Yesterday I was driving through our neighborhood and saw a rooftop TV antenna, bringing to mind the days when we had little TV sets with rabbit ears and 3 channels. When we got
rooftop antennas with more reception, we were ecstatic. And then, color TV. I remember feeling deprived that we still had a black-and-white when others had color. Imagine that; I thought a color TV would make me happy.
But it did not take me long to realize the fleeting pleasure of “things.”
A very wealthy and wise King Solomon said, “Human desire is never satisfied” (Prov. 27:20). And who better to attest to the vanity of “things.” He had every “thing” (Eccl. 1:8). If he were alive today, no doubt he would have a humongous home theater!
Jesus warned of vainly pursuing “things” (Matt.
6:32); yet promised to give us “all things:” every “thing” we need for
life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), the spiritual, psychological, and physical
resources required to accomplish the “things” He created us to
do. (Eph. 2:10; Phil. 2:12-14). But in order to take full possession of “all things,” we must let go of our “things.” And there isn't any “thing” worth more than that (Matt. 16:26)!
Last week President Obama said our national security and that of the world is dependent on successful negotiations with Iran (a nation that calls us the “Great Satan” and has vowed to destroy Israel). The Joint Plan of Action will freeze Iran's enrichment
of uranium and halt plutonium production—thus averting
nuclear proliferation in the region. Yeah right.
Just the thought that international security is contingent
upon Iran’s honesty and good intentions is frightening. David's words seem fitting: “the nations conspire and plot in vain” (Ps. 2:1).
Knowing that the God of the universe is in control and sets
the appointed times of events on earth is a great source of comfort and peace for us. “For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the
nations. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their
hope and confidence” (Ps. 22:28; Jer. 7:17). Thank God, our security is not contingent on diplomatic resolution with Iran!
Yesterday in his UN speech, Netanyahu made a case for establishing red lines and deadlines to stop Iran's nuclear weapons development. If those red lines are crossed, military action would result. But, the course of preference for the UN and U.S. is continued diplomacy and sanctions.
Generally speaking, ‘red lines’ and ‘deadlines’ are necessary in life. Without them, people get all willy-nilly—people need boundaries. Interestingly, some Bibles highlight all of Jesus' words in red, called "Red Letter Bibles." When we stay within Jesus' red lines of obedience, we have peace, joy, and feel God's love (John 15:10). You might even call those red letter days. But when we cross the lines, we lose all of that. We experience futility (Eph 4:17).
And does God give us ‘deadlines?’ Well, the obvious one is death. But I think we have a more immediate deadline, called “Today.” “Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as when they provoked me in the day of trial in the wilderness… [That is why] you must warn each other every day, while it is still “today” so that none of you will be deceived” (Heb. 3:7, 13). What happens when you miss today's deadline? Don’t worry. Tomorrow is another “today.”
If you’ve been reading this blog for any time at all, you’d be surprised if I didn’t say something on the day that is called “Black Friday” (in the States). In the Bible, the color black or the word “darkness” symbolizes sin and death. The color white portrays purity, righteousness, joy, and light.
As born again people, we live in a world of black and white—darkness and light! Those living in darkness are subject to Satan—the god and ruler of this world (2 Cor. 4:4; John 12:31). Even though God's light came into the world, through Jesus, people love the darkness more than the light (John 3:19).
Satan’s system of consumerism/materialism will be working today like the law of gravity, pulling people further into darkness. Black Friday serves as a good reminder to us to beware of getting pulled in by this spirit. Paul said that once we are born again, we should no long live like the Gentiles (non-believers) whose darkened minds (and Black Fridays) leave them in a state of futility (Eph. 4:17-18).
