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1. Crushing Responsibility

Government leaders are constantly under a crushing weight of responsibility. No matter what they say or do, many many people will be upset with them, adding even more weight to their burden. It’s a tough job.

2. Educated Instincts

Government leaders generally have educated instincts and expertise that most others do not. They are looking at the big picture, and not just fixating on the immediate.

3. Appointed By God

Government leaders are given their existance and therefore, authority by God (Rom 13:2). You don’t need to agree with them, but you should honour them (1 Pet 2:17).

4. Common Grace

According to God’s common grace, your government leaders have likely made many good decisions that have come from wisdom not their own.

On the flip side, according to God’s common grace, they have been restrained to not be as corrupt or foolish as they could have been.

“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.” (Prov 21:1)

5. Supporting Our Leaders In Prayer

Government leaders are to be regularly prayed for:

” I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior” (1 Tim 2:1-3)

What are you thankful to God for in your government leaders? What are you asking expectantly in faith that God would do through them?

Charles Haddon Spurgeon has held a special place in my heart for many years. Dubbed as the “Prince of Preachers”, Spurgeon is widely known for his gift of teaching and preaching. He knew his Bible deeply, his Lord intimately, and the human heart profoundly. You couldn’t ask for a better guide for plumbing the rich depths of the Psalms.

In The Treasury of David, readers can find a storehouse of Biblical insight and pastoral profundity on the entire book of Psalms. This 3 volume set contains Charles Spurgeon’s personal commentary on nearly every single verse of every single Psalm. And what commentary he provides; the Holy Spirit who empowered his tongue for rich expository preaching also equipped his pen for exposition. The commentary he makes is faithful to the Biblical text (often referencing the original Hebrew), pastorally warm, and beautifully phrased.

What’s more, Spurgeon provides hand-picked quotes on each Psalm from other authors (ranging from the early church to his own contemporaries). How helpful it is to have quotes from the likes of Augustine, the Puritans, and others. Many of these quotes were found and compiled by his personal researchers, reminding us that even the Prince of Preachers couldn’t do everything but gladly leaned on others to help him fulfill his ministry. As we use resources like this, we too can stand tall on the shoulders of giants.

There is also a section for each Psalm called, “Hints To Preachers”. The aim in this section isn’t to patronize experienced preachers, but to prompt and encourage up-and-coming preachers with some simple suggestions on preaching verses in the Psalm. This is a section that will prove valuable regardless of how advanced a preacher might be (after all, simple points can often be more profound and easily overlooked!).

At first glance, I didn’t like the text layout of this set. The font size is a bit small, and the general layout seemed quite vintage from what my contemporary eyes are accustomed to. Weirdly enough, I came to appreciate these things as I read on. After all, this is a commentary written in the 19th century and is appropriately a good vintage. There’s something particularly charming about reading old books, and what first was distracting has now become endearing to me. The font size still remains a tad on the small size, but that probably helps keep it to 3 volumes instead of 5!

Lastly, one particular highlight for me comes from Volume 3 where Spurgeon spends 350 pages (!) on Psalm 119 alone. Where there is ink to be spilled, the Prince of Preachers will gladly let his cup overflow.

This set is the exquisite commentary of a gifted preacher, helpful cream of the crop quotes from others, and practical preaching tips for the reader. Any serious student of the Bible would do well to have this as part of their library. Although, it seems to be most appropriately useful for those who lead Bible studies or preach. A man leading the Sunday service from a Psalm might do well to have his thoughts and prayers influenced by the treasury of this commentary.

I am very thankful for Hendrickson Publishers keeping this rich commentary in print and for graciously providing me a set to read and review. This would make an excellent addition to the family library as well as a  gift to anyone who regularly teaches the Bible.

I really take issue with the current cancel culture, and yet I have recently cancelled my Netflix subscription out of moral duty and outrage.

Before now, I have viewed Netflix sort of like a public library. It provides me many of the media titles I’m interested in, as well as titles I deem uninteresting or inappropriate. Choosing to overlook the bad, I’ve been happy to enjoy the good. But Netflix is now promoting something that cannot be overlooked or ignored.

And I am not alone; many people around the globe are voting with their wallets and cancelling their subscription out of disapproval of something Netflix has done.

Last week, Netflix promoted the upcoming release of a film called, “Cuties” with a very inappropriate image of 11 year old girls in sexually provocative outfits and poses. Read that last sentence again. 11 year old girls put forward to be sexually provocative. The text description of the film is this:

A global outcry was raised against Netflix for their promotion of this film, and they have since changed the image and description as well as tweeted out an apology for the whole debacle. The film is still in the works to be released on September 9th.

Now, assuming that Netflix is truly sorry for the incident described above, we can push against the “cancel culture” and offer a redemptive moment. We can forgive Netflix for the blunder and hope that this informs their decisions in the years ahead. However, though there can be forgiveness for their actions, there still remain consequences. I have lost confidence in Netflix as a streaming media service and will not resume my subscription. The fact that there are some within the organization of Netflix who considered this acceptable material to promote is most concerning. This reveals the greater reality happening within our culture: the sexual revolution is continuing to stretch our moral boundaries, thereby creating new moral boundaries.

The Bible speaks of this dynamic in Romans 1:

“For although they knew God, they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Rom. 1: 21)

“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” (Rom. 1:28-32)

The Bible is incredibly insightful in interpretting the world around us. What we learn from this passage is that all humans are worshippers, either of God the Creator or of his creation. When a person rejects the goodness of God out of preference for anything else, God gives them up to what they want – to their shame and destruction.

Our culture is absolutely mesmirized by sexuality. Much of today’s music, movies, TV, and social media contain explicit reference to some form of sexuality. There’s no doubt that as the sexual revolution has soldiered on into expanded territory, it has left conservative views behind in its wake of destruction.

The fact that Netflix has blundered by posting inappropriate material to promote this film reveals that our culture is increasingly becoming desensitized to sexual immorality. When the chanting mantra of the sexual revolution is, ‘if it feels good, do it’ then the boundaries are constantly going to be explored and redefined.

I recently made a couple online posts to announce my disapproval and discontinuation of my Netflix subscription and have found the public comments and private messages to be quite illuminating. Many people are as outraged as I am and have agreed to likewise cancel their subscription to Netflix. But others have come to the defence of the film for various reasons.

Full disclosure, I haven’t seen the film and so I cannot comment on the entire content. But the obvious must be stated – the original controversial image is representative of one of the scenes in the film (you can see it in the trailer):

There does seem to be some indication that the film isn’t as explicit as the original artwork and description have led us to believe. But still, I maintain the conviction that it remains very concerning for the trajectory it is setting: normalizing pedophilia. Though the film isn’t explicitly child pornography, it is implicitly condoning it with 11 year old girls dancing sensually. Some might say the point of the film was to address the over-sexualised culture children are growing up in, but being classified as a “coming-of-age” film, it seems to be more entertainment than an exposé

Another defence being raised is that we should give more credit to the film if for no other reason than to acknowledge the black female director, Maïmouna Doucouré. The cultural agendas at play are staggering. What is being said is this: even if the film is a bit controversial, we should allow some leeway because Black Lives Matter. For the purposes of this blog, I won’t press into this. But let the reader consider how some social agendas are serving as a trojan horse, with deadly implications waiting to be revealed.

What I am saying is that I, along with many others, are concerned that this latest controversial promotion of the film “Cuties” is an indication that our culture has already become more desensitized to what is moral and what is immoral sexually. The fact that this issue is controversial instead of obvious is most telling.

What does this mean? Well, the Bible tells us that it is to be expected that the culture goes with the flow: “…following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2). The world is left to float down the stream of the increasingly secular influences of the age, which is actually evidence of God’s judgement (see again Romans 1). This means we shouldn’t be surprised that boundaries are stretched and redefined in our culture, but neither should we be desensitized to see these changes as normative.

At the very least, this ought to inform our choices for media consumption. Which entertainment providers are we financially supporting and subjecting ourselves to their influence? Are we willingly paying to be entertained by gradually darkening shades of grey? At what point will we as Christians say enough is enough and draw the line. Perhaps, like me, this has become a watershed moment for you to consider cancelling your Netflix subscription and looking for wholesome providers to support and enjoy.

As our culture continues swirling in a destructive downward denial of God, it will increasingly accept and celebrate that which is anti-God and anti-good. Yet, God remains a God of mercy and has purposes to pluck sinners like me and you from the fire and set us on a new trajectory.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved…” (Eph. 2:4-5).

For those who realize their wrong-headed denial of God, there is a moment of redemption offered to you. Jesus Christ came to bring us back to God through his perfect life of up-stream righteousness, hanging on the cross as a substitute for our sin, and being raised from the dead to conquer sin and death.

If our culture’s moral compass gives us any indication for where we are headed in the years to come, it doesn’t look good at all. But according to the Bible, there is a stabilizing hope for those who trust in Jesus, know the full forgiveness of their sins, and are destined for heaven. This stabilizing hope will allow us to think objectively about cultural issues like this one and to speak up publicly about it. We cannot be silent. And whatever happens in this world, we can find great confidence that this world is not our ultimate home.

“But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” (Heb. 11:16)

A dying man’s last words can be very significant. They reveal the character and heart of a man, coloured with an unfiltered display of emotion. The revealing nature of one’s last words is no less true of the first Christian martyr, Stephen, in Acts 7. His unique role as a Spirit-filled servant to the church led him to being persecuted to death for bearing witness to Jesus Christ. His forceful speech couldn’t be disputed or silenced, so he was killed by the religious leaders by stoning.

Stephen’s dying words are significant for us today in marveling at the Spirit-given grace and power within him (Acts 6:8). But not only can we marvel at this, we ought to learn as well. Just as Stephen was near to death, we too all are facing death at some point in our life. Like Richard Baxter used to preach as a “dying man to dying men”, so this a dying saint’s words are incredibly relevant to us dying saints.

Here are 3 truths from Stephen’s last words that teach us why a Christian can die well.

1. Jesus Is Waiting For You

And he said, “Behold I see the heavens opened,
and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
(Acts 7:56)

Stephen was granted a spectacular glimpse into the heavens just moments before he died, where he saw his Saviour Jesus standing. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus’ is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God, having accomplished his work fully. But Stephen saw Christ had apparently risen from his seat in order to await the imminent arrival of this faithful martyr.

What comfort it can be to a dying Christian to know they are loved by God in Christ. When our earthly bodies die, it is a wonderful thing to know that we are actually welcomed home with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8).

Jesus was waiting for Stephen, which no doubt gave him great confidence to endure his final moments. And those who come to die in gospel faith before the second coming can share this same confidence that Jesus is waiting for you too.

2. Jesus Will Receive You

And as they were stoning Stephen,
he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
(Acts 7:59)

As his body began to experience the boulder-blows, Stephen may not have been able to continue physically looking to the heavens. But as the pain increased, his faith was sustained. Quoting Psalm 31:5, just as Jesus himself had done on the cross (see Luke 23:46), Stephen called upon his Lord to bring him into glory.

Purchased by his own blood, Christians are loved and securely received by Jesus when they pass from this world to the next. There is no waiting period; there is no limbo. The dying thief was promised immediate entry into his kingdom, and Stephen anticipated the same.

Jesus will receive you immediately into his presence upon death. This removes the fear of uncertainty in those final days and moments of a Christian’s life. Whether painfully slow, or unusually quick, death can become to us a mere drifting to sleep (cf. Acts 7:60b), only to awaken to the beautiful smiling face of Jesus in glory.

3. Jesus Is Being Made In You

And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice,
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
(Acts 7:60)

Stephen was appointed as a deacon for his Spirit-filled life and godly character (Acts 6:5). And like us, he would’ve known the progressive nature of sanctification. His death came just after breathing this statement, but his words were full of life. His heart had been transformed by grace to become increasingly more like his Lord (see 2 Cor. 3:18).

What supernatural love Stephen had for his enemies. Again, his prayer bears a striking resemblance to that of Christ’s on the cross in Luke 23:34 – “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing”. What we see here is the grace of God at work to conform Stephen to become more like Jesus right up to the end.

Gospel mercy and grace is found for the ongoing work sanctification in a dying believer’s life. Resisting Satan’s lies, putting off sin, embracing Jesus as your supreme treasure, denying self, loving your enemies and praying for those who persecute you (Matt. 5:44).

Truth, Not Television

Despite natural inclinations to fear death, the last days and moments of a believer’s life can actually become the most precious expression of loving trust in Jesus. Don’t give me a magazine or switch on the TV if I am dying – give me truth about Jesus and the blessed assurance I have in him:

“Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.”

The world is awestruck at the viral video of Brandt Jean giving a victim-impact speech in a sentencing trial, forgiving his brother’s killer yesterday. Very rarely does a video move viewers in such a way as this one has. That’s probably because of how rare it is to see genuine forgiveness and a laying down of arms.

Amber Guyer was sentenced to 10 years in prison due to her shooting and killing Jean’s brother Botham, who she claimed to have mistaken for a burglar, but later realized she had entered the wrong apartment.

What would you say to the person who shot and killed one of your closest loved ones? For many, it would be the best opportunity to inflict harm and revenge, giving the criminal the treatment they deserve. But what is so unique — and perplexing — is how Brandt Jean didn’t use his victim-impact speech to curse the officer, but to bless her. Instead of condemning her, he forgave her.

This is what the Bible calls loving your enemies:

“But I say to you, love your enemies,
bless those who curse you,
do good to those who hate you,
and pray for those who spitefully use and persecute you”
(Matt. 5:44, NKJV).

This enemy-love runs against the grain of our natural instincts. We crave justice when we’ve been wronged, wanting the culprit to be taken to task for the crime committed. As one of my friends at work said, “I could never forgive someone for that.” Understandably so – how is it that anyone could extend mercy when the ache of grief is calling for judgment?

Yet for Brandt Jean, he did extend mercy and even love to the woman who killed his brother. And though this is nothing short of remarkable, it is at the same time nothing more than ordinary Christianity. In his defining moment on the stand, Brandt didn’t demonstrate any originality in loving his enemy, but rather was only imitating what he had learned from others before him.

THE APOSTLE PAUL IN PRISON

The Apostle Paul, who lived some 2000 years before, also knew the sorrow of evil actions. In Acts 16, we learn of how he and Silas had travelled to Philippi and begun doing gospel ministry. At one point they were instrumental in helping a young girl break free from demonic and social oppression, yet as a result they were dragged out, falsely accused, beaten, stripped of their clothes, and thrown into jail. But instead of fuming with anger or self-pity, Paul and his companion prayed and sang hymns to God (Acts 16:25). God was still good in the face of their awful circumstances.

The groundbreaking moment in that prison happened around midnight when an earthquake shook the doors and shackles open. But instead of making a quick getaway, Paul and Silas looked over to see the jailer ready to kill himself (likely because it wouldn’t fare well for him anyway for prisoners to escape under his watch).

Paul was less concerned about his own needs. Fixated on the needs of the jailer, Paul called for him not to hurt himself since they were still there. Here we see how Paul wanted the jailer’s good, instead of enjoying the harm of “justice”. Good did come — not only in the jailer’s life being preserved, but even moreso being saved when he fell down before Paul and Silas and trusted Jesus for the first time (Acts 16:30-31).

Paul would later write to the Philippians, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind along yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” (Phil. 2:4-5).

The reason Paul could love others is because he knew the love of Jesus. Brandt imitated Paul, even as Paul imitated Christ.

JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS

Jesus Christ had also been falsely accused, stripped of his clothes, publicly beaten and then crucified by the Roman empire (see Luke 23). But even when he was outrageously mistreated by his enemies, he prayed, “Forgive them, Father, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

Jesus was mistreated without deserving any of it; he had always kept the law of God. The reason Jesus went to the cross was to willingly make a way for sinners to be saved from their sin and the wrath of God. At the cross, the justice of God was displayed by the punishment for sin taking place. And at the same cross, the mercy of God was displayed by Jesus taking the place of his own sinful enemies …like you and me.

“For God so loved the world that he sent his only son
that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Jesus Christ was sent on a search and rescue mission to save enemies of God. In order that his enemies might be forgiven, Jesus laid down his own life and took it up again three days later. In Christ’s life, cross-death, resurrection and ascension, God made the way of salvation for the good of mankind, and the glory of his own name.

LOVE FOR ENEMIES

So, Brandt Jean’s love for his enemy didn’t originate in him, as if he was somehow by personality more predisposed to kindness. Rather he loves because Jesus first loved him (1 John 4:19).

That is how forgiveness is possible, from petty issues to painful trauma. The love that we show others is not ours, but God’s love that has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5).

I am thankful, encouraged, and challenged by Brandt’s courageous love for enemies, and how we are all to do the same: “…forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).

Do you know the sweetness of God’s forgiving mercy? And is there now someone who you need to forgive?