pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: faithful


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Steadfast, Persistent, Faithful God

Reading: Psalm 139:1-6

Psalm 139:3 – “You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways.”

Psalm 139 is a celebration of God’s presence in our lives and in our world. In today’s reading and in Friday’s reading we focus in on God’s intimately personal connection to and knowledge of us. It is both awesome and terrifying that our ever-present, all-knowing God knows us even better than we know ourselves.

In verse 1 the psalmist states, “Lord, you have examined me. You know me.” David adds, “You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways” in verse 5. It is awesome and wonderful that the God of all creation knows every one of us in this detail. It’s like that best friend that can finish your sentences – except God can do that before we even speak the first word. Because God knows us this well, this deeply, then God has an insight or two about us, about our faith, about our lives, about our plans and schemes.

On my best days, I welcome all of this. As the Holy Spirit speaks into my life, offering both encouragement and direction and critique and correction, the whispers draw me closer to walking as Jesus calls me to walk. But on those other days, I do not have ears to hear or a heart to receive. I bristle at or deny or ignore or reject the words and nudges of the Spirit. But here’s the best thing about God: on those harder days, God doesn’t give up. Because God knows me thoroughly and loves me unconditionally, God is steadfast and persistent. God knows me and has a great plan for me. The same is true for you!

In verse 6 the psalmist writes, “This kind of knowledge is too much for me. It’s so high above me that I can’t reach it.” Yes, all true. Much of God is mystery, far beyond us. But also true: God in Spirit comes to us, seeks us, walks with us, shows us the way. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, open our ears and hearts to your voice, to your guidance and direction. Remind us of how much you love us. From there, may we receive all that you offer. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.


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Because You Obeyed

Reading: Genesis 22:15-18

Genesis 22:18 – “All the nations of the earth will be blessed because of your descendants, because you obeyed me.”

Photo credit: Aaron Burden

As we pick up the story from yesterday, a lot has happened in the text. Abraham and Isaac arrived at the place. Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood. He then tied up Isaac and laid him on the wood. Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son – his only son, the son he loved – raising the knife. It was then that the Lord’s messenger called out, acknowledging Abraham’s reverence for God. Looking up, he saw a ram stuck in the dense underbrush. God indeed provided the offering for the sacrifice.

Turning to today’s reading, the messenger speaks again. Because Abraham did not hold back his son, his only son, God will bless Abraham “richly” and will give him “countless descendants.” In addition, these descendants will “conquer their enemies’ cities.” With these words the messenger is reiterating the promises that God has already made to Abraham. Because Abraham was faithful, the promises remain in effect.

The same is true for us concerning God’s promises to us. The promises of presence and guidance, of comfort and strength, of hope and salvation – they remain our promises as long as we walk faithfully with God. But these promises are not ours alone. The saints before us laid claim to them and lived faithfully as they walked their journeys of faith. God speaks about the next step in Abraham’s story. In verse 18, God’s messenger says, “All the nations of the earth will be blessed because of your descendants, because you obeyed me.” There is a through line here. Because Abraham was obedient and faithful, his descendants will be obedient and faithful. Because they were obedient and faithful, all the people of the earth will be blessed. We are part of this through line. One day, may the Lord say to each of us, “Because you obeyed…”

Prayer: Lord God, we are thankful and we celebrate Abraham and the many other saints – some in the scriptures, some in our lives – who have given us examples of obedient and faithful living. Lord, use us in turn to pass along the faith to others, blessing the world. Amen.


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Our Faithful God

Reading: Psalm 66:10-12 and 16-20

Psalm 66:10 – “But you, God, have tested us – you’ve refined us like silver.”

Psalm 66 is a celebration of God’s mighty acts and of God’s faithfulness. It reminds us that God’s love, grace, and mercy remain constant – no matter how faithful or unfaithful we are. As followers of Jesus Christ, we strive to live a faithful and righteous life. And as creatures living in this fallen world, at times we sin. Our sin and the sins of others affects our faith. We read of this in verse 10: “But you, God, have tested us – you’ve refined us like silver.” When we choose to return to God, we find that our faith is a little stronger, a little more aligned with God’s will and way. As this process occurs again and again in our lives and on our journey of faith, we feel as if we too have “been through fire and water.”

Verses 16-20 are an invitation to faithfulness based on the psalmist’s experiences with God. If we’ve walked very long in faith we likely have similar experiences to share. The author invites us to “come close and listen.” He or she wants us to know what God has done in their life. First they praised God with a pure heart. Then they lived their prayer to God. With a pure heart he or she could sense that “God definitely listened.” God heard their prayer. God did not reject it. Our faithful God never withholds God’s faithful love. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your unwavering and steady love, mercy, and grace. When we fall short, you still love us. When we turn back to you, your mercy welcomes us back. When we repent of our sins, your grace washes us clean. Again and again and again. And when we need you, crying our from a pure heart, your ear is ever tuned to our cries. Thank you for your faithfulness, O God. Help us to model all of this to the world. Amen.


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The Path We Choose

Reading: Ezekiel 18:30-32

Ezekiel 18:30 – “Turn, turn away from all your sins. Don’t let them be sinful obstacles for you.”

In today’s passage Ezekiel addresses individual responsibility. Yes, the bad shepherds led Israel and then Judah into sin and then exile. Yes, they set a poor example for those living under their care. Yes, these actions made it easier for the common people to go astray and to wander away from God. But at the most basic, individual level, each person has to choose to remain faithful to God or to live selfishly and sinfully. The same is true today. You, me, all of us – we are in control of ourselves. We alone choose the path that we walk.

Verse 18 opens our reading with this reminder: “I will judge each of you according to your ways.” In this life and in the moment that we stand before our Creator, God will judge us on what we alone did or did not do, say, and think. Therefore, God says, “Turn, turn away from all your sins. Don’t let them be sinful obstacles for you.” Make a better choice, a holier decision. This is a call to repent, to change our ways. Our sins are very much obstacles to a healthy and whole relationship with God and with one another. God calls us to “abandon” our sins.

God encourages the faithful to “make yourselves a new heart and new spirit.” While it is with God’s power alone that this is possible, we must take the first step by turning away from our sin. This choice is essential to the transformation that God can and desires to work in us. The passage closes with the clear cut options. One is stated and one is implied. God declares, “Change you ways, and live!” The opposite is also true, also an option. May we choose faith so that we can truly live.

Prayer: Lord God, while the way that leads to life is narrow, this path is filled with joy and peace, with hope and grace, with love. The path of the world, the path of destruction, it is wide and filled with greed, with pride, with envy and want. Guide us to walk your narrow way, for there you walk with us. Lead us to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, finding strength and encouragement for our journey. Amen.


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A Good Shepherd

Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-12 and 20-31

Ezekiel 34:27 – “They will be safe on their fertile land, and they will know that I am the Lord when I break the bars of their yoke.”

Photo credit: Ronnie Khan

Chapter 34 begins with the denouncement of Israel’s current leaders. What was the case before exile has continued in exile. God through Ezekiel pronounces doom on these poor leaders for living in luxury while ignoring the weak, the sick, the injured, the strays, the lost. There are many injustices so the flock scattered and then became prey. God promises to hold these bad shepherds accountable.

Beginning in verse 11, God offers the remedy. Here God proclaims: “I myself will search for my flock and seek them out… I will rescue them…” God will gather the scattered and care for the weak, the sick, the injured… As we continue in our reading we see that God will judge between the “fat and lean” sheep – between those living in luxury and those who struggle to survive.

God promises restoration, a new era. A David-like ruler will be appointed and a new covenant of peace will be established. Rains of blessing will pour down. Oppression and injustice will be no more. In verse 27 we read, “They will be safe on their fertile land, and they will know that I am the Lord when I break the bars of their yoke.” Without the yoke of oppression and injustice, there will be peace. There will be no famine; there will be no disgrace.

While the bad shepherds ignored these words of judgment, these words would offer great hope to the weak, the sick, the injured… to those living on the margins and edges. These words feel very relevant today. As injustices scatter people, as oppression sits heavy on others, as callous acts increase hunger, the people of God long for a good shepherd – not just for ourselves but also for the least of these among us. God’s children long for the rains of blessing and for a time of peace and grace. O God, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, you’ve always, always, always had a heart for the weak, the sick, the injured… You’ve always, always, always called for the faithful to join you in your care for the least of these. Lord, bridge the huge gulf between our reality and your preferred future. Use us to be a part of that bridge, each in our own ways caring for the weak, the sick, the injured… for the scattered and the oppressed. Amen.


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The Way of the Lord

Reading: Isaiah 35:5-10

Isaiah 35:10 – “The Lord’s ransomed ones will return and enter Zion with singing, with everlasting joy upon their heads.”

Isaiah 35 speaks of God’s restoration of Israel. Likely proclaimed while in exile, the words of the prophet would give hope to those living as foreigners in a pagan land. Our passage begins with promises of healing for those with physical suffering: the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will walk, the mute will sing. God will restore all to wholeness and well-being.

God will also restore the land. What has become dry and harsh will become green pastures with flowing waters. Israel’s collective last memory of their homeland was the destruction left behind by the Babylonians in the north and the Assyrians in the south. They had ravaged the land. God will restore it. The exiles will return to a new version of the Promised Land.

In verses 8-9 Isaiah begins to lay out a vision of Israel’s actual return. God will make their path like a highway – smooth and easy to travel upon. Only the faithful will walk “The Holy Way.” No predators and no evil persons. Only the redeemed will walk on it. There will be joy and happiness. There will not be grief or groaning. In verse 10 we read, “The Lord’s ransomed ones will return and enter Zion with singing, with everlasting joy upon their heads.” How the Lord will forgive, restore, and return Israel to wholeness and faithfulness!

While these words were originally written to a nation living in exile, the promises are true today because the character of God does not change. If you or someone you know is in exile – suffering, alone, struggling with health or a difficult situation – God wants to bring wholeness and joy to your life, to their life, to all of our lives. Our God wants to ransom us all from our places of exile and thirst. The invitation to walk the way of the Lord is always there. We just have to step upon the “highway.”

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the vision and reminder of who and what you are and if who and what you want us to be. Help us to walk in your ways, to step into the plans you have for us, into who you call us to be. Walking with you, ransomed by your love, we will be restored and made whole. Draw each of us to walk in your ways. Amen.


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Pursuing God

Reading: 1st Timothy 6:5-12

1st Timothy 6:12 – “Compete in the good fight of faith. Grab hold of eternal life.”

As Paul closes his first letter to Timothy he lays out the difference between being faithful and wanting to look faithful. We see this today in our world as people claim to follow Jesus and then say and do things that Jesus would’ve never ever said or done. There is “constant bickering” in these circles and there is a constant desire for “more money” and for more power, more control, more… Paul’s words in verse 5 still ring true today.

Paul reminds Timothy that there is great profit in our faith. It is just not profit as the world defines this idea. Paul invites Timothy (and us) to be happy or content with what God has provided, whether food or clothing or whatever. This frame of mind helps to guard our hearts against loving and pursuing the things of this world. This contrasts sharply with those trying to “get rich” or to accumulate others things of this world. There folks easily “fall into temptation” as they become trapped in the endless cycle of “more!” Some of these have even “impaled themselves with a lot of pain” in their pursuit of earthly things.

Timothy is encouraged to “run away from these things.” Paul encourages him to pursue the things of God: “righteousness, holy living, faithfulness, love, endurance, gentleness.” These are the things we too are to pursue. Paul then implores Timothy (and us) to “Compete in the good fight of faith. Grab hold of eternal life.” To deny self, to not pursue the things of this world, it is a fight, a battle. In my study Bible the commentary notes, “In the end we will become not what we own but what we do.” Pursuing God, may we be transformed more and more into God’s image and character, day by day.

Prayer: Lord God, by the power of your Holy Spirit, fix our eyes and hearts on you. By this same power, guard our eyes and hearts against those things that our culture values. Lead us to find peace and contentment, joy and pleasure in all that you provide. Amen.


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A Big Love

Reading: John 13-31-35

John 13:34b – “Just as I have loved you, so you also must love one another.”

Jesus is nearing the cross at this point in John’s gospel. Judas has just left to betray Jesus. Soon, through his death and resurrection Jesus will be glorified. He has spent his life, especially the last three years, glorifying God through how he lived. This process of mutual glorification is a part of the life of a Christian. Our faithful living brings glory to God. This is the building of the kingdom here on earth. In the end, our faithful living will result in our place in God’s glorious heaven.

For Jesus, the return to God’s side is rapidly approaching. He plainly tells the disciples, “I’m with you for a little while longer.” They will want to remain with Jesus, but for now this is not to be. Jesus, however, will remain a part of their lives. In spirit, Jesus will continue to be present to his disciples.

Beginning in verse 34, Jesus tells them how to continue this relationship. Giving what he calls a “new command,” Jesus tells the disciples to love one another. This command to love neighbor has been around for thousands of years. What’s ‘new’ is in the details: “Just as I have loved you, so you also must love one another.” Like Jesus’ “You have heard… but now I say…” statements, this new command takes Leviticus 19:18b to a whole new level. As disciples the call isn’t just to live as the good Samaritan loved. No, the call is to love as Jesus loves: unconditionally, without limit, completely. This is a big love. When we love this way, all will know that we are a disciple of Jesus. May this be the love that we practice always.

Prayer: Lord God, this is not an easy-to-accomplish call. To love others as you love us? That is a deep and rich and layered love. It is a love often with a cost. Lord, work in our hearts, open them wide so that we can practice and live a love that reflects your love. Guide us to be your love lived out in the world. Amen.


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A Harmonious, Symbiotic Relationship

Reading: Genesis 2:4b-9

Genesis 2:7 – “The Lord formed the human from the topsoil of the fertile land and blew life into his nostrils.”

In Genesis 2 this creation narrative places humanity at the center of a beautiful garden. Before God created plants or crops, before God sent rain upon the earth, “The Lord formed the human from the topsoil of the fertile land and blew life into his nostrils.” God creates someone to care for, to tend to, to dwell with God in God’s next creation: “a garden in Eden.” Perhaps this is the order because God wanted the human to see the garden’s creation. Understanding that the garden and all in it were created by God would shape how the human saw and interacted with the garden.

The word “Eden” translates “delight.” That is what the garden was. Where else would God dwell with humanity? The trees are beautiful and they bear edible fruit. This food will nourish and sustain humanity. They care for the garden and the garden cares for them. There is a symbiotic relationship here. This idea can be extended to God and humanity. We are at our best when we live in a harmonious, symbiotic relationship with God.

In the center of God’s garden are two trees: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The first tree is though to yield unnaturally long life or even immortality. The second tree is thought to give cognitive enlightenment or to give humanity insights that only God was to have. God will set these trees apart, intending to keep humanity from them.

Prayer: Lord God, we are intended to walk in a close, personal relationship with you. That was and is your plan. Lord, enable us to choose love and obedience daily so that we can experience your presence in our lives daily. Guide us to be faithful stewards to all of your creation. Lead us to treat all of your creation as we wish to be treated by you. Amen.


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Faithful Love

Reading: Psalm 118:1-2 and 19-24

Psalm 118:22 – “The stone rejected by the builders is now the main foundation stone!”

Psalm 118 is a song of praise that celebrates God’s deliverance. Originally used as a song that was sung after the Passover meal, it celebrated Israel’s exodus from slavery in Egypt. These words, however, also carry a broader meaning. This song extolling God’s love and goodness can be applicable at other times.

Verses 1 and 2 would’ve been used call-response style. The leader would declare verse 1: “Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good, because his faithful love lasts forever.” The gathered people would respond: “God’s faithful love lasts forever!” What a great reminder as one begins to offer a response to the Lord.

Skipping to verses 19-24, the scene shifts to the temple entrance. The writer asks for the gate to be opened. The response reminds the people that only the righteous may enter the Lord’s gate. Qualifying and entering the temple, the psalmist thanks God for answering his or her prayers. This prayer is about restoring Israel. In verse 22 we read, “The stone rejected by the builders is now the main foundation stone!” Restoring what was once held in slavery and oppression, Israel is once again God’s people, living in the Promised Land. Israel rejoices in and celebrates this time of salvation.

These verses also connect to Jesus. On this Holy Saturday we can rejoice and celebrate that the one who was rejected and killed by Israel’s religious leaders has become the cornerstone. In and through his death we’ve been freed from our slavery to sin. Tomorrow we celebrate the salvation given to us through his resurrection. Thanks be to the God whose faithful love lasts forever and ever!

Prayer: Lord God, we celebrate and rejoice in your great love for us. Walk with us and draw us into your righteousness. Lift our voices in praise and our lives in faithful witness to your saving grace. Amen.