pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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The Initial Journey

Reading: Psalm 119:1-88

‭Psalm 119:32 – “I run the same path as your commandments because you give my heart insight.”

Today and tomorrow we delve into Psalm 119. It is the longest chapter in the Bible, with 176 verses and just over 2,400 words. Although lost in translation, the Psalm’s original structure was amazing. It is an acrostic poem. Each stanza begins with one of the 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet. What’s amazing is that they go in order. What’s really amazing is that in its original form, all eight lines in each stanza all started with that same letter. One last nerdy note: the psalmist used eight different words for the “Law.” This is the focus of Psalm 119.

Alef and Bet begin the Psalm. Their common theme is faith in youth. There is a longing to know God’s ways better. This only comes with time and experience. Gimel and Dalet introduce some lament or suffering. The psalmist’s young faith is “worn out” by studying the Law. Perhaps this feeling arises because challenges have arisen to test their faith. Some are within and some are without. We too experience these situations as we seek to grow in our faith, trust, assurance…

In He and Waw it feels like the psalmist has turned the corner, has gotten through the initial season of testing. The response comes in pleas to help them keep the Law. There is a knowledge that testing will come. Zayin and Khet return to suffering and trial. The psalmist recognizes God’s comfort and mercy. In Tet and Yod the words turn personal. Their maturing faith acknowledges that the suffering was just and that it led them to repentance. The lessons were good for their faith growth. We too learn much in the valleys.

Today’s portion of Psalm 119 closes with Kaf, the 11th letter. The psalmist’s life has returned to a time of testing. They now yearn for God’s help. They ask “How long?” Growth has occurred, though. Instead of the defeated attitude of a young faith, like we see in Gimel and Dalet, there is now a confidence that God will come through again. The psalmist is resolute about walking in faith. May it be so for us as well.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the encouragement and for the reminder that faith is a journey. We do not begin and find ourselves at perfection. Faith is a long and slow and steady walk into a deeper and deeper relationship with you. Give us strength for the journey. Bless us with grace when we stray. Grant us perseverance. Walk with us. Amen.


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Focused on God

Readings: Psalms 96-101

‭Psalm 99:5 – “Magnify the LORD, our God! Bow low at his footstool! He is holy!”

Today’s six Psalms are songs of praise and are calls to celebrate God as Lord over all. Many common themes run through these Psalms: sing to the Lord, the Lord reigns, God is righteous and just, God’s love lasts forever. A feeling of joy arches over today’s readings.

Psalm 96 invites all people to “Bring gifts! Enter his courtyards.” Here we see an early indication of the widening of God’s kingdom. It is “all families of the nations” that are invited. All. There is also a recognition for the “all” in the Psalm: “He will judge all people fairly.” Just judgment will come to all people.

Psalm 97 reminds us that fire goes before God, “burning up his enemies.” Zion and Judah celebrate these acts of justice. In Psalm 98 the song exalts the victory won by “his own strong hand.” The shouts are triumphant. All of creation celebrates the victory of God’s justice. The themes of justice and righteousness continue in Psalm 99. The call is to “Magnify the LORD, our God! Bow low at his footstool! He is holy!” The footstool represents the ark of the covenant. Moses, Aaron, and Samuel were the givers and keepers of the Law. Therefore God heard and answered their cries, forgiving them when they strayed.

Psalm 100 celebrates that Israel is “the sheep of his own pasture.” Made and chosen by God, they live in God’s faithful love generation after generation. Psalm 101 closes with a call to integrity. To walk with integrity (and within God’s love) one must focus on the will and way of God while also not abiding any evil. May this be our walk as we seek to worship our God of love, justice, and righteousness with our lives.

Prayer: Lord God, what great reminders today of who and what you are: loving, just, holy, faithful, righteous, worthy of our praise. We too are the sheep of your pasture. As such, lead and guide us to daily bring these character traits to bear on the world. In all things – thoughts, words, and deeds – may we glorify you! Amen.


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The Fruit of a Long Walk

‭Psalm 69:13 – “God, in your great and faithful love, answer me with your certain salvation!”

We begin today with Psalm 69, a prayer for the persecuted. The psalmist has been hard-pressed for a long time. His or her enemies are “countless.” The psalmist’s passion for God has created this conflict with these enemies. This same faith leads to this prayer: “God, in your great and faithful love, answer me with your certain salvation!” In our times of need of rescue, this is a great prayer to pray. The psalmist also prays for the enemies downfall. This was not uncommon then, and if we’re honest, isn’t uncommon now. In the Old Testament, though, God was often violent against Israel’s enemies. To pray for that was very much in line with their understanding and experience with God.

Psalm 70 is also a prayer for deliverance – for immediate deliverance! Hurry, hurry, hurry God! Shame and humiliate my oppressors. Hurry God – I’m poor and needy. Help, deliver me. Psalm 71 continues the cry for deliverance. The perspective has shifted. The psalmist is now old. Time has brought a more steady trust in God. Depending on God “from birth” leads to hope and to the psalmist proclaiming God’s righteous acts. Life has brought the psalmist “many troubles and calamities,” yes, but because of their long relationship with God, the author can confidently state that God “will revive me once more.” This too is the fruit of our long walk with God.

Psalm 72 is a fitting close to the Psalms of David. It even ends with “The prayers of David, Jesse’s son, are ended.” This Psalm seeks God’s blessings on the king and on the poor and needy. This Psalm is a beautiful expression of the fact that God’s love, God’s care, God’s protection, God’s provision, God’s everything, reaches from the highest to the very lowest. May our love, care, protection, provision… do the same.

Prayer: Lord God, great is your love and faithfulness! Your love knows no limits and your faithfulness endures forever. You care for all of creation and you call us to do the same. As we receive your love, care, protection, provision… may we generously and abundantly offer these to one another – all one anothers. Doing so, we will build your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Foundational Truths… Practices… Disciplines

Readings: Psalms 13-16

‭Psalm 16:8 – “I always put the LORD in front of me; I will not stumble because he is on my right side.”

Psalm 13 begins with a series of questions that all ask “How long?” This pattern of repetition for emphasis is found in many Psalms and throughout the Bible. To these questions the psalmist adds, “Look at me! Answer me, Lord my God!” When we are in a “how long?” experience or season, these thoughts are on our minds too. The feel shifts in verse 5, where God’s faithful love, salvation, and goodness become the rock on which the psalmist will stand during this present storm. May we too claim these foundational truths.

Psalms 14 and 15 wrestle with what it means to live for God and what it means to live for the world. These Psalms invite us to reflect on which person we are. Are we the fool, the wicked, the sinful… OR… are we the righteous, the blameless, the thankful? In reality we are mostly one or the other. The goal is to be “the person who lives free of blame, does what is right, and speaks the truth sincerely… who does no harm.” This worthy life is mirrored in two of John Wesley’s “3 Simple Rules.” May we too live these foundational practices.

Psalm 16 is a song of faith in God. God is the psalmist’s refuge and protector. God is the psalmist’s portion, cup, and provider of good things. In turn, this is the psalmist’s commitment to God: “I always put the LORD in front of me; I will not stumble because he is on my right side.” Instruction from God’s word coupled with God’s daily presence prevents stumbling as we seek to “walk in the way of life.” May we too strive to live out these foundational faith disciplines.

Prayer: Lord God, you are the way, the truth, and the life. Lead and guide us to choose you and your ways over the selfish and sinful ways of worldly living. Help us to focus on and to live out your faithful love, your goodness, your truth. Be our sure foundation and our eternal hope. Amen.


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Judge, Rescuer, Creator

Readings: Psalms 5-8

‭Psalm 7:8 – “The LORD will judge the peoples. Establish justice for me, LORD, according to my righteousness and according to my integrity.”

Photo credit: Michael Michelovski

Psalms 5-7 are Psalms of lament and sorrow. All three cry out to God, lifting cries for rescue, protection, deliverance – all from those who do evil, whether it is those in the world or if the evil is within us. The psalmist(s) cry out, “Hear my words, Lord!”… “Have mercy on me, Lord” … “Get up, Lord; get angry!” There is an urgency and there is a trust that God will act. This trust is built on God’s “abundant, faithful love” and on a God who is “a righteous judge.” In the end, there is a belief that our good, loving, just God will surely triumph over evil.

These Psalms also express a sure need for God. In Psalm 5: “Make your way clear, right in front of me.” We need guidance. In Psalm 6: “Come back to me, Lord! Deliver me.” We need God’s presence and God’s rescue. In Psalm 7: “Save me from all who chase me!” We need God’s deliverance. Each Psalm acknowledges that there is evil in the world that we cannot overcome on our own. We saw this in Job’s story. In 7:8 the psalmist writes: “The LORD will judge the peoples. Establish justice for me, LORD, according to my righteousness and according to my integrity.” Job could’ve spoken these words. We would like to be able to speak these words.

There is a strong shift as we turn to Psalm 8. It is a Psalm of Praise sprinkled in amongst the laments. It is needed after Psalms 5-7. The Psalm opens and closes by acknowledging the majesty of God. This is noticed in the night sky – the works of God’s fingers. The vastness and majesty of the stars and moon is initially contrasted with the smallness of humanity. The author asks, “What are human beings that you pay attention to them?” Well, they are divinely made in God’s image and they are tasking with caring well for God’s creation. Both of these are awesome responsibilities. In these roles may we strive to reflect God’s spirit, intention, and purpose in creation, shining brightly for all to see.

Prayer: Lord God, today we hear the cries of the psalmist(s) for your presence, for your justice, for your righteousness, for your power and might. When we are in need, remind us of these words and of the trust and faith contained in them. And, Lord, when we have the opportunity to care well for one another and for all other parts of your creation, may your generous love guide us. Amen.


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God Surrounds Us

Readings: Psalms 1-4

‭Psalms 4:1 – “Answer me when I cry out… Set me free from my troubles! Have mercy on me! Listen to my prayer!”

Today we begin the Psalms. These words of lament and praise have guided and given voice to faith and suffering for thousands of years. They invite us to walk this road too. Originally the Psalms were Israel’s song book. As do our hymns and praise songs today, the Psalms tell the history and the theology of the people of faith – both then and now.

Psalms 1 and 2 serve as an introduction to almost all that follows in Psalms 3-150. Psalm 1 focuses on living according to God’s instruction and Psalm 2 focuses on the kingship of God. Psalm 1 begins with a list of don’ts. If one wants to be truly happy (or blessed) then don’t do these things. We all have our own list. Instead, the psalmist invites us to recite God’s word day and night. In the original Hebrew the word we translate ‘recite’ would have meant literally mumbling or uttering God’s word under one’s breath all of the time.

Psalm 2 acknowledges that the world (i.e. – the wicked) takes its stand against God and against God’s anointed. The one called “son,” the one who shall reign over “all nations” – we read that as Jesus. The psalmist advises the world to worship this king “reverently” and with “trembling.” And again the theme: take refuge in God and be truly happy.

Psalms 3 and 4 are attributed to David. Both are about crying out to God. In Psalm 3 David is hard-pressed by Absalom’s rebellion and pursuit. While we might not be kings facing a coup, we deal with oppressors and others who want to do us harm. In many ways and in many situations we too can cry out, “Answer me when I cry out… Set me free from my troubles! Have mercy on me! Listen to my prayer!” And because God is ever faithful, figuratively and literally, we can “lie down and fall asleep in peace.” God surrounds us always. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you do fill our hearts with joy. Your face does shine upon us. We do not need to fear because you save and you rescue. When we rant and rave like the world, draw us to the Lord our refuge. Be intimately acquainted with our ways, O Lord, as we strive to grow intimately acquainted with your ways. Amen.


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Good, Evil, Good, Evil…

Readings: 2nd Chronicles 25, 2nd Chronicles 26, 2nd Chronicles 27, 2nd Chronicles 28

2nd Chronicles 25:15 – “Why do you seek the gods of this people? They couldn’t even deliver their own people from you!”

Amaziah begins today’s readings about the kings of Judah. He did what was right in God’s eyes – mostly. In verse 2 we read, “but not with all his heart.” I think this is typical of most Christians today, myself included. We want to and try to follow God faithfully and obediently but the flesh inside each of us rises to the top now and then. This seems to be a part of being human.

Amaziah leads and administers well. He has successes. Then he decides to worship false gods. A prophet comes to him and asks, “Why do you seek the gods of this people? They couldn’t even deliver their own people from you!” Great questions. He gets angry at the prophet. In arrogance and foolishness he challenges King Joash of Israel. Judah and Amaziah are soundly defeated, humiliated, and looted. Amaziah is killed by his own people. Uzziah succeeds him. As long as the prophet Hezekiah is instructing him, Uzziah is faithful and has success. He becomes powerful and wealthy and famous. Arrogance sets in and he begins to worship false gods. The priest Azariah confronts Uzziah burning incense in the temple. Uzziah gets angry and God gives him a skin disease. Uzziah lives isolated the rest of his life. His son Jotham runs the kingdom.

Jotham becomes king next and does right by God. He rebuilds and wins battles. Ahaz succeeds him as king after 16 years. Ahaz is thoroughly evil. He worships Baal. He burns his sons alive in the altar of a pagan god. He suffers massive defeats. Israel shows great mercy and faithfulness, caring for and returning prisoners taken in battle. Even this faithful act does not change Ahaz’s evil heart. He instead aligns himself with Assyria, inviting disaster upon Judah. His reign ends by closing up the temple and the destruction of the temple equipment – by Ahaz. He is not buried with the other kings.

Prayer: Lord God, lessons learned: faithful -> good things… disobedient -> bad things. These are connections we know and understand. Yet we can struggle to be faithful and obedient. Lord, help us in our daily walks of faith. Strengthen us in our moments of weakness and temptation. Help us through. Amen.


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Good, Bad, Bad…

Readings: 2nd Kings 18, 2nd Kings 19, 2nd Kings 20, 2nd Kings 21

2nd Kings 19:16 – “LORD, turn your ear this way and hear!…  Listen to Sennacherib’s words. He sent them to insult the living God!”

After the evil king Ahaz, Hezekiah is a bright light. He removes all idol worship and follows God’s ways. The Assyrian king Sennacherib invades, conquering outlying towns in Judah. Hezekiah buys some time by paying a huge tribute. Soon, though, representatives of Sennacherib are back, threatening Judah, insulting God. Hezekiah goes to the Lord, seeking rescue. He prays, “LORD, turn your ear this way and hear!…  Listen to Sennacherib’s words. He sent them to insult the living God!” God’s response comes through Isaiah – don’t fear. God’s got this. During the night 185,000 Assyrian soldiers are struck down by God’s messenger. Sennacherib goes back to Assyria.

Hezekiah then falls deathly ill. Isaiah confirms that he will die. Hezekiah prays and cries out to the Lord. God has mercy. The king will live. As a sign from God, a shadow moves backwards. The Babylonian king sent a get-well message. Hezekiah shows the Babylonian officials everything. Isaiah tells Hezekiah that the day is nearly there when Babylon comes to conquer Judah. Hezekiah is relieved that it won’t be during his lifetime.

Manasseh is the next king of Judah. His reign is 55 years of extreme evil. He restores all idol worship, rebuilding what his father tore down. He sacrifices his son and he builds idol altars in the temple. He sheds much innocent blood. God promises to bring disaster on Judah. Judah will be wiped clean as a plate is wiped clean.

His son Amnon rules for two years. He took is evil. Amnon is assassinated by his own officials, who are assassinated by the people. As bad as things are, there is a good king just around the corner.

Prayer: Lord God, the roller coaster ride continues. When your people walk faithfully your presence leads and guides and protects. When they turn their back on you, violence and evil grows. Lord, help us to recognize the outcomes apply to us as well. Fill us with your Holy Spirit’s power, encouraging us to walk in your ways. Amen.


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A Powerful Spirit

Readings: 1st Kings 1, 1st Kings 2, 1st Kings 3, 1st Kings 4, 1st Kings 5, 1st Kings 6, 1st Kings 7, 1st Kings 8:1-15 (PS – from 2nd Kings – can’t edit without redoing links.)

1st Kings 5:15 – “Now I know for certain that there’s no God anywhere on earth except in Israel.”

Photo credit: Daniel Hooper

King Ahaziah falls and sends a servant to a foreign god to seek news. Elijah intercepts him and sends him back, asking Ahaziah, “It is because there’s no God in Israel?” This will be a persistent question. Three times Ahaziah sends men to Elijah. The first two groups die as Elijah demonstrates God’s power. Showing mercy to the third group, Elijah goes and repeats the earlier question. Ahaziah dies and Joram becomes king. He soon faces a rebellion from Moab. While this trouble is brewing Elijah is taken home to heaven. He tries to shake Elisha. Prophets along the way remind Elisha that Elijah is about to be taken. Elisha persists as they travel to Bethel and Jericho. At the Jordan, Elijah parts the water with his coat. On the other side Elijah asks Elisha what he wants. It is “a double portion of your spirit.” He does see Elijah taken up in a whirlwind, this receiving the blessing. Elisha picks up the coat and performs the first of many miracles.

As war brews, Joram recruits allies. They head out to battle Aram but soon run out of water. Elisha is summoned at King Jehoshaphat’s request. As prophesied, pools of water appear and a foolish Moab is defeated. Next, Elisha saves a widow through the miracle of the oil. Then he receives great hospitality and in return a son is born to the woman. But he dies. She is upset with Elisha. He comes and, through God’s power, the boy lives again. Two good miracles follow, bringing Elisha’s total to 8. Elijah offered seven miracles.

Next, Naaman comes to Samaria. The great general seems healing. He ends up at Elisha’s front door. Angered that Elisha doesn’t even come out, Naaman is ready to head home – still sick. A servant calms him. Completely healed, he says to Elisha, “Now I know for certain that there’s no God anywhere on earth except in Israel.” As an act of faith, he brings home dirt so that he can worship God on soil from Israel. What great faith!

Aram again attacks Israel but Elisha’s gift keeps Israel one step ahead. Learning of why, the king of Aram sends the army to capture Elisha. God is on Elisha’s side. The Arameans are struck blind and led into the middle of Samaria. Instead of killing them, Elisha instructs the king to feed them and send them back. This act of mercy ends this skirmish. But soon Ben-hadad invades and lays siege to the capital. A great famine follows. The story of his people eating their children causes the king to get angry at Elisha. He is blaming God for what is happening. Elisha is the easier target of his anger.

God rescues them again. Four lepers discover that the Aramean camp has been abandoned in haste. In the night, God made them think that a huge army was coming against them. They fled in great fear. The king doubts the news, but investigates and finds it true. God has rescued them once again.

After saving the Shunem woman from another famine, Elisha goes to Aram. Ben-hadad is I’ll and hears that Elisha is there. He sends Hazael to inquire of his fate. He will recover but he will not live. An emotional Elisha tells Hazael that as king he will do great violence to Israel. He questions this at first yet goes and assassinates Ben-hadad. Hazael becomes the next king of Aram.

Prayer: Lord God, we see your powerful spirit at work, even as it shifts from Elijah to Elisha. The new prophet continues to walk in your ways, leading and guiding Israel. You remain present through Elisha. We ask today that this same spirit – a spirit that is with all who believe – that this spirit would empower us to live in ways that witness to your power and presence in our world and in our lives. Use us to make you known. Amen.


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A Leader, A Remnant

Readings: 1st Kings 17, 1st Kings 18, 1st Kings 19

1st Kings 19:18 – “I have preserved those who remain in Israel, totaling seven thousand — all those whose knees haven’t bowed down to Baal.”

Photo credit: Paul Pastourmatzis

In today’s readings God returns to the scene in mighty ways. Suddenly Elijah is on the scene. His first act is to tell King Ahab that drought is on the way. Then he runs and hides. Elijah is filled with God’s Spirit and is very compassionate for the Lord. And he lacks confidence at times. His faith wavers between great and almost non-existent.

After providing for his needs in the wilderness, God then sends him to the widow at Zarephath. She is out gathering wood to prepare one last meal for her and her son. Elijah asks her for bread, asking her to trust God. She gives him bread and God provides for her faith. But her son grows ill and dies. She questions Elijah. He questions God. But then Elijah prays and asks God for help. God restores the boy back to life. The widow has faith in this man of God and in his God.

Elijah is then sent to Ahab – the one who has been searching for him. Obadiah reluctantly arranges a meeting. Ahab meets the “trouble maker” but Elijah counters, identifying Ahab and Israel as the ones who have deserted God. A contest is set up. The prophets of Baal prepare their bull and they pray and dance. Elijah teases them. They cut themselves and shout to Baal. Nothing. Elijah repairs the altar using twelve stones, prepares the sacrifice, and has water dumped upon it three times. Elijah prays to God. Fire falls and consumes everything. The people exclaim, “God is real!” The prophets of Baal die. He tells Ahab rain is coming. Six times Elijah’s servant looks for a cloud. On the seventh time, a small cloud has formed.

Jezreel is not happy about what happened at Mount Carmel. She threatens Elijah. He flees. Even though he’s ready to die, God provides as he makes his way to Mount Horeb. God asks, “Why are you here?” – Why are you afraid? God then teaches him an important lesson. God comes – not in the wind, not in the earthquake, not in the fire – but in the still and quiet. God has a plan. He tells the one who feels all alone, “I have preserved those who remain in Israel, totaling seven thousand — all those whose knees haven’t bowed down to Baal.” Elijah anoints Jehu as priest and Hazael as king. He goes to Elisha and throws his coat on him. Elisha accepts the invitation to follow. God is at work.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for reminding Elijah and Israel and us of your presence, power, and might. Yet even with such reminders we can be like Elijah – our compassion for you quickly turning to fear and doubt. Help us to remember better. Lead and guide us to a sure and steady faith in you. Amen.