Welcome

Welcome to Barnabas Notes. The title of this site comes from the Biblical character of that name who was a companion of the apostle Paul on his first missionary journey and whose name was actually Joseph. He was called "Barnabas," which means "son of encouragement," because of his ability to bless the lives of others. We hope that this blog will be such a blessing in your life!

A peaceful spring on the Macedonian side of Lake Ochrid in the Balkan Mountains

Monday, July 16, 2007

Jonah's Salvation

I am sure that most of you have heard the Bible story of “Jonah and the Whale.” There has been a lot of discussion about this story – Did it really happen or is it an allegory? If it really happened, was it a “great fish” or a “whale”? Well, since the purpose of Barnabas Notes is to offer encouragement, I do not intend to spend a great deal of time on this aspect of the discussion. Let me say, for the record, I find nothing in this short book of prophecy to convince me that this is just some “fish story” that never really happened. Nor does it make a great deal of difference to me if it was a “great fish” as some versions have it, or a “whale” as some others translate the word. Since it was appointed or prepared by God (Jonah 1:17), it could have been a Guppy for all the difference that it makes.

The real import of Jonah’s story, as far as this issue of Barnabas Notes is concerned, is how we understand God’s relationship with Jonah. There are few Bible stories that offer as vivid a picture as Jonah being swallowed by this creature and then being vomited up on the beach. Most of us probably think that such as experience served to teach him a lesson, and apparently, he did learn not to run from God. Jonah obeyed God the second time He commanded him to go to Nineveh (Jonah 3:1-3). However, I want to suggest something that may sound radical to your mind. Have you ever considered that the whale/fish was Jonah’s salvation and not his punishment?

Jonah had been thrown overboard. He would have died had not God sent this great animal. I do not mean to suggest that the belly of this thing was a pleasant place to spend a weekend, but Jonah did not die and was given the time he needed to repent of his sin. He started praying in that belly (you would have too, and so would I). I want you to pay particular attention to Jonah’s prayer. Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish, and he said, “I called out of my distress to the Lord, and He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice” (Jonah 2:1, 2). Did you catch that? He was still in the belly of the fish/whale when he said God answered him (past tense).

How is this encouraging to us? Life can sometimes be overwhelming, can it not? We may find ourselves sinking “to the roots of the mountains” (Jonah 2:6), or so it seems. It is not unusual for many of us to cry out to the Lord when we are so threatened. However, when things change, they may seem to be for the worse. What!? Did God not hear my cry? Why has He sent this new calamity? It just might be that God knows that to get my attention I need a “time-out.” Try to view the difficult times that come in your life as opportunities to trust in God, rather than thinking that God has let you down. God wants you to be truly and eternally happy and that may mean some unhappiness here in this life. If you will put all your faith and trust in Him, He will not let you down because He loves you. And so do I, by the way.

Donnie Bates

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Not Afraid?

Psalm 3:6 says: I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about. Wow! I admit I have never had the experience of facing off with ten thousand people, but I have to say, that sounds intimidating.

As I writer I will readily admit that it is easy to write…just about anything. What I mean is that it is easy to write words that make the writer or anyone else sound brave, or sensitive, or any one of many ways. So, it is easy to write about being brave enough to stand in the face of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about.

Surely there must be more to this psalm. The psalmist starts out by noting that his enemies are increasing. Do you ever feel that way? Does it ever seem like your enemies are increasing exponentially? A lot of those enemies of the psalmists were saying that there was no hope for him; not even in God. You can almost feel the tension and the rising panic as he turns every direction, only to see more enemies and he can hear them say his situation is hopeless. So, he cries out and he cries out to God; to the One Who they said would not save him.

You know what happened, don’t you? I was crying to the Lord with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah (Psalm 3:4). He goes on to say that he lay down and slept. Now remember, he was facing off with an increasing number of enemies and the only thing that has changed is that he cried to the Lord and the Lord answered from His holy mountain. That is all that it took for him to be able to sleep. Sometimes the stress in our lives builds to such a point that we cannot sleep. Psalm 3 is good medicine for stress. It was in this rested state of mind that the psalmist was able to say he was not afraid of as many as ten thousand enemies.

As we have stated so many times, this world is a scary place. You may have ten thousand enemies, or you may have one who is scarier than any ten thousand could be. It does not matter. You can find salvation in God, no matter what your enemies say. Thanks be to God that He has told us of His salvation and how to secure it in His holy Word. He provided that wonderful blessing because He loves you and so do I.

Donnie Bates

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Close to Stumbling

The psalmist Asaph wrote: “...my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped” (Psalm 73:2). I do not know anyone who cannot identify with that statement. In fact, I don’t know anyone who has not actually slipped and stumbled! Asaph was not referring to the general condition of all men in that we are weak and stumble from time to time. He is describing a more specific problem.

In the next verse, he says why he was having trouble. He was envious of the apparent success of people who do not play by the rules. It is frustrating, is it not, when we try to do what is right, but we see people everywhere who do not make that same effort apparently living happy, successful lives, free from all the stress of our “righteous” life?

Sometimes our frustration comes when those who have authority over us, tell us we cannot do something we think we should be allowed to do. More often than not, young people will be those who suffer this kind of frustration. Maybe we want to go to a party and our parents say, “No.” Perhaps it is a relationship they forbid. And our feet come close to stumbling.

This kind of frustration very often leads to anger. Why do we have to suffer this way? Why does someone else get to “have all the fun” while we must trudge along “the straight and narrow”? Why don’t my parents trust me?

Asaph suffered the same kind of anger. However, he realized that there was a way through it. When he prayed to God he said, “When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:21-24). We may become frustrated and angry, but if we want to get through this, we must realize that God can take us by the right hand and guide us with His counsel.

Today, the popular response to almost everything, it seems, is anger. We must understand that anger is in that area we could call “close to stumbling.” When we are angry, we really are “senseless and ignorant.” Let me close this week’s note with Asaph’s words at the end of this psalm: Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You. But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works (Psalm 73:25-28). God loves you and so do I.

Donnie Bates