Only One Agenda

I’ve had a blog before. This time it’s different.

Renewed Belief is a piece of a larger work. I don’t yet know the full extent of that work. The LORD hasn’t unpacked all of that yet. But I felt urged to start this piece now. I believe we could be on the cusp of the LORD moving in some powerful ways, and perhaps in ways that will shake our expectations. Recently I preached at my church that we have a choice. The way we choose to respond to the Holy Spirit will result either in awakening or discipline. He is moving, and I must confess that I can’t see the whole picture, which does a few things in me.

I pray more. I read more. I listen more. I speak with more candor regarding what I think the Holy Spirit may be saying.

That has created some discomfort, both in me and in others. For me, this is not my nature. I’ve always been a nice guy, unflappable, diplomatic, and easygoing. When I preached that message, I was enormously uncomfortable, but I knew that’s what the LORD wanted me to say. In others, a few are uncomfortable with how, lately, I’ve focused so much on the Holy Spirit. I feel like I have a big target on my back because I’m being faithful to the LORD in these matters.

I must follow Him. I’m already not going to do it perfectly, so inasmuch as I can be faithful, I MUST FOLLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT’S LEADING. If that means a few become uncomfortable, so be it. But actually, I have faith for better things. I have faith that this initial discomfort will give way to greater clarity.

So, what should we do? First, let me be clear. I have only one agenda: follow Jesus. Following Him means obeying the Holy Spirit who gives me understanding of the Word and works out and applies Christ’s mediating and intercessory work in my life. The days described in Psalm 2 are upon us. The nations are bursting the “bonds” of the LORD and deciding for themselves what is right in their own eyes. So, again, what should we do?

The answer is in the last few lines of Psalm 2:

• Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
• Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled.
• Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Serve Him with fear and rejoice with trembling. This seems to be full of tension. Serve Him with fear means with reverence and respect. But rejoice with trembling? This is literally gladness mixed with fear that creates the physiological response of shaking. Respect Him, be glad in Him, and shake in your boots before Him.

Kiss the Son lest He be angry and you perish. If I may accompany this with a different Bible verse: “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6) Today you have an opportunity to receive grace, so kiss the Son. His wrath is being kindled, and when He comes in wrath, grace will not be offered.

Blessed are those who take refuge in Him. We do this, even as the nations rage against the LORD and plot against His Anointed. Even as governments and cultures are casting off the bonds of the Law of the LORD, we take refuge in Him and find happiness (that’s what blessed means) in the midst of tribulation.

So I’ll conclude this first blog post with this. I am going to walk by the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, listen to the Spirit, pray in the Spirit, and tell people about Jesus. By God’s grace I am what I am, and what I will become is by His grace as well. Only the LORD knows exactly what that will be. And only the LORD knows what exactly is next in terms of the larger work that this blog will be a part of. I trust Him. I will plan my way, but He will establish my steps. I leave you with Psalm 2. Meditate on it, and ask the LORD to enlighten your heart with its meaning today.

Psalm 2

Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”


He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”


I will tell of the decree:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”


Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.