pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: death


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What Great Love

Reading: Song of Songs 5-8

‭Song of Songs 6:3 – “I belong to my lover and my lover belongs to me.”

Today’s reading begins with a dream or fantasy about a missed opportunity to be with her lover. She was sleeping but did finally go to the door, but he was gone. She searches but doesn’t find him. She longs for the one who is “radiant and ruddy… whose mouth is everything sweet.” Her friends ask where he has gone. He has gone to the garden. She worries not and declares, “I belong to my lover and my lover belongs to me.”

To him, she is an overwhelming site – as beautiful and lovely as Jerusalem. Even though there are 60 queens and 80 secondary wives, she is “my perfect one… one of a kind.” In chapter 7 he admires her. She is graceful and has “smooth curves.” She is “so beautiful, so lovely.” He has a strong desire for her. She makes another statement of belonging. This passionate and deeply intimate love is symbolic of the love possible between God and us. O how to see God this way. God sees us in this way.

Love is consummated as chapter 7 concludes. He holds her, embraces her. We find such a place in God’s embrace once we declare our commitment to God. God also longs to set “a seal over our hearts.” God longs for us to have a love for God that is “as strong as death.” God’s son modeled this kind of love for his father and for us. May we do so as well.

Prayer: Lord God, what great depth of love you have for us! What great passion and commitment is found in your heart. Help us to fully receive this love and then guide us to reflect it back out in our relationships and into the world. Amen.


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Effort Matters

Reading: Ecclesiastes 9-12

‭Ecclesiastes 10:10 – “If an ax is dull and one doesn’t sharpen it first, then one must exert more force.”

Photo credit: Falaq Lazuardi

As we conclude Ecclesiastes today we begin with the remainder that the deeds of the righteous and wise are in God’s hands. Even so, death awaits us all. Chapter 12 alludes to our general decline as we age. The sun and light grow dark, people become afraid, and then “the human goes to the eternal abode.” The Teacher recognizes that there is a finality to this life.

But during our lives, the advice is to eat joyfully, to drink happily, to have oil for our heads, and to enjoy our “dearly loved spouse.” Even though all of our days are pointless, it is our part to play. So whenever we can, we should do these things with “all your might.”

The Teacher also recognizes that much is out of our control. The swift don’t always win the race. “Accidents can happen to anyone,” says the sage. When tragedy suddenly befalls us, we are like “fish caught in a net.”

Even so, we are encouraged to take pleasure in all of our years. Yes, there will be dark days. Yes, one day we’ll be called into account by God. And, yes, our deeds matter. The lazy – the cloud and wind watchers – won’t sow or harvest. Effort matters. In 10:10 we read, “If an ax is dull and one doesn’t sharpen it first, then one must exert more force.” Seek wisdom and knowledge and skill. Life will be better. Maybe, says the Teacher.

Ecclesiastes closes with a reminder to worship God and to obey the commands. It is what everyone must do, because, remember, judgment is coming. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, in the grand scope of life, lead us day by day to enjoy life and all it has to offer. Put joy into the work of our hands and obedience into our hearts of faith. Amen.


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God Gets It

Reading: Proverbs 7-8

‭Ecclesiastes 7:14 – “When times are good, enjoy the good; when times are bad, consider: God has made the former as well as the latter.”

Chapter 7 begins with a reality. “The day of death is better than the birthday.” At the end of life one can reflect on the person’s good name. Death is all people’s fate so we should all “take it to heart.” Along these lines the sage notes that the end (or completion) of something is better than its beginning. Then we are reminded, “When times are good, enjoy the good; when times are bad, consider: God has made the former as well as the latter.” But, alas, sometimes it is still pointless too. Sometimes the righteous die young and the wicked enjoy long life. And then come some true words of wisdom: remember, there is no one so righteous that they never make a mistake (sin.) How true, how true.

Chapter 8 begins with the questions, “Who is wise? And who knows the meaning of anything?” Hope follows: keep the commands and meet no harm. The wise know there is a right time and place for everything. Yet human misfortunes are overwhelming because we don’t know when they will happen.

In verses 11-14 it feels like we’re spinning. Wrongdoers sin and sin but still live long lives. It’ll go well for those who fear God. It will not go well for the wicked. The righteous get what the wicked deserve and vice versa. The Teacher is right, “this too is pointless.”

Our reading closes with the commendation to enjoy life: eat, drink, be glad. These things accompany hard work. But, alas, no one can grasp what happens under the sun. Even the wise cannot grasp it. God gets it. God gets us. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, when it feels like it does for the Teacher, remind us of your presence, of your guidance, of your truth that we can find in and through the Holy Spirit. When life makes no sense, when it does seem unfathomable, hold us tight, maybe even carry us. Thank you for your constant and abiding loving presence always. Amen.


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Righteousness, Honesty

Reading: Proverbs 24

‭Proverbs 24:3 – “By wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established.”

Today the sages speak of not engaging the wicked, of not envying those who do evil. Their hearts are “focused on violence” and their lips “speak trouble.” The sages tell us not to get mad or to seek revenge against such as these. The wisdom writers note that the lazy person’s field is full of thorns and weeds. This just leads to poverty. By contrast, the wise will get their “outside work” done so that they can build a home. Here one finds hope and a future.

To build a good future, to add to our hope, we are encouraged to eat wisdom like people eat honey. Honey was a somewhat rare delicacy. Treat wisdom this way, says the sage. To eat wisdom is to secure a future with hope. Along these lines we’re reminded to fear the Lord (and the king.) Therefore, don’t associate with the rebellious. And rescue those headed for death.

We again hear the call today to honesty and to righteousness. Yes, the righteous will fall. But they’ll get up again and again. “Seven” is symbolic for ‘many times.’ The wicked, however, will fall into trouble. We’re warned against rejoicing over this. To do so would displease God. We’re also reminded today that our words should always be honest, showing no partiality, offering no false witness. Speaking in these ways could be hard. Yet just as the Holy Spirit at times speaks hard but true words into our hearts so too must we do this for others. Done in love, it is a gift.

Prayer: Lord God, lead us today to walk the path of righteousness and to speak the words of truth. Guard us from being wicked or evil or lazy. Lead us to joyfully engage the work that you have for us. Amen.


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A Strong Tower

Readings: Proverbs 17 and 18

‭Proverbs 18:10 – “The LORD’s name is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and find refuge.”

There are three themes that stand out to me today as we read and ponder Proverbs 17 and 18. To read these words in a few months or in a couple of years, other themes might stand out. That is one reason we read and read and read our Bibles. That being said, the first theme that emerged today was that wisdom or understanding brings peace to our lives. It is better to eat crusty, dry bread in peace than to feast in a quarreling house. It is love that covers offenses. But fools keep repeating words and actions that bring or lead to division. Therefore, it is “safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in their folly.” Let that sink in.

The second theme concerns God’s testing and refining and correction. Like a crucible refines and purifies silver, so God tests our hearts. For the wise and understanding, a rebuke goes deeper and impacts us more than “100 lashes to a fool.” For those who seek understanding and wisdom, these draw us together. As the community of faith we too love one another all the time, especially in times of trouble and trial.

The last theme has to do with the power of our words. First, the wise restrain their talking. The wise are cool headed. The understanding recognize that words are “deep waters” and hold the power of life and death. The wise guard their words, loving life, eating well of its fruit. Fools babble on and on, caring just for their own opinions, allowing careless and thoughtless words to bring harm and hurt.

Proverbs 18:10 stands out today as a summary verse, as words to cling to: “The LORD’s name is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and find refuge.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, you are indeed our strong tower, our rock of refuge, our place of peace. Walk closely with us, guiding our words and actions so that we too might bring peace and refuge and strength to a world in need of these things in their lives. Use us in the building of your kingdom. Amen.


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Right Living

Readings: Proverbs 12 and 13

‭Proverbs 13:13 – “Trouble will come on those who despise a word, but those who respect the commandment will be rewarded.”

One theme that we see in today’s readings is the value of being willing to listen to God. Fools tend to think that their way is the right way but the wise are willing and open to advice. A wise son (or daughter) listens while mockers do not. Parents who love their children discipline them. Those who withhold discipline “hate their children.” When we choose to listen to and to follow God’s will and ways, we grow in both wisdom and in our faith.

We also grow in God’s favor. This is a second theme that we see today. God favors the good but condemns the wicked. The way of the righteous leads to life. The detestable path of the wicked leads to death. As the righteous walk this good path, they rejoice in the light. The lamp of the wicked will go out, leaving them in darkness. May our light shine for all to see.

This theme of right living is also revealed in how we impact or affect others. The plans of the righteous are just and their words are full of truth. This gives good guidance to their neighbors. The wicked deceive, leaving neighbors to wander. There’s a personal application too. Righteousness guards our words and our lives. Wickedness only misleads. Actions matter too. The prudent act intelligently but fools display stupidity. Walk with the wise and become wiser. Befriend fools and invite trouble.

We also find some practical advice in today’s readings. If one works the land, they will have plenty to eat. Empty pursuits yield nothing good. The lazy have strong desires but get nothing. The diligent are satisfied. Not wealthy, but satisfied, content, blessed. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, in all we do and say and think, may we honor you and bring you the glory. In all that we seek, work, and strive for, may we consider first your will and your way. In our interactions and encounters, may our lives be a witness to your design and purposes for our lives and for our world. Amen.


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Decisions, Words, Conduct

Readings: Proverbs 10 and 11

‭Proverbs 11:18 – “The wicked earn false wages, but those who sow righteousness receive a true reward.”

Today we begin the middle section of Proverbs. For 13 days we will work our way through chapter 30. These 21 chapters are filled with two-part lines that almost always contrast the good or wise choice with the evil or foolish choice. Although not grouped together in the text, one can find themes within our readings.

One theme today centers on finances. What we do with our money reveals much about our faith. Laziness leads to poverty while hard work leads to riches. We are to give generously though. Stinginess will lead to growing needy. While there is solid earthly advice here, there are also heavenly implications. Riches won’t help on the day of wrath. But righteousness will rescue us. Our decisions matter.

Another theme focuses on how our behavior or choices affect our relationships and our community. When we are hateful, we stir up conflict. When we choose love, offenses are lessened. Virtuous living blessed the community but words of evil destroy it. Along these lines, slander betrays trust whereas keeping confidences builds up the community. Our words matter.

A third theme today touches on the eternal. The wages of the righteous are life and the earnings of the wicked are death. Wisdom leads to humility but pride leads to shame. Walking God’s path is a refuge for the innocent but ruin for those who do evil. If one brings trouble to their family they’ll inherit the wind. But the fruit of righteousness is the “tree of life.” That’s found in heaven. Our conduct matters.

Prayer: Lord God, as we navigate this life, we do so in relationship and in community. Our decisions, our words, our conduct – they all affect our relationship with you and our relationships with each other. By the power of your Holy Spirit, lead and guide us to live faithful, righteous lives, building up the community and the kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Wisdom’s Path

Readings: Proverbs 8 and 9

‭Proverbs 8:4 – “I cry out to you, people; my voice goes out to all of humanity.”

As we turn to chapter 8 we learn of wisdom’s authority and foundation. Wisdom cries out to “all of humanity.” All people are meant to live according to her ways. All people are to learn to fear the Lord. Kings and rulers govern by wisdom. Her “fruit is better than gold.” She walks the path of righteousness and justice, providing for those who love her. The prideful and the arrogant? There is no place for them on the path of wisdom.

Beginning in verse 22 we learn of the origin of wisdom: “The Lord created me at the beginning.” Before anything else was – before the watery depths were formed, before the mountains, earth, or fields were formed – God brought forth wisdom. She was God’s architect. She was part of the creative process. Therefore she smiles upon and delights in the human race. She invites us to listen, to find in her life and favor from God.

Chapter 9 compares Wisdom and Woman Folly. Wisdom sets the table, prepares the meal, and invites the naive to come and eat. At her table the naive learn to abandon their simple ways. They learn to live and walk in the way of understanding. Walking this way, one gains knowledge of “the holy one.” Woman Folly offers the same invitation. But dining at her table leads to “the depths of the grave.” This sharply contrasts with choosing wisdom. Wisdom’s path leads to the heights of joy and hope, of peace and contentment. May we choose this path.

Prayer: Lord God, how we love your ways! You are the source of all that we need, of all that is good and just and right. Teach us to delight in you just as you delight in us. Shine your light on our path, strengthen our walk. Amen.


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On the Tablets

Readings: Proverbs 6 and 7

‭Proverbs 6:20-21 – “My son, keep your father’s command; don’t abandon your mother’s instruction. Bind them on your heart for all time.”

Chapters 6 and 7 share some common themes: keeping close the wisdom given to us and avoiding the adulterous “other.” This “mysterious woman” and no “handsome man” speak of the culture and time in which these words were written. Both chapters also urge us to write wisdom on our hearts – the core of who we are.

Chapter 6 begins with the dangers of allowing our word (or our integrity) to stand for another who may lack these things. The author contrasts the hard-working ant with the lazy person. Only one leads to poverty or disaster. Chapter 6 also includes a list of behaviors “detestable” to God. This list includes lying, arrogance, causing conflict, and senseless violence. One could add adultery too. The author writes, “Can a man scoop fire into his lap and his clothes not get burned?” What a wise question!

Chapter 7 begins with the encouragement to hold tight to wisdom, to bind it on our hearts. Most of the chapter deals with the “mysterious woman.” The writer notes that the “naive young man” falls to her words of seduction, which leads only to shame and death. This chapter notes that this woman lies in wait at every corner. And at every age and stage in our lives. The lies that she tells just change, working on our particular weaknesses at moment in our lives.

Writing God’s will and ways on the tablets of our hearts, keeping them ever before us, is essential to our walk of faith. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, your words written on our hearts remind us of the path we are to walk. Empower us with the Holy Spirit’s guidance so that we do not walk the path that leads to death. Hold tightly to our hand as we seek to walk in faith and trust. Amen.


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The Good Path

Readings: Proverbs 4 and 5

‭Proverbs 4:23 – “More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.”

Today’s two chapters focus first on loving wisdom and then on avoiding the “mysterious woman.” The author encourages his sons to “let your hearts hold my words.” If one holds onto wisdom then she will guard one’s life. She will protect those who love her. Following these words of wisdom will lead to a long, good life. Therefore we are to love and guard and protect wisdom. The wicked, though, they “eat the bread of evil” and they “drink the wine of violence.” These destructive appetites must be fed. They lead to “deep darkness.” But the way of the righteous is light that gets “brighter and brighter.”

In 4:23 we read, “More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.” In ancient thought the mind was the center of emotions, thought, reason. We are to guard these. This keeps us focused “straight ahead.” It keeps us walking on paths that are secure. The way of the wicked would be crooked and filled with obstacles that would make one stumble.

Chapter 5 focuses on the “mysterious woman.” Although her words “drip honey” and can be enticing and alluring, in fact they are “bitter as gall.” To get involved with this woman is to lose one’s strength, wealth, and reputation. This path leads to “bitter ruin.” The good path involves “drinking from your own cistern.” This is keeping true and faithful to your spouse. We are called to rejoice in this relationship. If we do not we are warned that we will be “caught… in the ropes of our own sin.” In Romans 6 Paul speaks of these “wages of sin.” They lead to death. May we choose instead the good path of life.

Prayer: Lord God, the way of temptation and evil is wide. It leads to sin and death. Guard our hearts and minds, O Lord. Lead us, your sons and daughters, to choose you and your ways. These lead to life. Guide us to your path, O God. Amen.