pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: fate


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Life Beyond

Reading: Genesis 5:18-24

Genesis 5:24 – “Enoch walked with God and disappeared because God took him.”

Photo credit: Timo Volz

Today’s reading jumps way back, back to the generations that came after Adam. If one scans backwards, one reads of very lengthy lifespans – Adam lived 930 years, Enosh lived 905 years, Jared lived 962 years. The fate of all but one of these men listed in Genesis 5 is the same: “he died.” Running throughout this chapter and throughout the Bible is this common truth: our time on earth will run out and we will die. The question we wrestle with is where we will go.

For Adam, Cain, Abel, and so on, the end of life brought death. There was simply a cessation of life. That was that. For people today without faith, death remains final. There is no hope, no future possibility. Death has the final, final word.

In today’s text, Enoch has a different fate. Enoch’s story is different than the other’s stories. In his story alone we read that he “walked with God.” Enoch was faithful to God. So unique is this fact, it is in two verses. Because he walked with God we also read that he “disappeared because God took him.” Enoch did not taste death. Death does not always have the last word.

This is the first time in the Bible that it hints at what we would call “heaven” as a destination. Enoch clearly experiences something other than physical death. There is something beyond what we now know in our mortal bodies. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, from early on in your story you’ve pointed to something more, to something better, to something lasting. Thank you for the reminder today, for this first glimpse. Continue to walk with us this week as we delve into your story of life. Amen.


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Narrow and High

Reading: Luke 13-14

Luke 13:24 – “Make every effort to enter through the narrow gate. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and won’t be able to.”

Today we largely center on Jesus’ call to “change your hearts and lives.” He begins by describing God’s patience. An owner wants to cut down an unproductive fig tree. The gardener asks for one more year – to tend to and fertilize the tree. The tree might produce fruit the next year. Faith is like a mustard seed or some yeast. It grows or spreads almost without notice. Patience is required. Yet the walk of faith is not easy or for the half-hearted. In 13:24 Jesus says, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow gate. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and won’t be able to.” Then, in 14:33, he adds, “None of you who are unwilling to give up all your possessions can be my disciple.” The gate is narrow because the requirement is hard. God must be #1 in all aspects of our life.

Twice Jesus demonstrates that love and compassion trump the rules established by man. He heals two people in the Sabbath. We too will be asked to disregard man-made rules or expectations at times if we are to keep God #1 in our life. This “cost” – like the tower project – is necessary to keep in mind as one chooses Jesus as Lord and Savior and as one continues to walk as his disciple.

Jesus drills down on the superficial “faith” of the religious leaders. They jostle for the best seats at the table. Jesus preaches humility. They invite people just like themselves to their own parties. Jesus preaches inviting the lost and broken. Jesus laments over those who refuse to come to him. The hand, the invitation, it is always open, always extended. Until the door is closed. At that point our fate is decided.

Yes, the road is narrow and the expectation or requirement is high. For those who carry their cross daily, keeping God as their only priority, “Happy are those who will feast in God’s kingdom.” This is true now and in the kingdom to come. May it all be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, what do you require of us? It’s simple: keep you as the only occupant of the throne of our hearts. It’s also very difficult: keep you as the only occupant of the throne of our hearts. Lord, guide and encourage us daily as we seek to walk “the narrow way.” It is only possible with your presence. Amen.


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Patience, Faithful Love

Reading: Jonah 1-2

Jonah 1:6 – “Get up! Call on your god! Perhaps the god will give some thought to us so that we won’t perish.”

Photo credit: Einar Storsul

Our story today begins with God calling Jonah to go to Nineveh. He is to cry out against the city’s evil. Jonah went – just in the opposite direction. He did not want to go to prophesy to Nineveh, the capital city of Judah’s enemy. God has other plans. A storm rages and the sailors cry out to their gods. They wake up Jonah and say to him, “Get up! Call on your god! Perhaps the god will give some thought to us so that we won’t perish.” Perhaps? Give some thought? They do not know God. Yet.

The sailors cast lots and it falls on Jonah. As instructed, they hurl Jonah into the sea. These pagan sailors pray to God, hoping to survive. The sea calms. The sailors worship God and offer a sacrifice. They have met God. God’s plan continues as a fish swallows Jonah, providing him a place to pray. Sinking down, Jonah has accepted his fate. Then God “brought me out of the pit.” Inside the fish, Jonah realizes that God heard his prayer. He offers thanks and pledges obedience: “That which I promised, I will pay.” Accepting his role as prophet, he commits to that life. God then has the fish vomit Jonah out on dry land.

I can be like Jonah, hearing a call or feeling a nudge, then deciding to ignore it or even go the other way. I can allow pride or anger or other things to get in the way of obedience. Yet God remains faithful. Maybe a storm is my wake up call. Maybe it’s something else that gets my attention. But then God doesn’t make me go. It’s my choice to respond. It’s my choice to surrender to the storm or to choose obedience. And even then, when I’m still stubborn or prideful or…, God still is faithful and loving. God provides another chance for me to respond faithfully. And then another if needed. Thanks be to God for God’s patience and faithful love.

Prayer: Lord God, today I take pause at your great love and faithfulness. When I choose plan B, C, D… instead of your plan A, you don’t ever give up. You go to B1, C1 and C2, D1 – whatever it takes to keep working me to your will and way. Thank you for not giving up, for shaping and reshaping me, for continuing to lead and guide my life, my witness, my service. You are an awesome and almighty God. Amen.


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God Gets It

Reading: Proverbs 7-8

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

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

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

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

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

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


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Walk by Faith, Trust in God

Reading: Hebrews 11:29-38

Verses 29 and 32: “By faith… And what more shall I say?”

The book of Hebrews builds to chapter 11. Here the writer provides an awesome list of many great examples of the faith. These are all people who believed and acted in faith. Note there is not one person listed for keeping every letter of the Law. For each on this list, it was the living out of their faith that allowed them to “conquer kingdoms, administer justice… shut the mouth of lions…” It was faith alone that lead “weakness to be turned to strength.” Faith led each to accomplish or do far more than any could have done on their own. The same remains true today. “By faith… And what more shall I say?”

The walk of faith is not all glory and roses. Part way through verse 35 the author begins to shed light on this reality too. Living in faith is sometimes hard because sin has been a part of this world ever since the first humans walked the earth. Since then the people of God have struggled with sin – just like the people of the flesh. This struggle has led to conflict and even violence. The prophets were often rejected, beaten, imprisoned. The disciples and apostles faced the same fate and worse. They were “stoned… sawn in two… put to death.” The ways of the world can push back pretty hard against those who preach and walk in the way of the Lord. Yet these too are great examples of the faith.

Taken as a whole, today’s passage reminds us that a walk of faith – although rarely without cost – is the only walk that keeps us connected to and in love with God. Even though “the world was not worthy of them,” God still calls the people of faith out into the world, offering grace and mercy and compassion and love. And what more is there to say? May we all walk by faith, trusting fully in the Lord our God.

Prayer: Lord God, you call me to trust in you and to then walk in faith. When the road seems unclear or when the obstacles feel too big, remind me that it is not by my power or courage or will that I walk in faith, but by your love. Amen.


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Even in This

Reading: 1st Samuel 8: 10-20

Verse 18: “You will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the Lord will not answer you in that day”.

Photo credit: Nick Fewings

After God acquiesces to the people’s request for a king, God gives some words of warning to the people. Yes, a king can bring stability and leadership and authority to the nation. Yes, a king can negotiate with other kings and can lead the troops out into battle when needed. A king can fight for the people! But a king can also demand or, at times, take when the demands are not met. A king can call for military service and can seize land, crops, livestock, and servants. A king can tax the people to support his reign. A judge or prophet would never do any of these things. The leader that the people reject, God, would never do any of these things. Yet the people want a king.

All of this, both the good and the bad, comes true as king after king leads Israel. Reading through 1st and 2nd Kings, we see that God is right. There are more bad kings than good kings. The fate and the lives of the people rise or fall under the leadership of each king. Yet even though the people reject God in favor of a king, God remains engaged. Even though God grants them this autonomy, God does not abandon his children. God continues to send prophets to guide and redirect and shepherd these kings. God even chooses the first few kings.

God leads you and me in the same way. God does not force us to love and obey him or to believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. God engages us, the Spirit leads and guides us. But we are free to choose our own kings, our own gods. God allows us free will, just as he did with the Israelites. God warned them, saying, “You will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the Lord will not answer you in that day”. When leadership is oppressive, selfish, authoritarian… God will allow them to learn their lesson. In time God will respond to their cries. We too experience this process. We have to endure a consequence for our poor choices. God will always forgive us when we’re repentant. But our poor choices and bad behaviors often impact others, creating ramifications. We too must go through a refining and learning process. Even in this, God is at work. Thanks be to God for loving us enough to always be there on the other side.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, your love always leads and informs. Your love is greater than our limitations and failures. We are ever a work in progress. You are so patient, so faithful, ever true. What a wonderful God you are! Amen.


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Freely Offered

Reading: Genesis 24: 58-67

Verse 58: “So they called Rebekah and asked her, ‘Will you go with this man'”?

In the last section of our passage from Genesis 24 we see a model of God’s love. In the culture of the day the father had the authority to choose who and when a daughter would marry. Arranged marriages were simply the norm. Yet Abraham allows for another option. The chief servant asks the family for a decision and they, in turn, ask Rebekah, “Will you go with this man”? In a radical move, Rebekah is given the power to decide her own fate.

An invitation is given and Rebekah is free to make her choice. This is the model of God’s love too. We are invited into a relationship with God. God’s prevenient grace – the grace that goes before – woos us and draws us towards God. But, like Rebekah we have a choice. We are not forced or coerced. We do not have to love God. If we were forced or had no other choice, then it would not be love. In his ministry, Jesus also modeled this love. With the Pharisees, with the rich young man, with the people of Gerasenes, with Nicodemus… Jesus offered himself and God’s love, but he did not force anyone to accept it or him. On several occasions he was saddened by the rejection, but the choice is always ours to make.

When love and relationship are freely offered, we can accept or reject them. As God in Jesus Christ seeks to share his love with and through you today, what will your response be?

Prayer: God of love, I am aware of your love for me and for all of creation in so many ways. The care you took to create the world and to form each of us – it is so beautiful. Thank you, God. May I respond by being love and by sharing love in the world today. Amen.


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Hear the Cries

Reading: Genesis 21: 8-15

Verse 17: “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid”.

Hagar and Ishmael are sent out into the wilderness. They are given a small amount of food and water. Soon these run out. Hagar must have been struggling with this fate – we all would. Why would life have to end like this? What do you think being rejected and cast out felt like? People all over our nation are wrestling with the idea of being outcast, rejected, marginalized. Some are like Hagar, on the inside looking out. Others are on the outside and many are trying to understand and are trying to be a part of the solution.

Hagar prepares to die, along with her son. Both weep tears. Ishmael’s are probably of sadness and loneliness and confusion. Hagar feels these emotions, but more: anger, hurt, unworthiness, isolation, hopelessness. But as they cry, God hears them. God says to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid”. Those words – “do not be afraid”. These words are echoed throughout the story of faith. They say, God is near, God is with us. Today is not the end. Hagar and her son will not only survive, he will become a great nation too. God is saying that they matter, that their lives are important to God. God hears the cry of the outcast and the rejected. They are of sacred worth to God. God is their God too.

God continues to hear the cry of those that some see as less worthy, as less than. Jesus certainly heard their cries too. He invited us to hear the cries of the needy, the marginalized. And he told us to respond, to meet needs, to love them just as he first loved us. There is a great need in our nation right now for social justice and equality. May we, as followers of Jesus Christ, hear the cries of the outcast and oppressed. And may we, like God, choose to walk with them.

Prayer: Lord God, strengthen me for the day ahead. Gird me up to love all people well, to model that love after Jesus’ love. Lead me to act justly and to love mercy as I strive to walk humbly with you. Amen.