Working The System - Romans 9:30-33

Without question, many of us understand the idea of obeying the law. In fact, we can argue that all of us have some innate, instinctive concept of morality, of right and wrong, from a very young age.

Case in point; my sons, Hayden & Ephraim, figured out how to lie at around age 2. They didn't need any instruction in it, nor could they have understood seeing an example of it, but they did it nonetheless. Why? Well, each of them demonstrated the ability to lie when they had done wrong and didn't want to admit it or get into trouble (sound familiar?). They already knew the law!

It's quite a bit like Paul's description of Israel here. They failed to get the point of God's law; to drive them to faith in Him! Throughout history we have all failed miserably to live up to the perfect standard of the Law; the question becomes, how do we respond to that reality? Many turn away, insistent that God is sadistic and cruel. Others become deluded, pursuing a variety of 'ways to God', assuming that since perfection is unattainable, there must be another way.

But the amazing and joyous reality is this; the Law was given to demonstrate our desperate need for grace, which is only offered by one person, Jesus Christ. The difference between obeying the Law while being justified by faith and trying to earn justification by our works is not subtle; it merely becomes muddied and blurred when we start looking to our own 'wisdom' for answers.

Perhaps it's best put this way:
'Justified...
Just as if I'd
Never sinned at all'
--Black Eyed Sceva, from 'Way Before The Flood'

Confidence Man - Psalm 27

So, here I am, 5 months later with a new post! Good thing I don't get paid for blogging, or my pockets would be empty!

David expresses such great confidence in the Lord in this passage; he had enemies all around, trying to take him down, ruin his credibility, destroy his integrity, question his authority and even murder him. But David's complete faith in God was untouched at this time, and he exclaims it with no uncertainty:

"The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?" Verse 2
We live in a world, culture and society full of doubt and cause for doubt. Political upheaval, economic fluctuation, social unrest, racial tension, ethnic conflict, sexual immorality, educational indoctrination, moral ambiguity and religious relativism surround us, like so many bloodthirsty barbarians encamped around a hill that we live on. They are ready at a moment's notice to charge the hill, slay us all and burn our village to the ground. Yet we have reason for great confidence!

Our 'village', our 'stronghold' is the Lord Himself! The horde cannot even penetrate its walls, least of all cause us harm. At best, they can yell and scream, hurl spears and arrows our way, and attempt to intimidate us, but in the end, the fight is already lost for them!

How easily we forget this truth! Do I live daily in this kind of confidence? Do I go about my life with the complete assurance that God will prevail and nothing else matters? God, give me more faith today!