pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Steadfast Presence

Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-9

Jeremiah 31:9 – “With tears of joy they will come… I will lead them by quiet streams and on smooth paths so they don’t stumble.”

Photo credit: Lili Popper

Jeremiah proclaims a glorious future for the people of God in chapter 31. We pick up today in verse 7, where the prophet calls on the “remaining few” to sing with joy because God will save them. Speaking to those scattered during the time of exile, God declares that they will be brought back “from the ends of the earth.” For a nation living in exile, grieving all that has been lost, sorrowful over their present but seemingly unchangeable reality, the promise of God acting to redeem and restore them offered great hope.

Life will make us feel like the exiles felt. At times we will grieve – over the loss of a loved one or a career, over the ending of a relationship, over the changes caused by aging… We feel scattered and often all alone during these seasons. It is good to be reminded that God’s plan is to save us, to restore us, to redeem us, to bring healing and wholeness back to our lives.

Turning to verses 8b and 9, we see that God will bring back all of the people of God, including the blind, the disabled, the pregnant… By naming those on the margins and those who are most vulnerable, by including them specifically, God is emphasizing that “all” means ALL. This is good news for the “least of these” and it is for us when we feel this way too. Tears of joy and prayers of thanksgiving will both flow freely. God “will lead them by quiet streams and on smooth paths so they don’t stumble.” God will guide the way, making the return peaceful and safe, two essentials when healing from grief and loss. God will comfort Israel as a parent comforts a child. In our seasons of need, God will bring us peace and safety, comfort and healing too. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, we rejoice in your steadfast presence in the past, with us now, and in the future. Your love never fails. Your mercy and compassion always meet us in our times of need. Your grace brings us peace. Your strength lifts us up and guides our journey. Thank you for being with us always, especially in our times of grief and sorrow. Amen.


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Good News

Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10

Isaiah 52:7 – “How beautiful… are the feet of a messenger who proclaims peace… brings good news… proclaims salvation.”

Our Old Testament passage begins with Isaiah celebrating the long-distance runners who carried important news from place to place. Some think, however, that Isaiah is talking about himself here. Either way, the important part is the message: God is present to God’s people and offers peace, salvation, and much more. Whether in the words of scripture, in a Sunday morning message, or in a devotional, this good news brings hope, comfort, encouragement, strength… to all people seeking to walk in right relationship with the Lord our God. The faithful rejoice when we see “our God’s victory” over the things of this world.

This good news and these victories are not heard or received the same way by all people. When God redeems and restores and saves, this is bad news for those who have enslaved, oppressed, and taken advantage of others for their own gain. When God brings peace and strength to those experiencing violence and war, this is not good news to the aggressors and others who seek to exert power over others. When God proclaims and brings salvation, it is not good news to dealers of illicit drugs and other vices that keep people imprisoned. When God works to end injustices and to right other systemic wrongs, it is not good news to those benefiting from these evil ways. God’s good news is not good news to those seeking to live by the ways of this world.

Just as Isaiah and others spoke of God’s power, justice, and love for all people, we too are called to be messengers of God’s good news. With eyes wide open may we strive to bring good news to all people as we seek to build God’s kingdom here on earth.

Prayer: Lord God, sharing good news with people who are eager to hear and receive is such a joy. Guide us to always do so. In other situations, where your good news challenges or calls for good change, encourage and empower us. Strengthen us, Lord, so we can faithfully walk that hard road of justice and love for all people. Amen.


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Restore Us!

Reading: Psalm 80:1-7

Psalm 80:7 – “Restore us, God of heavenly forces! Make your face shine so that we can be saved!”

Psalm 80 is a prayer for restoration after a national tragedy. The prayer begins with Asaph calling out to the “shepherd of Israel.” The psalmist uses this familiar shepherd-sheep metaphor to bring up images of protection and provision, of guidance and direction. In verse 2 we read, “Wake up your power! Save us!” This is a plea for God to once again be Israel’s shepherd and king. The need is reiterated in the next verse where Asaph seeks the restoration of Israel through God’s presence with them.

Verses 4-6 contain a familiar refrain. The psalmist asks the questions that we ask during tragedies and prolonged periods of trial and suffering. “How long…?” The tears have flowed and flowed. The neighbors continue to act as enemies. Why us, O God? When will this end, Lord God? We ask these questions, we cry these tears, we feel this anger and maybe even rage. All point to our deep need for God’s power and presence.

Verse 7 cries out again, “Restore us, God of heavenly forces! Make your face shine so that we can be saved!” This cry invites not only God but also the heavenly beings at God’s disposal to respond, to save, to rescue and restore Israel. God’s face shining is a revelation of God’s presence with the people. It is a reminder of light to guide the way, of love to dry the tears, of grace to heal the anger and rage. Yes, O God, may your face shine upon us!

Prayer: Lord God, when tragedy strikes, when unexpected loss occurs, when painful relationships linger on, draw near to us. Guide us, comfort us, ease our pain, soothe our anger. Walk with us in the valley, lifting us and encouraging us with your presence and power. Restore us, O God! Amen.


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For the Glory of God

Reading: Isaiah 7:14-16

Isaiah 7:14 – “The Lord will give you a sign. The young woman is pregnant and is about to give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel.”

Reading on in Isaiah 7, the prophet tells God’s people that God will give them a sign. As their world is filled with fear and worry about their future, God promises what we all long for in times of trial and hardship: a sign that God is present. Early in our own walks of faith we learn that life as a disciples of Jesus Christ isn’t always rosy and perfect. We also come to know that God is still with us even when life isn’t all sunshine and hugs. Yet at times, we can doubt or question God’s presence. After a long civil war, with rising threats from afar drawing nearer, Judah questions God’s presence. To hear that God will give a sign that God is still with them, that brings hope to God’s people. We too experience hope when God’s presence is made real in a word, in a note, in a door opening…

The sign that God will give is this: “The young woman is pregnant and is about to give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel.” From the Christian viewpoint, we read this as Jesus. During the writing of the Septuagint, “young woman” was changed to “virgin” to better align this verse with other messianic texts. In the original Hebrew, “young woman” is the most accurate translation. At the time of Isaiah’s ministry, the people of God would hear these words pointing to a just and righteous king, to one who would restore all of Israel to its days of glory – a new King David. These hope-inspiring words will one day be fulfilled. “Immanuel,” God with us, will be born. He will be named Jesus. Through the incarnation, Jesus will reveal what it looks like to live for the glory of God. Setting the example, Jesus invites us to follow his example. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the sign that is so clear and so obvious. Thank you for coming in the flesh, for living among us, for showing us what it looks like for God to be present with us. Leaving this example, you call us to follow your example, being God’s presence to the world. Strengthen and encourage us, O God, so that we can be faithful in our walk of faith, bringing you the glory through all that we do and say and think. Amen.


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Jesus Offers, Invites

Reading: Matthew 11:2-6

Matthew 11:3 – “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”

By the time Matthew’s gospel reaches chapter 11, Jesus has given the Sermon on the Mount, has healed many people, has calmed a literal storm, has gathered the twelve disciples, and has begun training them to carry on his ministry of healing and wholeness. During this time, John the Baptist’s ministry has diminished and he now finds himself in prison, having angered King Herod. Searching for hope, John sends his own disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” From his prison cell, it must not feel like the kingdom of God is what he’d hoped it would be.

Presenting evidence of what the kingdom of God looks like here on earth, Jesus mostly quotes from Isaiah 35 and 61, adding a few of his own words too. Jesus is reminding John of how the Old Testament prophets described the Messiah and his kingdom. Healing and wholeness, fullness of life, deep relationships and community, humble service – this is God’s plan for this created world. It is to be as Jesus taught, “on earth as it is in heaven.”

The evidence that Jesus gives are both our inheritance and our marching orders. Jesus offers to open our eyes so we can see as he sees, just as he invites us to do the same for others. He walks with us when we cannot walk alone and he asks us to do the same with one another. Jesus cleanses us of our “diseases” and he speaks truth into our hard hearts. He brings life to what was once “dead” and he restores relationships. All of these, in turn, Jesus invites us to do for the world. As we find healing and wholeness through Jesus Christ, may we work to bring these to our world in need. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, open our hearts and minds to receive all that you offer. Being filled with your love, guidance, presence, healing, and hope, turn us out into the world, pouring ourselves out for the healing and wholeness of all creation. Use us to manifest your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Healing and Wholeness

Reading: Isaiah 35:1-7

Isaiah 35:6 – “Then the lame will keep like a deer and the tongue of the speechless will sing.”

Isaiah 35 envisions a time when the wilderness will blossom with life. The dry and barren land will “burst into bloom” as “streams in the wilderness” bring abundant life to the wilderness. Creation itself will “rejoice with joy and singing” as God restores all the earth back to what it was like in the garden of Eden. This restoration will proceed the return of God’s children to this new promised land. Living in exile, imagine what these words of hope would mean and sound like to you. Imagine what they would feel or sound like living in Gaza or Ukraine or on one of our poorest reservations or in an inner city shelter. People in all of these places long for God’s restoration of the land and of all who dwell in it.

After creation is restored, Isaiah envisions the restoration of all of humanity. This is also a return to the way it was in the garden. The weak hands and unsteady knees will become strong. Those with disabilities will be made new and whole again. Verse 6 sums it up beautifully: “Then the lame will keep like a deer and the tongue of the speechless will sing.” Like creation, the restored humanity with celebrate with joy and singing. The trauma and suffering of exile will be no more. Pondering this day would bring great hope and longing to those in exile, in Gaza, in Ukraine, on the reservation, in the inner city…

There will be times and seasons when we find ourselves in dry and barren places or in exile. In these moments when we experience trauma and suffering, we can trust into God to bring healing and wholeness and strength to us and to our lives. This is the promise. God’s grace is here and now. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, what hope and promise you offer through the words of Isaiah! To return to a land of abundance for all, to a place without fear or violence or greed, to a time when all people are made whole – what a day that will be. Walk with us daily, O God, guiding us to work to make this envisioned day more and more of a reality here and now. Amen.


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Springs of Joy

Reading: Isaiah 12

Isaiah 12:2 – “God is indeed my salvation; I will trust and won’t be afraid.”

Our four readings this week collectively speak of God’s continuing transformation of the world. Together these readings help us as Christians to understand how we are to participate in this transformation. Today’s hymn of trust in Isaiah 12 comes after Isaiah’s preaching about Judah’s unfaithfulness and about the coming wrath of God. An invading army will soon decimate Jerusalem, leaving behind a “burning stump.” In the long term, though, this fire will also work to refine and transform God’s people. Isaiah speaks of a day when a shoot (child) from that stump will lead Israel into a time of peace and grace.

Isaiah 12 celebrates the time after God’s refining fire. The opening verse looks forward to when God’s anger has been spent. Then God’s comfort will come in. This leads Isaiah to write, “God is indeed my salvation; I will trust and won’t be afraid.” God, Judah’s strength and shield, will rescue and redeem, will restore and save. These promises are consistent with who God is and are therefore true for our reality too. When we sin and fall short, creating separation from God, we feel the refining fire of conviction. This leads us to confession and repentance, beginning the transformation process within us.

Being made new by these “springs of salvation,” God’s people will draw water of joy. The restored people will exalt God for the “glorious things” that God has done. When the Holy one is among us, Spirit leading and guiding us, then we too will sing for joy, declaring that God is indeed among us. As God works in our lives, transforming us from the inside out, we will be filled with joy as we live as new creations proclaiming our faith and trust in the Lord. Living as light and love, we will draw others to the Lord. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you for your redeeming work in our lives and in our world. Each time that we are refined and transformed we are drawn deeper into faith. Each time we are made more into Christ’s image. Use us to bring this invitation to all of creation, inviting all to be made whole, to be made new again. Amen.


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Breathing New Life

Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-11

Ezekiel 37:6 – “When I put breath in you, and you come to life, you will know that I am the Lord.”

Ezekiel witnessed Nebuchadnezzar’s siege and defeat of Jerusalem. He saw the leaders and then many others, himself included, taken away into Babylonian exile. Judah, like Israel to the north, was devastated. The temple was destroyed. Their relationship with God has been broken by their sin. Living in exile, hope was growing very thin and despair grew daily.

In chapters 33-36 Ezekiel begins to speak of redemption and restoration. He writes of changing their ways and of receiving a “new heart.” He leans into the image of God as the good shepherd who promises to rescue and protect the sheep. Speaking to the mountains of Israel, God through Ezekiel promises that the cities will be rebuilt and inhabited. Even with all of these hopeful words spoken, for those living in exile, the despair felt too great. Was all this even possible? Could God do it? Our passage today is God’s response to these questions.

In chapter 37 Ezekiel is taken in spirit to a valley full of very many dry bones. God asks the prophet if he thinks the bones can live. (Talk about impossible, right?) Ezekiel responds, “Lord God, only you know.” God says they can. After coming together, God adds sinew, flesh, and then skin. Then God says to the bodies, “When I put breath in you, and you come to life, you will know that I am the Lord.” Through Ezekiel’s words, new life enters the bones, “an extraordinarily large company.” They stand in the valley, as if waiting. God then tells Ezekiel (and therefore Israel), “Human One, these bones are the entire house of Israel.” God will restore and redeem not just some of God’s people. God will restore and redeem all of God’s people.

In our dry seasons of faith, in our times of sin and separation from God, in our experiences in the wilderness and in exile, God longs to redeem and restore us, to breath new life into our faith. O God, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, you will stop at nothing, you will do anything, you will try everything in order to bring us back into right relationship with you. This is true no matter how far we’ve run, no matter how deep we’ve fallen, no matter how long we’ve wandered. Thank you for your unconditional love and your unfailing grace. Amen.


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A Good, Good Plan

Reading: Genesis 1:1, 27-28, 31

Genesis 1:31 – “God saw everything he had made; it was supremely good.”

As we consider and ponder this week’s theme of being restored and made new, we turn back to the beginning of it all. Because God is good, all that was created was good. As the creation process unfolds – water, light, land, plants, animals – God’s goodness can be seen in the order. Each next step dependant and built upon the step before. Turning to verse 27, God creates humanity. Humankind is created in the divine image of God. Connecting the dots, God’s goodness can be seen in humanity. We are born good. We have to be taught hate, prejudice, jealousy, pride…

God blesses the humans and then tasks them with caring for the creation. A good God charging good humans to care for a good creation – the plan as God designed creation. As the sixth ‘day’ of creation draws to a close, we read, “God saw everything he had made; it was supremely good.” In its original state, all of creation was simply good. One element provided for and cared for another, all in a good and healthy balance.

We turn here today because this was and is the vision for our world. One day this will again be the reality as God restored and makes all things new at the second coming of Christ. It is good to remember the plan of God, to know both the promise and the hope that we find in our good, good God. May this plan and vision ever guide our way.

Prayer: Lord God, your goodness is revealed to us in so many ways, but especially in creation. In the order and beauty and goodness of creation we see your plan for our lives. Lead and guide us to live into who and what you created us to be. Use us to begin the restoration process. Amen.


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God’s Goodness and Faithfulness

Reading: Psalm 77:1-15

Psalm 77:6-7 – “I complain, and my spirit keeps searching: Will my Lord reject me forever? Will he never be pleased again?”

Today’s reading has two distinct portions. In verses 1-10 Asaph, the psalmist, pours our the complaint of a troubled heart. This is all lament. In verses 11-15 the focus shifts to a remembrance of God’s works in the past.

The Psalm begins with a crying out and searching for the Lord. The physical joins the spiritual as hands are outstretched, reaching out for God. Weariness caused by an inability to sleep adds to the lament. In verses 6-7 we read, “I complain, and my spirit keeps searching: Will my Lord reject me forever? Will he never be pleased again?” As he continues, Asaph wonders if God has forgotten the promises made to future generations.

We have all felt what Asaph is feeling. Some of us may be in the midst of trial and suffering right now. We can recall times when the illness just lingered in or when the oppression would not cease. We’ve longed for God to intervene and have wondered where God was as that season or situation drug on and on.

Beginning in verse 11 there is a shift. Asaph begins to recall who and what God has been in the past. He remembers wondrous works and demonstrations of God’s strength. He recalls when God redeemed Israel. Asaph is reminding himself of God’s might. This brings him hope. And he is also inviting God to act in these ways once again. He is reminding God of who God is. This too builds his faith.

In our times of hardship and trial – future or present – may we tune into who and what God is, inviting God to walk with us as we work our way back into God’s presence through prayer and the study of God’s word.

Prayer: Lord God, the times when we feel all alone will surely come. Those seasons are a part of everyone’s life at times. When we find ourselves there, Lord, send the whispers of the Holy Spirit straight to our hearts. Guide us to turn to scripture to remind ourselves of your goodness and faithfulness to all generations. Remind us too of the times you redeemed and restored us. Thank you, God. Amen.