pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: trust


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God’s Promises

Reading: Numbers 13:25-33

Numbers 13:30 – “Now Caleb calmed the people before Moses and said, ‘We must go up and take possession of it, because we are more than able to do it.'”

This week, as we weave our way to the Jericho story and the fulfillment of some of God’s promises, we begin where most of us falter in our trust in said promises. In the story of God’s people, they have arrived on the edge of the Promised Land. In 13:1 God says to Moses, “Send out men to explore the land of Canaan, which I’m giving to the Israelites.” A leader from each of the twelve tribes is sent to explore the land which God promised to their ancestor, Abraham.

The twelve men return after exploring Canaan for forty days. Their report begins by stating that the land “actually is full of milk and honey.” This phrase is used often to describe the Promised Land – in Exodus 3 and 33, in Deuteronomy 6 and 26… It is a phrase that implies blessing and abundance. If this is actually true, then what of the promise given to Abraham and reiterated to Isaac, Jacob…?

The “but” comes next. There are powerful people living in huge fortified cities. And there are giants. The explorers mostly see challenge. Fear and doubt and mistrust rise up. Joshua and Caleb, though, see promise. It is Caleb who speaks up in faith, saying, “We must go up and take possession of it, because we are more than able to do it.” This is trusting in God’s promises. Fear, however, is greater this day. The men who felt like “grasshoppers” next to these giants convince the people that God’s promises cannot be trusted. There are giants there! They will return to wandering the desert until this generation dies off. Only Caleb and Joshua will one day enter the Promised Land.

Prayer: Lord God, in our hearts we know that your promises are true. You are always faithful and steadfast in your love for us, your people. Lord, in those moments when the world pushes up against our faith, in the times when fear and doubt rise, whisper into our hearts and minds. In your Spirit power, guide us to step forward unafraid, trusting in you alone. Amen.


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All for Us

Reading: Psalm 22:1-18

Psalm 22:7-8 – “All who see me make fun of me… ‘He committed himself to the Lord, so let God rescue him ‘”

Photo credit: Emily Crawford

In these words of David there is lament, sorrow, pain, abandonment. As we read these words we can feel what David was going through. Perhaps you, like me, connected back to an experience in your life when you felt these emotions. Jesus felt them. Throughout this Psalm we see connections to the passion of the Christ.

David begins with words Jesus echoes from the cross: “My God, my God, why have you left me all alone?” Taking the sin of the world upon himself, God could not look at Jesus. David then recalls times – both personal and corporate – when God rescued, saved, answered the prayers and cries for help. That trust and faith still wants to be there. The pain and suffering just makes it hard.

David is being “insulted by one person, despised by another.” On the cross, Jesus endured taunts, insults, mocking. In verses 7-8 we read, “All who see me make fun of me… ‘He committed himself to the Lord, so let God rescue him.'” The gospels echo these last words, spoken by the religious leaders who orchestrated Jesus’ crucifixion. In verses 9-11 there is a slight reprieve to the difficult emotions. David recalls a life committed to God. He asks for God’s presence. In the garden there are moments of intimate prayer between Jesus and God. Reflecting his own commitment and obedience, Jesus says, “Not my will…”

On the cross, as it was in the Psalm for David, it must’ve felt like everyone was against Jesus. He must’ve felt surrounded. Jesus’ life was poured out like water for us. The soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothes. Jesus was pierced in the hands and feet. All for us. All for us. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you truly hold it all in your hands. In these words that you inspired in David we see Christ’s story, played out a thousand years later. Your plan is grand. Yet you also hold each of us in your hands. You created us in the womb, designed to bear that image to the world. You walk with us daily. You are our God. Thank you. Amen.


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Professing Faith

Reading: John 19:38-42

John 19:42 – “Because it was the Jewish preparation day and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus in it.”

Even though the disciples, the 11 men who had spent three years with Jesus, were hiding behind closed doors for fear of the Jewish religious leaders, two men step up in faith. The first is Joseph of Arimathea. He was a man of wealth. He was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He was a man of status and power. Up to this point he was a “secret disciple” of Jesus. In a profession of faith, Joseph goes to Pilate and asks for Jesus’ body.

Nicodemus was also there. He also has wealth, status, power. Nicodemus first met Jesus back in John 3, when he came under cover of night. Then he did not want to risk much, but he was drawn to Jesus. Although he left that conversation likely more confused and conflicted, Jesus must’ve continued to work on Nicodemus’ heart. Here he is now, in the light of day, professing his faith in Jesus as he brings myrrh and aloes to begin to prepare the body for burial. 75 pounds is extravagant – a gift fit for a king.

Beginning the process for a proper Jewish burial, Joseph and Nicodemus wrap the body in linen clothes, along with myrrh and aloes. Time was an issue. Sunset and the start of Sabbath were drawing near. Joseph and Nicodemus laid the body in a nearby tomb, planning to return on Sunday to finish the burial process. Two men, recently declaring their faith in Jesus, did what they could in the moment to honor their Jesus.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the brave witness of Joseph and Nicodemus. They risked much as they stepped forward to care for Jesus’ body. Joseph has the platform to gain an audience with Pilate. Nicodemus has much to lose too. May we see in these men an example of faith without fear of the world, of faith filled with trust in you. Lead and guide us, O Lord, to live out loud this kind of faith. Amen.


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Even in the Valley

Reading: Psalm 13:1-2 and 5-6

Psalm 13:6 – “Yes, I will sing to the Lord because he has been good to me.”

Psalm 13 begins with a plea for God to remember and rescue. David is beset by an enemy. This could be physical – like when Saul was pursuing him or when Absalom rebelled. It could be emotional – like when he prayed to God to spare his son born of Bathsheba. David cries out to God: “How long?” In his dire situation he feels alone, like God is nowhere to be found.

At times we feel what David feels. The causes can be physical suffering, emotional battles, relational struggles, spiritual conflict. Addiction, illness, loss, grief… can also place us in the valley. Each of these circumstances and/or emotions can feel isolating. We, like David, can cry out “How long?” to God. In these days or even seasons, it can be hard to hold fast to our faith and to trust in God.

David’s thoughts turn in verse 5. He recalls times when he has trusted in God’s faithful love. We too can recall when God was real and present to us in our time of need. David then declares his faith, stating that his heart “will rejoice in your salvation.” We too can declare God’s promises and claim them as our own. In verse 6 David writes, “Yes, I will sing to the Lord because he has been good to me.” Yes, even in the valley we too can raise a song of praise to the Lord our God. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, when we feel all alone, when we cannot sense your nearness, whisper your promises into our ears. Jog our memories and nudge us to recall how you’ve been faithful again and again and again. From this place of faith and trust, put a song in our heart. Thank you, eternal one, for always walking with us. Amen.


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With Us, Every Day

Reading: Matthew 28:16-20

Matthew 28:20 – “Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”

Matthew closes his gospel with Jesus commissioning to disciples to carry on his work. There is no ascension here. Matthew is intentional in how he ends his gospel. Perhaps he picked up this idea from Mark. The abrupt end to Mark invites us to be the continuation of the story, to be the church. Matthew’s ending offers the same invitation.

Eleven disciples go to the mountain in Galilee. The women who met the risen Lord remind them of this planned gathering. In what feels curious to us at first, some disciples worship Jesus and others feel some doubt. But we too find ourselves here at times. We can feel some doubt even as we seek to cling to our faith.

Being given all authority in heaven and on earth, Jesus tells the disciples first to go. They are to go out into the world just as Jesus was out in the world. He spent also all of his ministry hours out in the world. Once our in the world, the disciples are to make new disciples. A disciple is one who repents of their sin, who trusts in Jesus for salvation, and who obeys Jesus’ teachings. Baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a public act of faith in and of surrender to Jesus Christ. Following baptism, the disciples are to teach new believers all of Jesus’ commands. This faith in and obedience to Jesus, to his teachings and example, this is the mark of a Christian and of the church.

This commission must’ve felt like a lot to the disciples. It feels like a lot to us. So may we too hear the promise Jesus makes to the disciples as his promise to us: Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us to live into our commission. Use us to draw others to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. When the task feels big, help us to hear the guidance of the Holy Spirit, your promised presence with us. Walk with us, carrying us along as needed. Amen.


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Keep at the Walk

Reading: Mark 16:1-8

Mark 16:7 – “Go, tell the disciples… You will see him there, just as he told you “

Photo credit: Aaron Burden

As originally written, Mark’s gospel seems to end abruptly and without resolution. It ends with the women fleeing in fear. They were so afraid, they didn’t say anything to anyone. That’s the original ending point. In the fourth and second centuries one verse 9 and verses 9-20 were added, respectively. In these additions the women do tell and the risen Jesus does appear to his followers. But Mark’s original ending, it really does beg the question: Why end it there, that way?!

Mark’s whole gospel is aimed at getting the church to be the church. The teachings he chooses and the parables Mark employs are all aimed at reminding the church of how Jesus taught and called them to live in the world. Chapter 16 is no different.

Mary, Mary, and Salome go and buy spices to anoint a body. Their hopes were dashed at the cross. Here they do the next thing. Church, disappointment and apparent failure will come. Keep doing the next thing. The women worry about the stone. They wonder who will move it. Here God does a thing. Church, if you are faithful, trust God to act. Inside the empty tomb an angel gives them instructions. They’re afraid. They do nothing. But we’re reading these words so the story doesn’t really end this way. Church, when God speaks something to you that feels scary or risky or hard to believe, say or do it anyway. Believe in God’s whispers, nudges, and movements. Then be amazed by what God does. This story is ongoing. The call to keep at the walk of faith, to trust and believe, to be amazed by God – that’s still our story. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to be the faithful church. Guide us on an obedient walk. When there is struggle, when there is disappointment, when there is uncertainty, when there is fear and worry – whisper words of love, nudge us with your presence, move alongside us. Use us as your church. Amen.


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Rescuer, Redeemer, Hope

Reading: Habakkuk 2:9-11

Habakkuk 2:11 – “A stone will cry out from a village wall, and a tree branch will respond.”

The book of Habakkuk wrestles with the question, “Why do the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer?” The prophet struggles with the idea that God could use the wicked for God’s own purposes. In the midst of our own suffering we too can wonder how any good can come from our suffering. In these moments, like the prophet, we must trust and lean into our good and loving God.

In our short passage Habakkuk pronounces doom on “the one making evil gain.” Babylon has used power, deceit, and dishonesty to add to their own wealth, at the expense of Israel. The prophet predicts that the ultimate outcome will be shame and death for evil Babylon. In many ways this is a timeless story. Greed and the hunger for power will always be sins that humanity struggles with. Today many people could utter the words of the prophet.

Hope comes in verse 11. The prophets hopes for a rescuer, for a Messiah. He trusts that God will redeem and restore God’s people. Hope will come through the cornerstone, through the root of Jesse. The longing of God’s people will be answered in Jesus Christ. He continues to be our rescuer, our redeemer, our hope. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, this ago-old story feels true yet today. The gap between those with and those without grows. Power becomes more consolidated. May we, your children, be the stones that cry out for justice. May we, created in your image, be the branches that bring righteousness back to the land. God, restore your people, redeem the oppressed. Amen.


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Your Will Must Be Done

Luke 22:39-46 and 67-71

Luke 22:42: – “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.”

Before looking at Luke’s account of Jesus before Caiaphas and the council, we begin in the garden, where Jesus prayed. In verses 39-46 Jesus and the disciples are in a familiar place. They are in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. In our text we see that it was Jesus’ custom to pray there regularly. As he prepared to pray he encourages the disciples, saying, “Pray that you won’t give in to temptation.” Going further into the garden, Jesus kneels and prays.

Jesus prays, “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.” He is wrestling with what lies ahead. The divine part of Jesus understands that this is God’s plan. So deep is his human anguish, though, that an angel comes and strengthens him. Jesus then prays so hard that he sweats and this appears to be like “drops of blood falling to the ground.” That is some earnest prayer. This contrasts sharply with the disciples’ approach. Faced with anguish and uncertainty and fear, they opt for sleep, being “overcome with grief.” Jesus again encourages them to pray.

Now we turn to Jesus’ encounter with Caiaphas and the council. This is a group chat here, not a one-on-one conversation. In response to queries about being the Christ, Jesus quotes here from Psalm 110, not Joel 7. Yet the general idea is the same. Jesus gives a non-answer to the question: “You say that I am.” They really don’t, just as they didn’t in Matthew’s gospel. Jesus is allowing God’s will to be done here. The story will continue as the council brings this “blasphemous” Jesus to Pilate. The charges change as they enter the political arena. The train rolls on.

Prayer: Lord God, give us the strength of Jesus in our moments of trial and temptation. Open our eyes and hearts to your bigger plans, to your purposes. When we are human, tempted to sleep or otherwise deal with the hard emotions or realities, strengthen us by your Spirit, keeping us from giving into temptation. Empower our faithful obedience to your will and way. Amen.


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Our Daily Choice

Reading: Daniel 6:4-16

Daniel 6:10c – “Daniel knelt down, prayed, and praised his God three times a day, just like he always did.”

Photo credit: Noah Silliman

Today’s small peak into Daniel’s story reminds us of how hard it can be at times to choose to stay in love with God. Daniel has consistently chosen to do good in his role as an administrator. His work is without fault. Even though he is living in exile, along with most of Israel, Daniel has made an intentional choice to “stay in love with God.”

As our reading begins we see that the other administrators and officials – all 122 of them – are trying to find a way to do harm to Daniel. They are jealous and want to take him down. Finding no fault with his work, they sink to trying to use his faith against him. Tricking the king into writing a law about praying only to the king, these men find a way to possibly be rid of Daniel.

In verse 10 we read that Daniel is fully aware of this new law. As we press on we read, “Daniel knelt down, prayed, and praised his God three times a day, just like he always did.” Daniel chose to continue doing what he always did. The crowd bursts in and catches Daniel praying to God. Despite the king’s best efforts, Daniel is thrown into the lion’s den. (The story does not end here!)

In that moment, when choosing God really mattered, Daniel chose to do what he did every day to nourish his faith, to deepen his relationship with God. In our moment, when practicing our faith might place us in harm’s way, will we make Daniel’s choice? If our daily choice is the same – taking time every day to invest in our faith and in our relationship with God – then we are likely to find the courage and faith to trust God and to step forward in faith. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, how beautiful is Daniel’s slow and sure walk of faith. Again and again you proved worthy of his trust and devotion. First, Lord, guide us to such a place of deep faith as we daily invest in our own relationship with you. And then, in the moment, give us the courage to continue to walk the walk. Amen.


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In Faith, Stand Sure

Reading: James 1:2-6

James 1:2 – “My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy.”

Photo credit: Diego Gennaro

James 1 picks up on the spirit and ideas we read about a couple days ago in Romans 5. In verse 2 James writes, “My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy.” This statement catches us a bit off guard. Tests… joy? We may not normally associate these two words. Like Paul, though, James looks at the end game. The testing we encounter provides us with an opportunity to practice endurance. James encourages us to let this endurance “complete its work.” If we do so, we emerge with a faith that is “fully mature, complete, lacking nothing.” This is the goal of our journey of faith.

This enduring is not always easy. In the depth of the dark valley we can be tempted to abandon our faith. In the heat of the trial, we can think it’d be easier to profess someone or something other than Jesus or faith. Timothy’s response to these realities? Ask for wisdom from God. Seek guidance and direction for how to endure. James reminds us that it is God’s nature to give. So ask!

Our passage closes with another word of encouragement: “Ask in faith, without doubt.” In faith and trust, believe that God is present and will walk with us through the valley and trials. Don’t be tossed and turned by the things of this world but stand sure in the Lord. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, as we’ve walked this walk of faith we have experienced the power found in your presence. We have stood firm and emerged from the testing stronger and more assured in our faith. Thank you for your constant presence and your faithful work in us. Amen.