The Middle Man and the Mediator

I Timothy 2:5-6  "For there is one God, and one Mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time." 


Last week I attended our annual All Class Picnic. As usual, lots of pictures post up on social media for others unable to attend.  Our football coach, though feeble and elderly attended again this year. I received a message from our football team's quarterback. "Can you get Coach's information? I'd love to talk with him."  So, I started the process of e-mailing a few people and attempting the reconnection. My e-mail went from one person, to another person, than back to me, than back to my friend and now we wait. Seems I had the job of a middle-man.  I am anxious to hear of their reunion.

A pond takes shape in our backyard, the project assigned to my son. He started to dig, then a rain storm hit for two days. Work and "other things" have slowed the progress, but he promises that this project will be completed by the time I start back to work in September. He "hired" the neighbor kid to dig, and indeed he did. Ethan, with pic and shovel maneuvered around the roots of a tree and lowered the hole the 3' required, ready for the next phase. I know my son did not enjoy the digging part, so he delegated the task to a "needing-some-cash-flow" teenager, accomplishing the job.

One of my dearest friends left the country, going down south where her missionary sister lives to celebrate their mother's 80th birthday. We pray for each other, specifically our children, in a group of praying moms I created called OFFSPRING. Late at night, I received a text from her to send out a prayer request to our group from her, which I did this morning. Once again, a conduit of connection on another person's behalf.

A reunion of a quarterback with his coach; memories received.
A delegation of a job involving two; a ripple effect
A prayer sent out by one-- to one, then connecting to others; "purposed planned parenthood."

We become a representation for a connection, a task, a need.

Sometimes, the most delicious part of the meal is the side dish. Sometimes, the best book you've ever read, you found for .05 at garage sale. Sometimes, the best job may not be the teacher with the credentials, but the aide who works one on one with a student through his schooling, the reward-- exponential.

The devil wants to make us feel insignificant, lacking in true power, unable to produce change in this world. Yet, we see amazing good things happen all the time if we look around us. I know a lot of humble people play a part behind the scenes. Connections are made and a couple of young brothers go to Africa to serve as missionaries for the summer. A Roman soldier delegated... and a Cross proceeded up a hill, someone asks one person to pray and many pray; a healing occurs, a debt is met, a job opens up, -- a heart is encouraged.

If we are the middleman, so what! That's good--that we delegated and the job gets done! Corporate prayer focus is off us and onto others!  God orchestrates many roles and many actions. We all play an important part. At times, I  prefer the middle ground, its where I feel comfortable. We don't always have to be the leaders, be on the committee, or make a headline.  In those quieter, behind the scenes sort of deals, that's when we can watch, wait and see God move.

In the book of Job, we find him in need of a middleman. Job 9:33 "There is no umpire between us, who may lay his hand upon us both."

Jesus Christ is OUR middleman, our reconnection to the Father. God delegated His only Son to do a job no one could do, only God, through His Son, the redeeming work is completed. He bore our  sin, and when we acknowledge that price He paid, He buries our iniquities forever, replacing it with a baptism pool of grace. Jesus, our mediator, our umpire in this game of life, You are the Eternal One. Everything works together for His good in the Kingdom, whatever our role in it is on any given day, at the proper time.

Lord, thank you for the opportunity to serve you as a middle man, a side liner, for the second chances. These are the times I see You brightly, miraculously, glorified. Thank you Lord for being my Mediator, for Your Holy Spirit who interprets and sends out the prayers of the Saints. Thank you Lord for delegating angels to protect us and minister to us. Help me to be the best representative I can be for You as I stand back and watch You at work.  Keep me, keep us humble Lord in all our doings. Thank you Lord, for coaching us and may we always come back to praise You for all Your mighty direction in our lives. Amen.

Forecast: Warming Trend

Job 37:9-10 "Out of the south comes the storm, and out of the north, the cold. From the breath of God ice is made, and the expanse of the waters is frozen."

Do you have a friend who always sets you straight? Your go-to person, someone who seeks the Lord first in their life-decision making? Job did. I hope he appreciated this friend, for he gave him a lot of support in a desolate season in his life. Elihu, though young, reminded him of God's sovereignty, righteousness and God's Majesty. Some of Job's close circle of buddies bailed on him and left him with discouraging words, sinking under the ice of despair. But not Elihu. He ministered to Job and counseled him, leaving us with the same reminders in the book of Job of God's magnificence and control of all creation.

Job, I am sure must have been "frozen" in grief over his losses. Yet God knew what He was capable of and saw the beauty beyond the storm. The intricate details of Job's heart and soul, revealing the Glory and majesty of the Lord, eventually shined again on Job's recognizable face. Like a snowflake, Job, a unique and specially designed servant of the Lord, did not understand all that happened  to him. 

Soon, after wrapping himself in the warmth of trust and obedience, God restored everything to His servant Job and he was able to see 4 generations. 

We look to see, that though all seems cold, impassable and unbearable, in God's timing the forecast is always one of hope and restoration. That's so cool!  

Continuing in Job, verses 11-14 remind of of God's sovereignty: "Also with moisture, He loads the thick cloud; He disperses the cloud of His lightning. And it changes direction, turning around by His guidance, that it may do whatever He commands it on the face of the inhabited earth. Whether for correction, or for His world, or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen." 

Read it again..."Whether for correction, or for His world, or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen." 

 God has a reason for the black ice in our life. Don't allow the devil to make you slip, fall and bruise up bitterness.  Have on your proper armor, your praying knee pads and your "ice skating partners." Together you can take the steps in a cleared path,  trusting that your Spring awaits you. 

Lord, you've given us in your Word an example of a man who loved you beyond his circumstances. In his humaness, Job's belief and healthy "fear" of the Lord, restored his life even though he suffered a "titanic" loss. He listened to wise counsel, seeking Your wisdom. Sometimes, we may only see what is on the surface, but you Lord are bigger than our storms and wider than our misery. You can melt a heart frozen in grief and despair with your warming promise of Spring redemption. Thank you Lord for giving us wise counselor-friends who wrap us in the warmth of love, easing our chills. In turn, may our warming spirits rekindle Your hope in a world frost-bitten by the enemy. Amen. 

Verse 14: "Listen to this, O Job, Stand and consider the wonders of God."

*(Thanks to Google for the images)*

Awe in Arizona

Psalm 78:16 He brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers. 

                                

Psalm 98: 8-9  Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy;
 let them sing before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.

Cross references:

1. Psalm 98:7 : S Ps 93:3
3. Psalm 98:7 : S Ps 24:1
5. Psalm 98:8 : S 2Ki 11:12
7. Psalm 98:8 : Ps 148:9; Isa 44:23; 55:12
9. Psalm 98:9 : S Ps 96:10

Job 37:16 

Do you know how the clouds hang poised,

those wonders of Him who has perfect knowledge?



Psalm 50:10 For every animal of the forest is mine and the cattle on a thousand hills.

Luke 12:27
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these."

In a world where every day seems so out of control,  remember your Creator , the sovereign God of all creation including you, who He knows intimately.   Praise the Lord God for His beautiful creation; what He gives us on this earth and what He has transformed your heart to be. Yes Lord, I give you praise and I glory in your creation.  Allow me to be a light among all, those who know you and those who still seek you.   Amen. 

(all scripture is NIV).
(For more pictures of Arizona, see my Facebook. )