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Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Trustworthy and True

Reading: Jeremiah 50-52

Jeremiah 51:11 – “The LORD is stirring up the spirit of kings from Media. He intends to destroy Babylon… a day of reckoning for his temple.”

The judgment oracles turn to Babylon today. Chapters 50 and 51 detail the fall of Babylon. Interwoven are words of hope for God’s people. God raises up an army from the north. This army will “decimate her land.” All living things will flee. The people of Israel and Judah will “come out together” as they seek God and “search for Zion.” They will return to the Promised Land and will “unite with the Lord in an everlasting covenant.”

Babylon – the one who gloated and plundered – will fall mightily. Her towers will collapse and her walls will come down. The “scattered sheep” of Israel will be restored to their pasture. Their sin and wrongdoing will be gone. The Lord will forgive them. But Babylon will fall! The arrogant one will stumble and be consumed by an army that is “cruel and shows no mercy.” In 51:11 we read, “The LORD is stirring up the spirit of kings from Media. He intends to destroy Babylon… a day of reckoning for his temple.” Babylon’s time has come. They will be repaid for the things they did to Zion and to the temple.

Chapter 52 is an “appendix.” Jeremiah’s words ended with chapter 51. Similar words can be found in 2nd Kings 24-25 and in Jeremiah 39. This repetition serves to reinforce Jeremiah’s role as a true prophet of God. What he spoke of about the time leading into exile came true. Therefore, all that he said about the exile and return from exile can be trusted as well. Those days are yet to come for his contemporary audience. The hope that he laid out for the exiles will help carry them through this challenging time. The same is true for us. God is trustworthy and true. We too can stand upon God’s word.

Prayer: Lord God, you bring down the proud and humble those who exalt themselves. You stand with the oppressed and the downtrodden. You redeem the wayward and cleanse the guilty. You called Israel and Judah back to covenant faithfulness and you call us to this life too. Fill us with your Holy Spirit as we seek to walk in the way of life. Amen.


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Good Plans

Reading: Jeremiah 25-29

Jeremiah 29:11 – “I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the LORD; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.”

We begin with a summary. For 23 years Jeremiah has spoken God’s word. The people wouldn’t listen or pay attention. God is mustering Babylon. For seventy years, Judah will serve Babylon. Jeremiah takes the cup of God’s wrath and forces many nations to drink of it. Disaster is coming to many nations.

We rewind in chapter 26. Jeremiah revisits his temple sermon of chapter 7, adding some more detail. The priests and prophets wanted to kill him because of the words he spoke. The officials and people stand up for Jeremiah, saving his life. Chapter 27 moves forward to king Zedekiah. Jeremiah makes a wooden yoke, symbolizing the new relationship that Judah will have under Nebuchadnezzar. He warns against listening to the false prophets. The remaining temple equipment will go to Babylon, until God is ready to bring it home. We get examples of these false prophets here and at the end of chapter 29. The false prophet Hananiah says the exile will only last two years. He is confronted by Jeremiah. Hananiah breaks the wooden yoke. It will become a yoke of iron, says God. Three more false prophets are dealt with in chapter 29. As always, the word of God prevails.

Chapter 29 begins with a word of great hope. In a letter to the exiles in Babylon, Jeremiah tells them to settle down, to build houses, to marry and have children, to pray for their cities of exile. As they prosper so will Judah prosper. In 70 years God will bring them home. In verse 11 we read, “I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the LORD; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.” What words of hope!

Prayer: Lord God, you reign over all the earth. Your word is ever true. Cut through the lies of this world, drawing us to the good plans that you have for those who love you. Amen.


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True and Perfect

Readings: Psalms 17-20

‭Psalm 18:30 – “God! His way is perfect; the LORD’s word is tried and true. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”

Photo credit: Rainier Ridao

There is a familiarity of themes and of some verses/phrases in today’s readings. Psalm 17 and 18 touch on the theme of obedience/blessing and disobedience/consequences. In Psalm 17, for David, a right heart and a sinless mouth means that God should “tilt your ears towards me now.” He seeks refuge in God from those who speak arrogantly, who want to “put me in the dirt.”

Psalm 18 begins with some wonderful descriptors of God: strength, solid rock, fortress, rescuer, refuge, shield, salvation, place of safety. These are words that we too can claim. David cries out for help and God responds in power and might – thunder and lightning, hail and coals. God’s power is both majestic and frightening. Verses 20-24 remind me of Job. God rewards because David is righteous. God restores because David’s hands are clean. Verse 30 is a great summary verse: “God! His way is perfect; the LORD’s word is tried and true. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”

Psalm 19 continues the praise of God that ends Psalm 18. The heavens declare God’s glory. The law is perfect, faithful, right, pure, correct, and true. It brings wisdom and gladness and light. One is given “great reward” by keeping the law. In verses 12 and 13 David seeks forgiveness for accidental wrongs. Psalm 19 closes with familiar words: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart…”

In our last Psalm for today the focus shifts to the other. The prayer is for God to answer “you” when in trouble and for God to fulfill the desires of “your” heart. This is a prayer that we can pray over others. Who might you pray verses 1-5 over today?

Prayer: Lord God, your way is true and perfect. Your will guides us to light, love, hope, peace. We are faulty and imperfect. On our own, O God, we’d be helplessly lost. Surely those cords of death would entangle us. But we are not alone. You are right there beside us. You are our strength and our shield, our rock and our defender, our God. Thank you. Amen.


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God’s Guiding Presence

Readings: Genesis 31, Genesis 32, Genesis 33, Genesis 34, Genesis 35, Genesis 36

Genesis 32:28 – “Your name won’t be Jacob any longer, but Israel, because you struggled with God and with men and won.”

Today’s readings begin with Jacob leaving Haran. God directs this move and watches over it. As Laban catches up to the escaping Jacob, God intervenes on his behalf. This leads to a “symmetrical covenant.” Laban and Jacob part ways peacefully and with God’s blessing. As his journey continues, Jacob prepares to and is prepared to meet Esau, the brother he stole from and deceived.

Jacob first sends messengers to Esau, who comes out to meet Jacob with 400 men. This terrifies Jacob. He splits all that he has into two camps. Then he prays a “reminder” prayer to God. He reminds both God and himself of the covenant promises made to Abraham and to Isaac and to himself. He then sends a very large gift of livestock to Esau, seeking to pacify him. That night Jacob wrestles with God. He is renamed “Israel” and he receives God’s blessing.

In the morning Jacob arranged his family strategically – servants then Leah then Rachel, each with their children. But then he goes in front to meet Esau. He bows low 7 times as Esau is approaching. Esau runs to greet him. It is an emotional and joyful reunion. Jacob sees the face of God in his brother’s grace.

In chapter 34 a terrible thing happens to Dinah – she is raped and humiliated by a local prince. Her brothers exact revenge, killing every male and looting everything in the town. They use deception to set it all up. They are Jacob’s sons. But now Jacob fears revenge too, so the family moves on. God protects them as they go. In the process God reiterates the name change as well as the covenant. Sadly, Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin. Isaac dies too and is buried with his ancestors by Jacob and Esau together. Our reading closes with Esau’s genealogy.

Reflecting on today’s six chapters I am struck by God’s presence guiding Jacob’s life. Many things happen that remind me that God is with us no matter what – when we are faithful, when we are less than faithful. God is steadfast and true.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your hand ever guiding Jacob. Thank you for your hand that desires to guide us. As you work in our lives, shape and form us as you did Jacob – more and more into one who knew and loved you. Amen.


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God Is So Faithful

Readings: Genesis 24, Genesis 25:1-18

Genesis 25:27: “Bless the LORD, God of my master Abraham, who hasn’t given up his loyalty and his faithfulness to my master.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

The bulk of today’s reading covers finding a suitable wife for Isaac. In the culture of the day, that meant finding a wife from within one’s kinship group. This would insure continuity of religious and cultural norms and beliefs. Abram has married from within his kinship group and knew that was essential for his son Isaac too. Living as “temporary immigrants” in a foreign land, Abraham knew how important this would be for Isaac and for his future descendants. What follows is an amazing story of our faithful God at work.

The story begins with the oldest servant swearing an oath to Abraham to try to carry out his wishes for Isaac’s wife. Abraham is sure that God will go before and will guide this process, providing the right wife for Isaac. Arriving at the well outside of Nahor’s city, the servant prays to God for a woman who will give him a drink and then will water his ten camels. Rebekah does exactly that. The servant gazes in awe and wonder as this scene unfolds. He praises God, saying, “Bless the LORD, God of my master Abraham, who hasn’t given up his loyalty and his faithfulness to my master.” Once at the family home, he recounts the whole story. Essentially asking to take Rebekah back home with him to marry Isaac, both dad and brother respond, “This is all the Lord’s doing.” The next day the journey home begins. On arrival, Isaac and Rebekah meet each other and are married.

All set in order, Abraham makes final arrangements. He wills everything to his son Isaac and sends his second wife and their children far away. Abraham dies at 175. Isaac and Ishmael bury their father with Sarah. It is beautiful that both “first sons” are a part of this. Our reading closes with another example of God’s love and faithfulness. Ishmael dies at 137, leaving a line of 12 sons/princes to build his “great nation,” as promised by God to Hagar and Abraham. Our God is so faithful and true. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, what a powerful witness to who and what you are! All unfolds exactly as you had it planned and we, like the servant, stand in awe and wonder. From that posture, Lord, may we step forward in faith each day, trusting in you to guide and lead our steps as we seek to do your will. Amen.


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God: Good, Creative, Loving

Readings: Genesis 1, Genesis 2, Genesis 3

Genesis 3:5 – “You will see clearly and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Photo credit: Marek Piwnicki

As we begin our adventure of reading the Bible in a year, we start at the beginning, in the creation story. Genesis 1 is a very familiar passage – day 1 there is light, day 2 the waters are separated, day 3 land is formed and plants are created… Four times we read, “God saw how good it was.” Then, on day 6, God creates humanity “in our image.” Creation is completed and God now says, “it was supremely good.” Humanity completes creation and raises it from good to supremely good. In chapter 1 we find two themes that run throughout the Bible: God is good and God creates or gives life.

Turning to Genesis 2 we read a different creation story. In this account we read that on day 3 God creates a man. Then, on day 6 of the original story, God creates a woman from the man’s rib. Among the rest of creation, a “helper that is perfect” could not be found so once again, God creates. In chapter 2 we experience our first dissonance. Our brain tells us that both stories cannot be “true.” Our brain is right. Here we learn an important thing about the Bible: it is not a book of “how” but is a book of “who” and of “what.” It is not a science or history book. The Bible is a book about our relationship with a good and loving God.

We close today’s reading with chapter 3. This is another very familiar story. The temptation and sin and fall of Adam and Eve represent another recurring theme in the Bible: human arrogance. Adam and Eve believe the snake’s words: “You will see clearly and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” To be like God – it’s too tempting to pass up. They eat and God’s heart is broken. They hide when God comes to walk and talk with them in the garden. God asks, “What have you done?” This certainly won’t be the last time God asks this question. And it won’t be the last time that God works to restore our relationship with God. All we can say is: thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, in love and with purpose, you created our world and you created us. You allowed us the freedom to choose you or other things. Then and now when we choose other things, your love does not fail, you still desire relationship, and you seek to draw us back to you. Thank you for your great love for all of creation, especially for us, O God. Amen.


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God’s Sanctuary and Dominion

Reading: Psalm 114

Verse 2: “Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.”

For the psalmist, the exodus from under mighty Egypt’s oppression and the near-impossible rescue at the parting of the sea were two great examples of God in action. God acted on behalf of the beloved of God. You and I are beloved of God. So there are times and situations that you can look back on and say, ‘Yes, right then and there, God acted in my life.’ When has God freed you or saved you or rescued you? Like the psalmist does here, it is important for us too to remember and offer our thanksgiving to God. This is part of being God’s sanctuary and dominion.

In verses 5-6 the psalmist asks a great question. He or she ponders over why the waters part and why the mountains and hills quake. They do so because they are “in the presence of the Lord.” God’s power and might and majesty are over all of creation. They are over you and me. As we recognize God’s sovereign hand in all of creation and in our lives, we too humbly now and honor almighty God. This too is part of being God’s sanctuary and dominion.

In verse 2 we read, “Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.” This speaks of relationship and connection. It speaks of intimacy and commitment. You and I are part of God’s family. God is our sanctuary – both the place where we worship and the place we go to feel safe and protected. God is our dominion – both the one who is steadfast and true and the one to whom we commit our lives and faith. Thank you, God, for being our sanctuary and our dominion.

Prayer: Lord God, you are our all in all. With you we lack nothing that we need. You are ever-present and almighty. You are personal and intimate. May our lives be expressions of our gratitude for our connection with you. Amen.


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Was, Is, Always Will Be

Reading: Exodus 3:10-15

Verse 14: “God said to Moses, ‘I AM who I AM.'”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Having gone to the place that one expects to meet God, Moses does just that. Having been drawn to the burning bush so that he can receive God’s word, Moses is tasked with a mission. His first response is too often ours: “Who am I that I should go to __?” In those times when it feels like God is asking much of me, I am a regular asker of this question. How about you?

God promises Moses that God will be with him. Notice that God does not assure, lift up, or coddle Moses. If God has selected him, that means that God has equipped him. The same is true for you and for me. Moses is worried about whether or not the Israelites will accept his leadership. So he wants to go with some authority. He wants a name to drop when they ask who sent him. God tells Moses to tell the people that “I AM who I AM” has sent him.

This is the perfect name for God. It says that God is here right now. This name of God can also be translated as “I am what I am” – God’s past will be both now and future. God is steadfast and can be trusted. And this name can also be translated “I will be what I will be” – the future. God is the God of the past, the present, and the future. This God who was and is and always will be is a God that Moses and the Israelites can trust. The eternal God has heard their cry and is responding. This same God will hear our prayer and will respond. In this God, may we trust.

Prayer: Lord God, you are all-powerful and all-present. From forever and into forever you will always be. You are and have been and will be peace in the storm, strength in the battle, comfort in the pain, joy in the midst of life, hope for this world and the next. You are my all in all. Thank you God! Amen.


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Ever at Work

Reading: Genesis 37:1-4 and 12-28

Verses 3 and 4: “Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons… they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.”

Photo credit: Robert Linder

This week’s Old Testament passage is very challenging. Israel’s family is settled in Canaan and the kids are growing up. There are 12 sons in all. Joseph is Israel’s favorite. In the opening verses we read, “Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons.” This is a difficult dynamic to live with. I’ve heard many older siblings say that the youngest is Mom’s or Dad’s favorite. Usually this isn’t really the case. But because this exists in most families, we can relate to Joseph or to the brothers – depending on which side of this we were on in our families. In today’s story, though, Joseph isn’t the youngest. But he is the one finally born to Rachel, the love of Israel’s life.

As you can probably imagine, this clear favoritism creates some problems. The fancy, multi-colored coat is clear evidence of the favoritism. Joseph’s tendency to tattle frequently only worsens the situation. Add in his dreams about his family bowing down to him and we pretty easily arrive at this: “they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.”

One day Israel thinks it is a good idea to send the tattletale out to check up on his brothers. As they see him coming, they begin to plot. As Joseph struts towards them in that fancy coat, their first thought is to kill him. This anger and hatred gets de-escalated into just tossing him into a dry cistern. In the end the brothers sell him to some merchants passing by. It is a win-win for the brothers. Joseph is gone forever and they have a little money in their pockets.

It is a challenging story because on the surface it does not appear that God is anywhere to be found. Sometimes it feels like that in our lives when we find ourselves in an ugly situation. And yet God is at work. God is always at work. The first challenge then is either to not sink down to a lesser level, as the brothers did, or to recognize our role in the problem, as Joseph failed to do. The second challenge is to keep looking forward and upward when we’ve failed to meet the first challenge. Even in the pit we must believe that God is at work. It is true in Joseph’s story and it will be in our story.

Prayer: Lord God, in those moments when we feel like Joseph or one of the brothers, remind us of your presence. If we’ll allow it, lead and guide us through. If we fail, come back around in love. Bring us through to see how you were at work. Thank you for your faithfulness, O God. Amen.


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Great Cost

Reading: Matthew 10:32-39

Verse 38: “Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

Returning to Matthew 10 today Jesus gets crystal clear concerning the cost of discipleship. He begins by reminding the disciples of the eternal reality: deny me here and I’ll deny you in heaven; acknowledge me here and I’ll acknowledge you in eternity. He’s asking them if they are all in.

In verses 34-37 Jesus directly addresses the cost of discipleship. He starts by telling them that he “did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Faith is a comfort; it is not meant to be comfortable. Jesus challenges us to be more like him, not more like the world. In a world where most people have wealth and possessions and power and status as their gods, to be a follower of Jesus will put us in conflict with family, friends, and neighbors.

Then, in verse 38 Jesus drives it home. Here he says, “Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” To take up one’s cross is to stand against those in power, against those with wealth, against the world’s success standards. In Jesus’ day this was the Romans and the Jewish religious leaders. It was risky, dangerous, costly. That is the path of discipleship.

Jesus closes our passage for today once again speaking of true life. When we find life in this world comfortable, easy, safe – we lose our heavenly connection. But when we are willing to die to the things of this world, we gain true life. It comes with a great cost. May we be willing.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to walk the walk each day. Give me the courage and trust to shed the things of this world, instead putting on your love and grace and mercy and compassion. Use me to invite others into the life that you offer – the beautiful, hard, joyful, challenging life of a follower of Jesus. Amen.