Hear & Revere

Clear the way for the King. Listen as Wisdom calls. Honor the King by doing what is right and just today. 

“Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do for you.” But show me unfailing kindness like the Lord’s kindness as long as I live…So Jonathan made a covenant…And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself. Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame…As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!” Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other…Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.” 1 Samuel 20:4-42

Jonathan does not get a lot of credit has been a great hero of faith, but he does what is right and just. He helps save David, even though it would cost him his own opportunity to become king. Why would he do that? Why would he lay down his own crown to anoint another? There is a cost to being in covenant relationship.  

The text says that Jonathon loved David as he left himself. He knew the what Saul was doing was not right so Jonathan did what he could to make things right. He humbled himself and made a covenant.  He stood in the gap and helped to save David. How does all of this help you follow Jesus better? What can we learn? 

“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right. We have sinned, even as our ancestors did; Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known. He saved them from the hand of the foe; Then they believed his promises and sang his praises. They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt, But Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was checked…but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them. They defiled themselves by what they did; by their deeds…Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin. Yet he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. Save us…that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.” Psalms 106:1-47

When you read the song, can you relate to the story of salvation? David sings of the God who was faithful, pursuit, his people, provides, protects, redeem, and restores, and yet is repaid by rebellion and people who did not remember the covenant relationship. Also said in Roman that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God remains faithful, even when we are not faithful.  This is a humbling truth and invites us to turn from our ways. 

We can see many connections throughout the passages today. God continually causes us to do what is right and just. He causes us to consider all that he has done for us and to remember our covenant with Him. He looks for people to stand in the gap just like Jonathan did for David, Phinehas did the people, and Jesus did for us. What would happen if we just listened to our king and did what he called us to do? David said we would give thanks and glory in His praise. Our hearts would change and we would walk in the prosperity of the chosen as we see His promises fulfilled. Where have you wandered? How have you forgotten? What does God want to say to you today?

“The proverbs…for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…Listen…to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. My son,if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them…my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. they will eat the fruit of their ways…they will call to me but I will not answer; since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord…but whoever listens to me will live” Proverbs 1:1-33

Do you want wisdom, knowledge, discretion, and understanding? God tells us to listen. He tells us to repent at his rebuke so that he might pour out his thoughts and make known his teachings. Most people would say that they want all of these things, but what steps do you take to receive all that God has for you? 

Solomon tells us that there are action steps. You have to make room for the Almighty. You have to clear out the cobwebs of foolish thinking and break the chains sin. You have to steer clear of the people who lead you astray and listen to Your Heavenly Father who wants to speak to you. Solomon said it’s a choice. You have to choose wisdom. Have you been making wise choices or have you been leaning on your own understanding? Is God directing your steps or are you stepping out on your own?

Solomon says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. What does that mean to you? How does God want to change your perspective so that you help see the right path to travel? How could broadening your perspective by humbling yourself before the Lord help you praise more fully, receive more peace, experience more power, and live out a life of purpose guided by God’s presence? 

“My loved one had a vineyard…He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? The vineyard of the Lord Almighty…he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress. Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left…Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night…they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord, no respect for the work of his hands. So people will be brought low and everyone humbled…But the Lord Almighty will be exalted by his justice, and the holy God will be proved holy by his righteous acts. Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit…to those who say, “Let God hurry; let him hasten his work so we may see it. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine…He lifts up a banner for the distant nations, he whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Here they come, swiftly and speedily!” Isaiah 5:1-26

Jesus told several parables related to the workers of the vineyards. You are meant to be a steward of the gifts that God has given you. God calls you to do what is right and just with your life. He warns us against pride, selfishness with possessions, practicing deceit or drunkenness, and living a pointless life. Where is God saying woe to something you are doing? Where are your actions or attitude not in alignment with the Almighty? 

Yet, even when we fall short, which He already knows we will, the text says that God whistles!  Have you ever thought about God whistling to you? Have you ever felt like Jesus is personally pursuing you? He is and he’s trying to make it quite obvious.  The whistle is not a quiet gesture. It is loud and distinct and meant for each of us to respond to the call. The same Savior who sacrificed Himself on the cross is loudly crying out for us to listen and reflect Him by how we live. 

“After this I heard what sounded like the roar…Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both great and small!” Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar…Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges…He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and Lord of Lords.”

Revelation 19:1-16

There can only be one king of Kings and it is not you.  All of scripture points to Jesus, the king of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Righteous Holy One. The Word of God. It is to him that we sing hallelujah and bring honor and praise. He is the one who is worthy of all our devotion. He is the one who is the voice of truth. He is our Shepherd and our Savior. Salvation, glory, and power belong to Him. 

Blessed are those who fear, revere, and hear Him. Every life is immeasurably better when connected to Jesus. He rights our wrongs. He guides our paths. He makes us new. We are invited to a banquet feast of love where we eternally dine with the king. What clothing should we wear? The text says the finest linens are those who are clothed in righteousness. What does that mean to you? What do people see when they see you? Do you reflect your King? 

The transformative moment comes when we awaken into the reality that the King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s delight in you. He is the vine and we are his branches.  Not only does he have all the power and authority, but he wants to empower you. You matter. He speak speaks to you personally.  He whistles and waves and does whatever he has to to get your attention. Solomon said you have to choose to listen. The Voice calling out is clear and saying make room for the King. Bow your knee and let Him lift you up. Sing like David and stand in the gap like Jonathan. Pursue wisdom like Solomon and speak life like Isaiah. You have a unique role to play.  A whistle and wisdom is calling. Will you listen?