pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Constant Presence

Reading: Psalm 107:33-37

Psalm 107:33 and 35 – “He changes rivers into deserts… But he also turns deserts into pools of water.”

Psalm 107 began yesterday with praise for times of redemption, with a call to tell others about these times, and with a reminder of how God rescues us when we wander. Today, in verses 33-37, we are reminded that our actions (or inactions) also play a role in how we perceive God’s presence in our lives. The words of the psalmist are set within their general  understanding of how God “worked” at that time. To do or be good brought God’s blessings. To sin or do evil brought God’s wrath and punishment. This context is important as we seek application today.

Verses 33-35 represent the second scenario or understanding of God. When the people of God persisted in their sin, refusing to listen to the prophets that God sent their way, then they were sent into exile. “He changes rivers into deserts.” Lives were lost, cities lay in ruin, many were hauled away to live in foreign lands. Their faith became as dry as a desert. God felt far away. We experience these things. In the middle of a dark valley or time of wandering, our faith can begin to feel dry and then it feels like God is far away.

Then in verses 35-37, God is present. God restores. “But he also turns deserts into pools of water.” For Israel, the God who has been present all along “suddenly” acts. In reality, Israel’s time in exile slowly changed them. God was working all along. Slowly but surely, in small ways, the people returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt both lives and faith. In the same way, God becomes present to us in our dark valleys and dry seasons, working to bring us back to faith. Light and life return to our day to day walk. Suddenly it seems that God is there again.

But when we take time to reflect back on both scenarios, on felt absences and on real presence, we can see how God was there all along. With these reflections, our faith grows and we learn how to see God in the small ways, not just in the valley but all the time. Thanks be to God for the constant presence and the faithful love.

Prayer: Lord God, we are grateful for your constant presence in our lives. In the times when our sin separates us from you, nudge us towards conviction, confession, and repentance. When life creates a sense of separation, whisper into our hearts and ears, assuring us that you are there in the desert or valley. Thank you. Amen.


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Work to Be Done

Reading: 2nd Peter 3:8-12

Verses 11-12: “What sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

As Peter closes his second letter, he addresses their concerns about the delay of Jesus’ return. He first reminds them of the difference between God’s time and their time. It has been about 30 years since Jesus was raised from the tomb. In the present moment, 30 years of waiting does feel like a really long time for us. Yet from God’s perspective, 30 years isn’t even a miniscule blip on the eternal timeline. Yet Peter does understand the believers desire for Jesus to return. I love Peter’s words and thoughts that address this longing: “God is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

I love the fact that Peter sees beyond just the believers. It’s not all about them (or us in today’s context.) It is partly about the other. As the day will come “like a thief’s – unexpected and suddenly – the followers of Jesus need to always “live holy and godly lives.” Day by day they must live always ready for Christ to come. Peter is echoing Jesus’ words from last week: stay alert, be ready, keep awake. The second emphasis in this part of the passage is on the other. They are why God is patient. They are why the second coming has not yet occurred. God wants “everyone to come to repentance.” Everyone.

Peter’s encouragement to live holy and godly lives is both for their own salvation and for the non-believers salvation. The believers must live this way to be able to witness to the other. Always loving and caring for others reveals Jesus’ love and care for the other. This is how they and we work “to speed its coming.” Yes, there is still work to be done. Let’s get busy!

Prayer: Lord God, what great love you have for all of humanity. Your patience is waiting on us to make disciples of all peoples. This feels like an “all” – not just some, not just most. This requires us to have a love as deep and wide as your love. Make it so within us, O God. Amen.