pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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This Kind of Knowledge

Reading: Psalm 139:1-12

Psalm 139:3b – “You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways.”

David begins Psalm 139 with a truth that applies to all of us as well: “Lord, you have examined me. You know me.” God knows when we come and go. God knows our plans. God studies our times of busyness and our times of rest. In the rest of verse 3 David writes, “You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways.” Thoroughly familiar – that is a great term for how well God knows us.

To me, this thought is both incredibly comforting and it is incredibly disconcerting. God knows my best intentions and my worst thoughts. God sees my shining witness and my damning failures. God is always there, “front and back.” Yes, the psalmist is correct: “That kind of knowledge is too much for me.”

With this intimate knowledge in mind, David launches into a great set of questions and recognitions in verses 7-12. There is nowhere we can go to escape the presence of God. To heaven, to the far side of the ocean, to the deepest darkness? God is there in all of these places and everywhere in between. So in the moments when we need comfort, God is there. In the moments when we need strength, God is there. In the moments when we laugh and share joy, God is there. In the moments when Christ’s light and love flow out of us, God is there. This kind of knowledge is beautiful and wonderful and amazing. And it is for you and for me. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for being there. Yes, in the moments when I need you. But especially in the moments when I don’t think I need you and suddenly do. I find then that you’ve been there all along. You are an amazing and wonderful God. This knowledge is just what I need. Amen.


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Steadfast, Persistent, Faithful God

Reading: Psalm 139:1-6

Psalm 139:3 – “You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways.”

Psalm 139 is a celebration of God’s presence in our lives and in our world. In today’s reading and in Friday’s reading we focus in on God’s intimately personal connection to and knowledge of us. It is both awesome and terrifying that our ever-present, all-knowing God knows us even better than we know ourselves.

In verse 1 the psalmist states, “Lord, you have examined me. You know me.” David adds, “You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways” in verse 5. It is awesome and wonderful that the God of all creation knows every one of us in this detail. It’s like that best friend that can finish your sentences – except God can do that before we even speak the first word. Because God knows us this well, this deeply, then God has an insight or two about us, about our faith, about our lives, about our plans and schemes.

On my best days, I welcome all of this. As the Holy Spirit speaks into my life, offering both encouragement and direction and critique and correction, the whispers draw me closer to walking as Jesus calls me to walk. But on those other days, I do not have ears to hear or a heart to receive. I bristle at or deny or ignore or reject the words and nudges of the Spirit. But here’s the best thing about God: on those harder days, God doesn’t give up. Because God knows me thoroughly and loves me unconditionally, God is steadfast and persistent. God knows me and has a great plan for me. The same is true for you!

In verse 6 the psalmist writes, “This kind of knowledge is too much for me. It’s so high above me that I can’t reach it.” Yes, all true. Much of God is mystery, far beyond us. But also true: God in Spirit comes to us, seeks us, walks with us, shows us the way. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, open our ears and hearts to your voice, to your guidance and direction. Remind us of how much you love us. From there, may we receive all that you offer. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.


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Be Thoroughly Equipped!

Reading: 2nd Timothy 3:14-17

Verse 14: “Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of.”

As we shift today to our Epistle reading, the word of God continues to be the focus. Paul’s charge to Timothy is to “continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of.” Timothy has been raised in the faith. His grandmother and mother have taught him the stories of faith and have lived their faith out as a model for him. Paul and others have taught and modeled the faith for Timothy. Paul encourages Timothy to keep learning and to keep building on the solid foundation of faith that has lovingly been built in him.

Next Paul points toward scripture – toward the word of God – as that which will “make you wise for salvation.” For Timothy and for almost everyone in his day, the scriptures were taught in oral form. Paul and others with an advanced education likely read from actual scrolls. The priests read and taught from physical copies of the Old Testament. Jesus’ life and teachings were just beginning to be recorded at this time. Letters to churches and to individuals were the only written “scripture” in circulation at the time.

Continuing on, Paul reminds young Timothy that “all scripture is God-breathed and useful.” To hear or study it, to meditate on it, to apply it to ones life, to teach it to others – this is Paul’s charge to Timothy. It is our charge too. The word of God helps our faith to grow and to keep on the right path. It corrects and rebukes us when we stray or sin and it leads us back into right relationship. Be in the word, Paul says, “so that the [woman or] man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: God, thank you for the written word that I can go back to again and again. I need to. Over and over. These are the words of life. Lead me and guide me each day as I spend time in your word. Thank you. Amen.