"But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out."   --- Numbers 32:23

For most of us who've been in the church for awhile, the verse above is not unknown.  We've heard it in sermons, lessons, and more than one stern lecture by a parent.  The central message of the verse, we are reminded repeatedly, is that if we do one evil thing or another, our sins cannot ultimately be hidden. Our unholy actions are sins against the Lord, and He knows what we've done. AND --- everyone else will eventually find out what we've done.  To put it mildly, YOU CAN'T FOOL GOD!

Of course, that IS true --- at least as far as it goes.  Certainly no one could disagree with this basic understanding of sin and its inherent inability to remain "hidden in the shadows."  Haven't we all learned that sooner or later, all those things we thought we had gotten away with seem to "come home to roost?!"  Whether in this life or at the Great Judgment in the future, everything we've done and the intentions behind them will be laid bare before our Sovereign God.  This ultimate disclosure SHOULD serve as a discouragement to living sinfully.

Now, far be it from me to say that this time-tested meaning attached to the verse above is not true.  It certainly IS true.  However, the verse above has an immediate and far-reaching meaning that is found, as most verses are, in its context.  The passage from Numbers is a very interesting passage and one that is critical to understand properly what the author is saying.

Numbers 32 occurs as the Children of Israel have completed their "punishment tour" wandering in the desert for 40 years as a result of their lack of faith and refusal to boldly enter the Promised Land as they had been instructed by God. You remember the story --- the 12 spies were sent to explore the land promised the Israelites by God and returned with their detailed report.  The all agreed on the wonderful blessings of the land and its ability to make the people flourish. They all agreed that there were challenges --- BIG challenges --- the "giants" who lived there and were militarily strong.  Ten of the spies said these "giants" would eat the people up and defeat them ignominiously.  Only two proved to be men of faith --- Joshua and Caleb.  They told the people to move forward in faith and trust the Lord God to empower them to defeat these enemies.  The people listened to the message of "peace at any cost" and the next 40 years were spent in aimless wandering --- geographically and spiritually.  Their sin? Refusing to do what was right when the time was right --- moral cowardice!

If you think that these people of God learned their lesson traipsing around the desert those 40 years, you'd be terrible wrong!  As they now stood ready to march across the Jordan River, two of the tribes of Israel approached Moses with a request.  "We've found a good place for our families and our flocks," they explained.  "Let us just stay here and make THIS our home."  They'd rather make money than war!  Moses, as you might imagine, was dumbfounded.  "You mean," he said, "that you want to let your fellow tribes do all the fighting while you stay here and do nothing?!"  "That's what your forefathers did at Kadesh Barnea when we sent spies!"  I'm amazed, too!  Some people just NEVER learn!

Several thousand years later, we're finding ourselves on the verge of armed conflict to oppose a great moral evil and protect the civilized world from a  megalomaniac with VERY destructive weapons.  Thumbing his nose at the world's citizens and ignoring the welfare of his own people, this leader and his tribal gang threaten the lives and livelihoods of all the nations of the world. Taking the international lead, the President has invoked the wisdom and assistance of Almighty God as he confronts this international evil.  As he repeatedly reveals the evidence gained to show the magnitude of that leader's tyranny, he consistently speaks of his "moral duty to oppose evil."

AND --- that's the issue for all of us this coming week.  When we speak of some "great evil" or we find ourselves face-to-face with something that is morally repugnant, the natural tendency is to run away.  Few of us really enjoy confrontations, and most of us prefer peace to conflict.  So, in times like these a very appropriate question is: "What is our responsibility with regards to evil?"  To be sure, the question has occupied the great philosophers for years.  However, we as Christians are NOT merely left to our own devices to answer the question.  Whether national, local, or personal in scope, the question is addressed by God's Word and speaks clearly to us ---

1) We must clearly identify evil --- we must know it when we see it!  One of the master strokes of the Evil One is to portray his lewd and morally debased intentions as something brighter and more desirable.  When the Apostle Paul warned the Christians in Corinth to distinguish between true and false workers, he told them,  "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." (II Corinthians 11:13-14) 
Do you know how the Treasury Department in Washington trains its workers to recognize counterfeit money?  I always thought they would show them examples of false money so the workers would recognize it when they saw it.  WRONG!  What the Treasury Department does is make the trainees repeatedly handle TRUE bills in various denominations.  They practice getting the sight and feel of the good bills so much that it becomes second nature to them.  THEN the instructors introduce some examples of "funny money."  Much of it has been counterfeited extremely well; however, the workers are not fooled.  When you know the sight and feel of the good stuff, the false stuff is largely no problem.  The lesson is obvious --- stick to the "good stuff" and learn it well.  Make it become second nature to you; THEN you'll know what doesn't feel, smell, sound, or taste right when it is presented to you.

2) Be committed to eternal principles more than temporary people!  We live in a world that is dedicated to politics and getting ahead.  Positions and possessions occupy the bulk of our creative energies and efforts far too often. We've been taught that cooperation is the highest value and being a "team player" is the highest compliment.  Of course, these DO have their places in living in society, but if they become the primary motivating forces we will tend to lose our moral compass.  Many people believe we've done that already.  If you look at the history of western civilization alone, you can see consistent examples of "peace at any cost" resulting in concentration camps, the deaths of millions, and the slavery --- literally and figuratively --- of whole populations. How do we avoid that?  Focus on enduring values and principles that transcend the compromises of daily life.  "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable --- if anything is excellent or praise-worthy --- think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

3) In your personal life, ruthlessly confront what is evil and ungodly, and in your public life boldly confront what is evil!  History is filled with examples of people who notice moral wrong yet do nothing more than express to themselves that it is regrettable!  Why don't people do more?  For some, the problem is fear --- fear of damaging personal relationships; fear of losing position, reputation or material wealth; fear that they may not be right.  For others, the problem is cowardice --- this is an informed fear that results in a calculated, deliberate refusal to do what is right.  At the personal level, it's more than passively failing to commit some types of sins.  Our obligation is to actively turn ourselves to God and consciously resist Satan and his wiles. "Submit yourselves, then to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)  Our obligations don't end there.  Publicly and interpersonally, we are to confront people and institutions whose actions clearly violate God's moral law.  We are indebted today to those in America from its very beginning who opposed the moral evil of slavery.  The foundation of their opposition was religious and spiritual in nature --- based upon the Word of God.  Virtually all of the great moral crusades from the past in this country began with Biblical injunction and moral outrage.

SO --- what's all this mean to us this week?  It means that we MUST personally and corporately resist and confront evil --- and be willing to pray the price for doing so!  The enjoyment of true faith is not a part-time proposition nor is it for the half-hearted and cowardly.  True faith and the service of the Kingdom is for those who clearly see what is right, who energetically seek what is right, and who boldly confront what is wrong!  Do that this week in your own life and you'll find God's strength as you do so.
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2003

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable --- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy --- think about such things." ---Philippians 4:8

Not a week goes by lately that we are not inundated by appeals to think about something.  Of course, for the past few months, the political races at local, state, and national levels have dominated the evening news shows and the newspapers.  The truth has been "sliced, diced, and served up to us" with a great deal of questionable thinking.  Our young people, according to the polls, have become cynical and withdrawn......even the most rosy estimates indicate that little better than 25 percent of them will take the trouble to vote!

The problem is that we have allowed the most elementary faculty in our capacity as human beings to become flabby and weak......our ability to THINK!  Fuzzy thinking seems to have crept into every facet of life.  We excuse evil on the thin basis of "Well, we ALL have our own skeletons in the closet."  The age old propensity to overlook our own sins in favor of highlighting those of others is alive and well in our early 21st century culture.  Even more amazing is our ability to accept questionable, fuzzy thinking on the part of our elected officials as "par for the course."

A friend recently sent me some examples of what is supposed to be actual, sworn testimony in courts of law in this land.  See if the examples below don't show our inability to think clearly........

Q: What is your date of birth?
A: July fifteenth.
Q: What year?
A: Every year.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Q: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
A: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Q: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
A: Yes.
Q: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
A: I forget.
Q: You forget. Can you give us an example of something that you've forgotten?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Q: How old is your son, the one living with you?
A: Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can't remember which.
Q: How long has he lived with you?
A: Forty-five years.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Q: What was the first thing your husband said to you when he woke that morning?
A: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?"
Q: And why did that upset you?
A: My name is Susan.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Q: And where was the location of the accident?
A: Approximately milepost 499.
Q: And where is milepost 499?
A: Probably between milepost 498 and 500!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Q: Sir, what is your IQ?
A: Well, I can see pretty well, I think.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Q: Did you blow your horn or anything?
A: After the accident?
Q: Before the accident.
A: Sure, I played for ten years. I even went to school for it.


If fuzzy thinking is the problem, what is the antidote?  Is there a "medicine" that will function as a "cure?"

First, as the verse above says, our mindsets are framed by what we think about.  If you want to be pure, praiseworthy, or possess excellence, then focus your thinking on things that have these qualities.  Reject things that are base and downgrading......focus on things that have eternal significance.  Remember the motto of computer engineers...."Garbage in.....garbage out!"

Second, conform your living to the standards of God by thinking on His standards.  Psalm 119:59 says, "I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes."  There IS a yardstick by which we may measure our lives and conduct: the Word of God!

Third, make the house of God a priority in your life.  God does not have "free agents" in His Kingdom.  His house and His family are His focus!  Psalm 48:9 tell us that "Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love."

Fourth, study the lives of those who have succeeded in the past.  The Scriptures are filled with the lives----successes and failures---of God's people who lived before us.  Their lives are examples of human frailty, God's grace and mercy, God's Providence and provision, and human recovery.  "Consider Him," Hebrews 12:3 invokes, "Who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

This week, aim high in your thinking and doing.  You simply cannot go upward while looking downward!  Seek wisdom by listening to and meditating on what is wise.  Follow God's path----it will lead you to where God wants you to go!

God bless you and grant you His guidance in thinking and living this week.

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2000

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."  ----Galatians 6:10

An issue of Parade Magazine noted that Mychal F. Judge, the late NYPD Chaplain, carried this prayer in his pocket, and the NYPD personnel referred to it as Mychal's Prayer.  It is worth repeating:

"Lord, take me wherever You want me to go;
Let me meet who You want me to meet;
Tell me what You want me to say;
And keep me out of Your way."

Most people of faith have heard numerous sermons, homilies, and lessons about doing good and serving others.  Our religious groups, denominations, and churches organized to do this resulting in program after program to make it happen.  We are very proud of ourselves, it seems, that more organizations exist now than ever devoted to service and ministry.  You simply cannot have a natural disaster or significant catastrophe in America without the presence of the Red Cross and scads of other religious relief agencies!

It would seem that God is very, very lucky to have us around to organize all this for Him!  I mean, what on earth did we do for service before 21st Century Americans could conceptualize and organize it?!  After all, if our service and ministry to others isn't programmed and organized, how valuable and effective COULD it be?

Honestly, organized service and programmed ministry really ARE valuable --- in their place.  However, not everyone can participate in these to any significant degree.  For the vast majority of people of genuine faith, the thrust of true spiritual service to others occurs at the daily, personal level.  Ministry in most circumstances flows along the lines of human relationships and contacts.

That's what makes Mychal's Prayer so profound.  He realized, as have most of us who are/have been Chaplains, that ministry with eternal value often is ministry that does not appear to be a "big deal."  A kind word, an encouraging conversation, a pat on the back, or even a listening ear can mean far more than some of our complex, sophisticated programs!  The time spent sharing our lives with others in the "daily grind" is a greater investment, I believe, than a good bit of the flashy, much-heralded activity that passes for "ministry."

What's the difference?  Simply put, genuine, personal ministry is ministry that is directed by our Sovereign God --- and often ministry that has NO indication of just how important it really is!  It is ministry energized and used by God, even when He does not TELL us He is using us.  It is ministry that focuses on the warp-and-woof of the daily lives of real people who are incessantly going and coming.  It's the way the Divine is interjected into the mundane.

Mychal's Prayer is simple, yet profound.  Why don't you pray this prayer at the beginning of the coming week and keep it in focus each day?  I believe you'll be surprised at how many opportunities you'll have to put "feet to your faith" in the lives of others.  Depend on God and follow His lead.  You'll do good to all kinds of people --- you'll do it God's way --- and you'll do it empowered by Him!  May He us all of us this week for His glory!
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2002

"For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.."----  Hebrews 4:12

It is predictable --- sooner or later in polite conversations the subject will turn to religion.  For many people, blood pressures then rise and tensions grow.  The increasingly diverse nature of our culture and the growing variety of religious expressions all contribute to confusion and agitation.  Just turn the subject in lunchtime talk to spiritual things and religion and watch the tempers flare!

Have we lost the ability for civil discourse?  Have we come so far in our religious differences that we can no longer manage our intellectual exchanges?  Has our headlong run into "political correctness" brought us to the point that religion has been relegated merely to a personal preference (best kept to oneself), like who one voted for in the last election or one's like/dislike for a particular carbonated beverage?  Is this the way our Founding Fathers envisioned future generations to live?

Apparently not!  On October 11, 1798, John Adams wrote to the "Officers of the First Brigade of the Third Division of the Militia of Massachusetts."  In this communication, he offered that "...we have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion.  Avarice, ambition, revenge... would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net.  Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.  It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

So --- our American nation was to be a "moral and religious" culture, according to Adams!  How was this to be achieved?  Where was the essential school of morality and common religion?  What was the foundational textbook for our private and public lives?  Not surprisingly, Adams believed that the Word of God, the Bible, was the foundational document for living in our representative republic.

In a letter to his good friend, Benjamin Rush, Adams wrote on February 2, 1807, "The Bible contains the most profound philosophy, the most perfect morality, and the most refined policy, that ever was conceived upon earth.  It is the most republican book in the world, and therefore I will still revere it.  The curses against fornication and adultery, and the prohibition of every wanton glance or libidinous ogle at a woman, I believe to be the only system that ever did or ever will preserve a republic in the world."

It seems to me that we have two equal and opposite possibilities for living this next week.  One of them is to approach life from an experiential standpoint.  That is, we can live each day searching for a "spiritual experience" or "warm emotion."  This type of living is at it's heart self-centered and ego-driven.  It's long on the subjective and short on the objective.  It leaves each of us with our own "sheet of music" pursued primarily by the emotions.  It's a life in search of an experience --- "how things FEEL to ME."

The other approach to life is the Biblical approach.  It centers on the Bible and requires that we read God's Word and heed it.  It is not as susceptible to changing emotions or subjective experiences.  This is the strength of living that appealed to John Adams so long ago.  Living the Christian lives appropriately in our current culture demands that we place ourselves under the tutelage of Holy Scripture.  It's honest, down-to-earth counsel and requirements insure a more civil society, livable homes, and a spiritual climate that is balanced and dependable.

The Word of God peers deep inside the human personality, honestly and forthrightly points out sin and unrighteousness, and carefully declares the cure for all that morally and spiritually ails us.  Living under the demands and mentoring of God's Word builds good people, good churches, and a truly good society.

Don't let anything rob you of this necessary blessing this week.  Read God's Word --- think about it, meditate on it, memorize it, wrestle with it, share it, and let is change your life from the inside out.  Don't forget the words of the Psalmist --- "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."  (Psalm 119:105)  Live in the light this week!

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2003