pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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A God That Is Known

Reading: Psalm 91:14-16

Psalm 91:14 – “Because you are devoted to me, I’ll rescue you. I’ll protect you because you know my name.”

Photo credit: Eugene Zhyvchik

As we close out Psalm 91 we read some pretty awesome promises from God. These words are words of rescue, protection, presence, and salvation. In verse 14 God says, “Because you are devoted to me, I’ll rescue you. I’ll protect you because you know my name.” For the people walking with God, for those who are devoted to following God’s instructions, for those who strive to daily live out God’s will and way – God will rescue and protect them. If we live daily within these descriptions, we will be rescued and protected. This absolute feeling guarantee is set partly in Israel’s understanding of themselves as God’s “chosen” people and partly in the reality that for one to be aware of God’s rescuing and protecting, one must know and believe in God’s power and presence.

Our God is a loving and compassionate God. Our God knit every person together in the womb. We are therefore all God’s beloved children. God will rescue and protect those who do not know God at times. These moments are chalked up as karma or good luck or to personal efforts. These folks would not cry out to God as the psalmist speaks of in verse 15. The “cry out to me” in this verse is a knowing cry. It is a cry or a plea to a close friend for help, rescue… To make this kind of a cry – one that is heard and responded to – one must know God.

The crying out to and being answered by the God that is known results in bringing glory to God. The rescue, protection… is credited to God through praise, thanksgiving, witness, and worship. These experiences lead to a long walk with God, to walking with God into “old age,” as the psalmist puts it. And, ultimately, a long and faithful walk with God leads us to experience our salvation – the eternal saving and redemption of our souls. For our God who is known, who is present, who walks daily with us, we say thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, you move and act, guide and direct, rescue and protect, redeem and restore all the time – even when we and others are unaware of it. But as your sons and daughters, make us ever aware of your acts of love and compassion in our lives. Lead us to praise your holy name as our response. It is so good to walk daily with you. For your constant love and care, we say “Thank you!” Amen.


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Our Intercessor

Reading: Exodus 32:7-14

Exodus 32:10 – “Now leave me alone! Let my fury burn and devour them.”

Exodus 32 begins with Moses and Joshua already up on the mountain, speaking with God. They are up there a long time – apparently too long. An impatient people decide that they need something new to follow and worship. A gold bull calf is fashioned. An altar is made. The image is worshipped. Before moving to today’s reading, let us ponder how often we either get impatient with God and take matters into our own hands or… how often we worship things other than the Lord our God.

In verse 7 God instructs Moses to “Hurry up,” to return to “Your people” because they are “ruining everything.” God recounts to Moses the making of and worship of an idol. God is very upset with this “stubborn people.” God then says to Moses, “Now leave me alone! Let my fury burn and devour them.” God is ready to simply wipe the Israelites off the face of the earth. God will just start over with Moses. Referring back to our earlier pondering, I wonder, how often does God get to this same place with us? Collectively we must regularly tempt God to just burn it down in order to start over.

What happens next is amazing. Moses intercedes on behalf of God’s “own people.” Moses tells God to calm down, to change God’s mind, to remember the covenant promises. And God does. Moses had walked long enough with these people to understand their struggles with being faithful 100% of the time. The good news for you and for me? Jesus – God in the flesh – walked long enough with humanity to truly understand our struggles. Just as Moses did, the risen Christ intercedes for you and for me, standing between us and God, pleading our case. Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ, our intercessor and friend.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for you day to day patience and for your unconditional love. We are so imperfect. We must push your buttons regularly, like a difficult two-year-old with a very tired parent. We rejoice in Jesus, our intercessor before you. We thank you too for the Holy Spirit, our indwelling friend who helps us in our walk with you. And, God, thank you for your saving grace and unending mercy. You are a most awesome God. Amen.


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A Steadfast, Patient Resolve

Reading: James 3-5

James 4:7-8 – “Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you.”

Photo credit: Aaron Burden

Chapters 3-5 deal with living as a friend or enemy of God. To be a friend of the world is to be an enemy of God. James first addresses speech: taming the tongue. Though small, like the rudder of a ship or a spark, the tongue is powerful: “a world of evil at work in us.” With the tongue we both bless God and curse one another. “It just shouldn’t be this way!”

A better way is suggested: “wisdom from above.” Contrasted with the jealousy and selfish ambition of the world, the better way is “pure… peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair, and genuine.” The ways of the world lead to murder, fighting, theft… Instead, James says, pray to the Lord, go to God: “Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you.” When we cry out to God, humbly seeking the Lord, God will “lift you up.”

James encourages us to live in the present, not looking too far ahead, not relying on our wealth or other things of this earth. Soberly, we are reminded, “You are a mist.” We are but a tiny blip on God’s eternal timeline. All we do and say and think should be done with God’s will, plan, and purposes in mind. Accordingly, we are to pray for one another, confess our sins to each other, and hold one another accountable. And as we live this life, looking forward to the day of the Lord, we should do so with patient resolve. Like the prophets and like Job, may we be steadfast in our walk of faith.

Prayer: Lord God, the battle is real, the war wages on. We are helpless and weak; you are strong and mighty. Come alongside us in Spirit, fight for us and with us. Give us a patient resolve and a sure faith. Guide us moment by moment. Amen.


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People of Grace and Love

Reading: Philemon

Philemon 1:15 – “Maybe… Onesimus was separated from you for a while so that you might have him back forever.”

Today we turn to Paul’s letter to Philemon. He is appealing to Philemon to receive Onesimus back not as a slave but as a brother in Christ. Paul walks the fine line between coercion and appeal, at least twice crossing this line. Paul writes this letter not just to Philemon but also to the church that Philemon is a part of. What Paul asks of Philemon extends to the whole community of faith.

As I read this story today my mind went to the parable of the prodigal son. It also reminds me of estrangements that I’ve heard of in families I know well. We’re familiar with and maybe even have been involved in stories of separation, in experiences where one party somehow hurt or offended the other, making reconciliation difficult. In the story of the prodigal son we see how grace and love overcome the harm done to welcome the younger son back into the family. We are left hanging concerning the younger son’s estrangement from the older brother. We hope that they are reconciled. In situations we’ve experienced (or are still experiencing), love and grace are the keys to reconciliation.

Just as the younger brother and perhaps that family member or friend changed for the better to open the door for reconciling, so too has Onesimus changed. As a brother in Christ he has become useful to Paul. To Philemon he writes, “Maybe… Onesimus was separated from you for a while so that you might have him back forever.” Maybe the younger son had to experience the bottom of the pit to change. Maybe that estranged family member or friend had to experience something really hard to be changed. When change occurs, though, the ball is in our court. We hope that Philemon received Onesimus back as a brother in Christ. May we too be people of grace and love.

Prayer: Lord God, reconciliation is not easy. At times we are deeply wronged. Perhaps we’ve also suffered financially or physically. When the hurt and pain are deep, Lord, may your love and grace be deeper still. Through these, heal the hurt and pain in our hearts. Lead us then to be as you are, generous and abundant in our love and grace. Amen.


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The Lord Made Us All

Reading: Proverbs 21 and 22

‭Proverbs 21:15 – “Acting justly is a joy to the righteous, but dreaded by those who do evil.”

Photo credit: James A. Molnar

The contrast between good and evil, between righteousness and folly – they are on clear display in today’s readings. We are called to pursue righteousness and kindness and to live with humility and the fear of the Lord. We are told that these yield life, honor, and wealth. We are called to guard our mouth and tongue. Doing so we guard ourselves from trouble. We are called to act with justice. God values this more than sacrifices. We are called to train up our children in these ways. Good training and discipline sets them on the right path in life. And we also receive a warning: We might think our path is straight but it is God who weighs our hearts. God judges our motives…

Those with prideful eyes and arrogant hearts, those who walk in the ways of the wicked – they are sinful and their lamp will go out. They sow injustice, harvest evil, and close their eyes to the poor. These will receive no answer when they call out to God. The “rod of their fury” will come to an end. Those who steal from the poor and oppress the needy, God will “press out” their lives. The wicked will be swept away by God.

We find a bit of ancient relationship advice too. The sage advises us that it is better to “live on the edge of the roof” or in the “wilderness” than to live in a house with a contentious and angry wife. Perhaps today we too should remember that the Lord weighs our hearts too.

And the closer today, my favorite: “The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.” Same goes for male and female, black and white…, friends and enemies, those alike and those different from us… The Lord made us all. May we see and love one another in this spirit.

Prayer: Lord God, you know I want to pursue you and your righteousness, justice, kindness… You also know that I struggle with arrogance, pride, judging others… I seek your wisdom, the words of life, the voice of the Holy Spirit. And the lies of Satan and this world also ring in my ears. Lord you made me and did so for a purpose. Strengthen and empower me today to be who and what you created me to be. It is only possible through your power and presence. May it be so. Amen.


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God’s Unfolding Love

Readings: Psalms 54-56

‭Psalm 56:3-4 – “Whenever I’m afraid, I put my trust in you… I trust in God; I won’t be afraid. What can mere flesh do to me?”

Our three Psalms today focus on rescue from enemies. In Psalm 54 it is the proud who have come up against the psalmist. In Psalm 55 it is first in the words of the wicked and then of a friend that has brought “fear and trembling” upon the psalmist. And Psalm 56 there are “so many enemies” that bring misery upon the life of the psalmist. In all three Psalms we find requests to “bring disaster,” to “let death devastate my enemies,” and to bring them down “in wrath.”

At times we feel attacked. It can be with words and/or actions. We can feel our hearts pounding. We can wish to “fly away and rest.” We’ve experienced a friend turning on us. It hurts – bad. We can connect to the emotions running through these passages. As the attack or abuse continues and continues, we too can near the prayers that are rained down on the psalmist’s “enemies.” We can want God to wipe them out so that our hurt goes away. Or… we can punch back, hitting them harder, seeking to end the situation by our own hand or words.

In these Psalms we see again and again a trust in God. It wavers at times, as evidenced in the key verse above. Fear is the antidote to trust and vice versa. Fear can play all kinds of games – buckling our trust, leading us to wish ill on our enemies, tempting us towards revenge. Today, though, my thoughts are drawn to the gospels. My heart is drawn to words that speak of loving our enemies, of blessing those who curse us. As the story of God’s love continues to unfold and as it is more deeply revealed in Jesus Christ, may our faith and trust grow as we really live into the psalmist’s reality check: “What can mere flesh do to me?”

Prayer: Lord God, as we read and work our way through your word, help us to keep in mind the overarching story of your love for all of humankind. May this big story and its revelation in Jesus counter our human tendencies towards hate, revenge, and other forms of evil. Help us not to fear but to instead trust in your bigger, better plan for our lives and for your world. Amen.


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Belief and Reality

Readings: Job 15 through Job 21

‭Job 16:6 – “If I speak, my pain is not eased; if I hold back, what have I lost?”

As we read cycle 2 of the discourse between Job and his friends, our initial reaction might be to condemn Job’s friends, to think them cruel and downright unfriendly. We must remember, however, that they are defending who and what they truly believe God to be and they are defending the ancients understanding of how and why the world works according to long held beliefs. To them, Job’s arguments rail against God and question how the justice of God really works.

Much of the friend’s conversation in today’s readings focuses on the wicked and what their lives look like. (These thoughts will apply to Job’s life in cycle 3.) Eliphaz argues that “all the days of the wicked are painful.” Bildad adds that the wicked are “snatched from the safety of their tents” and that “nothing they own remains.” Zophar notes that “the rejoicing of the wicked is short.” He adds “the fire that no one stoked consumes them.” All three friends argue from the belief that God swiftly punishes the wicked and sinful. God is just and cannot tolerate the ways of the wicked.

Job’s response to Eliphaz addresses how his “friends” are treating him. Job calls them “sorry comforters.” Job asks, “If I speak, my pain is not eased; if I hold back, what have I lost?” In his suffering he might as well cry out to God. Nothing to lose! In his response to Bildad, Job returns to his innocence. He points to how suffering has afflicted the righteous. God’s punishment is apparently not just for the wicked. And in his last speech for today, he counters his friends’ arguments. Job points to the reality of the actual world: “the wicked grow old,” “they spend their days contentedly,” and “on the day of disaster the wicked are spared.” Job states that the world is not as his friends would make it out to be. For Job, that simple understanding of God and the world does not match reality.

Prayer: Lord God, what a wrestling today with who and what you are and with who and what we are to be to one another. We are called to trust in your love and care and guidance. And we are called to be these things to others. We are called to walk in a right relationship with you. And we are called to help others back into that path when they stray. Lord, guide us as we walk this difficult journey with you and with one another. May we ever lead in love and grace. Amen.


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Lines Drawn

Readings: 1st Samuel 18, 1st Samuel 19, 1st Samuel 20

1st Samuel 18:3 – “Jonathan and David made a covenant together because Jonathan loved David as much as himself.”

Photo credit: Nadine Shaabana

Jonathan and David become bound together, making a covenant “because Jonathan loved David as much as himself.” He gives David his robe, sword, bow… – this symbolizes the passing on of the right to the throne. Jonathan is committed to David, and vice versa. Next, Saul’s anger rises as the woman sing of David’s greater victories. As the evil spirit returns to Saul, he tries to kill David – twice. David spends time away at war. The Lord gives him great success.

Saul then tried marriage as a means to control David. But David feels unworthy. A second attempt leads to a plot by Saul. God continues to be with David and he provides the wedding bounty. He married Michal, Saul’s youngest. After more success in battle, Saul orders David’s death. Jonathan defends David, placating Saul temporarily. But again the evil spirit rises up. David escapes a second spear and then Michal helps him to escape.

David flees to Ramah, where Samuel is. Saul sends three sets of messengers to retrieve David. All three sets fall into a prophetic frenzy and return empty handed. Saul himself goes and he suffers the same fate. Clearly the Spirit of the Lord is protecting David. These episodes lead David back to Jonathan. They devise a plan to see if Saul really wants to kill David. Yes, he certainly does. Jonathan and David renew their covenant and part ways for now. The lines have been drawn between Saul and David. Jonathan must now walk the difficult line between son and covenant friend.

Prayer: Lord God, in our moments of testing, may we be as faithful to you as David and Jonathan were. No matter what evil swirls around us, lead and guide us to walk in the way that is right and holy and true. Be a shield about us, O God, keeping us from harm. Amen.


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Go with Us, O God

Reading: Exodus 33:12-16

Verse 15: “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”

Photo credit: Ruthson Zimmerman

In our Old Testament text this week we once again find Moses interceding on behalf of the people. The golden calf incident has just occurred and God is upset with this “stiff-necked people.” God’s words about potential punishment and destruction have gotten the people’s attention and Moses’ attention. Moses’ intercession focuses in on God continuing to be with him and with the people.

Moses begins by reminding God that God once said, “I know you by name and you have found favor with me.” Moses wants to re-establish their relationship as the starting point for the continuing conversation. It is like saying, “Since we’re good friends…” before getting to the heart of the conversation. Moses begins by asking God to continue to teach him God’s ways so that he can know God and find favor moving forward. Moses wants the relationship to grow and develop. And then Moses reminds God that “this nation” (yes, this stiff-necked people) is (are) God’s people. This nation that God has asked Moses to lead? Yes, God, they are your people. The implied question remains this: Will you go with us, God?

God affirms their relationship, saying, “My presence will go with you.” Moses is relieved. Making sure that this is the promise, Moses says, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” Don’t send us on if you’re not going with us God. Moses knows that without God, the Israelites are just like all the other people. The same is true for us, for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, just as you went with Moses and the Israelites, be present to us and go with us. Through your presence, distinguish us from all the other people of this world. Going with us, help us to be different in the best ways possible. Use us to be love amidst the hate, to be peace amongst the violence, to be healing for the broken and suffering. Go with us, O God, as we seek to live as your light and love in this world. Amen.


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Great Cost

Reading: Matthew 10:32-39

Verse 38: “Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

Returning to Matthew 10 today Jesus gets crystal clear concerning the cost of discipleship. He begins by reminding the disciples of the eternal reality: deny me here and I’ll deny you in heaven; acknowledge me here and I’ll acknowledge you in eternity. He’s asking them if they are all in.

In verses 34-37 Jesus directly addresses the cost of discipleship. He starts by telling them that he “did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Faith is a comfort; it is not meant to be comfortable. Jesus challenges us to be more like him, not more like the world. In a world where most people have wealth and possessions and power and status as their gods, to be a follower of Jesus will put us in conflict with family, friends, and neighbors.

Then, in verse 38 Jesus drives it home. Here he says, “Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” To take up one’s cross is to stand against those in power, against those with wealth, against the world’s success standards. In Jesus’ day this was the Romans and the Jewish religious leaders. It was risky, dangerous, costly. That is the path of discipleship.

Jesus closes our passage for today once again speaking of true life. When we find life in this world comfortable, easy, safe – we lose our heavenly connection. But when we are willing to die to the things of this world, we gain true life. It comes with a great cost. May we be willing.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to walk the walk each day. Give me the courage and trust to shed the things of this world, instead putting on your love and grace and mercy and compassion. Use me to invite others into the life that you offer – the beautiful, hard, joyful, challenging life of a follower of Jesus. Amen.