Peter Misselbrook's Blog

Apr 24 2020 - Philippians 1:27-2:18 – Go on working out your salvation

In Philippians chapter 2 Paul provides us with a breath-taking view of the drama of salvation. Before he came into this world, Jesus Christ shared all the glory and dignity of God, along with the Father. But Jesus did not hold on to that for all he was worth. Rather, he freely let it all go. He took upon himself our human nature and came into this world as a servant – the great Creator became a creature; the Lord of all became servant of all. More than that, he humbled himself in going to the cross – being despised and rejected by those he had created; suffering the penalty of our sin and the wrath of Father God. And because of this, God raised him up from the dead and exalted him to the highest place in all of heaven. All of this was done in order that we might have a way back to God. It is God's purpose that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11). It is God's purpose that all things in heaven and earth should be brought under the dominion of Jesus Christ – that his kingdom should extend over all.

And this is what is happening in the world. This is what happened to us when we came to hear the message of salvation and to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. We were saved, or to be more precise, we are being saved. So Paul says to these Christians at Philippi – and to us – "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (2:12-13). What areas or aspects of your life have not bowed the knee to Christ? Are there remaining areas of pride and self-will that are inconsistent with the character of the incarnate God that has been displayed in Jesus?

And just in case we are tempted to think that we are practically perfect in every way, Paul adds, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God..." (2:14-15) – that's a big ask! We never get beyond the need for fresh subjection to Jesus Christ, in all the detailed aspects of our lives. That is why we are to "work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling." It is serious and demanding work that can only be accomplished in the fear of God and with an eye to his burning purity and holiness. It can only be accomplished with an eye upon the Lord Jesus Christ and his self-effacing character and glory. But, thanks be to God, it's not a work we have to do by our own strength – we cannot make ourselves like Christ; we can only make ourselves like the Pharisees. The wonder of our salvation is that "God is at work in [us] to give us the desire and the power to act according to his good purpose." It's a work that has to be done from the inside out. It's a work that can only be accomplished by the Spirit of God – by the Spirit of the risen Christ.

But this outworking of God's saving purposes is not individualistic. It is God's purpose that every knee should bow to Christ and that every tongue should confess him as Lord. It was this vision that drove Paul in his ministry; the outworking of salvation meant telling all the world about the Lord Jesus Christ. We also are to shine as lights in a dark world, bringing the word of life to a dying world.

Lord, help me to be engaged in the great work of salvation, both in my own life and in the lives of those I touch, for Christ's sake and for the glory of God the Father.

Apr 24 2019 - 1 Samuel 9 – Saul meets Samuel

The Israelites wanted to be a powerful nation, just like the other nations round about them. So they told Samuel that they must have a king. But who is able to act as king over the people God has chosen to be his own and to be a light to the nations?

The hidden hand of God is at work through the details of the story in today's chapter. Saul's father, Kish just happens to have lost his donkeys which would have been left to fend for themselves on the sparse pasture of the hill country – as sheep today are let loose on the hills in Wales. Saul, along with one of his father's servants, is sent to search for them and bring them home. They searched the local countryside but could not find the donkeys. Only then does the servant have the bright idea of consulting Samuel, the priest and prophet of Israel who lived in that region.

Meanwhile, the Lord had revealed to Samuel that a man from the tribe of Benjamin was on his way to see him and that this was the man whom he is to anoint as Israel's king. Saul is just the kind of young man whom you might expect to make a good king, even though he is from the smallest tribe in Israel. He stands head-and-shoulders above his contemporaries (v.2), he has the physical characteristics that would make him the kind of king the people would welcome – a king like the nations. The Lord tells Samuel that this is the man who will deliver God's people from the oppression of the Philistines (v.16). He will be a second Samson, perhaps even a better Samson.

Samuel lives up to his reputation as a prophet or seer – one who can see things that are not visible to others. When Saul meets Samuel he is immediately told that he need worry no more about the donkeys, they have been returned safely to his father. Then Samuel utters the enigmatic words, "And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?" (v.20). Saul is puzzled; he does not think that there is anything special about him and his family.

But now Saul is led into the feast that has been prepared in conjunction with the sacrifice and worship planned to take place at the high place above the town. There Saul was given the chief place at the feast and the very best of the food; it must all have seemed very strange to him. After the feast they went down to Samuel's house in the town where they stayed the night. Only in the morning, as Saul is about to leave, does Samuel take him aside to tell him that he is going to be Israel's first king. It must have been very difficult for Saul to take in.

What kind of king does God want to be ruler over his people? It must be one who reflects the character of God himself. Saul looked the right part – head-and-shoulders above his contemporaries – but the events of the following chapters will prove his character.

What a contrast with our Lord Jesus Christ. Despite the beautiful images of him in Victorian paintings and Sunday School posters, we are told that, "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" (Isaiah 53:2). It is character, not appearance, that God values and that equips someone for leadership among God's people. Jesus alone is fit to be king over the people of God for he "is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being." He is God incarnate.

Father God, we give you thanks and praise for our precious Saviour and King, the Lord Jesus Christ. He has conquered all our enemies, will save us from every threat and danger and will bring us safe at last into the place he is preparing for us in glory. We thank you that though we are unworthy of your goodness, you have set aside the best for us and welcome us to feast at your table. Help us to serve you in a spirit of humble faith and of joyful obedience and worship.

Peter Misselbrook