God Thoughts

08.06.14

John 8.56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” – Jesus

In the middle of a dark and brooding statement in Habbakuk 2 are these words: “— but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness” (Habbakuk 2.4-5). It may be tempting to read that statement incorrectly because at first glance it appears that the object of the statement is a person of evil and wickedness. But the phrase doesn’t match with anything else in the verse and because it is God speaking, how can God say that a wicked terrorist lives by faithfulness? Faithfulness to what?

The faithfulness of which Habbakuk speaks is the same kind of faithfulness that is attributed to Abraham, that father of the faithful. Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. The faithful who walk in faithfulness are not like the deluded who cling to a belief as a way of living; the faithful cling to God in the midst of a world full of terrorism. Abraham was faithful in his day.

Jesus made a statement about Abraham one day in the temple (see John 8.48 ff.). Jesus said the above. We get, by this statement, a little insight into Abraham’s worldview and his thoughts about God. Abraham, in a world full of terrorism, believed God, believed in God, and thought about God. Thoughts about God ought to be present in the lives of the faithful – they ought to think about Him, His ways, His words, and His salvation. (Salvation isn’t an invitation to be ‘churchy’; salvation is an invitation to know God, and become His friend.)

That’s what Abraham was all about; he wasn’t about living in the midst of terrorists; he was about being the friend of God. That’s why Jesus said, “…Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” Abraham thought about God. Abraham thought God thoughts. Abraham knew that salvation was more than just an invitation to be churchy. Abraham thought about the day of salvation and because he did, he saw it – he saw it by the eyes of faith.

What are our thoughts? What do we think about? Do we allow our thoughts to be about God or are they influenced by other things? The faithful live by their faithfulness, and their faithfulness includes thinking about God and His ways and salvation in the midst of a world full of terrorism.

Here’s a thought: tonight watch the news and pray through it as you watch. Look for God in the midst of terrorism, tragedy and unspeakable pain. Rejoice, in the midst of the reporting, in Jesus’ Day – the Day that God came to town and invited men, in person, to become His friends. I double-dog dare ya…

Father, the old hymn sings, “our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of days; pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.” May I be granted God-thoughts today. In the middle of all I am up to, may my mind be filled with rejoicing that You are here, and You are near, and despite what the world comes up with, You have invited me to be Your friend – amen.