pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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God at Work

Reading: Jeremiah 4:11-12 and 22-28

Jeremiah 4:22 – “My people are foolish. They don’t even know me!… they are skilled at doing wrong, inept at doing good.”

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God tells Judah that “a blistering wind” is coming from the north. God is speaking of the Babylonians – a wind that will not winnow the wheat or cleanse their sins, but one that will bring devestation to the land. This coming empire will fall heavily upon Judah and Jerusalem, taking the city in 586 BCE. In verse 12, God pronounces this sentence upon Judah.

Jumping to verses 22-28 the conversation begins with God, shifts to Jeremiah, and then goes back to God. In verse 22 God says, “My people are foolish. They don’t even know me!… they are skilled at doing wrong, inept at doing good.” God’s people have wandered far away from God, for a long time. This is a sad indictment. It may be tempting this was or is a “then” problem, as in “back then things were awful.” When one looks at the homelessness and poverty on our reservations and in our cities, when one sees the division in our society, when one sees the oppression and mistreatment of vulnerable populations, one could argue that the people of God are still inept at doing good. After all, we live in a “Christian” nation.

In verses 23-26 Jeremiah shares his observations of the devestation. The earth itself shakes, the birds have fled, the cities lie in ruins. While it feels like there is little hope in what the prophet sees, God is still present. In verse 27 God declares that the devestation will not be complete. There will be grieving and darkness, yes. But God will remain at work.

The same is true today. At times we can feel helpless and hopeless. At times it feels like we are near the end. But if one pushes past the headlines and sound bites, there is good being done in the name of Christ: people being fed and clothed, grievers being comforted, widows being cared for. God is at work. There is still hope for God’s people and for our world.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your consistent walk with us. Thank you for loving us always in spite of who and what we are at times. And thank you for moving us out into the world, into places of hurt and grief and need, being your light and love in the world. Lord, continue to use us, your people, to shine your light and love into the world. Amen.


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So It Will Be with Us

Reading: Matthew 24-25

Matthew 24:46 – “Happy are those servants whom the master finds fulfilling their responsibilities when he comes.”

Chapter 24 is almost all about the signs of Jesus’ return. The end of chapter 24 and most of chapter 25 is about being ready or prepared for that day. Chapter 25 closes with the consequences of our decisions and actions leading up to that day. The conversation begins outside the temple, where Jesus predicts its destruction. This leads the disciples to ask about the end times when Jesus will return in glory.

Jesus says there will be many things that will happen. There will be false prophets and false christs. There will be war, famine, earthquakes, great suffering, and persecution. Many will fall away. Then the sun and moon will go dark and the planets will shake. Christ will come on the clouds in great splendor and power. The angels will gather the chosen ones. Jesus then reminds us that no one knows the day or hour. It will come upon the earth just as the flood came upon the people of Noah’s day. The message is clear: stay alert, always be prepared for the day.

From 24:45 through 25:30 we find three parables that describe what it looks like to be alert and prepared. In the first parable we read, “Happy are those servants whom the master finds fulfilling their responsibilities when he comes.” The bad or unfaithful servants will be cut to pieces and thrown into hell when the master returns unexpectedly. In the second parable the wise bridesmaids had plenty of oil (faith.) They will enter the wedding (heaven) when the late groom (Christ) arrives. The door will be closed. The foolish or unprepared will hear, “I don’t know you” when they try to get in. In the third parable the faithful who have put their gifts to work will hear, “Come, celebrate with me.” The lazy and evil will be thrown into the “furthest darkness.”

We close with the parable of the sheep and the goats. This summarizes the results of how one lived. The sheep lived for others, feeding the hungry, visiting the prisoners, welcoming the strangers. They did so in the name of Christ. Eternal life is their final reward. The goats ignored the hungry… Their final reward is eternal punishment. So it will be with us.

Prayer: Lord God, how we live day by day matters. Keep us faithful in the small things, attending to all that you place before us, using the gifts and blessings you have given us to bring your kingdom to fruition. Amen.


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Nevertheless

Reading: Ezekiel 12-16

Ezekiel 14:6 – “The LORD God proclaims: Come back! Turn away from your idols and from all your detestable practices. Turn away!”

Our reading begins with Ezekiel modeling the exile in a sign act. With people watching, he packs a bag and tunnels through the wall. Bag in tow, he heads out into the dark. Exile is coming. A few will survive to tell of their detestable practices. God then instructs Ezekiel to eat while trembling, to drink anxiously. During the siege, this will be Judah’s reality.

Some people question God’s timing. God says there will be no delay. The foolish prophets who proclaim peace and that God will be their wall – their lies will be exposed. The prophetesses who are misleading and entrapping people – God will rescue their victims. The focus then turns to those who are worshipping idols. God declares that if they come to God or to Ezekiel for prayers or for guidance, God will send them back to their idols. Yet God longs for Judah to repent. God says, The LORD God proclaims: Come back! Turn away from your idols and from all your detestable practices. Turn away!”

Noah, Daniel, and Job figuratively enter the story in chapter 14. They alone would be saved if wild animals or war or plague or famine were sent by God. These icons of the faith and virtue couldn’t even save their sons or daughters. They could save only themselves. God declares that all four tragedies are coming. Few will survive. Jerusalem is then compared to a vine. It is useful only for burning.

Chapter 16 details Jerusalem’s “detestable practices.” God recalls saving her when she was abandoned and naked. God fed and clothed and cared for her. She grew up and became very beautiful. She then prostituted herself with “all comers” – Egypt then Assyria then Babylon. Jerusalem was worse than Samaria and Sodom – so detestable that they looked righteous by comparison. Yet, in verse 60, we read, “Nevertheless…” God will one day reestablish the covenant. God will forgive their sins. Judah will then know that the Lord is God.

Prayer: Lord God, it was important for Judah to let go of false hope and to hear a call to repentance. It is important for us to be reminded that you are the only hope – our only hope, the only giver of mercy. We too will face judgment. Lead us to walk in covenant relationship with you, O Lord. Amen.


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Blessing, Woe

Reading: Luke 6: 17-26

Verses 17-18: “A great number of people… had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases”.

In Jesus’ ministry, His teaching and healing were often connected. People were drawn to the healing that Jesus’ physical touch would bring. In today’s passage we read, “A great number of people… had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases”. For those there were in need of physical healing, we read that they only needed to touch Jesus to experience healing. I imagine the crowd was milling around and pressing in on Jesus.

As Jesus begins to speak He addresses both the blessings and woes that people experience. The words that Jesus speak also offer healing. Through the “blessed are you” statements, Jesus offers the hope of a promised better life. These words bring comfort, reassurance, and healing. He also offers several “woe to you” statements. These words bring warning, conviction, and, ultimately, they offer healing to those living in sin. If all present will allow Jesus’ words to touch them, they can experience spiritual healing.

The first three “blessed are” statements deal with those who are poor, hungry, and weeping. To these, Jesus attached a future hope and promise. The fourth speaks to those who are being persecuted because of their faith in Christ. Jesus reminds them that they walk with Him. For all people, life has trials and sufferings. To those that day living with these, Jesus offers eternal hope as He says, “rejoice in that day” because “great is your reward in heaven”. Keep the faith, keep your eyes on Christ, trust in what is to come.

Jesus also addresses those who are enjoying life now. He speaks to those who are rich, well fed and to those who are laughing and are thought well of by men. Jesus says woe to these because they are pursuing and enjoying the things of this earth, all of which are temporary. The when or will statements apply to the life of torment that will come as well.

We live with the same choice to make. Our priorities, our focus, our faith, our concern for others – these things will bring us blessings or woes. Do we hunger for the Word? Are we concerned for and engaged with the poor? Do we weep with those who are suffering or struggling? Do we speak up and live out our faith courageously and boldly? These are the things that will bring blessing. May these be the things we pursue and chase after. Then all the glory will be to God.

Prayer: Lord, help me to live first for you and then for others. In all I say and do, may love be my lead and my guide. Amen.


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Grumble, Grumble

Reading: Numbers 21: 4-9

Verses 4-5: “The people grew impatient… they spoke against God and against Moses”.

“Spoke against” is code for complained. For any parent who has gone on a long road trip with kids, you have gotten to this point. No matter how many snacks, no matter how many movies, no matter how many coloring books and games – you get there. Your answer to the 100th “Are we there yet?” is not any more satisfactory than your answer was the first time, and the complaining begins. Inevitably it spreads.

God has provided His chosen people with food and water day after day. He has led them safely day after day. He has parted the sea and then drowned all the Egyptians. Through the years your clothes and your sandals have not worn out. And yet this day they get to complaining. It started small but has become a roar. It may be that they’ve been by this sea before. It may be that this journey has been a lot longer than it could have been. But the people’s disobedience has caused God to say “one more time around the desert” more than once. They have wandered longer than needed solely through their own sin.

When we get to the point of complaining, our memory goes a bit defunct. We too forget how God had cared for and fed and led us. We forget how God has accepted our repentance over and over, always offering forgiveness. We forget all those times when God rescued us and guided us through. Instead of using all of our experiences with God to draw strength and as a reason to seek God, like children, we complain. Complaining is dangerous. The Israelites encountered some snakes that snap their memories back into place and lead them to repent and to seek God’s help.

God does not send snakes when we complain. The poison that we bring into our relationship with God does enough damage. It separates us from God. It sometimes even ramps up the complaining. In those moments when we are tempted to begin to grumble at God, may we instead take a breath and reflect on God’s presence and blessings in our life and then go to God with a prayer of thanksgiving. Then we can humbly and honestly come to God with our petitions and our prayer made from a good heart will be holy and pleasing to God. God is good. Trust.


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Expect God

Expectations.  We all have them.  When someone you know and love is struggling with something, what do you expect?  When life throws you a curve ball, what us it that you expect?  For most of us, we expect to make it through, to be okay in the end.

A large crowd had gathered to hear Jesus teach that day.  They were spellbound with His words.  The day grew long.  Jesus tossed a problem to the disciples – feed them.  We’ve been there – maybe just not quite this extreme.  Boss or teacher or parent tosses us an assignment, project, or task that is due yesterday.  After the panic passes, we set to it and somehow get it done.  Sound familiar?

The disciples also panic.  They utter out loud what we usually only think.  What?!  Do you know what you are asking?  There are thousands here!  Can you see Jesus watching, arms folded, slight grin on His face?  Without being asked He steps in.  Just moments later thousands have eaten their fill and 12 baskets of leftovers are gathered up.  All from two fish and  five loaves of bread.  A miracle has happened.  All are amazed at His power.

Do you think they all expected to be fed?  Surely they could see there was no caravan of wagons laden with food.  Do you think any of the disciples’ first thought was to turn to Jesus when He handed out this impossible task?  Neither is mine.  It should be.  I read all about the miracles.  I believe them.  I hear of miracles in the world today.  I believe they happen all the time.  I just don’t expect them in my life.  I should.  Lord God, open my eyes and heart to the expectation of miracles in my life and in my world.  Help my unbelief.

Scripture reference: John 6: 1-15