Two Responses

A familiar New Testament scene from the gospels is one in which Jesus was transfigured, his appearance changing so much his face was shining like the sun and his clothing was white as snow. Also on that mountain were Peter and James and John.  Suddenly a couple of figures appeared from history. Moses and Elijah, and they were talking with Jesus. 

Peter couldn't stand it. He blurted out, "Lord this is great!  If you wish, I will build three shrines; one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."  Then a cloud overshadowed them and a voice thundered saying, "This is my beloved Son. I am pleased with him. Listen to him." These scared disciples fell to their faces and when they finally looked up, they saw only Jesus. 

God had put his stamp of approval on his Son. There was no doubt about his divinity, no doubt about who he claimed to be, and no doubt that God desired for him to be believed.  While the accomplishments of Moses and Elijah might possibly merit some kind of shrine, God wanted all to know Jesus was the one who is worthy. He is the one to follow and believe. 

Another picture came to my mind about David. Psalm 108 begins with these words, "My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises. Wake up, my soul! Wake up, O harp and lyre!  I will waken the dawn with my song."  David's response in this way is a result of his heart finding confidence in God.   In fact, his actions of responding are not isolated to just those two verses above. His confidence led him to do other things, too.  Here are a few:  1. He promised to thank the Lord in front of all the people.  2. He vowed to sing God's praises among the nations. 3. He wanted God to be exalted above the highest heavens, and God's glory to shine over all the earth. 

The instance on the mount of transfiguration and the instance when David found confidence in the Lord both merited response of some sort.  Numerous biblical characters prove the same thing.  When you are confronted with the Divine, some sort of response is going to happen.  

I look at Peter's response and receive the message that I am to recognize Jesus as God's Son, and that I should listen to him. This is Jesus that came to demonstrate love and forgiveness and obedience to us. Listening to him and following him brings those same demonstrations in our lives. 

Then I see David, the one described as being "after God's own heart."  And David has stumbled and made mistakes, yet he has sought and received God's forgiveness. Now we see him saying, "My heart finds confidence in God."  That is the picture of one who has grown in his relationship with God, even through a life of ups and downs.  He has come to know God as the source for his life. 

We need to find the Lord in both ways. In knowing we should listen to and follow Jesus, and in knowing that He is our confidence. 

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