The Test of the Question
Good Morning Friends,
It seems to me that what you see in life depends on what you are looking at, and that what you hear depends on who you listen to, just as the answers you get depend largely on the questions you ask. Indeed the questions we ask determine who we become. So this morning on the first day of the year 2015 I put to you The Test of the Question.
Scripture:
16You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay? Shall the thing made say of its maker, ‘He did not make me’; or the thing formed say of the one who formed it, ‘He has no understanding’?
Isaiah 29:16 (NRSV)
18The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2‘Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.’ 3So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. 5Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. 9And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, 10but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it.
Jeremiah 18:1-10;
3Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus* by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ 3Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’*
4Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ 5Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.*
7Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You* must be born from above.”*
John 3:1-7 (NRSV)
Message: If we are going to ask questions about the things that are to be, and our role in it, it is more revealing, complete and appropriate to do so by looking to the entire Bible and especially Christ’s teaching than ancient messianic prophecy alone. Nevertheless, today’s scripture words speak both to our personal and collective activities in modern times and especially so on this first day of the year. The argument of judgment written seems all too abundantly justified for today. Isaiah, as a prophet, believed that God had a covenantal plan for His country to be used for a Holy purpose. He was convinced that the leaders of the day were messing with the Godly outcome intended. He spoke of a materialism which literally blinds people to the signs of the times; he spoke of politicians who assume the power which belongs to God alone. He spoke of unhealthy alliances with foreign countries, of a national life confused, of religion that had become a man-made discipline. But he also gave hope that their society might become a glad response of people who through obedience learn the liberating truths of God. He instructs us to accept God as part of the structure and spirit of society. He guides us to the conclusion that God is in charge and helps lead us by asking the right questions. Friends, the questions of the Bible are very telling and are used to teach us. So I am starting off the New Year with a series on questions. Here are a few examples of questions that God asks that come to mind:
God asks Adam in the garden,” Where are you”?
God asks Cain,” What’s wrong with you”?
God asked Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?”
Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”
Unfortunately today we are likely asking how to be healthy and happy and prosperous in the New Year, but those questions are so common and ubiquitous that they basically loose all meaning and are not of much help. Instead, I would like to explore something a little more challenging….perhaps something a lot more meaningful…. questions that force us into a corner. Questions that help us to embrace the sacrifices it takes to get where we want to go. I cannot ask the questions for you alone. But I do hope to nudge us all to into questions that motivate us to focus on the next step forward. So this morning contemplate your questions…the real questions that you must ask to face the test of life.
Pray we realize that without God we can do nothing. Pray we realize we are just dust without the life giving water of the Holy Spirit. Pray we understand that we are unformed clay without the Master’s hand. Pray we learn from the questions asked as they mold us, as we discern where the Holy Spirit reveals God’s desire for us. Pray
that Jesus would join us in our questions and that Jesus would mold us. Pray that we each have a story to tell and the courage to tell another person, when asked, about this Jesus who has changed our lives. Pray that we would overcome the struggles that bind us and keep us from being the person God can use mightily for His Kingdom purposes. Pray that we are prepared for a work that exceeds our ability and we believe that God will make up the difference we do in dedication and devotion in His name and for His sake.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 