pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Trust in God, Wait with Hope

Reading: Habakkuk 1-3

Habakkuk 3:2 – “LORD, I have heard your reputation. I have seen your work. Over time, revive it. Over time, make it known.”

Habakkuk has a chat with God. The chat revolves around why God allows the righteous to suffer while the wicked prosper. Habakkuk struggles to understand how a good God could allow such evil to exist. We continue to wrestle with these struggles today.

The book begins with a question: “Lord, how long will I call for help and you will not listen?” This is a question we’ve all raised. Habakkuk cries out about the violence and injustice. God responds, “I’m about to rouse the Chaldeans.” Babylon will sweep in, taking “captives like sand.” Habakkuk questions how God could choose to use this evil empire, the one that sacrifices to its own strength. He declares that he will “take my post” as he waits for God to respond.

God responds with a vision. Habakkuk is to clearly write it down on tablets. This vision is for an appointed time. While they will wait for it, God declares, “For it is surely coming; it will not be late.” God tells Habakkuk that the righteous will live honestly. The arrogant – the ones who are never satisfied – they will fall. The ones who plundered will be plundered. Doom is coming to all who trust in idols. The Lord is holy. At the appointed time, the earth will be silent before the Lord.

Habakkuk then goes to the Lord in prayer. He begins, “LORD, I have heard your reputation. I have seen your work. Over time, revive it. Over time, make it known.” He trusts that God will one day “tread the nations,” defeating wickedness. Habakkuk trusts into God’s vision for the future. Right now the fig doesn’t blossom. Right now the pens and stalls are empty. But right now, Habakkuk declares, “I will rejoice in the Lord… my deliverance… my strength.” He chooses to trust in God. He chooses to wait with hope. May we choose to do the same when we are suffering, when we are in the struggle. God is loving. God is faithful.

Prayer: Lord God, when we are struggling with the evil in the world, when we are questioning your activity or inactivity in the world, lead us to use Habakkuk as our guide. May we lay our lament before you. May we trust in you to respond. May we choose a bold faith, one that trusts and hopes in you alone. Amen.


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Prepare to Meet Your God!

Reading: Amos 1-4

Amos 4:4-5 – “Come to Bethel — and commit a crime!… Offer a thanksgiving sacrifice… publicize your gifts… for so you love to do, people of Israel!”

Amos is called from a small town in Judah in about 762 BCE. His task is to bring words of warning to Israel. Amos’ central message was that God is just and righteous and will uphold these practices. Chapters 1 and 2 contain judgments against Israel’s neighbors. Each begins with “for three crimes… and for four.” This is not strict math. It means that these sins were perpetrated again and again.

These sins or crimes include selling refugees as slaves, seizing land using violence, exacting revenge, and desecrating other leader’s bodies. Judah is ignoring the Instructions and disobeying the Law. Turn Israel’s sins are detailed. The rich and powerful mistreat and steal from the poor, often enslaving them. They disregard their rights – that’s using their blankets given as collateral for picnics instead of returning them each night, as required by the Law. Fathers and sons have illicit sex with the same woman. God then reminds them of all that God did for them. And of how prophets and Nazarites were sent. The deeds were forgotten, the words hushed. God declares that the fast, strong, and mighty will all fall.

Chapter 3 contains three beautiful verses: 2, 7, and 12. In verse 2 God declares, “You only have I loved so deeply.” This is God’s covenant love. God continues, “Therefore I will punish you.” This is God’s justice and righteousness at work. In verse 7 God says, “Surely the Lord does nothing without revealing his secret” through the prophets. This is God’s grace, again and again calling the people to justice and righteousness. Verse 12 speaks of God’s redemption and salvation. A remnant will be spared. God will rescue Israel in the end. This is a return to God’s covenant love through grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

I smiled when I read God’s taunt in chapter 4. God will try anything to bring the children back into right relationship. In verses 4 and 5 God says, “Come to Bethel — and commit a crime!… Offer a thanksgiving sacrifice… publicize your gifts… for so you love to do, people of Israel!” God wants them to clearly see their hypocrisy. They indulge and brag about it, but exclude the needy – again breaking the Law. God lays out the warnings, the revelations – famine, drought, disease, plague, war… “yet you didn’t return to me.” Again and again. So God proclaims, “Prepare to meet your God, Israel!” The day of justice and righteousness is coming.

Prayer: Lord God, oh how many voices we ignore. Oh how many signs we miss. We’re much like Israel. We hush the Holy Spirit. We read your word and take away what “tickles our ears.” This we too fall short of the justice and righteousness that is found at your core. You call us to hold to and to stand for these, especially in behalf of the poor and needy. Lord, break our hearts for what breaks yours. Renew and reshape us with generous hearts and courageous souls, O God, so that we might be your healing balm to a broken and hurting world. Amen.


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You Will Know

Reading: Joel 1-3

Joel 2:27 – “You will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God — no other exists.”

Photo credit: Marek Piwnicki

In three chapters Joel packs a ton into his prophetic message. He follows the normal pattern: devastation, cry out, repent, deliverance. Joel is a bit unique in the fact that Israel’s sin isn’t included. That usually leads to the ‘devastation’ part of the cycle. Joel begins with an invading army. Locusts? Assyria? Babylon? We’re not 100% sure if it’s real or metaphor as Joel is really hard to date. He does not include kings or names that can be tied to a specific point in Israel’s history. The effects of whichever army are all the same: starvation, death, suffering, grief. Even the earth and creatures of the earth mourn, so great is the fire that burns before and after the army’s invasion. People shake in fear as the army rushes upon the city and into their homes.

Yet… there’s that word! Yet, even now, says Joel, God invites us to return to God with all of our hearts, to weep and fast and mourn. Yes, weep, fast, and mourn over what we’ve done. Yes, weep, fast, and mourn over the consequences of that sin. Do so because God is compassionate, merciful, very patient, full of love, and ready to forgive. So, cry out to God! Who knows? God does. God brings renewal and restoration to a repentant Israel: corn, wine, oil… green pastures and fruitful trees. An early rain will be a “sign of righteousness” that will pour out abundance on them. And then the Lord declares, “You will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God — no other exists.” Is this because of these physical blessings or is it because of what God promised next?

In verses 28-29 God proclaims that the Spirit will be poured out on all people – sons and daughters, young and old, slaves. All people will receive the gift of the Spirit. All barriers will be broken down. Then Joel turns to the coming day of the Lord. This day will bring darkness but all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. The darkness comes as God gathers and judges the nations. Through Joel, God condemns a variety of offenses against God’s people. Crowd after crowd will come before the Lord. But God will be a refuge for the faithful. Jerusalem will be holy and a spring will come forth from God’s house. The new Judah and Jerusalem will be forgiven. It will be inhabited forever. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, what good and great plans you have for those who love you. Yes, the storms of life will come, drawing us closer to you. Yes, times of separation will come as we choose self over you. Even then, you work to renew our relationship, to restore our connection. You remain ever ready to forgive. You continue to declare that you are our God. Thank you, Lord, for your unconditional love. Amen.


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Redemption

Reading: Hosea 1-5

Hosea 2:19 – “I will take you for my wife forever; I will take you for my wife in righteousness and in justice, in devoted love, and in mercy.”

Hosea begins our journey through “The Twelve.” He ministered to Israel during a time of prosperity and expansion. Because times were good, Israel had a very superficial relationship with God. They worshipped idols and relied totally on themselves. These forms of idolatry are denounced as “prostitution” by Hosea. In Hosea’s words we also find hope. Ultimately, and above all else, God seeks to redeem Israel from its sin, bringing both creation and God’s people back into a covenant relationship.

As the book begins, God commands Hosea to marry a prostitute. This relationship and the emotions it generates mirror God’s relationship with Israel. Hosea and Gomer have children. Their names tell the story of Israel’s coming downfall. God will punish Israel. God will have no compassion. God will not be their God. And in the next verse God says, after all that, “Not my people” will be called “Children of the living God.” Redemption and restoration will come.

In chapters 2, 4, and 5, God lays out the charges against Israel. God charges them with giving all that God provided to Baal and other idols. But even so God will one day redeem them. In verse 19 we read, “I will take you for my wife forever; I will take you for my wife in righteousness and in justice, in devoted love, and in mercy.” Then in chapter 4 God condemns the priests. The people have no knowledge of God. Instead, the people “take advice from a piece of wood.” God declares that the “spirit of prostitution” is in them. They are addicted to these evil behaviors.

In chapter 3 God directs Hosea to “make love” to Gomer again, even though she is lost in prostitution, just like Israel. Hosea finds her and brings her back home – he redeems her from her lovers – and has her stay with him for a long time without sex. This mirrors Israel’s long time in exile without the temple, without sacrifices, without priests. This time apart will lead Israel to seek the Lord. They will then reenter into God’s goodness.

Prayer: Lord God, you have chosen us. You form us in the womb and you laid out good plans for our lives. You seek to walk with us in Spirit, offering to lead and guide us. One might think we’d be perfect disciples. Yet that’s far from what we are. Like Israel, we wander. We worship other “gods.” We mistreat one another and your creation. And… you remain faithful, loving, forgiving. You are unconditional in your commitment to our relationship. O Lord, help us to be faithful. Amen.


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Nevertheless

Reading: Ezekiel 12-16

Ezekiel 14:6 – “The LORD God proclaims: Come back! Turn away from your idols and from all your detestable practices. Turn away!”

Our reading begins with Ezekiel modeling the exile in a sign act. With people watching, he packs a bag and tunnels through the wall. Bag in tow, he heads out into the dark. Exile is coming. A few will survive to tell of their detestable practices. God then instructs Ezekiel to eat while trembling, to drink anxiously. During the siege, this will be Judah’s reality.

Some people question God’s timing. God says there will be no delay. The foolish prophets who proclaim peace and that God will be their wall – their lies will be exposed. The prophetesses who are misleading and entrapping people – God will rescue their victims. The focus then turns to those who are worshipping idols. God declares that if they come to God or to Ezekiel for prayers or for guidance, God will send them back to their idols. Yet God longs for Judah to repent. God says, The LORD God proclaims: Come back! Turn away from your idols and from all your detestable practices. Turn away!”

Noah, Daniel, and Job figuratively enter the story in chapter 14. They alone would be saved if wild animals or war or plague or famine were sent by God. These icons of the faith and virtue couldn’t even save their sons or daughters. They could save only themselves. God declares that all four tragedies are coming. Few will survive. Jerusalem is then compared to a vine. It is useful only for burning.

Chapter 16 details Jerusalem’s “detestable practices.” God recalls saving her when she was abandoned and naked. God fed and clothed and cared for her. She grew up and became very beautiful. She then prostituted herself with “all comers” – Egypt then Assyria then Babylon. Jerusalem was worse than Samaria and Sodom – so detestable that they looked righteous by comparison. Yet, in verse 60, we read, “Nevertheless…” God will one day reestablish the covenant. God will forgive their sins. Judah will then know that the Lord is God.

Prayer: Lord God, it was important for Judah to let go of false hope and to hear a call to repentance. It is important for us to be reminded that you are the only hope – our only hope, the only giver of mercy. We too will face judgment. Lead us to walk in covenant relationship with you, O Lord. Amen.


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Ends with Hope

Reading: Ezekiel 6-11

Ezekiel 11:19a – “I will give them a single heart, and I will put a new spirit in them.”

Chapter 6 addresses the consequences of Judah’s idolatry outside the temple. God will slay most of these idol worshippers. Some will escape and go into exile. God was “crushed” by the people’s “roving hearts.” They will fall by sword, famine, and plague. Chapter 7 continues this story line. God will judge Judah according to her ways. God won’t shed a tear, won’t show any pity. Those outside Jerusalem will die by the sword. Those inside will die by plague and famine. “Violent intruders” will defile the temple. Then Judah “will know that I am the Lord,” declares God.

Chapters 8-11 contain Ezekiel’s “Temple Vision.” God’s glory is in the temple as his virtual tour begins. Ezekiel is shown “terribly detestable practices” – a huge idol, 70 elders worshipping engravings on the wall, women worshipping a Babylonian god, men bowing to the sun. God then calls the “guardians of the city.” One of the six, the one in linen, is sent out to mark the foreheads of the faithful. The others follow along behind, killing all without the mark. They begin in the sanctuary and move outward from there. Ezekiel questions the depth of the violence. God is holding them accountable.

The guardian in linen is then sent out with fire from the temple chariot. He scatters fire about, burning down the city. The chariot rises up and moves to the threshold of the temple. God’s glory is on the chariot throne. There is a final confrontation with some evil and wicked men. God declares that they will die by the sword. And then God offers hope.

The exiles will be gathered back. God says, “I will give them a single heart, and I will put a new spirit in them.” Israel will be obedient. God will be their God. Then the chariot leaves, flying east towards Babylon. The vision ends and Ezekiel tells the exiles all that God has shown him. The story ends with hope. Our story does too. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you are almighty and all-powerful. You are just and righteous. Just as you held Judah accountable, so too do you hold us accountable. So God, create in each of us a single heart, a heart fully aligned with you. Pour your Spirit into our hearts, leading and guiding us to walk faithfully with you. Be our God. Make us into your people. 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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A New Relationship

Reading: Isaiah 60-66

Isaiah 65:14 – “My servants will sing with contented hearts, but you will cry out from heartache; with broken spirits you will wail.”

As we close our Isaiah today chapter 60 encourages Israel to arise, to welcome sons and daughters home as they return from exile. Isaiah proclaims that peace and righteousness will reign. He tells of a day when the sun and moon won’t shine – God will be their light.

Isaiah 61 is a joyful proclamation that reveals God’s heart for justice and righteousness. The anointed prophet brings good news, heals brokenness, frees from sin, and promises the Lord’s favor to the faithful. He tells of God helping Israel to rebuild, to be restored and renewed. There is a promise of being clothed in victory and in a robe of righteousness. As we continue into chapter 62 God promises not to rest until Israel’s light shines and her salvation “blazes like a torch.” God delights in this people, will care for them, will lead them to be called “Holy People,” redeemed by God.

The prophet steps back in chapter 63, reminding the people why all this rebuilding is necessary. Edom’s sin raised God’s anger and wrath, just as Israel’s sin had. Yet for Israel there was also God’s love, mercy, and redemption. Isaiah invites more, asking God to “tear open the heavens” to come to them. He admits, Israel is the clay, God the potter. Good words of surrender and trust.

Isaiah closes out the book in chapters 65 and 66 with the usual good/bad news. The choice and outcome are summed up well in today’s key verse. No one listened when he spoke… God will repay their sin in full… God’s fire and sword will slay many. God is creating a new heaven and earth where there will be no tears, where they will thrive. Their relationship will deepen. God will answer before they call, God will hear before they speak. If only our hearts were so in tune with the Lord our God. May it be so one day.

Prayer: Lord God, we rejoice in your presence with us. Your love and mercy, grace and compassion, faithfulness and forgiveness – these continue to flow to your people. You remain at work, rebuilding when we break down, restoring when we fall away. Your justice and righteousness call us to reflect all of this as we seek to bring your good news to all people. Lead and guide us, O Lord. Amen.


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With Longing

Reading: Isaiah 24-27

‭Isaiah 25:8 – “He will swallow up death forever. The LORD God will wipe tears from every face.”

Today’s reading contains themes not found elsewhere in Isaiah 1-39. These chapters are often called “Isaiah’s Apocalypse.” Most scholars believe this section was written at least a century after the rest of First Isaiah.

Chapter 24 prophesies a destruction that will be total and complete. All peoples and even the earth will be no more. On that day, “all joy has reached its dusk; happiness is exiled from the earth.” This brings to mind the final days of this present earth as described in Revelation. The kings of this earth will be gathered, shut in a prison to be punished. We’re just missing the word ‘forever’ here.

Chapters 25 and 26 mostly celebrates God’s final salvation. Isaiah exults God for the “wonderful things” that God has done. God will “swallow up” the veil that separated and will “swallow up death forever. The LORD God will wipe tears from every face.” These ‘end times’ themes and understandings appear here and in Daniel 12 – nowhere else in the Old Testament. The idea that “corpses will rise” and that “those who dwell in the dust” will one day shout for joy will not be accepted or even really developed until New Testament times.

These cosmic and end times themes continue in chapter 27. God defeats the cosmic forces of chaos. The image of the vineyard/garden returns. Jacob will “take root” and Israel will “bloom and sprout.” God will gather up the chosen people “one by one.” Those who were “lost” will come and “bow to the Lord at his holy mountain.” One day there will be a new heaven and earth. In 26:9 Isaiah writes, “My spirit within me watches for you.” With the same longing, may it be so for you and me as we await the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, we long for the day when you forever swallow up death. We await the moment that the trumpet blasts and you make all things new. Walk with us day by day as we seek to bring your kingdom more and more to this earth. Amen.


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Sense It

Reading: Isaiah 17-23

‭Isaiah 22:11 – “But you didn’t trust its maker; you didn’t consider the one who planned it long ago.”

Today’s seven chapters hold the remaining oracles against the nations around Judah as well as against Judah itself. Our readings begin with the fall of Damascus and Ephraim. Their attempt at an anti-Assyrian alliance angered God. In response, God will “harvest armfuls at a time.” God then proclaims, “They will be a wasteland because you forgot the God who saves you, and didn’t remember the rock who shelters you.” There is a sadness that we can feel in God’s voice. We can sense it because at times we too create the same sadness.

The oracles against Cush, Egypt, Babylon, Tyre, and even Judah herself follow. The foreign nations will be cut down and pruned, will be naked and barefoot and humiliated, will be defeated and trampled, will be destroyed and prostituted. The consequences for their sin will be great. Judah too will suffer. Judah and its leaders relied on self instead of on God. When God called for prayer and fasting, there was “fun and frivolity.” God declared, “But you didn’t trust its maker; you didn’t consider the one who planned it long ago.” Again, we can sense the sadness in God’s voice. And, yes, it is so because we too fail to trust in God at times.

We also hear words of hope in today’s reading. At the end of chapter 19 Isaiah speaks of God’s blessing on all who “swear loyalty to the Lord.” God will hear their cries and will “send them a Savior and a defender to rescue them.” In response, the faithful will “worship with sacrifices and offerings, making promises to the Lord and fulfilling them.” We can sense the joy for God in this faithfulness. May we too bring this joy to the Lord our God.

Prayer: Lord God, forgive us when we forget your gifts of salvation and shelter. Forgive us when we try to go it on our own, forgetting the one who created and planned our world and our lives. Remind us and draw us once again to our Savior, defender, friend. Thank you, God. Amen.