A Burnt Offering: What it means to Burn

 Today I was reading through some old posts, and I came across one from a few years ago that caused me to stop and to think. I wrote this note as I was preparing to teach on the book of Hebrews at Liberty, and the thoughts below strike me as especially helpful during these days. As we consider all the good things and blessings we have received, let us also think of ways we can show our gratitude by giving back. Let us strive to be like Jesus and to serve humbly those around us. What do we need to put on the altar today to let God consume? Where do I need the fire of God in my life? I hope this repeat blesses you!

As I sit here in my comfortable home reading the book of Hebrews in the New Testament, I am listening to Caedmon's Call (the first album). I am struck by the honesty and character of the lyrics. The interesting mixture of the admonitions of Hebrews with the alternative/folk feel of Caedmon's Call has put me in quite the introspective mood. Before I go any further, then, I want to quote for you the song "Coming Home," written by Aaron Tate and copyrighted by Cumbee Road Music in 1994. Here ya go!

You say you want a living sacrifice
Well here I am a burnt offering
Crawling off the altar
And back into the fire

And with my smoke-filled lungs
I cry out for freedom
While locking and chaining myself
To my rotting desires

And I hate the stench
But I swallow the key
And with it stuck in my throat
Can you hear me
Can you hear me

(Chorus)
I'm coming home. I'm coming home.
I'm coming home. I'm coming home.
But I'm still a long way off

I am shell shocked and I have walked
Through the trenches full of tears
With the mortars of memory
Exploding in my burning ears

You've stripped the trees of Lebanon
And now you're stripping me
Of the bark of false morality
The bite of selfish greed
Lord, can you hear me

(Chorus)
I'm coming home. I'm coming home.
I'm coming home. I'm coming home.
But I'm still a long way off

Will you run to me
Will you come to me
Will you meet me
Will you greet me
Will you drag me home
Cause I'm still a long way off

(Chorus)
I'm coming home. I'm coming home.
I'm coming home. I'm coming home.
But I'm still a long way off

I guess the reason that this song struck me today is the imagery of fire. Fire plays a big role in the letter to the Hebrews.

God is depicted as a burning fire.

There is a bit of discussion about the altar and sacrifices aflame.

Even Christ is depicted as a type of burnt offering offered on our behalf outside of the city--the same place where the author of Hebrews wants us to join Christ so that we can endure the abuse that he suffered.

Why? Because our God is a consuming fire.

What does fire consume? It consumes anything that is not like it. God will also consume those things in us that do not correspond to his character. That is why we are admonished to "Strive for peace with all people, and for the holiness without which no one will see God."

The song above reminds me of these things. We are on an altar whether we like it or not. We are either on the altar of God (allowing our non-God aspects to be burnt away and changed into his likeness), or we are on the altar of our own selfishness (burning away with our own deceit and sinful wishes). Like Aaron Tate points out, we crawl off the altar of God into the fire itself. We cry out for freedom while chaining ourselves to our own rotting and despicable desires.

We are on fire. We are burning.

What are we burning and why are we burning?

Many of us burn for all the wrong reasons--we are aflame with our own passions and desires, pursuing things that not only will not satisfy, but that will scar us forever if we continue to make ourselves a sacrifice to stuff. We look for stuff to fill the hole in the seat of our beings, we strive to come to wholeness through means that will not make us whole--we try to make ourselves something we are not, we try to obtain possessions that we do not need, we spend and are spent pursuing more stuff that not only clog our homes but clog our spiritual and physical veins and keep us from living our lives as God intended.

We can also burn for the right reasons--we can give ourselves over to a life of sacrifice or selfless living that puts the needs of others before our own desires and wishes. We may be aflame with a love that desires the best of God's blessings for our neighbors. We burn in God's presence so that we may lose anything that is not of God and gain Christ as "all that is really important." It is not an easy place to be, being consumed until only God is left. Nonetheless, such a place is necessary if we are to live a life abundant.

Let us come to God's consuming fire to be purified, to receive the delicious grace of God in Christ, to find all our rotting desires removed and transformed. If not, we are merely burning on our own waste.

Hebrews 10:31, 39
"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. . . . But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls."

Thanks for reading!

Memorial Day Speech from Ronald Reagan, 1982

Typically on the weekend of Memorial Day I post a famous poem by Edgar Guest.  This year I decided to share a different message.  Below is a speech by Ronald Reagan in 1982.  I think a lot of what he says sums up my opinions on the observance of this day in honor of our military and those who gave their lives in defense of freedom.  I hope you enjoy it!

Speech: Remarks at Memorial Day Ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, May 31, 1982 

In America's cities and towns today, flags will be placed on graves in cemeteries; public officials will speak of the sacrifice and the valor of those whose memory we honor. 

In 1863, when Abraham Lincoln dedicated a small cemetery in Pennsylvania marking a terrible collision between the armies of North and South, he noted the swift obscurity of such speeches. Well, we know now that Lincoln was wrong about that particular occasion. His remarks commemorating those who gave their "last full measure of devotion'' were long remembered. But since that moment at Gettysburg, few other such addresses have become part of our national heritage -- not because of the inadequacy of the speakers, but because of the inadequacy of words. 

I have no illusions about what little I can add now to the silent testimony of those who gave their lives willingly for their country. Words are even more feeble on this Memorial Day, for the sight before us is that of a strong and good nation that stands in silence and remembers those who were loved and who, in return, loved their countrymen enough to die for them. 

Yet, we must try to honor them -- not for their sakes alone, but for our own. And if words cannot repay the debt we owe these men, surely with our actions we must strive to keep faith with them and with the vision that led them to battle and to final sacrifice. 

Our first obligation to them and ourselves is plain enough: The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden. And just as they whom we commemorate were willing to sacrifice, so too must we -- in a less final, less heroic way -- be willing to give of ourselves. 

It is this, beyond the controversy and the congressional debate, beyond the blizzard of budget numbers and the complexity of modern weapons systems, that motivates us in our search for security and peace. War will not come again, other young men will not have to die, if we will speak honestly of the dangers that confront us and remain strong enough to meet those dangers. 

It's not just strength or courage that we need, but understanding and a measure of wisdom as well. We must understand enough about our world to see the value of our alliances. We must be wise enough about ourselves to listen to our allies, to work with them, to build and strengthen the bonds between us. 

Our understanding must also extend to potential adversaries. We must strive to speak of them not belligerently, but firmly and frankly. And that's why we must never fail to note, as frequently as necessary, the wide gulf between our codes of morality. And that's why we must never hesitate to acknowledge the irrefutable difference between our view of man as master of the state and their view of man as servant of the state. Nor must we ever underestimate the seriousness of their aspirations to global expansion. The risk is the very freedom that has been so dearly won. 

It is this honesty of mind that can open paths to peace, that can lead to fruitful negotiation, that can build a foundation upon which treaties between our nations can stand and last -- treaties that can someday bring about a reduction in the terrible arms of destruction, arms that threaten us with war even more terrible than those that have taken the lives of the Americans we honor today. 

Our goal is peace. We can gain that peace by strengthening our alliances, by speaking candidly of the dangers before us, by assuring potential adversaries of our seriousness, by actively pursuing every chance of honest and fruitful negotiation. 

It is with these goals in mind that I will depart Wednesday for Europe, and it's altogether fitting that we have this moment to reflect on the price of freedom and those who have so willingly paid it. For however important the matters of state before us this next week, they must not disturb the solemnity of this occasion. Nor must they dilute our sense of reverence and the silent gratitude we hold for those who are buried here. 

The willingness of some to give their lives so that others might live never fails to evoke in us a sense of wonder and mystery. One gets that feeling here on this hallowed ground, and I have known that same poignant feeling as I looked out across the rows of white crosses and Stars of David in Europe, in the Philippines, and the military cemeteries here in our own land. Each one marks the resting place of an American hero and, in my lifetime, the heroes of World War I, the Doughboys, the GI's of World War II or Korea or Vietnam. They span several generations of young Americans, all different and yet all alike, like the markers above their resting places, all alike in a truly meaningful way. 

Winston Churchill said of those he knew in World War II they seemed to be the only young men who could laugh and fight at the same time. A great general in that war called them our secret weapon, "just the best darn kids in the world.'' Each died for a cause he considered more important than his own life. Well, they didn't volunteer to die; they volunteered to defend values for which men have always been willing to die if need be, the values which make up what we call civilization. And how they must have wished, in all the ugliness that war brings, that no other generation of young men to follow would have to undergo that same experience. 

As we honor their memory today, let us pledge that their lives, their sacrifices, their valor shall be justified and remembered for as long as God gives life to this nation. And let us also pledge to do our utmost to carry out what must have been their wish: that no other generation of young men will every have to share their experiences and repeat their sacrifice. 

Earlier today, with the music that we have heard and that of our National Anthem -- I can't claim to know the words of all the national anthems in the world, but I don't know of any other that ends with a question and a challenge as ours does: Does that flag still wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? That is what we must all ask.

Thank you for reading!  And special thanks to all those families whose loved ones paid the greatest price to ensure our freedom. "Greater love has no man than this . . . " May God bless you all!

A Psalm of Thanksgiving, Psalm 138

Here are the notes from my lesson for G.A.P. (Graduates and Professionals) at Thomas Road Baptist Church. This lesson was presented on November 27, 2011. I hope it is a blessing to you! Please feel free to leave a comment or contact me if you have any questions.

A Psalm of Thanks

Psalm 138

Introduction

Season of Thanksgiving

We just celebrated Thanksgiving, so many of us are still full of good food and fond memories of friends and family

Did we take time to actually be thankful?

There is a lack of thanks in our world today

Gratitude seems to be in small demand

Think of Black Friday

Lots of arguments over “stuff”

Shots were fired

People were injured

Many were offended

People were pursuing possessions and were not thankfulf

Our passage today deals with the issue of thanks

In fact, Psalm 138 is a Psalm (or Hymn) of Thanksgiving

This passage can be broken down into three sections in which David offers us insights into why we should be thankful

Before we look at my notes, however, let’s read the passage and ask the question: “Why does David offer thanks with his whole heart?”

Proper perspective prepares us to give proper praise

Psalm 138:1-3

In these verses, David reminds us that we can give thanks to God because of God’s unchanging and enduring character

First, v. 1 admonishes us to give thanks (which means something like “to confess” or “to make known” or “to give praise”) with all of our hearts

“Giving thanks" Old Testament style has little to do with an internal feeling of gratitude, but it carries the idea of giving God a note of thanks. The best way to do that (according to David) is to tell others what God has done, i.e., to proclaim the good news of God's gracious actions to the assembly of believers, to the surrounding neighborhood, and even to the world

To “thank God with all my heart” implies a full throated, uninhibited, even expansive act of confession or expression of God’s gracious actions—it is not a short note of thanks

Then, David begins to give us some things about God for which we can give thanks

He describes for us aspects of God’s character for which we can be truly thankful

1. There is no god like the God of the Bible (v. 1)

The Triune God is not a part of his creation, nor is his subsistence dependent on it. He is above all things, and by him all things exist. In fact, Paul tells us in Colossians 1:17 that Jesus holds all things together and is the author of creation

In other words, there is nothing outside of God's authority

To praise the Lord "before the gods" (verse 1) is to exalt the Lord above lesser gods or rulers. Giving thanks to God with our whole heart has an effect on our system of loyalties. When we praise the Lord with all we have, other things competing for our trust and worship seem to lose their power

On the other hand, David may be saying something like “I will be a testimony to God by saying thanks to God in the hearing of those who believe otherwise.”

2. God's lovingkindness and truth are made available (v. 2a; cf. Psalm 26:3; 40:10-11; 57:3)

Jeremiah (Lamentations 3:22-23) reminds us that God's lovingkindness is new every morning

The Psalmist reminds us on numerous occasions that God is patient and longsuffering, showing mercy and faithful love to many generations (cf. Psalm 86:15)

His love is such that he gave us what he treasures most: Jesus, his only Son (John 3:16ff)

His lovingkindness not only gave us life, but it also provides us with all we need to live this life and to obey his ways. His mercy is amazing!

His truth is convicting. God does not lie.

He reveals truth inside humans, but he also makes truth known in nature itself. Even God's very attributes are observable in nature around us. (Romans 1:20)

God has made Truth known, and he is the very essence of Truth. All truth points to him, and he alone knows all truth.

His truth and lovingkindness lead to salvation

3. God has given us a Word that will never fail. He has magnified, valued, advanced, enlarged, even exalted his Word above his own name (v. 2b)

If the name of God is the name above all names, then his Word must be the Word above all words

He has revealed himself in Jesus who is the Logos, the Word of God in flesh, the exact representation of the image and character of God himself (John 1:1-4; Hebrews 1:1-3)

The Word God has provided for us is active, alive, and powerful (Hebrews 4:12-16). It can bring knowledge, life, and salvation.

God has given us his Word, and his Word will not fail!

4. God is faithful to answer prayer (v. 3)

When we call on God, he is faithful to respond. And his response emboldens us and gives us courage (1 John 5:13-15)

Conversation with God leads to conversion of our souls. His response to our requests shows his presence, his love, and his great kindness towards us. He hears when we call, and he responds (1 John 3:21-22)

Songs of thanksgiving such as this sometimes refer to a specific action of God for which the psalmist is thankful (cf. Psalm 30:6-12), but here the psalmist's language is comprehensive, strong and simple: “On the day I called, you answered me" (verse 3).

God’s character is a solid foundation for our thanks and our praise

Proper perspective prepares us to give proper praise

Psalm 138:4-6

In these verses, David reminds us that we can give thanks to God because God of how God relates to the systems of the world

Simply stated, God is the ultimate authority with which all rulers must primarily deal, and as such he will demand worship and praise

God subverts the systems of the world and turns them on their heads

He will ultimately make all rulers to acknowledge his authority and rule (Philippians 2:9-11)

As the rulers of this world hear God’s Word and see God’s glory (see John 1:1-4; 14; 16-18), they will respond with praise and thanks to God for his gracious actions and steadfast love and loyalty

God befriends the humble, but he is an enemy to the proud (v. 6; 1 Peter 5:5-7)

We can be grateful that even though our God is so exalted, he finds it desirable to dwell with those who are humble and lowly

He is not at home with those who think too highly of themselves, but he chooses to dwell with those who humble themselves to him

Proper perspective prepares us to give proper praise

Psalm 138:7-8

In these verses, David reminds us that we can give thanks to God because of his presence and deliverance

God will be with us in trouble (v. 7)

There is no obstacle or problem that can separate us from God (Romans 8:28-39). His love for us is never ending and his reach cannot be blocked

No matter the circumstances in your life, God is faithful and will be your closest friend. He will walk with you in the midst of your problems and provide what you need to live a life of godliness even in hard circumstances (Psalm 23)

He does not always deliver us from trouble, but he never abandons us in it. Like the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, God is with us in the midst of trials, troubles, or problems. He bears them with us, he walks with us, he gives us his joy in spite of trouble, and he never fails

God will complete the task he has begun (v. 8; Phil. 1:6)

He will not forsake the works of his hands

He will accomplish all those things that pertain to life and salvation

He will not fail

He is constant, kind, considerate

He will finish what he starts and will bring to pass all that he has promised (Isaiah 66:9)

His Word is true and he is faithful to complete it

Not a single stray mark of his Scripture will fail to happen (Matthew 5:18)

If God speaks it or if God begins it, it will be done in his time and by his unfailing hand

There is nothing too difficult for God, and he is worthy of my praise (Jeremiah 32:26-27)

Proper perspective prepares us to give proper praise

Application

I know Thanksgiving is over, but the need to give thanks or to offer God praise is a present tense need

This week, take time to express your gratitude for God

Start with the material in this lesson—look at God’s character, God’s relationship to the world systems, and God’s presence and deliverance and find room to say “thank you” to God

Check your perspective to see if it is proper for praise

Express your gratitude to God out loud to others

Tell others what God has done for you

Express your gratitude to God in service to others

Show your gratitude for loving and serving others as God has loved and served you

Proper perspective prepares us to give proper praise

Thanks for reading!