pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Our Truth Too

Reading: Hosea 11-14

Hosea 14:7 – “They will again live beneath my shadow, they will flourish like a garden; they will blossom like the vine.”

Hosea closes with hope. There are still moments where God recognizes and is angered by Israel’s sin, but words of hope dominate our reading today. This is the truth of our lives too. We are sinful by nature. God is merciful, loving, and forgiving by nature. We walk with hope because God’s love is greater than our sin.

Chapter 11 begins with parent-child imagery. God recalls raising Israel, as a loving parent. But Israel turned away, as most children do at some point. So they will return to Assyria and Egypt. Tough love will reign. Yet love will abide. God will gather the children home one day.

Charges come in chapter 12. Israel multiplies lies and violence, makes treaties with Assyria and Egypt. God recalls Jacob, the younger brother. God recalls wrestling with Jacob at Bethel, where Jacob came to truly know God. God calls Israel back to that relationship. But Ephraim is too proud. They thought themselves sinless. This is a bitter offense to God. We too do this to God when we become proud, when we think ourselves righteous.

Their pride and self-sufficiency was also compounded by their idolatry. Israel turned to these metal images. They are reminded that God alone can save. This will be reinforced when God falls upon them like a lion. God will come in the east wind, making Samaria desolate. Even the babies and pregnant women will fall before the Assyrians.

Hope rises again in chapter 14. God implores Israel to return and even gives them the words to speak: “Forgive all wickedness and receive the good.” God responds with promises to heal and love, to plant and raise up, to protect and provide: “They will again live beneath my shadow, they will flourish like a garden; they will blossom like the vine.” What a beautiful picture of grace and restoration, of wholeness and life. This picture can be ours too. This truth is our truth. Sinful as we are, sin will never define us. God always offers this gift of grace and restoration, of wholeness and life. With repentant hearts and a faithful Spirit, may we step into the truth of God’s love.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us to walk daily and to trust eternally into your promises of love and grace, of forgiveness and restoration. You are our God, the only one who can save. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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God Will Teach Them

Reading: Jeremiah 13-16

Jeremiah 13:11 – “Just as a linen undergarment clings to the body, so I created the people of Israel and Judah to cling to me.”

Photo credit: Kenny Eliason

Our reading today begins with an illustration. Jeremiah buys, wears, and then buries an undergarment in the Euphrates River (in Babylon.) He digs it up and it is ruined, just like the people of God will be. God laments, “Just as a linen undergarment clings to the body, so I created the people of Israel and Judah to cling to me.” Because of their sin and disobedience, God will not have pity or compassion or mercy. They will be “dragged off to exile” and God will “scatter you like straw.”

Drought comes. It initially gets their attention. The people acknowledge their sin but then accuse God of being absent. God responds by telling Jeremiah not to pray for them. And God won’t accept their fast or their offerings. God will send war, famine, and disease. Brief attention is given to the false prophets. Yes, God says, they too will die – and their families. Chapter 14 closes with another attempt by the people. Yes, we’ve sinned. Yes, we’re sinning. But don’t reject us, don’t break your covenant. There is no repentance, no intent to turn from their sins.

God is so upset that God declares that even if Moses and Samuel came and interceded for the people, God still wouldn’t listen. God’s hand is set against Judah. The widows will “outnumber the sand.” In 15:10 Jeremiah laments his treatment. God asks, “Haven’t I taken care of you?” Jeremiah declares his love for God’s word. God offers to take him back – if he is faithful. God then promises to rescue and protect Jeremiah.

In chapter 16 God tells Jeremiah not to marry or to have children. That’s how bad it will be. The people are accused of being worse than their ancestors. Even so, in verses 14 and 15 we find hope. One day God will bring them home. But first they will be paid back double for their sins. God will teach them. “They will understand that I am the Lord,” declares God. Yes they will.

Prayer: Lord God, sin and disobedience break your heart. They create separation between who we are being and who we are meant to be. Teach us too, O Lord, how to walk faithfully and obediently. Guard us from sin. Plant your word in our hearts, enabling us to shine your love out into the world. Amen.


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Righteousness, Honesty

Reading: Proverbs 24

‭Proverbs 24:3 – “By wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established.”

Today the sages speak of not engaging the wicked, of not envying those who do evil. Their hearts are “focused on violence” and their lips “speak trouble.” The sages tell us not to get mad or to seek revenge against such as these. The wisdom writers note that the lazy person’s field is full of thorns and weeds. This just leads to poverty. By contrast, the wise will get their “outside work” done so that they can build a home. Here one finds hope and a future.

To build a good future, to add to our hope, we are encouraged to eat wisdom like people eat honey. Honey was a somewhat rare delicacy. Treat wisdom this way, says the sage. To eat wisdom is to secure a future with hope. Along these lines we’re reminded to fear the Lord (and the king.) Therefore, don’t associate with the rebellious. And rescue those headed for death.

We again hear the call today to honesty and to righteousness. Yes, the righteous will fall. But they’ll get up again and again. “Seven” is symbolic for ‘many times.’ The wicked, however, will fall into trouble. We’re warned against rejoicing over this. To do so would displease God. We’re also reminded today that our words should always be honest, showing no partiality, offering no false witness. Speaking in these ways could be hard. Yet just as the Holy Spirit at times speaks hard but true words into our hearts so too must we do this for others. Done in love, it is a gift.

Prayer: Lord God, lead us today to walk the path of righteousness and to speak the words of truth. Guard us from being wicked or evil or lazy. Lead us to joyfully engage the work that you have for us. Amen.


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Bring Us Home

Readings: Psalms 105-107

‭Psalm 105:4-5 – “Pursue the LORD and his strength; seek his face always! Remember the wondrous works he has done.”

Psalms 105 and 106 close our Book 4 by recounting Israel’s history. The story begins with the covenant and it runs through to the oppression experienced in the Promised Land. Psalm 105 begins with the covenant made with Abraham and carried over to Isaac, Jacob, and Israel. God protected their small number, eventually sending Joseph then the whole family to Egypt, where they became numerous. After oppression there, God sent Moses and Aaron and the ten plagues. God led them out, guiding by cloud, providing food and water. Finally God gave them the Promised Land, a place where they could “keep his law and observe his instructions.”

Psalm 106 gives an accounting of the people’s struggles with obedience. It recounts the rebellions at the sea, at stops in the desert, and at the foot of Sinai, where they made the golden calf. The psalmist highlights Moses’ saving intercession. Then the psalmist speaks of more rebellion and testing, of idol worship and child sacrifice. Oppression came from an angry God. Soon so too did compassion. The Psalm closes with a plea: “Lord our God, save us! Gather us back together.” Bring us home from this place of exile.

Psalm 107 begins Book 5 with some examples of how God does just that. Gathered from the four directions, the psalmist tells of four groups or types of redeemed people. These cases are generic, allowing us many ways to see how God redeems and can redeem. God redeems those who wander, those who are in gloom and darkness, those who sin, and those who face storms. We all find ourselves in each situation at times. In those times may we remember the God who turns deserts into streams, the God who raises up the needy. May we call on this God, trusting in God’s redeeming and restoring salvation.

Prayer: Lord God, you alone can rescue and you alone can save. You desire to lead and guide us, to teach us your ways. Soften our stubborn hearts and curb our selfish desires, God, so that we can learn and obey. Correct us when we sin, comfort us when we suffer, save us from all that life can bring. Water our dryness, satisfy our hunger. Walk daily with us, O Lord. Amen.


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Through It All

Readings: 2nd Chronicles 33, 2nd Chronicles 34, 2nd Chronicles 35, 2nd Chronicles 36

2nd Chronicles 34:2 – “He did what was right in the LORD’s eyes… not deviating from it even a bit to the right or left.”

Today we begin with Manasseh. The first part of his long reign is as evil as could be. He leads Judah to do great evil in God’s eyes. He is captured and hauled off to Babylon. There he repents and submits himself fully to God. Returned to Judah, he removes pagan worship and serves the Lord. Manasseh dies and gives way to Amon. He is so evil he’s killed by his own officials after just two years.

Josiah reigns for 31 years. Right away he has Judah purified of idol worship and he repairs the temple and its system. The priest Hilkiah finds the instruction scroll and it is read to Josiah. He tears his clothing, realizing that God must be furious. Josiah renews the covenant and celebrates the Passover. Josiah then interferes in Neco’s war, despite God sending the Egyptians to war. Josiah is injured and dies. Jehoahaz rules for three months and then is removed by the Egyptian king.

Jehoiakim and Jehoachin reign next. Both do evil in God’s eyes. The Assyrians come during Jehoiakim’s reign, conquering Judah. Hezekiah is appointed as a puppet king. He does evil. He ignores Jeremiah. He rebels against King Nebuchadnezzar. Assyria levels all of Jerusalem and hauls almost everything and everyone off into exile in Babylon.

Chronicles ends with two bright spots. Because of the exile, the land will lie fallow. This healing fulfills the words of Jeremiah. A new power emerges in the world scene: Persia. King Cyrus receives a word from God: build the temple in Jerusalem. Cyrus orders the followers of God to go back home. God is at work once again.

Prayer: Lord God, through the ups and downs, through the good and the bad, through it all – you remain present to the people of God. You do the same with us. Your love and faithfulness knows no bounds. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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God Is…

Readings: Exodus 31, Exodus 32, Exodus 33, Exodus 34

Exodus 34:6-7 – “The LORD! A God who is compassionate and merciful, very patient, full of great loyalty and faithfulness… forgiving.”

Photo credit: Diego Gennaro

Chapter 31 begins with the appointment of two skilled artisans to oversee the building of the tabernacle. This is followed up by a reiteration of the Sabbath guidelines. God’s point: even the building of God’s home is not to be used as an excuse to break the Sabbath. All of our excuses pale by comparison.

The story of the gold bull calf fills chapter 32. The people go astray and Aaron goes along. Moses has been gone a long time. The people forget who and what God has been and done. An idol is made and is worshipped. God is ready to “devour” them in fury, but Moses intercedes, reminding God of their history. God’s anger relents. Moses and Joshua return to camp. Moses becomes furious, smashing the covenant tablets. He destroys the bull calf and forces the Israelites to drink its ash mixed in water. Moses then rallies the Levites. About 3,000 are killed by the sword. A plague then follows.

As chapter 33 begins, God refuses to go with these stubborn people. Moses sets up a tent outside of the camp, symbolic of real separation that their sin has created. God meets with Moses in the tent. The people are faithful, paying close attention. Moses again intercedes for the people, laying his relationship with God on the line. God relents. Moses is then allowed to see God’s glory. Passing by Moses, God declares that God is “compassionate and merciful, very patient, full of great loyalty and faithfulness… forgiving.”

God then renews the covenant with the people. God warns the people about making a covenant with those that God will drive out. God instructs them to purge the land of the idols and altars that are there. They are warned about marrying the locals. God then reiterates much of the material from the first covenant. This time Moses comes down with a face aglow – reflecting God’s glory.

In today’s return to a story format we can again see ourselves – at times as the sinful, idol-worshipping Israelites and at times as Moses as he pleads with God. We can see ourselves as the Israelites eagerly watching for God and as the people who need warnings about the pagan culture around us. Through it all, though, both then and now, God remains compassionate and merciful, patient and forgiving. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, how true and faithful you are. What a long, patient walk you have been on with your children. I am awed by your love. Amen.


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What a Tale!

Readings: Genesis 28:10-22, Genesis 29, Genesis 30

Genesis 29:30 – “Jacob slept with Rachel, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. He worked for Laban seven more years.”

Photo credit: Patrick Schneider

As we wrap up chapter 28 Jacob has a dream. He sees a stairway connecting earth and heaven. The Lord appears to Jacob and reiterates the covenant promises made to Abraham and to Isaac: many descendants and the promised land. The Lord also adds promises of presence, protection, and guidance. Jacob recognizes the sacredness of this place and of this encounter. He sets up a sacred pillar and names the place “Bethel” – the house of God. And, yet, Jacob’s faith is still immature. In verse 20 he begins, “If God…” The relationship is still very conditional.

In chapter 29 Jacob arrives in Haran and soon meets Rachel and then Laban, her dad. Laban welcomes Jacob. After a month, Laban asks Jacob’s price for his labor. Jacob offers 7 years of labor in exchange for marrying Rachel. After 7 years, the night comes. There is a great banquet and much celebration. Jacob awakens in the morning to find Leah in his tent. He must work 7 more years for Rachel. Older before the younger, you know – customs!

What follows next would put the best ever soap opera to great shame. Leah is unloved so God opens her womb. She thought sons would make Jacob love her. After son 4, she instead praises God for the gift of another son. To get in the game Rachel gives her servant girl to Jacob. This produces 2 sons. To try to again win his favor (or to compete with her sister), Leah gives her servant girl to Jacob. 2 more sons. Then God “responds” to Leah again – 2 more sons and a daughter! Finally God “remembers” Rachel and she bears Jacob a son, taking away her shame.

In Genesis 30:25 Jacob declares his desire to go back home. But he has no wealth. He worked 14 years to pay the customary bride price. He had left home with nothing. Laban sees Jacob’s presence has blessed him, so he agrees to an arrangement to build Jacob’s flocks – the only measure of wealth at this time. Both men try to trick and outwit the other. Laban steals livestock and Jacob manipulates the mating. Jacob ends up “very, very rich.” What a tale we are weaving! The story continues tomorrow.

Prayer: Lord God, blessing, competition, jealousy, the gift of children, trickery and theft. Phew! Promises, a God who sees, provides, loves. Ah… Today we turn pages and read an almost unfathomable tale. And then we pause and realize that this is still our world, still our lives today. Lord, when we are tempted by status or power or possessions, remind us of where we find our true identity and worth – in our relationship with you. Amen.


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Passing Faith Along

Reading: Psalm 78:5-7

Verse 6: “so that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children.”

Photo credit: Nadine Shaabana

The psalmist declares that the task of evangelism begins in the home. This is as true today as it was in the days of Asaph. I smile to myself as I think of countless parents who thought I or we as teachers should be able to “fix,” “straighten out,” or somehow positively change their child who was a student in my/our class. In my mind I often did the math – “I have little Suzy for 45 minutes a day, 5 days a week. You have her hours and hours every day, day in and day out.” Along this line of thought, many wise and veteran kindergarten teachers can give a pretty accurate assessment of a child’s likely life outcomes, for better or worse, after just a few weeks with the child. Who and what we are come from whose we are.

In today’s Psalm Asaph writes of passing on the faith from one generation to the next. Note that he does not say to get your children to Sunday school or to confirmation class. He doesn’t even mention getting them to worship one hour a week. Does this 2-3 hours a week help a child’s spiritual growth? Absolutely! But it is only a small part of a child or teen’s journey of faith. This is why the command of God is to teach our children the faith “so that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children.” Now, in order for one generation to pass along something to the next generation, they must find value in that thing. May what we model and what we teach be deemed worthy of passing on by our children. May we pass along a faith that enables our children to “set their hope in God.”

Prayer: Lord God, may we teach our children and our grandchildren well. May our lives be something that is worthy of repeating. May our faith be something that is worth emulating. Amen.


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Home, Belonging, Connection

Reading: Psalm 90:1-6

Verse 1: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.”

Today’s and tomorrow’s time focuses on Psalm 90. Today’s portion is about the everlasting nature of God and about our dwelling place in God. In our mobile and super busy version of life, “home” has become less about where we physically live and more about where we feel connected, about where we belong.

Psalm 90 is attributed to Moses. It is set during the time in the wilderness. The people spent 40 years wandering from place to place. It is no wonder that their constants – God and one another – defined their sense of connection and belonging and home. Since almost the beginning of time, God has walked and talked with Moses’ ancestors. Moses knows that this will continue to be the relationship and connection because God was and is and will be “from everlasting to everlasting.”

God was their constant. God wants to be our constant. Moses does acknowledge our very limited time on earth relative to God’s eternity – “a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by.” And yet, to us and to God, our days matter. Each day matters. So, today, I ask: where will you find “home?” It may be at work or at school or at practice or at youth group. It may be on a walk or in a time of prayer. We are created for relationship with God and with one another. May we each find times and places of belonging and connection today.

Prayer: Lord God, since forever you have sought us out, seeking to walk every day in relationship with us. Since then you’ve created us to be in community and in relationship with each other too. Help us to connect to you and to each other in ways that deepen our sense of belonging and of home. Draw us closer to you and to one another. Amen.


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Jesus’ Charge

Reading: Luke 8:26-39

Verse 39: “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”

Today’s passage from Luke 8 is powerful. Jesus and the disciples come ashore and are met be a man who is possessed by many demons. These evils spirits have driven him out of community. He lives alone and naked, out in the tombs. These evil spirits immediately recognize Jesus and they fear his power. After freeing the man from these many demons – notice that Jesus does not force them out but that they leave the man because he is in Jesus’ presence – the man is found sitting at Jesus’ feet, “dressed and in his right mind.”

How easy it is for us to become hardened and possessed by things. Sometimes it comes from within me – pride, anger, jealousy, control, addiction… These things can possess me. Sometimes it is from without – racism, ageism, sexism, politics… These things too can possess me. When these things, or a combination of them, become my focus, my driving force, they indeed take possession of the Spirit in me, leaving me naked, wretched, blind. But even in this state Jesus will come, will be present, reminding me of who and whose I am.

After healing the demon possessed man, there is fallout. There is a financial cost. But the loss of the pigs is not what drives the villagers to ask Jesus to leave. No, it is fear. Fear that Jesus might drive their demons out too. Fear that Jesus might change their lives too. We must also be prepared for the same response. Yes, people are glad that we’re no longer angry or controlling or biased or prejudice. But don’t “force” that stuff on them, don’t “make” them change. Like with the man in our passage, Jesus’ presence leads to change. So we’ll be asked to leave too. Yet in that moment may we remember who and whose we are and may Jesus’ charge ring in our ears too: “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”

Prayer: Lord God, please continue to work in me, refining me, reshaping me, transforming me into who you want me to be. Empower me to tell the good news of what you’ve done for me. Thank you, Lord. Amen.