by Tim Hall

"You can't tell me that God is good! I've read all those accounts in the Bible in which he ordered entire cities to be destroyed. A good God wouldn't do something like that!" The argument sounds convincing. It is true that God occasionally ordered Israel to utterly destroy cities and nations. Israel's first king was deposed by God for not carrying out such an order.

What this argument fails to acknowledge is the longsuffering of God. Before God reached the point of declaring the death penalty, he almost always gave ample opportunity for the offenders to change.

A case in point is Canaan. When Israel crossed the Jordan River to possess the Promised Land, they were instructed to "... conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them" (Deuteronomy 7:2, NKJV). That sounds awfully harsh. But have we noticed what God said to Abraham more than four hundred years prior to this? In revealing the future of Abraham's descendants, God foretold their hard sojourn in Egyptian bondage. One reason why this was necessary was that "... the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete" (Genesis 15:16). By the time Israel began driving out the inhabitants of Canaan, they had been given many opportunities to repent. They had proved themselves incorrigible.

Israel herself was the beneficiary of God's longsuffering. After entering the Promised Land, the people soon joined themselves to the idolatry of the Canaanites. God sent enemies to oppress his people in hopes of causing them to turn away from the idols. The book of Judges chronicles thirteen episodes of rescue by deliverers sent by God. Can any human examples of longsuffering like that be found?

Still later in Israel's history, God tried time and again to turn his people from self-destructive sins. By the time of the prophet Ezekiel, the verdict had been handed down: destruction of Judah by the wicked Babylonians. But it was not a verdict God enjoyed reaching: "Say to them, 'As I live,' says the Lord God, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'" (Ezekiel 33:11). One can hear the throbbing of God's heart as he speaks those words.

These examples are typical of God as he is revealed in the Bible. He is not portrayed as hard, cold and eager to send sinners to their graves. He longs to forgive so the relationship can be restored. But there have to be signs of repentance.

Moses made a bold request in Exodus 33:18 when he asked, "Please, show me your glory." God accommodated that wish, but not as most would have expected. The revealing of God's glory meant declaring his true and essential nature: "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth ..." If you want to see the glory of God, look at how eager he is to forgive sinners if they will respond to his initial show of grace.

Peter got the message. He urged his readers to "account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation" (2 Peter 3:15). Indeed, we should all rejoice that God suffers long with us. It is one of the most glorious facts of his nature that we can proclaim.

by Tim Hall

"Don't believe everything you hear" is an adage I've heard all my life. It's good advice, even when the thing I've heard is something I want to hear. In fact, that may be the most important time to apply this wisdom.

Consider an e-mail I received just yesterday. The message talked about a political candidate that I personally hope is defeated in November. The message reported a speech in which the candidate was attempting to display his piety by citing John 3:16 as his favorite verse: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (NKJV). A problem arose, however, when the candidate gave the reference as John 16:3, a passage in which Jesus says "And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me."

It is quite ironic, isn't it, that such a slip would occur? The message went on to say that this miscue might be seen as a Divine sanction against the candidate. To quote from the e-mail: "The Spirit works in strange ways, doesn't He?" Indeed, it might seem providential -- if it was true.

There's good reason to suspect that this incident never happened. According to information on Snopes.com, the incident has been attributed to both of the major candidates for President, just as it was attributed to Al Gore in a smear attempt in 1999. If Snopes is right, then the message I received is not true.

Can we trust Snopes.com, or other similar sites on the Internet? I often do. When I receive an e-mail from a government official in Nigeria offering me several million dollars in exchange for my help, I'm naturally suspicious. When another e-mail informs me that the logo for Proctor & Gamble is a Satanic symbol, I want to know if that's really the truth. Another message urges me to boycott Duncan Hines cake mixes because of that company's connection with a political candidate; a quick check reveals, however, that there is no such connection.

E-mail has benefited us in many ways, but it has also opened up new possibilities for those who wish to deceive honest and good people. We who are the targets of these schemes must exercise vigilance in what we accept as truth. Before we become willing participants in someone's slander, shouldn't we make every attempt to verify the claims?

Let us hear again Paul's admonition in Ephesians 4:25: "Therefore, putting away lying, each one speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another." Does this apply only to words spoken with our lips? Or might it also apply to handwritten letters or electronically transmitted e-mail or text messages? Any communication that Christians pass along ought to first be filtered for inaccuracies.

The message I've just received confirms my bias against a certain person. I'm tempted to forward the message to all my friends so they will share my views. But before I click the forward button, I must honestly try to ascertain if it's based on truth.

by Tim Hall

I don't like to wait! I'm an important person (I think), and I have appointments to keep. I shouldn't have to wait in this long line at the post office. The traffic light ought to remain green long enough for me to get through (I'll help it a little). Doesn't the doctor know that I've got better things to do with my time? I don't like to wait!

Staring me in the face, however, is this injunction from God: "Wait on the Lord." There are two ways in which this word might be used. One is the idea of serving God. The person who serves me at the restaurant is a waiter, and perhaps that's the idea involved. But these people certainly don't seem to slow down. Is that what the Lord has in mind?

The second meaning of "wait" is the more frequent one. Consider Psalm 37:7-9: "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret -- it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth" (NKJV). Learning to slow down and patiently await the Lord's guidance is definitely the idea presented here.

There are many models of patience provided for me in the Bible. Abraham waited several years to receive God's promise of a son (Genesis 17:1-17). Joseph languished (unjustly) in prison before the butler remembered to tell Pharaoh about his remarkable abilities (Genesis 40:23-41:13). Moses lived 40 years as an obscure shepherd before God's purposes for him were made clear (Acts 7:30). Saul thought he was ready to immediately preach the faith he had tried to destroy (Acts 9:20-25); it actually took three years of reexamination of God's word before the Lord opened for him doors of opportunity (Galatians 1:18). Who knows how long the martyred saints had been waiting for vindication when they cried out "How long, O Lord?" in Revelation 6:9-11?

Who will deny that Christians living in the 21st century have a special need for patience? Our society is fast-paced. So many things call for our attention and energies. "One minute" how-to books are sure to become bestsellers, for everyone is looking for shortcuts. But are there shortcuts to spirituality and godliness (the "One Minute Bible" notwithstanding)?

Psalm 46:10 renews the call to patience in the presence of God (as do many other passages): "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

"Sorry, Lord, I just don't have time to 'be still' right now. But, hey, you know I appreciate you. When I get a little time, I'll start waiting on you."

Do you suspect something wrong with an attitude like that?

by Phil Sanders

The next time you feel God can't use you, just remember people he did use:

Noah was a drunk Abraham was too old Isaac was a daydreamer Jacob was a greedy liar Leah was ugly Joseph was abused Moses stuttered and was violent Gideon was afraid Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer Rahab was a prostitute Jeremiah and Timothy were too young David had an affair and was a murderer Elijah was depressed and suicidal Isaiah preached naked Jonah ran from God Naomi was a widow Job went bankrupt John the Baptist ate bugs Peter denied Christ three times The disciples fell asleep while praying Martha worried about everything The Samaritan woman had had five husbands and was living with a man Zacchaeus was too small Paul was too religious Timothy had stomach troubles And Lazarus was dead!

God used them anyway. And He can use you to your full potential. You aren't the message; you are the messenger.

Instead of making excuses like Moses did, have faith in what God can do through you to make a difference in the lives of others.

Paul said, "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12,13).

God is more interested in your availability than he is your ability. Are you willing to let him work in your life and work through you?

Some things you can do: Invite a friend to worship soon. Send a card or give a call to someone sick or shut-in. Encourage a child. Strengthen his faith. Give a tract to a friend.

Who knows how much good God can do through you, when you are willing to let go and let God work?

by Tim Hall

"You became examples ... in every place." That statement from the Bible could have been spoken of many individuals. The deeds and words of people like Noah, Abraham, Deborah and John continue to inspire us, though they lived long ago. But the words we've quoted were not spoken of anyone so famous as these. They were spoken by Paul to the Christians at Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 1:7,8, NKJV).

What is it about these relatively unknown believers that serves as an example for us? One trait highlighted by the apostle was their joy, a joy that overcame strong forces trying to pull them from their newfound faith. Consider this passage: "And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit" (v. 6). Read that verse again and take note of the contrasting ideas. On the one hand, they received the gospel in the midst of persecution and affliction. Pressure from their peers attempted to discourage them from becoming Christians. In spite of that affliction, however, they received the message of Jesus Christ with joy. That joy must have been powerful.

The power of their joy is again suggested in verse 9 when Paul wrote that "you turned to God from idols." Idolatry was their culture. Many had been raised in that context, and shutting the door on their heritage would not be an easy decision. How did they do it? Joy -- overwhelming joy -- furnished the ability to choose Christ over idols.

Where did they find such joy? Paul wrote, "... how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come" (vv. 9,10). Note three sources of joy mentioned by Paul, and how they all revolve around Jesus.

First, there is the deliverance of Jesus, "who delivers us from the wrath to come." Why was the death of the Son of God necessary? The Bible reveals it was part of God's plan for atonement. Only a perfect sacrifice could atone for the world's sins, and only Jesus' life was perfectly lived on earth. To know that he was willing to pay that price for us ought to make us glad (even while feeling sadness for making his death necessary).

Second, there is the resurrection of Jesus "whom He raised from the dead." Has there ever been a story so stirring and so hope-filled as that of the empty tomb? To know that Jesus conquered death and that his victory has ramifications for our mortality (see Hebrews 2:14,15) should evoke joy in our hearts. Those who don't rejoice over this message don't yet understand it fully. That joy has the ability to burn perpetually.

Third, Paul points to our future with Jesus; that's why we "wait for His Son from heaven." The fact that these Christians were waiting shows their hope for a brighter future. A day was coming in which their afflictions would cease and their companionship with Jesus would be direct. Again, it's reason to rejoice, and these Thessalonian Christians did.

Those three aspects of Jesus' ministry -- his atonement for our sins, his defeat of death and his sure return -- are still as true today as they were then. Understanding and meditating upon each will still kindle joy in the believer's heart. And that joy will still give power.

Yes, these Thessalonian Christians are examples for all times. A life without joy is deficient in power.