pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Bible


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Filled with Wisdom and Spirit

Readings: Deuteronomy 31, Deuteronomy 32, Deuteronomy 33, Deuteronomy 34

Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong! Be fearless! Don’t be afraid and don’t be scared by your enemies, because the LORD your God is the one who marches with you.”

Today, on the 50th day of our plan to read through the Bible in a year, we close out the book of Deuteronomy. This is the close of the Torah, or the Law. Moses has been the central character and the driving force. We have been walking with Moses since day 16. That’s just over 200 pages in my Bible!

In chapter 31 Moses announces his death. Joshua is commissioned to lead next. The words above, spoken over and to Joshua, will guide his life and his leadership. Moses then stipulates that the Instructions (the Law) must be kept by the covenant chest and must be read every seven years so that all Israel will hear it and learn it. God then foretells the downfall of Israel. This couldn’t have been a surprise to Moses – he’s walked long with this stubborn and rebellious people.

God then commissions Moses to speak a poem to all of Israel. It is a witness against them, a warning to be remembered, taught, and heeded. Poetry is the format – it is both memorable and memorizable. Memory is key to obedience. The poem is part history, part promise of God’s mercy and compassion.

Moses then speaks from his own heart as he offers a blessing to Israel. In chapter 33 Moses gives blessings to almost all of the tribes and to all of Israel. The blessings are material and militaristic with some about faithfulness and God’s continued presence. This feels like a fitting end to Moses instruction of Israel.

Moses then climbs the mountain and sees the whole land that Israel will possess. Although still healthy and vigorous, Moses dies and is buried by God. The people mourn. Joshua is filled with Moses’ wisdom and spirit. He is ready to lead. To close, a poignant note from John Wesley’s commentary on Moses’ death: “God’s servants must die, that they may rest from their labors, receive their recompense, and make room for others.” So it is in the great cloud of witness and in the kingdom of God.

Prayer: Lord God, what a life of faith Moses led. He was not perfect but he was an exemplary model of faith and trust. May we too walk faithfully, teaching by word and example, raising others up, passing along the faith. Amen.


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God: Good, Creative, Loving

Readings: Genesis 1, Genesis 2, Genesis 3

Genesis 3:5 – “You will see clearly and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Photo credit: Marek Piwnicki

As we begin our adventure of reading the Bible in a year, we start at the beginning, in the creation story. Genesis 1 is a very familiar passage – day 1 there is light, day 2 the waters are separated, day 3 land is formed and plants are created… Four times we read, “God saw how good it was.” Then, on day 6, God creates humanity “in our image.” Creation is completed and God now says, “it was supremely good.” Humanity completes creation and raises it from good to supremely good. In chapter 1 we find two themes that run throughout the Bible: God is good and God creates or gives life.

Turning to Genesis 2 we read a different creation story. In this account we read that on day 3 God creates a man. Then, on day 6 of the original story, God creates a woman from the man’s rib. Among the rest of creation, a “helper that is perfect” could not be found so once again, God creates. In chapter 2 we experience our first dissonance. Our brain tells us that both stories cannot be “true.” Our brain is right. Here we learn an important thing about the Bible: it is not a book of “how” but is a book of “who” and of “what.” It is not a science or history book. The Bible is a book about our relationship with a good and loving God.

We close today’s reading with chapter 3. This is another very familiar story. The temptation and sin and fall of Adam and Eve represent another recurring theme in the Bible: human arrogance. Adam and Eve believe the snake’s words: “You will see clearly and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” To be like God – it’s too tempting to pass up. They eat and God’s heart is broken. They hide when God comes to walk and talk with them in the garden. God asks, “What have you done?” This certainly won’t be the last time God asks this question. And it won’t be the last time that God works to restore our relationship with God. All we can say is: thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, in love and with purpose, you created our world and you created us. You allowed us the freedom to choose you or other things. Then and now when we choose other things, your love does not fail, you still desire relationship, and you seek to draw us back to you. Thank you for your great love for all of creation, especially for us, O God. Amen.


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A People the Lord Has Blessed

Reading: Isaiah 61:8-11

Verse 11: “The LORD God will grow righteousness and praise before all the nations.”

In the second half of this week’s Isaiah 61 passage God declares a love for justice and a corresponding hate of robbery and iniquity. In all things God loves good and hated evil. This is because God is good and in God there is no evil whatsoever. Created in God’s image, God’s intent is for us to mirror the character of God. In verse 8 God promises an everlasting covenant. Through this covenant the people of the Lord will be blessed.

Beginning in verse 10, Isaiah responds. The promises of God bring delight and joy to his soul. The prophet noted that God has “clothed me with garments of salvation… in a robe of righteousness.” Covered in these figurative garments, Isaiah is empowered to practice and to reflect the character of God. The living out of a deeply rooted faith will be a witness to the people of God and to the world. This connects back to verse 9b, where we read, “‭All who see them will recognize that they are a people blessed by the LORD.”

Our passage also connects with an analogy that I’ve touched on the last two Sundays. In these words of hope and of a promise of new life, Isaiah draws on the image of a garden. The soil and the seed are essential. Good tending is necessary. And then God gets involved as the seed sprouts, grows, and eventually bears a crop. The same concepts are true in our faith. Time in the Bible tolls the soil of our hearts. Worship and study and prayer plant seeds that we must tend to and nourish. Then God’s Holy Spirit gets involved, leading and guiding our growth, causing our faith to grow deeper, allowing it to be witnessed by all, leading others to seek out the One in whom we delight and find joy, the One who leads us in righteousness and into salvation. May this be so for you and for me today and every day.

Prayer: Lord God, your covenant remains true today – you are our God and we are your people. Clothe us in righteousness, fill us with the joy and delight of salvation through Jesus Christ. Then set us out into the world, Lord, drawing others into a saving faith. Amen.


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A Holy Kiss

Reading: Psalm 85:8-13

Verse 10: “Faithful love and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed.”

Our second half of Psalm 85 with promises of peace, salvation, and the glory of the Lord. What wonderful words for the people to hear. God has felt absent for a while now. To beg for God’s presence and to hear these words in response – what hope! Embedded in these words are also things that the people must live out. They must return to being God’s people, fearing the Lord by living lives that honor and adhere to God’s will and ways. The relationship is not one-way.

The Psalm pivots in verse 10. Here we read, “Faithful love and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed.” The coming together of these four qualities of God are sealed with a kiss. In our time, this is no longer a common practice or gesture. This kiss, one gentle expression of friendship, love, and peace, was a greeting between close friends and family. This kiss was tender and vulnerable. This kiss expressed genuine affection and it welcomed both parties back into intimate relationship.

Today’s equivalent may be the handshake and the hug. My wife and I went to a reunion of sorts last night. It was folks who had taught and worked together at a school that closed at the end of 2012. There were some folks I waved to and smiled at from across the room. Some I shook hands with and then we shared in small talk. A side hug was the greeting that was used. We shared in a bit deeper conversation about our lives. For many, the hug was embracing and lasted a few seconds. The conversation thereafter was genuine and deep, bringing us right back to 2012 and then up to last night. In today’s text, that is the holy kiss shared between God and God’s people. May that be how we greet God as we open our Bibles, as we bow our heads, as we worship, and as we engage God’s world.

Prayer: Lord God, each time that we draw near to you, may it be filled with genuine affection and deep love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace. And as we go from our time together, may these be the fragrance and outpouring of our lives, drawing others towards you. Amen.


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Pour Out Water, O God

Reading: Psalm 78:1-4 and 12-16

Verse 15: “He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them water as abundant as the seas.”

Psalm 78 is one of many songs that the Israelites would sing at major festivals to remember the acts of God on their behalf. It begins with a declaration in verses 1-4. Asaph declares that they will tell the stories, that they will “tell the next generation.” As the people of God, we continue in this practice. Tomorrow, the Bible that we will read and learn and worship from is the same story of faith that it has been for 2,000 years. We too stand in a long line of many witnesses who have told the next generation of God’s love and power.

However, our faith is not solely based on events that happened long ago. We are also very much a people of the here and now. Yes it is important to remember how God has been faithful. It is also very important to remember that God is faithful and that God will be faithful.

Today verse 15 stood out to me: “He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them water as abundant as the seas.” It drew me to consider how it applies to my life today. Feeling like we are in the desert or wilderness is a regular part of life. Having a “rock” in the road of life happens. Stepping forward and seeking God’s presence and guidance is an act of faith. Here we draw upon our past experiences with God’s acts in our lives. With that strength we can call upon God to pour out waters upon us and in our lives. What is your rock? How can you draw upon our God who is faithful and cares for you?

Prayer: Lord God, that rock can seem so big. It can cause me to get stuck. Yet that rock is a tiny pebble to you. In the desert you brought forth the water of life from a rock. Nothing is impossible with you. Lead me to step forward today, knowing that you are faithful, trusting in your love for me. Amen.


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Without These Things

Reading: Exodus 17:1-3

Verse 2: “So they quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’”

Photo credit: Mukund Nair

As the Israelites wilderness journey continues they come to a place with no water. You’d think that after witnessing the 10 plagued – oh the Passover! – and the parting of the sea – oh the Egyptian army! – after all this you’d think they knew a God who could provide water. But wait – God did that at Marah and again at Elim. And… God provided manna and quail when they ran out of food and became hungry. After all of this, you’d think they’d trust God and Moses at least a little bit. But have you ever lived in scarcity?

The Israelites are living with a scarcity mindset. They have no crops, no place to call home, no money in the bank. They are relying on God and Moses for absolutely everything. It’s a lot of faith and trust to hold in just one source. When you’re wondering if you’ll ever eat again, when you’re worried about where you’ll sleep that night, when you are dying of thirst – it’s hard to see anything but that one thing. Logic often goes out the window. Faith and trust usually aren’t far behind. So the people quarrel with Moses (and they test God), demanding, “Give us water to drink.” In such moments of want and desperation it can be hard to see or to believe that God has a plan.

For the Israelites, their relationship with God runs through Moses. He is their one intermediary. We have a personal relationship with God. We have the constant indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. We can turn to the Bible and remind ourselves of God’s love and promises. Imagine trying to live out your faith without any of these things. That’s where the Israelites were. That’s where people without faith are today.

Prayer: Lord God, I cannot imagine life without you. You’ve provided so many ways to connect, to lean in, to hold on. Thank you. And, Lord, take my gratitude and turn it into fuel to lead others into a saving relationship with you, into faith and trust and hope. Use me today to build your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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A Choice

Reading: Psalm 119:97-104

Verse 101: “I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.”

Our Psalm for this week comes from the longest chapter in the Bible. Psalm 119 is a mix of praise and thanksgiving as well as pain and lament, as are many of the Psalms. There is a hope that obedience to God’s law will bring peace to Israel and identity to them as God’s chosen people. The Law was the curriculum for all of life in Israel and there was an understanding that obedience brought blessing. In the New Testament this belief is reflected in how the Jews saw lepers, the blind… as sinners. Their infirmities were ‘proof’ of sin in their lives or family.

Our passage today opens with a great declaration of praise and thanksgiving: “Oh how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.” Although I do not sit and study the word of God all day long, I would 100% agree that God’s word brings me joy and lights my path. In the next verse we get a bit of reality. The psalmist recognizes that enemies are “ever with me.” Figuratively and sometimes literally enemies lurk. Sin and temptation seem ever ready to seize an opportunity. And at times our faith may even draw the enemies out as others bring abuse or persecution to us because of our faith.

There is an effort required to this walk of faith. In verse 101 we read, “I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.” We make choices and decisions. Hopefully most lead to life and joy. Some lead to shame and death. We do have a choice. May we too seek to keep from the evil path, choosing instead the word of God, the sweet honey to our lips, the way that leads to life abundant.

Prayer: Lord God, your ways bring true life. Walking with you brings joy and hope, peace and contentment. Fill me with your Spirit, that I may walk with the righteous and not with the wicked. Guide me and guard me, O Lord. Amen.


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Will We Choose to Listen?

Reading: Psalm 95:8-11

Verse 8: “If only you would hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Photo credit: Einar Storsul

Turning to the second section of Psalm 95 we are connected back to Exodus 17. The psalmist is reflecting back to a time when the Israelites tested and tried God, when they grumbled against God and Moses. We recall this ugly moment came right after experiencing miracle after miracle after miracle from God. This seems so impossible. Yet the reality is that we too can go from a high moment of faith to questioning or doubting the next moment as life unexpectedly crashes down around us.

The psalmist declares that God was “angry with that generation.” They are identified as a people “whose hearts go astray” and as ones who “have not known my ways.” This generation has proven itself to be stubborn and rebellious. Again and again. At the end we read, “They will never enter my rest.” This generation will die in the desert. Even Moses, because of a moment of anger and exasperation with these people, will not be allowed to enter the Promised Land.

So how does this story from thousands of years ago apply to our lives and faith today? I believe one could make a strong case that our generation is stubborn and rebellious. One could easily argue that our hearts go astray and that we follow our own desires more often than not. The advice that begins our passage very much applies to us as we seek to follow Jesus in the wilderness of today’s world: “If only you would hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

God continues to speak today. God speaks through the Bible and through modern day prophets. God speaks through the Holy Spirit – in whispers and nudges, in convictions, in revelations. God speaks through ordinary people like you and me. The question is whether or not we will choose to listen to God’s voice when we hear it. Or will we wander in the wilderness, ultimately ending up outside of God’s love and grace?

Prayer: Lord God, it is easy to default to grumbling and testing and trying your love. It’s tempting to succumb to the pleasures and lures of this world. These voices can be so loud, the lies so compelling. Or they can be whispered so seductively. Lord, strengthen my resolve to walk as a disciple, deepen my trust in you alone, gird me up with your Spirit. I desire to be fully yours. Be with me moment by moment. Guide me through the battle ahead. Amen.


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A Consuming Fire

Reading: Exodus 24:12-18

Verse 17: “To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.”

Photo credit: Ricardo Gomez Angel

Returning to Exodus 24 today, Moses goes up the mountain to receive the law and commands. Through these, God is inviting the people into a deeper relationship and into a new way of living. Moving from slavery in Egypt to dwelling as a free and loved people in the Promised Land, the Israelites needed a new framework for life. As they await this, “To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.”

In our lives as Christians we too have a framework for life. The Bible is an expanded and refined version of the laws and commands that Moses received. The words in the Bible give us guidance and direction for living as the beloved children of God in this world. Jesus is the central figure in the scriptures and provides us a real-life example of how to live out God’s will and God’s ways.

The concept of God being a consuming fire also holds true. As we delve into God’s word and as we allow it to shape and form, to refine and reform us, the fire of the Holy Spirit burns away the chaff – our sins, our selfishness, our fleshy desires… Led and guided by the Spirit, one more image of flame, we become more and more who God created us to be.

Day by day, may you be blessed on your journey.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the framework you give for life – especially the example found in your son Jesus. By his example we have the model for how to love you and one another. Continue to work in me, drawing me closer and closer to who you made me to be. Amen.


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Come and See

Reading: John 1:35-42

Verse 41: “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah.'”

As we turn again to John’s gospel today we see that two of John the Baptist’s disciples leave him to follow Jesus. After hearing John declare Jesus “the Lamb of God,” Andrew and another disciple follow Jesus down the road. Noticing someone is tailing him, Jesus asks them what they want. They ask where he is heading – this is a polite way to ask if they can join him. Jesus responds by saying, “Come and you will see.” Jesus invites them to join him – and not just for the day.

Andrew then exhibits a practice that we all should emulate. Knowing in his heart that Jesus is the Messiah, he goes and finds his brother. Simon comes and sees Jesus too. Without introduction, Jesus identifies Simon by name and informs him that he will be called Cephas (or Peter in Greek).

A few questions come to my heart as I reflect on this passage. First, how regularly do I come and see Jesus? This can be going to church, reading the Bible, praying, fasting… Second, who is our Simon? Who is our brother or sister, our neighbor or friend, stranger, or relative that needs to come and see Jesus too? And, third, how will we connect the two? We can pick them up and bring them to church or Bible study. We can take them to coffee or to lunch…

In our hearts we know that Jesus is the Messiah. May we invite and help others to come and see the Lord.

Prayer: Lord God, you are my all in all, my rock and my redeemer, my Savior and my friend. This day use me so that others may come and see the Christ. Amen.