pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Judge, Rescuer, Creator

Readings: Psalms 5-8

‭Psalm 7:8 – “The LORD will judge the peoples. Establish justice for me, LORD, according to my righteousness and according to my integrity.”

Photo credit: Michael Michelovski

Psalms 5-7 are Psalms of lament and sorrow. All three cry out to God, lifting cries for rescue, protection, deliverance – all from those who do evil, whether it is those in the world or if the evil is within us. The psalmist(s) cry out, “Hear my words, Lord!”… “Have mercy on me, Lord” … “Get up, Lord; get angry!” There is an urgency and there is a trust that God will act. This trust is built on God’s “abundant, faithful love” and on a God who is “a righteous judge.” In the end, there is a belief that our good, loving, just God will surely triumph over evil.

These Psalms also express a sure need for God. In Psalm 5: “Make your way clear, right in front of me.” We need guidance. In Psalm 6: “Come back to me, Lord! Deliver me.” We need God’s presence and God’s rescue. In Psalm 7: “Save me from all who chase me!” We need God’s deliverance. Each Psalm acknowledges that there is evil in the world that we cannot overcome on our own. We saw this in Job’s story. In 7:8 the psalmist writes: “The LORD will judge the peoples. Establish justice for me, LORD, according to my righteousness and according to my integrity.” Job could’ve spoken these words. We would like to be able to speak these words.

There is a strong shift as we turn to Psalm 8. It is a Psalm of Praise sprinkled in amongst the laments. It is needed after Psalms 5-7. The Psalm opens and closes by acknowledging the majesty of God. This is noticed in the night sky – the works of God’s fingers. The vastness and majesty of the stars and moon is initially contrasted with the smallness of humanity. The author asks, “What are human beings that you pay attention to them?” Well, they are divinely made in God’s image and they are tasking with caring well for God’s creation. Both of these are awesome responsibilities. In these roles may we strive to reflect God’s spirit, intention, and purpose in creation, shining brightly for all to see.

Prayer: Lord God, today we hear the cries of the psalmist(s) for your presence, for your justice, for your righteousness, for your power and might. When we are in need, remind us of these words and of the trust and faith contained in them. And, Lord, when we have the opportunity to care well for one another and for all other parts of your creation, may your generous love guide us. Amen.


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God Surrounds Us

Readings: Psalms 1-4

‭Psalms 4:1 – “Answer me when I cry out… Set me free from my troubles! Have mercy on me! Listen to my prayer!”

Today we begin the Psalms. These words of lament and praise have guided and given voice to faith and suffering for thousands of years. They invite us to walk this road too. Originally the Psalms were Israel’s song book. As do our hymns and praise songs today, the Psalms tell the history and the theology of the people of faith – both then and now.

Psalms 1 and 2 serve as an introduction to almost all that follows in Psalms 3-150. Psalm 1 focuses on living according to God’s instruction and Psalm 2 focuses on the kingship of God. Psalm 1 begins with a list of don’ts. If one wants to be truly happy (or blessed) then don’t do these things. We all have our own list. Instead, the psalmist invites us to recite God’s word day and night. In the original Hebrew the word we translate ‘recite’ would have meant literally mumbling or uttering God’s word under one’s breath all of the time.

Psalm 2 acknowledges that the world (i.e. – the wicked) takes its stand against God and against God’s anointed. The one called “son,” the one who shall reign over “all nations” – we read that as Jesus. The psalmist advises the world to worship this king “reverently” and with “trembling.” And again the theme: take refuge in God and be truly happy.

Psalms 3 and 4 are attributed to David. Both are about crying out to God. In Psalm 3 David is hard-pressed by Absalom’s rebellion and pursuit. While we might not be kings facing a coup, we deal with oppressors and others who want to do us harm. In many ways and in many situations we too can cry out, “Answer me when I cry out… Set me free from my troubles! Have mercy on me! Listen to my prayer!” And because God is ever faithful, figuratively and literally, we can “lie down and fall asleep in peace.” God surrounds us always. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you do fill our hearts with joy. Your face does shine upon us. We do not need to fear because you save and you rescue. When we rant and rave like the world, draw us to the Lord our refuge. Be intimately acquainted with our ways, O Lord, as we strive to grow intimately acquainted with your ways. Amen.


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Thorns…

Readings: Joshua 12, Joshua 13, Joshua 14, Joshua 15, Joshua 16, Joshua 17

Joshua 16:10 – “But they didn’t remove the…”

Our reading today begins with a summary of the kings defeated by Moses and by Joshua. Moses’ efforts have a lot more detail. This follows the pattern found in Deuteronomy. Joshua’s efforts are simply a list of 31 names. In chapter 13 we learn that Joshua is old and “much of the land remains to be taken over.” There are many pockets of Canaanite tribes remaining here and there. The land east of the Jordan is then allocated to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and to half of the tribe of Manasseh.

Chapter 14 begins the process of assigning land west of the Jordan. Joshua, Eleazar, and tribal leaders assign a “legacy” to the remaining 9 1/2 tribes by lot. Caleb comes forward and requests the land that Moses promised him 45 years ago. Zelophehad’s daughters are later given a legacy, fulfilling another of Moses’ promises.

Judah, Ephraim, and the other half tribe of Manasseh are assigned legacies, determined by lot. It is interesting that Judah’s legacy is thoroughly detailed – it includes the names of 94 individual cities. Ephraim and Manasseh’s legacies are briefly described. No cities are even mentioned. At the end of chapter 17, Ephraim and Manasseh question the size of their inheritance. Permission is granted to expand by clearing forest, claiming more land for themselves.

Again and again in today’s readings we come across some version of “But they didn’t remove the…” Israel allows many Canaanite tribes to live amongst them in the Promised Land. These will become “thorns in your side” (Numbers 33:55.) When we too leave footholds in our hearts for the things of this world, they can and often do become thorns in our lives.

Prayer: Lord God, we see continued order and purpose as you allocate legacies or inheritances to Israel. You still lead and guide us in these ways of order and purpose. We also see little disobediences today – things that will lead to trouble for Israel. Help us to see these dangers in our lives too. Lead and guide and empower us in the conquest of these potential traps and dangers. Amen.


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Simple, Challenging, Difficult

Readings: Deuteronomy 9, Deuteronomy 10, Deuteronomy 11, Deuteronomy 12

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 – “Revere the LORD… by walking in all his ways, by loving him, by serving the LORD… with all your heart and being… by keeping the LORD’s commandments.”

Chapter 9 begins with a reminder – keep the credit where the credit is due. God is the consuming fire… It is the other nation’s wickedness, not Israel’s goodness, that is driving God’s actions. Moses then reviews the whole golden bull calf incident as a case in point. He reminds Israel that they did not trust and did not obey. He reminds them that they were rebellious. And Moses reminds them of how he interceded to save them.

In the middle of chapter 10 we find a great question. After reviewing all that God has done for Israel, the question is this: “What does the Lord ask of you?” Moses says, “Only this: to revere the LORD… by walking in all his ways, by loving him, by serving the LORD… with all your heart and being,and by keeping the LORD’s commandments.” Show God with all that you are that God is all you are. Now, the people are not there yet. Just as we aren’t there yet. So Moses implores them to “circumcise” their hearts, to cut away what makes them stubborn, disobedient, rebellious. This is the spirit of the season of Lent, which we are invited to enter today, beginning the process of aligning our hearts more closely with God’s heart.

Moses then reviews (again) God’s mighty acts in the exodus story. It is because of these things that the people should choose obedience to the commandments. And so that God will bring rain, abundant crops… Here we find another “watch yourself.” Don’t be like the Canaanites… To counter what will be a temptation, place God’s commands on hands and foreheads, on doorframes and city gates. Remind yourself over and over of God’s ways. Keep them ever before you, literally.

Chapter 12 calls for Israel to set up a central place of worship. God warns them of the distraction that idol worship will be. Accordingly they are to completely destroy all aspects of Canaanite worship. God then makes an allowance for the slaughter of animals away from what will become Jerusalem. The prohibition against consuming blood remains. We also find two more “watch yourself” statements. Don’t forget the Levites and don’t follow or seek Canaanite religion. Do good and be blessed. Disobey and be cursed. It’s generally simple. It’s also challenging and difficult.

Prayer: Lord God, you call Israel to you and to you alone. You tell them to keep away from the trappings of the world. You desire to be our all in all too. So strengthen and encourage us to walk faithfully and obediently. Guide us in the ways that we should go. Amen.


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Speaking and Living Truth

Readings: Numbers 22, Numbers 23, Numbers 24, Numbers 25

Numbers 22:38 – “I’ve now come to you. But I’m only able to speak whatever word God gives me to say. That is what I will speak.”

Most of today’s readings cover the story of Balaam. He is an Aramean seer. As Israel camps across the Jordan from Jericho, the Moabites are filled with fear. They are aware of what Israel just did to Arad, Sihon, and Og, seizing control of the lands east of the Jordan. So Moab’s king Balak hires Balaam to come and curse Israel. While traveling to Moab, Balaam has an encounter with his donkey and with the messenger of the Lord. Three times his trip is interrupted. God reiterates the command to speak for God. Upon meeting Balak, Balaam says, “I’ve now come to you. But I’m only able to speak whatever word God gives me to say. That is what I will speak.” Three times Balak tries to get Balaam to curse Israel. Three times Balaam blesses Israel and responds to an angry Balak by reiterating his command to speak the Lord’s words.

The blessings become greater as the story unfolds. It begins with ‘how can I curse what God doesn’t curse?’ Then the words speak of how Israel will rise like a lioness, devouring its prey. The blessing culminates as the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Balaam. He speaks three oracles that foreshadow Israel devouring specific Canaanite tribes. Clearly God is with Israel. Placed in a very difficult situation and tempted with wealth and status, Balaam remains faithful to speaking God’s words. We will find ourselves in situations where we feel pressure to go along with the crowd or to bow to the powers on hand. We’ll be tempted by what we can gain by not speaking God’s word. In those hard places may we remember Balaam and the trust and faith he displayed in the midst of worldly powers.

Our reading closes with a story that illustrates the dangers of succumbing to the ways of the world around us. Israelite men have sex with Moabite women. This leads to idolatry, to death, and to a plague. An Israelite man then brings a Midianite woman into camp to have sex. Phinehas responds violently. He is jealous for the Lord. The plagues ends. 24,000 have died. God instructs Moses to destroy the Midianites. Allowing ourselves to be negatively influenced by the world can pull us away from our faith too. But, is the trouble not really within us?

Prayer: Lord God, what stark contrasts we have today. Alone in the midst of the world, Balaam speaks truth. Intermingling with the world around them, Israel fails to live truth. Guide us, Lord, and empower us, O Spirit, to speak and to live the ways of truth. Amen.


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Holy Living

Readings: Leviticus 19, Leviticus 20, Leviticus 21, Leviticus 22, Leviticus 23

Leviticus 20:26 – “You must be holy to me, because I the LORD am holy, and I have separated you from all other peoples to be my own.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Today’s readings are all about living as a holy people. Each of these laws or instructions rest upon the same foundation: God is holy so God’s people need to be holy. This foundation is the ethical, moral, and spiritual standard for living in community with God and with God’s people.

Although chapter 19 can feel like a hodge podge of topics – don’t lie, don’t turn to idols, leave some crops for the needy, no cross breeding, no cuttings or tattoos – taken as a whole, they can be summed up in verse 18: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” This is half of the shemah, the daily Jewish prayer. We’ll add the other half as we read in Deuteronomy.

The practice of worshipping Molech begins chapter 20. The practice of this Canaanite religion is strictly prohibited. This is followed by sexual prohibitions. In this chapter the practice of idolatry is equated with prostitution and adultery. The root need for these prohibitions is summed up in verse 23: “You must not follow the practices of the nations that I am throwing out.” Instead, for the Israelites, “You must be holy to me, because I the LORD am holy, and I have separated you from all other peoples to be my own.” God is holy so God’s people need to be holy.

Chapters 21 and 22 deal with special laws for the priests. The call to holy living is elevated when applied to the priests. They are set apart from the people set apart. The priests are to be living examples of God’s holiness. This is why priests with imperfections are limited in their service.

Our reading for today closes in chapter 23 with instructions for the holy or sacred times. Note that this section begins with a reminder to keep the Sabbath. This weekly observance is essential to holy living. The yearly events remember and celebrate significant events with God. The Passover and connected Festival of Unleavened Bread celebrate the exodus. The Festival of Weeks begins with thanks for the first fruits and concludes by thanking God for the harvest. The Festival of Booths remembers their time in the wilderness, where God provided again and again. The Day of Reconciliation is also included. This celebrates God’s mercy and grace and forgiveness.

Each day and each festival reminds the people of God’s love and care. They remind the people of God’s holiness and of their call to reflect this holiness. To remember and to celebrate reinforces their faith and their commitment to God. May we too remember and celebrate the ways that our holy God has touched our lives, calling us to be holy as God is holy.

Prayer: Lord God, flowing through these chapters we see again and again the call to holy living and to live as a people set apart from the ways of the world. Strengthen our understanding of these calls and empower us to live holy and faithful lives as people in but not of the world. Amen.


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Who Do You Know?

Reading: John 1:1-14

Verse 12: “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

Photo credit: Nathan Lemon

Today’s reading is one of my favorites in the Bible. It is poetic and flowing and beautiful. It speaks of Jesus’ forever nature, of his light, and of his invitation into the kingdom of God. I find and feel great hope in these words and in the way that they open the circle of God’s love to all people.

Hope and light and love and welcome are often in short supply in our world. The power systems that drive materialism and greed and many other -isms are systems built on fear and darkness and hate and exclusion. They are designed to hold onto power while keeping others powerless. To varying degrees we are all affected by these systems. And those on the fringes are disproportionately affected.

While Jesus came to be hope and light and love and welcome, he also came to build the church. In verse 12 we read, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” As children of God, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we bear his hope and light and love and welcome to the world. We are called to bring hope to the despairing, to shine light on the darkness, to love those deemed unlovable and unworthy, to welcome the powerless, the lonely, the marginalized, the outcasts… These are the responsibilities of being a child of God, of living as a brother or sister of Christ Jesus.

Now, let’s take a moment to get personal. Who do you know that is currently despairing? Who do you know that is struggling with some darkness? Who do you know that thinks they are unworthy of love? Who do you know that is powerless or is isolated by the systems of this world? And most importantly, how will you be hope or light or love or welcome to that specific person?

Prayer: Lord God, open our eyes and hearts to the needs of those we know. Once we see the needs, Lord, move us to action, to loving as Jesus loved, to serving as he served, to sacrificing as he sacrificed. Use us today to build your kingdom here and now. Amen.


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Bringing the Good News

Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10

Verse 7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace… who proclaim salvation.”

Photo credit: Gary Butterfield

Our Isaiah 52 passed is viewed through our New Testament lens as a passage about Jesus. These words certainly “fit” Jesus and the ministry that he offered to his world. The good news of Jesus Christ brought peace to the afflicted and troubled. It brought salvation from those things that kept people bound up and outside of community and wholeness. As disciples and followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to share this same good news with our world.

In today’s Disciplines devotional Cherisna Jean-Marie writes this: “Peace is a human right that comes only when justice is realized” (page 428.) In the devo she shares many injustices – police brutality and violence, immoral elected officials, the inequity of pay for the same job. I could add hunger and poverty, discrimination, and unequal health care and education to her list. You could probably add to the list too. None of these things are things that Jesus would’ve tolerated.

In our status quo world we mistakenly think peace is the absence of unrest or other disturbance. At school a few years ago some of my classmates and I were walking to get frozen custard. Suddenly sirens blared and tires screeched and two officers jumped out of their car in pursuit of two teenage skateboarders. All but one of us craned our necks to watch the pursuit. A bit later, as we ate our custard, one of the white, middle class students began to push back against the BLM movement prevalent at the time and on campus. To help him and most of us understand, my friend Will shared that while we were craning our necks, his first instinct was to run. Although a straight-A student who had never had a run-in with the police, “run!” was his first instinct. He grew up in the city. My eyes were opened.

This is just one example that helped me to realize that many injustices exist, even though they are outside of my little world. Just because there are currently no major protests in our cities – it doesn’t mean many people’s first instinct isn’t to run. Again, this is just one example of many ways that our world is unjust. Without total justice there can be no true peace. Without justice there is a need for salvation. May we be the hands and feet and voices that bring the good news to all people.

Prayer: Lord God, open my eyes to the injustices in my neighborhood and community. Help me to see and feel where there is no peace. Move me, O God of justice, to be your voice, your hands, your feet, your heart in bringing about a world where all people experience your salvation and fullness of life. Amen.


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A Child Is Born

Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7

Verse 6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.”

Photo credit: Ben White

Chapter 9 begins by speaking of one who will “honor Galilee of the Gentiles.” While this verse is not in today’s passage, it is important to recognize the messianic implications given in the lead-in into today’s prophecy from Isaiah. Jesus will minister to and connect to the Gentiles – which was considered anyone outside of the Jewish faith.

The prophecy begins, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” There are many ways that one can walk in the darkness. The primary way is living outside of a relationship with the Lord. Living in the world and following the ways of the world provide ample opportunities to be selfish, greedy, prideful… To know Jesus is to know the light. His light exposes these evils and lights our path, drawing us into a personal relationship with him.

In verse 4 we read that “you have shattered the yoke that burdens them.” There are many ways that the Lord can do this. We often first think of Jesus breaking the chains of sin and death. He certainly does that! But Jesus shatters other yokes too – some are the lies that the world and Satan tell us about things like success, power, status, beauty… Others are struggles like loneliness, poor health, anxiety, doubt… Our friend and Savior and redeemer Jesus wants to walk with us through all of life, bringing peace, hope, joy, and love into our lives not just during Advent but all the time.

Isaiah’s prophecy states, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” To us and for us, God took on flesh and came into the world. God laid aside heaven to be with us. What a gift this is. This action opened the door for a more personal and intimate relationship with God. Through dwelling with us, Christ opened the door to dwell in us in Spirit. What a friend, guide, Savior, and redeemer we have in Jesus. What a gift!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for fulfilling these words that you long ago gave to Isaiah – for coming as a child, for being light in our darkness, for being our Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, our Everlasting Father, our Prince of Peace. Reign and rule in our hearts this day and forevermore. Amen.


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A Holy Kiss

Reading: Psalm 85:8-13

Verse 10: “Faithful love and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed.”

Our second half of Psalm 85 with promises of peace, salvation, and the glory of the Lord. What wonderful words for the people to hear. God has felt absent for a while now. To beg for God’s presence and to hear these words in response – what hope! Embedded in these words are also things that the people must live out. They must return to being God’s people, fearing the Lord by living lives that honor and adhere to God’s will and ways. The relationship is not one-way.

The Psalm pivots in verse 10. Here we read, “Faithful love and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed.” The coming together of these four qualities of God are sealed with a kiss. In our time, this is no longer a common practice or gesture. This kiss, one gentle expression of friendship, love, and peace, was a greeting between close friends and family. This kiss was tender and vulnerable. This kiss expressed genuine affection and it welcomed both parties back into intimate relationship.

Today’s equivalent may be the handshake and the hug. My wife and I went to a reunion of sorts last night. It was folks who had taught and worked together at a school that closed at the end of 2012. There were some folks I waved to and smiled at from across the room. Some I shook hands with and then we shared in small talk. A side hug was the greeting that was used. We shared in a bit deeper conversation about our lives. For many, the hug was embracing and lasted a few seconds. The conversation thereafter was genuine and deep, bringing us right back to 2012 and then up to last night. In today’s text, that is the holy kiss shared between God and God’s people. May that be how we greet God as we open our Bibles, as we bow our heads, as we worship, and as we engage God’s world.

Prayer: Lord God, each time that we draw near to you, may it be filled with genuine affection and deep love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace. And as we go from our time together, may these be the fragrance and outpouring of our lives, drawing others towards you. Amen.