Marriage; July 17, 2024

Posted on July 18, 2024 by jgarrott

Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good
    and receives favor from the Lord.

With the high rate of divorce, there are some who would dispute this verse. However, I am convinced that comes from a misunderstanding of marriage in the first place. I touched on this just a few days ago, but marriage must have mutual commitment, respect, intimacy, and forgiveness in order to be all that God intends it to be. For that to happen, we’ve got to be humbly yielded to God first, and then to each other. Right at the beginning of his famous treatise on marriage, Paul says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21) Men tend to make a big deal of the following verse, that explicitly says the wife is to submit to her husband, but they overlook this verse. There must be a fundamental humility on both sides for it to work out as God intends. If the attitude toward God isn’t right, then the attitude toward each other isn’t going to be right either. In society today, the physical relationship often comes first and is taken for granted, trivialized even, without the commitment and respect that must underly it. It is tragic to go on the Internet and see girls bragging about their “body count,” when God created them for a committed, monogamous relationship. Men have tended to be that way from time immemorial, but they too miss out on a great deal when they fail to be emotionally and physically committed to one wife. The explosion of pornography has certainly contributed to the decline in marital satisfaction and happiness, and that’s another whole treatise. The devil hates marriage for many reasons, and he does all he can to tear it down. Having a Biblical marriage is an important part of resisting him. (James 4:7)

With a 55-year track record so far, I’m grateful to say that God has indeed given me a very good thing in my wife. As I tell couples consistently in marriage counseling, I consider marriage to be God’s 2nd greatest blessing, after eternal life itself. I also tell them that it is the biggest job of their life, and it carries the greatest rewards. I have seen many tragedies that have come from one or both partners placing something ahead of their spouse. The most common things that become idols are job/career and children. However, retirement comes eventually, and children grow up and leave home. Misplaced priorities will always result in sorrow and loss. My children have been gone from home for many years now, and I have finally retired from teaching, but I’m still living joyfully with the partner suited for me, (Genesis 2:18) and I am deeply grateful.

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for Your incredible grace to Cathy and me. May we continue to be an example and inspiration to those who see us, so that the lies of the devil may be defeated in more and more homes, for Your will to be done for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Humility Before God; July 16, 2024

Posted on July 17, 2024 by jgarrott

Psalm 143:8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.

Many of David’s Psalms seem to have been written as part of his morning devotions, but this one seems like it might have been at night, looking forward to God meeting with him the next morning. English translations tend to say “unfailing love” or “steadfast love” here, but the Japanese says “grace.” The Japanese word for grace has strong overtones of blessing, and is often used explicitly with that meaning, so the whole business of going between languages can get complicated! Whatever the terminology, David knew that he could expect good things from God, and he needed a pick-me-up. We can have the same assurance as we pray, but like David in the first verses of this Psalm, we need to realize that we are dependent on God’s mercy, because we can’t stand in our own righteousness. Humility before God is essential! However, if we have that, trusting in God as David did, we can indeed expect good things from God, because He delights to do good things for His children.

I think my current humility before God is in a way a result of the pride I once had. God showed me that pride in an instant, and it absolutely crumbled before Him. We all tend to think we are right, that we are justified in what we do and have done, when that is never 100% the case. It’s not that everything we do is bad or wrong, but that we never have a perfect track record. I still have the tendency to think I’m right, period, and a certain element of that is necessary, I think, to avoid constantly dithering in indecision, but I’ve got to keep remembering that God’s smart and I’m not, regardless of my IQ. I need to be actively seeking Him and His will for me constantly, not resting on past encounters but knowing there is always more. As has been said, I’m not to expect a fresh assignment from God until I’ve completed the last one He gave me. At the same time, I need to be willing for Him to lead me in ways I’ve never gone before, because His plans are always better than mine.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for what You brought me through yesterday, and for what You have planned for today. I only know part of that at this point, but I know I can trust You and Your plans for me. May I be Your agent to accomplish Your will, on Your schedule, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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