“I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it” (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

Have you ever considered the fact that God is a perfectionist? Everything he does is perfect because he is perfect. His creation, his works, his word, his salvation and his acts in the lives of his people are all perfect. And further, as Solomon tells us in the passage cited above, once God acts, there is nothing to add to or take away from it. How different from you and me!

Now as it relates to God’s perfection, it applies to both his character and his actions. No doubt, any discussion of the perfection of God’s character takes on a deep theological tone. Frankly, it is very difficult for us to wrap our minds around the absolute perfection of God. Who can comprehend it?

But the same cannot be said about the perfection of God’s actions. I believe we are better able to understand and more importantly, grasp the concept of God always acting perfectly in our lives. The reason why we can grasp it is that God intends for it to bring us great comfort. Let me explain.

Few of us would argue with the absolute sovereignty of God over every aspect of our lives. The psalmist put it well; “Whatever the Lord pleases he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the deeps” (Psalm 135:6). Thus, God is not dependent to any degree on the choices of his creation to dictate or influence his actions. In other words, he does whatever he pleases; and whatever he does is perfect. Put all of that together now and see if it does not bring comfort to you.

Is there something going on in your life at present that’s causing you a measure of discomfort, confusion or anxiety? And further, can you identify it as something flowing from God’s hand as opposed to the consequences of your own actions? The range of possibilities is endless.

Now with that thought in mind, can you see that whatever is going on in your life, whether it’s a recent or a longstanding issue, is there precisely because the Lord “does as he pleases” and further, that it is perfect in every respect? There is nothing to add to or take away from it.

So if this is a season of difficulty for you, simply remember that God is sovereign and his actions are perfect. Don’t try to fight God’s sovereignty or add to his actions. You will lose. Our task is to accept his actions and rest in his providence. After all, how can you do better than perfection?

“I will walk with integrity of heart within my house” (Psalm 101:2).

Over the years I’ve come to see that the surest reflection of my devotion to Christ and the truest measure of my desire for personal holiness is manifested not in the public arena, but rather in the secret places of my life. In other words, who I am in private is the most accurate barometer of my devotion to Jesus Christ.

The above passage of scripture caught my attention earlier this week. Frankly, I can’t get it out of my mind. It speaks of David’s longing to be consistent in all areas of his life: public and private, open and secret. Consider the verse with me for a moment.

There are two words David used that speak of private or hidden places. The words “heart” and “house” suggest places that have restricted access. Only a select few know what’s going on in your home, and even fewer people (you and God) know what the condition of your heart is. Do you catch David’s intent? He’s making a commitment before the Lord that those who are close to him see integrity in all of his actions. And further, in referencing his heart he’s telling the Lord that he wants the most secret places of his life to be characterized by holiness. Wow, that speaks to me.

Be honest. We’re experts at putting on a show of how “spiritual” we are. I had a conversation with someone two weeks ago that was very one-sided. He did the talking. All he talked about was how active he was in spiritual pursuits. I’m certainly not in a position to judge him, nor would I. But at the same time I found myself wondering what his “heart” and “house” were like. You see, the sad truth is that far too many Christians are overtly spiritual at church yet secretly sinful at home and or in their hearts. These are painful things to consider, but true nonetheless.

The Bible tells us clearly that God judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  He’s primarily interested in holiness in the secret places of our lives. How are you doing in this regard? This is a tough question, but one I believe every Christian must answer if we’re to be honest in our relationship with Christ.

Here’s what I’m learning to do. As I spend time alone with the Lord, I ask Him to show me any areas in which my house and heart lack integrity. Then, just as David prayed, I ask the Lord to empower me live a life of holiness and integrity. It’s no easy task, yet one that God longs for us to undertake. How’s your house and heart today?

“How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land…?” (Joshua 18:3).

One of the most important lessons we can learn as Christians is that delayed obedience is a form of disobedience. With that thought in mind, let me set the context of the verse cited above and make it practical for us in our day.

The first two verses of Joshua 18 make it clear that God had worked in the midst of his people to “subdue the land that was before them.” In other words, the land was ready for the Hebrew people to dwell in. Now I am not sure why they hesitated. All we know from the text is that Joshua gathered them and asked the question contained in verse three. He then went on to outline a plan they could follow, thereby enabling them to take possession of the land. We know that they followed his advice and subsequently dwelt in the land. 

Now with that narrative in mind, I can’t help but wonder if there are times when we “put off going…” I’m guessing that there times when we sense we are to act in one way or another, yet we put off doing what we know to be right. I know that applies to a variety of situations, and perhaps applies in some way for you right now. Let me give you some examples.

From time to time I hear someone say something like this; “I know I should talk to that person about God; I know I should apologize; I know I should not hold that grudge; I know I need to be more consistent; I know the way I talk can be offensive; I know God is asking me to submit; I know………” The list is endless.

I’m sure that the people in Joshua’s day knew they should enter the land. The text tells us that the “whole congregation of Israel assembled… the land lay subdued before them.” In other words, at the time they gathered, they knew the land was theirs. Yet they hesitated to enter it until Joshua challenged them and outlined a course of action for them to follow. As a result of following Joshua’s suggestion, they were blessed.

Can you see that the same principle applies for each of us? In God’s way of working, obedience results in blessing. God always honors obedience. That’s the consistent record of the Bible. When we obey, God acts for our good. When we disobey (delayed obedience), there are always consequences.

In that light, let me ask you if there is an area in your life in which you are guilty of delayed obedience. If so, my counsel to you is quite simple; obey. Don’t rationalize why you have not done so. I’m sure you can come up with a million excuses. Don’t! Just obey! Don’t put it off any longer. God will be glorified and you will be blessed as you do so.

“When he had summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, he sent a man ahead of them, Joseph. . .” (Psalm 105:16-17).

I think you would agree that the story of Joseph is one of the most riveting stories in all of the Old Testament. He is one of the few people in the entire Bible about whom nothing negative is said.

Now I assume you know the basics of his life. As a young man, he was sold into slavery by his brothers. He lived in Egypt where he came to be a very powerful man. Many years later, a severe famine caused his father Jacob to send his brothers (the same brothers who sold him into slavery) to travel to Egypt to purchase grain. At a strategic moment, Joseph revealed himself to them. The result was that his father and brothers and their households moved to Egypt, ultimately becoming slaves to a Pharaoh who did not know Joseph.

As I have considered his life, the verse cited above really speaks to me. I am blessed and encouraged by the phrase, “he sent a man ahead of them.” There is so much for us to learn from that. Here is what I mean.

It appears that the Lord brought about the famine as noted in the first part of the verse; “When he had summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread.” But note as well that in the same verse we read, “He sent a man ahead of them.” The only way to interpret that is that at the same time God brought about the famine, he planted the seeds for their deliverance. There is a tremendous amount of comfort in that for us I believe.

Let me explain. I spend a significant amount of time talking with you one on one each week. As you describe the challenges you face, (the variety of issues that enter our lives is endless) is it not of great comfort to know that the sovereign God who brings about the challenges we face at the same time provides the deliverance we seek? Thus, he has the end in mind when he providentially allows the faith-stretching challenges we face.

Let’s make that observation very practical. Identify the biggest faith stretcher in your life today. As you identify it, how does it change your thinking to know that God’s deliverance is already “ahead of you” just as it was for Jacob and his sons? In a practical sense that means that when the need arises to exercise faith, the end product of our faith is already in place. The Apostle Paul put it this way; “God is faithful and will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape.”

When the famine arose, God had already planned their deliverance. When Joseph was a slave in prison, God had planned his deliverance. There will never be a time when God has not sent someone or something “ahead of you.” Is that awesome or what?!