I ran across these verses yesterday:
And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant--these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. (Isaiah 56:6-7)
These verses were written after Obed-Edom's time and refer to another time in the future. But our LORD, who does not change, often talked about foreigners who would join the Jews in the family of God.
And sometime, we don't know when, Obed-Edom, whose name meant "humble servant, enemy of God" had become a friend of God.
We have seen him as the one who had kept the Ark of God's Covenant in his home for 3 months. Then we saw him take up his harp and join that happy band of God's people who delivered the Ark up to Jerusalem.
Then we saw him chosen to be a gatekeeper and a doorkeeper in God's house, and now he is selected "to minister before the Ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the God of Israel" (1 Chronicles 16:4).
I think Obed-Edom, still a servant, but of God; and not an enemy of God, but now a friend and in His family, felt right at home as he served in front of the Ark.
When Jesus moved into my heart, He showed me that I needed to make some changes in my Family Room. He commented that it seemed empty most of the time.
"My family includes many people of many different languages, cultures, ages and interests. They come together in many ways," He said.
He continued, "And even when you worship at church, sometimes I notice some people are lonely and don't feel close to their brothers and sisters. It might be a warm, joyful service for you, but maybe others don't feel that same warmth and joy. I don't want it to be that way. I didn't design my family to create feelings of exclusion and separation among my people."
"What should I do?" I asked.
"I want you to start working on the problem. And it is a very big problem.
Start by greeting people, not superficially, but with open hands and heart. Really find out how they are doing. Bring them into, and I mean really into, My family, and into your Family Room."
I am working on it. I see now, as I try to look at those around me through His eyes, that there are many hurting people right around me. Brothers and sisters who are in great pain. They are worried about many areas of crisis in their lives.
A healthy family developes and grows through honest, non-intimidating relationships. Where my friends and I can confide in each other, feel acceptance (and God's acceptance, His grace) through and with me.
I can't pretend I have no problems, because (well, for one thing, I am lying) then they don't feel the safety they need to confide in me.
I remember C. S. Lewis once said that the first stage of friendship is when someone can look and us and say, "You, too? I thought I was the only one......" And that's when friendship begins.
Are all my friends white, middle class (what we used to call WASPS - white, anglo-saxon protestants)? When Christ was on earth He moved about among all kinds of people. Most of them poor and needy. The rich young ruler came to Christ as well as Nicodemus. But Christ went to the powerless, the poor sheep who seemed without a shepherd, the hopeless and the ignored and neglected.
A Family Room is where people come to sit and relax and feel at ease. All of them need to feel loved and accepted and cared for by everyone in my family.
I want to fill my Family Room -- to fill it with all kinds of people -- and why? Because I want Jesus to feel at home in my Family Room. And He won't feel at home if I have neglected some "kinds" or "colors" of people; or if I have ignored some around me who are not as high on the social scale or as mentally competent as others.
Jesus told me it is important to Him, and I can see that from the example He left for us to read about. And then, another reason, Jesus' own earthly brother, James, emphasized it in his book....
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourself and become judges with evil thoughts?
Evil thoughts?
When we were in the Dining Room Jesus showed me that the only really soul-satisfying food comes from Him, each day, and it nourishes me, supplying everything I need for spiritual growth.
Next I showed Jesus the Living Room. It is a cozy, welcoming room, with a fireplace, comfortable sofa and recliner (my favorite). There is an intimate and warm atmosphere.
There are book shelves and specially-made cabinets for my favorite objects I have
collected on our trips, even trips to the Holy Land.
One is what I call our "King David cup"--a plain, undecorated small piece of pottery, in very good condition, excavated from old Jerusalem (the part they call the 'City of David') and dating back to about 1000 BC, the time of King David. It had been given to Art by Menachem Begin, Prime Minister of Israel, in the late 70's and early 80's. (Begin was born in Poland in 1913, when Poland was part of Soviet Russia and he received the Nobel Peace Prize for helping initiate the peace treaty with Egypt. I remember being in Israel about that time and a woman gave birth to triplets -- she named them Carter, Sadat, and Begin to honor the signers of that historical treaty, which turned out to be short-lived. I hope the children lived a lot longer than the treaty!)
Prime Minister Begin gave the cup to Art in appreciation for his leadership of so many tours to the Holy Land, sometimes with as many as 3000 pilgrims. And all these pilgrims participated in the "tree planting" ceremonies Begin designed to help re-forest Israel, after being ravaged and de-forested by enemy armies for hundreds of years.
That little cup is precious to me. It speaks of the past, the present, and the future.
Anyway, I guess all that about the cup is in the category of 'by the way."
But here's the real point.
Jesus seemed pleased with the room. He looked at the chairs and the fireplace and I could see His approval. (And I can't think of anything else in the world that gives such joy as the signs of His approval.)
This is what He said: "This is really a delightful room. Let's come here often. It's secluded and quiet, and we can have good talks and fellowship together."
He promised, "I will be here every morning early. Meet Me here and we can start the day together."
So morning after morning I went downstairs to the Living Room. He would take a book of the Bible from the bookcase, open it, and, while He was sitting beside me, we would read it together.
Day after day He showed me the wonders of God's revelation to man that is recorded in those inspired words. He opened my eyes and enabled me to see the glorious truths.
He taught me how to honor Him, how to live with hope and peace. How to walk through life each day in full faith that He was showing me the right paths. He would talk to me through those verses and speak to me through His Holy Spirit. And I would respond to Him through my prayers, knowing, through His Spirit, that He was right there with me.
Our friendship deepened in these quiet times of personal conversation. And then when I left the room to begin all my daily scheduled activities, He walked out with me and joined me as my companion for the day.
Somehow, through my inattention, these times grew shorter. It was due, I told myself, to my heavier schedule. I seemed too busy to spend time with Him. And often, much of the "busyness" of my day was due to activities I was doing for my own local church. So I reasoned that it was proper for me to work hard for His Kingdom, even if I had to neglect our relationship.
Urgent things began to crowd out important things. One morning I rushed downstairs, running late for an appointment, and I noticed the Living Room door was slightly open. I peered in, and Jesus was sitting there on the sofa. There was a fire in the fireplace. The room seemed like a refuge of safety and its peace and serenity embraced me.
I went in. "Master, I'm sorry. You are my Guest. Have you been here every morning?"
"Yes," He said. "I told you - I promised - I would be here every day to meet with you and enjoy time in your special company."
I was ashamed.
"The trouble is," He said, "You were thinking the time with Me was for your own spiritual growth. And it is. But you have forgotten that this time means something to Me also. Remember, I love you. I redeemed you. When you call on Me and turn your face toward Me--I cherish those moments."
Those words helped me schedule my time to be in the Word and with my best Friend.
Sometimes it is not in the morning. Maybe it is later in the day. It doesn't matter. He is always there. He never forgets. He is never too busy. He always shows up. Because He is always faithful.
He did not try to make me feel guilty. His grace was shining through every word and every glance. I know His love is always there for me, even if I don't spend precious time with Him. But my joy is so much greater when I do. And the joy carries with it a kind of sublime peace that settles me down and calms my anxious heart.
Morning by morning I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God's hand in mine
Season by season I watch Him, amazed,
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways.
All I have need of His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me.
I can't remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain.
I can't remember one single regret in serving
God only and trusting His hand.
This is my anthem, this is my song.
The theme of the stories I've heard for so long
God has been faithful, He will be again
His loving compassion, it knows no end.
All I have need of His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me.
The presence of God had an eternal and profound effect on Obed's life. I think he no longer wanted to stay at his home after David retrieved the Ark. Obed-Edom had become satisfied only when he was in the presence of God. So, when David took the Ark to Jerusalem, Obed-Edom joined the parade, playing his harp, and accompanied it all the way up to Jerusalem, to the new tent, or tabernacle, that David had erected purposely for the advent of the Ark of God's Presence.
God had blessed Obed-Edom and his entire household when the Ark was in his home. And everyone who was close to Obed knew he had been blessed. But Obed-Edom wasn't leaving his home because of material blessing. He wanted God's presence. He wanted to be close to God, no matter where that desire led him or what it cost him.
Because Obed-Edom's home was blessed, I believe he wanted to bless God's house. And so Obed-Edom was appointed as one of the "gatekeepers" and one of the "Doorkeepers for the Ark" (1 Chron 15:18). These men guarded the doors and helped collect the money (tithes and offerings) the people brought to God. They also welcomed those coming to worship God at His house. It was a trusted position and quite near the Ark of God's Covenant.
My own earthly father was a "deacon" at the church where I grew up. He went down early every Sunday morning - an hour or so before services began- to open the doors, turn on the air conditioning, or heating, making certain everything was in order.
He closed and locked everything at the end of the services. He did this also on Wednesdays for Prayer Meeting, and for all other activities. Our pastor, Rev. Burch, greatly appreciated my father's close attention to these humble duties.
My father did not become a Christian until I was about 10 or 11 years old. Oftentimes he would tell me his important life-mission verse:
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
(Psalm 84)
My father lived these verses. He would rather spend one day in God's house than to spend 1000 days with earthly kings or presidents! My father knew the difference between God's gracious and loving Sovereignty and man's empty positions here on earth. He said before he died, "Glorya, always remember, Jesus Christ is not going to return on Airforce One!"
Obed-Edom was greatly blessed when the Ark was at his house. He found that when he was faithful to God's house in Jerusalem and blessed it, God's blessings on him continued. He found that as he served God, he, too was blessed. And I know why. It's because God's favor is never paid back. It can't be. It must always be paid forward! Because that's the only direction it can go. And so we, too, can never pay God back for His grace and mercy. We must always, continually, pay it forward.
After leaving the Library we entered the Dining Room, a very important place to me. I spend many pleasurable moments in this room. He sat down at the table and asked what was on the menu.
"Well," I said,"my favorite dishes: money, academic accomplishments, approval and applause from others.." I know there is nothing really bad or evil about any of these dishes.
When the plates were served, though, I noticed He didn't eat anything.
"Savior, what is wrong?"
He said, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me. If you want food that really satisfies you, do the will of our heavenly Father. Put His pleasures before your own. Stop striving for your own desires, your own ambitions, your own satisfaction. Seek to please Him. That food will really satisfy you. I guarantee it. Try a bit of it!"
Then He gave me a taste of doing God's will. What flavor! There is no food like it in the world. At the end, everything else leaves us hungry. I have learned when I seek God's will and His pleasure with me, His Spirit fills my soul, overflows my soul, with His joy and peace. It truly satisfies!
So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13).
Thinking about Obed-Edom and how the Ark was in his home for 3 months, reminds me of a little booklet I read years ago--WOW--now that I think about it, it was over 50 years ago! I can hardly believe it. The title was "My Heart--Christ's Home" by Robert Boyd Munger. It was published by InterVarsity and has been republished many times since.
I ordered a new copy. And I am as delighted with it now as much as I was then.
Originally it appeared in InterVarsity's HIS magazine and then later in Billy Graham's Decision magazine.
The text is Ephesians 3:16-17,
"That God may grant you to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith."
Weymouth's version is:
"That Christ may settle down and be at home in your hearts by faith."
And The Message:
I ask Him to strengthen you by His Spirit--not a brute strength, but a glorious inner strength--that Christ may live in you as you open the door and invite Him in. And I ask Him with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God
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I can't stop reading and re-reading this from C. S. Lewis:
Dozens of people go to Him to be cured of some particular sin which they are ashamed of, or which is obviously spoiling daily life (like cowardice, bad temper, alcoholism). Well, He will cure it all right; but He will not stop there. That may be all you asked, but if once you call Him in, He will give you the full treatment.
He didn't come to change us into nice people, but new people. He is the painter and we are the painting. He is the inventor. We are only the invention. He knows what we can be and has given His Son to make our transformation possible. His goal for us is higher that we can imagine for ourselves.
You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage; but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.
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In Munger's wonderful little about God settling down and being at home in our hearts, as soon as he invited Christ into his life he gives the Lord of the Universe a tour through His new home.
First is the study, or the library. It was filled with books, magazines and pictures on the walls (actually the thoughts and imaginations and fantasies of the mind). In a way it is the most important room because it serves as the control room of the whole house.
Suddenly as he saw Jesus looking at the books and pictures he realized that many of these things (and the thoughts they represent) did not in any way make Jesus feel comfortable. In fact, some were shameful, and the host was embarrassed for Jesus to see them.
He turned to Jesus and said, "Master, I know this room needs to be cleaned up. Will you help me clean it up and make it pleasing and comfortable to you?"
Jesus said, "Certainly, I've come to handle things like this. First, remove everything from your shelves that is not good, true, pure and helpful, and throw them out! Fill the shelves with the Sciptures and things that honor Me. Meditate on them."
"But what about the walls? My thoughts and imaginations?"
Jesus said, "You will have difficulty controlling these images. But I have something that will help."
He handed the host a full-sized portrait of Himself. "Hang this in the center of the wall of your mind. Concentrate on Me."
The host did and acknowledged later that when his mind was centered on Christ--the awareness of His presence and purity and holiness--impure thoughts seemed to back away. "So He helped me bring even my thoughts under His control, even though the struggle still continues, I rely on His power and presence to give me victory."
If you have trouble with this little room of the mind, bring Christ in there! Pack its shelves with the Word of God. Study and meditate on it. And keep before you the presence of the Lord Jesus.
Remember Christ's words in John 14: I go to prepare a place for you...that where I am you may be also. Later in John 14 He said, If a man loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him and make our home with him.
He was promising that even as He was going to heaven to prepare a place for them, so it was also possible for them to prepare a place for Him, in their own hearts right here on earth.
