Streams In The Wilderness

Without the incarnation we are alone in our plight.

We are left here as orphans to fend for ourselves.

Without the incarnation we might question that God knew

what it was like to be beaten to be hated and shunned.

We may doubt He knows what it’s like to be lonely and to be tempted to sin.

what it’s like being us.

Without the incarnation and the Word made flesh,

God’s words are mere distant commands

shouted from a place we have never been

by a being we have never known,

about things we are certain do not concern us

—words hurled from safe sterile boundaries.

And we have no reason to hope that He cares

or to take his reproach as measured by love.

If not for the person Christ

we’d have no faith worth talking about.

No reason or cause beyond just the grave,

No reason to think that justice would reign.

We’d have no reason to believe He knows what is best

or has tested His theories in life for Himself.

But we do have a God who is “with us.”

And the Word was indeed made flesh.

The suffering servant was crushed for our sins

and He purchased for us life by rising from death.

We are not left alone and His we know that He cares.

He speaks in the midst of our darkness and light,

because He in the Son was there at one time.

We have a comforter familiar with discomfort,

a friend who knew great loss,

a healer wounded to bring us reprieve,

a God who was indeed—WITH US!

Copyright(C)2010 Hudson Russell Davis

“When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Matt. 11:2-3

Even for John the wait had been too long. Earlier, upon seeing Jesus, he had proclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). He had seen and testified that Jesus was the “Son of God” (John 1:34). But there, in the darkness of that prison, doubt had made its way into John’s heart. He must have thought, “What if I was wrong? What if this is all just a dream?” And who could have blamed him, after all “even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall” (Is. 40:30). The saving of the world is slow business.

I suspect he was bold at his arrest and only began to doubt as the days dragged on, as the months dragged on. Perhaps his faith increased as he heard of the miracles and healings but then the darkness and loneliness made him doubt. Perhaps the memory of Jesus’ baptism gave him strength but somewhere along that dark road doubt found him. I imagine this scene because it is often my own plight—confidence mingled with doubt.

I find great encouragement in John’s moment of doubt and Jesus’ soft response.

What John wanted was not an answer but encouragement. He wanted this miracle-worker upon whom the Holy Spirit had rested to tell him all would be well—that the wait was over. John may have doubted Jesus but, more, he doubted himself. He doubted his ability to keep hope alive until the saving of the world was accomplished. He was a bit scared, and with good reason.

To John’s good question, “Are you the one?” Jesus sent back a simple message, “Tell John what you heard and saw” (Matt. 11:5). Jesus was not offended that John asked but patient—as love should be. He did not trace his messianic authority throughout history but offered the obvious evidence at hand—the wisdom of his words and the working of his power. This was a simple way to say, “Yes John, I am.” Without crushing an already faint heart Jesus used doubt as an opportunity for faith.

John could die in peace knowing that he had indeed served the purpose of “preparing the way for the Lord.”

I am aware and grateful that Jesus did not send back rebuke for John’s question but rather gentle assurance. For those who do not believe doubt is a way of life. For we who believe it is a continual struggle. We are reminded that we can ask and receive confidence because—it is true and He is real. My blind, lame, leprous, deaf, even dead, heart receives the good news—it is HE! Await no other.

Copyright(C)2009 Hudson Russell Davis Oct. 13, 2009
While there was obviously some confusion in John he had not so much lost hope as acquired doubt. Whatever he had expected and whatever his timetable, things were not going as he had expected. Reports were coming to him of the miracles, the healings, the power of Jesus’ words and John believed.

Copyright(C)2009 Hudson Russell Davis

If we do not see God as holy it is because we do not perceive our own wretchedness, do not perceive the depth of our own sinfulness. If we do not see God as holy it is because the clothes we wear, the people we know and our own ability to achieve have clouded our judgment. We have been brought to the brink of spiritual bankruptcy and filled with self-pride.

Or perhaps we have suffered greatly. Perhaps our lives have been filled with such misery that we now count ourselves as deserving the New Life. Neither wealth nor poverty can purchase an audience with the holy. We could no more intrude on His holy presence than we could dance barefoot on the surface of the sun.

Holy means that God is in every way, shape, and form—other. He is not like us, not of us but completely and distinctly other. While we may enjoy the privilege of calling Him Abba Father, while it IS a name of familiarity, we dare not grow too familiar. We may stand on the precipice to observe the majesty of the mountain but dare not forget we stand on a precipice. He loves us and cares for us intimately but He is a consuming fire. He is God!

This understanding is critical to the Christian life. For that matter—it is essential to the non-Christian’s hope. Should we draw near God without this mindset, wearing only those things you have earned by wealth or suffering, we might hear what Moses heard:

“Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground’” (Exod. 3:5).

If the ground itself had become sacred, if the ground could not be casually trampled, how much more the God who passed there. He is the source of, and the goal of, all things. He is the, “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable…” (Phil 4:8).

These ideas, these noble qualities and pursuits, radiate from Him, return to Him and are judged by Him. Purity, perfection, holiness, these are our hopeful desires. Yet they are His inherent possessions. For us, these qualities, once out of reach are now (through Christ) in view. It is God’s holiness that convinces me I am unworthy and, through Grace, restores my failing spirit.

It is His holiness that brings home my need and His love—His perfect love that renders me worthy to walk on holy ground. Through Christ I can walk still further. With confidence I can enter the very throne room of God for an audience with The Holy (Heb 4:16).

Daily I see Him as more holy.

Daily I see myself as even more sinful and grace as all the more—AMAZING!

Exod. 3:5, Deut. 7:6, 1Sam. 2:2, Isa. 5:16, John 6:69, Rom. 12:1, Eph. 1:4, 1Ths. 4:7, Hebr. 10:19, Hebr. 12:14, 1Pet. 1:15-16, 1Pet. 2:5

Copyright(C)2009 Hudson Russell Davis

I know not where He will lead,

the things He will ask,

how much He will demand,

by what means He will work,

or when it shall all be.

I don’t know what it will cost,

how much I must expend,

how deep shall be the pain,

or what I must suffer for His name.

But the unknown with Him,

is better than all I do know,

more certain than my frail wisdom,

more comfort than all my hopes,

more real than all I am.

Where cost is concerned…

I am certain His Deposit in me will cover the cost,

that what I expend He will provide,

and quite certainly His pain,

is sweeter than any earthly pleasure.

Consider for a moment who it is that speaks.  If it were just anyone, if it were the musings of a confused mad man it would make sense that doubt pervades our senses, but it is God who speaks.  God who beckons us to take up our cross.  No great mystery.

To follow Christ is to take up your cross.  It is to walk that long inglorious road towards the hill of the skull.  It is to stumble along the way and be cut by the splintered wood.  It is to arrive, too late for that crucifixion and be told, “Now, you must deny yourself and follow Him.”

The ground is bloodstained but He is not there.  The tomb is cold, but it is also empty and the only crucifixion left, is the act of obedience to the will of one who will call you to suffer for His name.  The only death left the Christian, is a death to self and self-interest.  Is He safe?  NO!  Can you trust Him?  YES!

Matt. 16:24

Copyright©2009 Hudson Russell Davis