Lost Even When in the Right Place

Reading God’s Word is so revealing. I am in Isaiah this morning as I begin a study on the word “lost”.

“⁵And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” – Isaiah 6:5 (ESV)

Here, Isaiah is describing his vision of the Lord. He is in the temple looking up at the Lord on the throne. And yet, his words indicate that he is lost.

I know that I have felt similar in certain situations. I knew exactly where I was, yet was not confident in whether or not I was or belonged there in the first place. It was not until I reached out to confess my confusion and lack of confidence that I was assured to be. Isaiah asked. Okay, it was more of a statement aloud. He made it known that he was not sure that he was supposed to be there or even belonged.

“⁶Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.’” – Isaiah 6:6-7 (ESV)

Isaiah spoke out to confess. This confession was was heard and action was taken to let him know that he did indeed belong.

As noted, I have experienced this sense of being lost myself and it was not until I confessed was it confirmed that I was. I am positive that it happens on the regular in our houses of worship. There are those who come to visit, looking for something and end up leaving without confirmation that they have found it. Either it comes from us as the congregation not embracing those who are visiting or from the pulpit with the seemingly vilification of us all as sinners. More can and should be done to help others as they are likely feeling lost.

It is not a good feeling to be lost, especially when I am in the right place. I may not know exactly why I am there, but there is a reason and frankly I am looking for it. I may not have the confidence to confess, and therefor it is up to someone to draw me in with an assuring word or action, just as the seraphim from the vision of Isaiah taking action to acknowledge and assure him of his rightful place there.

What are your feelings when you are out in the world? Are lost where you are or know of those who might be? What if you called out in confession of your being lost or were the one to take action of assurance to those who might be?

Confidence to Enter Holy of Holies

In the Old Testament the tabernacle was a sacred place where one would come to confess their sins on the Day of Atonement. It was separated into three “chambers”. There was the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. I, being of the general population could enter the Outer Court. The Priests would enter the Holy Place, and only the high priest of the time would enter the Holy of Holies. So you can see that it was a sacred place with minimal access. Then Jesus died and the curtain was torn.

“⁵⁰And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. ⁵¹And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.” – Matthew 27:50-51 (ESV)

With this tearing of the curtain, all now have access to the LORD without intermediary of the high priest of the time. As we find in Hebrews, Jesus is Better and is the Highest Priest. Access to Him means that there is no longer a “need” for other high priests. Thanks to the tearing of curtain at the death of Jesus for my sin, I now have direct access to him.

“¹⁹Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, ²¹and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²²let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” – Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV)

Here is the thing. Now that I have access, I have to have confidence in that access. I have to come to Him always. I have to enter His presence. I can enter the Holy of Holies and I should.

No longer am I held out of the presence of the LORD due to procedure. No longer am I separated from God by two curtains and rooms. No longer do I have to go through someone else to reach the Father. No longer do I have to wait for the one day to seek forgiveness. The LORD is available to me always, whenever I need Him. The LORD is ready to listen. I only need to come to Him with the confidence that is given me through his spilled blood for my sake.

What reason are you giving to not come to Christ? Are you waiting for the opportunity on that one day? What if you had confidence supplied by Jesus’ death on the cross for you and came to Him right now?

Confidence To Come Near to God

This morning I was drawn to think of my boys. They, as younger and to some degree even now, found it difficult to come to me when there was/is something they need to discuss. There is somehow a fear that I would not understand or not be supportive of them. I can understand to some degree as I am the patriarch of the family and as such am here to drive things, not take direction.

In the last few verses of chapter four, the writer of Hebrews identifies Jesus as the “Great High Priest”. As He is such, I can certainly see and feel the apprehension of coming to Him with my needs and wants, much like my boys.

“¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV)

But even so, Jesus knows all that I struggle with and opens His arms to me. I have to remember that He has nothing but the best intentions and desires for me with Him. He will guide and direct me to greatness. He comforts me in time of need. He educates me in those things that are of consequence. I have to come to Him with confidence knowing all of this. He is my father and I should look to Him as the one to give me all.

This time in the mornings is my time to come to Him. I devote my time to His Word and to learning and applying to my life. I then take time here to write my thoughts on my learning to share so that others might have the chance to learn and apply themselves. I know that these are not my words, but the words of the LORD through me. I come to the LORD with confidence that He will share with me that which I am to learn and share with others.

Remember, I am not a scholar of the LORD’s Word. I am only His child, seeking His face and wisdom to get along in this world. I come to Him knowing that whatever I ask will be provided when it comes from my heart and is for His glory. I am confident in my relationship with Him and know that He will always guide and comfort me with His love.

What is your approach to coming to the LORD? Are you apprehensive at what He might think or provide? What if you were to come to Him with the confidence of knowing He is on your side and will guide and comfort you always?

Keep the Confidence

Keeping the Confidence. So easily said. The practice of it is much more challenging.

I again come to the analogy of athletics. Athletes are generally very successful when their confidence is high. When they are knowing that they can and will do something that has a positive impact. And even when they find themselves in a moment of failure, they understand that it is only a moment and that they will find the way back from that failure.

Our life with Christ is rooted in confidence. Not so much in our ability or our talent, but in the hope that regardless of where we might be the LORD is there with us. I have to know that I am going to prevail in all thanks to the LORD and His will and His watching over me.

“⁵Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, ⁶but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” – Hebrews 3:5-6 (ESV)

The writer of Hebrews in this passage is specifically identifying Jesus to be greater than Moses. Yet I am looking to verse six this morning. I am to have confidence in Christ as He is faithful over God’s house, the church to which I am. It is not me that I have confidence in, it is in Christ. He will always win out.

Here is where things get a little complicated for us has humans, we have to overcome failure and know that Christ does win. Our confidence is in Christ, not ourselves. I am a sinner and filled with failure. It is Christ who lifts me up and not myself. I will have moments of failure to which I must move on knowing that my confidence is in the LORD who does not fail. My failure is just a momentary setback that was likely of design to redirect or keep me from some calamity. Like the athlete who is confident they will overcome, I must as well. But, different from the athlete who is confident in their ability to overcome, my confidence is in Christ who will lead me through that which is challenging my view of success.

Failure is going to come, it is for sure. The way through the failure is to have confidence that we will overcome. Our confidence to do so should be in the LORD as He will not fail. I must keep the confidence in Him, knowing that He will lead me through whatever is upon me that may not feel like success.

Where are you putting your confidence? Are you looking to yourself to get you through the challenges and failures? What if you were to keep your confidence in the LORD knowing that He will not fail?

Confidence for You

I have mentioned that my family competes/competed in sports and with that came a lot of different coaches and we were able to witness a lot of different coaches as well. One thing that is evident in the successful coaches is the confidence they have and communicate to their players. The coaches are able to seemingly get more out of the players when they are confident in their ability to do the work. But, it is not really getting more out of them, they are giving them the courage and permission to to do the work they are capable.

“⁴And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. ⁵May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:4-5 (ESV)

Paul, speaking for Timothy and Silvanus, is pointing out to the church that they have the skills to continue doing the work for Christ. And he lets them know that he, Timothy, and Silvanus are confident that they will do just that. Coaching at its best here. The coach, Paul, letting his team, the church, know that he knows they can do it.

Paul does not get this confidence from just anywhere, it comes from the LORD. Paul is abiding in the LORD and conveying His will to the people. Paul knows that the LORD will be with the church and he reminds them that they should abide in Christ and they will find the path and work they are to take.

Paul is the example for me. In the training profession I teach and coach others to do the work they are assigned. It is up to me to ensure that they know I have confidence for them in their work. Likewise, or really before my worldly work, I am tasked with having confidence for those around me in the work of the LORD. I am to witness to them and give them the Word of God to use as their guide and provide for them the words of confidence for their spreading of the gospel to the world around them.

What is your approach to getting others to do the work? Are you telling them to in hopes they will find it within themselves? What if you showed confidence for them that comes from your abiding in the LORD that encourages them to do the work they are capable?

No Confidence in the Flesh

I cannot rely on myself and my lineage and my own actions as they will ultimately always fail me. Yes, I know that in the short run, there may be some benefit to me taking control or my ancestry from the ruling class (not really from royalty) or my great visible actions. I may see some “comfort” from it all, in fact Paul experienced all of it in his life.

“⁴though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.” – Philippians 3:4-6 (ESV)

Paul was a great man in the world prior to his becoming great for Christ. He seemingly had it all, and yet when the LORD appeared to him, he saw that it all was just of the flesh and that there was so much more in the LORD and for following Him.

“²¹Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ²²When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” – Matthew 19:21-22 (ESV)

The world is an enticing place and can lead to dependency and will ultimately lead to our undoing. I have to remember this in my life. The world is tempting, and seemingly even more so today. There is social media that is so easy to manipulate and everyone has things so great. The sense that “you too can have it all” is the sentiment as displayed. It is all about the comfort and the carefree approach. I hear and see of people having $100K monthly expenditures and I find myself wondering how I too can have it all and how good it would be. This is the fleeting life and so temporary. At any time the comfort could be gone and then, without the “needed” resources, I would find myself right back to the same place as before.

“²Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. ³For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—“ — Philippians 3:2-3 (ESV)

I have to put my confidence in the LORD and not in the world. Paul found that out and warns us to be aware of the evil in the world. The world only thinks of itself and its own survival and will toss us away once it has chewed us up. With Christ, we are not chewed up, we are lifted up and given the prospects of such a glorious future. The now may not be comfortable in the sense of the world standards, but our long term outlook is so great. Confidence in the flesh or the world will only lead to disappointment in the long term.

Where are you putting your confidence? Are you looking to the world and all of the “riches” it gives to get you through the long term? What if you realize that the now is just that and your confidence should be in the LORD who gives you future glory?

Confidence From Fear of the LORD

This morning I begin a study of the word “confidence”. I start with a passage in Job and see that I am to have confidence from the LORD and the fear of Him.

“⁵But now it has come to you, and you are impatient;

it touches you, and you are dismayed.”

— Job 4:5 (ESV)

Look at the words of Eliphaz the Temanite above to Job. It is natural for us to feel subjected to many a difficult time and circumstance. And this can lead to doubt and fear. We are going to feel all that is bad and ugly as though it is directed at us. Society and the world does not understand and that lack of understanding creates fear in their own life and they want for all to feel the same way.

“⁶Is not your fear of God your confidence,

and the integrity of your ways your hope?”

— Job 4:6 (ESV)

Now we have fear as well, yet that fear is in the LORD and instead of allowing it and the world of society to create doubt and fear in us, it should create confidence beyond understanding. With the fear of the LORD and the confidence that comes, we are to be strong like a lion and get out into the world.

“¹⁰The roar of the lion, the voice of the fierce lion,

the teeth of the young lions are broken.

¹¹The strong lion perishes for lack of prey,

and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.”

— Job 4:10-11 (ESV)

The lion is not deterred by the world. They will continue until there is no more way to continue. Notice that they will “perish for lack of prey”. That is not that we are to seek others as prey, but more that we are to continue with the confidence of the lion in that there is nothing that can be overcome.

The lion continues providing and protecting and caring for their world and we should be doing the same. We cannot let the world defeat us. We have to go through the world with the confidence that we will overcome. That confidence comes from our fear of the LORD. When we tap into that confidence we will not be defeated.

What does your confidence look like? Are you confident in only a few things? What if you were like the lion and had confidence in all things and drew on the confidence that you get from your fear of the LORD?

Be Ready with Righteous Actions

This morning I wrap up my guided study of the word “righteous”. It has been a great view into the Word of God and now that I have viewed and reviewed, I have to be ready.

“’⁷Let us rejoice and exult

and give him the glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come,

and his Bride has made herself ready;

⁸it was granted her to clothe herself

with fine linen, bright and pure’—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.” – Revelation 19:7-8 (ESV)

I am the Church of God and I have to be ready. My readiness comes in the continued work done for the LORD as He gives to me. I have to commit righteous actions. I have to look at each opportunity to be the bride of Christ.

How will you be preparing? Are you just expecting that all is good and you are ready? What if you were to do the continued work of Christ with righteous actions to be ready for His return?

Follow the Righteous

This seems like an easy thing, right. Well it is in the concept of it all. I do believe that a majority of those in the world understand that following the righteous is the approach that should be taken. To get it “right” we should be following the righteous.

Here’s the challenge. Who is the righteous that should be followed? Is it the grandiose leader giving everything under the sun? Is it the towering conqueror bringing others to justice? Is it the vocal religious figure speaking to the masses? The thing is, I don’t know of their righteousness. I only know what I see in their actions. I have to remember that God is the only one to declare someone righteous.

But, there is one who I can count on for being righteous and in counting on Him, I know following Him is the right path. Jesus.

“⁴Who will not fear, O Lord,

and glorify your name?

For you alone are holy.

All nations will come

and worship you,

for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

— Revelation 15:4 (ESV)

I do not have to look for the righteous to follow. He has been here since the beginning. I only have to follow Jesus. All of He and His actions and Himself were and are righteous and have been revealed as so. How many other’s have selflessly come to the world with the grand purpose of accepting all that I am and dying so that I would not have to.

I know what you may be thinking, there are others that have died for their cause, and you would be correct. But look at it, they have died for their cause and their single idea. This is not to be discredited and less than noble at all. These have given of themselves and should be recognized as doing so. Yet, it is just that these have died for a single cause and are no longer here to continue to advance that cause. Once gone from this world, their dedication to the cause is no more.

With Jesus, He came to this world for the purpose of dying for me. He gave all of Himself for me and then died, and here it is, He rose again and continued His work for me. Jesus was righteous in all of His actions and then died and rose again to continue with those righteous actions.

Now, I am not going to say that there are/weren’t other righteous to follow. As those who are passionate for those causes may very well be. What I am saying is that the only one we know, without a doubt to be righteous is Jesus. Following Him we are guaranteed to be following the righteous.

Who are you following that you believe to be righteous? Is their noble cause that makes them righteous? What if you were to follow the only one guaranteed to be righteous, Jesus?

Righteous do Good and Suffer

What, do good and suffer. Yes, as a follower of Christ we are to do good. As a result we are not going to necessarily be in line with the society or world around us and for that we will suffer.

“¹⁷For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. ¹⁸For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” – 1 Peter 3:17 – 18 (ESV)

Jesus came to this world and was filled with and did good, as we know, He did not sin. He came for you and for me. He was the righteous one and yet He suffered greatly for you and for me. He died, even when He did not have to, for you and for me. And think about it, He was continually doing good and yet the world around Him persecuted Him.

In looking into this world, I see a lot going on. I see those that are doing what is put out as being good, only to find out that it was completely self-serving. Now, I do not claim to know the hearts of those doing the work, it could be that they were just naive in their thinking and actions. Then there are those who do the work of the LORD, regardless of the consequences. I think of those looking to provide support in North Carolina and being turned away as they did not “follow the protocols”. Those people are not looking for any recognition, only looking to help and yet the suffering for doing good is present.

I have to remember the example of Christ. I have to be the example of Christ. I have to be and do good. I have to know that it will not always be easy and know that I will be persecuted for it, suffer for it, and not fit in always, but it is the example that Christ left for me and it is the example that I have to leave for others.

What is your approach to doing good? Are you looking to get something out of it? What if you went into the good knowing that you will suffer for it and you were to press on anyway, demonstrating the example of Christ?