Tag: God alone

What if God was One of Us?

Have you ever said something to the effect, “If I were God, they would all be destroyed”, (simply because someone lied or more seriously, committed a crime), or “they should be thankful I am not God”? Yes, if many of us were God or had the power of God what destruction and chaos would we cause! But thank God we do not have that kind of power. Yet there are many in powerful positions who act god-like and do create a world where there is a constant haemorrhaging of peace, joy and hope. This is because many who have power abuse it and oftentimes are so enamoured with this power that when faced with a decision that affected the vulnerable and those of questionable character, they often throw out the baby with the bathwater.

I was reading Daniel chapter 2 and this became obvious to me: if God was like one of us where would we be? Numbers 23 verse 19 gives a clue when it states, God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? God is unlike man because God does not lie, has no faults, whatever He says shall be done and makes all things good. Now, I return to Daniel chapter 2. In this chapter, we are told that Nebuchadnezzar’s had a dream and he not only wanted it interpreted but first, revealed by the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans. The only problem was they could not do so. It is clear that they tried to buy some time, begging the king to be reasonable and tell them the dream so they could interpret it, as was the normal order of things. But, Nebuchadnezzar did not trust them not to make something up on the fly, once they got the dream and he had a point here, because how would he know their interpretation was truthful or made up! So, he gave them an ultimatum, which probably sounded something like this “either tell me my dream and interpret it or I will kill every single one of you in Babylon”, even those who were not present or had not been given a shot at attempting his request. They all would die because he was angry at those present. I felt this was a bit harsh. What do you think?

So with the threat of certain death for all who fell under one of these categories, Daniel steps up and says, “wait, not so fast, give me some time to speak to my God and I know He will reveal all to me, so, I can give the king the answers he needs and he can save the lives of all those who now face certain death.” In the end, God comes through and Daniel is able to give the dream to Nebuchadnezzar and the interpretation as given to him by God. This leads to all being saved and Daniel acquires so much power and authority within Babylonia. However, if Daniel had failed like the others we would be reading a different story, but for God.

Now, I compare the decree made in the kingdom of Babylon, by its ruler Nebuchadnezzar, and that of God’s Kingdom in the parable spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 13. Now according to Matthew 13:24-48, in the Kingdom of God, good seeds planted by the owner of the land, are compromised by weeds planted by his enemy. The servants eventually realise what has been done, weeds growing with wheat! With this new knowledge, they ask, “should we yank out those weeds?” In his wisdom, the owner (God) says no. Why does he say this, after all this is a good solution, right? The wheat may be mistaken for weeds at this stage and vice versa which would be disastrous for the harvest. So his solution, let them both grow till the harvest. Now if we compare Nebuchadnezzar with God’s foresight, we realise how far apart they are in wisdom. Nebuchadnezzar suspected or even knew his Chaldeans, wizards, astrologers etc were charlatans but he could not discern if all supposed wise men in his kingdom were real or fake. His solution was to “cut off all their heads!” However, in the parable in Matthew 13, God was not willing to lose even one good seed planted because of a few undesirables that had found their way into his field. “Let them grow together until it is time for the separation”. So grow together they would, until the day of harvest. On the day of harvest, the weeds would be gathered and burned and the wheat gathered and stored in the barn. A much better solution to a tricky situation!

Unlike Nebuchadnezzar, God does not need to discern because he knows all, God in all His wisdom shows that His thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). He does not act out of frustration but is measured in His judgement. Therefore we should all be thankful God is not like us.

Hope

Hope

Hope lingers,
expectantly.
Cleaving valiantly,
to the promise of cleansing rains.
It moves gingerly,
through the landmines
of our minds.
It rides the wave, 
of the sewage
built up over the years.
The Coming is soon,
like the rising sun after the moon
a harvest after the monsoon.
Hope gives birth to redemption,
to change the perception
of the world's dire despair.
Now it shines,
to wakeup the weary somnambulist.
When it falls like Manna,
catch it.
And plant it in your garden.

Think in Peace

Think in Peace

I sit in the garden,
the garden of peace,
and rest upon the Lord.
Then a great rushing voice
like a might wind
spoke gently to my soul

"Think in peace, 
and live in peace
and know that you are blessed.

Rest contented,
be at ease,
you know you are defended
by the master and His elects.

For here in this garden
there is no burden
only salvation
of this you can be certain".

Wishy-Washy

Wishy-Washy

You have been called.
What will you do?
Will you melt away like snow
or dry up with the dew?
See they are all
just looking at you
to make a move.
No, standing still
this will not do.

Do you hear?
You are being called
tell me will you allow fear,
a growing dread and dispair
to paralyse you
or worse,
cause you to disappear
on the ignoble frontier.

Now you must decide:
Will you fold ineffectually 
insipid,
Or rise 
sure-footed and committed?

In My Weakness

I felt the stab
sharper than the sword 
that knows no limit
the sword of the Spirit.
I am weak!
I cried 
and fell
to my knees.
Sufficient He is
so here I will rest awhile,
while
He carries me.
A burden too great
for anybody else.
I will lay here on this table here so
while He puts me back together again
removes the thorn
tormenting me.
What if I cried 
into laughing
knowing 
there is power in my weakness?

Battle scars

Battle Scars

Your battle scars 
say who you are.
Have none?
Then you have not learned 
a thing worth learning.
Or perhaps, 
you try to hide them.
Ashamed with a sense of disgrace
that you were bested.
Fear not,
though your scars are alot
they are your testimonies 
that you survived,
they anoint your flesh
reminding you of the tests
that have made you your best
in a world where sorrow
obscures many a tomorrows.
So wear them proudly,
They your purple hearts.

Tear Down Those Idols

Tear Down Those Idols

Whom do you love
and give your time to
your life to
and to it give your peace?
Whom do you listen to
allow to lead you
access you
and when frightened, entreats?
Whom do you trust
above the ones you love
and take the time
to lose your time to?
Whom do you shadow
make promises to
and whom pray tell
do your very soul pursues?

Pursue beauty
pursue you
pursue what God says is true.
There is greatness poured 
into the grey to bring forth the colours
that lies said were untrue of you.