pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: peace


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All Is Not Lost

Reading: Psalm 95:8-11

Psalm 95:8-9 – “Don’t harden your hearts like… when your ancestors tested me and scrutinized me.”

Continuing in Psalm 95 today, God speaks. Yesterday’s verses ended with these words from the psalmist:“If only you would listen to his [God’s] voice right now!” If only we’d always remember that God holds us and all of creation in the divine presence. If only our lives were a reflection of the joy and salvation that can be ours when we walk in a right relationship with the Lord our God.

In verses 8-9 we read, “Don’t harden your hearts like… when your ancestors tested me and scrutinized me.” While Meribah and Massah are likely unfamiliar places to us, they represent times when Israel questioned, grumbled against, and complained to God. We can name many places and times when we have done just these things. We often allow our selfish and sinful nature to harden our hearts. Even though we, as did the Israelites, see God’s “acts,” we quickly forget God’s love, care, protection, provision… The sheep of God’s pasture continue to wander into other fields.

We read about how God “despised” this generation with “twisted hearts.” We read, “They will never enter my place of rest.” When we live with a twisted heart, whether temporarily or for a season or for almost our whole lives, we displease God because we are not listening to God’s voice. When we’ve focused our hearts and lives on the things of this world, we’ve certainly experienced a lack of rest – and peace, joy, contentment… When our thoughts and actions anger God, all is not lost. God is gracious and merciful, loving and forgiving. Humbly kneeling before our maker, we can swiftly return to our place in God’s pasture. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, oh how we can wander. Oh how our hearts can turn inward, away from all that you offer. Forgive us, Lord. Redeem and restore us. Thank you for your hand that always guides us back to you and for your love that always heals our brokenness. Amen.


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Remember the Promise

Reading: Psalm 121

Psalm 121:8 – “The Lord will protect you on your journeys – whether going or coming – from now until forever from now.”

Photo credit: Felipe Correia

Psalm 121 was one of a small collection of Psalms that were sung by pilgrims heading to Jerusalem. It is a song about God’s protection, something we often need on our journeys. There is a practical side to the Psalm. Safety when traveling in the heat of the day or in the shadows of the night could be a real concern. For God to shade or protect the pilgrims – whether going or coming – this could be a real need.

There was likely also a spiritual need held in the Psalm. As Disciplines writer Mark Feldmeir points out, the mountaintops around Jerusalem held shrines to Baal and Asherah at many times in Israel’s history. Seeing these idols of false hope, one could be drawn in. Perhaps the question, “Where will my help come from?,” was one asked to snatch one’s focus back to God. For many in our modern world, we may scoff at the idea of worshipping false gods at altars and fertility poles.

We scoff until we consider the idols that we look to (instead of God) in our times of need and want. Primary is self. If I can just work hard enough, be good enough, try long enough… success and happiness will come to me. This drive is often to gain the things of this world: wealth, popularity, status… So the psalmist speaks to us too. As we look towards the mountains, we remember that is where Moses, Elijah, and Peter, James, and John all met the Lord almighty. When we need strength, guidance, direction, protection… may we too look to the Lord our God as we remember the promise: “The Lord will protect you on your journeys – whether going or coming – from now until forever from now.” Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, you are our only hope, our only help against the desires and pulls of this world. When we are tempted to look elsewhere, may you Holy Spirit turn us away from the altars of self and the towers of consumerism, individualism, and materialism. May the Spirit within us draw our eyes and hearts to you – to your love, care, provision, protection… Guide us on our journeys and walk with us each day, leading us to peace and contentment and joy. Thank you, God. Amen.


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Our King

Reading: Psalm 2

Psalm 2:10-11 – “So kings, wise up! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the Lord fervently.”

Psalm 2 contrasts the kings of this world with the true king of God. The powers of this world rant and rave “uselessly.” Many rulers yet today talk just to be heard. They bluster and they bully and they oppress. They say this one day and they walk it back the next day. They scheme against the ways of God, seeking personally fame, glory, and power instead.

God’s response is to send the “anointed one.” While many of us today read this as Jesus, the people of God outside of Christianity did and do think of David, Israel’s greatest king of all time. If one is looking for a king that can defeat the Philistines or Babylon or Aram or Edom or Rome or… then David is your guy. King David made the nations his possession. He ruled with an “iron rod.” He was also imperfect.

As followers of Jesus, we don’t see a lot of difference between the kings described in the two paragraphs above. Yes, some kings claim God and their god. But if they truly worshipped God and loved God with all of their heart, then they would not bully and oppress and shift with the winds of the day. That is simply not the heart of God. Yes, kings and rulers must “wise up” and hear the warning. So must we, the rulers of our own kingdoms. All must “serve the Lord fervently.” So with all that we are, may we serve, worship, and love the Lord our God.

Prayer: Lord God, reign in our hearts and in our world. Draw us to humbly walk with Jesus as our example. Lead us to love faithfully – from you on down to the least of these. Guide us to stand for justice and to work for peace in our world. In all ways may Jesus be our king and our example. Amen.


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Being and Doing

Reading: Matthew 5:13-16

Matthew 5:13… 14 – “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.”

Returning to the Sermon on the Mount today and tomorrow, Jesus declares first that we are salt and light for the world. We begin with a question: Is Jesus talking about our being or about how we are to act in the world? Are we light or are we to be light?

As there should be a connection between our being and doing, the answer is “both.” We are salt and light. Our faith flavors all aspects of our life. Our faith is the light that guides us to walk as Christ calls us to walk. Our salt and light are not just for our benefit, though. We are to act and be in the world in ways that flavor or season the world around us. Just as salt makes food taste better, so too should our faith make the world a better place. In the same way, the light of Christ that is within us should shine out into the world, helping others to see the way that they too are called to be and to walk in the world.

We are also reminded today of what happens when we do not live our faith out in the world. People get trampled under foot. People get lost in the darkness of this world. These things should not be so. Instead, may we let our faith be known, seen, and tasted, so that people “can see the good things you do and praise your father who is in heaven.”

Prayer: Lord God, be present in us, flavoring our lives with your love, grace, mercy, peace, joy, compassion, hope… Let your light shine upon injustice, oppression, marginalization, violence, addiction… moving our hands and feet into action against the darkness of our world. Use our actions and words, O Lord, to do and to bring good into the world. Amen.


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Mender and Restorer

Reading: Isaiah 58:9b-12

Isaiah 58:12c – “You will be called Mender of Broken Walls and Restorer of Liveable Streets.”

Continuing in Isaiah 58 today, we find some conditional statements: “If you…” These are not givens. They are choices. These are choices that the people of God need to make every day. If you remove the yoke of oppression and injustice… If you stop the finger-pointing, the name-calling, the blame shifting, the spin cycling… If you “open your heart to the hungry,” to the naked, to the lonely, to the abused… If you “provide abundantly” for the afflicted, the abused, the imprisoned, the lonely… “If you…”

If you choose to do all of these things, then “your light will shine in the darkness.” If you choose to do all of these things, then God will “guide you continually and provide for you in parched places.” If you live as God calls you to live all of the time, then the world will change. We cannot live as we are called to live just some of the time. We cannot live as God calls us to live when it’s easy or convenient, when it is personal, when it’s affecting us. The tide of evil is too great for us to pick and choose when we’ll live as God’s people. With this in mind, notice the shift in verse 12. This too is conditional. If we today live as God calls us to live faithfully and steadfastly, then one day “they” will rebuild and restore. Our example of holy living has the power to change the world.

These words of healing and hope are so needed for our broken world. The establishment of a world without brokenness, of a world where peace and justice are the norm – this world will not come through violence or coercion or power over others. The hard work of restoration and repair, of rescue and redemption will come through small acts of love, lived out again and again. These small acts of love will, one by one, change people’s lives and hearts. Standing against an injustice done to a stranger, speaking words of peace on behalf of the threatened, telling truth amidst the spin and false narratives, owning our part when we are complicit, mending a relationship that is broken, sharing a meal with the poverty-stricken, caring for a sick neighbor… These small acts of love are how our light shines in the darkness. May your light shine today.

Prayer: Lord God, there are many broken walls and many unlivable streets in our world today. How these unjust systems and evil practices must grieve your heart! Lord, may they grieve our hearts too. And then, Lord, with compassion and righteousness, use us to be your love and your light in the world, bringing healing and wholeness and peace and justice to our world. Amen.


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All Because of Me

Reading: Matthew 5:10-12

Matthew 5:11 – “Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me.”

As we read on in the Beatitudes today, Jesus invites us to stand for righteousness. Although standing for what is right and just in the world will bring harassment, insult, lies, slander, and worse, to stand for what is right remains the call of the faithful. Jesus encourages us to “be full of joy and be glad” in these times of standing for what is right and just, “because you have a great reward in heaven.”

How might one find joy and gladness when harassed, insulted…? We find joy and gladness in the midst of suffering evil because we are following Jesus’ words and example. In the scriptures we find this lived out again and again. Today Stephen and Paul come to mind. Stephen was stoned to death for proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior. He offered joyful praise and extended mercy to his killers as they hurled the stones. Paul writes again and again of joyfully serving Christ even when in chains, after being beaten… The joy and gladness comes through the presence of the risen Christ in the midst of insult, harassment, falsehoods… “all because of me.”

We see this lived out today as people stand against injustice and harassment and false narratives. We see it today as people stand and speak against the abusive power over being applied in the streets of our nation. We see it in our prayers that express our solidarity with those in harm’s way, those who are joyfully being the presence of Christ, placing themselves against these evils. Lord, be present in Spirit, to lead and to guide, to protect and to strengthen.

Prayer: Lord God, in the times, places, and spaces where insult, harassment, and falsehoods are the reality, strengthen and encourage your people to stand and speak for what is just and right and good. For those not physically present, lead and guide the prayers of your people and all else that can be offered as support and encouragement. Heal our land, O God. Pour out your peace and righteousness. Amen.


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Called Yet Today

Reading: 1st Corinthians 1:26-31

1st Corinthians 1:27-28 – “God chose what the world considers foolish… weak… low-class and low-life…”

Turning to our Epistle again this week, Paul invites the believers in Corinth to remember their old selves. This is a good exercise to practice every once in a while. Take a few moments right now to think back to significant events in your faith journey. This might be a conversion moment, a light bulb experience, a time of support or comfort or strength in a difficult time or season in your life… Take a moment to remember and give thanks to God…

In today’s passage, Paul reminds these believers that they did not generally come from the ranks of the “wise… powerful… upper-class.” This reality began in the incarnation and continued in the call of the disciples – and continues yet today. In verses 27-28 we read, “God chose what the world considers foolish… weak… low-class and low-life…” Through such people, God took what the world saw and sees as wise, strong, important… and reduced all of this to nothing. These worldly titles, accolades, desires – they are really nothing in the kingdom of God. That is why fishermen and tax collectors and prostitutes were called. And it is why mothers and emergency room nurses and pastors and shop keepers and… are called yet today to bring peace and healing to our divided and broken world. It is why God calls you and me.

This work of making earth “as it is in heaven” began with Christ. Then through death, God raised Jesus up, defying the two things that all the power in the world cannot defeat: sin and death. Since then, God has called the faithful to defeat the present evils of this world: hate, violence, division, injustice, poverty, power over… God doesn’t just call. God also equips and prepares. Those moments we recalled at the start of this time, the roiling that you feel in your gut right now – all ways God is equipping and preparing us. God makes us “righteous and holy” and God will “deliver us,” some to bring peace and justice, some to pray and love, and, yes, some even unto death.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to hear your call. Open our ears and eyes to the ways that you call every single one of us to resist evil and to fight for justice. Empower our prayers, our words, our actions – whatever we have to offer to bring about peace and wholeness in our world. Grant us the courage and strength to do your will. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Shine the Light

Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4

Isaiah 9:2 – “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.”

Once again we return to a text that we read earlier in the week – just two days ago. The passage begins with encouragement: “Those who were in distress won’t be exhausted.” God will be present. The community will be present to one another. Strength and hope will begin with God and will ripple down through the community, touching even those outside of the family of God. As human beings and as people called to follow Jesus Christ, we are called to care for and serve and love all of God’s creation.

The prophet writes these words in verse 2: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” Today the light is the light of Christ that burns within each of us. The light shines into darkness of all kinds. It shines into the darkness of violence and oppression. It shines into the darkness of injustice and marginalization. It shines into the darkness of prejudice and targeting. It shines into the darkness of grief and death. The light of Christ brings hope and comfort, guidance and direction, peace and presence, healing and new life.

The light of Christ also shines forward. In the midst of darkness, the light declares victory – in both the near and one-day future. The light shines beyond the present difficulties. It reveals the way to a better future. It points towards a place of glory and joy. May the light of Christ shine brightly in each of us. May it sustain and encourage us and those who see the light shining for all people.

Prayer: Lord God, our world needs the light of Christ to shine brightly. So stoke up the holy fire within each of your children. Together may we blaze forth into our broken and hurting world, bringing healing and wholeness, unity and justice, love and peace. Amen.


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We Cry Out

Reading: Psalm 27:1, 4-9

Psalm 27:7 – “Lord, listen to my voice when I cry out – have mercy and answer me.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

These ancient words of David are words we can relate to yet today. Just as David faced evil and people who were against him, today we face these same things. Sadly, this is one of the constants in our world. The desire for power over others and the drive to accumulate more and more has always led to the suffering of others. In verse 1 we are reminded of another constant. God has been and always will be a light in the darkness, salvation in the brokenness, and a fortress in the battle against evil.

In this world of division and violence and oppression we are called to be Christ’s light. This is not always an easy task. Just yesterday the Bishop of the episcopal area in which I serve held a Zoom call to discuss the division, violence, and oppression unfolding in Minneapolis and to talk about our Christian response. The church should be as David describes the temple in verses 4-6. It should be a place of shelter and safety, a rock upon which people can stand. But this is not just about the building. The body of Christ must be these things to the world in the reality of life.

A story was shared yesterday of an elderly man who came to the United States long ago, fleeing the violence of his homeland. He became a citizen and a part of society. This elderly man was pulled out of the shower, taken out into the street in shorts and crocs, with a throw over his shoulders, in sub-zero temperatures, to be questioned. Yes, it feels as if “an enemy encamps against” us. Like David and like many others, we cry out for justice. We cry out for peace. We cry out, “Lord, listen to my voice when I cry out – have mercy and answer me.” Lord, we need you now. O God who saves, be with us now.

Prayer: Lord God, we do cry out – some in our hearts, some in our spirits, some with pen and paper, some in the streets. Whatever your answer to our cries, may we hear and respond. May we say or do or pray or go as we are led. May we be used as you will – as a voice, as a presence, as a supporter… As you work towards justice and peace, O God, lead us to be your co-workers in this fight. Use us to stand with and to watch over and to protect the vulnerable and the suffering. Amen.


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Light, Guide Our Way

Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4

Isaiah 9:4 – “You’ve shattered the yoke that burdened them.”

The first section of Isaiah speaks of God’s sovereignty and calls the people away from sin. Running throughout chapters 1-39 are words that speak of the consequences of sinful living. The defeat and time in exile feel like a train barreling down the tracks – swift and unavoidable. Here and there, though, we find words of future hope sprinkled in amongst the doom and gloom. This mirrors Israel’s political history. Ever since the time of King David, a string of evil and bag kings is halted by a good and righteous king. After a short time, the evil and bad king run begins again. This promise of “a great light” would raise up hope for a good and righteous king to once again restore Israel.

The hope of being a great nation, of again experiencing joy in the land, of seeing abundance in the harvest – these words sound wonderful to a people headed into a time of suffering and exile. These words tell the people that this coming hard time will not last forever. To be honest, I often feel like Israel must’ve felt. I need to hear these words and to believe that our current darkness will not last forever. I need hope stirred up in me – that the poor will be fed and clothed and sheltered, that the marginalized will be welcomed in, that those living in fear will know peace.

Verse 4 shouts hope to such as these. Here we read, “You’ve shattered the yoke that burdened them.” In Isaiah’s time, the system was broken. A good king could only undo so much evil before the darkness rise up anew. Today, much feels broken. Many systems need to be changed, to be made anew. We need the light of Christ to guide our way to being a more just land. Oppressing and arresting and abusing vast swaths of certain ethnic groups is not the way to fix a broken system. There is not a simple or easy solution. But if we choose to be light in the darkness and if we allow the light of Christ to guide our way, then we will find a just and right solution. May your light shine in and through us, O Lord, bringing hope and peace, justice and grace to our land. May it be so, O God. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, the rod of the oppressor is heavy on the backs of the vulnerable. The fear of unjust actions is running high in many places. There is a cleansing that needs to occur, a revision that must happen. Lord, let your light guide us to establishing a more just world. Guide us with peace, compassion, and empathy as we work our way to the world you envision. Amen.