pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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True and Perfect

Readings: Psalms 17-20

‭Psalm 18:30 – “God! His way is perfect; the LORD’s word is tried and true. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”

Photo credit: Rainier Ridao

There is a familiarity of themes and of some verses/phrases in today’s readings. Psalm 17 and 18 touch on the theme of obedience/blessing and disobedience/consequences. In Psalm 17, for David, a right heart and a sinless mouth means that God should “tilt your ears towards me now.” He seeks refuge in God from those who speak arrogantly, who want to “put me in the dirt.”

Psalm 18 begins with some wonderful descriptors of God: strength, solid rock, fortress, rescuer, refuge, shield, salvation, place of safety. These are words that we too can claim. David cries out for help and God responds in power and might – thunder and lightning, hail and coals. God’s power is both majestic and frightening. Verses 20-24 remind me of Job. God rewards because David is righteous. God restores because David’s hands are clean. Verse 30 is a great summary verse: “God! His way is perfect; the LORD’s word is tried and true. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”

Psalm 19 continues the praise of God that ends Psalm 18. The heavens declare God’s glory. The law is perfect, faithful, right, pure, correct, and true. It brings wisdom and gladness and light. One is given “great reward” by keeping the law. In verses 12 and 13 David seeks forgiveness for accidental wrongs. Psalm 19 closes with familiar words: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart…”

In our last Psalm for today the focus shifts to the other. The prayer is for God to answer “you” when in trouble and for God to fulfill the desires of “your” heart. This is a prayer that we can pray over others. Who might you pray verses 1-5 over today?

Prayer: Lord God, your way is true and perfect. Your will guides us to light, love, hope, peace. We are faulty and imperfect. On our own, O God, we’d be helplessly lost. Surely those cords of death would entangle us. But we are not alone. You are right there beside us. You are our strength and our shield, our rock and our defender, our God. Thank you. 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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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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Faithful to the Call

Readings: Nehemiah 11, Nehemiah 12, Nehemiah 13

Nehemiah 13:22 – “Remember this also in my favor, my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your mercy.”

Photo credit: Patrick Schneider

Chapter 11 begins with repopulating Jerusalem. Lots are cast in each town and 1 in 10 move into Jerusalem. Almost 3,000 move into David’s city. Chapter 12 begins with a list of the leaders of the priests and Levites who returned under Zerubbabel. Then all of Israel gathers to dedicate the wall. Priests, singers, and people from all over gather for the celebration. All are purified – including the people and the wall. Two groups March around the city in each direction, joining together at the temple. There were great sacrifices and joyous worship that day!

In chapter 13 Nehemiah returns to King Artaxerxes for a period. Eventually he returns to Jerusalem. He finds several things that need correcting. Old habits have returned. People are intermarrying again. Some of the children cannot speak the language of Judah – and therefore cannot participate in worship. This divisive practice is ended once again. The shares for the priests are being neglected, forcing some back to their fields. This too is corrected. People are working and buying and selling on the Sabbath. For many the day is no longer holy. Nehemiah puts a forceful stop to this too.

Several times today we read something along the lines of our key verse. Nehemiah is not universally beloved. Leading a people who are prone to sin and are easily influenced by the ways of those around them is hard. Many chafe at correction, rebuke, and being made to follow the rules. Yet Nehemiah was faithful to the call that God has placed upon his life. May it be so for us all.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to be a people who remember your will and way. Lead us to resist temptations and empower us to stay true to you alone. Move us to respect and support those who seek to lead us to walk in faith, lifting them to you in prayer. Amen.


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More and More God’s People

Readings: Nehemiah 8, Nehemiah 9, Nehemiah 10

Nehemiah 9:33 – “You have been just in all that has happened to us; you have acted faithfully, and we have done wrong.”

The people gather to have Ezra read the instruction scroll to them. Men, women, and children old enough to understand gathered. There is a real sense that this represents the whole community. Ezra reads for about six hours and then the Levites go out amongst the people to explain the reading. The people begin to weep. But Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites tell them not to weep – this day is holy. It is a day of great celebration.

The next day they gather again. Ezra reads about the Feast of Booths. The people make booths, remembering Israel’s time in the wilderness. This hasn’t been celebrated since the days of Joshua. Ezra reads for seven days. The Levites interpret. On the eighth day they put on “funeral clothes” and they fast. They confess their sins and the past sins of Israel. Then they worship God.

Most of chapter 9 is a beautiful retelling of the highlights of Israel’s history. The Levites go from creation to Abram and the covenant to the plagues… and right up to their own time. The cycle of sin, punishment, crying out occurs several times. Each time is followed by God’s mercy, patience, and faithfulness. Verse 33 is a great summary statement: “You have been just in all that has happened to us; you have acted faithfully, and we have done wrong.”

All of Israel then makes a written and sealed agreement – a covenant – to be faithful and obedient to God. They will be holy and set apart. They will honor the Sabbath and they will support the temple. The direction is set. Israel will be God’s people once again.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for this beautiful picture of a faithful and committed family of God. Your word penetrated hearts and transformed them. As we read and study your word may we too be transformed. Make us more and more into who and what you want us to be. 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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Clear Outcomes

Readings: 2nd Chronicles 21, 2nd Chronicles 22, 2nd Chronicles 23, 2nd Chronicles 24

2nd Chronicles 24:20 – “Because you have abandoned the LORD, he has abandoned you!”

Jehoram succeeds Jehoshaphat. He does evil in God’s eyes. Edom and Libnah rebel, weakening Judah. Jehoram builds shrines and leads Judah astray. Via letter Elijah confronts Jehoram and predicts a family downfall and a deadly illness. Both occur quickly. In verse 21:20 we read, “No one was sorry he died.” He is not buried with the other kings of David’s line.

Ahaziah rules next, for one year. He allies himself with Israel’s King Joram. This brings him into the path of Jehu’s decimation of Ahab’s family. Ahaziah’s mother, Queen Athaliah, quickly seizes power. This evil queen kills all but one member of the royal family. Jehoash (or Joash) is hidden away and then raised in the temple for six years. Jehoiada, the priest, organizes a successful coup. Jehoash is crowned and Athaliah is killed. For a season, Judah returns to God. The priests are reassigned. Temple worship resumes. The temple tax is collected – the people give gladly and generously. The temple is restored to its glory days. And then Jehoiada dies. His leadership is honored by the people as he is buried with the kings of Judah.

Under the influence of Judah’s leaders, Jehoash abandons the temple and Judah again worships idols at the sacred poles. An angry God sends Zechariah. He declares, “Because you have abandoned the LORD, he has abandoned you!” He is then stoned to death. Aram once again invades and defeats Judah. Jehoash is injured and then is finished off by his own officials. He is also not buried with the kings of David’s city.

Today we again see the clear outcomes of being faithful to God or of being disobedient to God. May these insights guide us well.

Prayer: Lord God, lead us to walk in your ways. When evil voices speak and when other temptations arise, raise up the voice of your Holy Spirit. Remind us of our call to faith and trust. Empower us to walk the long road with you instead of against you. Amen.


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Wild Swings

Readings: 2nd Chronicles 17, 2nd Chronicles 18, 2nd Chronicles 19, 2nd Chronicles 20

2nd Chronicles 20:20 – “Trust the LORD your God, and you will stand firm; trust his prophets and succeed!”

Photo credit: Gabriel Valdez

Jehoshaphat is the focus of today’s readings. He succeeds Asa as king of Judah. He is faithful to God, removing the shrines and sacred poles. He sends royal officials along with Levites out into all of the cities to teach the Lord’s instruction scroll to the people. Surrounding kingdoms fear Judah. They bring tribute. Jehoshaphat builds fortresses and storage cities. God is clearly with him and with Judah. And then Jehoshaphat marries into Ahab’s family, creating an alliance.

While in Israel, Ahab invites Jehoshaphat to join him in attacking Aram. Jehoshaphat agrees but wants to consult God first. Ahab gathers his prophets who all say, “Attack!” But Jehoshaphat wants to hear from God. Reluctantly Micaiah is summoned. In the end he predicts death for Ahab. A lying spirit has filled Ahab’s prophets’ mouths. Ahab wears a disguise into battle. A random arrow hits the mark. Ahab does that day.

Returning to Judah, Jehoshaphat is confronted by Jehu. The most pointed question is this: “Why have you loved those who hate the Lord?” There is no good answer to this question. A merciful God yet finds some good in Jehoshaphat. He returns to reforms, personally encouraging the people to turn to God. He appoints judges throughout Judah, enduring that God’s justice will prevail.

The enemy comes against Judah again – a huge army. Afraid, Jehoshaphat declares a fast for all Judah. He turns to God in the temple and prays: God is powerful. This enemy is mighty. We are powerless. Help! The prophet Jahaziel tells them not to be afraid: the battle “belongs to God!” God turns the enemy upon one another. Judah arrived to find only corpses. They gather great plunder and celebrate in Jerusalem, worshipping the Lord God.

Jehoshaphat’s final act is another alliance with Israel. This too ends in disaster. In Jehoshaphat we see a deep and sure trust in God and then wild swings into disobedience. We want to shout, “WHY?” Sadly, the same question can often be asked of us.

Prayer: Lord God, yes, we too can go from “All in for you God!” to “How did I get here?!” with alarming quickness. Lord, continue to work within us, strengthening our spirit, our resolve, our stamina, our trust, our faith. Amen.


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God’s Faithfulness

Readings: 2nd Chronicles 10, 2nd Chronicles 11, 2nd Chronicles 12, 2nd Chronicles 13

2nd Chronicles 12:12 – “Total destruction was avoided. There were, after all, some good things still in Judah.”

Leaving behind the ideal kings David and Solomon – at least according to the chronicler – we turn today to the reigns of Rehoboam and Abijah. Jeroboam of Israel is also a minor part of the story. Rehoboam’s reign begins poorly. He allows the pride of youth to lead him to a bad decision and God’s people are split into two nations. Jeroboam rules over ten tribes in the northern kingdom. Rehoboam rules over two in the southern kingdom of Judah. In comparison, Rehoboam is a good king. Through Shemaiah the prophet, war is avoided. Rehoboam strengthens his defenses. The Levites flee the idolatry of the northern kingdom and support Rehoboam.

But Rehoboam was not faithful to God. So God sends Egypt to bring divine punishment. But God sends Shemaiah and Rehoboam and Israel’s elders submit to God. God relents – somewhat. Egypt attacks and is victorious, hauling away the treasures of the temple and the palace. We find a silver lining in verse 12:12 – “Total destruction was avoided. There were, after all, some good things still in Judah.” Warfare with Jeroboam marks the rest of Rehoboam’s monarchy.

Abijah becomes the next king of Judah. Jeroboam and 800,000 soldiers march out against Abijah and 400,000 soldiers. Abijah first calls out Israel’s unfaithfulness and reminds them of Judah’s faithfulness. He claims that God is on Judah’s side. This proves to be true as Judah wins a stunning victory, killing 500,000 soldiers from Israel. This blow weakens Jeroboam, who soon dies, struck down by the Lord.

In today’s readings we see a truth that flows throughout the scriptures: God is merciful to those who are faithful or who turn back to God with changed hearts. When we falter or doubt or sin – which we will more surely do – may we remember God’s faithfulness, turning once again to the one who is always merciful and loving.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reminder of your great love and mercy. Draw us back to you again and again when we turn from you over and over. God, you are so good and so faithful. Thank you. Amen.


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Dangers and Trappings

Readings: 1st Kings 9, 1st Kings 10, 1st Kings 11

1st Kings 9:6-7 – “However, if you or your sons turn away from following me… then I will remove Israel from the land… and I will reject the temple.”

Photo credit: Josh Calabrese

Our readings begin with God’s second visit to Solomon. God has heard his prayers and will “put my name” in the temple. God reminds Solomon again of the charge to walk faithfully with the Lord. God also warns, “However, if you or your sons turn away from following me… then I will remove Israel from the land… and I will reject the temple.”

We next gain some insights into Solomon’s building projects. Towns are given to Hiram and he questions their worth. Solomon forces all non-Israelites into work gangs. Yet outside of Israel, Solomon’s fame grows. The Queen of Sheba comes and questions him. She sees his wisdom and wealth. These are so great “it took her breath away.” She leaves many gifts and she offers a blessing. This foreign queen sees God as the driving force behind Solomon’s success. Others come to see Solomon, leaving tribute as they go.

In chapter 11 we begin to see Solomon’s struggles. He marries many, many foreign women. God had warned him: “They will definitely turn your heart towards their gods.” They do. Solomon worships their gods and builds shrines and altars so that his wives (and others) can worship these foreign gods. An angry God visits Solomon. God begins, “Because you have done all this…” Almost all of the kingdom will be torn away. But it will happen during his son’s reign and one tribe will remain with Solomon’s family. Both of these “gifts” are because of God’s love for David.

Next we learn of some of Solomon’s enemies. Hadad and Rezon are nuisances, picking away at the edges. There is no longer peace in Israel. Jeroboam will be the greater challenge. In his youth he had impressed Solomon. The prophet Ahijah meets Jeroboam and tears his new garment into 12 pieces. Handing Jeroboam ten he tells him that God will give him ten tribes to rule over. Ahijah tells him that if he will walk faithfully with the Lord… Well, we know that story.

Prayer: Lord God, today we are reminded of the dangers and trappings of the things of this world – wealth, possessions, fame. In and of themselves these are not evil. They are not a guarantee of sin. But they so easily entangle, so easily give us a false sense of security and identity. Lord, no matter our place in life, remind us again and again, draw us back over and over. Moment by moment, whisper into our hearts and keep us walking in your ways. Amen.