pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: commitment


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A Witness, Choosing to Serve

Reading: Joshua 24:16-25

Joshua 24:22 – “You are a witness to your own decision,” Joshua said, “You have chosen to serve the Lord.”

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As we continue in Joshua 24, we hear the Israelites answer to Joshua’s question about whom they will serve. Will it be idols or God? Their choice is to serve the Lord. They tell Joshua that they would never abandon God and that they would never serve other gods. Under Joshua’s great leadership and faithful example, the Israelites have been true to God. The Lord has done so much for the people of God. They have seen and experienced it. They will serve the Lord their God.

But in verses 19 and 20, Joshua questions their ability to serve God. He reminds them that God is a “holy and jealous God.” If they sin or rebel, there will be problems. Big problems. The people again declare their commitment to the Lord. In response Joshua says, “You are a witness to your own decision. You have chosen to serve the Lord.” Yes, they have spoken and, yes, they know what they are getting into. They agree again with their commitment. It is then that Joshua asks for a tangible action that tests their commitment.

In verse 23 Joshua says, “All right then, destroy the idols among you.” Joshua does not want the temptation lying on the shelf in the corner cupboard or tucked under the edge of the bed. Out of sight is not good enough. In the same way, our own commitment to the Lord must be all-in, complete, wholehearted. We must be solid in our choice. When we let our idols hang around, when we pretend they are not there, we’re in for big trouble. The desire for recognition and approval, the need to be in control or in charge, the longing for material gain and possessions – we must be quick to destroy these idols. It is the only way to faithfully serve the Lord our God. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, it is easy to say that we have chosen you, to say that you are the Lord of our life, to show up on Sunday mornings. That’s the easy part – when the focus is on you. But there are many times and places when the focus shifts away from you. Be with us in the harder places and times, especially when no one else is looking. Use the Holy Spirit to guide our walk, to keep our choice pure and genuine. Alone we cannot remain faithful. Be with us. Thank you. Amen.


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Choose Today

Reading: Joshua 24:1-3 and 14-15

Joshua 24:14 – “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped.”

Photo credit: dreamstimes.com

As we turn to the last chapter of the book of Joshua, God has established Israel in the Promised Land. Joshua has led the conquest of the land as God has driven out “great and powerful nations.” Each tribe of Israel has been allotted land. And there are survivors in the land and there are neighboring nations all around them. Danger lies here. Joshua tells the people to not even mention the names of these people’s idols and false gods. He points the Israelites towards God’s Law and invites them to remember how God has kept all of the promises that God has made.

Turning to chapter 24, Joshua seeks to renew the people’s covenant with God. Now that Israel is secure and established in the land promised to Abraham, Joshua challenges the people to make a conscious decision to always serve the Lord. In verse 14 Joshua says, “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped.” Joshua calls for a healthy respect of the Lord and for an all-out dedication. The call is to love God with heart, soul, and mind. Those idols – the ones that have dogged them even as God defeated enemy after enemy in the wilderness and in the Promised Land – they are still around. Be wary. Put them away forever.

Joshua makes his choice known in the last part of verse 15, where we read, “But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” While encouraging, the people – each person – must make a choice. Joshua is committed. But how will each Israelite decide? As a whole, will they choose the Lord their God? Will they fear and serve the Lord? Will they forever put away the idols and false gods of this world?

Prayer: Lord God, oh how familiar we are with this choice. Daily the idols and false gods of this world come and go from our consciousness. Daily we feel their pull. We have chosen you, O God. We want to walk as a child of God, as a brother or sister in Christ. Encourage us. Strengthen our commitment. Walk with us in Spirit, leading and guiding us to walk the walk that we have chosen. Keep us faithful and true. Amen.


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The Commitment

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 2:5-8

1st Thessalonians 2:8 – “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s good news but our own lives, too.”

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Moving on today to the rest of this week’s Epistle reading, Paul continues to review his visit to Thessalonica. He is doing so as a way to refresh these new believers’ understanding of how to disciple others. Because we read these words today they are instructive to us as well.

Paul and his co-workers did not try flattery as a means to bring people to Jesus. Their words and actions stayed focused on the truth revealed in and through Jesus Christ. Speaking the good news honestly and directly, Paul and his companions earned the Thessalonians’ trust. To further this trust and to deepen their connections to these new believers, the apostles did not seek financial gain or human praise. Without any hidden agendas, Paul and his co-workers could keep the focus on God’s message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

To the Thessalonians, Paul and his companions were gentle and caring, “like a mother feeding and caring for her children.” The intimate nature of this family relationship is what Paul and his co-workers for Christ sought to build with these new believers. In verse 8 we learn more about this effort and about true discipleship. Here we read, “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s good news but our own lives, too.” The commitment begins with love. It is the foundation of all relationships. The apostles’ commitment went far beyond preaching or sharing God’s message. It got down into the day to day living of life, to an intertwining of lives. Paul and his companions were there, sharing all of themselves with these new believers. The apostles lived out the words that they were preaching. When life gets hard, when the valley gets dark, when tragedy or hardship strike, are we right there with those we are sharing the good news with? May that be the commitment we make as we seek to bring others to Jesus’ saving love and grace.

Prayer: Lord God, as we share our faith with others, may they first sense our love for them. Help us to reveal it in the ways that we keep showing up and keep engaging in the struggles as well as in the joys. Reveal it in the ways we walk alongside others through all of life and in the ways that we pour ourselves into their lives. Through our love may others know your love. Amen.


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The Covenant Keeper

Reading: Psalm 105:7-11 and 45

Psalm 105:8 – “God remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded to a thousand generations.”

As we turn to Psalm 105 today and tomorrow, the focus is the covenant God made first with Abraham. This covenant was reiterated with Isaac and Jacob and has been passed on “to a thousand generations.” The covenant that God made with Abraham was not just about him. Abraham was a part of the covenant, yes, but the focus from day one has been the people of God.

God’s justice is the foundation of the covenant. At its core, God’s justice calls us to just living. This calls us to live in a right relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. Living this way, we represent the covenant: God is our God and we are God’s people. The idea of covenant has been around a long time, likely even before Abraham. It is not unique to Israel. In all cases, at its core, covenant is meant to be a forever commitment.

This week’s Disciplines writer, Rev. Dr. Donna Giver-Johnson, notes that the word translated “to cut” is the root word of our word “covenant.” In ancient times, the two parties entering a covenant would cut an animal in half. They would then walk between the halves, symbolizing their offer to be slain like the animal if they did not keep the covenant. The writer of Psalm 105 echoes this deep level of commitment using phrases like “solemn pledge” and “binding law.”

In Genesis 15, in a vision that came just after establishing the covenant with Abraham, God passed between a cut animal, demonstrating God’s commitment to this covenant with God’s people. This established the fact that the keeping of the covenant is dependent on God alone, not on us. At just the necessary moment, God sent Jesus, the bringer and giver of grace. It is through God’s grace that we now live under the covenant. For this grace, we say, thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for being the covenant keeper. On our own we’d only be covenant breakers. Only through your love and strength can we begin to walk in covenant relationship with you and with one another. And only through your grace and mercy can we return to covenant relationship when we fall short or fail. Thank you, Lord, for walking with us. Amen.


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Calling Each by Name

Reading: Genesis 29:15-30

Genesis 29:20 – “Jacob worked for Rachel for seven years, but it seemed like a few days because he loved her.”

Today’s passage is one of deceit and dishonesty and it is one of love and commitment. In many ways the story is hard to read. It is set in another time and in a culture different from ours. Jacob has fled his home after stealing his brother Esau’s birth rite. He arrives at Laban’s house with absolutely nothing and is taken in by his uncle. Jacob becomes part of the family’s life. After working for a month with Laban and his servants, Jacob is asked what he’d like for his wages. He will work for Rachel’s hand in marriage. Laban agrees to a seven year term. It is love. In verse 20 we read, “Jacob worked for Rachel for seven years, but it seemed like a few days because he loved her.”

On the wedding day, there is a big banquet. Wine must’ve flowed freely. That night Laban slips Leah into the wedding tent – instead of Rachel. The “wedding” is consummated. In the morning the deceit is discovered. Laban glosses it over, saying, “Where we live…” It seems that here women have birth rites too. A betrayed Jacob agrees to work another seven years for Rachel, so great is his love for her.

While Jacob, Laban, and Rachel are the main characters, other women are named. And because they are named, they matter to God. Each will play a role in the unfolding story of Israel. As a group, they will birth most of the twelve tribes of Israel. Leah, the devalued one, will give birth to Jacob’s first four sons. This gives her value and worth. The servant girls – Zilpah and Bilhah – will bear Jacob six sons in total. By being named and included in the story, these women have place and worth too. In the messiness of this story, God remains at work, blessing and calling each by name. God does the same in our lives. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for seeing those that others often overlook or just treat as property or worse. Lord, help us to see with your eyes. Once seeing, O God, move our hearts to lift up and to give place and worth to all of your beloved children. Draw us together, then, as one in you. Amen.


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To Be So Bold

Reading: Psalm 139:23-24

Psalm 139:23 – “Examine me God! Look at my heart! Put me to the test. Know my anxious thoughts.”

Yesterday in Psalm 139, David acknowledged that God surrounded him always. There was never a time that David could escape from God’s presence. God was always with him. As we jump to today’s verses, it is almost as if David is challenging God. It is important to note that this comes after several verses where David has questioned why God has not killed off his enemies. At times I play this game too. God – look how faithful I am… Why don’t you deal with so and so?

In verse 23, David writes, “Examine me God! Look at my heart! Put me to the test. Know my anxious thoughts.” If I were to be so bold as to say these words to God, I’d bet there had been some pretty serious self-examination, followed quickly by some profuse confession and repentance. Then again, to be honest, I’d be surprised if the humility created by such an intimate and personal experience would allow me to be so bold with God.

To lay oneself bare before God, to invite God to examine and test and know me in a most personal way, this would certainly affirm my commitment to God. To go through this process periodically – maybe even daily – it is healthy and life-giving. May this be a regular practice for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, oh to be so bold as to invite such examination and evaluation. To have the faith to offer these words! Move me in this direction, O God, closer to honesty, closer to transparency, closer to authentic relationship. Amen.


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A Right Heart

Reading: Micah 6:1-8

Micah 6:6 – “With what should I approach the Lord and bow down before God almighty?”

Returning to Micah 6 today we read the verses that lead up to the well-known call to practice justice, to embrace faithful love, and to walk humbly with God and with neighbor. Verses 1-7 lay out “why” Israel should live in these ways and it points out Israel’s failed attempts at true worship. The passage is set as if in a courtroom as God brings God’s case against Israel. In a lawsuit, if you are the one seeking justice, it is good. But if you’re on trial, this is not a good place to be. For the people of God, they are on trial. “With Israel, he [God] will argue.”

God’s case opens with questions about how Israel has gotten to this place: What did I do to you (or fail to do)? How have I wearied you? God is wondering aloud how God displeased Israel, how God bored them into this disobedience. God then reminds Israel what faithfulness looks like. From leading Israel out of slavery to giving them good leaders to protecting them from their enemies, God has always been there for Israel – irrelevant to their commitment, regardless of their unfaithfulness, no matter their sin and wandering and idolatry.

God then lays bare the reality of their present worship. These acts themselves, prescribed by the Law, can be pleasing to God. But volume and simply going through the motions? If one if just playing the game and trying to impress God along the way, then God is not interested in the least. Micah muses, “With what should I approach the Lord and bow down before God almighty?” Returning to verse 8 we find God’s answer. We are reminded that a right heart, a heart right with God and with one another, this is where worship that is pleasing to God begins. With a heart that reflects God’s heart, this is the place that we are filled with love and grace and mercy and peace and hope and compassion and… Filled, we are then ready to be these things to the world. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, strip away our pretense, break down our barriers, wipe away the noise of the world. Bring us to a place of transparency, honesty, and sincerity – not for your sake but for ours. You see through it all. You know the true condition of our hearts. Beginning in a place of humility, guide us then to be practitioners of justice and steadfast love. This is the worship that is pleasing to you. Living and being this way, may our lives reveal to the world what is good and what is required by you. Amen.


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A Faith Witness

Reading: Psalm 116:1-2 and 12-19

Psalm 116:13 – “I’ll lift up the cup of thanksgiving. I’ll call on the Lord’s name.”

Psalm 116 is part of a collection of Psalms known as the Hallel. These songs were used in the Passover celebration. Psalms 113 and 114 were sung going up to Jerusalem. These two songs celebrate God’s power, might, rescue, and protection. Psalms 115-118 would be sung after the Passover meal. In the Christian tradition, this meal would occur on Maundy or Holy Thursday. These songs celebrate who and what God was and is and they witness to the peoples’ faith and commitment to God.

Psalm 116 begins with the psalmist declaring his or her love for God. This love is founded on God hearing their prayers for mercy. Because God hears, they will always call out to God. We can relate. When we feel like God is answering our prayers and is close to us, our faith soars and our love for God grows.

Verses 12-19 offer the psalmist’s response. Gratitude and acts of thanksgiving dominate these verses. In verse 13 the author writes, “I’ll lift up the cup of thanksgiving. I’ll call on the Lord’s name.” This cup overflows with God’s blessings. Lifting it and calling on God’s name are acts of worship. Keeping the promises made to God, done so publicly, reveals the psalmist’s strong commitment to God. This public witness encourages others in their faith. As we walk through Holy Week may all that we say and do “Praise the Lord!”

Prayer: Lord God, we join the psalmist in gratitude for your presence in our lives. We are so grateful that you hear our prayers. We celebrate the fact that you are on our side. Your love for us calls us to respond with acts of love towards you. May we witness well to our love of you this day and every day. Amen.


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Not My Will

Reading: Luke 22:39-46

Luke 22:42 – “Not my will but your will must be done.”

We are on the verge of the season of Lent. The 40 days leading up to Easter begin this week with services on Ash Wednesday. The service focuses on our need to be reconciled to God. The ashes remind us of our mortality. They are imposed in the shape of a cross as a reminder of our commitment to Christ. The season of Lent is one of prayer and repentance, preparing ourselves for Easter.

Intentional preparation is part of our faith. We read, study, and meditate on scripture to prepare ourselves for our day to day living. We pray to prepare ourselves for a meeting, an event, a hard conversation. In our passage today Jesus did as he often did. He went to the garden to spend intentional time in prayer. He sought to prepare himself for what lay just ahead: arrest, trial, rejection, suffering…

Jesus invites the disciples to pray too. He knows that they will soon face testing. As Jesus prays he admits his own human struggle, asking God to “take this cup of suffering away.” The divine Jesus knows full well what’s about to befall the human Jesus. Recognizing the necessity of what is about to unfold, Jesus adds, “Not my will but your will must be done.” Strengthened, Jesus prays even more earnestly.

The disciples have fallen asleep, “overcome by grief.” The crowd is on the way to arrest Jesus. The disciples have not prepared themselves. One disciple will act impulsively. Then all of the disciples will flee the scene. Jesus will move forward, empowered by prayer. As we ready ourselves to enter this season of Lent, may we too be empowered by prayer, frequently praying, “Not my will…”

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us to be intentional as we enter this season of Lent. May it be a time of earnest prayer, committed study, honest introspection, and whole-hearted repentance. Day by day, may our walk with you prepare us to celebrate Easter resurrection. Amen.


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My Grace: Enough

Reading: 2nd Corinthians 11-13

2nd Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.”

As we begin the last three chapters in 2nd Corinthians, Paul confronts the “super apostles” that have been attacking Paul’s reputation and work. He begins with his concern: he promised the church to Christ. They are struggling with their commitment. They’ve gotten off track because they so easily accepted a different version of the Christian faith. We too can end up here, even without anyone’s help.

Paul then resorts to their game: bragging about human credentials. He is all that they are: Hebrew, Israelite, descendant of Abraham, minister of Christ. And he has worked harder and endured much more: imprisonment, beatings, a stoning, lashings, shipwrecks, sleepless nights, hunger and thirst… AND! The stress over all these churches he’s planted and is now working with.

In chapter 12 Paul writes about a “man” who had a vision and heard words directly from God. This same man is now experiencing “a thorn in my body” that God will not take away. God’s response to Paul’s pleading? “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.” This thorn keeps Paul from being conceited. It keeps him humble. That’s where we experience God’s power and strength too.

Paul then begins to prepare the church in Corinth for a third visit. He warns them: shape up because “I won’t spare anyone.” He invites the church to examine and test themselves. He prays that they will be made “complete.” Paul closes with blessings of love and peace, with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and with fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord God, as we close 2nd Corinthians it feels like such a struggle for the church and for those within the church. So many voices, so many messages, so many temptations. Wait, Lord. Is Paul writing to us? In that reality, O God, strengthen and encourage us today to walk humbly in your grace, for there we find all that we need. Amen.