This was me… I listened to preachers of all sorts, motivated, passionate, and moving… quiet, loud, funny, and emotional. Until September 2007 (read My Story for more details), I scantily looked over the Bible references, as I listened, intently at times, and at others, not so much. I always carried my Bible with me to church, but in reality it was more of an accessory, my purse, my phone and oh, my Bible. After being in the same church for a while (20 years to be exact) you begin to ride along on your pastor’s coat tails (or at least I did, it was just too easy to have him spoon feed me). I need to point out this was not the endorsed method of scripture reading in my church, it has always been emphasized that everything anyone preaches should be tested out in the Word. But, this is where I was, checking the box, done… read it for today… box checked! (by the way, the list I was checking, in case any of you wondered were my Christian duties list…) As the ever so dutiful Christian’s heart was invaded by the truth of the Gospel (not the jacked up gospel that the modern cultured church of America is so acquainted with, but that will be the topic of the next Blog…), I found this immense longing (2 Cor. 7:10-11) to know this God who so beautifully brought brokenness in me to produce Godly sorrow which produced in me, repentance… and His unmerited favor, the salvation of my “first love”. This desire lead me to my Bible, but this time it shed its old role as accessory and became the tool in which I would use daily, even hourly to achieve my ultimate satisfaction of my deepening desire… to know Him. Over the course of 2 years I have found out something about myself… I regurgitate!! I have quoted (or miss quoted) scripture after scripture. I have repeated what I’ve heard others say without a second thought… Beroeans examine what is said against the scriptures to see if it is so (Acts 17:10-11). Let me tell you what I mean… There have been times when I have prayed for, or encouraged someone when there was a need they were trusting God to meet. So, I’d regurgitate this… “Lord, You have cattle on a 1000 hills, God supply for their needs. Amen”. I heard it said repeatedly, and I, well, I repeated it.
Well, it is true God owns everything and He provides for us, but I ran across this passage I so readily spouted, I thought it was about God’s provision and come to find out… that it was NOT about that at all. In fact it was totally something different. To use this scripture in that manner is contextually erroneous. (Psalms 50:1-15) Read it, then follow where I’m tracking… as a good Boroean… Verse 1- 6 describes God, His appearance, His fierceness, His power and preeminence. Then, starting in verse 7 going forward, these are God’s words (spoken prophetically and divinely inspired through the writer of this Psalm) He declares to Israel that He has something against them. He takes note of their sacrifices (burnt offerings for sins) which are continually (always, ever, perpetual) before Him. I think He is saying, “the smell never leaves my nose!” This is the human condition, man is carnal, its nature is wicked, and there is need of bloodshed, sacrificial, to atone for it. Needless to say, God’s poor nose doesn’t get a break. He goes on to shake the thinking of the people, He reminds them of who He is. He is owner of everything, these animals you bring before Him, aren’t yours, but rather He owns them all, every bird and creature are His. (I love this part…) Verse 12 and on, If He were hungry He wouldn’t tell you, the world and everything in it is His! Does He eat the flesh of bulls? Drink blood of goats? (now this is what opened my heart…) Sacrifice thanks offerings (towdah, which means let your confession bring praise to God, thanksgiving in songs of liturgical worship, hymn of praise) to Him , out of a heart of gratitude. Pay (shalam, be at peace with, a covenant of peace) your vows to the Most High. Here is where the Father’s heart compels us, verse 15, Call on Him in your day of trouble and He will rescue you, and you will honor Him. Wow! Not at all what I thought at first, I kept asking people did they know about the scripture passage?… and a few knew the authentic context (like my brainiac husband… I love him!) but most had no clue… hmm, what does that say? I think it says that far too many of us are bad “Beroeans” and good “regurgitates”. I know I was, but now with God’s grace I am on my journey, doing it “Beroean style”! I could spend all the days of my time in this age and only begin to scratch the surface of whom this everywhere, all-knowing, all-powerful God is. In the words of Addison Road:
What Do I know of Holy-
I made You promises a thousand times, I tried to hear from Heaven,
But I talked the whole time,
I think I made You too small, I never feared You at all
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?
I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life “its” name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?
My prayer is that we all get that one glimpse that will change us forever.
PS. Look at Acts 17:12… just a little treat for the ladies, I have to admit I got a little tickled about the wording here… “Consequently, many of them believed, including a number of the prominent Greek women… as well as men.”
I love You my God, my Everything, for You I live!!
