pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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A Holy Sabbath

Reading: Isaiah 56-59

Isaiah 58:2 – “They seek me day after day… like a nation that acted righteously, that didn’t abandon their God.”

Today and tomorrow we read Third Isaiah. As is the case throughout all of Isaiah, the focus remains on justice and righteousness. In today’s readings these key faith practices center on keeping the Sabbath holy. This holy day, kept once a week, had the power to keep the Israelites connected to God in a way that would be reflected out into how they lived their lives the rest of the week. The Sabbath retains this power yet today.

Chapter 56 begins with an invitation to keep the Sabbath. The invite goes even to those “outsiders” – to the eunuchs and to the immigrants. These too will join others who keep the Sabbath holy, coming one day to God’s holy mountain. This open, honest, and welcoming invitation stands in stark contrast to the condemnation offered around Israel’s unholy Sabbath practices: “They seek me day after day… like a nation that acted righteously, that didn’t abandon their God.”

Isaiah turns next to a condemnation of the leaders. They have “monstrous appetites” and “every last one [is] greedy for profit.” These lead to the displeasing Sabbath fast described at the start of chapter 58. The leaders oppress their workers (probably making them work on the Sabbath) and they quarrel and brawl on the holy day. God asks, “Is this what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?” Umm… no.

This behavior alienates them from God. It obscures their vision. Because it is inwardly focused, it blinds them to the injustice and oppression that they are practicing. Chapter 59 details this as well as adding that God will intervene, one day choosing to redeem Israel.

In chapter 58:6-14 Isaiah lays out the Sabbath fast that pleases the Lord our God. It is a day to remove yokes and to stand against oppression. It is a day to care for the hungry, the homeless, the naked. To practice justice and righteousness – that is keeping the Sabbath holy. Then, the Lord says, “Your light will shine in the darkness” and then “you will take delight in the Lord.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, we see once again the choice to be made: justice and righteousness or injustice and oppression. You clearly call us to choose justice and righteousness. This begins with how we treat the Sabbath, a day to be set aside for you, not for self. It is a day to reflect your love and concern for all people. Lord, lead and guide us to be holy Sabbath-keepers. And may the evidence of this sacred practice flow out through our daily lives, shining light into darkness. Amen.


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Without These Things

Reading: Exodus 17:1-3

Verse 2: “So they quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’”

Photo credit: Mukund Nair

As the Israelites wilderness journey continues they come to a place with no water. You’d think that after witnessing the 10 plagued – oh the Passover! – and the parting of the sea – oh the Egyptian army! – after all this you’d think they knew a God who could provide water. But wait – God did that at Marah and again at Elim. And… God provided manna and quail when they ran out of food and became hungry. After all of this, you’d think they’d trust God and Moses at least a little bit. But have you ever lived in scarcity?

The Israelites are living with a scarcity mindset. They have no crops, no place to call home, no money in the bank. They are relying on God and Moses for absolutely everything. It’s a lot of faith and trust to hold in just one source. When you’re wondering if you’ll ever eat again, when you’re worried about where you’ll sleep that night, when you are dying of thirst – it’s hard to see anything but that one thing. Logic often goes out the window. Faith and trust usually aren’t far behind. So the people quarrel with Moses (and they test God), demanding, “Give us water to drink.” In such moments of want and desperation it can be hard to see or to believe that God has a plan.

For the Israelites, their relationship with God runs through Moses. He is their one intermediary. We have a personal relationship with God. We have the constant indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. We can turn to the Bible and remind ourselves of God’s love and promises. Imagine trying to live out your faith without any of these things. That’s where the Israelites were. That’s where people without faith are today.

Prayer: Lord God, I cannot imagine life without you. You’ve provided so many ways to connect, to lean in, to hold on. Thank you. And, Lord, take my gratitude and turn it into fuel to lead others into a saving relationship with you, into faith and trust and hope. Use me today to build your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Thirsty

Reading: Exodus 17:1-3

Verses 1-2: “There was no water for the people to drink. So they quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink.'”

As we begin two days in Exodus 17 let’s recall the Israelites’ recent past. They’d been slaves in Egypt for more generations than anyone could count. God, through Moses, freed them from slavery. Shortly into their wilderness trek, Pharaoh’s army is closing in, bent on returning them to slavery. God, through Moses, leads them through the sea, rescuing the people. After three days in the desert they are without water. Again, God through Moses provides. Soon thereafter, as they wander the desert, their food provisions run out and they become hungry. As with the first two incidents, the people again complain or grumble. God again provides, bringing manna in the morning and quail in the evening. Lead out into the desert by God (and Moses), the Israelites were dependent upon God. How else would a vast nation survive in the desert?

As the Israelites once again travel, they come to a place without water. They were in a desert. In our opening verse the people quarrel with Moses and say to him, “Give us water to drink.” They had a real need. They are dependent on God. Could’ve they asked or prayed instead of quarreling and demanding? Yes. Moses asks why they quarrel with him, why they test God.

The Israelites are demonstrating an immature faith. Even though God has provided again and again, they still turn to human reactions instead of faith responses. They are not yet what God is shaping them to be. They’ll spend 40 years wandering in the wilderness. I too can show an immature faith. Last week, when I got sick, my first thought was, ‘God, not COVID again.’ It was not said in the form of a prayer. Should’ve it been? Yes. I too am a work in progress. I too wander in the wilderness now and then. Lord, have mercy.

Prayer: Lord God, when I thirst or hunger, when I face a trial or even a temptation, lead me to turn to you first. Again and again you have provided, you have shown the way, you have rescued. Guide me to again and again turn to you in faith as my first response. Build up my faith, O Lord. Amen.


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Anything

Reading: Exodus 17: 1-7

Verse 4: “Then Moses cried out to the Lord, ‘What am I to do with these people'”?

As the people come to be in need of water, they come to Moses and they quarrel with him about it. He is their leader. There is no water. They want Moses to do something about it. Moses realizes that he cannot do anything about it so he turns to the one who can. Even though he was frustrated, Moses turns to God and God responds by providing water from a rock in the middle of the desert.

I cannot blame Moses for being a bit frustrated. Time and time again the people have quarreled and tested both Moses and God. So much so that Moses names the place of the miracle as such! Moses does what he should do – he goes to God. Unfortunately many of us do not follow this example, myself included, especially in my past. When something was wrong or needed taken care of, I fixed it or did it. That was my nature. I was a “doer”. So much so, when I was moved to my first church as the only pastor, I had to learn a couple of hard lessons. I was warned by my district superintendent not to just do everything. He made my natural leaning seem like a bad thing. Even though I was warned not to do everything, to allow others to do, I had a learning curve that proved the wisdom of his words.

Whether it is pride or the need to be in control that drives us to be a doer or if it is fear of failure or of disappointing others that drives us to get inaction, like Moses, a quick turn towards God should be our first step. And often our second and third and…

In our passage today, God pretty much ignored Moses’ frustration. God led Moses to a rock, which he struck, and water poured out. Read that again. Yes, water came from a rock in the middle of the desert. God can do anything. Anything. If we but turn. Like Moses, may our attitude be one of surrender and may our first steps be toward God. Then we too will see and experience the amazing power of God.

Prayer: Lord God, continue to mold and shape me into who you intend me to be. I am grateful for the journey so far, and I know there is far to go. I am even thankful for the times you’ve had to squash the clay, to begin almost from scratch – painful but necessary steps in my process. Day by day, lead and guide me, shape and form me, O God. 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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God Alone

Reading: 1st Corinthians 3: 1-9

Verse 3: “You are still worldly… there is jealousy and quarreling among you”.

Paul is known as the apostle to the Gentiles and as the person who spread the good news of Jesus Christ to the known world. He traveler east and north and west of Palestine, preaching about Jesus and planting churches as he went. Paul helped plant the church in Corinth and he continued to tend to it through letters. In these letters Paul continues to teach them about the faith and he also addresses issues and conflicts that arise. The portion of the letter that we read today addresses a division that has risen up in the church.

Paul begins by addressing the believers as “worldly” and as “infants in Christ”. These terms would have stung a bit and maybe started to bring them to their senses. In essence Paul is calling them to grow up and to act like the mature Christians that they can be. In verse three he identifies the issue: “You are still worldly… there is jealousy and quarreling among you”. Since they are struggling with worldly sins Paul implies that they have lost sight of the main thing: Jesus Christ. Paul himself then demonstrates his own spiritual maturity in the way he advises them. Instead of trying to elevate himself over Apollos he acknowledges that they have both played a role in developing the church. He identifies himself simply as a “worker”. Paul uses the farming analogy saying that he planted and Apollos watered. Then, in verses six and seven, Paul reiterates an important truth: only God can make someone’s faith grow. It is the action of God alone that changes lives. Yes, Paul and Apollos have a function in the process, but the real authority and power rests in God alone.

At times in our churches we can devolve into being small or into being focused on our own agenda. These things only lead to discord and possibly to division. At times a wise and mature Christian will lead the way and peace will be restored. At times the Holy Spirit will nudge and whisper and pull at our hearts, working us towards reconciliation and the restoring of relationships. Just as only God can make faith grow, only God can bring true healing. So in all things may we look to God, being attuned to the Holy Spirit, seeking to walk his path of love. May it be so for all of us.

Prayer: Father God, heal our churches and heal this nation. Heal our hearts and heal our relationship with you and with one another. Amen.


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Acceptable?

Reading: Isaiah 58: 1-5

Verse 2: “They seem eager to know my ways… and seem eager for God to come near them”.

Isaiah 58 starts with a pronouncement from God. In verse one God encourages Isaiah to “shout it aloud. Do not hold back”. Proclaim it from the rooftops! The message is something God wants all the people of Judah to hear. Getting right to the point, God declares the rebellion of the people, laying their sins before them. In verse two we get a hint at the heart of the problem: “They seem eager to know my ways… and seem eager for God to come near them”. In these phrases, the key word is “seem”. On the surface the people of Judah appear to be seeking God. In verse three the people try to defend themselves, asking why God did not notice their fasting. There is a reason.

Yesterday in church we celebrated communion. At our church we offer communion on the first Sunday of each month. In the words before coming forward there was a prayer and a time to lay our sins before the Lord, inviting us to offer repentance along with confession. Everyone in church took communion. Did all take the opportunity to search their hearts and to make a humble and sincere confession of their sins? Did all humbly desire to repent and go forth walking a more holy life? In an ideal world the answers to these questions would be yes and yes! But maybe someone was thinking instead about the Super Bowl snacks that lay ahead or about which commercial would be their favorite. Maybe someone thought they had no sins to confess. If anyone came and took communion in these or similar mindsets, they were practicing a ritual not participating in a sacrament.

The people of Judah were going through the motions of fasting. Yes, they were abstaining from food. But that is as far as their fast went. They were exploiting their workers. They were quarreling and fighting amongst themselves. The ritual of fasting was not changing their sinful ways. Their ritual fasting was not changing their hearts or helping them to be holy. A fast, when celebrated properly, works to draw one closer to God and deeper into walking in God’s ways. Communion should have the same affect. The same can be said of prayer, worship, Bible study, meditation, practicing Sabbath…

Our section for today ends with this question: “Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord”? Tough question. Reflect on yesterday for a minute or two. Would God ask this question of any part of your day set aside for God?

Prayer: Lord God, it is a bit disconcerting to think about when I just go through the motions instead of choosing to be fully present with you or others. Strip away my busyness, my selfishness, my distractions, my half-hearted efforts. Just as you are fully present with me, may I be so to you and to those you place before me today. Amen.


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Find Unity

Reading: 1st Corinthians 1: 10-18

Verse 17: “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel”.

In our passage today Paul addresses the division in the church in Corinth. He begins by appealing to them to agree with one another so that there may be no divisions. The quarrels are not over the carpet color or whether or not to have a praise band. The quarrel is equally silly. They are arguing over who to follow. Most have gone astray but a few are still focusing in on the only one to follow: Jesus Christ.

It appears that many are following men who teach about Jesus. This is where the disunity comes in. They have allowed a secondary issue (human leaders) to shift their focus away from the primary belief (Jesus Christ). On one level the quarreling is good. Secondary belief issues do matter. Things like how one understands communion and baptism are, for example, secondary issues that are important. Carpet color? Style of worship? Third level topics at best.

In verse seventeen Paul focuses in on the primary belief. Here he writes, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel”. The message of the gospel is the only primary belief. To know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, to know what the life, death, and resurrection mean as a follower of Jesus – this is the one core belief of the faith. This belief in the gospel is the “power of God”. Paul is calling the church in Corinth to find unity in the one core belief. The same call remains today for us. May it be so.

Prayer: Loving God, it is easy to get upset over second and third level beliefs. It is easy. Too often we take the easy way out. Draw us together in the good news of Jesus Christ. Your son told us to love one another just as he had first loved us. Help us to truly do so, God. Amen.


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The Struggle Within

Reading: James 4: 1-3

Verse 1: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you”?

So far in the book of James, he has built the argument that the things in our heart and mind are what guide our actions, control our tongues, and directs our decisions. In chapter four, he turns the discussion towards the disagreements and arguments that mankind often enters into. One only has to watch the nightly news for a short time to see plenty of examples.

James opens chapter four with two great focus questions: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you”? Once in a while we fight and quarrel for other reasons, but most often the battle begins with an internal issue or struggle. Maybe it is something that happened in our past that we haven’t gotten past or let go of yet. Similar events trigger us, pushing that button that leads us to desire to fight and quarrel. Maybe our desire to enter the battle comes from some perceived need or want and our envy or jealousy flares up. Sometimes it has to do with a lack of maturity. I can remember times in my greener years when I’d argue for the sake of arguing and times when I would argue long after I knew I had lost the argument. Pride was definitely at work.

When we come to the edge of a fight and quarrel, James suggests a few filters. We should ask ourselves questions such as these: What am I about to fight about? Is this about getting even? Are these feelings even connected this actual person or situation? Am I being stubborn or prideful? Again, in most cases the urge to fight and quarrel is driven by a struggle or issue within us. When we allow these to linger, they inhibit our relationships with God and with others. Only when we make peace within will we have peace without. James has a suggestion here too: seek God’s help with the right motives. Pray for help with the struggle within. God is faithful. He will rain down mercy, grace, forgiveness, and healing.

Prince of Peace, pour out your peace upon my inner being. Guide me to those that I need to reconcile with. Lead me to speak words of unity and healing. Wipe away all unrest and discord that is within. Help me to freely offer mercy, grace, and forgiveness so that I may receive them from you and from others. May I model your love each day. Amen.