pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Path of Righteousness

Reading: Proverbs 16

‭Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride comes before disaster, and arrogance before a fall.”

Photo credit: Nadine Shaabana

Today’s reading contains mostly examples of how to live in alignment with God’s will and way. Verses 1 and 9 summarize this idea well. In these verses we are reminded that although we plan our path using our hearts, it is God who answers our plans and who secures our plans/path. The sage reminds us that God “tests our motives” too. Are our plans and the desires of our hearts pure? Are they aligned with God’s heart?

Many of today’s verses speak to answering this question. If we commit our work (and our lives) to God, then our plans will succeed. If we see and work towards God’s purposes, if we walk the right and good road, then God will be glorified. If we seek wisdom, then we will have insightful speech and can offer enhanced teaching. Verse 31 reminds us that we’re long-term projects: “Gray hair is a crown of glory.” Eventually this is found “on the path of righteousness.”

There’s a bit of practical advice in today’s verses. Honest scales and balances are God’s way. Integrity and honesty matter in God’s world. Therefore, “better a little with righteousness than great profits without justice.”

And there are warnings today too. It is important to remember the outcomes of wicked or evil choices. The Lord “detests” arrogance and pride, evil deeds, and slanderous and gossipy speech. All of these behaviors run against God’s will and way and against God’s plans and purposes for our world and for our lives. Yet these sins are ever before us, tempting us to walk the world’s path. With God’s strength and presence, may we instead choose to walk the path of righteousness. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, it is so easy, so tempting, so alluring to simply choose the way and path of the world. So, God, pour out your Spirit’s wisdom and power, enabling us to choose your path of righteousness. Amen.


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Right Living

Readings: Proverbs 12 and 13

‭Proverbs 13:13 – “Trouble will come on those who despise a word, but those who respect the commandment will be rewarded.”

One theme that we see in today’s readings is the value of being willing to listen to God. Fools tend to think that their way is the right way but the wise are willing and open to advice. A wise son (or daughter) listens while mockers do not. Parents who love their children discipline them. Those who withhold discipline “hate their children.” When we choose to listen to and to follow God’s will and ways, we grow in both wisdom and in our faith.

We also grow in God’s favor. This is a second theme that we see today. God favors the good but condemns the wicked. The way of the righteous leads to life. The detestable path of the wicked leads to death. As the righteous walk this good path, they rejoice in the light. The lamp of the wicked will go out, leaving them in darkness. May our light shine for all to see.

This theme of right living is also revealed in how we impact or affect others. The plans of the righteous are just and their words are full of truth. This gives good guidance to their neighbors. The wicked deceive, leaving neighbors to wander. There’s a personal application too. Righteousness guards our words and our lives. Wickedness only misleads. Actions matter too. The prudent act intelligently but fools display stupidity. Walk with the wise and become wiser. Befriend fools and invite trouble.

We also find some practical advice in today’s readings. If one works the land, they will have plenty to eat. Empty pursuits yield nothing good. The lazy have strong desires but get nothing. The diligent are satisfied. Not wealthy, but satisfied, content, blessed. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, in all we do and say and think, may we honor you and bring you the glory. In all that we seek, work, and strive for, may we consider first your will and your way. In our interactions and encounters, may our lives be a witness to your design and purposes for our lives and for our world. Amen.


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Wait for the Lord…

Readings: Psalms 128-130

‭Psalm 130:6 – “My whole being waits for my Lord — more than the night watch waits for morning; yes, more than the night watch waits for morning!”

Today’s three Psalms form the rest of the “Songs of Ascent.” Now, that’s not to say that Psalm 17 or Psalm 136 couldn’t be sung on one’s way up to Jerusalem. This is so because just like yesterday’s Psalms 120-127 and just like almost any “set” of Psalms, within these three we find cries to God, oppression by the wicked, trust in God to act, and praises for God’s blessings and presence.

Psalm 128 equated being faithful and working hard to having a truly happy life. It offers blessings for a fruitful wife who produces many children, who are like “freshly planted olive trees.” It closes with a hope to “see your grandchildren” – to experience long life, another sign of God’s blessing.

The psalmist cries out for relief in Psalm 129. The enemy has “plowed my back like farmers.” This implies being scourged. Yet God rescued the writer. He or she prays the enemy would be like “grass on the roof” – that they’d experience a very short life because they are evil.

Today’s reading closes with Psalm 130. It is part cry for help, part recognition of God’s great mercy, part encouragement to “wait for the Lord!” The psalmist is in need of forgiveness. They cry out for mercy. They are grateful that “forgiveness is in you” and they acknowledge that without God’s mercy, no one would make it. So they wait eagerly, “More than the night watch waits for morning!” The repetition emphasizes their desperation. The Psalm closes by encouraging Israel to also wait for the Lord. May we do so as well.

Prayer: Lord God, you are so good to us. Your mercy never ends, your grace abounds, your love never fails. You are our guide and our strength, our shield and our defender, our gracious redeemer and our sure hope. Thank you, O Lord our God! Amen.


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Human Wants

Readings: Nehemiah 5, Nehemiah 6, Nehemiah 7

Nehemiah 6:16 – “The nations around us were afraid and their confidence was greatly shaken. They knew that this work was completed with the help of our God.”

Internal unrest almost derails the building process. Taxes had gone up due to Persia’s growing war with Greece. A famine has set in. As is almost always the case, these factors hit the poor the hardest. And is often the case, the wealthy and powerful take advantage of the most vulnerable. How little things have changed in 2,000+ years. The poor (roughly 95% of the population) find themselves indebted to the small landowning class. The poor are losing what little they have. Some children have become slaves and more are on their way. The righteous Nehemiah intervenes on behalf of the poor. Land and homes and interest and slaves are returned or freed. The work continues.

External opposition attempts to strike next. Sanballat and Geshem try to lure Nehemiah away to a quiet secluded place… Their human want is for power. They want to eliminate this political rival. After Nehemiah refuses four invitations, they send a letter accusing him of treasonous acts. He replies, “You are simply inventing this.” Tobiah and Sanballat try hiring an Israelite to sullen Nehemiah’s reputation. But God helps him to see and avoid this trap as well.

The wall is finished – in 52 days! This is so amazing that “The nations around us were afraid and their confidence was greatly shaken. They knew that this work was completed with the help of our God.” The gate doors are built and hung. The priests and Levites are appointed to their roles. Hanani and Hananiah are appointed to rule over Jerusalem. This should be easy – it’s almost uninhabited at this point. No homes have been rebuilt. Nehemiah then registers all the families that returned from exile. This list is almost an exact match to the one in Ezra 2 – except there are more singers. The people return to their towns and villages. The spiritual work on the people’s hearts begins in tomorrow’s reading.

Prayer: Lord God, you walk faithfully with Nehemiah and with your people. Yet some forget. This leads to the human tendency to want to accumulate. This want resides in us too. When that tendency surfaces – whether for things or for power – when that desires calls, remind us that we are to be stewards not hoarders, caretakers not overlords. Remind us of our call to love all of your children. Amen.


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Confident and Trusting

Readings: Nehemiah 1, Nehemiah 2, Nehemiah 3, Nehemiah 4

Nehemiah 4:14 – “Don’t be afraid of them! Remember that the LORD is great and awesome! Fight for your families… sons… daughters… wives… houses!”

Nehemiah is the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. He lives a comfortable life in the palace of the Persian king. One day some Jews returning from Jerusalem bring him news from Judah: “The captives are in great trouble and shame.” Moved by his God, Nehemiah fasts, weeps, and prays for days. Returning to work, he is still visibly upset. The king notices and inquires. In the end, Nehemiah heads to Jerusalem with letters of protection and support from the king.

The local officials are unhappy that he has arrived to rebuild Jerusalem. After rest, he secretly inspects the walls and gates at night. Gathering the Jewish leaders he basically says, ‘We’re in trouble.’ He calls them to rebuild and they respond enthusiastically. Chapter 3 contains a long list of the families that took part. The team effort and sense of connection is evident. It is based upon their identity found in God.

Sanballat and Tobiah and others oppose the work. Making fun of them turns to insulting them and then it becomes a plan to attack the Jews. News of this comes to Nehemiah and he responds by organizing the workers into family groups. He gives them this encouragement: “Don’t be afraid of them! Remember that the LORD is great and awesome! Fight for your families… sons… daughters… wives… houses!” Half the men work while half stand guard, weapons in hand. The people stay in Jerusalem overnight instead of going back home, thwarting an attack at night. Work continues to progress.

Nehemiah leads well, trusting in the God who stirred his heart to go to rebuild his ancestral home. When God or the Spirit or the Word stirs our heart, may we be as confident and trusting in the Lord.

Prayer: Lord God, what a sure faith Nehemiah had. He heard and responded and was then guided by you. Give us ears to hear, O Lord. Open our hearts to respond. Encourage our faith as we seek to serve you. Bless the work. Amen.


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Clearly at Work

Readings: Ruth 3 and Ruth 4

Ruth 3:10 – “May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter! You have acted even more faithfully than you did at first.”

Today’s passage begins with Naomi caring for Ruth. It is a bit of a role reversal but she is the one from this culture. Naomi lays out a plan for Ruth to find a husband and Boaz is the ideal choice. He has been generous and righteous, kind and protective. He has not taken advantage of this situation. Ruth receives instructions and works the plan. This is very risky. Women don’t go to the threshing floor – especially in the middle of the night. And women certainly don’t ask men about things like marriage. But that’s the plan. All goes well. Then the waiting begins.

Boaz goes that morning to the city gate. It is where transactions are made. He is intent on talking with the closer relative. Gathering ten elders as witnesses, Boaz explains the situation – mostly. The closest of kin is willing to buy the land to preserve the family inheritance. Next, Boaz says, you also get Ruth the Moabite too – to preserve the family name too. This is one step too far for the next of kin. They make a formal agreement – sandal and all – Boaz will redeem the land and he will marry Ruth.

The sticking point for the next of kin is marrying a foreign woman. Strictly speaking, he is adhering to the Law. Yet God is clearly at work in a new way here in the book of Ruth. Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz are a part of it. The women in town declare that Ruth is “better for you than seven sons.” In that time and culture ,what a statement! The child born to Boaz and Ruth is named Obed – “the one who serves God.” Our reading closes with some genealogy. It goes like this: Obed -> Jesse -> David. That line eventually ends with -> Jesus. If the line of David and Jesus includes a Moabite woman, then maybe we, as people of faith, should likewise welcome “the other.”

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for this beautiful story. It is living faith as it is meant to be lived – caring for one another, honoring you in all that is said and done, elevating righteousness and faithfulness as our guiding lights. Lead us day by day to walk in these ways. Amen.


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God at Work

Readings: Judges 13, Judges 14, Judges 15, Judges 16

Judges 15:14 – “The LORD’s spirit rushed over him, the ropes on his arms became like burned-up linen.”

Today we read about Samson. He is the last major judge. Evil has befallen Israel and God has given them over to the Philistines – for 40 years. The messenger of the Lord comes to a Danite woman and tells her that she will have a son. Because he will be a nazarite, she must keep the vows while pregnant. Samson is born and as he grows up, the Lord blesses him.

Samson falls in love with a Philistine woman – much to his parents displeasure. He demands that they get her for his wife. They do not realize that God is at work. Samson kills a lion bare-handed and on a later trip discovers honey in the carcass. This becomes the basis for his wedding riddle. Samson’s wife nags the answer out of him and she tells her people. He reacts violently, killing 30 men to get the 30 sets of clothing to pay off his wedding riddle. He exits quickly and the woman is married to another. Later this news leads an angry Samson to use foxes and torches to burn the Philistines’ grain. Samson is turned over to the Philistines but God is with him once more. Freed, he uses a jaw bone to kill 1,000 Philistines. God then brings water from a rock to revive and reenergize a tired Samson.

Samson then meets, falls in love with, and marries Delilah. The Philistines offer her 1,100 pieces of silver for the secret to his strength. After three failed attempts and a lot of nagging, he tells her. He awakens and thinks he’ll just escape this too. But he is captured. They gouge his eyes out and put him to slave labor. During a celebration to their god Dagon, Samson is brought in to perform. He asks God for one last time of strength. Samson collapses the temple, killing the Philistine rulers, freeing God’s people.

Samson breaks all of his vows. He allows lust, anger, and revenge to lead him to some horrific decisions and actions. And yet God remains at work. Samson will not be rescued or redeemed, but through him God’s people will be.

Prayer: Lord God, you are ever at work. In the hardest of situations you still can bring about your desired outcome. Help us to heed today’s warnings about the outcome of lust, anger, and revenge. Amen.


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Plans

Readings: Exodus 25, Exodus 26, Exodus 27

‭Exodus‬ ‭25:40… – “See to it that you make them according to the blueprint for them that you were shown on the mountain.”

Today’s readings shift into the building of the tabernacle. The great detail and planning remind us once again that God is good and ordered and creative. All of these details and specifications and vision for the tabernacle were given to Moses by God when he was on the mountaintop. Over and over we read, “See to it that you make them according to the blueprint for them that you were shown on the mountain.” God has a plan and calls Moses and then Israelites to follow the plan exactly. As I pondered application for today’s readings, it came to me: our lives are much like the construction of the tabernacle. God has given us a detailed plan. We read three chapters from it today. Within that plan, in the gospels God even gives us a perfect example of what following the plan exactly looks like. And to boot God gifts us with the Holy Spirit, the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ that leads and guides us.

There is great detail in the plans and in the execution of the plan. We find exact dimensions. We find specific colors and designs. We see specific metals used for specific spaces and purposes. We see talents and gifts put to use to execute God’s plan for the tabernacle. As I read through these chapters I imagined each step and what each item looked like. I envisioned the final product. As Moses received these instructions on the mountain I bet he tried to see each item and the final product as God laid out the plan. This thought draws me back to the Holy Spirit – that indwelling presence that knows God’s plans for our lives and works and prays and works to shape and guide and lead and make us into who and what God created us to be. I wonder: In what ways are we contributing to the Holy Spirit’s efforts in our lives?

What also struck me today was the people’s commitment. Every single thing they used for the tabernacle came from them. Every single thing. In the same way, the church (not the building but the church) relies on each of us to be a part of bringing God’s light and love into the world. What are you bringing?

Prayer: Lord God, we see a wonderful and detailed plan for the tabernacle. You have the same kind of plan for our lives and for our churches. Move us to active involvement in the completion of these plans. Amen.


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What a Tale!

Readings: Genesis 28:10-22, Genesis 29, Genesis 30

Genesis 29:30 – “Jacob slept with Rachel, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. He worked for Laban seven more years.”

Photo credit: Patrick Schneider

As we wrap up chapter 28 Jacob has a dream. He sees a stairway connecting earth and heaven. The Lord appears to Jacob and reiterates the covenant promises made to Abraham and to Isaac: many descendants and the promised land. The Lord also adds promises of presence, protection, and guidance. Jacob recognizes the sacredness of this place and of this encounter. He sets up a sacred pillar and names the place “Bethel” – the house of God. And, yet, Jacob’s faith is still immature. In verse 20 he begins, “If God…” The relationship is still very conditional.

In chapter 29 Jacob arrives in Haran and soon meets Rachel and then Laban, her dad. Laban welcomes Jacob. After a month, Laban asks Jacob’s price for his labor. Jacob offers 7 years of labor in exchange for marrying Rachel. After 7 years, the night comes. There is a great banquet and much celebration. Jacob awakens in the morning to find Leah in his tent. He must work 7 more years for Rachel. Older before the younger, you know – customs!

What follows next would put the best ever soap opera to great shame. Leah is unloved so God opens her womb. She thought sons would make Jacob love her. After son 4, she instead praises God for the gift of another son. To get in the game Rachel gives her servant girl to Jacob. This produces 2 sons. To try to again win his favor (or to compete with her sister), Leah gives her servant girl to Jacob. 2 more sons. Then God “responds” to Leah again – 2 more sons and a daughter! Finally God “remembers” Rachel and she bears Jacob a son, taking away her shame.

In Genesis 30:25 Jacob declares his desire to go back home. But he has no wealth. He worked 14 years to pay the customary bride price. He had left home with nothing. Laban sees Jacob’s presence has blessed him, so he agrees to an arrangement to build Jacob’s flocks – the only measure of wealth at this time. Both men try to trick and outwit the other. Laban steals livestock and Jacob manipulates the mating. Jacob ends up “very, very rich.” What a tale we are weaving! The story continues tomorrow.

Prayer: Lord God, blessing, competition, jealousy, the gift of children, trickery and theft. Phew! Promises, a God who sees, provides, loves. Ah… Today we turn pages and read an almost unfathomable tale. And then we pause and realize that this is still our world, still our lives today. Lord, when we are tempted by status or power or possessions, remind us of where we find our true identity and worth – in our relationship with 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.