pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: present


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Joy and Sorrow

Readings: Ezra 1, Ezra 2, Ezra 3

Ezra 1:3 – “If there are any of you who are from his people, may their God be with them! They may go up to Jerusalem… and build the house of the LORD.”

Ezra continues the story of the chronicler. It might even be the same author. The start of Ezra 1 mirrors the end of 2nd Chronicles 36. King Cyrus of Persia issues a proclamation. God tells Cyrus to build a house for God in Jerusalem. In response he proclaims: “If there are any of you who are from his people, may their God be with them! They may go up to Jerusalem… and build the house of the LORD.” Cyrus also calls for support from those who do not go and he sends along the temple items that Nebuchadnezzar had looted. The ending of the exile and the proclamation to build the temple fulfill Jeremiah’s prophecy.

Chapter 2 contains the list of those “whose spirit God stirred up” to go home to rebuild the temple. Almost 50,000 make the journey. This is the total for phase one – the rebuilding of God’s house. This is but a small piece of the multitude sent into exile. The first step is to settle in, to become inhabitants in the land. After seven months the returnees gather in Jerusalem. Jeshua and Zerubbabel rebuild the altar together. The head priest and the political leader work together. Entirely burned offerings are given. They celebrate the Festival of Booths – a reminder of God’s provision when Israel lived in tents (or booths) during their time in the wilderness. From this point on, the daily offerings required by the law of Moses will be given.

The work is organized and construction begins. Cedarwood is contracted for. In the second month of year two, workers begin to lay the temple’s foundation. Upon its completion, there is a great celebration. There is great joy amongst the priests and the people. But mixed in is great weeping. The oldest remember the first temple. There is a grief in this. The old and the new intersect in this moment of joy and of sorrow. God is present in both.

Prayer: Lord God, the rebuilding of your people has begun. You use an earthly power to fulfill your prophet’s words. Your presence moves some people to action. A new thing is being done both physically and spiritually. O Lord, continue to be at work in us, repairing what has been broken, shaping and forming us into your people too. Amen.


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Gracious and Compassionate

Readings: 2nd Kings 11, 2nd Kings 12, 2nd Kings 13

2nd Kings 13:23 – “But the LORD was gracious to Israel and had compassion on them, turning back to them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Chapters 11-13 are chapters filled with evil done in the sight of the Lord. Our readings begin with Athaliah killing off almost her entire family – so she can rule Judah. But one of Ahaziah’s sons escapes. Hidden away and raised in the temple, Jehoash becomes king at age 7. The priest Jehoiada orchestrates this. He then makes a covenant with the people to belong to the Lord. Jehoash is mostly a bright spot. He oversees the repair of the temple in spite of the priests’ reluctance. But he allows shrine worship to continue. And he buys off Aram’s King Hazael with the Holy objects and gold from the temple. In the end, a conspiracy by his own officials ends Jehoash’s reign after 40 years.

Shifting back to Israel in Samaria, Jehoahaz becomes king. He rules for 17 mostly evil years. A bright moment comes amidst heavy oppression from Aram. He cries out to God and God sends a savior who defeats Aram. There is peace, “But they didn’t deviate from the sins.” Joash is the next king. His 16 years are filled with what was evil in God’s sight. He dies and Jeroboam becomes king in Israel.

Our readings end with Elisha’s final appearance. He becomes gravely ill and King Joash pays him a visit. Through the use of a bow and some arrows, Elisha prophesies some rescue from Aram. He dies and is buried. And then his bones bring a man back to life. God is still present, in more ways than one. In verse 23 of chapter 13 we read, “But the LORD was gracious to Israel and had compassion on them, turning back to them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Ah, the covenant. Ah, the love.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the closing reminder of your covenant love. No matter the evil done by Jehoash or Jehoahaz or Joash or by us, your love remains. You remain compassionate and gracious. You even work through some we least expect – like Jehoash and maybe even through us. You can use any situation and any person for your plans. Restore us when we fail. Use us as you will. Amen.


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In Those Days…

Readings: Judges 17, Judges 18, Judges 19, Judges 20, Judges 21

Judges 21:25 – “In those days there was no king in Israel; each person did what they thought to be right.”

Photo credit: Nick Fewings

I got done reading today’s five chapters and just thought, “Wow…” Could Israel’s downward spiral get any worse? I read the last verse in Judges and thought, “How true.” Yes, God is consulted and at times God is actually present, but overall their actions are about as far from righteous and holy as they could be.

We begin with Micah setting up his own sanctuary, finding a wandering Levites priest to be his priest. Dan’s search for land brings spies into contact with this Levite. They end up abducting him and they take all of Micah’s sanctuary things for themselves. They find Laish – a happy little community living in their own little corner of the world. They totally wipe Laish out and take the area as their own. They set up their own sanctuary there.

That same Levite marries a secondary wife from his hometown of Bethlehem. Traveling home from retrieving this wayward wife, they stay in Gibeah. In a scene reminiscent of Lot’s experience in Sodom, the secondary wife is given to the depraived Benjamites, who leave her for dead. The Levite takes her body home, cuts it into 12 pieces, and sends it to the 12 tribes, basically asking, ‘What are you going to do about this?’ Benjamin refuses to give up the men of Gibeah and civil war ensues. 50,000 Benjamites die and 40,000 Israelites die. The Israelites burn down all the Benjamite cities, killing everything. The 600 men who escaped to the rock in the desert are all that is left of the tribe of Benjamin. Sitting in the brink of eliminating one of the 12 tribes, the rest of Israel pledges to not let any of their women marry a Benjamite. Their solution to saving Benjamin is to massacre the one community that didn’t participate in all of this horrid violence, except the virgins. These are given to the men of Benjamin. But they’re not enough. So they steal a few more wives from the unsuspecting Israelite community of Shiloh – while they are worshipping the Lord.

Indeed, “In those days there was no king in Israel; each person did what they thought to be right.”

Prayer: Lord God, what total and utter depravity. It makes me shudder. It is hard to fathom how far the people of God have fallen. You have a presence – allowing just enough guidance to one day work good out of all this horrid history. I am thankful that you always have a plan, even in the midst of such as this. Amen.


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Present

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 5:16-24

Verses 16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.”

Light and dark

The nine verses that come to us today at the end of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians are jam-packed. Originally, of course, there were not verses in the letter. They were simply sentences that followed one after another. And these eight sentences have a lot in them! It was as if Paul had lots left to say but only had a little room left on the back side of his last piece of parchment.

In the first sentence, or in verses 16-18, Paul offers these words: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.” Yes, this is God’s will for our lives. Each phrase could easily be a couple of paragraphs. And Paul, above all people, should know that life can be really hard. There are many times when joy is hard to find, when prayer feels like a non-option, when gratitude is just not happening. But Paul is not asking us to be joyful or whatever for the hardship… He is reminding us that we can be joyful, prayerful, and even grateful in the hardship… because God is with us in the hardship… We do not go through life on our own. God is always present.

Being present is the thought that carries on through the letter’s closing. To keep the Spirit’s fire, to hold to the scriptures, to hold everything up to God’s light, to do good and not evil – these are the ways that we remain present to and with the God who is ever present to us. Paul closes with the outcomes of a deeply personal and intimate relationship with God: we will be sanctified (made holy) and we will live righteous lives. Yes, God is faithful. May we be too!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reminder today that you are always with us. In the good, in the bad – in all of it – you are with us. Immanuel, help us to stay connected, dependent, and committed to our relationship with you. There is no other way. Amen.


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God’s Sanctuary and Dominion

Reading: Psalm 114

Verse 2: “Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.”

For the psalmist, the exodus from under mighty Egypt’s oppression and the near-impossible rescue at the parting of the sea were two great examples of God in action. God acted on behalf of the beloved of God. You and I are beloved of God. So there are times and situations that you can look back on and say, ‘Yes, right then and there, God acted in my life.’ When has God freed you or saved you or rescued you? Like the psalmist does here, it is important for us too to remember and offer our thanksgiving to God. This is part of being God’s sanctuary and dominion.

In verses 5-6 the psalmist asks a great question. He or she ponders over why the waters part and why the mountains and hills quake. They do so because they are “in the presence of the Lord.” God’s power and might and majesty are over all of creation. They are over you and me. As we recognize God’s sovereign hand in all of creation and in our lives, we too humbly now and honor almighty God. This too is part of being God’s sanctuary and dominion.

In verse 2 we read, “Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.” This speaks of relationship and connection. It speaks of intimacy and commitment. You and I are part of God’s family. God is our sanctuary – both the place where we worship and the place we go to feel safe and protected. God is our dominion – both the one who is steadfast and true and the one to whom we commit our lives and faith. Thank you, God, for being our sanctuary and our dominion.

Prayer: Lord God, you are our all in all. With you we lack nothing that we need. You are ever-present and almighty. You are personal and intimate. May our lives be expressions of our gratitude for our connection with you. Amen.


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Was, Is, Always Will Be

Reading: Exodus 3:10-15

Verse 14: “God said to Moses, ‘I AM who I AM.'”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Having gone to the place that one expects to meet God, Moses does just that. Having been drawn to the burning bush so that he can receive God’s word, Moses is tasked with a mission. His first response is too often ours: “Who am I that I should go to __?” In those times when it feels like God is asking much of me, I am a regular asker of this question. How about you?

God promises Moses that God will be with him. Notice that God does not assure, lift up, or coddle Moses. If God has selected him, that means that God has equipped him. The same is true for you and for me. Moses is worried about whether or not the Israelites will accept his leadership. So he wants to go with some authority. He wants a name to drop when they ask who sent him. God tells Moses to tell the people that “I AM who I AM” has sent him.

This is the perfect name for God. It says that God is here right now. This name of God can also be translated as “I am what I am” – God’s past will be both now and future. God is steadfast and can be trusted. And this name can also be translated “I will be what I will be” – the future. God is the God of the past, the present, and the future. This God who was and is and always will be is a God that Moses and the Israelites can trust. The eternal God has heard their cry and is responding. This same God will hear our prayer and will respond. In this God, may we trust.

Prayer: Lord God, you are all-powerful and all-present. From forever and into forever you will always be. You are and have been and will be peace in the storm, strength in the battle, comfort in the pain, joy in the midst of life, hope for this world and the next. You are my all in all. Thank you God! Amen.


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Compassion in Suffering

Reading: Romans 8:18-25

Verse 23: “We ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for… the redemption of our bodies.”

Paul acknowledges that suffering is part of this world. Loss and death and illness are a part of our world, not just for humanity but for all of creation. The beginning and end of our passage speak of why we can endure the suffering that life brings. Pointing to our time in eternity, Paul writes that this life is “not worth comparing” to heaven. In verses 24 and 25 we are reminded of our hope that comes from knowing our destiny, a hope that helps us in the midst of our suffering. We know that that loss or pain or… does not have the final word.

Paul also acknowledges that suffering is not easy. Both creation and humanity “groan inwardly.” No one or no thing enjoys suffering. It is generally avoided. No one would intentionally bring suffering upon themselves or on those they love. Even so, we suffer at times because of the actions or decisions of others. And at times we are the cause of others’ suffering. We live in a fallen world.

Because we know the end of our story and because the love of Christ fills our hearts, we can have compassion for those who are suffering. Whether from illness or from the loss of life or of a dream or from an unwanted change, we can come alongside others as they walk this difficult road. We cannot “fix” the situation but we can be present, we can listen, we can pray, and we can offer the hope of Christ. Entering into another’s suffering, we walk in Christ’s footsteps. Hard as it may be, when God provides opportunity, may we be Christ to the hurting and suffering.

Prayer: Lord God, just as your Spirit is present in our suffering, guide us to be present to others in their suffering. Help us to trust you to give us the words to say if any are needed. Fill us with your love so that we can offer that back out into the world. Amen.


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Always

Reading: Psalm 13

Verse 6: “I will sing the Lord’s praise, for God has been good to me.”

Photo credit: Daniel Hooper

Returning to Psalm 13 today we are again reminded of a time of suffering and hardship that David writes about. We all have them – both as individuals and as a part of a family, group, organization… In these times we’ve felt alone and we’ve felt abandoned by God – or at least that God is not present in the difficult circumstance. We have walked where David walks. We will likely walk there again. And again.

Last night in our discipleship class we talked about worship. We read Revelation 4-5 and Isaiah 6:1-8 – two visions of worship in heaven. What John and Isaiah see is powerful, reminding us of the majesty and glory of God and the praise and adoration that will occur continually in heaven. We enter spiritually into this place when we enter the sanctuary for worship. The Spirit of God becomes present and draws us into this sacred time with God. We trust and rejoice and sing to the Lord in worship.

We also talked about informal worship. One example was the praise and adoration that can come with a beautiful sunset. There are many other ways that God can touch us in our daily living. Our response can truly be worship. In the Psalm we can see that David praised and worshiped God even in the storm. What if we too choose to do the same in the dark valley and in those times of suffering or pain? It is a powerful witness to our faith when we choose to worship the Lord in these challenging moments. May we, like David, always sing with our lives and praise the Lord with our whole being.

Prayer: Lord God, you are ever present and your love never fails. Even when we feel alone, we know that you are there. In these moments or seasons like David was having, bolster our faith so that we too may sing of your love and care for us, especially in the storm. Amen.


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Gather and Remember

Reading: Matthew 27:15-26

Verse 18: “For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.”

Today is known as both Palm and Passion Sunday. We celebrate the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus’ disciples and followers were joined by many others who cheered and praised God as Jesus entered the city, “gentle and riding on a donkey” – a symbol of peace. But the day does not end with a small, private party rejoicing in the day’s triumphal entry. No, it draws to a close with Jesus tipping over tables, declaring that the religious leaders have made the temple into a “den of robbers.” This sets the tone for the rest of the week. The tension rises and rises, culminating in what we read about today.

Pilate, like almost everyone else in power, knows that Jesus is innocent of any crime deserving even a flogging, nevermind a crucifixion. Pilate “knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.” So he tries to release Jesus. But the religious leaders are ready. They’ve assembled their crowd. Even though Pilate asks, “What crime has he committed?” the crowd continues to shout, “Crucify him!” Washing his hands of innocent blood, Pilate hands Jesus over to die.

From palms to the cross – what a journey! It is an eventful week, one with many connections. The longer journey also began with a connection. Old, dried palms became ashes that we wore on our hands or foreheads as we began Lent. Since then we’ve walked with Jesus as he ministered to the least and the lost. We’ve heard the call to live our faith inside out. And now we are called to this week, to gather and to remember the events of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, to be present and to soak up Jesus’ passion for all the world. It is not easy being present this week. Yet, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, strengthen me for the week ahead. Energize me today with the palms and the celebration. May the triumphal entry help me through the days ahead. Through it all, may I remember that Jesus is Lord. Amen.


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Be Present

Reading: Matthew 26:36-46

Verse 38: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Photo credit: Kyle Johnson

Today we fast-forward in the story line. Tomorrow is Palm Sunday yet in our reading for today we find ourselves in the garden, just before Jesus’ arrest. Today is an invitation to remember what lies ahead, to choose to be present on the holy days that lie just ahead.

Jesus, feeling very emotional, takes the disciples to the garden to pray. He is doing some deep wrestling in his soul and he wants his friends to be with him, to pray for him, to offer their strength in this trial. Inviting Peter, James, and John to go even a little deeper, he says to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” When our lives have touched on a place of sorrow such as this, we too have longer for others to be present, to pray, to listen. We can relate to Jesus’ need here.

As he prays and wrestles with the task before him, Jesus surrenders again and again and again to God’s will. After each time of intense prayer, he finds the disciples sleeping. I’d guess that you too have endured a time of wrestling with your faith as well as times of deep sorrow when you’ve found yourself feeling alone, as Jesus did. So the invitation today is to stay awake, to be present. Yes, celebrate the palm parade tomorrow. This too is part of the week ahead. But don’t just skip ahead to the “He is risen!” of Easter morning. Be present. Walk with Jesus through the hard days of the coming week. In spirit, sit and feel, experience and connect, pray. Be present to Jesus Christ in the week ahead.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reminder and the invitation to draw near, to connect in. Lead and guide me in the coming week to stay awake, to be present. In these moments, encounters, and experiences, bring me closer to you. Amen.