pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Even So

Reading: Psalm 13

Verse 3: “Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes.”

Psalm 13 begins with four sentences that all begin “How long…?” David is asking how long will this horrible situation last? How long will God take to bring relief, comfort, healing, resolution? Although we do not know if this is a personal prayer or a corporate prayer from David, we do know that we’ve prayed these “how long” prayers again and again, for ourselves and for others.

David continues in verse 3, writing, “Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes.” He is begging for, pleading for God to respond. He wants light to see the way through. We note that David is not praying for an answer already in mind. He is praying for God to light the way forward, trusting in God’s light and direction. The rest of verse 3 reveals the depth of the situation: “or I will sleep in death.” The end of the rope has been reached. The grip is failing. O God, answer!

Verses 5 and 6 are “even so” verses. The answer hasn’t come. He feels all alone. David cannot yet see the light. But even so he declares trust in God’s “unfailing love.” He rejoices in the salvation that he knows is secure. And David chooses to sing a song to the God who has been good again and again and again. As we wait upon the Lord may we do so with such trust and faith. From that place, may we praise our good, good God.

Prayer: Lord God, in moments when I cannot sense your presence, give me the strength to trust and the heart to praise you. When the dark feels too much, bring a sliver of light, prompting me to choose faith over fear. Amen.


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Provision

Reading: Genesis 22:6-14

Verse 14: “So Abraham called that place ‘The Lord will provide.'”

In our Genesis 22 reading God provides the ram as the sacrifice. Isaac is lifted off the altar and he is replaced by this ram. It dies in his place, much as Jesus died in our place to pay the price for our sins. The ram does so that the child can live. In an act of gratitude and worship, Abraham names the place “Jehovah Jireh” – the Lord will provide.

God continues to provide for our needs. Sometimes it is by giving us the words to speak, sometimes it is by guiding us to the correct action to take. And sometimes words fail and God is directing us to simply provide presence. God provides in many other ways. A door can be opened, another closed. A meal or help in some other form can show up unexpected and meet a need.

We too can be used by God as the means of provision. Many years ago, for example, a family in our church was struggling financially. A group got together and left $1,000 in a blank envelope in their mailbox. Our financial blessings are often a way that we can be part of God providing a blessing for others. It can also be something as simple as a card or phone call – hearing “it came exactly when I needed it most” assures us of God’s hand guiding and providing.

The keys to both receiving from God and being used by God to provide for others begins with an open ear, followed closely by a willing heart. May we all be receptive to God’s working in and through us as God loves and provides for our needs.

Prayer: Lord God, use me today to accomplish your will. Use my words or my hands and feet, use my presence, O God, as you seek to love and care for our world and for all of your children. And when your will turns to me, may I humbly receive all that you have for me. Amen.


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Provision

Reading: Genesis 22:6-14

Verse 14: “So Abraham called that place ‘The Lord will provide.'”

In our Genesis 22 reading God provides the ram as the sacrifice. Isaac is lifted off the altar and he is replaced by this ram. It dies in his place, much as Jesus died in our place to pay the price for our sins. The ram does so that the child can live. In an act of gratitude and worship, Abraham names the place “Jehovah Jireh” – the Lord will provide.

God continues to provide for our needs. Sometimes it is by giving us the words to speak, sometimes it is by guiding us to the correct action to take. And sometimes words fail and God is directing us to simply provide presence. God provides in many other ways. A door can be opened, another closed. A meal or help in some other form can show up unexpected and meet a need.

We too can be used by God as the means of provision. Many years ago, for example, a family in our church was struggling financially. A group got together and left $1,000 in a blank envelope in their mailbox. Our financial blessings are often a way that we can be part of God providing a blessing for others. It can also be something as simple as a card or phone call – hearing “it came exactly when I needed it most” assures us of God’s hand guiding and providing.

The keys to both receiving from God and being used by God to provide for others begins with an open ear, followed closely by a willing heart. May we all be receptive to God’s working in and through us as God loves and provides for our needs.

Prayer: Lord God, use me today to accomplish your will. Use my words or my hands and feet, use my presence, O God, as you seek to love and care for our world and for all of your children. And when your will turns to me, may I humbly receive all that you have for me. Amen.


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How Might I Respond?

Reading: Genesis 22:1-14

Verse 12: “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

We begin this week with Genesis 22. I marvel at Abraham’s faith and commitment to God. In the last chapter he cast out his firstborn son into the wilderness. In today’s text God once again challenges Abraham, asking him to sacrifice Isaac. I look at Abraham’s faith and wonder how I would respond if I had to stand in his shoes.

In our text today God asks Abraham to do the unthinkable. Abraham cuts and gathers the wood. He prepares for the journey, taking with him the fire and the knife. Abraham journeys with Isaac and two servants towards the mountain. Leaving the servants behind as they near the mountain, Abraham and Isaac continue on. Each action and each step is a step in faith and trust.

When Isaac notes the wood and the fire, but asks about the lamb, Abraham responds, “God himself will provide the lamb.” Reaching the place, Abraham builds an altar, arranges the wood, and then binds and places Isaac on the altar. Knife in hand, Abraham is ready to follow through on God’s directive. It is here that an angel of the Lord intercedes, saying, “Do not lay a hand on the boy.”

Continuing, the angel says, “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham has proven his faith. Put to the ultimate test, Abraham demonstrates his full trust in God. Again I wonder, how might I respond?

Prayer: Lord God, what an example of faith and trust in you! What a model of obedience. Lord, build up in me a faith and trust that would respond as Abraham responded. Amen.


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None Like You

Reading: Psalm 86:8-10

Verse 8: “Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

David declares that there is no god like our God. In David’s day, pagan cultures and tribes were all around. There were literally many different gods. While some cultures and tribes continue to be polytheistic, most of the modern world has found other gods to worship. We’ve replaced Baal and Asherah and Zeus with power, popularity, possessions, beauty, wealth… There is no shortage of gods that humankind worships.

As a believer I agree with David: “there is none like you.” Our God is full of love and compassion and forgiveness. Our God is merciful and gracious. Our God loves all people – saints and sinners, outsiders and insiders, believers and agnostics. Our God came to serve the least, the lost, the marginalized. Our God came to care for the orphans, widows, prisoners, tax collectors, prostitutes… Our God gave up his only Son so that we could be forgiven and restored and so we could live with God in eternity. David is right: “no deeds compare” to God’s.

David also writes about our response to our God. We are to “come and worship” and we are called to “bring glory to your name.” Our call is to worship God with our lives, bringing glory to God alone as we seek to be the words and actions of Jesus Christ in the world. May it be so for you and for me each day. To God be the glory!

Prayer: Lord God, there is none like you. All other gods fall short. They may satisfy momentarily but their luster fades, their appeal dies. Only you bring enduring hope, lasting contentment, pure joy. You alone fill and complete us. In all I say and do and think may I bring you the glory. Amen.


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Sit Faithfully

Reading: Genesis 21:19-21

Verse 19: “Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.”

Picking up again in Genesis 21, God acts on behalf of Hagar and Ishmael, making good on the promise given in verse 18. God opens her eyes to the provision of water. God blesses Ishmael with a skill to live in the desert and then leads Hagar to find him a wife, the next step in becoming a “great nation.”

We all find ourselves in the desert at times – fear rising up, feelings of loneliness and helplessness close behind. We too cry out to God. Our prayers are heard just like Hagar’s were heard. And God provided a way when there seems like there is no way. For Hagar and Ishmael the way was through and in their desert experience. With little or maybe no choice they walked forward into God’s good plans for their lives. Here is where we often struggle. Most of us are not slave girl single parents with no resources.

The abundance and blessings of our lives can get in the way of how God wants to open our eyes and of seeing how God is making a way. We just want to get out of the desert. We want the pain or grief removed. We want light to shine into our darkness. So we marshall our resources and head off on our own way. When God wants us to stay put in that desert place a bit longer, we try and make a way out. It is hard to trust God in these moments. Yet it is there that we likely will see the hand of God at work.

May we learn to sit faithfully in these places, assured that God is with us and is working for our good, confident in God’s love and care for us.

Prayer: Lord God, guide me to walk faithfully, to trust in your good plans for me, especially in those hard moments and places. When tried and true faith is needed, may I lean deeply into you. Amen.


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Loving Deeply

Reading: Romans 6:1-11

Verse 8: “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.”

Photo credit: Shane

In Romans 6 Paul writes of our new life in Christ. Our new life begins with our baptism into Christ – professing our faith in Jesus as the Lord of our life and as the Savior of our soul. Our old worldly self is left behind figuratively as we become a new creation in Christ. In reality, though, our old self is still there, trying to be reborn again and again in us, tempting us towards sin. Into this reality, Paul writes, “we are no longer slaves to sin.” Because Christ lives in us, sin no longer has “mastery” over us. Through the Spirit of Christ in us, we can use his power to resist the temptations.

As new creations in Christ we live differently. In verse 8 we read, “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” Taking on and welcoming in the Spirit, committing to follow and walk in Jesus’ example, we walk in a new way in the world. Just as Christ “lived to God” so too are we to live. In a general sense this means advancing and building the kingdom of God here on earth. This entails being love lived out, being kindness and mercy for all. This means we live as persons of peace and of healing and of restoration and of reconciliation. At times this will call us to stand out as we stand up against injustice and oppression and other forms of evil, just as Jesus himself did. This leans into the cost of discipleship that we heard Jesus speaking of yesterday in Matthew 10. May we lean in well, loving deeply into Christ Jesus.

Prayer: Lord God, make me a willing servant, a faithful follower. Open my eyes and my heart to the ways you want me to love well in this world. Use me to draw all peoples into your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Great Cost

Reading: Matthew 10:32-39

Verse 38: “Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

Returning to Matthew 10 today Jesus gets crystal clear concerning the cost of discipleship. He begins by reminding the disciples of the eternal reality: deny me here and I’ll deny you in heaven; acknowledge me here and I’ll acknowledge you in eternity. He’s asking them if they are all in.

In verses 34-37 Jesus directly addresses the cost of discipleship. He starts by telling them that he “did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Faith is a comfort; it is not meant to be comfortable. Jesus challenges us to be more like him, not more like the world. In a world where most people have wealth and possessions and power and status as their gods, to be a follower of Jesus will put us in conflict with family, friends, and neighbors.

Then, in verse 38 Jesus drives it home. Here he says, “Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” To take up one’s cross is to stand against those in power, against those with wealth, against the world’s success standards. In Jesus’ day this was the Romans and the Jewish religious leaders. It was risky, dangerous, costly. That is the path of discipleship.

Jesus closes our passage for today once again speaking of true life. When we find life in this world comfortable, easy, safe – we lose our heavenly connection. But when we are willing to die to the things of this world, we gain true life. It comes with a great cost. May we be willing.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to walk the walk each day. Give me the courage and trust to shed the things of this world, instead putting on your love and grace and mercy and compassion. Use me to invite others into the life that you offer – the beautiful, hard, joyful, challenging life of a follower of Jesus. Amen.


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Don’t Be Afraid

Reading: Matthew 10:24-33

Verse 27: “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.”

Photo credit: Saad Chaudhry

This week’s gospel text is part of Jesus’ words of instruction as he sends the 12 out to preach, heal, raise the dead, and cast out demons. Today’s portion is some honesty and some encouragement. Tomorrow’s portion is more warning and clarification of the cost of discipleship.

In the opening verses Jesus says, “It is enough for students to be like their teachers.” Reflecting back on scene after scene where Jesus taught amazing lessons and offered powerful miracles, the disciples must’ve been equal parts excited and overwhelmed. Jesus is saying that they will be like him.

Knowing the disciples have also witnessed the clashes and conflicts with the religious leaders, Jesus next addresses the fear this must’ve brought to the disciples as they are to head out on their own. Jesus tells them to not be afraid. He encourages them to be bold in the face of this fear: “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.” Jesus also reminds them to keep focused on the eternal reality. He tells them not to fear man, but to fear Satan, the one who has the power to “destroy both body and soul in hell.”

Today’s portion closes with a great reminder. Jesus wants the disciples to know that God loves and cares for them. In God’s all-powerful way, Jesus says that not even a sparrow dies without God noticing. This same God knows you so well that the number of hairs on your head is known. And if God knows that minute detail, disciple of Christ, then God really loves and cares for you. “So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Prayer: Lord God, discipleship is not always easy. Sometimes we feel a little inadequate. In these times, remind us of the power and gifts imparted to us by the Teacher. Sometimes fear or doubt rises up. When it does, fill us with a holy confidence, fueled by your great love and care for us. Knowing you love and care for us completely and unconditionally, may we boldly proclaim the good news of your kingdom. Amen.


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God Hears and Comes

Reading: Genesis 21:8-18

Verse 17: “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid.”

Photo credit: Felipe Correia

Today’s Old Testament passage contains one of the uglier episodes in the story of Abraham and Sarah, the father and mother of Judaism. The roots of today’s story are found in the couple taking God’s promises into their own hands, using a slave girl to produce a child. Even then, way back in chapter 16, we can see the pattern of marginalization and abuse already being established. Today’s ugly story is not an isolated event.

In today’s passage we see Sarah tells Abraham to send away or cast off Hagar and Ishmael. A conflicted Abraham does so after God assures him concerning both Isaac’s and Ishmael’s futures. Forced into the wilderness, Hagar and Ishmael are soon out of food and water. Surrendering to the harshness of being cast off and ostracized, Hagar prepares for death. But God intervenes, sending an angel who says, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid.” God sees her and responds. God encourages her and again reiterates the promise made in Genesis 16:10.

Most of us have never been used to produce a baby. And most of us have not been cast off by “family.” Most of us have not come face to face with dehydration and starvation as our demise. Yet in a very, very small way we can relate. We’ve all lost relationships. We’ve all felt alone. We’ve all feared death. And, like Hagar and Ishmael, God has met us in these wilderness places. God has said to us: “What is the matter ___? Do not be afraid.” God hears our cries and comes near. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you are our ever-present help in our times of need. Thank you for never marginalizing us or ignoring us or abandoning us. You are always nearby. You always hear and respond. Thank you, O Lord. Amen.