by Michael E. Brooks

"Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah -- not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (Jeremiah 31:31-33).

New laws and systems of law occur regularly, maybe almost daily worldwide. How often do those new laws really change the conditions in which people live and their behavior? Though change does occur sometimes, it is by no means guaranteed by a change of constitution or statute.

Bangladesh, for example, went from being a part of India, to being a part of Pakistan, to being an independent nation, in less than twenty-five years. In its thirty-plus years of independence it has had several changes of government, from those elected by democratic process, to military dictatorships, and back. In all those changes neither the conditions of the majority's lives, nor their behavior, have shown much real difference. Similar examples could be noted on virtually all continents and eras of world history.

Yet, sometimes new laws and governments make real changes in circumstance and behavior. Most historians would note the Constitution of the United States as such a difference-making document and would credit much of the prosperity and happiness of the American people to it. Other countries and populations may also be able to make similar claims for their laws.

Why do these systems work when others do not? Why do some people react positively to democracy, for instance, whereas it fails miserably in other places? Is it a matter of the wisdom and skill of those who wrote the laws? Is it that some constitutions are written more perfectly than others, or that only certain ones have sufficient safeguards built in? Sometimes we seem to think that it is all dependent upon the system. If we get the law just perfect, then it will have to work.

In the ancient state of Judah, the prophet Jeremiah admits the failure of a system of law, even though that law was of divine origin. How can one question the wisdom or skill of the writer of the Law of Moses? How can one doubt the adequacy of its provisions? God himself authored them. His omniscience devised all the statutes. Yet he sees need of a change. He promises a new covenant, "not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers." This, according to Hebrews 8:7-13, is the covenant given and administered through Jesus, called elsewhere "the perfect law of liberty" (James 1:25).

Jeremiah gives us reasons why the new covenant would succeed where the old one failed. Those reasons are not completely concerned with the nature of the law. Rather they address the relationship of the governed to the law. "I will put my law in their minds, and write it on their hearts." The old law was written upon stone tablets and read to the people. The new law would be instilled within them. This implies both agreement with the law and commitment to it on the part of those governed by it. It is not only "God’s law" -- it is "our law," one to which we are devoted.

Someone has said that democracy can succeed only so long as the people act responsibly. Christianity is not a democracy, yet God devised its laws with the same principle in mind. Those who trust in Christ commit to following his laws. They willingly submit, making them part of their very nature. When this happens an amazing thing follows. Obedience is simplified -- one does what one really wants to do, which is to please Christ. This means that his law frees us from "outside" constraints. It is written on our minds and in our hearts. It is much more akin to self-discipline than to coercion or governance from an outside source. That is why it may be termed a "law of liberty."

Any Christianity which does not produce changes in behavior is suspect. We are called out of the world to be separate (2 Corinthians 6:17). We are charged to be transformed (Romans 12:1). The new covenant in Christ Jesus contains the power to accomplish those changes. Our task is to trust Christ and to submit to his covenant.

By Michael E. Brooks

"And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward" (Matthew 10:42).

Several years ago I was with a group working in the western jungles of Guyana among villages of Native Americans (called "Amer-Indians" there). It was June, in the tropics (you spell that "H-O-T"), and we were staying in a lodge about 3 miles from where we were conducting our campaign. There were no vehicles available there, so we walked back and forth 2 or 3 times daily. There was no electricity in the village, thus no refrigeration. Nor were there stores where bottled water could be purchased. We could buy water or cold drinks about half-way to our destination, but it was difficult to carry enough to last us longer than the trip in. This meant that we spent most of our "working time" in the village very thirsty. That is when I learned to appreciate the taste of the "water" from a green coconut. In tropical regions more coconuts are consumed green than ripe. They provide a generous serving of cool, slightly sweet, juice that is very refreshing, especially to a hot, thirsty traveler. The people we visited would often offer us a "coconut water" and it was always received with eagerness and gratitude.

When Jesus commended those who gave only so much as a "cup of cold water" he was not teaching that we can get by with giving little or nothing. In ancient Israel, as in modern Guyana, cool water was a treasured thing, of great value to the thirsty and not always readily available. No, it is not expensive, and it is not rare or luxurious, but it is a gift worth giving and a thing much needed. Jesus' praise of this gift reminds us that one does not have to do a "great" thing to do something important. Often we best help and serve others by doing simple, everyday acts of kindness and compassion. That is what they really need. That is what they appreciate.

There was a time when children would take their teacher an apple or a flower from home as a gesture of appreciation. Perhaps both the flowers and the appreciation are lacking from too many homes today. As followers of Christ we need to relearn the technique of the ordinary gift. In Matthew 10 Jesus spoke of "receiving you", "receiving a prophet", and "receiving a righteous man". In each case he is referring to practicing hospitality. Even if that hospitality does not involve a fancy meal or special lodging, it will produce blessings for both the giver and the recipient. In fact, he states that the blessing enjoyed by the host will be at least equal to that appreciated by his guest. "He who receives a righteous man…shall receive a righteous man's reward" (Matthew 10:41).

Applications of this principle are many. Food to the hungry, clothing to those in need, small chores done for the sick, aged or weak – all these things and many others are ways in which we may bring blessings to ourselves and to the people around us. Look for opportunities to serve, for people in need of a cup of water. Then give it to them.

By Michael E. Brooks

"Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom" (Proverbs 4:5-7a).

Kalimpang, India is a beautiful city of several thousand inhabitants, high in the foothills of the Himalayas in north-eastern India. Until about 1900 it was just a sleepy small village in a remote and rather harsh (though beautiful) setting. But then a British educator came and built a school, which was soon known throughout a wide area for its excellence. Students came, then others until a large and vigorous community was created, which endures to this day. Kalimpang now is probably better known as a tourist and trekking destination, but its school is still open, still of highest reputation, and still making a positive contribution to the city.

Many cities worldwide are known because of schools located within them. Athens, Greece was the bastion of culture and wisdom for centuries. Alexandria, Egypt; Cambridge, England; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and many other ancient and modern cities are linked with schools or with the ideals of education and wisdom. All this is simply to suggest that there is something fundamentally constructive about the whole process of education and those who devote themselves to it.

There is, however, a caution which we must add. The Bible word for the constructive product of education is "wisdom". The pursuit of wisdom and its exercise are wholeheartedly endorsed throughout Scripture. There is a distinction between wisdom and mere knowledge, though. The pursuit of facts alone does not constitute true education. It is the possession of facts (i.e., knowledge) along with discernment and judgment (i.e., wisdom) that brings blessing. And true wisdom is found only when one seeks after God. James teaches,

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 2:5).

Paul adds, "Knowledge puffs up" (1 Corinthians 8:1b). Intellectual arrogance and pride abound in our modern degree-conscious world. One's worth is assessed by the string of letters or titles following his or her name. Our vocabulary is increasingly laden with technical terms that only the informed insider can recognize, so that we have many "languages" designed to be spoken only within a small, knowledgeable circle. Does this really make us worth more? Does it constitute true wisdom? Not according to the Bible.

The genuinely wise person is the one who knows how little he truly does know. The one who recognizes his own insufficiency and need for God. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7). Only when we turn to him in humility and need can we be said to have acted wisely.

By Michael E. Brooks

"…There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all" (Colossians 3:11).

People in Bangladesh honor the memories of deceased loved ones by taking out advertisements in newspapers on "death anniversaries". They may do this for several years, or even throughout the lifetime of a particular survivor. I first thought this practice unusual, though touching. After returning to the U.S. recently, however, I was at the worship assembly of my home congregation when a beautiful arrangement of flowers was placed in memory of one of our departed members, a few years after his death. I realized that we all have the same needs regarding the death of loved ones -- the same desire to remember and honor them, and the same regret at the necessity of "letting them go". The way we express and satisfy those needs varies by culture, and to some degree by individual, but the needs are universal.

People are in all fundamental respects the same. There is much individualism, expressed in physical differences and personality. Many of these are environmentally produced, while others are genetic. But beyond all these are the essential characteristics which define us as human, and as made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Students of human behavior identify certain universal needs, shared by all people everywhere. The Bible certainly supports the view that we are all one, made by the same creator, saved by the same gospel (see Romans 1:16; 10:13; John 3:16, etc.). Once we realize that fact, whole worlds of relationships, opportunities and responsibilities open up to us.

It is obvious that our Christian responsibilities to "do good unto all men" (Galatians 6:10) and to "go…preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15) are universal in scope and not to be limited to any race, social class, or nationality. Opportunities vary, but many are open to those who will go or send (Romans 10:14,15), even in remote parts of the world. I wonder, however, whether the possibility of relationships with those of other nationalities, cultures, languages and races ever occurs to many of us.

Lately I have been putting on my visa applications under "purpose for traveling" the explanation, "visiting friends". Only after I had considered this response for a time did I realize just how true and appropriate it is. And then I realized how blessed and privileged I am to have so many close friends in so many parts of the world. Not just for the number (though I certainly cannot have too many friends!), but for the richness of the variety of relationships I enjoy. I benefit from exposure to those cultural and personality differences previously mentioned. But the relationships are possible because of the human characteristics we share. Indian, Bangla, Nepali, Bhutanese, Guyanese, Surinamese, or other –- it makes no difference in our ability to relate, to share, and to love one another.

Do you have "foreign friends"? Perhaps you think, "I cannot have foreign friends because I have never traveled." But there are many "foreigners" visiting among us (this is true in virtually any country, wherever you may live). Do you seek them out, try to get to know them? Doing so will broaden your experiences as well as helping them. In addition to those experiences there are opportunities to correspond with people in other countries through email, correspondence courses, and in many other ways. Open your eyes to other people in other places. God seeks and accepts people of every classification (Acts 10:34,35). So should we.

By Michael E. Brooks

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

I continue to be surprised at the number of edible parts of plants and animals that people of undeveloped nations have discovered. I was in Bangladesh this last time during the season of gathering sap from various species of palm trees. Some kinds of sap were used in preparing main dishes, some in desserts and candies, some in a type of syrup. I have observed at other times that roots, leaves and fruits are regularly consumed that I never dreamed were at all edible, much less so tasty. Some portions of plants are eaten even though other portions of the same plant are poisonous. Amazing!

But it shouldn't be such a surprise. God who made the world is a loving and wise God, who "did good and gave [us] rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying [our] hearts with food and gladness" (Acts 14:17). He "has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). Our God created this universe and us in it as a testimony to his wisdom, power and love. There is good everywhere, and in everything.

Now that does not mean that there is no evil, nor that everything is wholly good. Satan has invaded this world, and he has introduced evil. Just as some plants have poisonous parts, so there is the capacity to harm and destroy all around us. But evil is neither all powerful nor all present. Some would argue that the world is wholly an evil place. That the suffering and sin we see contaminates everything. But our own experiences refute any such claim. From the innocent smile on the face of an infant to the beautiful sunsets each evening, we see beauty and goodness all around us.

The key is to trust God and wait for him to show us his plan and purpose. Good can come from any situation, even from the direst of problems and the greatest of losses. God is that wise. He is that powerful. And he is that loving. But we must trust him. We must follow him. His greatest blessings are given to those who have answered his call, and who love him. To those good abounds.