A S P E C T S - a monthly devotional journal For subscription information on receiving Aspects every month via e-mail, or the laser-printed edition by mail, see NOTES, COPYRIGHT & SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION near the end of this file. Aspects is written by David S. Lampel. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Issue #02, December 1990 (Internet Edition) F O U N D A T I O N ----------------------------------------------------------------- In this issue: Perspective - Our source Perspective - Stability Perspective - Safety Perspective - Confidence and Strength ----------------------------------------------------------------- On a trip to Egypt, my wife, Linda, and I marveled at the massive, seemingly eternal, structures left by the ancient Egyptians. Of course, everyone first thinks of the mighty pyramids; there are actually more than seventy pyramids remaining in Egypt, the earliest dating from around 2700 BC. That first one is still there and, though weathered by time and the callousness of man, is still quite impressive. These structures were built to last and last they have. In contrast, we were amazed at the shoddy workmanship of the modern Egyptians. Their buildings appear to be thrown together with haphazard abandon. New skyscrapers--still under construction--have a framework made of cement looking more like swiss cheese than concrete! And the uneven land upon which these buildings are erected looks to be poised for dumping its structures back into the Nile itself. My wife and I noted in our journal: "Do NOT go into new buildings. Walk in the MIDDLE of the street." I was reminded of that Egyptian craftsmanship while reading the third chapter of 1 Corinthians: According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (3:10-11 NASB) Those modern buildings in Cairo will never stand the test of the centuries as have their ancient counterparts. They have simply not been built with the same care and precision. The Bible tells us we have only one foundation upon which we can build: Jesus Christ. Our work, our thoughts--even our service to God--will never stand against the final test of fire1 if they are not grounded in Jesus. Even as believers, we will stand before our God and be judged on the basis of what we have accomplished. And none of it will count--unless it has been done in the name of Jesus. Archaeologists have determined that before the first stone of the Great Pyramid of Khufu was ever set into place, the workers dug down to solid bedrock, which they leveled perfectly, giving the man-made mountain a perfectly flat, solid, and dependable foundation. Our bedrock is the perfectly level, dependable Son of God . . . Jesus Christ. __________________ Some people have monetary wealth far surpassing other's imagination; some people live in palaces; and some people have superbly fit bodies. But believers have one thing no one else has: a foundation. The Hebrew word yasad means an immovable base on which a solid structure can be erected. The parallel to the aformentioned pyramids is easily seen. But put it in more personal terms: the believer has an immovable base (Jesus Christ) on which to build a solid structure (his life). No matter what happens, we have this solid, dependable foundation upon which we can stand. No tragedy, no disappointment, no frustration can overwhelm us because we have a rock! Isn't this how Paul could say, "...we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed..."(2) No matter his circumstances, he was standing on The Rock, Jesus Christ. This month we examine this promise from four perspectives: Week 1 - the foundation as our source Week 2 - the stability we have on our foundation Week 3 - the safety or security we experience on our foundation Week 4 - the confidence and strength we have as a result ----------------------------------------------------------------- Perspective S O U R C E ------------- The creator of anything is the one who knows his creation best: The clock maker knows the location and purpose of every gear and wheel; the cabinet maker has run his calloused hands over every inch of the wood's grain. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. (Psalm 103:14 NASB) Can we depend on a God who knows the darkest corners of our being and loves us still? __________________ Thy Word I Have Treasured in My Heart(3) "For the foundations of the earth are the LORD'S; upon them he has set the world." -1 Samuel 2:8b My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together. -Isaiah 48:13 "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn." -Isaiah 51:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. -John 1:1 GEN 1:1 DEU 32:18 1SA 2:2,8 2SA 22:47 JOB 38:4-7 PSA 18:46 PSA 89:14,20-29 PSA 95:1 PSA 102:24-28 PSA 104:1-5 PRO 3:19-20 PRO 8:1-31 ISA 26:4 ISA 40:28-31 AMO 9:5-6 JOH 1:1-5 HEB 1:10-12 __________________ I Sing the Mighty Power of God I sing the mighty pow'r of God that made the mountains rise; That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies. I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day; The moon shines full at His command, and all the stars obey. There's not a plant or flow'r below but makes Thy glories known; And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne; While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care, And ev'rywhere that man can be Thou, God, are present there.(4) __________________ The words have many variations but, as scrawled in adolescent script in yearbooks the world over, they communicate the same sentiment. From my own 1967 (back when Coke still came in small bottles) High School yearbook: "You're a great kid, so stay that way!" and "Always stay as you are. Never change." and "Stay the same [person] that made me real- ize that..." Well, do you think that in 23 years I've changed? Thank the Lord! I have. As proof that I changed almost immediately, I could point to my 1969 yearbook, which I allowed no one to sign. We may--at best--stay like we were at one time. But God is eternally who He always has been. He does not pass through the cycles and changes of mortal man. He is not "like" the God of creation, He is--and always will be--the God of Creation. In the Gospel of John, Jesus eloquently says, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."(5) What better foundation for who we are right now than the God who is never anything but what He always has been. "God was our original habitat and our hearts cannot but feel at home when they enter again that ancient and beautiful abode." (Tozer) "Our security is found in complete trust and dependancy upon the eternal God, our Rock. Because He is eternal, He is reliable and trustworthy, and you can always depend on Him. He will never let you down. Peace is found in trusting Him, not yourself." (Hocking) "The immensity of God is only once declared in scripture, but when it is said that 'Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee' (1 Kings 8:27), a formula is used which precisely defines the supremacy of the Eternal Spirit over all conditions of space." (Pope)(6) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Perspective S T A B I L I T Y ------------- Rock and sand. Have you ever stood at the water's edge, on that smoothly saturated bed of beach sand, and allowed the waves to wash around your feet? You soon grow shorter, as the seemingly strong granules are eroded from beneath your toes. No stability. If stability is what you desire, go stand on a rock. __________________ Thy Word I Have Treasured in My Heart He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. -Psalm 40:2 When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. -Psalm 94:18 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. -1 Corinthians 3:11 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. -Ephesians 2:21-22 GEN 49:22-24 1KI 5:17 1KI 7:9-10 2CH 8:16 EZR 3:10-12 PSA 73:1-28 PSA 90:1-2 PSA 94:18-22 PSA 118:22-23 LUK 6:47-49 1CO 3:10-15 EPH 2:19-22 1TI 3:14-15 How Firm a Foundation How Firm a Foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What more can He say than to you He hath said, To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled? "Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed, For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid; I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand. "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply; The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine. "The soul that on Jesus hath learned to repose I will not, I will not desert to its foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake!"(7) __________________ God's stability is inexorably entwined with His mercy; these two holy attributes are never apart. Both are constant, dependable, and as trustworthy as His existence. "Often enough is this the case, we feel our weakness, and see our danger, and in fear and trembling we cry out. At such times nothing can help us but mercy; we can make no appeal to any fancied merit, for we feel that it is our inbred sin which makes our feet so ready to fail us; our joy is that mercy endureth for ever, and is always at hand to pluck us out of the danger, and hold us up, where else we should fall to our destruction. Ten thousand times has this verse been true in relation to some of us, and especially to the writer of this comment. The danger was imminent, it was upon us, we were going; the peril was apparent, we saw it, and were aghast at the sight; our own heart was failing, and we concluded that it was all over with us; but then came the almighty interposition: we did not fall, we were held up by an unseen hand, the devices of the enemy were frustrated, and we sang for joy. O faithful Keeper of our souls, be thou extolled for ever and ever! We will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in our mouths."(8) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Perspective S A F E T Y ------------- Thy Word I Have Treasured in My Heart I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. -Psalm 4:8 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. -Psalm 18:2 He said: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; -2 Samuel 22:2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. -Psalm 61:2 2SA 22:1-3 PSA 4:8 PSA 11:1-7 PSA 18:2 PSA 28:1-9 PSA 31:1-3 PSA 61:1-4 PSA 71:3 PSA 116:1-8 ISA 44:6-8 ISA 51:12-16 1TH 4:13-18 HEB 4:9-16 Hiding in Thee O safe to the Rock that is higher than I, My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly; So sinful, so weary,Thine, Thine would I be; Thou blest Rock of Ages, I'm hiding in Thee In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow's lone hour, In times when temptation casts o'er me its power; In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea, Thou blest Rock of Ages, I'm hiding in Thee. How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe, I have fled to my Refuge and breathed out my woe; How often, when trials like sea billows roll, Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul. Hiding in Thee, Hiding in Thee, Thou blest Rock of Ages, I'm hiding in Thee.(9) __________________ Follow the example of Nehemiah: Don't confuse earthly sanctuary with the Lord's safety. Nehemiah, sent by God to reconstruct the city wall of battered and burned Jerusalem, was tempted by Shemaiah, the son of Delaiah, to take sanctuary in the temple--to hide out there from his enemies. But Nehemiah had a singularly intimate prayer relationship with God, and knew that his Lord would never want him to commit this sin (of trespassing into "the holy place", where only priests were permitted to enter). Because of his intimacy with the God of heaven, He immediately detected the ruse; he knew that his security was not to be found in temporal logic, but in communion with God.(10) "Nothing is more satisfying and encouraging in our relationship with God than to see Him intervene in our difficulties. Whether He alters circumstances, adjusts the outcome, or gives us the inner direction and strength to stand and not run, experiencing Him firsthand builds our intimacy with Him. It proves that we can trust Him and enables us to do so again." (Moede) "Listen to me, O God; / listen to what I have to say. / From the bowels of this fractured world / I cry out my fears and my longings. I cannot find peace or security / until I lose myself in something or someone / that is greater than I. Draw me more deeply into Your life and purposes; / only then will I find shelter from the tempests / of this fearful and uncertain existence. You know that I am committed to You. / And as I am so committed, / I have inherited the same divine promises / that are given to all who follow you. Grant to me the grace / to fulfill my pledge of loyalty and service, / and I shall never cease to sing your praises." (Brandt)(11) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Perspective C O N F I D E N C E a n d S T R E N G T H ------------- Thy Word I Have Treasured in My Heart For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? -2 Samuel 22:32 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. -Psalm 62:2 So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. -Isaiah 28:16 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. -Ephesians 2:22 DEU 32:4 2SA 23:2-5 PSA 19:14 PSA 46:1-11 PSA 62:1-8 PSA 92:12-15 PSA 144:1-11 ISA 33:5-6 DAN 2:31-45 ZEC 12:1-5 ROM 9:33 EPH 2:19-22 2TI 2:16-21 1PE 2:6-8 The Church's One Foundation The Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord; She is His new creation by water and the Word: From heav'n He came and sought her to be His holy bride; With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died. 'Mid toil and tribulation and tumult of her war, She waits the consummation of peace for evermore; Till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blest, And the great Church victorious shall be the church at rest. Yet she on earth hath union with God the Three in One, And mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won: O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we, Like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with Thee.(12) __________________ Do you see the progression? Go all the way back: In the beginning God... Whatever confidence we have in this world begins with our source, Jehovah. Then He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be the solid cornerstone of our faith;(13) we, individually, trust in Jesus for our personal stability. We find our safety in God's wise design: with our belief in Jesus we are given the comforter, the Holy Spirit, who is our umbilical cord to God. See how we have been built up, empowered by this process. But there's more: The final step--where we attain our true solidity, our foundation--is in the church. Here, by gathering together and building each other up with Christ Jesus as our cornerstone,(14) we find our true and lasting strength and confidence for our place in the Kingdom. "When a man knows assuredly that the Lord is his salvation, he cannot be very much cast down: it would need more than all the devils in hell greatly to alarm a heart which knows God to be its salvation." (Spurgeon) A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe-- His craft and pow'r are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, Were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, is He!-- Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle. (Luther)(15) ======================================================================== NOTES, COPYRIGHT & SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Notes ----- 1. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 2. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 3. Psalm 119:11a (NASB) 4. Isaac Watts; Hymn #59 in The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration (WORD Music). 5. John 8:58 (NKJV) 6. A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God (Christian Publications, Inc., 1982), p.104; David L. Hocking, The Nature of God in Plain Language (WORD, 1984), p.95; William Burt Pope, A Compendium of Christian Theol- ogy (Hunt and Eaton, 1890), p.295 (cited in A Celebration of Praise, by Dick Eastman). 7. Rippon's Selection of Hymns, 1787; Hymn #275 in The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration (WORD Music). 8. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, exposition on Psalm 94:18. 9. William O. Cushing; Hymn #348 in The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration (WORD Music). 10. Nehemiah 6:1-14; for examples of Nehemiah's prayer relationship with God, see 1:4-11 and 2:1-4. 11. Paul Moede, from his article Facing Down the Giants in Your Land in Issue 52 of Discipleship Journal, p.25 (Copyright 1989 The Navigators, Used by Permission, All Rights Reserved); Leslie Brandt, Psalm 61 from Psalms/Now (Concordia, 1973), p.99 [Mr. Brandt offers a modern interpretation/paraphrase of each of the 150 Psalms: "I have tried to express what these Psalms say to me and about me...These offerings are by no means an attempt to be scholarly or textual...I am expressing what the psalmist might be saying if he were living in the twentieth century." I highly recommend this book.] 12. Samuel J. Stone; Hymn #277 in The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration (WORD Music). 13. Isaiah 28:16 14. Ephesians 2:19-22 15. Charles Haddon Spurgeon on Psalm 62:2, The Treasury of David; Martin Luther, A Mighty Fortress is our God, Hymn #26 in The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration (WORD Music). Copyright Information --------------------- All original material in Aspects is Copyright (C) 1996 David S. Lampel. This data file is the sole property of David S. Lampel. It may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright (C) 1995 David S. Lampel."). This data file may not be used without the permission of David S. Lampel for resale or the enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its content. Brief quotations not to exceed more than 500 words may be used, with the appropriate copyright notice, to enhance or supplement personal or church devotions, newsletters, journals, or spoken messages. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture is from the New International Version. NIV quotations are from the Holy Bible: New International Version, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission. NASB quotations are from the New American Standard Bible (C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Subscription Information ------------------------ Aspects is published monthly. There are two preferred methods of receiving it on a regular basis: 1) You may subscribe to the laser-printed (hard copy) edition, which is sent out via regular mail. This edition is different from this file you are reading in the following ways: - a "typeset" look, with italics, larger titles and headings, etc. - Scripture text and quotations are more obviously set apart - lines printed for your notes after each question - arrives pre-punched for a 3-ring binder - generally looks better 2) You may subscribe to the e-mail edition, which will be "mailed" to you directly each month. This edition will be formatted just like this file you are now reading--which still contains all the text of the printed edition. There is no charge for either option. 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Endnote reference numbers are enclosed in parentheses (); quotations are enclosed by quotation marks " ", and are further set apart from original text by indentation and the presence of a following endnote reference; Scripture references are indented, and either cite the reference or are accompanied by a following endnote reference. If you would prefer reading Aspects in its more native, printed form, we would encourage you to subscribe to the edition that is mailed out every month. ---------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/aspects: asp-002.txt Dave (dlampel@dlampel.com)