pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: hope


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Rescuer, Redeemer, Hope

Reading: Habakkuk 2:9-11

Habakkuk 2:11 – “A stone will cry out from a village wall, and a tree branch will respond.”

The book of Habakkuk wrestles with the question, “Why do the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer?” The prophet struggles with the idea that God could use the wicked for God’s own purposes. In the midst of our own suffering we too can wonder how any good can come from our suffering. In these moments, like the prophet, we must trust and lean into our good and loving God.

In our short passage Habakkuk pronounces doom on “the one making evil gain.” Babylon has used power, deceit, and dishonesty to add to their own wealth, at the expense of Israel. The prophet predicts that the ultimate outcome will be shame and death for evil Babylon. In many ways this is a timeless story. Greed and the hunger for power will always be sins that humanity struggles with. Today many people could utter the words of the prophet.

Hope comes in verse 11. The prophets hopes for a rescuer, for a Messiah. He trusts that God will redeem and restore God’s people. Hope will come through the cornerstone, through the root of Jesse. The longing of God’s people will be answered in Jesus Christ. He continues to be our rescuer, our redeemer, our hope. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, this ago-old story feels true yet today. The gap between those with and those without grows. Power becomes more consolidated. May we, your children, be the stones that cry out for justice. May we, created in your image, be the branches that bring righteousness back to the land. God, restore your people, redeem the oppressed. Amen.


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Sure and Strong

Reading: Psalm 42:1-8

Psalm 42:8 – “By day the Lord commands his faithful love; by night his song is with me.”

Photo credit: Pablo Heimplatz

Psalm 42 is a song of lament. It is attributed to the Korahites, the clan from the tribe of Levi assigned to lead temple worship. As the song begins, the psalmist expresses a deep thirst for God. The thirst is so deep it has become a craving. A thirst this deep is expressed only here and one place in Joel. As tears have become his or her only food, there is a great longing to be in God’s presence once again.

In verses 4-6 there is a hope that flickers as the psalmist recalls times in God’s presence. Even as they “bare my soul” the writer recalls being in God’s temple, worshipping with joy and thanksgiving at one of the great festivals. Counting on experiencing this again, the psalmist declares, “Hope in God!… my saving presence.” In our moments of feeling separated from God may we too recall times when God was a sure and strong presence in our lives.

Verse 7 is an interesting verse. How we read it depends on perspective. If we read with the first few words of verse 6 then it feels Noah-like, as he sank into the depths of the sea. However, if we read it with the rest of verse 6 and with verse 8 then it feels like it is God’s faithful love washing over the psalmist, wave after wave. I choose the second reading. It then leads to the declaration: “By day the Lord commands his faithful love; by night his song is with me.” God is present even in the hard and difficult of life. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reminder of your constant presence in our lives. In the moments when we feel like the psalmist – down, alone, anxious – bring to our minds those other moments, times when your presence and love were sure and strong in our lives. Lift our spirits up into your power, fill our hearts with your song. Amen.


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Equipped

Reading: Romans 15:14-20

Romans 15:14 – “You yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge, and are able to teach one another.”

Photo credit: Shane

At the start of chapter 15 Paul encourages the people in the church in Rome to be patient with and to build up one another. He encourages them to have the attitude of Christ and to welcome others as Jesus did. Paul wants to see their hope and joy overflow into the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we turn to verse 14, Paul is reminding the church that it is not just the pastor’s job to grow the church and the faith of those in the church and wider community.

In verse 14 we read, “You yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge, and are able to teach one another.” They have been shaped and formed into people that are equipped to minister to one another and to the world. They are ready to shape and form one another and any new disciples. He is reminding them “of what you already knew.” If they are to call themselves “Christians” then they need to model Christ. They too are to witness to their faith in God just as Jesus did. Paul has also set for them an example of what good ministry looks like. Bringing others to faith and growing their faith has happened “by what I’ve said and what I’ve done.” Paul has both encouraged and challenged the church, both built them up and called them out. And now the Roman church has been equipped to do the same. These words apply to us as well. As followers of Jesus Christ we have been equipped to help others know Jesus and to help one another grow in our faith.

Modeling Jesus with our words and actions is easy sometimes. Sharing joy and hope and love is not hard. The challenge comes when we are called to speak or act in situations where injustice or sin or some other wrong is taking place. To lift God’s will and way to the forefront and to challenge others to walk in this way can be hard and it can be costly. To fail to speak or to act will cause harm. Trusting in God, in the example of Jesus, and in the guidance of the Spirit, may we choose sacrifice and service to others.

Prayer: Lord God, there are times when it is easy to be a faithful witness in word or in deed. Encourage us to do so! And we also find ourselves in times and places when the Holy Spirit calls us to hold others accountable to who and what you call us all to be. Encourage and empower us to love you and neighbor even when it is hard and risky. All to your glory! Amen.


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Pour It Back Out

Readings: Romans 5:1-5 and 12:18-21

Romans 5:3-4 – “Trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

Paul begins chapter 5 by reminding the Roman church (and us) that they (we) are made righteous through Christ’s faithfulness. We are made right because of and through Christ’s work on the cross. We cannot do anything to restore ourselves to righteousness before God. But Jesus can and does. That brings us peace with God. And because we are forgiven through grace, we can and should be gracious to others. Through our own radical acts of love, others can experience and then claim the hope that we have in Christ Jesus.

Paul then rejoices because we experience hardship, trials, suffering. What?! Paul is not celebrating that we experience these things. He is celebrating how God uses them in our lives. Trouble builds endurance which builds character which builds hope. As we endure faithfully, we model Jesus and through this process take on more of Christ’s character. As we are made more Christlike our hope in God deepens. In turn we receive more of God’s love, poured into our hearts.

Shifting to chapter 12, Paul focuses in on those times when evil is the cause of hardship… He encourages an attitude of peace even then. The apostle encourages us to allow God to be the one in the punishment business. Paul then asks us to do just the opposite: give your enemy, the one doing evil to you, give them what they need. Give them food or drink or burning coals. (This last one refers to actually giving them coals so that they can rekindle the fire, bringing them warmth.) By taking the love of God that is poured into our hearts and pouring it back out into our relationships with difficult others we will “defeat evil with good.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ – he who not only became the atoning sacrifice for us but also set before us the daily example of love. In the times when it is most difficult to muster up love, grace, mercy – in moments of hardship… – remind us of your great love for all of us. In gratitude and faithfulness lead us to pour these out, blessing others. Amen.


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All the Glory

Reading: John 15:5-8

John 15:8 – “My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.”

Today’s passage bridges last week’s question of heaven’s existence and this week’s wrestling with unanswered prayer. The two topics of doubt fund answers in Jesus’ teaching about being the true vine. This image is one also used throughout the Old Testament.

In verse 5 Jesus declares the connected relationship: “I am the vine; you are the branches.” If we remain in Jesus, then we will “produce much fruit.” The main fruit aligns with the great commission: making disciples of all nations. We also produce fruit and bring heaven to earth when we bring Christ’s love, hope, mercy, grace, peace, joy, forgiveness… to those in the world. Of this good life Jesus says, “My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.” When we remain in Christ we produce fruit in this world, we bring God much glory.

The converse is also true. When we allow ourselves to become disconnected from Jesus, we will then fail to produce fruit for the kingdom. In that broken relationship we cannot do any good work that glorifies God. And, in the end, we will be “gathered up, thrown into a fire,” where there will be, as Jesus often said elsewhere, weeping and gnashing of teeth.

In verse 7 we begin to lean into the outcomes of our prayers. Here too is a connection. Here Jesus tells us that if we “remain in me and my words remain in you,” then what we ask for will be done. Remaining connected to Christ keeps our heart and therefore our prayers aligned with God’s heart and with God’s will and way. Praying in this way will produce good fruit that glorifies God. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, our connection to you is so important, so vital. As we spend time each day in prayer and study, our connection strengthens. Then, as we go out into life and into the world, your words, your Spirit, your will and way go with us, guiding us. May this connection empower us to produce fruit as we strive to build your kingdom of heaven here on earth, bringing you all the glory. Amen.


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Don’t Be Far

Reading: Psalm 22:1-2 and 7-11

Psalm 22:11 – “Please don’t be far from me, because trouble is near.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

This week we’ve explored the biblical witness to the reality of heaven (and hell.) As believers there are many times when we experience heaven on earth. We find joy in living with love and hope. We demonstrate our love of God by loving neighbor. We experience blessing through fellowship in the faith community and through God’s presence in Spirit. And there are also times when we feel like David feels in Psalm 22. In a moment of trial or suffering we feel separate from God, experiencing something more like hell on earth.

Verses 1 and 2 express the separation that we feel at times. Where are you God? Why have you left me alone? Why don’t you respond to my pleas and prayers? These are questions we’ve asked and will ask again. They are an honest admission of a very uncomfortable feeling.

In verses 7-8 David shares the trouble that is near. He is suffering and God feels absent. Others ridicule him and his faith in this God who is clearly not rescuing him from this hardship. Then there is a shift in verses 9-11. David remembers his long walk with God – “from birth.” God has always been his God. Oh yes, you’ve always been David’s God. And you are always our God. So David prays, “Please don’t be far from me, because trouble is near.” It is an honest plea to again experience heaven here on earth. In our moments of hardship, may this too be our prayer to God.

Prayer: Lord God, there will be moments when we feel apart from you. Doubt, fear, worry, anger – they can all create this open space. In these moments, O God, remind us too of our long walk with you, of the many, many times when we’ve experienced your presence, hope, love, comfort… Guide us to lean into you, closing the space in between. Amen.


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Life Beyond

Reading: Genesis 5:18-24

Genesis 5:24 – “Enoch walked with God and disappeared because God took him.”

Photo credit: Timo Volz

Today’s reading jumps way back, back to the generations that came after Adam. If one scans backwards, one reads of very lengthy lifespans – Adam lived 930 years, Enosh lived 905 years, Jared lived 962 years. The fate of all but one of these men listed in Genesis 5 is the same: “he died.” Running throughout this chapter and throughout the Bible is this common truth: our time on earth will run out and we will die. The question we wrestle with is where we will go.

For Adam, Cain, Abel, and so on, the end of life brought death. There was simply a cessation of life. That was that. For people today without faith, death remains final. There is no hope, no future possibility. Death has the final, final word.

In today’s text, Enoch has a different fate. Enoch’s story is different than the other’s stories. In his story alone we read that he “walked with God.” Enoch was faithful to God. So unique is this fact, it is in two verses. Because he walked with God we also read that he “disappeared because God took him.” Enoch did not taste death. Death does not always have the last word.

This is the first time in the Bible that it hints at what we would call “heaven” as a destination. Enoch clearly experiences something other than physical death. There is something beyond what we now know in our mortal bodies. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, from early on in your story you’ve pointed to something more, to something better, to something lasting. Thank you for the reminder today, for this first glimpse. Continue to walk with us this week as we delve into your story of life. Amen.


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God’s Presence, Goodness, and Love

Reading: Psalm 19

Psalm 19:8 – “The Lord’s regulations are right, gladdening the heart. The Lord’s commands are pure, giving light to the eyes.”

Psalm 19 celebrates God’s presence with us. David first recognizes God in the created world. The Psalm begins, “Heaven is declaring God’s glory.” This is evident in God’s “handiwork.” To take in the vastness of the stars, to feel that limitless power, is to sense and feel God. Yet God’s handiwork is also small and intricate, like a spider web or like a tiny seed that yields a beautiful flower. David also recognizes God in the passing of time. One day to one night, over and over again, reveals God’s good plans for our world. David acknowledges that the sun, moon, and stars do not literally speak, yet the presence of God in them reaches out “to the ends of the earth.”

Starting in verse 7 David turns to God’s “instruction.” He is speaking of the Torah, the collection of laws and commands that governed his life. Following these, David gains wisdom. They gladden his heart and give light to his eyes. The Law is true, worth more than gold, “sweeter than honey.” David finds great reward in keeping God’s will and way. This too is evidence that there is a God, one who ordered not only creation, but life itself. As a follower of Jesus, we also find joy in keeping God’s will and way. We find that doing so, we have a relationship with our God. Within this relationship we experience peace and hope, assurance and contentment, comfort and guidance. Loving God and loving neighbor yields a life centered outside of self, a life that truly reflects God’s goodness and love.

In the closing verses, David shares another way that he experiences God. Fallible and sinful as we are, God is overflowing in forgiveness, redemption, and restoration. This is because God created us to be in relationship – with God and with one another. Again and again God cleansed and restored David to right relationship. Our rock and redeemer will do the same for you and for me. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your presence in the world – yes, in the heavens but also in the tides, in the spring growth, in the gentle snowfall. Thank you for pursuing us, for seeking us out, for desiring to be in relationship with us, and for being willing to do whatever it takes to keep us there, loving us unconditionally. This day may we honor you by reflecting your love and goodness into the world. Amen.


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Living as Immigrants and Strangers

Reading: 1st Peter 1-2

1st Peter 1:3 – “On account of his vast mercy, he has given us a new birth… born anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Written by the apostle Peter, 1st Peter was originally written to house churches scattered across the Roman empire. They were experiencing conflict and persecution because their faith often ran counter to the norms of the culture. Peter encourages the believers to persevere, even in their suffering. Luke Christ, through this they too will accomplish their mission to witness to God’s love and mercy.

Peter begins his letter with a wonderful statement of faith: “On account of his vast mercy, he has given us a new birth… born anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” This living hope is our inheritance, “kept safe in heaven.” He calls these in diaspora to rejoice in this hope, even if distressed now by these trials. Their “genuine faith” in the one they’ve never seen yet love and trust will result in their “praise, glory, and honor” one day. Instead of being conformed to their former desires, Peter declares, “You must be Holy in every aspect of your lives, just as the one who called you is holy.” Be like Jesus, the one who liberated you by his blood.

Peter calls the faithful to “set yourselves apart” because they’ve been given this new birth. According to John Wesley, this new birth was “the commitment to a daily journey of intentional, painful, and sacrificial work of character formation.” This echoes Christ’s call to die to self – again and again and again… This results in believers becoming “living stones… a royal priesthood.” Built upon the capstone that others stumble over, believers have become “God’s possession.” As such, living as “immigrants and strangers,” Peter urges them to avoid worldly desires and to live faithfully, even in suffering. Endure in faith, just like Christ. Be healed by his wounds and walk with “the shepherd and guardian of your lives.” May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your love and mercy, that which calls us to your living hope, Jesus Christ. In the highs and lows, in the trials and in the joys, build up in us a genuine faith and an endurance that yields fruit for your kingdom. Empower us to be conformed into the image and example of Christ. Equip us to walk faithfully, inviting others to join us on the journey to salvation. Amen.


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Walking with Confidence and Trust

Reading: Hebrews 10-11

Hebrews 10:39 – “We aren’t the sort of people who timidly draw back and end up being destroyed. We’re the sort of people who have faith so that our whole beings are preserved.”

Chapter 10 begins with a review of Christ’s sacrifice that was “once for all.” The writer reminds us that the Law cannot make one perfect. That’s why the priests offer sacrifices again and again. But Jesus offered himself as one sacrifice for all time, then “sat down at God’s right hand.” Because of this, declares the writer, we can enter the holy of holies with confidence, drawing near to God with a certainty of heart that comes through our faith in Jesus Christ. In turn, we can hold onto our hope without wavering, “sparking love and good deeds” amongst one another as we meet together and encourage one another.

The author of Hebrews then invites them to remember how they stood their ground when suffering. He or she implores them not to throw away that confidence, but to endure. In 10:39 we read, “We aren’t the sort of people who timidly draw back and end up being destroyed. We’re the sort of people who have faith so that our whole beings are preserved.” This is quite the “who we are” statement! Moving into chapter 11 we’re reminded that faith is the reality of what we hope for and the proof of what we cannot physically see.

The balance of chapter 11 is known as “the heroes of faith.” We’re reminded of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Rahab and their acts of faith. In verses 32 and 33 we get another list followed by their acts of faith in rapid succession. Lastly we’re reminded of the nameless many who were taunted, whipped, imprisoned, killed, and otherwise suffered for their faith. May we too walk in faith with confidence and trust, awaiting the day when we’ll all be made perfect in eternity.

Prayer: Lord God, in being reminded of what Christ did for us and of what that means to our faith, we find hope. In remembering these named and unnamed exemplars of the faith we find strength and encouragement. Lead us to walk with you daily, drawing closer and closer to your love. Amen.