Understanding All of God's Greatness

Scripture: She said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard." 2 Chronicles 9:5-6

Observation: The Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon is a unique moment, and is recorded in both Chronicles and Kings. She is a foreign African leader who seeks Solomon's wisdom and not only finds it, but finds that everything she has heard about all his greatness is even beyond the stories. She even says here that she heard the stories, didn't believe them because they were too grand to be real, and now sees that his great wisdom is twice as grand, and that overall Solomon "far exceeds" the rumors.

Interestingly, one of the major elements of historical archeology that still fascinates modern culture is Solomon and his treasure. From stories, to studies, to archeological digs, to historical analysis, to movie references, there remains interest in Solomon and his treasure. The stories are so grand that everyone assumes they must be able to find some remnant of it, and the fact that they cannot even calls into question whether Solomon - and sometimes by extension David and even much of the facts of ancient Israel - even existed at all.

The explanation is, of course, in the record of the bible, as wave after wave of punishment against Israel brough foreign invaders, and it seems all of them "took all" the treasure. Of course they didn't all take all ... but they each took a lot, and Solomon's treasure was thus lost in portions over hundreds of years. However, there is a sentiment from the Queen of Sheba that is interesting, which is that everything of Solomon's was so great that the stories barely told half of the greatness.

Application: As I have watched many versions of the analysis of Solomon's treasure and history - from sources ranging from true archeological studies to the movie "National Treasure" - I am struck by this idea ... whatever we think Solomon had, he likely had so much more. I then I think ... that is true for the Lord's power, authority, and love as well.

We read information in the bible and can do math, coming up with how much "stuff" was in Jerusalem, and in the same way we can read about how the Lord provided for Israel. We think our human logic plus math can quantify or rationalize or understand it all. I don't think we can. In the case of Solomon, we see an accounting of gold shields and think it's a lot, then gloss over a quick note about how he had to build new storage cities ... to put all the gold that didn't into the shields. We read a story about God doing one miracle for a small family in Israel, and forget Israel had two million people and he was doing those sorts of things for all of them.

I think this is the point ... we see and hear what God does, and think it's great and amazing ... and forget that we're actually seeing a small sliver of it. When he provides money to a widow we think it's a great story, forgetting (or unable to fathom) that he's doing the same thing millions of times every day.

I think God is amazing, and yet I don't think I am capable of understanding all of God's greatness. If I ever could, his greatness would far exceed even the greatest stories every told.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your greatness, and worship you as the Lord God of all creation. It is impossible to fathom you and your splendor and your greatness. May I honor you today and every day. Amen.

Thinking About Retirement

Scripture:
Remember your Creator
in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them”.
Ecclesiastes 12:1

Observation: As the writer heads into their conclusion, they begin with this interesting statement about being aligned to the Lord in one's youth. Youth is defined as the time "before the days of trouble" and before "the years approach when you will 'I find no pleasure in them'". So when are these days of trouble, and these years that lack pleasure. Actually, the writer tells us next.

Those years are retirement. They are the years when strong men stoop and tremble (hunched with age and weakening muscles), when grinders cease (they don't work at their job), when the windows grow dim (fading eyesight), when they still are awakened by birds (still alive) but the birds grow faint (failing hearing), when people become afraid to walk in the streets (easier targets for crime), and when desire no longer stirs (they lose all motivation).

This is what the writer has led up to ... the idea that work is meaningless, and yet we are to seek the Lord when we are doing our work because still the worst days in life are when we no longer have work to do.

Application: I met a visitor to our church on Sunday named Odel. He lives in Atlanta and was in the area visiting friends, and attended our church two Sundays in a row. He is retired and travels freely. He told me retirement was something you had to retire "to" ... that you needed to move into a new type of work ... and I told him that one of the reasons I didn't yet feel ready to retire was because I didn't know what I would move into next.

I feel like Solomon is reinforcing this truth. No one should just retire and do nothing. However, I don't want to just do some 'side hustle' type job, either ... that's just getting paid less to still work. I would like to find a calling that the Lord endorses. I would like my wife to find the same now, as I can tell that her retirement (that started six months ago) is creating a hole in her that she hasn't figure out yet.

Prayer: Lord, I know full well that my professional path has been ordered by you. It will end in the next few years. However, I never want your path for me to end. I seek guidance for the next thing, whether it comes five months or five years from now. Amen.

Pondering the Non-Existent Nothingness

Scripture: So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 1 Corinthians 8:4

Observation: Paul is about to discuss a rather complex topic, which is about Christians who understand certain teachings differently from each other and thus make each other uncomfortable with their behavior. His example - likely one the church in Corinth actually had issues about - is the eating of food offered to other gods. There are some who think that food is tainted, and that eating implies participation in the worship of the false god. There is another logic Paul points out here, which is that false gods don't even exist, so the fact this was 'offered' to an idol is meaningless ... it's like saying the food was walked through a certain room on its way to the table ... and thus eating it is perfectly okay.

Paul's overall point is just that, in these matters of interpretation, or in matters where an immature Christian may not understand the full issue and thus has a different current understanding, just be kind to each other and don't criticize or pressure each other.

However, this explicit example of the food is interesting, as it introduces a certain topic, which is the actual definition of an idol or false god. Idol worship is forbidden by God in the commandments, and warned about by Jesus. It is core to most conversations about obedience and having a right relationship with the Lord. Paul is placing that entire conversation into an interesting context. Since other gods don't even exist, idol worship is the act of ... giving honor and authority to a completely non-existent nothingness.

Application: This is a philosophical concept that I want to consider more deeply. We get all kinds of warnings from our pastors in the "modern church" about what constitutes idol worship, and it is often defined as those things in our life that demand our time and attention. I have never heard a conversation about an idol being something that we honor with our time and attention despite the fact that the concept it represents quite literally doesn't even exist.

There is an interesting correlation that seems to reinforce this concept. A false god doesn't exist therefore humans create something (an idol) that absolutely exists in the world to represent them. God does exist and therefore humans are commanded NOT to create some image or item to represent him.

As I ponder this, I wonder what things do I consider as part of my life despite the fact that ... their underlying concept or principle absolutely and unequivocally doesn't exist. Should I be concerned that this might relate to the "value" I "create" in my job and the thoughts I had earlier this week about how meaningless (and thus maybe non-existent) that actually is?

Paul is talking about something much deeper than just whether or not the church in Corinth should argue over food. He is actually giving a powerful word to me and our age about the very nature of false gods, and that message needs deeper thinking and teaching.

Prayer: Lord, every day I ask that I be able to do your work today, regardless of where I am. May I also, Lord, be protected from doing the work or advancing any concept that is a 'false god'. If there are concepts that do not exist, may I not be part of the machine that advances them. Amen.

Finding the Lord in Joyless Work

Scripture: So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them? Ecclesiastes 3:22

Observation: This section of Ecclesiastes is addressing the meaninglessness of human work. Effectively, the summary is that the work we do is meaningless, and then when we die the results get passed to someone else who may or may not continue it well anyway. Eventually, the work will be obsoleted or ignored, results will fade and disappear, and the names of those who did it will be forgotten. Earthly work is utterly meaningless.

However, the logical analysis then brings God into the picture and finds God provides people with one interesting trait, and that is the ability to find happiness and purpose in one's work. It doesn't mean the work has meaning, but it means it has meaning to that individual, and the way to enjoy one's work in that manner is by aligning it to one's understanding of God. This is further highlighted by the permanence of God's work. What the Lord does lasts forever, so if we can find logic as to how human work aligns to the Lord's work, we can find greater joy in how it may be sustained.

And this is the summary ... the best thing a person can do is enjoy their work. Even if their work is meaningless and they have no idea if it will endure, they can enjoy it because the Lord lets them enjoy it, and they may even be doing something aligned to the Lord that will, in fact, endure.

Application: I am 60 years old ... and I have never once had a job I enjoyed.

I think it's worse than that. I have had jobs where I poured in long hours and hard work, creating successful solutions and generating financial value, and then watched everything I had done be discarded and thrown away in the course of weeks because ... yea, it was totally meaningless.

Even just in the idea of having joy in work ... and I started real work, like "paying-taxes-and-into-social-security" work, when I was 13 ... I have no job in my history that made me happy. I might have felt happy with certain outcomes. I met people who made me laugh ... heck, I met my wife at work! However, the work itself and the job and the results just don't meet the standard of "enjoy" that Solomon uses.

Of course I know why. My work has always been the work by which the Lord blesses my family, but not the work by which I serve the Lord. In that regard, the Lord has absolutely blessed me and my family through my work, and I have greatly enjoyed that. I haven't just enjoyed the blessing, I have enjoyed the relationship with the Lord, understanding and seeing his hand in my work and how it has guided me. I have seen the Lord move in my career in ways that cannot be explained by circumstance or performance, to put me into situations of favor. The results have borne fruit in my family and my life.

As Solomon teaches, this is my joy in work ... finding its alignment to the Lord's plan. It was never the work that was supposed to bring me joy, it was the blessing the Lord could give my family through that work.

Prayer: Abba, my father and my Lord, I have never been worthy of your blessings, yet you love me like a son. I can only say thank you. I do desire to serve you, though in my unworthiness your wisdom has kept me out of direct service where I would certainly stain your good name, and instead allowed me to work in earthly ways that have provided for heavenly purposes, though of course you never needed me to do any of that. I thank you for my life and my work, and for your blessings even here in this joyless work. Amen.

Here I am, Back Again

Woke up feeling anxious
Happens on occasion
The feelings I don’t deal with
Overflowing from the basement

I truly don't know how I'll make it through sometimes. I think I am losing my salvation because ... clearly if I really believed, I'd be better. I just know I am one of those in the future declaring "Lord Lord" and he'll answer "I never knew you" because my actions make it appear I must not really have fear of the Lord.

But thankfully, that isn't the promise.

Worthlessness of Worldly Hierarchies

Scripture: Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness” 1 Corinthians 3:18-19

Observation: Paul is continuing about the fact the church in Corinth keeps declaring 'who' they believe - which apostle each of them was either converted by or likes best - as an example that they are still young in their faith. As he is about to conclude, he echoes back to his prior comment about wisdom. He has already been critical of how some desire wisdom, or logic, as evidence of faith, and that God's ways are to confound such logic through what appears to be foolishness but is actually even greater wisdom. Now again, Paul tells Christians to avoid the common wisdom of people, and become "fools" who do not comply with worldly wisdom.

Interestingly, when Paul earlier talked about wisdom, he was talking logic ... philosophical rational and debate that would intellectually present God and Jesus and faith. Now, Paul is presenting this conversation in the context of worldly alignment to people and their teachings/actions. This type of wisdom, therefore, is not about philosophical understanding, it is about qualitative, hierarchical concepts. This is addressing the idea that, when it comes to topics ranging from educational sources to political power, the world creates hierarchies, classifying and considering certain sources or factions as superior. The church at Corinth is doing this with their apostles, not only declaring whom they like the best, but also (probably) which of them had superior theology (maybe Paul) or pedigree (certainly Peter) or speaking ability (likely Apollos).

This is a very human structuring of the world, and thus very much about worldly wisdom. In all sorts of matters, humans either a) follow and like one person over another, and then promote that person as superior, or b) decide which person or group is superior, and then follow their teach or methods or advice. Paul is clear ... that's not what to do when it comes to obedience to the Lord and faith in Jesus. These classifications, which the world almost mandates and declares to represent a wise method of analysis, are worthless. Worse, they are a trap, which will catch humans in their craftiness by turning faith in Jesus into an analysis of that which is not Jesus.

Application: I had not thought about this form of worldly wisdom before. I know I absolutely hate conversations about things like ... oh, just to pick a random topic ;-) ... the "right" political party, but now I see that such discussions are part of the worldly condition of attempting to define and then align to some hierarchical qualitative analysis. That is absolutely not the way any conversation of faith should be structured and practiced.

I don't think this is the same as - for example - listening to two pastors and deciding you like one best. God may have a certain message he wants you to hear, and speaks into one of those pastors on such topics while giving a different emphasis to the other. However, my wife and I once visited a church that had two pastors; One preached at one service, the other at the other, and people we talked to said things like 'well I'm part of the Pastor X church, others follow Pastor Y'. THAT seemed very unhealthy. That wasn't about having a spirit-driven preference for one style or message, it was about dividing the church based on a classification of two men.

We have so many divisions in the world based on humans classifying subjects along a superior-inferior continuum, and then deciding which subject they will adhere to. The continuums are often identified based on who is leading the conversations on the subjects, and the continuums are always personal and thus not really meaningful as a way of evaluating what is 'good'.

And that, of course, is the point. There is no wise way to classify good in the world except one, which is by the word and will of the Lord. There is no person to align to except one, Jesus. There is no wise power to help us discern except one, which is the Holy Spirit.

I want to foolishly disregard the classifications of this world.

Prayer: Lord, over and over again you give me of yourself even though I don't deserve it. I am in need of wisdom now, and therefore I will not seek wisdom. May I only look to you for guidance and direction about what to do in my life, and be foolish in the eyes of the world. Amen.

Incapable of Dwelling with Him

Scripture:
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
Psalm 91:9-10

Observation: The psalmist is making a very clear and simple promise ... if a person declares and believes that the Lord is their protector, and they then live in the Lord with the Lord himself as their home, they will indeed be protected from disaster and harm.

This is a promise that, of course, is offset against a reality, and against many other statements in scripture. Believers have suffering. David, the author of many psalms and declared by the Lord himself to be the man after God's own heart, faced hardships including attempts on his life by the king and a rebellion led by his own son. One of Jesus' best friends become so sick he died, while his sisters who clearly loved and believed in Jesus had to suffer in mourning with doubt for their future. If there were a list of those who believe in the Lord, and then a list of which of those individuals have harm and disaster in their lives ... the lists would be identical.

However, this is the promise. In that context, the issue is simple: Every believer actually fails to make the Most High their dwelling. They all declare their faith in words, but they fall short of completely and totally living their lives in a totally new and different way. That doesn't cause them to forfeit their salvation, for that comes by faith, not works. However, they cannot be totally protected from every and all earthly harm.

Application: I saw a related conversation just yesterday. It was a statement that declaring one's self to be Christian is the absolutely most difficult thing someone can do, and it is because of what Jesus says the cost of following him truly is. To believe is to suffer, face persecution, and to invite harm into your life daily.

Jesus knows the Lord's promises, so was he contradicting these promises? No. Jesus was talking, knowing the truth of mankind ... we are incapable of living a life that is totally and completely residing within the dwelling of the Lord, a life of such total devotion and life-alignment to the Lord's will that we can receive this promise.

Every day, I live outside of the Lord's will. For most Christians, we are so far removed from living within the Lord's perfect dwelling place that we can't even recognize all the ways in which we are outside of his will. I would say something like "those that are closer to living within his will, like strong pastors ..." but we've learned recently how far some such individuals are actually living outside of the Lord's will.

I have things in my life that I know are not aligned to the Lord's will, and yet I keep them in my life. I am incapable of getting them out of my life, and I'm sure there are other things I don't even recognize that are the same. As a result, I have hardships. Jesus knew I'd have hardships. The good news is that my failure doesn't affect my salvation by faith. The truth is that my failure does affect my worldly life.

Prayer: Lord, I know I cannot be perfect. I cannot expel all badness from my life, take every thought so captive that I never have even a thought outside of yours, and align every single action to exactly what you would have me do. Please forgive my weakness and the actions and thoughts it causes. I do not seek protection, I only seek to know you more. Amen.

Not Wise, Influential, or Noble

Scripture: Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 1 Corinthians 1:26

Observation: Part of Paul's introduction to the Corinthians is that they do not 'belong' to some cult that is about people and leaders, but to a faith in the Lord through their belief in Jesus Christ. As part of this, he points out that the members of the church, including the leaders who founded it (like himself and Apollos), did not do so through some appeal for wisdom.

All of this is different from the way the world works. The world uses wisdom and logic, and will seek out leaders to influence and echo their logic, as a means to influence the masses. That isn't God's model. The Lord uses truth and love, and seeks out everyone of all walks of life, and then uses their stories of faith to simply continue the message of love. In this manner, the church is not comprised of people who have great wisdom - either in their past or now with new knowledge - who are looking to assume control of the public. The church is just brothers and sisters, living in faith.

Application: This is a gentle image of the church, and one I think about often. I often reference Paul's discussion about not using wisdom and miracles when spreading the gospel, but just "Christ crucified". This fact about the membership of the church is in the same spirit. It is a basic, lowly institution, primarily comprised of basic people ... just like the world. Yes, some Christians are wise and influential leaders, and even Paul says that "not many" - but not 'none' - are these.

And ... I am not wise, nor influential, nor noble. When I talk to people about Jesus, I need to preach Christ crucified because I actually have no other message worth delivering. There is no other message worth delivering.

Prayer: Lord, may I simply tell other people about Jesus as I look to spread the gospel and show your love. I have no other type of influence in the world anyway, and I wouldn't want any. Amen.

Who Provides for Whom

Scripture: And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies. I declare to you that the Lord will build a house for you. 1 Chronicles 17:9-10

Observation: David wants to build the Lord a temple, and in a vision the prophet Nathan gets the message to tell David not to do it. However, the Lord's logic is amazing. It is often taught that David is not to do this because he has been a king of war, and thus it will be his son - a king who lives completely in peace - who must do it. That is an oversimplification of the message. What the Lord actually says is that ... he is in the process of building David a 'house'.

Yes, eventually the temple will be built by Solomon. However, the Lord is very unconcerned about that, pointing out that he has never asked for a permanent location. Instead, his ark - and the place where humans go to pay honor to him - has been kept in tents and homes. Certainly this is because the Lord is not in a single place, or represented by one object, but is everywhere and not represented by any object. However, the message to David has a larger implication. The Lord cares most about those who love him and worship him, and the Lord provides for them, they do not provide for him.

Application: This is kind of an obvious thought when we think about it, but also so amazing profound. We do not and cannot take care of the Lord. I cannot give him anything, provide for him, or otherwise do something to fulfill his needs. The Lord flat-out doesn't need. Instead, the Lord gives me everything ... my home, my family, my health, my very life and all that is in it.

What a humbling thought to know that, in truth, the almighty God of the universe spends time providing for me, while making it clear I can do nothing for him. The Lord provides! I do not provide for the Lord.

Of course, I can worship and honor him. I can thank him. I can pray and draw closer to him. I can do earthly work that he is sponsoring and directing that benefits mankind and spreads the gospel message of Jesus so others may learn of God. The Lord doesn't need me to do these things, but he allows me to, and he expects them as a sign of my belief and faith. So these I must do every day. I can provide the Lord with ... me, my time, and my attention. He provides me with everything.

Prayer: Lord, I know you are my provider. I thank you for your reminder of this today, that I can truly give you nothing except me. Amen.

Ascribe to the Lord

Scripture:
Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come before him.
1 Chronicles 16:28-29

Observation: This chapter records the words to a song that was introduced on the day the ark was moved into Jerusalem, and it says David appointed his song leader to "give praise to the Lord in this manner", which seems to indicate that David himself wrote the song. It includes the line very common in modern worship songs "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever" (v34). While it addresses other common themes - praise, worship, thanks, remembrance - these two verses in the middle use a word not common in psalms for worship songs ... ascribe.

This song instructs us that, part of giving glory and praise and worship and thanks to the Lord is ... to properly acknowledge what we are glorifying and praising and worshiping and thanking him for in the first place. We are to ascribe to the Lord the great things that he has done. These are acts that originate from his own glory and strength. We give the Lord credit for doing these things, and in so doing we declare his name.

In other words, we are to publicly declare that it is the Lord - not random luck, a function of nature, evolutionary process, or personal hard work - that has done the great things of this world. We are to do so with a very intentional alignment between the Lord, Yahweh, to these great works, and not allow anyone to misinterpret them as the function of a random or generic 'god'. And everyone, not just jews but all families and nations, are to do this.

Application: This is a wonderful addition to the idea of praise and worship, which is that our declarations about the greatness of God are NOT just about some general greatness, nor about some general almighty deity. We praise Yahweh, Jehovah, the Great I Am; He is the one and only true God, creator of heaven and earth, and it is by his hand alone that all things exist, and he is worthy of all worship and honor and glory and praise and thanks.

So often, we hear much more general statements from people who somehow rationalize the idea that they recognize there must be some 'higher power' that does things, but they won't name that power. It takes on nebulous forms, or gets washed in the water of pseudo-science, or gets listed under the category of 'god' but without an understanding of who that truly is.

I know who God truly is. There is only one. He is the creator father of us all, the God of Abraham, who sent his only son Jesus to redeem mankind. To him be all honor, and glory, and power forever.

Prayer: Lord, I do ascribe all great things to you, and all small things. My blessings and my life are the smallest, the most miniscule, yet somehow you are in all control of even this. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

Let's Make a Controversial Statement

Scripture: Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God ... Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. Romans 13:1,5

Observation: Paul briefly gets into what can only be described as a brief political commentary. In this paragraph he introduced the idea that people should submit to and obey government leads (v1), gives his logic for his (v2-4), and thus summarizes by saying submission is therefore necessary (v5).

Context matters. Paul is writing this to ... Christians in Rome, being ruled by Emporer Claudius. This is an era of absolute authority by a dictator-style ruler, who has been leading successful efforts to subjugate most of the Mediterranean and European world. He also mandates a religion that stands opposed to Christianity. "Compliance" with the ideals of this government is, in a word, anti-Christian. Furthermore, around this same time, Paul will publicly declare and invoke his own rights, that he is subject to Roman (not Jewish) authority in matters of judging his Christian actions.

There may be no time in history that the decision about whether or not someone should "submit" to a government was more in question, and Paul says the decision is clear. Yes, Christians are subject to worldly government authority, and must submit to them. Yes ... OF COURSE there are limits to this argument when it comes to matters of terrible and brutal oppression, AND there is a BIG difference between "submitting" and "participating" in things the government does.

However, as a general biblical truth, Christians are to be subjects of the governments in place around them, obeying laws, paying taxes, not rebelling, as a matter of Christian conscience.

Application: Yes ... I'm going there ... I believe it is unchristian to actively protest our government and government leaders.

If this blog had any significant following, this is the point where the comments section blows up ;-)

I can disagree with policies, dislike rules, and be frustrated by taxes. I can even support efforts to investigate corruption (which is rampant in our government, BTW) and bring appropriate justice on individual government leaders. However, there is a major difference between wishing to address shortcomings of our government and its policies and officials, and protesting against the government in total, protesting against individual authorities, and physically opposing the work of the government.

Paul says to submit to authorities. Elsewhere the bible says to pray FOR government leaders. I will simply say ... I think Christians need to think long and hard about participating in protests and acts of confrontational opposition against government leaders and government activities.

Prayer: Lord, you know I do not make public political statements, despite being a person who has worked in government for over 25 years. May I continue to be open to your word and your teaching, and as far as I am able, may I be your instrument of peace and love to those around me. Amen.

Just a Tiny Understanding of God

Scripture: Here are the men who served, together with their sons:
From the Kohathites:
Heman, the musician,
the son of Joel, the son of Samuel ...
1 Chronicles 6:33

Observation: Just before this, the chronicler has documented the lineages from Levi, and now he will take them from a different order, documenting backwards the lineage of Kohath, who was assigned by David to lead worship before the tabernacle in Jerusalem. This lineage will extend 22 generations to Israel (Jacob), and if we assume that, on average, each man is around 25 when he bears his son, that's 550 years ... exactly in the sweet spot from the perspective of historical timing from Jacob to David.

It is interesting to think about this. 550 years seems like a very long time, but ~20 generations actually seems pretty small, especially given some of the historical events that have happened (from all the stories of Jacob, to then David becoming king ... that's a LOT of events).

However, it also seems like life in the world in that time ... has stood still. Yes, from the perspective of Israel, they have grown from being one man working for his uncle for payment in wives and sheep, to being millions. On the other hand, they are still ... mostly shepherds. They evaluate their cities by the surrounding farm and pasture lands so they can survive. Distances are measured in how far one can walk in a day. Hard labor requires oxen. Their weapons are slings.

These lists of genealogies - lists that are hard to read and repetitive - don't just list names. They mark time, and they mark something else ... the consistent love of the Lord.

Application: Even after reading the historical books of the bible over and over as I have, it is interesting to consider that this timeframe - from Jacob to David - is over twice as long as the current history of the United States! Throughout the writing, it feels like Israel as a country is barely holding on, about to be destroyed at any second, yet by modern standards it's already a firmly established cornerstone of history at this time.

I come back to this and think again ... only God can do that. It is true, only the God of the universe, maker of heaven and earth, in control of everything, could take one prideful and conniving man and turn him into a people-group, with a centuries-long established country, millions strong.

Prayer: Lord, I do love reading your word, because sometimes you just reveal a small, tiny piece of yourself that is beyond understanding. How you could do this is amazing. How a list of unpronounceable names can reveal something meaningful to my soul is just as amazing. You are the Lord, and I worship you, singing songs inspired by Kohath. Amen.

Why I Love Israel

Scripture: I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? Romans 11:13-15

Observation: As Paul continues discussing the fate of the Jews, he is very clear ... Yes, many Jews have rejected the gospel, but the positive outcome of that is that the news has traveled to the Gentiles, and the Jewish rejection of Christ is not final. We love to focus on the first of these, as it makes clear that the faith and redemption of Gentiles was always part of the plan of the Messiah. Interestingly, Paul actually focus on the second topic ... that the Jews will still be redeemed even as they reject Jesus.

He has many reasons for this, one of which is that, as a people, they will someday accept Jesus as Messiah. However, he also calls out that the Jews remain the chosen of the Lord, the Lord's nation of priests, and it is by them and their recorded history and faith that Gentiles even know the Lord and his nature and his laws and his will (a fact very true to this day). As the chosen nation of priests, the Jews remain within the Lord's covenant love, and by that also remain within his redemptive arms.

Application: This - this right here - is the key reason we are love Israel. Sure, there are all kinds of elements of Israel we associate with Jesus and his second coming and thus we 'hope' for Israel as a place, but this is the reason to love Israel and the Jews as a people-group ... they are the nation of priests, without whom we would still walk in darkness.

The evidence of the Lord's selection of them is on the news every day, in the form of satan's attacks on them every day. Satan wouldn't hate the Jews if we weren't supposed to love them.

I love Israel, and I hope for their change of heart and future acceptance of Jesus. For when that comes, oh what a glorious season it will bring. That will be the Lord's kingdom on earth.

Prayer: Lord, may your hand ever rest on Israel, and on your chosen nation of priests the Jews. I know evil attacks them, and thus we get to see your protective hand and healing heart in action daily. Someday, those attacks will stop, and I pray for that day. Amen.

When One Turns Against God

Scripture: These were the sons of David born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel; the second, Daniel the son of Abigail of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; and the sixth, Ithream, by his wife Eglah. These six were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months. David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years, and these were the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon. These four were by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel. 1 Chronicles 3:1-5

Observation: The chronicler spends time reviewing the sons of King David, of whom we know the very last one listed here - Solomon - will be his heir. This list also includes David's wives, of which we only know anything of substance about a few. One is Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, for whom David actually killed her first husband. Another is Abigail, who was kind to David at a time that her first husband Nabal was evil toward him while he fled from Saul. Then there is the wife about whom more is written than any of the others combined except Bathsheba; Michal, the daughter of Saul.

Michal isn't listed here ... she never bore David a child.

Michal is a character worthy of consideration, but likely as a cautionary tale. In reading of her and David, they begin as a love story ... Saul knows David is the anointed heir, and he gives him his daughter, whom David does seem to love just as he is close to all of Saul's family. When Saul first turns on David, Michal protects David while lying to her own father. However, Michal is then given to another man, and when David returns she denounces/rejects David. He forces her return but more for appearance purposes. She is later critical of David, most notably when he dances in worship as the ark is being transported.

Many women in the bible do not bear children, then turn to the Lord for hope and do bear a child. However, Michal's situation never improves, and she is dropped from the future list of meaningful wives of David. The reason for this seems to be that she rebelled against David, but the real truth might be that she had a heart hardened against Yahweh. She liked the idea of being queen, but once that became difficult she didn't just end up with another man ... she rejected the Lord's anointed, turned her back on prophesy, and even criticized the fact that David publicly worshipped God.

Of David's wives, three are known to have had other husbands. One of those became the example of kindness and intelligence. Another became the mother of the wisest king in history. The third ... the one that could have been the most loved by David ... declared that the Lord wasn't worthy of public worship, and was dropped from the annals of time.

Application: I have often wondered about Michal's story, and how she went from loving David to loathing David, for seemingly no reason other than the fact he survived Saul's madness. However, I think this here - a passage that doesn't even mention her - might be part of the insight. She didn't turn on David. She turned on God.

Michal thought she was going to be this honored queen, wife of David and daughter of Saul. Then her dad went mad. Then her husband went underground. Then she discovered being the wife of a king meant 'one of' not 'the' queen. Then she decided she liked just taking from any man who would dote on her. And soon, Michal was taking a stance critical of her husband, but actually in opposition to God. Maybe she repented of that, but we don't know.

I do know that I have thoughts about things in this world I don't like. If and when I am critical of them, I better first check ... is this thing part of the Lord's work or not? I never want to be critical of part of the Lord's blessed work.

Prayer: Lord, as I look around, I see you at work in this world, even in Seattle, a place I have been critical of in recent days. While I am critical at the issues and evil I see, may I never be critical of how you are at work within those circumstances, or of those who are doing your work to restore the brokenness. Amen.

Turns out Hope IS a Strategy

Scripture: For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:24-25

Observation: Paul is now into the point of his letter, which is that we are all redeemed through faith in Jesus Christ alone. This is the promise of the Messiah and of his resurrection ... that as humans we cannot achieve full obedience to the Law, and therefore we cannot achieve holy sanctification on our own and thus receive salvation, yet faith in Jesus covers all that failure. It is faith alone that will result in eternal salvation in heaven with the Lord, in a life without sorrow, without pain, without strife. That is our hope.

And ... that is actually why we cannot have that unproblematic life here on earth. Paul's point is that, if by faith God removed all our problems in the here and now, we wouldn't hope for it in the future. In other words, we wouldn't hope at all! That lack of hope would thus diminish our faith, and might even create a scenario where we don't truly have faith.

That may sound rather philosophical, like 'I think therefore I am' type of logic ... 'I hope therefore I have faith'. The Lord is not that formulaic. However ... people are. It is part of our nature - even part of original sin - that we have to reason things out for ourselves, and Paul is simply giving us some reasoning for understanding the truth about life as a Christian. Life as a Christian is not perfect. It has pain, hardship, sorrow, even persecution and sometimes painful death. However, none of that disproves faith, and in fact our hope despite such hardship is a necessary product of faith.

Application: We have a saying in business I use often ... "hope is not a strategy." It effectively means, if you have business goals and objectives to be achieved, you can't just hope they'll happen; You have to create a plan, then work the plan.

Well, God isn't an IT department, is he?! Part of his plan for building faith in Jesus and spreading the good news of salvation through simple faith, is hope.

I am confident in my faith, and confident in my eternal destination with the Lord. Even though I treat that as a known future, it is still best described as hope. Also, I absolutely know that my current life - despite all the great blessing and love the Lord has shown me - remains difficult, with hardship, illness, pain, sorrow, regret, worry, heartache, injury, frustration, and insult. Someday, none of that will exist. Today, most of it exists in my life daily.

By my faith in Jesus, I hope for salvation, and for eternal life with the Lord. May my daily hardships no longer deter my hope, but rather encourage it, as those hardships are even necessary to strengthen my hope, and thus strengthen my faith.

Prayer: Lord, I will take this idea to heart. My daily challenges will now become signposts for me on my daily walk, pointing me toward the hope I have in Jesus. Amen.

Considering the Dewiness of God

Scripture:
What can I do with you, Ephraim?
What can I do with you, Judah?
Your love is like the morning mist,
like the early dew that disappears.
Hosea 6:4

Observation: As the prophesy about Israel's and Judah's lack of obedience continues, Hosea uses the metaphor of morning dew. This is a powerful metaphor because, when really considered, dew is a unique form of earth-enriching moisture.

Rain makes the ground soaking wet. It pools and puddles, makes things muddy, and lingers long after it is gone. In addition, you see it fall and generally it isn't pleasant to walk around in it. Dew is much different, simply collecting on the ground during the night. When first seen in the morning, the ground can be just as wet as after a rain. In farming areas, dew remains a source of water for plants, giving them their first water as sunlight hits them in the morning. However, dew has three qualities that are unlike rain:

1) Dew has no negative output. It never pools or floods or otherwise creates an excess that makes our lives problematic.

2) Dew is actually ever-present. It is simply humidity that condenses at a cooler temperature, so even when gone it is part of the very air we breath.

3) Dew ... disappears. As morning sunlight hits it, dewiness seems to go from 'all is pretty wet' to 'no sign of moisture' almost immediately, and with really no observable dissipation.

It is this third quality that concerns the prophet about the Jews. Their love appears, evident and enriching and everywhere, a sign of life-giving hope. Then it just ... vanishes. The day begins, life gets warmer, and that initial love is gone without a trace, and without any observable event that caused it to go.

This is common of the human love of God. It can be evident and strong, then the events of the day actually arrive, and without conscious thought or critical issue or obvious problem, the love is gone. And it's not just gone as in not evident, it ceases to have any existence in the rest of the day.

Application: I don't think I'm alone in thinking about how this metaphor applies to me. I start most days reading the Lord's word, meditating on it, and then praying about how it applies to my life ... and 30 minutes later I'm into some business activity and fail to give the Lord a second though for the next ~15 hours.

I'm pretty sure that sounds familiar to most Christians.

And here's the deal: On the days where this pattern doesn't happen - when I actually succeed in holding onto the Lord in my heart, pray to him during every situation, seek his word even in secular situations, take in a little mid-day worship - my days go SO much better! That shouldn't be a surprise. You think I'd learn.

I don't want to treat the Lord as if he is the #3 quality of dew in my life, giving me nutrients in the morning then going away. I want to treat him as the #1-2 qualities of dew ... he absolutely has no negative impact on my life, and is part of the very air I breath.

Prayer: Lord, I feel like I say this prayer too often. Then again, I should say it more often. I desire you to guide my life today and every day. May I not lose your influence on me ever today, but may it stay with me, in my heart, and evident in what I do and say. May I remember to bring you into my circumstances, and seek your direction in the big and the small things of my life. Amen.

I Bow Before Your Throne

I need to get beat up today, and this song comes at me from all sides.

Thank you, Lord!! You are worthy of it all, you deserve the glory, you alone deserve my praise, worthy is your name!!!!

Important Daily Activity

Scripture: Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. Romans 6:13

Observation: As Paul discusses our relationship with sin - that while we are forgiven of all sin through Jesus, we are not to sin simply because we have grace - he gives sound advice about how to live a better life. Paul will admit this is very difficult, and that even he does the things he doesn't want to do and fails to do the things he knows he should. However, this is one piece of practical advice.

We are not to offer ourselves and our daily activities to any kind of activity that is wicked. Instead, we are to offer ourselves to God, and the things he would have us so. He summarizes it later in this letter as offering ourselves as a living sacrifice ... that the way we live and the work we do is an act of worship.

Application: This, I think, is a key practical teaching I just have never known. As I - like others - fight and struggle to do the right thing every day, and to avoid sin in my life, Paul offers a process that helps. That process isn't to just "don't do it" or a ritual of prayer and fasting and worship. Instead, it is simple ... avoid engaging in the activities or systems or work that lead to wickedness, and instead engage in the activities and systems and work that are aligned to righteousness.

Yes, this has to do with my work, and being in the right place around the right people. Yes, this has to do with activities I do with friends, that should involve honorable activities. Yes, this involves use of my phone and computer, that should be limited to very specific activities involving productivity and knowledge assistance, and not questionable leisure or algorithm-driven content.

My daily activities should involve prayer and worship as well. However, I would go a long way to having a better life, more aligned to Christ, if I simply keep myself in the activities, offering myself as an instrument of work in areas that advance righteousness, and not as someone ready to work and perform casual activities in places where sin might just pop up.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your instruction and advice. Please, Lord, forgive my sins, and help me align to you today, this week, and always, as an instrument of righteous work, done in places protected by your righteous nature. Amen.

Claiming the Promise of Forgiveness

Scripture:
You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
Hear my prayer, Lord;
listen to my cry for mercy.
Psalm 86:5-6

Observation: The psalmist has two key messages early in this psalm. He begins by declaring himself faithful, however he is in need of the Lord. He declares he calls to the Lord day and night in prayer, but also because he is needy and his life is in trouble. Then ... he pivots to discuss the Lord's forgiveness, declaring the that the Lord is forgiving, abounding in love, and that he is praying to the Lord for mercy, firmly believing the Lord will listen to him.

Yes, this is a man who is full of faith, and also full of the need for mercy. He has belief enough to have total faith in the Lord, to pray regularly, and even to himself write worship songs praising Yahweh, and yet he then knows that he is sinful, with his very life in danger as a result, and needs mercy, forgiveness, and protection from the world as it crushes in on him.

Application: Yea ... that just about sums it up for me.

In my heart and soul, I know I fully believe in Jesus, and in the love and authority of the Lord. This is my one true faith and knowledge in life, that the Lord exists, abounds in love, listens to me with mercy and love when I pray, and that he brought his plan - through Jesus - into the world so that by faith in Jesus alone I may have everlasting life in his presence, being worthy only through that faith that therefore brings forgiveness for my sins.

In my body and mind ... I know I am full of sin, unworthy of anything - anything! - I just said in that last paragraph. I fall every day, and am reminded of past failings much, much more often. Sometimes it feels like my life just circles and repeats in a cycle of failure at all levels.

Am I too hard on myself? In the full context of the Lord's goodness and love, no, I'm too easy on myself. One act is deplorable to him, worthy of death, so how many deaths am I due by now?

Thank you, Lord, for Jesus!

So I stand here today claiming the promise of forgiveness. It is by the forgiveness of the Lord alone that I can even have hope for anything in life, for without it I would already be destined to eternal damnation thousands of times over. I know that I must not 'rely' on forgiveness as some kind of permission to sin, and that I do want to improve myself daily - especially in regards of control of my mind - to keep the Lord central not only on a daily basis, but moment by moment, always. However, today ... I need forgiveness, and I am so delighted to know that it is available, I have received it by my prayers, and I can trust it because the Lord is always and forever trustworthy.

Prayer: Lord, I won't even write it here, but I instead drop to my knees to pray it. I thank you for hearing me, and for your amazing love. Amen.

Neither Better nor Worse

Scripture: Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth ... Romans 2:17-20

Observation: Writing to the entire church in Rome, Paul gets specific about the Jews and their knowledge of the Law. He first points out here that, yes, the Jews have the Law, and therefore they do in fact have knowledge of the will and rules of Yahweh himself. They have learned all of it, and furthermore they instruct others in everything God says about being good, and about knowledge and truth. It is by this fact that many Jews consider themselves superior when it comes to their alignment to the Lord.

Of course, in the next clause, Paul will point out that ... they don't do it themselves. They teach others not to lie or steal or commit adultery, then they lie and steal and commit adultery, things that gentiles even know are wrong. In other words, knowing the Law actually produces the same behavior as not knowing the Law. So are the Jews better because they know the Law, or worse because in that knowledge they sin just like those who are ignorant of the Law? (The answer is neither ... but that's a longer conversation.)

Application: Today, this applies to Christians, and to me. I know the Law. I know the words of Jesus. And I fail to obey them over and over again. I am not better than others for my knowledge, but thank God I'm not worse than others for my resulting actions.

Prayer: Lord, I need you in my heart and my mind and my life more and more. May you be with me and my family every day, giving us your guidance and strength. Amen.

When God's Vagueness Gets Specific

Scripture: But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” ... But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” Jonah 4:4,9a

Observation: Multiple times the Lord speaks to Jonah, with varying results. Twice he has to repeat himself, but interestingly his repeated messages are not the same.

The first is in Jonah 1 and Jonah 3. In both, the Lord tells Jonah to "go to the great city of Ninevah," but first he says, "and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me," but later he says, "and proclaim to it the message I give you." The first message gives both larger instructions (preaching, not just walking around proclaiming), and a clear reason (their wickedness). Jonah actively refuses, but when he is given a more vague instruction (and yes, he's been taught a major lesson in between!) he obeys and goes.

In the second example, Jonah is mad about God's forgiveness of Ninevah, and the Lord asks him if that's right. Jonah broods but doesn't disagree. Then the Lord grows then destroys a shade plant, and the Lord asks if it's right for Jonah to be mad specifically about the plant, and Jonah responds emotionally, declaring his right to be angry, and even wishing for his own death. The differences in the messages are subtle, however the Lord is doing something profound in the way he changes his messages.

In the "vague" versions - about proclaim a generic 'message' and the right to be generally anger - the message is dependent upon the Lord's nature. Is it okay to be mad at God because he shows mercy? Shouldn't we at least just generally declare the Lord's judgment? However, when the Lord gets specific, it is about real-world situations manifested on earth. The Ninevites are wicked! The plant actually died!

Jonah is examined for his struggle with the Lord, and this is perhaps how his struggle is similar to the struggle all believers in Yahweh face. Believers are good with the "conceptual faith" side of belief, where we revel in the Lord's love, rejoice in his mercy, and are thankful that his judgment is directed at those who deserve it. However, we get frustrated and even angry at what happens in the world every day, from the wicked who don't seem to actually get judgment, to the poor struggling to live, to world conflicts that drain our resources and stress our families.

Application: This summarizes my faith. I have so many wonderful thoughts about the Lord and his love, but I fret and struggle with the real world. In my heart, I see the Lord's creation, know his love first-hand, feel his guidance, and cherish his blessings. Then outwardly I get frustrated over even the most trivial of issues, experience hatred and lust and covetousness directed at social media posts by people I'll never meet, and feel stress about unknown futures that affect the daily living of myself and my family.

I am SO concerned by this truth ... I love the Lord's teaching as a vague concept, but I run from him when it comes to applying his word as a way of living.

That needs to change. I need to reorient my life to not just loving the Lord and Jesus, but to live the life he teaches. Yes, this means "obedience", but more than that it simply means applying the truth I know about the Lord to the specifics of this world and to my everyday real-life experiences, and not just to the vague concepts of faith and feelings in my heart.

Prayer: Lord, I know I am saying this prayer far too often these days. Please forgive my sins. I know my errors, and I do them anyway. I am sincerely sorry. I desire that my lived life, the things I actually do in the world every day, would always be aligned to you and your teaching, and not just the thoughts in my mind and heart. I thank you for your patience with me, and with the world. Amen.

God Uses Causes for his Purposes

Scripture: The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness. Romans 1:18

Observation: As Paul begins his letter to the Romans, he has his section where he discusses the fact that the majority of people act in a manner opposed to the Lord's will and precepts with all manner of unnatural sin. He introduces this by stating that, because these people should know God by the very presence of the created world all around them, that the Lord is therefore justified to judge them and bring wrath down upon their wickedness.

What is interesting is both the justification (that all nations have been shown who the Lord is through the nature of the created world itself, and therefore have had the chance to learn about the Lord and know better than to sin) and the wrath. We have contextual history of this age and might guess that "wrath" looks like ... nations being destroyed by Rome, Rome being corrupt and violent, and in general life being difficult and relatively short for just about everyone. However, Paul talks about another type of wrath.

The Lord ... allows them to sin.

Paul says that, instead of helping these people have better lives, the Lord "gave them over in the sinful desires". In verses 24-27 Paul says this wrath includes allowing unnatural sex (very, very clearly what we would call LGBTQ+ today), and then include other items he calls a depravity of mind, such as greed, envy, strife, deceit, malice, and gossip.

In other words, here is what the Lord's wrath for those who have rejected him involves. He allows them to pursue a life that involves depraved relationships with others. He allows them to pursue thoughts that cause them stress and anger. With these two elements alone, consuming all their heart's and mind's attention, their lives devolve into shambles. And the Lord just allows it.

Application: One of the things I often think of with people today - with great sadness in my heart - is that the "causes" they fight for are beyond just sinful and evil and bad for them. They also become an all-consuming and central component of their core meaning in life. For those who pursue these causes - which might be one of the social issues I hate but can also be their high-paying job, or membership in their country club, or even hatred of the social issues or corporate big-wigs or country clubs - the cause is all they think of, and it does not bring them happiness. Quite the opposite, spending their day plotting in bitterness ... or planning for conflict ... or brooding over perceived hatred ... or sitting alone in anxious isolation ... all these conditions create such an empty life.

Now I see the "why" for God allowing it. God doesn't put an end to these issues and causes in order to protect the world from them. God allows people to live into these causes as the wrath he brings upon them for rejecting Jesus.

That also means that delivery out from those causes is a mercy available from the Lord, and he grants that mercy every day when people turn to Jesus. These causes work within the Lord's plans and purposes, as they show what an empty life looks like, contextualized against a life of joy and wonder when one sees the Lord in nature, in others, and in the sacrifice of his son.

Prayer: Lord, I admit that the list of sins that bring wrath upon others includes acts I am prone to commit. Again today I say, please forgive me for my sins. May my heart continue to reject all those things, so I may fully enjoy the world and the life you have blessed us with. Amen.

Have You Not Heard?

Scripture:
Have you not heard?
Long ago I ordained it.
In days of old I planned it;
now I have brought it to pass,
that you have turned fortified cities
into piles of stone.
2 Kings 19:25

Observation: With Sennacherib king of Assyria at the gates, and Hezekiah praying before the Lord, this is the message that comes to Isaiah. Sennacherib likes to go around declaring that he is the master of the world, that he has authority over nations, and even he can cause famine and plague by his own might. However, the Lord is telling him ... I made you! In fact, I decreed your very existence and purpose centuries ago. The Lord gave Sennacherib both his appetite for destruction, and the means to destroy, and told other nations through documented and written warnings hundreds of years ago that this would happen to them.

Sennacherib has no fear for Yahweh, and lumps him in with all the other nations' gods as just some false deity that cannot stop his might. However, Yahweh is clear ... Sennacherib is just Yahweh's tool, intentionally placed in the short-term here and now, to fulfill prophesy in the hope of returning hearts to faith in the long term.

Application: It is truth like this that makes me wonder, which of the social issues and violent conflicts do we face today that were always part of the Lord's plan to reach the lost and turn hearts to faith? I mean, I know the answer to that is "all". However, while I know the Lord is in control, and that his plans include redemption, there is still a spiritual war at play where the enemy is taking actions and manipulating a few powerful people to destroy the many weak victims.

The Lord did predict, through prophets and Messiah alike, the age where ... hearts are turned away from family, pride rules many, earthly knowledge becomes commoditized, personal identity is confusing, group fear overrides hope, and moral understanding dissolves. I am betting that, if I showed those words to someone in their 20s right now, they would say, 'yup, that just about sums it up.'

And so we say to all those who declare that, by their post-modern enlightenment, they have overcome the tedious and false promises of a non-existent deity ...

Have you not heard? Long ago the Lord himself ordained this!!! He planned this centuries - millennia - ago. He told us you would come with your lies and false understandings, and then he actually created you yourselves, gave you over to these lies, and brought you into this age so it would come to pass. And do you know why? He did it to highlight Jesus Christ! The very hope you oppose, your lies shine the spotlight upon, for the hope and joy and love you actually destroy is what Jesus promises, and it is what others will find when they finally break away from your manipulation of fear and pride.

Prayer: Lord, it is time to take these false and evil teachers, place your hook in their noses, and turn them away from this land never to return. We pray it, may revival begin today in this land, because the people finally see the falseness of these messages, and they receive Jesus as the hope they were seeking all along. Amen.

No More Options

Scripture: He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. 2 Kings 18:3-4a

Observation: For the first time in hundreds of years, a king of Judah - Hezekiah - embraces the correct practices "just like his father David". Every king before that has done right in the eyes of the Lord still falls short because they fail to remove the Asherah poles and alters that have been placed on the high places. In other words, even the ones who honor the Lord still leave open opportunity for people to worship other gods, and leave in place the mechanisms for them to do so. Not Hezekiah.

By removing the options, Hezekiah is the one king who truly stands firm in faith of Yahweh. As a result, he finds great favor with the Lord. He quickly recaptures western land held by the Philistines, and withstands one of the great invasions in history, which is that of Assyria. By contrast, Assyria will destroy a dozen other nations, and will completely eradicate the northern kingdom of Israel. However, by not only his faith but by removing the temptations of other alternative gods, Hezekiah will withstand Assyria.

Application: This is my problem. I have great faith in the Lord. However, I have left the Asherah poles and other sacred stones in place. In my pride, I give myself options of what I do and say. When I sin - cursing, coveting, lusting, lying, being angry, etc. - it is because I have left those behaviors as options in my life.

I should not have options even available. When I can honor and obey the Lord ... OR do something else ... eventually I (like others) will do the something else. Sure, the solution can be to just not do that. But a more effective option, as shown by Hezekiah, is to remove the options.

Prayer: Lord, I will begin this process of removing such options in my life. I will cut down the Asherah poles and smash the sacred stones. I desire only your love. Amen.

Fighting the Internal War

Scripture: After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.” Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” Acts 26:31-32

Observation: After Paul has made his case, Festus and Agrippa react interestingly. The most famous is Agrippa - the Jewish King of Judah - asking if he believed Paul could convert him to Christianity. However, the reaction of Festus is just as intriguing, as he declares Paul is insane and talking nonsense, and Paul points out that Agrippa actually knows what Paul is talking about ... and Agrippa clearly does! In other words, Festus (a Roman) thinks that all this talk about Messiah and resurrection is craziness, but Agrippa (and all the Jews) know this is an important matter of their faith in Yahweh.

Then there is the matter of what to do about Paul. Agrippa and Festus agree that Paul has committed no crime at all, but he will be sent to Rome for trial anyway. However, how that happens is interesting. It is NOT Festus who says, "well, under Roman law, he appealed to Caesar so I have to send him to Rome." It is Agrippa who says, "well, geez, I wish we could just set him free, but ... you know ... he appealed to Caesar, so I guess you have to send him far, far, far away from Judea."

That's right, according to the text, it is Agrippa - the Jew - who say Paul has to be sent to Rome. Agrippa wants Paul taken away, likely because he simply doesn't want more conflict in Jerusalem, and he also wants Christians removed from the Jewish homeland. Agrippa understands this issue ... the Jews are at a point where they could be divided between those who believe Messiah has come, and those who don't believe, and that division is a political issue for him.

Festus doesn't understand this. He views this entire thing as just some religious disagreement between the Jews, and that one side (Paul's) is talking crazy talk, while the other side takes the crazy assertions seriously and opposes them with such energy that they want Paul killed. Agrippa knows the truth. The Messiah is real, and this debate about Jesus being Messiah represents the issue that could tear "his country" apart. And he doesn't want a trial and execution in Jerusalem where the publicity and martyrdom could ignite a firestorm. He wants Christianity removed, quietly, by Rome.

Application: This is a reminder that the most dangerous work of the enemy isn't that he corrupts those who don't believe in God, warping their minds into a state of confused lostness. No, his most dangerous work is when he gets people who say they 'believe' in Jesus to then reject the word of God because they would rather pursue some worldly objective.

I fall into that trap ... of sinning in ways I know Jesus hates. This is satan working hard against me, and it is only one example of how he does this to many Christians. When he is most successful is when he acts against large groups of us, like entire denominations that change the doctrine they teach to contradict scripture, just to gain favor with society. Sure, I could rant about certain church denominations here, but the issue that most affects my life is ... me.

I know I do things that are opposed to the Lord's precepts and laws and instructions. In this, I am like Agrippa, trying to hold onto what I think is "mine" ... which includes, by my own pride, the right to behave the way I want in "my" life ... and thus quietly removing (temporarily ignoring) the parts of my own faith that should correct me.

The good news of Jesus is not crazy talk, it is real. Likewise, so is the spiritual war that is trying to quietly send the scriptural word of God far, far away, never to return. That battle is happening all around us, but it is also happening in pieces within my own heart, and that is the battle I must address.

Prayer: Lord, when I say I must address this, I mean to do so with your help and love. Please, Lord, remind me every day of the truth, which is that I am your servant and you are my master. I surrender my life you, which means I obey you. Yes, I will struggle and sometimes fail, but I must remember that I do not make my own decisions about my daily activities, but rather I follow your path, holding your hand. May I be more faithful in this every day, by your strength and your love. Amen.

Missing the Mission of the Message

Scripture: First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. Acts 26:21-22

Observation: As Paul explains his backstory to Agrippa, he gets to the point of stating why the Jews want him tried and killed. It is because he preaches repentance and faith to the Gentiles. This should be an inditement against every Jew listening to Paul ... however, it isn't. Not a single voice is reported to oppose this fact, and in fact it isn't the first time this explanation has been stated uncontested.

The reason the Jews should feel accused by this is at the core of what it means to be Jewish. Their entire existence as a people-group - the reason the Lord set Abraham aside to be a nation - is to make Yahweh known to the entire world, and to bless all other nations because the Lord blesses them. Telling Gentiles about the Lord shouldn't be controversial, it should be the goal. However, how that mission played out changed long, long ago. Israel never really went around telling other nations about Yahweh. Instead, they lived by example, were protected by the Lord, and others learned of Yahweh by observation of Israel, not hearing instructions.

Sure, the Jews are angry with Paul also because his message isn't just about Yahweh as Lord, but about Jesus as Messiah. However, while the Jews contest the Messiahship of Jesus and the resurrection itself, that isn't the primary charge they bring against Paul. Their complaint for which they want Paul sentenced to death is that he tells Gentiles about God, which is what they were supposed to be doing all along.

Application: I know there is some nuance to what I am saying here about Paul and the Jews. It is very possible that when the Lord told Abraham he would be the father to many/all nations, and his people would be blessed to be a blessing, he was in fact referring to Jesus coming and saving the world. As a result, Jesus absolutely told believers to go, speak, and teach the gospel to the entire world. Israel didn't have some explicit directive to go out from the promised land and preach.

This is why it remains important for me to be able to talk about Jesus to others. Christians are the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise. We are the way that the world becomes children of Abraham, co-heirs with Christ as sons and daughters of the Lord.

I just don't do this enough. I am too much like the Jews ... to live a certain life and assume non-believers will "see Jesus" by osmosis. Of course, I don't live a good enough life for that to ever work, either.

I do need to be more intentional in talking about Jesus, making it clear that I believe in Jesus as Messiah, and in the Lord as the almighty creator, and to give my reasons why I know these things. And yes, I also need to live a life that shows other that believing these things matters and motivates my life.

Prayer: Lord, every day you bring people to me in conversation and in just walking around interactions. May I find ways to speak of you, Jesus, more and more, for that's the mission. Amen.

Avoiding the Judgment of Culture

Scripture: Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” Acts 25:10-11

Observation: Paul is on trial before the Roman governor Festus. Festus has heard the 'charges' against Paul, and his defense, but the Jews want the trial ended and Paul turned over to them for their own trial. As a Roman citizen, Paul rejects that, preferring to be heard by Caesar himself.

Festus will go on and explain his dilemma to the Judean king Agrippa. He has heard the charges against Paul, and they make no sense. There is no crime, no charge of treason, and nothing else that constitutes wrongdoing according to either Roman law or Jewish custom, it seems. The entire argument for which Paul is arrested seems to be minor religious points of contention, and a disagreement about whether or not Jesus is alive.

This is Festus' conclusion AFTER hearing the Jewish leaders. This isn't like other trials, where the Jewish leaders try to find false witnesses and tell lies, and then the official judge cannot figure out the truth due to conflicting stories. Instead, the Jews have presented a unified and accurate and true "case" - Paul disagrees with them about key points concerning the Messiah, because he knows Jesus is Messiah and is also raised from the dead - and nothing in that statement is against the law ... and it would seem isn't actually opposed to Jewish customs as the Jews themselves have many disagreements about those topics in general.

However, Paul's reaction is telling. Knowing that he has done nothing wrong and he could likely be released, he effectively rejects that freedom in order to avoid being handed over to the Jews. In other words, while he defends himself in court, he knows that an even worse outcome is to have some group that operates as its own law take control of his fate. He knows he has "not done anything wrong to the Jews" while also making it clear "no one has the right to hand me over to them [the Jews]." 

Application: Paul is making a stand here on a principle many of us need to remember. We must be aware of situations where those with personal and immoral agendas seek to judge us, and in so doing oppress our ability to honor Jesus.

Make no mistake, such people are all around us, and they hold "public hearings" every day attempting to attack those of us - individuals and institutions alike - that believe in Jesus. They are the ones inventing social concepts and constructs around gender and race, defining new battle grounds that declare one set of beliefs as correct, and anyone who doesn't embrace (or even champion) those beliefs is a borderline criminal, and at least someone to be rejected by society.

We now even recognize this by a term, 'cancel culture', where backlash against someone who doesn't agree with such nonsense receives backlash.

Every day, I still make choices that are along the lines of Paul, though not as extreme. I get encouraged to participate in events that 'celebrate' these flawed cultural issues. I am sent information about support groups for employees who identify a certain way. I am offered optional training to learn more about these topics. And every day, I refuse to engage, knowing this likely means I am on some report in human resources, and that report may someday tip the scales when it comes to what happens next in my career. That happened before.

And here's the point: I know I have not done anything wrong to any group of this kind, and therefore I refuse to be handed over to them for judgment. If, as a result, my career dies (again), I do not refuse to die.

Prayer: Lord, as I begin this week, please forgive my sins. I struggle every day, as you know, to live a life aligned to you in every way, and I sincerely want to do so. May I be a light to others, not in conflict, but in spirit-guided interaction, to show your heart to all. Amen.