A Door of Hope

“A Door of Hope In the Valley of Achor”

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness and
speak comfortably unto her. And I will give her her vineyards from thence
and the valley of Achor for a door of hope—and she shall sing there, as in
the days of her youth and as in the day when she came up out of the land of
Egypt.”
Hosea 2:15
Rather than acting like some jilted human lover, our Lord pursues us
and seeks to transform us and our “impossible” situations.
The Valley of Achor.
The mere mention of this place outside of Jericho reminded Old
Testament Jews of a time of sorrow, not celebration—for this valley, whose
very name means “trouble,” was the place where Achan and his family were
stoned to death for their sins during the time of Joshua (Josh. 7:24, 26).
Yet, in today’s Manna we find Israel’s First Love saying “I will give you
the valley of Achor for a door of hope.”

There’s no doubt Israel, the chosen People of God, had greatly grieved
their Husband. She’d adopted the pagan customs of her neighbors and even
felt quite “spiritual” during her time of outward prosperity. But, such is
always the way with “sins of a season,” Pilgrim. The “new” seems more
appealing and rewarding; that’s why many a couple splits up after 20-25
years of marriage when one of the spouses finds someone more exciting and
empathetic.

But, such passionate pursuits are short-sighted and short-lived—always
ending in heartache and emptiness.
That’s why the Heavenly Father’s love is far greater than our love. .
.for He continues pursuing and pleading. . .knowing the day we’ll hopefully
come to our senses and say “I will go and return to my first Husband—for
then it was better than now” (Hos. 2:7).

Thankfully, like the prodigal son’s father (Lk. 15:11-24), He doesn’t
play hard-to-get or adopt a “Prove-it-to-me” attitude when we realize the
error of our ways. Instead, He gathers us into His loving arms, wiping away
the stench and filth of sin and restores us to right relationship with Him
(Lk. 15:20-24). Is not this the Gospel? Glory!!

And, then He says “I’ll give you the valley of Achor for a door of
hope—and you shall sing there, as in the days of your youth and as in the
day when you came up out of the land of Egypt.” Simply put, I’ll take those
painful memories of past wanderings and sinful rebellions and transform them
into remembrances of the time I reached down to you. . .someone who was
“Scattered, feeling Unpitied and a Nobody” (Hos. 1:3-9). . . and make you
whole, the recipient of compassionate grace and a Somebody/My chosen Bride
(Hos. 2:23). Hallelujah!!

Oh, dear Pilgrim, right now your Valley of Achor (or that of a loved
one) may remind you of nothing but death, desertion, devastation, etc. You
may find it hard to find any reason to rejoice, much less have hope. But,
do not give up, weary one; instead, look up to the One Who specializes in
“Wrecks Rebuilt” (Ps. 107:27-30; Joel 2:25-26; Rom. 8:28). Then, rest in
Him as He builds a “door of hope” there for you.

As A Tender Plant In Dry Ground

“As A Tender Plant In Dry Ground”

“Who has believed our report? And, to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant and as a root out of a
dry ground. He has no form or comeliness—and when we see Him, there is no
beauty that we should desire Him.”
Isaiah 53:1-2
If you weren’t looking, you never would have noticed Him.
It’s interesting that Isaiah began this powerful Messianic prophecy by
asking “Who has believed our report? And, to whom is the arm of the Lord
revealed?” Yet, he knew like many preachers, Bible teachers and witnesses
today, that the majority of folks won’t believe our report or could care
less if God spoke to them or not.

Some of them sit in church pews every Sunday morning. Like the
recipients of the epistle to the Hebrews, their eyes are glazed over and
their ears “dull of hearing,” regardless of how “precious the pearls” of
God’s Word are that are laid before them (Heb. 5:11). They’re more into the
latest score in the ballgame. . .or latest, labeled fashion attire. . .or
the hottest stocks on Wall Street. . .or the fastest car at Indy.

But, let some snaggle-toothed, homeless-looking individual with bad
breath and b.o. walk into the sanctuary, tracking in mud on their plush
carpet, and they’re quick to sit up and whisper, “What’s he doing here?!?”
And, in some places, the ushers might even escort him out—IF he was ever let
in to begin with.

Jesus certainly didn’t fit the “mold of Messianic expectations” held by
the majority of His countrymen. They were more in tune with the commanding
general-type, sitting atop a prancing, frothing-at-the-mouth, white
stallion. . .with his sharp sword held high above his head. . .his
breastplate glistening in the sunshine. . .and his chiseled jaw jutting out
in a defiant and determined way.

Yet, such was not to be with this One sent from God.
Nope, He’d come into this world as a “tender plant” (a baby). He’d
grow up “as a root out of a dry ground” (Nazareth or the spiritual
conditions that existed after 400 years with no prophet or fresh word from
the Lord).

And, He’d certainly be lacking in the Hollywood-handsome category. You
know the kind: Tall. . .muscular and macho. . .that confident, “I’m better
than you are—don’t you know I’m somebody?!?” attitude that dares someone to
cross Him, etc.

Such was not the case with Jesus.
He was a pretty average-looking Joe of average height. No heads would
turn when He entered the room and no one would go out of their way to help
Him; but, they would be quick to condemn Him when He crossed them, treating
Him more like a despised, despicable, dime-a-dozen slave than they would
someone with royal blood in His veins. The same is true today: Only those
who are listening will hear His voice. And, only those who are seeking will
see Him. Are you one of them?

For Him and By Him

“For Him and By Him”

“For it became Him, for Whom are all things and by Whom are all things, in
bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation
perfect through sufferings.”
Hebrews 2:10
In Him we’ll find all we’ll ever need—and more.
Anyone who’s ever pondered the great mysteries of the faith knows how
difficult this is. First of all, it’s impossible for our finite minds to
comprehend such infinite truths. Secondly, even when we’re able to catch a
glimpse of such glorious, eternal realities, words escape us, causing us to
catch our breath in hushed, reverent awe.

None of us can fathom the truth in today’s Manna about everything that
is being “for Him (God) and by Him.” We realize this means He is both the
“Recipient and the Reason. . .the Celebrant and the Cause. . .the
Beneficiary and the Benefactor, etc.” The Apostle Paul echoed this by
saying “Christ is all and in all” (Col. 3:11). He also showed Christ’s
deity and preeminence in creation by restating the author of Hebrews' words
in Col. 1:16. To them he added in v.17, “And He is before all things and by
Him all things consist (Grk. ‘sunistao’—‘to set together, join together,
constitute, etc.’).”

Most likely, all of the above has left a somewhat puzzled look on your
face, for such truths are pretty abstract at best. Likewise, after
pondering them a while longer, it almost seems like the Heavenly Father is
pretty narcissistic if all things are “by Him and for Him.” However, when
we meditate further on these rich truths we suddenly realize these are some
of the most precious, spiritual “gems” we’ll ever encounter.

Think of it, Pilgrim:
All things are “for” Him—i.e., they exist for His glory as evidences of
His majesty, creative ability, love, etc. It matters not whether it’s
flowers and trees. . .birds and bees… the sun, moon and stars. . .or you and
me. . .we all exist to glorify our Creator.

Likewise, all things are “by” Him. Nothing exists apart from Him—and
pity the person who labels himself “self-made.” THAT is the epitome of
self-centered narcissism or idolatry! It’s only when we realize, as the
Apostle said, that it’s “IN HIM that we live and move and have our being”
(Acts 17:28). Hallelujah!!

Watchman Nee, the great Chinese preacher of another generation, summed
it up this way: “Christ, the Sum of All Spiritual Things.” Amen and amen!
Thus, when we realize He’s the Hub and we’re the wheel. . .He’s the Vine and
we’re the branch. . .He’s the Living Water and we’re the container/conduit,
etc., we know that we’re nothing—yea, a “Big Fat Zero”—apart from Him (Jn.
15:5).

How wonderful to know that the Source, Sustainer and Savior of the
universe has seen fit to take up residence in the heart of those who receive
Him by faith. Only in Him do we find our reason for living and experience
“joy unspeakable and full of glory” (I Pet. 1:8). Only in Him.