pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: house


by Leave a comment

Present in the People

Reading: Haggai 1:15b-2:5

Haggai 2:5b – “My spirit stands in your midst. Don’t fear.”

Photo credit: Joel Muniz

Fear is an emotion we often feel. When in a dangerous situation, when enemies are all around, when stepping into the unknown – these are but a few of the things that cause fear to rise up in us. The prophet Haggai speaks to a small remnant that has returned from exile in Babylon who is dealing with these three fear-inducing situations. Zerubbabel, the governor, led the remnant back and started to rebuild the temple, but threats from the groups who inhabited the land during exile derailed the building project.

Chapter 1 of Haggai isn’t exactly encouraging. The prophet challenges the people. They are living in nicely built homes while God’s house lies in ruins. Their return has been difficult. For example, they’ve planted crops but are hungry. The harvest has been meager. Haggai informs them that this is because they’ve been neglecting God. This pronouncement induces more fear in the people. But it is a good fear – a healthy respect, a reverent awareness, a motivator.

As the people return to working on the temple, Haggai addresses them in chapter 2. After speaking into their present reality, he speaks words of encouragement, “Be strong,” three times. Through him God encourages them to work, because “I am with you.” Then, in verse 5, God says, “My spirit stands in your midst. Don’t fear.” These words of Haggai remind the people that God is present – building or no building. God is present in the people of God doing the work of God. The same will be true for us. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, gathering to worship and to do other churchy things is wonderful. But you clearly call us beyond the walls of our churches. Like Jesus, who spent the vast majority of his time and energy ministering and teaching outside of the temple and synagogues, move us to be your hands and feet out there in the world. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Protected and Safe

Reading: Psalm 27:1-5

Psalm 27:1b – “The Lord is a fortress protecting my life. Should I be frightened of anything?”

In Psalm 27:1-5 we find a song of confidence in the Lord. As a whole, though, the Psalm is a hopeful prayer offered in the midst of a time of suffering in David’s life. It is optimism and trust in the midst of a storm. These words speak of a security found in the protection of the Lord. The hope, trust, and assurance are not found simply in the moment of need but are built in the daily walk of faith, a walk taken regularly and steadfastly on the good days, on the hard days, and on all the days in between.

In verse 1 David declares that God is his light and salvation, his fortress of protection. Because of this belief David can ask, ‘Who or what should I wear?’ The answers are ‘no one’ and ‘nothing.’ Those evil doers? They will be the ones who stumble and fall. That ‘army’ that comes against me? I will trust in the Lord. My friend, God is our light and salvation, our fortress. We can trust in our God.

David expresses the one thing he asks God for, the one thing that he seeks in verse 4. It is “to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life.” David us not talking about actually living in the temple. He is talking about walking and talking daily with the Lord, about being in a constant relationship and, therefore, always in God’s presence. In this ‘place,’ God will shelter David and will shelter us. In the presence of God, David is kept safe. So too will we be kept safe. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, give us the dedication and the stamina to walk with you each and every day. When it’s easier to skip time with you, whisper words of love into our hearts. Bless each time that we give to you so that we are drawn more and more to enter that space once again. Thank you for your unfailing and sure love. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Radical and Unconditional

Readings: Isaiah 56:1-8 and Matthew 21:12-16

Isaiah 56:6-7 – “Everyone who keeps the Sabbath… who hold fast to my covenant: I will bring them to my holy mountain, and bring them joy in my house of prayer.”

Photo credit: Jon Tyson

Beginning with Isaiah 56 we feel the connection that God desires to have with all people who act justly and do what is right. To those who keep the Sabbath and honor the covenant, God’s salvation is “coming soon.” God’s prophet includes two groups that are normally excluded from the temple: immigrants and eunuchs. In verses 6 and 7 we read, “Everyone who keeps the Sabbath… who hold fast to my covenant: I will bring them to my holy mountain, and bring them joy in my house of prayer.” In New Testament language we would say there is no Jew or Gentile, no slave or free, no rich or poor… All people – all – who are devoted to God’s ways are welcome in God’s “house of prayer,” the temple. These were radical words to the closed-circle Jews of Isaiah’s day.

Turning to Matthew 21 we see another prophet doing and saying radical things. Entering God’s house, Jesus forces out the people changing money into temple coins and the folks selling animals for sacrifice. Quoting from our Isaiah 56 passage and Jeremiah 7:11, Jesus denounces these profiteering practices. Cleared of these “crooks,” the blind, the lame, and the children enter the temple. Jesus makes space for these normally excluded groups, mirroring the spirit of Isaiah 56. He heals the blind and the lame and rejoices over the children. The religious leaders are angry about all of this. Their closed circle has been broken wide open by the radical and unconditional love of God present in Jesus. May this breaking open of the circle and of our hearts also be our regular practice as we seek to follow Jesus’ example.

Prayer: Lord God, it is a beautiful thing when you reclaim and include those often excluded and unwelcome by the religious of the world. You create each and every one of us in your image. You weave each of us together in the womb with intention and purpose. From our first breath you long to walk in relationship with each of us. Lord, as you walk with us, fill us with your radical and unconditional love. Filled with this great love, may our regular habit be to include and welcome all people into your house and into your family. Amen.


by Leave a comment

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.


by Leave a comment

Live in Love

Reading: 2nd John

2nd John 1:6 – “This is love: that we live according to his commands. This is the command that you heard from the beginning: live in love.”

2nd John is a short letter from “the elder” (likely John the apostle) to the “chosen gentlewoman” (likely a personification of a local house church.) The letter begins by expressing joy over some that are “living in the truth.” These believers are being faithfully obedient, living an active faith out in the world. This joy then becomes an invitation as the elder invites all in this community of faith to be love in action. In verse 6 we read, “This is love: that we live according to his commands. This is the command that you heard from the beginning: live in love.” This community of faith is being called to demonstrate God’s love for them to others – to those both inside and outside the church. This continues to be the call for all Christian communities of faith.

The elder also addresses false teaching. These false teachers, later known as Docetists, were teaching that Jesus did not come in a real body. They taught that Jesus just “appeared” to have a body. Imagine what this teaching would mean to the incarnation, the crucifixion, the resurrection, and to recent readings about Jesus emptying himself, laying aside equality with God to walk with us. The elder warns the faith community about receiving or welcoming these teachers into their homes. To bring a false teacher into the place that the community of faith met would be to affirm their teachings.

The letter closes by stating that there is much more to say. The elder hopes to visit, to see this faith community face to face. Being present to one another is the best way to “live in love.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, lead us today to be love lived out loud in the world. In all ways, may we seek to love you through loving neighbor and stranger alike. Guide us to walk in your truths. Protect us from falsehoods and the ways of the world. Amen.


by Leave a comment

The Cornerstone

Reading: Matthew 21

Matthew 21:21 – “I assure you that if you have faith and don’t doubt… You will even say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the lake.’ And it will happen.”

Photo credit: Aaron Burden

Today’s reading begins with Matthew’s version of what we know as Palm Sunday. Jesus’ triumphal entry is highlighted by praise and adoration from the crowd and from his disciples. There is a buzz in the city. Jesus rides this wave into the temple, where he overturns tables and chairs, throwing out those who have made “God’s house of prayer” into a “hideout for crooks.” He then heals the blind and lame who come into the temple – likely for the first time since becoming blind or lame. Children run around the temple shouting praises. The religious leaders are deeply offended by all of this.

Returning to the city the next morning, Jesus curses a fruitless fig tree. The disciples are amazed at his power. He says to them, “I assure you that if you have faith and don’t doubt… You will even say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the lake.’ And it will happen.” Build your faith on me, he says, and be amazed at what God will do. As Jesus enters the temple again we see the opposite of this. The leaders question Jesus’ authority. His response begins with a question: Where did John the Baptist get his authority? There is no right answer for the religious leaders. So Jesus tells two parables to reveal their lack of faith and to condemn their fruitless ministry.

In the first parable the religious leaders know it is the first son who does the father’s will. He was obedient. Jesus then tells these leaders that tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom ahead of them. They heard and believed John, changing hearts and lives. Even this fruit didn’t convince the religious leaders to change. In the second parable tenants mistreat and even kill some of the servants sent to collect fruit. They then kill the son who is sent. The religious leaders tell Jesus that the owner will “totally destroy” these wicked tenants. Jesus then quotes Psalms, claiming to be the stone that the builders rejected. But he tells the leaders that this stone will become the cornerstone, the foundation of the new, coming kingdom.

Prayer: Lord God, you call us to shout “Hosanna!” with our voices and with our actions – not one day a year but every day. When things get in the way of us doing this, clear our lives like Jesus cleared the temple. Build up in us a faith without doubts, a faith that stands firmly on the cornerstone, on Jesus Christ. Amen.


by Leave a comment

A Good Plan

Reading: Haggai 1-2

Haggai 2:4 – “Be strong, all you people of the land… Work, for I am with you.”

Photo credit: Robert Linder

As we read Haggai’s words today we move past exile and back to Jerusalem. The small remnant that returned has built homes for themselves. But the temple still lies in ruins. Haggai is sent by God to encourage the people in this next step. At the start of the book, we read that Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the people do not think it’s time to start rebuilding the temple. God questions this. God says there is a reason they sow much and eat little. The drought and the lack of abundance are God’s doing. God’s house lies in ruins. The people hear Haggai’s words and they respond in faith, getting to work.

A month passes and God’s word comes to Haggai. He asks if anyone remembers the first temple. From Ezra 3 we recall that some did remember. They wept when they recalled the former temple’s glory. Haggai encourages them to be strong, to trust that God is with them, saying, “Be strong, all you people of the land… Work, for I am with you.” God then promises to shake the earth, leading nations to bring their wealth to the temple, making it more glorious than the first temple.

Fourteen months in, God’s word comes again. In the first message, Haggai asks questions about being clean and unclean. The priests know the right answers. The faith knowledge is there. God declares that the nation is unclean. The priests and the people have work to do. When God struck them before – providing just enough to survive – they didn’t return to God. But now the people have worked hard and the foundation is complete. God will now begin to bless them.

Haggai’s second word focuses on Zerubbabel directly and on Israel indirectly. God will take down the other nations, securing Israel. On that day, God will appoint Zerubbabel to reign. Once again, one from David’s line will rule over Israel. God has a plan and it is good. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, just as you encouraged your people to work on your house, you continue to encourage us to work on building your kingdom here on earth. Just as their obedience was a sign of their holiness and commitment, may our humble acts of service bear witness to our faith and to our love for you and for our neighbors. Use us to reveal your glory to the world. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Influences – Good and Bad

Reading: Proverbs 23

‭Proverbs 23:19 – “Listen, my child, and be wise! Keep your mind straight on the path.”

Today’s words of wisdom focus mostly on controlling our appetites and on who not to hang out with. These two focuses remain important in our lives today. The first warning today is against longing for the things of this world. In today’s text it is longing for the riches of the king’s table. In our lives it is the longing for a bigger house, a newer phone or car, a fancy vacation, a promotion with a fat raise… We must guard our hearts against these longings. On the other end of the spectrum, the sage says, don’t eat with stingy people. They only share what they’re unwilling to eat themselves.

We’re also warned about hanging out with sinners, gluttons, and drunkards. The primary concern is that they’ll influence us to become like them. We will end up “clothed in rags,” seeing “strange things,” and speaking “distorted words.” We’ll awaken one day and wonder how we got there. Instead, the wisdom writer says, “Buy truth… buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” Then one’s father and mother will rejoice.

The sages remind us, too, that we have a hand to play in being able to one day rejoice. We should not withhold either instruction or discipline from our children. I believe this applies to our children as well as to our friends. As we’ll soon read in Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens a friend.”

Prayer: Lord God, help us to make wise choices. Guide us to choose our friends well. Guard us from temptations and keep our feet from paths that lead to sin and folly. Instead of being influenced by the things of this world, Lord, pour your wisdom and understanding into our hearts. Influence us towards you. May our words, thoughts, and deeds bring you joy today. Amen.


by Leave a comment

The Lord Gave…

Readings: 1st Chronicles 17, 1st Chronicles 18, 1st Chronicles 19, 1st Chronicles 20, 1st Chronicles 21, 1st Chronicles 22:1

1st Chronicles 18:14 – “David ruled over all Israel and maintained justice and righteousness for all his people.”

Photo credit: Patrick Schneider

As we continue in 1st Chronicles we read mostly familiar stories. They maintain the core content of what we read back in 2nd Samuel. But the chronicler also makes changes and he or she omits content, always for a purpose. In general, the chronicler elevates the good side of David while downplaying or even omitting content that portrays David’s sinful side.

We begin today’s readings with the story of David’s desire to build God a house. Instead, God says David’s house will be built into a dynasty. David’s son will build the temple and God will love him always. There is no mention of the human rod that God will use to discipline Solomon and other future disobedient kings.

Several wars and battles come next. Some are engagements that Israel initiated and others are defensive in nature. These battles secure David’s borders far in all directions. We often read this about the victories that the Lord gave David: “The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.” God was with David in other ways too. The Lord gave him the desire and ability to lead well. In 18:14 we read, “David ruled over all Israel and maintained justice and righteousness for all his people.” David is a good king. During this time of war, in 2nd Samuel we find the story of Bathsheba…

In chapter 21 a “heavenly adversary” tempts David into taking a census. This is a prideful act. Written 200 years after the exile, Judaism has developed a concept of the “satan.” This concept was not even a thought when 2nd Samuel was written – near the end of David’s life. God is justly offended by the census and offers David a choice of three punishments. David chooses the plague because God’s hand may show mercy. 70,000 die. As the plague nears Jerusalem, at Ornan’s threshing floor, God stays the messenger’s sword. David, not knowing this, offers up his own life for the lives of “these sheep.” David shows the same mercy God has shown. The Lord gave David a heart after God’s own heart. He is led to buy Ornan’s threshing floor and there sacrifices an offering upon the altar that he built. The messenger’s sword is sheathed. This place will be the site of the temple Solomon will build.

Prayer: Lord God, you generously gave to David – strength, guidance, wisdom, mercy, compassion. Lord, give us these same gifts as well so that we may honor you with the faithful living of our lives. Give us the desire to love you with our whole hearts. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Down, Down, Down

Readings: 1st Kings 12, 1st Kings 13, 1st Kings 14, 1st Kings 15, 1st Kings 16

1st Kings 14:8 – “I tore the kingdom from David’s house and gave it to you. But you haven’t been like my servant David.”

In today’s five chapters we see the unfolding of God’s judgment against Solomon’s house and against Israel. Rehoboam follows Solomon and has an opportunity to begin well. But immaturity leads to a split in the kingdom. Jeroboam becomes king of Israel, the ten northern tribes. Rehoboam rules Judah – made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Egypt attacks a weak Judah and carries off all of the wealth that Solomon had gathered.

In the north Jeroboam sets up two places of worship – alternatives to Jerusalem – each with its own golden calf. He appoints his own priests and sets up his own religious festivals (that mirror the traditional festivals.) A man of God comes to him and warns him of the outcome of his sin, twice demonstrating God’s power. The man of God is tricked by another prophet and he dies a tragic death. Jeroboam continues in his evil ways. His son gets sick and he sends his wife, in a disguise, to the prophet Ahijah. He tells her the son will die and he tells her that all of Jeroboam’s house will die too.

We then shift back to Judah, where Rehoboam is doing evil in God’s eyes. They worship foreign gods and engage in illicit sex with the cultic prostitutes. Rehoboam dies and his son Abijam rules three years, doing evil in God’s eyes. His son Asa rules next. Asa is our one bright spot. He removes the prostitutes and the idols. He even removes his grandmother from her position as the queen mother. She was an idol worshipper. But he allows the shrines to remain and he forms an alliance with Aram.

We shift back to Israel as Nadab rules. After two years Baasha kills him and all of Jeroboam’s house. He rules 22 years, doing evil in God’s eyes. Jehu the prophet comes and warns him of his downfall. Things do not change. Zimri assassinates Baasha and then kills all of his household. Zimri rules for seven days. Omri the general leads next, for 12 years. Evil increases under Omri. His son Ahab rules next. Ahab does even more evil than anyone before him. He worships Baal and Asherah. The stage is set. The low point has been reached in Israel. It is time for God to return to the scene in full force.

Prayer: Lord God, one after another after another do evil in your eyes. Down, down, down goes Israel and Judah. A moment of light and hope comes, then Israel goes further down the slope. Yet we know the end of the story. Thank you for that. It’s needed with readings like today’s. Amen.