pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Resolve

Reading: Jeremiah 29:1 and 4-7

Jeremiah 29:5-6 – “Build houses and settle down; cultivate gardens and eat what they produce. Get married and have children…”

In the opening verse we learn that Jeremiah sends a letter to those who have been brought into exile – to the elders, priests, prophets, and people taken to Babylon from Jerusalem. The typical thought process would be figuring out how to get back home ASAP. For us, when we’ve sinned and find ourselves in exile, this is normally our thought process. It will not be so for Jeremiah and for Israel.

This is part of God’s proclamation to Israel: “Build houses and settle down; cultivate gardens and eat what they produce. Get married and have children…” In other words, settle in and become a part of where God has sent you. Treat whatever city of exile as your new homeland. Contribute to the community’s welfare and pray for it. Israel will spend almost two generations in exile (70 years.) During this time God will produce a small but faithful remnant to return to Jerusalem and to the Promised Land.

Jeremiah is calling Israel to the fifth movement of Ignatuis’ Examen: resolve. In more modern language, God is asking Israel to “bloom where you are planted.” Being there for the long haul, God invites Israel to make the most of their new reality. A better future is out there for God’s people. But there is work to be done. Like Israel, at times we must resolve that tomorrow can and will be different. Working through request, relish, review, and repent we arrive at a place of heart prepared to look and move forward with hope. As we resolve to live more like Christ, God’s transforming Spirit leads us forward, deepening our relationship with God and with one another. May it be so each day as we learn to practice this powerful spiritual discipline.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us to walk the walk, not just to talk the talk. Lead and guide us to work the steps, not just to give them a tip of the hat. Only when we put in the effort, only then will you work in and then through us, transforming our hearts and the communities in which we live and in which we worship. Strengthen and encourage us, O God. Amen.


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Finding Hope and Strength

Reading: Psalm 137

Psalm 137:5 – “Jerusalem! If I forget you, let my strong hand wither!”

Photo credit: Wylly Suhendra

Psalm 137 wrestles with holding onto faith during a time of deep grief. This is a struggle we’ve all faced or will face at some point in life. The emotions of the Psalm are real and honest, especially in verses 7-9. If grief we feel these emotions too, but usually choose not to give them voice. The psalmist and fellow Israelites find themselves in Babylonian exile, grieving alongside a river. They have put away their musical instruments, thinking, who could sing at a time like this? In grief we too can set aside certain practices or activities that we used to do with the departed loved one. It feels too painful for these things in the midst of grief. The departed loved one for Israel is God, personified in Jerusalem. While God is still present, it doesn’t feel like it for Israel. When their “tormentors” mockingly call for a song, the Israelites wonder, “How could we sing a joyful song at a time like this?!”

Yet there is something in the psalmist that knows they must maintain a connection with God. In verse 5 we read, “Jerusalem! If I forget you, let my strong hand wither!” Verse 6 offers a similar pledge. For the psalmist, hard as it might be, music is a way to remember and to honor and to be connected to God. Music brings the Israelites into the presence of God and it brings them into community. In times of grief, we often just want to be alone. It feels like that would just be easier. Frankly, it is. But healing comes most often in community, in being with others, in being reminded of God’s presence with us. Here one finds the beginnings of those seeds of hope and the strength to ponder next steps. In their grief, with the gifts of hope and strength, the Israelites began to step forward in faith. May it be so for you and for me in our times of grief.

Prayer: Lord God, sometimes life is hard and it rains down grief, feelings of disorientation, moments of withdrawal. When this happens to those we know, send us into their lives, being your light and love, your hope and strength. And when we find ourselves in this hard place, guide us into community – with you and with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.


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He Will Be There

Reading: Matthew 14:22-33

Matthew 14:25 – “Very early in the morning he came to his disciples, walking on the lake.”

Our passage begins with “Right then…” This sudden shift follows and is connected to what has just happened. Chapter 14 begins with the death of John the Baptist. Jesus hears the story from John’s disciples. Jesus tries to find solitude but the crowd follows. He heals the sick. As evening nears, filled with compassion, Jesus feeds 5,000 men plus women and children from two fish and five loaves. It is right then that Jesus sends the disciples across the lake. He dismisses the crowd and finally finds some alone time with God, time to grieve for John. This pattern is typical for Jesus and is our call too: care for others before self, but still take time to care for self. One simply cannot pour into others from a place of exhaustion and emptiness.

In verse 25 we read, “Very early in the morning he came to his disciples, walking on the lake.” Seeing him, the disciples are terrified. Yes, the Old Testament speaks of God making “a way in the sea” (Isaiah 43:16,) but this has never been done by a human. Of course they think Jesus is a ghost. Quickly he reassures them, offering encouragement, identifying himself. Peter asks for proof: “If it is you, order me to come to you on the water.” Jesus says, “Come,” and Peter begins to walk on the water. When have you observed someone doing something amazing, been encouraged to join them, and started doing what they’re doing? Although likely not walking on water, when willing we can do what we thought beyond ourselves when encouraged to believe that we can.

Unfortunately Peter gets distracted and sinks back to the base line. Fear overtakes his faith. So too is it with us. Our human weaknesses impact our faith. Just as Jesus was there for Peter, he will be there for us too, reaching out a hand, helping us back to our place of comfort, calming our storms. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, when and where will you call us out of the boat today? How will you move us beyond where we think we can go? Lord, when you do, make us ready and willing. Trusting in you, guide us to step forward. Amen.


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God’s Promises

Reading: Numbers 13:25-33

Numbers 13:30 – “Now Caleb calmed the people before Moses and said, ‘We must go up and take possession of it, because we are more than able to do it.'”

This week, as we weave our way to the Jericho story and the fulfillment of some of God’s promises, we begin where most of us falter in our trust in said promises. In the story of God’s people, they have arrived on the edge of the Promised Land. In 13:1 God says to Moses, “Send out men to explore the land of Canaan, which I’m giving to the Israelites.” A leader from each of the twelve tribes is sent to explore the land which God promised to their ancestor, Abraham.

The twelve men return after exploring Canaan for forty days. Their report begins by stating that the land “actually is full of milk and honey.” This phrase is used often to describe the Promised Land – in Exodus 3 and 33, in Deuteronomy 6 and 26… It is a phrase that implies blessing and abundance. If this is actually true, then what of the promise given to Abraham and reiterated to Isaac, Jacob…?

The “but” comes next. There are powerful people living in huge fortified cities. And there are giants. The explorers mostly see challenge. Fear and doubt and mistrust rise up. Joshua and Caleb, though, see promise. It is Caleb who speaks up in faith, saying, “We must go up and take possession of it, because we are more than able to do it.” This is trusting in God’s promises. Fear, however, is greater this day. The men who felt like “grasshoppers” next to these giants convince the people that God’s promises cannot be trusted. There are giants there! They will return to wandering the desert until this generation dies off. Only Caleb and Joshua will one day enter the Promised Land.

Prayer: Lord God, in our hearts we know that your promises are true. You are always faithful and steadfast in your love for us, your people. Lord, in those moments when the world pushes up against our faith, in the times when fear and doubt rise, whisper into our hearts and minds. In your Spirit power, guide us to step forward unafraid, trusting in you alone. Amen.


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A Clean Heart, A Faithful Spirit

Reading: Psalm 51:1-17

Psalm 51:10 – “Create a clean heart for me, God; put a new, faithful spirit deep inside me!”

Today’s Psalm is believed to be David’s response to Nathan confronting him about his great sins around Bathsheba. When he realized the depth of his sin, David became deeply remorseful. While adultery and murder are serious sins, we must keep in mind that any and all sin separates us from God. There are no levels or degrees of separation from God’s view.

David seeks God’s mercy and cleansing. Only God can offer these means of grace and newness. David longs to be made clean so that he can “hear joy and celebration again.” He wants to be restored. And he wants to be able to teach others – so they can return to God as well.

In the Psalm we see an acknowledgement of our human condition. David admits “my sin is always right in front of me.” Sin is ever knocking at the door of our heart. While our sins can certainly affect others, sin primarily affects our relationship with God. It is God alone that has the power to change our hearts and, in turn, to create the praise that comes from a heart tuned to God.

Because God desires truth and wisdom in “the most hidden places” (in our hearts,) David invites God to “create a clean heart for me, God; put a new, faithful spirit deep inside me!” God alone empowers us in our battle with sin. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can our “broken spirit” become a “faithful spirit,” the sacrifice that God desires. Dying to our old self, breaking that worldly pull, we open ourselves to living as a child of the light. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, bring us again and again to the place where David is at in this Psalm. Bring us to the place of honesty with ourselves and with you, to the space where we can lay all of our sin before you, begging to be made new again. Walk forward from there with us, O God, encouraging and empowering us to be Spirit-filled creations, living joy, bringing you glory and praise. Amen.


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Total, Complete, Unfailing Love

Readings: Deuteronomy 5, Deuteronomy 6, Deuteronomy 7, Deuteronomy 8

Deuteronomy 6:5 – “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength.”

Our readings today begin with Moses’ call to remember what God said on Mount Horeb. He then reviews this by reiterating the Ten Commandments. Moses is doing so because he will spend most of the next 20 chapters unpacking these ten rules to live by. From here Moses moves to “the great commandment” in chapter 6. In verse 5 we read it: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength.” In many ways this sums up the first four of the 10 Commandments. Moses goes on to show just how all-encompassing this command is to be for faithful living. Tell your children, talk about it all the time, write it on the places that you’ll see often – make this the central tenet of your faith and your life.

This is then followed up with a warning against arrogance. All the cities and houses, all the wells and orchards – you didn’t do this. God gave it to you. A similar warning comes in chapter 8 too. God must have known we’d struggle with pride, ego, vanity… Love God, not self.

Moses/God commands the Israelites to teach their children their communal history and then to teach them the Law. Begin with the why and then move to the how to live faithfully in response to God’s love and care and provision. We shift next to how to deal with foreign worship. First, don’t enter into covenants with and don’t intermarry with the Canaanites. Destroy their idols, altars, poles, and sacred stones. The Lord is the only true God. Remember and live this and God will bless them in every way possible. In every way.

Chapter 8 is a reminder chapter, a why chapter. Remember God gave you manna and taught you that you don’t live by physical bread alone. Remember that God trooped you through the desert for 40 years and that your clothes didn’t wear out. Remember all that has happened to you as you stand on the edge of the Promised Land. This remembering will allow Israel to move forward in obedience and faithfulness. May we too remember often what the Lord our God has done for us. And may it lead us forward in obedience and faithfulness.

Prayer: Lord God, what rich and deep and powerful reminders today of your total and complete and unfailing love and care for your people. At times you are the shield about us and at times you are the love that enfolds us. What an awesome God we love and serve. All the power and glory are yours! Amen.


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The Second Law

Readings: Deuteronomy 1, Deuteronomy 2, Deuteronomy 3, Deuteronomy 4

Deuteronomy 4:29 – “You will seek the LORD your God from there, and you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your being.”

Today we begin the book of Deuteronomy. This book’s name translates “second law” and is the gateway to the rest of the Old Testament. This book presents itself as Moses’ last sermon. It focuses on teaching Israel what to do, how to do it, and why it ought to be done. “It” refers to living in right relationship with God and with the community of faith. The standards or guidelines established in Deuteronomy guide Israel forward into the Promised Land and they continue to guide us today.

Moses begins his narrative by recalling the promises of God – to give them this land and to make them “as countless as the stars in the sky.” Moses then gives structure to the people by appointing leaders to guide and to judge. Moses then recounts much of their wilderness lessons – the do’s and the don’ ints learned on the journey. This is primarily to remind them how they got to this point. It includes the “spy disaster” and its consequences. It includes the journey to the Transjordan and its victories. It reviews settling Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh and their promise to lead into upcoming battles. It concludes with Moses’ petition to enter the Promised Land, God’s rejection of this, and Moses’ charge to strengthen and encourage Joshua, their next leader.

Chapter 4 closes today’s readings with reminders of God’s power and might and of God’s call for them to be a holy and set apart nation. It speaks of an exile in their future. And even there God promises, “You will seek the LORD your God from there, and you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your being.” This has been true all along and will continue to be true – even for us today. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, in every high and in every low, you are our God. You led Israel through peaks and valleys; you guided them without fail. We too seek to live into this kind of relationship. Lead and guide us; teach us your ways. Walk with us day by day. Amen.


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Faithfully (?) Forward

Readings: Numbers 19, Numbers 20, Numbers 21

Numbers 21:34 – “Don’t be afraid of him, for I have handed over all his people and his land.”

Photo credit: Felipe Correia

As we continue into Numbers 19-21 we begin to see the people learning some of the rules of the road. There are still times when the step forward is followed by a step back. Yet they are finally beginning to move forward and to better understand what God requires and expects of them as a holy nation.

Chapter 19 contains more instructions. It begins with instructions on how to make the waters of purification. A flawless, unworked red bull is slaughtered… Its ashes are mixed with water, creating a holy water that can be used to purify uncleanliness. Next comes an application of said water. This water will be used to purify people and things that come into contact with a dead body, making them unclean for 7 days. On days 3 and 7 all that is unclean is sprinkled by the water. On day 7 unclean people bathe and wash their clothing, allowing them to return to community life.

At the start of chapter 20 Miriam dies and is buried. There is no water there. Complaints arise. God tells Moses and Aaron to gather the people and to tell the rock to provide water. God’s glory will be revealed. Instead, Moses strikes the rock, in essence claiming that he and Aaron brought forth water. God then declares that Moses will not enter the Promised Land because of his disobedience. Moving on the Israelites ask for safe passage through Edom. The king refuses and comes out in force to prevent their passing through. They begin the long trek around Edom. Aaron dies along the way on Mount Hor. Leadership as high priest is passed on to his son Eleazar. Israel mourns 30 days for Aaron.

In chapter 21 the Israelites are attacked and they seek God’s help. God gives them the victory! And they follow this up with more complaints about another lack of water. God responds by sending poisonous snakes into the camp. This serves as a wakeup call. The people repent, Moses prays, God saves. After marching for a bit, the Israelites offered up songs of praise and thanksgiving. This is followed up by a crushing defeat of the king of Sihon. As the next battle draws near, God says, “Don’t be afraid of him, for I have handed over all his people and his land.” Victory over Og follows. Israel now possesses all of the lands east of the Jordan – the natural barrier into the Promised Land. The journey is nearing its close.

Prayer: Lord God, while all is not perfect and is, in many ways still far from it, we are beginning to see signs of faith and trust poking out here and there. Israel is yet a work in progress here. So too are we, O God. Guide and lead our journeys of faith too. Build up our faith and trust in you as we learn to live faithfully and obediently. Amen.


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Moving Forward

Readings: Numbers 15, Numbers 16, Numbers 17, Numbers 18

Numbers 18:29 – “You will present each gift offering to the LORD from all your gifts, from its best portions and its holiest parts.”

On the heels of choosing fear over faith and being doomed to wander the wilderness for 40 years, in chapter 15 God details the offerings to be given when they do enter the Promised Land. The wander is clearly a detour. God has a plan. So God reviews the offerings required for unintentional sins. God is clear that there is no reconciliation offering for deliberate or intentional sin. They are cut off. In the next chapter we will see what that looks like. The chapter closes with instructions to place blue fringes on all of their clothing. Blue represents holy. The fringes will remind them of the commitment to their holy God.

Chapter 16 contains challenges to Moses and to Aaron. Korah and his Levite clan want more power. Dathan and Abiram think Moses has too much power. Korah and his family are gathered. God plans to consume Korah’s entire household. Moses intercedes for the innocents. God relents. Dathan and Abiram refuse to appear before Moses. They and their families are swallowed up by the earth. Korah and his 250 followers are consumed by God’s fire. The community grumbles against these deaths and therefore against Moses and God. God sends a plague. Moses sends Aaron out into the community to stop the plague. Aaron stands between the dead and the living, halting the plague.

To reiterate God’s call on Aaron, the staffs of the 12 tribal leaders are gathered and placed with Aaron’s staff before the chest. Aaron’s staff buds, revealing God’s choice. The people lament. For now they fail to see the humility required to be in God’s presence. Today’s readings close with priestly duties and their compensation. It mostly reiterates earlier instructions but also adds a requirement of the priests. Since they belong to the Lord they will not be given a land inheritance. Instead they will receive the tenth of the crops and herds given to the Lord. In turn God will require them to give 1/10 of this to the Lord as their gift offering. It is to be “from its best portions.” May we too return to the Lord a portion from the best of our blessings.

Prayer: Lord God, in spite of the Israelites’ disobedience and rebellion and sin you keep the plan moving forward. You see and know the end results. In our lives we disobey and rebel and sin. You continue to work in our lives as well, leading and guiding, shaping and forming us into who and what you call us to be. In response, may we gratefully give our best to you in all situations. Amen.


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Necessary Steps to Take Steps

Readings: Numbers 1, Numbers 2, Numbers 3, Numbers 4

Numbers 1:2-3 and 46 – “Take a census… of every male 20 years old and above… All those enlisted were 603,550.”

Today is day 34 of our Bible Year reading project. Today we begin Numbers, the fourth book of the Bible. Leaving Mount Sinai in chapter 10, their journey will continue. As God leads, guides, and provides, Israel is shaped more and more into a kingdom of priests. At times they will step forward as a faithful nation. Much of the time they will allow fear to lead to disobedience. The generation that walked out of Egypt will pass and the next generation enters the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership. Along the way God walks with this holy nation.

Numbers begins with a census. All males 20+ are counted. The men eligible for military service totals 603,550. The Levites are not included in this census. They are assigned to the tent of meeting. God orders the camp – three tribes will camp on each side of the tent of meeting. Then the Levites are counted and assigned places to camp. They form a buffer zone around the tent of meeting. There are 22,000 Levite males age one month and older. A tally of the oldest males is made for all the Israelites. This equals 22,273. The extra 273 are redeemed to their families by paying 5 shekels each.

Lastly, duties are assigned to the 3 Levite clans. The Kohathites are responsible for carrying the Holy items – the chest, table, lamp stand, altar… The Gershonites are responsible for carrying the coverings and the Merarites are responsible for the frames, poles, bars, bases… Only Aaron and his sons can touch the holy items. These are packed and covered in cloth and then in fine leather. In all, there are 8,580 Levite males age 30-50 responsible for taking down, setting up, and transporting the tent of meeting and all of its equipment.

These laws and counts and organization are necessary steps for the holy nation to step forward towards the Promised Land. Again today we are reminded that God is a God of order and detail. There is a plan. And, always, everything is done “as the Lord commanded Moses.” Obedience is necessary too. Likewise, may we too do all that the Lord commands us to do.

Prayer: Lord God, what efforts are made to organize this holy nation of Israel. These are practical things necessary for your people to move forward. Lead and guide us today, Lord, so that we too can move into the world to take the good news of Jesus Christ to all people. Amen.