pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: forgiveness


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Higher Than Our Ways

Reading: Isaiah 52:13-55:13

Isaiah 54:7 – “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great mercy I will bring you back.”

Photo credit: Kate Remmer

Today, as we conclude Second Isaiah, we begin with the fourth Servant Song. The servant grew up quietly. He was not one to behold, nor did he draw attention to himself. In time he was despised and avoided, his words piercing the soul. He suffered with and was familiar with the sick, the outcast, the lonely. He bore our sins and was pierced because of our rebellions. By these wounds we are healed. An unjust ruling led to his death but “after his deep anguish he will see the light.” On the third day he arose, returning to his “share with the great.

Chapter 54 speaks of Israel’s restoration. A nation that has become barren will “burst out” to the left and right. God will partner with Israel to rebuild the nation. In verse 7 we read, “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great mercy I will bring you back.” These days are like the days of Noah. The punishment is ended. The new restart begins. Israel will be founded on righteousness, oppression will not come near. The new generation will be “disciples of the Lord.”

The themes of joy and restoration continue in chapter 55. In my Bible it is titled “An Invitation to the Feast.” There is water for the thirsty and food for the hungry. The invitation is also to “listen, and you will live.” God will make an “everlasting covenant.” God also invites the wicked to abandon their ways. The God who is “generous with forgiveness” wants to have mercy on them. Yes, God’s ways are higher than our ways. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, what hope and promise, both for your children then and for your children now. You went to great lengths to take in flesh and to suffer and pay for our transgressions. That spirit continues as you invite all to come to the table of grace, to feast on your generous mercy. Your words lead and guide us, they teach and instruct us. They do not return empty. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Called… Mine

Reading: Isaiah 40-44

‭Isaiah 43:10-11 – “Before me no god was formed; after me there has been no other. I, I am the LORD, and there is no savior besides me.”

Photo credit: Patrick Schneider

Today we begin Second Isaiah. We’ve skipped forward about 140 years. Written during the time of the Babylonian exile, this section offers promises of deliverance, forgiveness, renewal, and a return to the Promised Land. The prophet is not shy about reminding Israel and Judah about their past disobedience, especially their foolishness in worshipping idols.

Chapter 40 declares that God’s people have paid their penalty. God will now clear a “way in the desert” so that God can gather and tend to the flock. The theme is picked up in chapter 43, where we read that God will gather them from the east, west, north, and south. God will do a new thing, making “paths in the wilderness.” Our reading closes with God declaring that the Promised Land will be resettled, that the cities will be rebuilt, and that the temple “will be founded again.” What words of hope and promise for a people living in exile.

A large portion of today’s reading focuses on who and what God is. This was essential to return home. They needed to again know God as creator, maker, defender, redeemer. Again and again God asks questions like, “Who is my equal?” Well, no one. In chapter 43 we read, “Before me no god was formed; after me there has been no other. I, I am the LORD, and there is no savior besides me.” The implication is that there is only one God to love, only one God to worship.

The prophet also gives some attention to the worthlessness of idols. God invites them to speak – they can’t. God invites them to do something – they can’t. The same is true for us today. Our money, our possessions, our titles, our followers on social media – in the big picture, these too are all worthless. May we instead choose to worship the Lord our God, the one who says to each of us, “I have called you by name; you are mine.”

Prayer: Lord God, you are the waymaker, the one true God. You formed us in the womb, designed us to live in relationship with you. When we fall off the path, you call us back again and again, so great is your love and mercy. Lead and guide us to walk in your light and love today. Amen.


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Wait for the Lord…

Readings: Psalms 128-130

‭Psalm 130:6 – “My whole being waits for my Lord — more than the night watch waits for morning; yes, more than the night watch waits for morning!”

Today’s three Psalms form the rest of the “Songs of Ascent.” Now, that’s not to say that Psalm 17 or Psalm 136 couldn’t be sung on one’s way up to Jerusalem. This is so because just like yesterday’s Psalms 120-127 and just like almost any “set” of Psalms, within these three we find cries to God, oppression by the wicked, trust in God to act, and praises for God’s blessings and presence.

Psalm 128 equated being faithful and working hard to having a truly happy life. It offers blessings for a fruitful wife who produces many children, who are like “freshly planted olive trees.” It closes with a hope to “see your grandchildren” – to experience long life, another sign of God’s blessing.

The psalmist cries out for relief in Psalm 129. The enemy has “plowed my back like farmers.” This implies being scourged. Yet God rescued the writer. He or she prays the enemy would be like “grass on the roof” – that they’d experience a very short life because they are evil.

Today’s reading closes with Psalm 130. It is part cry for help, part recognition of God’s great mercy, part encouragement to “wait for the Lord!” The psalmist is in need of forgiveness. They cry out for mercy. They are grateful that “forgiveness is in you” and they acknowledge that without God’s mercy, no one would make it. So they wait eagerly, “More than the night watch waits for morning!” The repetition emphasizes their desperation. The Psalm closes by encouraging Israel to also wait for the Lord. May we do so as well.

Prayer: Lord God, you are so good to us. Your mercy never ends, your grace abounds, your love never fails. You are our guide and our strength, our shield and our defender, our gracious redeemer and our sure hope. Thank you, O Lord our God! Amen.


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The Goodness of God

Readings: Psalms 102-104

‭Psalm 104:24 – “LORD, you have done so many things! You made them all so wisely! The earth is full of your creations!”

Psalm 102 begins in lament. The psalmist cries out for God to hear their prayers. Their bones are crushed; their heart is smashed. They eat ashes instead of bread. And then in verse 12 the psalmist remembers the God who reigns forever. Yes, God will stand up. Yes, God will look down, hear, and set free “those condemned to death.” Even though the psalmist feels like God is “cutting short my days,” the Psalm closes with a petition for God’s presence to be with his or her children and descendants.

The mood shifts in Psalms 103 and 104. These Psalms celebrate God’s love and care for all of creation. Psalm 103 begins with thanks for forgiveness and healing, for love and compassion, for the good things God provides. The psalmist celebrates God’s patience and mercy, remembering that we don’t get what our sins deserve. Instead, God removes our sins “as far as the east is from the west.” It is noted that this because God knows how we are made. God made us! And even though our days “are like grass,” God’s days are forever. The Psalm closes with a call for heaven and earth, for all of creation, to join the psalmist’s whole being in praising the Lord.

Psalm 104 continues this invitation. The psalmist celebrates God’s creative prowess. He or she recognizes the wine, oil, and bread that God provides to sustain and enrich our lives as signs of God’s goodness. The psalmist proclaims, “LORD, you have done so many things! You made them all so wisely! The earth is full of your creations!” What a celebration of who and what God is! In verses 29-30 we are reminded that God is the giver and taker of breath and life. Then at the end of this Psalm we find a request to “wipe clean from the earth” the wicked. When I read this it felt a bit out of place after all of the praise and celebration in verses 1-34. My Bible’s notes revealed this truth: these are those who seek to disrupt the goodness of God and God’s creation. Ah ha!

Prayer: Lord God, yes, we too have our days and seasons when we feel crushed, when we feel oppressed. In these times, Lord, remind us of your constant presence and of how you are faithful to hear and to respond. Bring to memory the healing and restoration we’ve experienced and lead us to trust into your love and compassion for us. From there may we respond with praise and thanksgiving to the one who creates and reigns wisely and faithfully. There may we celebrate the goodness of God. Amen


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Ups, Downs, Highs, Lows

Readings: Psalms 85-89

‭Psalm 86:2 – “Guard my life because I am faithful. Save your servant who trusts in you — you! My God!”

Photo credit: Franzie Allen Miranda

Today’s Psalms rise and fall like the highs and lows of our lives. Like these Psalms, our faith can bounce from “Praise God!” to “Where are you, God?” more often than we’d like. Psalm 85, for example, begins with thanks for God’s forgiveness then quickly pivots to a God who seems angry, who yet needs to forgive their sins. The Psalm closes beautifully and with hope. “Truth springs up… righteousness looks down.” Walk with the Lord!

Psalm 86 begins with a series of petitions, each followed by a “because.” In verse 2, for example, we read, “Guard my life because I am faithful. Save your servant who trusts in you — you! My God!” Do these things, God, because I have faith! After celebrating times when God was faithful, the psalmist invites God to act once again: “Come back to me! Have mercy on me!” A faithful one asks, “Where are you, God?”

A short Psalm 87 celebrates that those from Zion are blessed.

Next we turn to Psalm 88. Frankly, it is hard to read. It is a lament that goes down and down, ending in hopelessness. The psalmist cries out to God but feels beyond help. Friends have abandoned the writer. It feels like God has too. The Psalm concludes: “My only friend is darkness.” So why read Psalms like this? There is a really good reason. They remind us that life is not easy. Many people end up here. If you’re not one, then read this Psalm and allow yourself to feel the pain and darkness. The connection will bring a measure of empathy to how you minister to those who walk in the darkness.

We close with Psalm 89 as book 3 ends. A lengthy remembrance of God’s power and of God’s promises to David and his dynasty is followed by 15 verses that ask where God is. It seems that God has broken the covenant. It begs God to let the anger pass. There is an implied plea for restoration. Because you promised this God and because I am faithful… We can certainly relate.

Prayer: Lord God, we encounter so many ups and downs, so many highs and lows today in our readings. Thank you, Lord, for the reminder. We all struggle. We all need support, encouragement, understanding – from you and from one another. We can all offer these things to others. Guide us, O God, each day. As we receive, may we give. Amen.


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Listen, Save, Deliver

Readings: Psalms 37-41

‭Psalm 37:37 – “Observe those who have integrity and watch those whose heart is right because the future belongs to persons of peace.”

As we close our Book 1, today’s Psalms have a more personal, more intimate feel. Psalm 37 lifts up the life of righteousness. I love verse 3: “Trust the Lord and do good… farm righteousness.” What a great image – plant it, water it, feed it, tend it, nurture it, produce a crop. There’s an honest admission in verse 23: the righteous will trip up. But they won’t be thrown down because God holds their hand! We find great advice in verse 37: “Observe those who have integrity and watch those whose heart is right because the future belongs to persons of peace.” And let us tend to the other side of this equation too: may we model the faith well; may we be persons of peace in this world.

Psalms 38-41 all share connected themes. They speak of the consequences of our sin, of God’s forgiveness, and of the brevity of life. In Psalm 38 the writer acknowledges that the weight of our sin is “way too heavy for me.” Psalms 38 and 41 speak of how people abandon us when we struggle in our sin. In Psalm 40 their wrongdoings have caught up with them. We too have played this game. Psalm 41 begs for healing from their sin. These Psalms also express a strong belief and trust in God’s forgiveness and restoration. There is a deep confidence in God’s unconditional love. Psalm 40 closes with these words: “You are my help and rescuer. My God, don’t wait any longer.” Save me NOW!

Sitting in the middle is Psalm 39. It is a reflection on the brevity and difficulty of life. The psalmist tried holding their tongue to avoid sinning. It did no good. Sin resides in not just our words. The psalmist compares our lives to “a puff of air.” Our blip is just that on God’s eternal timeline. Yet, even so, the psalmist says to God, “Please don’t ignore my tears.” They matter to us, each day. God, don’t ignore our tears either. Listen to our cry. Deliver us, O God.

Prayer: Lord God, what are we, really, that you are mindful of us? Our lives come and go with a blinking of your eye. Yet from our perspective, our years hold meaning. Moments and seasons matter. Teach us to value our time, to use it wisely, to live it all for your glory. Be our helper and rescuer, O God. Hold our hand. Walk with us each of our days. Amen.


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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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Power, Revenge, and Other Evils

Readings: Judges 9, Judges 10, Judges 11, Judges 12

Judges 10:13-14 – “You have gone away from me and served other gods, so I won’t rescue you anymore! Go cry out to the gods you’ve chosen.”

In chapters 9-12 we find the stories of two rulers – Abimelech and Jephthah – who rely on self for the most part, who wheel and deal to get what they want, who leave Israel worse off than before they reigned. We also read about five minor judges who rule on either side of Jephthah.

Abimelech is one of Gideon’s 70 sons. He convinces Shechem that one ruler is better than 70. To consolidate power he then kills all of his brothers except Jotham. Jotham proclaims a fable that decrees monarchy and predicts that fire will destroy the unfaithful. Shechem rebels and Abimelech reacts violently, ultimately killing everyone and leveling the city. Fire is used to kill those hiding in the tower of Shechem. Abimelech then moves on to capture Thebez. At their tower a woman drops a millstone on Abimelech’s head, leading to his death. His lust for power and revenge leads to his downfall.

After two minor judges rule, Israel becomes unfaithful, abandoning God in favor of many local gods. The Philistines and Ammonites “bully and beat up” Israel for 18 years. The people cry out to God but God says, “You have gone away from me and served other gods, so I won’t rescue you anymore! Go cry out to the gods you’ve chosen.” The people change, putting away their foreign gods, turning back to God. God is moved to rescue Israel. Jephthah is eventually made ruler of Gilead. He who was spurned is brought back. After a little history lesson for the Ammonite king Jephthah basically says, “Let’s let God decide.” The Spirit of God comes upon him. He then makes a solemn promise to God. Even though God is clearly with him, the wheeler and dealer can’t resist. This promise costs him his only daughter. Jephthah wins an “exceptionally great” victory.

Ephraim feels left out and threatens Jephthah. Civil war follows. 42,000 from Ephraim die. A lust for power and an unwillingness to seek forgiveness leads to this tragedy. Jephthah dies and three minor judges rule next. God is not even mentioned in any of these three accounts. Evil is not far away.

Prayer: Lord God, you call us all to lead in one way or another. In our moments of leadership remind us that you are the one true God, the only one in control. Empower us to keep that perspective when temptation rises up within us. Quell the desires for status, power, control… Guide us to lead well as we follow closely in your footsteps. Amen.


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When Will They Learn?

Readings: Numbers 11, Numbers 12, Numbers 13, Numbers 14

Numbers 14:8 – “If the LORD is pleased with us, he’ll bring us into this land and give it to us.”

Photo credit: Anne Nygard

Chapters 11-14 are a great summary of the Israelites time in the wilderness. It has it all: complaint and grumbling, anger and punishment, faith and doubt, trust and fear, intercession and forgiveness, victory and defeat.

Our reading begins with a little grumbling. God’s fire burns against this unnamed complaint, burning the edges of camp – a sign of warning. Some “riffraff” ignore the warning. They allow their craving for meat to lead to grumbling and a longing for those “better days” in Egypt. Moses is frustrated and overwhelmed. God responds by giving him leaders to help bear the weight of leadership. And God brings waves and waves of quail. God will be so abundant that “it will come out of your nostrils and nauseate you.” God’s anger then burns against the riffraff. They are buried there in the desert.

The complaining turns personal as Aaron and Miriam question Moses’ leadership. They are jealous. They claim a connection to God that only Moses has. Miriam is struck with a skin disease. Aaron begs for Moses to intercede. Miriam must bear the shame of their sin for seven days. After her isolation period she is healed and returns to camp.

Chapters 13 and 14 cover the exploration of the Promised Land and the people’s lack of faith and trust. The spies return with huge grapes and stories of huge people and fortified cities. Caleb tries to rally the people. Rumors ensue and soon the people are discouraged. The people once again long for Egypt – or at least to die in the desert instead of by the sword. Joshua then speaks, trying to rally their faith. He says, “If the LORD is pleased with us, he’ll bring us into this land and give it to us.” That is a really big “if.” The people want to stone Joshua and Caleb.

God’s anger burns hot as God decides to start over with just Moses. Moses intercedes again and God’s anger relents. But there will be a consequence: those 20+ will indeed die in the desert. They will wander for 40 years – one year for each day of exploration. Bitter mourning follows this news. And yet a group decides to enter the Promised Land anyway. Moses warns them. They are struck down by the people of Canaan.

Prayer: Lord God, how clear are the results of faith versus fear, of obedience versus disobedience. I start to think, when will they learn?! And then I realize that we’re still learning, that I’m still learning. Thank you, Lord, for your unending love and for your enduring faithfulness. You give mercy and grace that we and I don’t deserve. Yet it flows generously and abundantly. Thank you, God. Amen.


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God Still Provides a Way

Readings: Leviticus 5, Leviticus 6, Leviticus 7

Leviticus 7:30 – “Your own hands must bring the LORD’s food gifts.”

Chapter 5 opens with a few more ways that we can sin – by withholding information in a trial, by touching something or someone unclean, by carelessly swearing. A purification offering is required. Access is also made available to the poor. If one cannot afford an animal from the flock, doves or pigeons are acceptable. If one can’t afford this, choice flour is acceptable. This provides all people with equal access to all parts of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Then the text turns to unintentional sin against the “Lord’s holy things.” In addition to the purification offering, one-fifth of the value of the holy thing is given as a compensation offering.

Chapter 6 begins as chapter 5 had, with some other sins we could and do commit. These sins are deception, cheating, lying, and swearing falsely in things dealing with property. Again the one-fifth compensation offering is added to the purification offering. The rest of chapter 6 and most of chapter 7 covers “Priestly Instructions.” It covers the priest’s roles in the various offerings. Detail is added in terms of how they perform their duties and in how they are to eat their portions that provide compensation for doing their priestly duties.

Chapter 7 closes with a few more instructions for the people. They are not to eat anything that has touched something unclean. They are not to eat the fat of the ox, sheep, or goat. They are not to eat blood. And they must bring their offering to the Lord with their own hands. While most of what we read today pertains to another time, this last one remains true. We must bring our own confessions to the Lord. We must repent of our own sins. We take responsibility for ourselves. So be it.

Prayer: Lord God, today’s readings remind me of two things. First, we can and do sin in many different ways. Some are intentional, some are unintentional. Second, you still provide a way to be reconciled and forgiven. Thank you for your unending grace and mercy. Amen.