pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Jewels in a Crown

Reading: Zechariah 5-9

Zechariah 8:8 – “I’ll bring them back… They will be my people, and I will be their God — in truth and in righteousness.”

Today’s middle section of the book of Zechariah begins with the last three night visions. In the sixth vision a flying scroll announces a curse on all who steal and then lie about it. The curse will totally destroy their homes. The seventh vision identified wickedness as a tiny woman in a basket. She is sent home to Babylon. In the last vision Zechariah sees horses with chariots. They are sent out to patrol the earth. The ones going north (to Babylon) provide rest for God and God’s people. This allows Zechariah to gather gold and silver to make two crowns. With one he anoints Joshua as the high priest. The second will be for “Branch” – one who will build the temple, who will sit and rule. All of this will happen if they truly obey God.

In chapter 7 a delegation comes from Bethel asking about fasting. God basically asks, “Did you fast for me?” They have just been going through the motions, saying the words from before the exile. Hinting at the meaninglessness of this and using words reminiscent of Isaiah 58, Zechariah declares that God really wants to see just and faithful decisions, to see kindness and compassion as their norms. But instead, in the past, they chose to oppress the poor and vulnerable, to “steel” their hearts against God. So God scattered them.

Then in chapter 8 God declares compassion and passion for Zion. God has returned to Jerusalem. The old and the young will fill the city. God proclaims, “I’ll bring them back… They will be my people, and I will be their God — in truth and in righteousness.” Israel will become a blessing to the world. Nations will come, seeking God’s favor. After a sobering pronouncement against the nations around Israel, Zechariah prophesies a day when their king will come, “humble and riding on an ass.” He will speak peace and will rule “to the ends of the earth.” The Lord will deliver his people and they will “be the jewels in a crown dotting this land.” That will be the day!

Prayer: Lord God, as we read of our common struggles today and of our common tendency towards disobedience, we are also reminded of your grace and mercy in our moments of failure and of your ultimate plan to bring a full healing and restoration to your people and to your world. In the meantime, O God, use us as those “jewels,” reflecting and shining your light and love into the world. Amen.


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That Line

Reading: Nahum 1-3

Nahum 1:12-13 – “I won’t afflict you further, Zion. Now I will break off his yoke from you and tear off your chains.”

Photo credit: Nadine Shaabana

Nahum walks a fine line. The historical content of the book covers Assyria’s fall. The capital city, Nineveh, is the focus. In Jonah we saw a mighty God who was rich in mercy. In Nahum we read of a mighty God who pours out divine wrath on the Assyrians. In the long game, God will not tolerate any form of human pride or the existence of injustice. Here is where we get near that line. It can be tempting to rejoice in the downfall of an enemy. Is this not another form of pride?

Nahum describes God as “jealous… vengeful… strong in wrath… very patient… great in power.” The prophet declares that the world and all who dwell on it cannot stand before God’s indignation and fury. And he declares that God is “good, a haven in a day of distress.” In this spirit, Nahum assures God’s people. Though in exile now, God says, “I won’t afflict you further, Zion. Now I will break off his yoke from you and tear off your chains.” Hope is just around the corner.

From 1:14 through the end of the book, Nahum describes the great fall of Nineveh. God is against the city. The enemy’s sword will devour just as Assyria once devoured others. Assyria will become a spectacle. God declares there is “no remedy… your wound is grievous.” At the end we again come to the line. Nahum shares that all who had suffered under Assyria’s cruelty will “clap their hands over you.” To be relieved, even happy, when the yoke is broken,when the bully gets his or her due, – nearing the line. To be joyful and to celebrate someone’s utter destruction? Where did that line go?

Prayer: Lord God, we can sense your power and might today. We can feel your sense of justice and righteousness. You alone are the judge and the giver of just consequences. Help us to hold these things in holy awe. Curb in us the human tendency to find joy in another’s defeat. Keep us in our own lane. Focus us on our walk with you. Amen.


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God Alone Can Rescue

Reading: Daniel 4-7

Daniel 6:26 – “All people must fear and revere Daniel’s God because: He is the living God. God stands firm forever.”

Photo credit: Stormseeker

The “story” portion of Daniel continues today. Tomorrow’s reading turns to Daniel’s dreams and visions. Chapter 4 begins with Nebuchadnezzar telling of God’s grace, mercy, and restoration. He has a dream where a very tall tree ruled over all, caring well for everyone. That was Nebuchadnezzar. Yeah! But then the tree was cut down and destroyed, leaving only a stump bound with iron and bronze. He lost his mind for seven years, living amongst the wild animals. Finally, he humbles himself, as Daniel has asked him to do, and God restores him fully. The king worships God, declaring that God’s works are true, that God’s paths are just, and that God’s power will humble the prideful.

Chapter 5 shifts to the next king, Belshazzar. At a big party he calls for and drinks from the goblets taken from the temple. A hand appears and writes on the wall. Fear seizes all. Despite a big reward, no one can read or interpret the words. The queen enters and remembers Daniel. He is summoned and first reminds the king how God humbled Nebuchadnezzar. It is a warning that’s ignored. Daniel then interprets the writing: “Mene, mene, tekel, parsin.” Your days are numbered, you haven’t measured up, your kingdom will be divided. That night Belshazzar is killed. Darius the Mede becomes king.

Darius establishes a new governmental system. 120 regional officials will report to three main officers. Daniel is one of these three at first. Soon Darius is considering making him #1. This spawns jealousy which spawns a plot. The 122 leaders trick Darius into signing a decree that people can only pray to him. Daniel prays to God, “just like he always did.” On the way into the pit, Darius says, “Your God… will rescue you.” After a sleepless night, Darius discovers that God has done just that. He then issues a decree stating, “All people must fear and revere Daniel’s God because: He is the living God. God stands firm forever.” The proof, he says, is that God rescued Daniel. When we must decide between God and career or status or some other thing, may we trust in our God who rescues and saves.

Prayer: Lord God, you alone can rescue. You alone can save. There are many things, God, that can rise up in our selfish hearts, drawing us away from you. When they begin to have voice, when they start to pull at us, remind us of your better plan for our lives. Through the power of the Holy Spirit guide us to stand for and in your promise to rescue and save. Amen.


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New Heart, New Spirit

Reading: Ezekiel 33-37

Ezekiel 36:27: “I will give you my spirit so that you may walk according to my regulations and carefully follow my case laws.”

Ezekiel is reminded that he is Israel’s lookout. As such, he is to speak when God speaks to him. That is his responsibility. If he fails to speak, then the people’s blood will be on him. But if he speaks and the people ignore him, their blood is on them. The people question God’s judgment next. They are wasting away because of their sin. God encourages them to turn away from their evil ways. Then they will live. God is simply judging each of them “according to your ways.”

Word from back home comes: “The city has fallen.” Twelve years into Ezekiel’s exile, Jerusalem falls. This leads the people in exile to seek Ezekiel and to hear his words. They listen, yes, but they still refuse to heed his words. God then turns the focus to the “shepherds” – to the leaders. They do not tend to the flock. They care nothing for the weak, sick, lost… They prey on them instead. God will rescue and care for the flock. Eventually a Davidic king will be their new shepherd. In chapter 37 God declares that they will once again be one nation with a new covenant.

Ezekiel then prophesies against Israel’s parasitic neighbors. They plunder and take possession of the land, nursing “an ancient grudge.” God promises to restore Israel’s land itself. The land will be renewed and restored. So too will be the people. In chapter 37 Ezekiel is carries to a valley full of very dry bones. They represent Israel’s faith. God will bring them back to life, one step at a time. God will bring them home and cleanse them. God will give them a new heart and then a new and right spirit. Restored to the land, Israel’s faith will be alive.

Prayer: Lord God, when the lookout comes, be it in your Word, your Spirit, or through another means, give us ears to hear and hearts to follow. Give us good and righteous shepherds to guide us, caring well for our souls. And don’t let us get too dry – keep that breath in our lungs so that we can bring you the glory. Amen.


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“All is well…”

Reading: Jeremiah 5:1-8:16

Jeremiah 6:19 – “I’m bringing disaster upon my people, the fruit of their own devices, because they have ignored my words… rejected my teaching.”

Chapter 5 begins with a search for one just person. None can be found. Judah has forsaken God, they are “utterly faithless.” Incorrectly they think God won’t really punish their sins. But God proclaims that a distant army is coming. They will devour everything. Because God’s people have abandoned God, they will soon “serve strangers in a land not your own.” Exile is coming.

In chapter 6 God notes that all are eager for profits and notes that the prophets and priests “trade in dishonesty.” They tell themselves “All is well” but nothing is well. God invites them to turn to the ancient paths as they stand at this crossroads, to choose to walk “the good way.” Judah rejects the invitation. Therefore God says, “I’m bringing disaster upon my people, the fruit of their own devices, because they have ignored my words… rejected my teaching.” Judah is invited to put on funeral clothes, to wail and weep. Disaster is coming.

The scene shifts to the temple for chapter 7. Judah falsely believes that the temple will stand forever – it is God’s house. God longs to dwell with the people in the temple. But to be present with them, they need to radically change their ways. Only then will God dwell with them in the temple. A warning is given: don’t change your ways and God will make the temple like the tabernacle at Shiloh. It was totally destroyed by Israel’s enemy. This leads God to a lament. God recalls bringing the people out of Egypt, leading them in the wilderness, teaching them God’s ways, hoping for obedience. They too were stubborn and hard-hearted.

In chapter 8 God wonders why the people “persistently turn away.” God laments that “everyone turns to their own course.” This selfish, stubborn, rebellious, hard-hearted people are drawing closer to disaster. And they continue to tell themselves, “All is well.”

Lord God, just as you lament Judah’s ongoing patterns of selfishness, greed, lust, dishonesty, and oppression, so too do you lament these things in our day. We have changed very little. Yet a small remnant remains. Strengthen and encourage us, guide us to faithfully walk in your ancient ways. Empower us to be speakers of truth and to be bearers of love and hope, of grace and mercy. Amen.


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Right Living

Readings: Proverbs 12 and 13

‭Proverbs 13:13 – “Trouble will come on those who despise a word, but those who respect the commandment will be rewarded.”

One theme that we see in today’s readings is the value of being willing to listen to God. Fools tend to think that their way is the right way but the wise are willing and open to advice. A wise son (or daughter) listens while mockers do not. Parents who love their children discipline them. Those who withhold discipline “hate their children.” When we choose to listen to and to follow God’s will and ways, we grow in both wisdom and in our faith.

We also grow in God’s favor. This is a second theme that we see today. God favors the good but condemns the wicked. The way of the righteous leads to life. The detestable path of the wicked leads to death. As the righteous walk this good path, they rejoice in the light. The lamp of the wicked will go out, leaving them in darkness. May our light shine for all to see.

This theme of right living is also revealed in how we impact or affect others. The plans of the righteous are just and their words are full of truth. This gives good guidance to their neighbors. The wicked deceive, leaving neighbors to wander. There’s a personal application too. Righteousness guards our words and our lives. Wickedness only misleads. Actions matter too. The prudent act intelligently but fools display stupidity. Walk with the wise and become wiser. Befriend fools and invite trouble.

We also find some practical advice in today’s readings. If one works the land, they will have plenty to eat. Empty pursuits yield nothing good. The lazy have strong desires but get nothing. The diligent are satisfied. Not wealthy, but satisfied, content, blessed. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, in all we do and say and think, may we honor you and bring you the glory. In all that we seek, work, and strive for, may we consider first your will and your way. In our interactions and encounters, may our lives be a witness to your design and purposes for our lives and for our world. Amen.


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Focused on God

Readings: Psalms 96-101

‭Psalm 99:5 – “Magnify the LORD, our God! Bow low at his footstool! He is holy!”

Today’s six Psalms are songs of praise and are calls to celebrate God as Lord over all. Many common themes run through these Psalms: sing to the Lord, the Lord reigns, God is righteous and just, God’s love lasts forever. A feeling of joy arches over today’s readings.

Psalm 96 invites all people to “Bring gifts! Enter his courtyards.” Here we see an early indication of the widening of God’s kingdom. It is “all families of the nations” that are invited. All. There is also a recognition for the “all” in the Psalm: “He will judge all people fairly.” Just judgment will come to all people.

Psalm 97 reminds us that fire goes before God, “burning up his enemies.” Zion and Judah celebrate these acts of justice. In Psalm 98 the song exalts the victory won by “his own strong hand.” The shouts are triumphant. All of creation celebrates the victory of God’s justice. The themes of justice and righteousness continue in Psalm 99. The call is to “Magnify the LORD, our God! Bow low at his footstool! He is holy!” The footstool represents the ark of the covenant. Moses, Aaron, and Samuel were the givers and keepers of the Law. Therefore God heard and answered their cries, forgiving them when they strayed.

Psalm 100 celebrates that Israel is “the sheep of his own pasture.” Made and chosen by God, they live in God’s faithful love generation after generation. Psalm 101 closes with a call to integrity. To walk with integrity (and within God’s love) one must focus on the will and way of God while also not abiding any evil. May this be our walk as we seek to worship our God of love, justice, and righteousness with our lives.

Prayer: Lord God, what great reminders today of who and what you are: loving, just, holy, faithful, righteous, worthy of our praise. We too are the sheep of your pasture. As such, lead and guide us to daily bring these character traits to bear on the world. In all things – thoughts, words, and deeds – may we glorify you! Amen.


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Holy and Just Lives

Readings: Leviticus 8, Leviticus 9, Leviticus 10

Leviticus 9:24 – “Fire flew out from before the LORD… All the people saw it. They shouted for joy and fell facedown.”

Today’s reading begins with the purification and ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. They are washed, dressed in their priestly clothing, and are anointed with holy oil. The tabernacle and all in it are also anointed as holy. On Aaron and sons’ behalf, Moses offers a bull as a purification offering and then a ram as an entirely burned offering. Aaron and sons place their hands on the heads of each sacrifice. A second ram is sacrificed as an ordination offering. The breast of the ram and some bread is offered as an uplifted offering. Aaron and his sons stay at the entrance to the tent of meeting for 7 days, as required by the Lord.

Next Aaron performs all of the sacrifices. This act is both symbolic and practical. Moses oversees it all. Aaron first offers a bull and then a ram as the priest’s purification and wholly burned offerings. He then offers the same for the people, followed by the people’s grain and well-being offerings. This completes the entire set of sacrificial rituals. Moses and Aaron then enter the tent of meeting. Emerging from the tabernacle, “Fire flew out from before the LORD… All the people saw it. They shouted for joy and fell facedown.” This is a sign of God’s validation. All has been done exactly as the Lord commanded.

Another act of disobedience occurs as chapter 10 begins. Nadab and Abihu, two of Aaron’s sons, offer unauthorized fire before the Lord. Again fire flew out from the Lord. This time it consumes Nadab and Abihu. This is a sign of God’s disapproval. Aaron is stunned so Moses takes over. The bodies are removed and Moses gives instructions for mourning. He specifically prohibits two Canaanite mourning practices. After some instructions on priestly eating and drinking, Eleazar and Ithamar fail to eat their portion of a sacrifice. They erred on the side of caution and safety, so Moses anger relents.

Today we are reminded of the importance of living as the Lord commands. In our own calls to model and reflect God’s love and God’s holiness, may we strive to live holy and just lives.

Prayer: Lord God, by the power of the Holy Spirit lead and guide us to live lives that are pleasing to your sight. May our very lives be a pleasing aroma that brings joy to you, O Lord. Amen.


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Conflict Resolution

Reading: Matthew 18:15-20

Verse 20: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

In this week’s gospel text Jesus addresses how to deal with conflict within the church. As followers of Jesus Christ we are not immune from being human. As such, we can hurt and even harm one another. For Jesus, this is a given. So in today’s passage he gives direction for how to lovingly deal with the inevitable.

Step one is personal – go to that person and explain how they hurt or harmed you. This will resolve most issues. If that does not bring healing to the relationship, the next step is to bring one or two people along as you again explain the offense. Often other perspectives help to work things out. And it is a check on our motives. If this too fails to bring resolution then we are to bring the matter before the church. There the collective wisdom and love of the body can be used to bring healing and reconciliation to the broken relationship. If even this step fails, then the final steps for the church is to exclude the offender from the body. This is not meant to be punitive. It brings awareness that such behavior is unacceptable and it invites the offender to introspection and repentance.

None of these four steps are easy. That is why Jesus continues in verses 18-20. Jesus first promises that if we follow these steps then our decisions and actions will be godly and just. Accordingly, they will stand both in heaven and on earth. How is it possible to be godly and just in the middle of conflict, hurt, and harm? “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” In the midst of our conflict resolution, if we ask Jesus into the conversation, he will be there. With Jesus Christ leading and guiding the efforts, what we ask for and the just resolution that we seek – “it will be done for you by my father in heaven.” What a way to approach conflict resolution!

Prayer: Lord God, when the inevitable comes, lead and guide us through those difficult times in the life of the community of faith. Be present in our thoughts, in our words, in our actions. Through the Spirit’s loving presence, guide us in mercy, grace, love, honesty, humility, and forgiveness, bringing unity back to the body of Christ. Amen.


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Day by Day

Reading: 1st Peter 1:17-23

Verse 23: “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”

Photo credit: Javardh

This week’s Epistle reading is a call to be “holy.” God alone is holy – perfect, pure, just, good, righteous… Last week Peter reminded us that although we receive an inheritance that is imperishable and unfading, our journey of faith is one that will take us again and again through the refining process. Each time we are refined we become holier, more righteous, more just… but we will never be holy, perfect, pure… as God is holy, perfect, pure…

Our passage today begins by calling us to live in “reverent fear.” Because we call on a just God, the call is to live lives that honor God, that demonstrate our awareness of God’s holiness, perfection, justice… Peter then returns to the idea of the imperishable. He reminds us that we were not redeemed with gold or silver but with the “precious blood of Christ.” Although he was human for 30ish years, Jesus is eternal, imperishable, forever. Because Christ is these things, so too is our forgiveness and our salvation. Once we have been “born again” we are living in and under the “living and enduring word of God.” It is through the word of God, the working of the Holy Spirit, and our obedience to this call to holy living that we grow into Christ more and more and more.

The refining, the growing and maturing, the struggles, the highs, the trials – these are all at work on our journey of faith. Together they continue to make us into who God created us to be. This is the story of our faith. Day by day may we open ourselves to the living and enduring word of God, to the workings of the Holy Spirit, and to the path that God invites us to walk each day.

Prayer: Lord God, you invite us on a powerful, amazing, transforming journey. You are ever at work to make us holy, to form us into who you created us to be. May we be willing and faithful participants in this process. Amen.