pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: fasting


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This Truth

Reading: Exodus 17:5-7

Exodus 17:6 – “I’ll be standing in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Hit the rock. Water will come out of it.”

Today we continue in Exodus 17. We read about God’s response to the people complaining, arguing with Moses, testing God, and asking for water. God shows none of the frustration that we could hear in Moses’ words yesterday. Taking some of the elders and the staff that parted the sea, Moses moved out. God instructs, “I’ll be standing in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Hit the rock. Water will come out of it.” Moses follows the instructions and water is provided.

Reading this story, we often think the miracle is water coming out of a dry rock in the middle of the desert. But there is a bigger miracle. God stands on the rock for Moses and the elders to see. No going up the mountain. No entering into the clouds. Right there, in plain sight. The visible presence of God is a reminder of the power behind the water… and the manna… and the bitter water becoming palatable… and… For us to see God in this way, simply being present, it would blow our doors off.

During Lent we are invited to be extra aware of God’s presence with us. Some do this through fasting. Some do this by reading a Lenten book or devotional. Some do this by volunteering once a week. We are also invited to be aware of God’s presence in the ordinary. Not every moment is a standing-on-the-rock moment. This awareness might come in the answering of a prayer, in the opening of a door, in the words spoken by a friend…

To notice God’s presence, to see God’s hand at work – these work to lessen our self-importance, our need to be in control, our desire to manipulate God. As we practice seeing and sensing God’s presence, we come to understand that God is always with us. God’s goodness is ever present. Understanding this truth, we know the answer to the Israelites’ question, “Is God really with us or not?”

Prayer: Lord God, sometimes we get caught up in our own troubles, worrier, wants… In these moments we become less able to sense or see your presence in our lives. When we slip down into this place, lift us up, pull us out, stand our feet upon your rock, Jesus Christ. In ways both big and small, open our eyes and hearts to your constant presence, love, and care. Amen.


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Deeper Work

Readings: 2nd Corinthians 5:20-21 and 2nd Corinthians 6:1-10

2nd Corinthians 6:1 – “We are also begging you not to receive the grace of God in vain!”

Photo credit: Rainier Ridao

Our reading today begins with Paul begging the Corinthians to “be reconciled to God!” This too is our ongoing call, especially as we begin the season of Lent today. Throughout Lent we are invited to look within, to reflect on the condition of our soul, and to make the needed changes so that we are ready to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Paul touches on the source of our salvation, the one who took on sin for us so that we could be “the righteousness of God.”

Through God’s grace we can be forgiven and made new again. Paul begs the Corinthians “not to receive the grace of God in vain!” To do so would be to receive forgiveness and then to not follow through on our pledge of repentance. Paul reminds us that keeping true to our faith isn’t always easy. Paul lists many trials and sufferings he and his fellow believers endured. We can experience some of these too when we choose faith over the ways of the world. Yet with the same purity, hard work, genuine love, and Holy Spirit power, we too can endure and faithfully witness to the grace and love of God.

Our passage closes with many word pairs: fake and real, pain and happy, poor and rich… The first word is a surface level thing and the second word holds a deeper truth. We find this relationship to be true when we engage in the spiritual practice of fasting that becomes more prevelent in Lent. Going without and feeling that “hunger” is the surface level thing that we endure. The change that the Spirit works in us as we grow closer to Christ is the deeper truth at work in us. In the same way, confessing our sin is the surface level action. Working out our repentance and changing our hearts and lives is the deeper work of God going on within us. This Lent, may we be willing to go deeper, doing the hard work of faith.

Prayer: Lord God, prepare our hearts to go deeper this Lent. Give us the strength and courage to look deep within ourselves and to bring our full self before you. In grace and love, purify and refine us. Loosen our grips on that which pulls us away from you. Strengthen our hold on faith, hope, trust, and love. Amen.


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A Word, An Answer, Direction…

Reading: Exodus 24:12-14

Exodus 24:12 – “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there.”

Photo credit: David Marcu

This week we go to the mountain. In all four readings the divine or holy become present on the mountain. Ancient writers often placed deity on mountain tops. It was the home of the gods. For Moses, out there in the desert, the mountaintop was a practical reality too. In the expanse of sand, it was identifiable. In our Exodus story, God says to Moses, Come up to me on the mountain and wait there.” Moses is once again invited into God’s presence and then is instructed to wait. On a personal level we too are invited into God’s presence. And at times we too must wait on God – for a word, for an answer, for direction…

Moses is told that God will give him some instructions – ten of them – that will be written on stone tablets. Moses is then to take these rules for life back down the mountain. He is to return to life amongst the people to teach them to live according to these ten commands that establish God’s will and way. As we are invited into God’s presence – in worship, in prayer, in fasting, in study – we too will learn and grow in our knowledge and love of God. We will then be sent as disciples to teach others about God.

As Moses prepares to go up the mountain, he instructs the people to wait. Wait for our return. Wait with Aaron and Hur. Wait for us to share our experience with God. We’re asked to wait at times. It is not always easy to wait. To wait upon God calls for us to trust and to be patient. In the waiting, may we sense God’s presence with us.

Prayer: Lord God, to wait, to trust, to be patient – not always easy but often necessary. Be present to us in Spirit in those times when we must wait to hear your word, answer, direction, guidance, encouragement, assurance… Remind us that you have the plan. Help us to understand that you voice, your whisper, your nudge… will come when we are ready to receive it. Thank you, God. Amen.


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Doing “What Is Right”

Reading: 2nd Thessalonians 3:11-13

2nd Thessalonians 3:13 – “We command and encourage such people to work quietly and put their own food on the table.”

As we add a few more verses to yesterday’s reading we continue with Paul’s charge to live a disciplined life. Some in these churches are not doing so. This is frustrating those who are doing so. This scenario is present in our churches today. At this time, some who are fully able to work are choosing not to. Paul is not addressing those who are incapable of working, those with physical and/or mental limitations. This becomes clear as we press on.

In the second part of verse 11 Paul identifies “meddling” as a key issue. Other translations use the term “busybody.” Because these folks are choosing not to work, instead only taking from the community’s pool of resources, they have lots of time to get into other people’s business. This is not healthy for the individual or for the faith community. Gossip is likely the key form of meddling. Paul then states, “We command and encourage such people to work quietly and put their own food on the table.” Stay in your lane, don’t meddle in other people’s lives, help put food on the common table. The apostle encourages them all to do “what is right.”

There might be another layer to Paul’s words. There often is in scripture. Paul might also be talking about faith practices. In this arena, to be disciplined would include daily study and prayer, regular communal worship, fasting… Maybe some in the churches aren’t “working” at these practices. Maybe then the food they are lacking is spiritual food for their souls. Maybe some are dabbling in pagan worship or other forms of idolatry. And, maybe like some today, maybe some are just showing up now and then on a Sunday morning, tapping into the gifts of community occasionally instead of regularly. In each of these cases, they are treating their faith to a starvation diet. This is not healthy either.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us to encourage one another – in living life and in practicing our faith. Through words and acts of love, use us to draw others back into community, back to faith. And keep us disciplined ourselves, Lord, ever growing closer to you and to one another. Amen.


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Our Response?

Reading: Joel 2:23-27

Joel 2:26 – “You will eat abundantly and be satisfied, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God.”

The book of Joel begins with a lament over the destruction of Israel and the causes of this great devastation. The invading armies are like locust – they strip the land bare and leave suffering in their wake. In response, Joel calls for fasting and repentance, both as means to draw close to God once again. Midway through chapter 2 God promises to respond to the changed hearts of the once again faithful people.

As we turn to verse 23, through Joel, God invites the “children of God” to rejoice and be glad. God promises to send rain upon the land, “a sign of righteousness.” This abundant rainfall will lead to an abundant harvest. The grain, grapes, and olives will fill threshing floors and storage vats. In stark contrast to the years of suffering and hunger, God says, “You will eat abundantly and be satisfied, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God.” The peoples’ shame will be no more and they will know “that I am the Lord your God.” God’s love and provision will be clearly evident.

For those who haven’t faced hunger as a way of life, think of recent images in Gaza, in slums outside major urban areas, in poverty-stricken third world nations. Many in our world and even in our nation lack food security. Recent policy changes will likely put more people into this situation. In these places of suffering and hunger, as it was for the people of Joel’s day, shame is often present. Living today in a land of great abundance, we must ask ourselves why hunger is such an overwhelming issue for so many people. It should not be so. As the people of God, what is our response to this injustice?

Prayer: Lord God, open our eyes and hearts to the food needs around us. Whether it is people living in “food deserts” or people wrestling with the decision to buy gas to get to work or to buy food to put on the table, raise up your people to respond. Move us out into the world, filled with compassion, bringing our abundance along with us. Lead us to care well for those created in your image, so that they too might “praise the name of the Lord.” Amen.


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Trust, Faith… Each Day

Reading: Matthew 6

Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters.”

Photo credit: Wesual Click

As Jesus continues the Sermon on the Mount he addresses showy religion, prayer, and fasting. To give to the poor or to pray or to fast in ways to be noticed by others – then that recognition will be our only reward. Jesus advises us to do these things in private or in secret. Then our reward will come from God. When we pray, Jesus cautions against “a flow of empty words.” He gives us a simple and humble prayer, one grounded in loving God and neighbor. We know this prayer as “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Jesus then addresses our tendency towards our “treasures.” Today he’d caution us against collecting homes, cars, the latest gadgets, bigger bank accounts… Instead he encourages us to collect treasures in heaven. Some examples of how to do this were given in verses 1-18. In verses 22-24 Jesus connects this struggle into the common Old Testament, Jewish understanding about good/evil, light/dark. In first century Palestine the eye was seen as the window or door to the heart (or soul for us). Jesus clearly believes the best choice is light. He then states, “No one can serve two masters.” God and wealth is the example Jesus gives. While probably the biggest struggle for most of us, there are many other things that we can prioritize over our relationship with God.

Chapter 6 closes with perhaps one of our greatest adversaries in our battle to trust God: worry. We can worry about so many things, big and small. Jesus points to the birds and lilies – examples of parts of creation that God cares wonderfully for. He points out that we are worth much more than these to God. We are told to “desire first and foremost God’s kingdom.” Keep God #1 in your life, Jesus says, and “all these things” will be given to you by God as well. Jesus concludes, “Stop worrying about tomorrow… Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Trust God each day, believing that our “daily bread” will come from our God who loves us.

Prayer: Lord God, you call us to a simple faith, to a day by day walk with you. To focus on the day, to live each moment, we have a chance to notice the opportunities and ways you call us to love completely. To stay in the moment, it focuses our heart on you and in your presence in our lives each day. Help us to live a simple and honest faith today, O God. Amen.


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Jewels in a Crown

Reading: Zechariah 5-9

Zechariah 8:8 – “I’ll bring them back… They will be my people, and I will be their God — in truth and in righteousness.”

Today’s middle section of the book of Zechariah begins with the last three night visions. In the sixth vision a flying scroll announces a curse on all who steal and then lie about it. The curse will totally destroy their homes. The seventh vision identified wickedness as a tiny woman in a basket. She is sent home to Babylon. In the last vision Zechariah sees horses with chariots. They are sent out to patrol the earth. The ones going north (to Babylon) provide rest for God and God’s people. This allows Zechariah to gather gold and silver to make two crowns. With one he anoints Joshua as the high priest. The second will be for “Branch” – one who will build the temple, who will sit and rule. All of this will happen if they truly obey God.

In chapter 7 a delegation comes from Bethel asking about fasting. God basically asks, “Did you fast for me?” They have just been going through the motions, saying the words from before the exile. Hinting at the meaninglessness of this and using words reminiscent of Isaiah 58, Zechariah declares that God really wants to see just and faithful decisions, to see kindness and compassion as their norms. But instead, in the past, they chose to oppress the poor and vulnerable, to “steel” their hearts against God. So God scattered them.

Then in chapter 8 God declares compassion and passion for Zion. God has returned to Jerusalem. The old and the young will fill the city. God proclaims, “I’ll bring them back… They will be my people, and I will be their God — in truth and in righteousness.” Israel will become a blessing to the world. Nations will come, seeking God’s favor. After a sobering pronouncement against the nations around Israel, Zechariah prophesies a day when their king will come, “humble and riding on an ass.” He will speak peace and will rule “to the ends of the earth.” The Lord will deliver his people and they will “be the jewels in a crown dotting this land.” That will be the day!

Prayer: Lord God, as we read of our common struggles today and of our common tendency towards disobedience, we are also reminded of your grace and mercy in our moments of failure and of your ultimate plan to bring a full healing and restoration to your people and to your world. In the meantime, O God, use us as those “jewels,” reflecting and shining your light and love into the world. Amen.


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Sense It

Reading: Isaiah 17-23

‭Isaiah 22:11 – “But you didn’t trust its maker; you didn’t consider the one who planned it long ago.”

Today’s seven chapters hold the remaining oracles against the nations around Judah as well as against Judah itself. Our readings begin with the fall of Damascus and Ephraim. Their attempt at an anti-Assyrian alliance angered God. In response, God will “harvest armfuls at a time.” God then proclaims, “They will be a wasteland because you forgot the God who saves you, and didn’t remember the rock who shelters you.” There is a sadness that we can feel in God’s voice. We can sense it because at times we too create the same sadness.

The oracles against Cush, Egypt, Babylon, Tyre, and even Judah herself follow. The foreign nations will be cut down and pruned, will be naked and barefoot and humiliated, will be defeated and trampled, will be destroyed and prostituted. The consequences for their sin will be great. Judah too will suffer. Judah and its leaders relied on self instead of on God. When God called for prayer and fasting, there was “fun and frivolity.” God declared, “But you didn’t trust its maker; you didn’t consider the one who planned it long ago.” Again, we can sense the sadness in God’s voice. And, yes, it is so because we too fail to trust in God at times.

We also hear words of hope in today’s reading. At the end of chapter 19 Isaiah speaks of God’s blessing on all who “swear loyalty to the Lord.” God will hear their cries and will “send them a Savior and a defender to rescue them.” In response, the faithful will “worship with sacrifices and offerings, making promises to the Lord and fulfilling them.” We can sense the joy for God in this faithfulness. May we too bring this joy to the Lord our God.

Prayer: Lord God, forgive us when we forget your gifts of salvation and shelter. Forgive us when we try to go it on our own, forgetting the one who created and planned our world and our lives. Remind us and draw us once again to our Savior, defender, friend. Thank you, God. Amen.


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The Fast You Choose?

Reading: Isaiah 58:1-5

Verse 2: “They seem eager to know my ways… seem eager for God to come near them.”

The title to Isaiah 58 is “True Fasting” in my NIV Bible. This chapter begins with God telling Isaiah, “Shout it aloud, do not hold back... Declare to my people their rebellion… their sins.” It is not a good day for Israel. We too have these days once in a while. In the next verse God observes, “They seem eager to know my ways… seem eager for God to come near them.” To me, “seem” is the important word here. Israel is kinda pursuing God, but not really.

Evaluating their fasting God declares, “Yet on the day of your fasting you do as you please.” It is not a time set apart to honor God and to draw close to God. It’s almost become the opposite. The Israelites “exploit all your workers” and they are “striking each other with wicked fists.” We too can fall into this trap. We can claim we’re ‘Christian’ or we can do something ‘religious’ and neither bring God glory nor draw closer to God ourselves. We can seem to be faithful when we are anything but.

In verses 4 God tells the people, “You cannot fast as you do today and expect to be heard on high.” The walking of the walk must be consistent and steady. Going on, God asks a rhetorical question: “Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?” There is no good answer to this question. So we must ask: reflecting on our religious practices, when or why might God ask us the same question?

Prayer: Lord God, when I am tempted to play the game, to just show up in body, but not in mind, heart, and spirit, convict me quickly. Use the Holy Spirit to call my selfishness and sin out, to wake me up to my falsehood. Help me, O Lord, to be authentic to you in all of my ways. Amen.


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Earnest Prayer

Reading: Esther 7: 1-6 and 9-10

Verse 3: “Then Queen Esther answered, ‘If I have found favor with you… grant me my life… and spare my people.'”

Photo credit: Caleb Jones

This week our general focus will be on the power of prayer. Today’s passage is one that has been covered in prayer. Leading up to this interaction with King Xerxes, Esther and all the Jews in Susa have spent three days in prayer and fasting. The three days in prayer and fasting were to seek God’s blessing on Esther’s audience with the king.

Like many of us, Esther and the Jews had been driven to prayer because of a difficult hardship looming in the future. Because of a personal dispute, vengeance was to be extracted upon all of the Jews living in the kingdom. Esther had to choose between the comforts and security of being queen and risking that very life to possibly save her people. She was queen because the last one had been deposed. Questioning one of the king’s decrees could cost Esther her position and maybe even her life.

At times we may face a risky choice – to speak up or to question may cost us more than we may be willing to give. Yet we know the right decision to make. We see the right thing to do. What is it that leads us to do what we know we should do? When in these situations we should look to Esther’s example. She and her people went to God in earnest prayer. They also fasted to demonstrate their commitment to nothing but prayer to God. The God of justice heard their prayers, encouraged the one who could act, and guided her through the difficult conversation.

When the Spirit stirs in us, raising up a cause or concern to bring to the Lord, may we too seek the power of prayer, trusting in the Lord our God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for this example of faith and courage and trust in you. All was lived out by bathing it in prayer. Lord, draw me to my knees over and over again. Amen.