Tag Archives: Oswald Chambers

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)

A while ago, I heard a podcast of a panel of bible teachers/scholars who were discussing the widespread lack today of “bible engagement” by Christians. There seem to be many reasons — but no excuses — for why we keep the word of God at arm’s length, instead of embracing it, and becoming intimately familiar with all that it says.  Paul’s letter to his protege Timothy reminds all of us of the primacy of both carefully reading and faithfully heeding scripture in the daily living of the Christian.

On this topic, Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) offered a thought worth pondering — and accepting: “Am I learning how to use my Bible? The way to become complete for the Master’s service is to be well soaked in the Bible; some of us only exploit certain passages. Our Lord wants to give us continuous instruction out of His word; continuous instruction turns hearers into disciples.”

It is difficult to be a faithful disciple without also knowing the heart of the Person we have chosen to follow. Holy scripture introduces us to our Father’s heart.  – Luther

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“The fool says in his heart,‘There is no God.'”  (Psalm 14:1, NIV)

More than once in the writings of the late sage Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) is found the term,  “practical atheist.”

It is a term that is properly applied to anyone — regardless of his or her declaration of beliefs — who lives as if there is no God.  In a practical sense, even the disciple of Jesus may act as if God isn’t.

For example, when we are blessed with abundance, do we credit God or do we credit our own enterprise and initiative?  When we succeed where others have failed, do we thank God or do we chalk it up to “luck”?  When our minds are clear and when our bodies are ailment-free, do we make joyful haste to the house of worship; or do we prefer instead leisure and activities of our own design?

A more rigorous test of our practical beliefs is not during adversity or personal suffering (when nearly everyone is seeking divine assistance); but during times of abundance and personal ease.  In such seasons, numerous are the temptations to live as if “there is no God.”  – Luther

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“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)

The thought of Oswald Chambers on the latter half of this scripture is particularly appropriate to consider when we are in the routines of daily living.

Says Chambers: “Sometimes it is not difficulty that makes me think God will forsake me, but drudgery. There is no Hill Difficulty to climb, no vision given, nothing wonderful or beautiful, just the commonplace day in and day out – can I hear God’s say-so in these things?”

The truth of life is that most of the days of our lives will not be spent in the valley of difficulty or frustration; nor on the mountaintop of excitement and personal achievement — but on the plains of our routines. 

The reality is that if we can hear and obey God in the mundane places, where our senses are blunted by the routine of living; we will certainly hear Him when our senses are most attuned to Him in the valley or on the pinnacle.  

Use the long, level, boring, spaces in your life to cultivate your relationship with our heavenly Father.  – Luther

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