pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Bless God, Bless the World

Reading: Psalm 72:1-7 and 18-19

Psalm 72:19 – “Bless God’s glorious name forever; let his glory fill all the earth!”

Our reading today returns to Psalm 72, adding verses 18-19 to the verses that we read on Monday. In verses 1-7 the psalmist prayed for a just king to reign with righteousness and equity. This kind of leadership would lead to flourishing and peace for all people. These verses cast a vision for an ideal leader. In this kingdom, all people would be blessed.

The direction and tone and example that our leaders give and set often help determine our words, actions, and thoughts. In a small group meeting, for example, if the leader is welcoming and open to many different ideas, then people contribute and collaborate and share freely. The outcome or product is better because all involved take ownership. This becomes increasingly important the larger the group or the more elevated the platform. Negative or greedy or power-hungry or non-inclusive leaders tend to bring out these things in those they are trying to lead, limiting cooperation and involvement.

While leadership sets the direction, tone… we still have a choice in how we will act, speak, and think. The still, small voice of the Holy Spirit is key in these situations. If we will but listen, the Spirit will lead and guide. This is especially important when the leader is not aligned with the will and way of God’s justice and peace. In the moment, maybe holding our tongue is best. Or maybe it is speaking up to change the direction, tone… It might be a private conversation with the leader or it might be to help guide the way to find a new leader. Each of us, in our own way, are called to be a part of creating a more just and peaceful world. When we each play our part, we are fulfilling verse 19: “Bless God’s glorious name forever; let his glory fill all the earth!”

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us. When we are in leadership positions – large or small – may your Holy Spirit help us to lead in ways that are just and right, that encourage cooperation and build community. And when we find ourselves straying from these ideals or when we find ourselves under leaders who are less than you call us to be, may the Spirit work within us to guide our words, actions, and thoughts in ways that bless your name, thereby blessing our world. Amen.


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Answered Prayers

Reading: Joshua 4:20-24

Joshua 4:21 – “In the future your children will ask their parents, ‘What about these stones?'”

As the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land, they passed through the waters of the Jordan River much like their ancestors passed through the Reed (or Red) Sea. This time, when the feet of the priests who carried the ark of the covenant touched the water, it parted. What has been at flood stage stopped flowing and backed up to the north so that the nation could cross over on dry land. Imagine what the people of Jericho thought as they heard reports of what happened that day.

Joshua commanded each tribe to pick a man, a representative. These men picked up a large stone from the middle of the river as they crossed over. In verse 20 we’re reminded that Joshua set up the twelve stones as a memorial marker of what had just happened. Then he says to the Israelites: “In the future your children will ask their parents, ‘What about these stones?'” Joshua is not just talking about their actual children. He is also speaking of the generations and generations after who will ask the question. The basic response follows in the rest of our reading for today.

To make it a good story it would need some context and perhaps a little build up. One would certainly include the “why” of the story: to fulfill God’s covenant promise to Abraham. And if it were an honest retelling, they’d tell if the prayers they prayed to God – before, during, and after. They are prayers we would have all prayed. To look at a river at flood stage and to think about walking through it -> prayer. To walk through with water piling up beside you -> prayer. To look back as the rushing water returned to its bed -> prayer. Yes, the whole story would’ve held stories of God’s power and might. And it certainly would’ve included stories of how God answered their honest prayers.

Prayer: Lord God, when you move in our lives or in the lives of those we know, open our eyes to see. Just as you parted the Jordan, you continue to make a way for us when only you can. Guide us to connect our honest prayers to your actions, building our faith. Amen.


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Strength and Power

Readings: Exodus 12:30-51, Exodus 13, Exodus 14, Exodus 15:1-21

Exodus 14:13 – “Don’t be afraid. Stand your ground, and watch the LORD rescue you today.”

We begin with Pharaoh’s response to the death of the firstborn: “Get up! Get away from my people… Just go!” The Egyptians hurry their exit, giving the Israelites the gold and silvery jewelry and the clothing that they ask for. 600,000 men plus women, children, and livestock leave Egypt. There are non-Israelites that leave too. God’s power has attracted some of the local inhabitants.

God then reiterates the Passover regulations, reminding them of circumcision as a requirement. This will enable the “diverse group” that left with the Israelites to be a part of the yearly remembrance. Connecting to the final plague – as what will become known as a thank offering – the Lord requires that every firstborn male be dedicated to God. A provision is also established to “ransom” their firstborn sons with a sacrificial offering of an animal.

God then leads and guides the Israelites on a wandering yet safe path. Pharaoh changes his mind (with God’s help), rallying the troops to bring back Israel. As the enemy army approaches, the Hebrews immediately forget the mighty acts of God that literally just happened. They ask Moses, “Weren’t there enough graves in Egypt?” A brave and faithful Moses confidently responds, “Don’t be afraid. Stand your ground, and watch the LORD rescue you today.” The Lord does fight for them. The cloud provides protection, the sea parts, Israel passes through on dry ground, Egypt’s army follows but gets stuck, and the sea closes back in, killing every Egyptian soldier.

Our readings today close with two songs of worship. Worship is a natural response to what God has done. The songs celebrate the victory, God’s strength and power, the oneness of God, and the fear that this event strikes in the local tribes. Verse 18 states, “The Lord will rule forever and always.” Yes, God will and does. Thanks be to God for the victory brought to Israel and for the victories brought to the faithful today and always!

Prayer: Lord God, what a mighty and powerful God you are. These events at the sea – what an amazing corporate witness to your love for your people. God, please continue to part the seas that trouble and challenge our lives and faith. Continue to fight for us, your people. Amen.


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God Can and Will

Readings: Genesis 29:15-28 and Psalm 105:1-6

Verse 2: “Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.”

Today we pair yesterday’s reading from Genesis 29 with Psalm 105:1-6. By doing so we see a broader picture of God’s love and goodness and faithfulness. The Psalm is a corporate encouragement. It invites all of God’s chosen people to remember what God has done and to praise God: Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” The psalmist invites his readers then and us today to remember the wonders and miracles as well as the judgments of God, connecting all the way back to Abraham and Jacob, two of the greats of the Hebrew faith and story.

Abraham and Jacob were two of many people that God used who were far from perfect. We could include Sarah and Rebekah and Laban in this list. They too were flawed and human, sinful and selfish. When these imperfect people’s stories are read alongside Psalm 105, we are reminded once again that God’s plans and purposes can be and will be accomplished through very human people. That’s good news for you and me!

As we considered Leah and Rachel yesterday, thinking of how their role in God’s story might have affected them, today we recognize that God chose them specifically for this part of God’s story. And we recognize that God continued to work in their lives, long past the place we find them at in Genesis 29.

If God chose and used and blessed men like Jacob and Laban and women like Leah and Rachel, then God definitely can and certainly will choose, use, and bless people like you and me. If you love the Lord and praise God for all that God has done and will do, then there is a place for you in God’s ongoing story. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, I am grateful that you choose anyone to be a part of your story. It reflects your love for all of us – even for those who maybe don’t know you well or even at all when you choose them. The width of your love is amazing! Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Part of God

Reading: John 1: 1-3

Verse 1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

As the new year begins we read from John 1. This poetic and beautiful description of Jesus coming into the world is a great place to begin a new year. In one way today is just a Saturday, another day in our lives. In another way today is special – the first day of a new year. Usually January 1 signals a fresh start, one often filled with optimism. 2021 was different though. It was more of 2020 – a hard year for humanity and for many nations, ours included. We had hoped for an end to the pandemic and the grief, but it was and is not yet to be so. So maybe now more than ever we need the reminder from John 1.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Since before creation began, since before this world was spoken into being, there was Jesus, this part of God that was partly like what was about to be created. God is not simplistic or easily explainable. God is so far beyond our understanding and yet this part of God was able to become like us, to take on flesh. When we read in Genesis 1 that God created humanity in God’s image, it was in the image that became Jesus as he took on flesh. It is this same part of God that was present in the creation process.

In verse three we read that through the Word, through Jesus, all things were made. This earth and all that it is was created for humanity to foster and steward and care for. It makes sense that Jesus, this part of God who would come as one of us, would have a key role in creating and forming this world. It would be like the farmer having a role in developing a new seed type. This part of God that we can understand better and personally connect to is Jesus Christ, our hope and our salvation. As we enter 2022, may we do so following Jesus Christ, God with us, our Emmanuel.

Prayer: Lord God, since before time existed, you were. Since time began, you have been. When this sense of time ends, you will continue to be. You came into this time, into this world, incarnate in the part of you we know as Jesus. Thank you for this gift that helps us better understand you and your love. Amen.


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Good and Pleasant Unity

Reading: Psalm 133

Verse 1: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers [and sisters] live together in unity”.

Psalm 133 speaks to and of the community of faith. David identifies unity as something that is “good and pleasant”. It is God’s desire that all his children live in unity and peace. In the Psalm David is writing to the nation of Israel but his words also speak to the whole community of faith and to the local church. Unity draws others in, enabling the body of Christ and the individual believer to grow and flourish.

David uses the yearly anointing of the high priest as his illustration of the blessings of unity. Once a year the specially formulated oil of blessing would be poured over the head of the high priest, symbolizing God’s blessings flowing down over the representative of God’s connection to the people. This act also expressed unity – unity between God and his people. The visual of the oil running down Aaron’s face and through his beard and down onto his robes is a reminder of the abundance of God’s blessings on the faithful.

The Psalm closes with “there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore”. “There” are the places of unity and harmony. In and through the community of faith is where we find “life forevermore”. So this day and every day may we each do our part to build up the unity of the body of Christ, experiencing God’s blessings and favor as we do so.

Prayer: Lord, it is so good and pleasant when we gather in worship and fellowship to praise your name and to serve one another. Build up our love for one another, raise up a humble servant’s heart in each of us. In all we do and say, together may we bring you the glory and honor. Amen.


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Seeing Jesus

Reading: Matthew 25: 31-46

Verse 45: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me”.

Today we again wrestle with this teaching. In the agriculturally based world of Jesus’ day, all would understand the need to separate out one flock or herd from another. There were times when you just did that. This practice continues today everywhere farming or ranching is done. For Jesus’ audience the idea of separating the sheep from the goats would not raise an eyebrow. The “why” is what makes his audience pause. It is what makes us take a pause. This makes us uncomfortable. It makes us squirm. It gives us an uneasy feeling in our soul. These things are part of following Jesus.

One of the points of this teaching is that we are to care for our brothers and sisters. In this sense it mirrors the second great commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is a familiar command to most every Christian. We do not always succeed, but we all understand that loving all of our neighbors is part of the gig. Today, though, Jesus goes deeper. In verse 45 he says, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me”. When we have failed to love those who are hungry, thirsty, lonely – the least – we have done so because we failed to see Jesus in them. How could Jesus Christ be in the addict? In the homeless? In the murderer? He is there because each of these is just like us – created in the image of God, born with a spark of the divine within us. Jesus may not be readily evident in such people. But, hey, once in a while, folks have a hard time seeing Jesus in you and in me. Yet Jesus is still there. We are all and ever will be a child of God. If we all saw Jesus in every single other person, we would be much better at feeding, clothing, and including the least of these. May it be so.

Prayer: Loving God, fill my heart so with love that it colors all I see. Give me eyes that see you in others first, and only then, to see the hunger or other needs. The hunger… are just things. The person is your son or daughter, Christ’s brother or sister, my brother or sister. Help me to live this truth out more fully. Amen.


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Testing the Lord

Reading: Exodus 17: 1-4

Verse 2: “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test”?

Somewhere along the line I once heard that it takes ten positives to overcome one negative. For example, at a dinner party I would need to receive ten positive comments to balance out or get past one negative comment. While the 10:1 ratio varies from person to person, it does illustrate the power of our words. Kind words build others up and unkind words tear others down. As followers of the Lord of love, we need to be speakers of kindness and love.

As the Israelites continue on their journey in the desert they camp at Rephidim, near Horeb. There was no water there so the people begin to quarrel with Moses. The whole conversation is a familiar refrain. We can read this into Moses’ words as he responds to their quarreling by saying, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test”? Moses is really questioning their trust in God. Do the people still not trust that God is in control and that God loves them? How many signs must you see? Clearly they have forgotten the parting of the sea and the bitter water becoming good and the quail and manna from heaven. All that God has done for them – it is now like none of that happened.

At that hypothetical dinner party the guests could rave about the appetizers and the starter salad, about the main dish and various sides, and so on. It is all wonderful until the “I didn’t like the ___” comes. All else is forgotten like it was never said. We are like this with God too. Our faith life can be great. Our daily time with God and our worship can lead us to feel that our faith is strong and that our relationship with God is really solid. We feel loved and we know our place as a child of God. And then something negative happens or a challenge arises. It doesn’t even have to rise to the level of losing a job or a loved one. It can be a smaller thing – like someone else getting the promotion or not making the team. Suddenly we are questioning God and his love and care for us. We quickly forget all the other blessings and ask, “Why all these good days, only to endure this”? Oh, how we too must test the Lord our God at times.

In those moments, may the Holy Spirit remind us of God’s abiding and deep love for each of us. May we trust that the sea will part, that the water will come from the rock, that God will provide. In faith may we walk with the Lord day by day. Amen.


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Vital and Connected

Reading: Psalm 114

Verse 7: “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob”.

Psalm 114, like most of the Bible, tells a story. Today’s Psalm is but one part of the story of Israel. Other parts of the Bible tell other stories as well. For example, the Gospels tell the story of Jesus Christ. For Christians, this is also part of God’s story. From Genesis through Revelation the Bible tells story after story that illustrates God’s love for humanity and for all of creation.

Part of Psalm 114 connects to creation. The psalmist sees creation as part of the story. In verses five and six the psalmist poses the question of why the sea, river, mountains, and hills moved as they did. There is a connection to the created world here in Psalm 114 that we mostly miss with our modern eyes and ears. Yes, you or I might sense God’s power in a good thunderstorm or recognize God’s beauty in a stunning sunrise or sunset. But we do not see or understand these things as rooted in God, as responding to God, as seeking to please God. We see them as things controlled by or manipulated by God, not as things in relationship with their creator. Their “life” is in and through God’s hands. Imagine our world if we saw the created world more as the psalmist and people of Israel saw the world.

From this perspective, and from God’s perspective, the sea, river, mountains, hills, rocks… are as much a part of the story as the people who walked through the waters or those who drank from the rock. This morning I also wonder who different our world would be if we truly saw all of humanity this same way. What if we truly heard one another’s stories as part of our own story, as a part of who we are? The creator of all the universe sees all people and all of creation al vitally connected together. Imagine if we saw and heard others from varied cultures, places, races, neighborhoods… as being vital and critically connected part of who and what we are. Perhaps then we would more fully live out the command that is so prevalent in the story of God: love your neighbor as yourself. May it be so.

Prayer: God of all, help me to better understand and see and feel all of my connections with what you have created, with what is good. Guide me to live well alongside both my neighbors and the created world around me. In doing so, may I better live out your love. Amen.


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In and With Christ

Reading: Matthew 18: 18-20

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

Today’s verses remind us that if we seek to make Jesus a part of our decisions, our actions, and our prayers, then he will be there with us. Coming out of his teaching on the process of seeking reconciliation with a brother or sister in Christ, Jesus reminds us that what we bind on earth (or loose) will be bound (or loosed) in heaven. That is pretty serious. Yet when we have walked the process and have covered it in prayer, we are assured of the outcome.

Walking the process, staying attuned to Jesus’ teachings and witness, covering it all in prayer – these steps form the foundation of verse nineteen as well. If we gather with our brothers and/or sisters in Christ and we come to a decision that has been covered in Christ, then we are told that God in heaven will respond. Again, the condition is the same. In the last verse we read, “For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them”. When we gather in Jesus’ name to discern the will of God or to bring our righteous prayers to God, then Jesus is always there. There is power in aligning ourselves with God and in inviting Jesus and his witness into our discussions, decisions, and actions. Jesus will shape and guide all we do when gathered as his disciples and as children of God.

As need arises may we gather physically with our brothers and sisters in Christ and with Christ himself in Spirit, trusting the Father to lead and guide and bless all we do and say and pray. May it be so.

Prayer: Loving Father, help me to always seek your will and your ways first and foremost. Lead me to like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ that we may seek your guidance together. Strengthen the community of faith through our communal prayers. Make us alive in you. Amen.