pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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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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Be the Light

Reading: Matthew 5:14-16

Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.”

Throughout the scriptures light is connected to and associated with good, with holiness, with God. When Jesus declared to his followers, “You are the light of the world,” he was and still is telling his followers that they are to be God’s goodness and holiness in the world. A believer’s faith is the ‘light’ within them. As Jesus continues, he tells us that our light should not be hidden. It is not just to reside in our hearts (and maybe to peak out on Sunday mornings.) it is to be just the opposite: “put it on top of a lamp stand.” Lift up your faith, Jesus says, let it shine out into the whole world!

For a Christ-follower in today’s world, what does it mean to shine our light? It begins simply, with how we live our day to day lives. Following Jesus’ example, we are to be people of peace and joy, of hope and comfort, of service and generosity, of love and grace. These qualities have the power to stand out or to shine in our world today. When we live in these ways, our peace, joy, hope… spreads into others lives.

From there, our light shines in places of darkness, hurting, and suffering. In times of conflict, when many would engage in the fight, a Christian brings a Spirit of reconciliation. When wrongs are done a Christian offers healing and wholeness, redemption instead of condemnation and judgment. In places and situations where other evils exist, a Christ-follower brings a light that shines on and into that darkness, bringing safety or standing as an ally or being the voice that leads towards an end to the injustice or abuse or prejudice or…

It is not always easy to be the light. Our own lives are sometimes hard or difficult. Being joy or comfort or whatever is challenging then. To stand against the evils of this world, it is risky and it can be quite costly. Even so, our calling remains this: “Let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.” O Lord, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, you call us out into the world, where there is plenty of darkness. You invite us to shine our light of faith into people’s lives and into difficult situations. God with us, lead and guide us, O Lord, so that others can come to walk in your light. Amen.


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Live “Out Loud”

Reading: Matthew 5:13-16

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

Following the Beatitudes, Jesus turns to this metaphor about living as salt and light. This call to stand out from the world, to live faith in ways that are fully present in the world – they read very differently according to time and context. These words of encouragement, for example, would have been received differently in real time versus in the days right after Jesus’ death or centuries later when the Roman persecution of Christians was really ramping up.

Jesus first declares to all disciples, “You are the salt of the earth.” Salt was essential to life in Jesus’ day. Salt was used to cleanse, to preserve, to seal covenants, to flavor food. A Christian’s faith can function in all of these ways. Faith cleanses away the sin of this world. Faith preserves what really matters: the way of God. It makes our relationships steadfast and unconditional. Faith flavors all areas and aspects of our lives.

Next Jesus declares: “You are the light of the world.” Faith is not to be hidden, but is to be used to light our way and to show others the life that brings glory and honor to God, not to self. As light, faith calls us to illuminate the evils of our world. Our faith is not to be private or secret, but is to “shine before people” and is to “shine on all who are in the house.” The world is our house.

Disciples today are still called to be salt and light. We are still called to live our faith “out loud.” Today that perhaps feels a bit more like it must’ve felt under Roman persecution. It feels like speaking against evil and against the powers of this world might be costly. Yet this personal cost pales in comparison to the social cost of silence in the face of injustice and other evils, both to our faith and to the lives of those being targeted. With this in mind, may we be salt and light to our world in need.

Prayer: Lord God, fill us with your love and mercy, with your grace and strength. Filled, empower us to stand for the marginalized and for those without voice, without power, without place. Build up in each of us a will to love and live as Jesus loved and lived. And, Lord, may it begin with me. Amen.


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Great Love and Compassion

Reading: Luke 7-8:39

Luke 7:50 – “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Luke 7 begins with a story about a man with great faith. The centurion first asks Jesus to come heal his valued servant. He then realizes that he is unworthy to have Jesus come to him. So he sends words, recognizing Jesus’ authority to simply speak a word to heal the servant. It is so.

Jesus next encounters a funeral procession. A widow’s only son has died. With great compassion Jesus resuscitates the son, providing for the widow.

From prison John the Baptist sends some disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one?” Jesus heals many people right then and tells the disciples to tell John what they saw. This is a physical demonstration that fulfills Isaiah 35 and 61. It is Jesus’ “yes” to John’s question. He then laments this current generation’s lack of faith.

Jesus is then invited to dinner at a Pharisee’s home. While there, a sinful woman comes and washes Jesus’ feet with her tears and hair, kissing them and then anointing them with oil. In his thoughts, the Pharisee is condescending of both Jesus and the woman. This leader skipped all the normal hospitality customs. Jesus says to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Her revelation of great love leads to her salvation.

After naming some of the women who support Jesus’ ministry, he tells the parable of the soils. It is about our receptivity to Jesus’ words and example. These women are the good soil. Jesus then encourages us to let our light shine. It is to shine on all soil/soul types.

Jesus then reveals his power over wind and sea before encountering “Legion” – a man long possessed by many demons. The demons recognize Jesus and negotiate release into the pigs. The man is totally healed. The townfolk are awed but are also afraid of Jesus’ unexplainable power. They ask him to leave. The man is told to stay behind, to witness to Jesus’ power. He goes home to “tell the story.”

Prayer: Lord God, you continue to have great love and compassion for us. You respond when we call out in faith. And you sometimes come even when we don’t call out. You know what we need and this drives your responses. Thank you. Amen.


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Faith, Trust, and Seeds

Reading: Mark 4-5

Mark 4:20 – “The seed scattered on good soil are those who hear the word and embrace it. They bear fruit.”

A farmer goes out to scatter seed. Not sow, not plant – scatter. Some seeds fall on the path and are eaten by birds. Some falls on rocky soil. It sprouts quickly but does in the heat – no roots. Some seeds fall among the thorny soil. They sprout and grow but are soon choked out by the weeds. Other seed falls on good soil. “The seed scattered on good soil are those who hear the word and embrace it. They bear fruit.” For others, faith is short-term, cancelled out by distress, fear and doubt, by the cares of this world. Faith is like a lamp – we let it shine and it reveals what was hidden. Faith comes to those seeking. This is one way we bear fruit. We don’t know how it takes root or how it grows, but the tiniest seed can grow and grow, helping others. This too bears fruit.

Jesus crosses the lake, going to Gerasenes, a Gentile community. There is a storm along the way. Frightened, the disciples awaken Jesus, who calms the storm. He chastises them for their rocky soil faith. Once there, Jesus encounters a demon possessed man named Legion. The thousands of demons are cast into the nearby pigs. The uncontrollable madman is found “fully dressed and completely sane.” The townspeople ask Jesus to leave. Their thorny soil prevents them from accepting Jesus. The man asks to go with Jesus. He is told to go home to tell his people what Jesus did for him. He is good soil ready to produce a crop.

Our reading closes with two healings. Both involve risky faith. Jairus, a synagogue leader, risks by coming publicly, asking Jesus to heal his daughter. The woman with a bleeding disorder sneaks up through the crowd and touches Jesus’ clothes. She is healed. In the midst of a great crowd, Jesus asks “Who…” and she risks coming forward. She confesses and Jesus blesses her faith that healed her. News then comes of the daughter’s passing. Jesus says to Jairus, “Just keep trusting.” In the end, Jairus’ trust and faith is honored too. Jesus heals the daughter. Faith and trust bring healing.

Prayer: Lord God, you have power over all things – wind and waves, fear and doubt, mental and physical illness, even death. That power is available to those who believe in you as Lord and Savior. Lord, grow these seeds of faith that have been planted in each of us. Encourage and empower us to scatter these seeds, bearing fruit for your kingdom. Amen.


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Receive Your Reward

Daniel 12:1 – “At that time, every one of your people who is found written in the scroll will be rescued.”

Today we read Daniel’s visions. These difficult and challenging words carry both a historical meaning and they speak into future times as well. In the historical sense, these words deal largely with Antiochus IV, a Greek king who heavily persecuted the Israelites. His reign brought the first known attempt by a political ruler to wipe out a religion. The historical time frame is 176-164 BCE. These words come much later than Daniel 1-6, set around 400 BCE.

Daniel’s first vision is of four beasts. These kingdoms will rise and fall. All will impact God’s people. But in the end, “the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingship.” In the end, God will triumph. The fourth, the most evil, represents Antiochus. The 3 1/2 years lines up with his actual reign, as do the wars fought with the “southern king” – Egypt.

Daniel’s second vision of the ram and he-goat are about Persia/Media and the Greeks/Alexander the Great. As strong and powerful and dominant as Alexander will be, his kingdom is divided into four smaller, weaker kingdoms. This vision is followed by Daniel’s prayer in chapter 9. His humble words of confession and repentance move heaven. Gabriel is sent. He affirms Daniel as “greatly treasured” but also confirms the persecution soon to come upon God’s faithful.

Chapter 10 offers insight into another battlefront – the heavenly conflict. Michael helped in the battle against Persia’s powers so that the messenger could get to Daniel. Chapter 11 is some review – the battles between Antiochus and Ptolemy III of Egypt. It is about the persecution the people of God will face too. They are assured that this too will end.

Chapter 12 closes the book of Daniel with words of hope, with words of resurrection and rescue. The messenger speaks of the faithful who “will shine like the stars forever and ever.” In the end, Daniel is also encouraged. He’s told that he “will rest and will stand to receive your reward.” He too will be a part of this glorious eternity. May we also persevere through the challenges, remaining humbly faithful, trusting in God’s power to rescue and redeem.

Prayer: Lord God, as we read these words that the people of God lived through, we too are reminded of the lasting nature of evil. Antiochus wasn’t the first or the last to persecute the faithful. More came. More are yet to come. Lord, lead us to walk in faith, humbling turning to you, the only one with the power to save and rescue. Amen.


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A New Relationship

Reading: Isaiah 60-66

Isaiah 65:14 – “My servants will sing with contented hearts, but you will cry out from heartache; with broken spirits you will wail.”

As we close our Isaiah today chapter 60 encourages Israel to arise, to welcome sons and daughters home as they return from exile. Isaiah proclaims that peace and righteousness will reign. He tells of a day when the sun and moon won’t shine – God will be their light.

Isaiah 61 is a joyful proclamation that reveals God’s heart for justice and righteousness. The anointed prophet brings good news, heals brokenness, frees from sin, and promises the Lord’s favor to the faithful. He tells of God helping Israel to rebuild, to be restored and renewed. There is a promise of being clothed in victory and in a robe of righteousness. As we continue into chapter 62 God promises not to rest until Israel’s light shines and her salvation “blazes like a torch.” God delights in this people, will care for them, will lead them to be called “Holy People,” redeemed by God.

The prophet steps back in chapter 63, reminding the people why all this rebuilding is necessary. Edom’s sin raised God’s anger and wrath, just as Israel’s sin had. Yet for Israel there was also God’s love, mercy, and redemption. Isaiah invites more, asking God to “tear open the heavens” to come to them. He admits, Israel is the clay, God the potter. Good words of surrender and trust.

Isaiah closes out the book in chapters 65 and 66 with the usual good/bad news. The choice and outcome are summed up well in today’s key verse. No one listened when he spoke… God will repay their sin in full… God’s fire and sword will slay many. God is creating a new heaven and earth where there will be no tears, where they will thrive. Their relationship will deepen. God will answer before they call, God will hear before they speak. If only our hearts were so in tune with the Lord our God. May it be so one day.

Prayer: Lord God, we rejoice in your presence with us. Your love and mercy, grace and compassion, faithfulness and forgiveness – these continue to flow to your people. You remain at work, rebuilding when we break down, restoring when we fall away. Your justice and righteousness call us to reflect all of this as we seek to bring your good news to all people. Lead and guide us, O Lord. Amen.


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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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Shine!

Reading: Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43

Verse 43: “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”

This week’s parable speaks of something we know all too well: evil is all around us. It is there in the world in general and it is right there close to us. When close by the evil can sap our spirits and when closer still it can adversely affect our walk of faith.

In the parable, those who follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are the wheat. Followers of Christ live as goodness and love in the world, seeking to ‘shine’ Christ within our hearts out to the world, producing a harvest of righteousness. On the more personal level, it can be challenging to live faithfully amongst the weeds. Our lives can be impacted by the actions of evil people and we can become discouraged and can even question God’s love in really hard times. We can also allow those weeds to take root in our hearts. Temptation can grow into sin and we can become the cause of hardship or discouragement and questioning for others. Thankfully evil and sin do not have to be permanent choices. We can again find hope in our faith as we delve into the word of God. We can repent and turn from sinful choices.

Jesus provides us with a great reminder of our hope at the end of our passage. There will be a day of judgement. All evil will be rooted out, gathered up, and burned in the fire. Those who are faithful will be a part of the new heaven and earth. Rejoice! “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”

Prayer: Lord God, by the power of your Holy Spirit guard my life and faith from the weeds within and without. In such quick ways I can slip into evil thoughts and at times these lead to hurtful or harmful words or actions. When these evils begin to take root, purge them with the Holy Spirit’s righteous fire. Empower my faith for the battles ahead. Lead me and use me to shine like the sun each day. Amen.


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Walk in the Light

Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14

Verse 8: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.”

Throughout the scriptures God and good has been represented by the light. It is first reflected in how God created the world. Light shone into the darkness. Light signals the start of each new day; it brings life to our souls and to the physical world. In contrast, evil and chaos are represented by the darkness. Under the cover of dark we feel that our misdeeds are somehow covered up or are at least less likely to be exposed.

Paul picks up on these themes in today’s writing. In verse 8 he writes, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” Before choosing to live with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we were in the darkness. We lived for self and to satisfy the cravings of the flesh. When we live in the dark, our eyes adjust and we get accustomed to that lifestyle. But once we come to Christ, the light becomes our norm. The light first illuminates the darkness right around us, exposing the evil in our lives and in our hearts. It can be hard to adjust to being in the light, at first. In general it grows easier and easier to live in the light. Sometimes, however, it is harder. But hard in a good way.

Walking in the light grows easier as we draw more and more upon the power and presence of the Holy Spirit of Christ to lead and guide our lives. Faith becomes the norm that we live by. Faithful living becomes our daily way of living. Here a part of the walk also becomes harder. The light continues to shine, working its way into the nooks and crannies. There we come to see that this or that really is a sin. What was “ok” before is no longer ok. The light reveals that habit or behavior and we come to see that it too must be put to the cross.

As we seek to grow in Christ, may we ever shine the light both within our hearts and out into the world, encouraging a walk in the light of Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, this journey of faith leads us deeper and deeper into our relationship with you. Joy, love, hope, grace – they grow in abundance in our life with you. In the light the refining process continues too as selfish habits and prideful ways continue to be exposed. Grant me the courage to surrender these things to you. Amen.