Expunged for Not Supporting Israel

Scripture:
“Listen to this, Edom:
I’m turning you to a no-account,
the runt of the godless nations, despised.
You thought you were so great,
perched high among the rocks, king of the mountain,
Thinking to yourself,
‘Nobody can get to me! Nobody can touch me!’
Think again. Even if, like an eagle,
you hang out on a high cliff-face,
Even if you build your nest in the stars,
I’ll bring you down to earth.”
God’s sure Word.
Obadiah 1:2-4

Observation: Obadiah has one message, God's sure word, and it is not for Israel and Judah. Rather, it is a message for Edom, and it is simple and fearful. Because Edom treated Israel poorly all the time, and then gloated and celebrated Israel's and Judah's destruction by God, they will be even more thoroughly destroyed. They won't just fall. They won't just permanently fall, never to return as a nation. They will even be forgotten by history, effectively removed from the general knowledge of mankind in the future.

Edom is the nation founded by Esau, Jacob's brother. When they parted, he took the land to the east of the Dead Sea and created a people living in the protective hills and caves. Today, their cities are well-known and popular tourist attractions ... places like Petra. However, almost no one knows of these places as the cities of Edom. Some associate them with ancient Israel, even included on tours of the "holy land". Others just know they are in modern-day Jordan.

Israel and Edom should have been kindred nations. Edom should have been following the example of Israel in worshipping Yahweh ... as Esau and Jacob were both raised to know the Lord, Esau should have accepted the fact Jacob was the one through whom the covenant passed, but he himself should have had faith in the Lord. Instead, Edom despised Israel, and at best ignored them in their times of need. For this, Obadiah is clear - with God's sure word - that Edom will be thoroughly forgotten in the realm of human history. Outside of the context of the bible itself, this word is, in fact, sure.

Application: As Israel is again in a terrible conflict with the terror group of Hamas, that uses Gaza as its base, I am in regular thought on three topics.

First, yes I'm a little miffed at my pastor going to Israel. I get his heart, but I'm frustrated that he has no desire to care for his actual church. I need to get over that and move on for sure, for I am reminded today that his actions are in line with Obadiah's warning. Christians are now the siblings of Israel. We are the ones who also worship Yahweh, exactly as taught through the line of Jacob, and we must stand with Israel. If we do not, we are - and should be - condemned to the same fate as Edom. For this reason, it is good Philip has gone to demonstrate active support of Israel, and I absolutely need to get over every negative thought I have on that matter.

Second, I am haunted by my friend's words about the conflict. Her understanding of the Lord is so incomplete that she can only see a human conflict and the complexity of choosing "sides". There is no acknowledgment that ... this is Israel, in the promised land, under evil attacks designed to explicitly kill Jews. It isn't a human conflict, but an attack by satan against the Lord's nation of priests, motivated by spiritual hatred. To actively declare one cannot choose sides in a battle between Yahweh and satan is a problem worthy of an Edom-esque response by God. How are there people who claim to have an understanding of Christian faith and do not understand spiritual warfare? Of course ... that is the real challenge, as her entire family is already struggling in matters of faith, and we need to love them through that.

Thirdly, I am struck by how obvious it SHOULD be to the entire world that this sort of repeated treatment toward one specific, very small, people-group - the Jews - is not normal. How can one "family" be repeatedly, horrifically attacked by other nations, for 3,900 years, and people don't actively ponder, "I wonder why this is happening?" There is OBVIOUSLY something at work here beyond just normal human conflict, and BILLIONS of people ignore that fact. How many of them will go the way of Edom?

Prayer: Lord, my heart is with Israel, and my mind is with Israel. May I have less angst about what my brothers and sisters in Christ do in response to the current situation, while also finding a way to express the truth about our relationship with Israel to other brothers and sisters. You are so evidently in every situation involving this situation, so may it become a vehicle to somehow serve your good purposes. Amen.

Give Them their Just Desserts

Scripture:
Make them pay for what they’ve done, God.
Give them their just desserts.
Break their miserable hearts!
Damn their eyes!
Get good and angry. Hunt them down.
Make a total demolition here under your heaven!
Lamentations 3:64-66

Observation: The sadness of this entire book is about the destruction of Judah, Jerusalem, and the last of God's people taken into exile. In this, the enemies didn't just destroy the cities and nation, but destroyed the people and even their reputation. Israel and Judah went from being a nation of priests for the Lord, to a broken people who are badmouthed and gossiped about. And the writer wants these other people-groups to pay for this ... to be held accountable before the Lord himself ... for in so doing this to God's people, they have done it to God himself. By declaring themselves victory over the people faithful to Yahweh, they also - either implicitly or explicitly - declare a level of victory over Yahweh.

Application: I know that there is nothing more painful than when someone tells lies about you that are believed and that then bring you down in reputation or position. I have experienced this first-hand, as has my wife. And this is the preferred weapon of most in society today ... the willingness to attack others through lies and manipulated statements in a manner that unjustly attacks one's moral position.

And I join with the author of Lamentations today: Lord, make them pay for what they've done.

Oh, I know they will pay long-term, and in a manner I can scarcely imagine, a punishment so terrible I cannot even understand it in my earthly mind. I also know that the Lord's love is so great, so pure, and so wonderful, that his goal is not to punish even those who attack him and his people, but rather to correct and guide them into redemption and a new understanding of him, so that they will not be punished but with rather opt into the same great reward that I will receive. God is wonderful that way. As a result, I don't expect to see any terrible wrath and punishment brought down on the heads of those who have deceived millions of people to fall into hopeless, lost lives, let alone any kind of retribution levied upon those who have lied about me.

Yet I still join with the author of Lamentations today: Lord, get good and angry. Hunt them down.

Prayer: Lord, despite all I have written, I know that the greatest thing about your is your loving nature, and your mercy. May you have mercy upon me for my sins, forgiving me for the wrong I do in the name of Jesus Christ, upon whom I place all my hope. And since you can forgive me for my sins, I know you can forgive others. I do forgive wrongs done to me, and while there are times I desire vengeance, it is not something I will seek for myself.  To the degree such people wrong you and your name, may you act accordingly by your wisdom and by your love alone, not for my sake but for your purposes and your kingdom and your goodness and name. Amen.

The Problem Isn't as Seen

Scripture:
The problem as God gave Habakkuk to see it:
God, how long do I have to cry out for help
before you listen?
How many times do I have to yell, “Help! Murder! Police!”
before you come to the rescue?
Why do you force me to look at evil,
stare trouble in the face day after day?
Anarchy and violence break out,
quarrels and fights all over the place.
Law and order fall to pieces.
Justice is a joke.
The wicked have the righteous hamstrung
and stand justice on its head.
Habakkuk 1:1-4

Observation: Habakkuk is appealing to the Lord for a logical understanding of what the Lord is doing about Judah's sin. Like Israel before, Judah has fallen into a culture that rejects the Lord and follows all kinds of other beliefs and practices. Evil is everywhere, and Habakkuk just wants to understand why Yahweh isn't acting to stop or change it.

Habakkuk will get his scary answer ... that the Lord is doing something, which will involve Babylon totally destroying Judah. The Lord will go on to clarify and agree with the fact that the prideful and rich people currently flaunting faith and justice will not only be brought to account, but will be wiped out. Everything Habakkuk wants God to do, he answers that he will in fact do, and Habakkuk praises him even in the face of that terrible impending judgment.

However, it is this first problem statement from Habakkuk that sets an interesting tone. Habakkuk lays out the issue - summarized, it is that evil is pervasive in everyday life everywhere - and openly questions God's lack of response. When the Lord responds, however, he doesn't state that he will put an end to evil. Instead, he says he will address the hearts of individuals and explicitly their relationship with the Lord. He will destroy those who have placed their faith in other worthless gods, and thus make it clear that such a lifestyle is empty, fruitless, and leads to eternal death of the soul.

Application: How often have I sat around and wondered - to myself, to my wife, to others of faith, and to the Lord himself - about why God is allowing the degradation of society to occur? I have practically said exactly what Habakkuk says here ... "God, how long do I have to cry out for help?" "Why do you force me to look at evil?" "Law and order fall to pieces!" I ask God why he is allowing this, and when will he intervene.

And just like for Habakkuk, the Lord corrects my worldview. The problem isn't about scrubbing evil from the world, but rather it is about addressing the topic of faith in the Lord. Where people do not have faith in the Lord, all kinds of problems prevail. Where they do have faith in the Lord ... well, evil will still occur, sins will still be committed, and issues will still arise ... but there will be a path toward peace and hope, with a common framework for working through such issues.

Yes, our western society is broken, contaminated with so many lies and false teachings that we are losing millions of people to eternal hopelessness. However, the solution is not to attack those lies. The solution is to return hearts to the Lord, and offer the message of hope and joy found in Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, once again we approach the "holiday" season, and a time when many believers will be offered the chance to tell the vast majority of non-believers about Jesus. May we have the wisdom and words to do so, without engagement in conversations about evil, but simply with engagement in conversations about your love. Yes, may revival start as hearts return to you. Amen.

Just About Sums it Up

Scripture: People are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. 2 Timothy 3:2-4

Observation: This is Paul's summary list how people will behave in the end-times. It is a comprehensive list of unsavory behaviors, but the truth is that they all have one common thread running through them. Every adjective in this list prioritizes one's own self over anyone else. From the narcissistic characteristics of some of these, to the cruel and uncaring implications of others, Paul is saying that, in the end-times, people will do anything and everything to self-promote and advance themselves both economically and socially, while stepping on anyone everyone else ... those trying to protect them, those trying to prevent them, and those just unfortunate enough to be around them.

Application: Yup, this just about sums up society today. I can spend 10 minutes on any social media platform and find examples of people doing exactly everything listed. I would even go far as to say that, when I meet a stranger, this is the list of characteristics I assume they have unless and until they prove differently. Likewise, it is probably how others expect me to behave.

And somehow, we have reached a point where everyone is okay with this. Sure, we might regret it - wish differently of society - but it isn't changing.

I heard a person say the other day that our society has devolved so rapidly into this state that it is not recognizable if placed side-by-side with social norms of just 40 years ago. While that may not be entirely true ... certainly people have always had levels of these traits in them, or how else would Paul know to talk about them ... I would state the de-evolution of societal morality has accelerated for sure.

I am not above this. I have exhibited everything on this list, too ... some of them in the last 24 hours. I wish I wasn't like this. Perhaps, as I continue to think about how I can be a better person, a good starting point would be to try to exhibit none of THESE characteristics. That would be a great start.

The way to do that is to love others more and more, and to care about myself less and less.

Prayer: Lord, again I ask today for you to continue to soften my heart. Help me to love others, and also help me to not love myself or care so much about my life. May I care about me only in the context of you. Amen.

Carrying Out my Orders

Scripture: A soldier on duty doesn’t get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. 2 Timothy 2:4

Observation: Paul's instructions to Timothy are basic ... Timothy is to do the work of the Church, which is telling others about salvation through faith in Jesus. That's it. That's the job. He uses several different metaphors and examples of action to make the point - a soldier on duty, an athlete in a game, a farmer in the field - but everything references this one instruction. The advice is to not get distracted by false messages or secondary debates, but instead diligently do this one assignment.

Application: Over the last few days, I have been casually thinking about the 'work' in my life, and I did reach a very simply conclusion ... I am perpetually distracted by unimportant stuff. I have one task from the Lord, which is to serve him by loving others and representing the truth about Jesus Christ. I have one earthly job, which is currently the work I do at Microsoft. And I have one other heavenly assignment, as the husband of my wife and as a support system for her and my family. Beyond that, everything else is distraction and off-mission.

The soldier analogy resonates with me. A Roman soldier would patrol the marketplace, keeping an eye out for issues and ensuring that peace prevails. He would never just chit-chat with merchants, or even he himself just spend time as a customer purchasing goods while on duty. Instead, he does his job, performs his duty, and stays on-task.

What do I do? I mentally wander, allowing all kinds of meaningless and useless thoughts to invade my mind, and then spending time on actions that do not advance any aspect of life - mine or others - and thus are truly empty of purpose. At the end of the day, I feel like a failure because I have in fact failed at carrying out my orders.

Again, this was something I thought about over the last few days, that I need to recommit myself to the true work to which the Lord has assigned me. I need to carry out my orders. To do so, I need to discard and reject all the distractions and noise and worthless stuff accessible all around me. I can do better at both my heavenly and earthly work.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your word and your truth. You guide my thoughts, and then reinforce that guidance, as only you can in your wisdom and your love. You are my commander, may I concentrate on carrying out my orders. Amen.

Why We Have Trust Issues

Scripture:
So, Jeremiah, if you’re worn out in this footrace with men,
what makes you think you can race against horses?
And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm,
what’s going to happen when troubles break loose
like the Jordan in flood?
Those closest to you, your own brothers and cousins,
are working against you.
They’re out to get you. They’ll stop at nothing.
Don’t trust them, especially when they’re smiling.
Jeremiah 12:5-6

Observation: Jeremiah has asked this question of the Lord ... why do evil people prosper and succeed in attacking him and his character, when he is doing God's work and living according to everything God tells him to do? Yes, the Lord confirms for Jeremiah that punishment is soon coming to all of Israel and Judah. Yes, the Lord explicitly tells Jeremiah he will deal with the people of Anathoth, Jeremiah's own home town. However, the Lord also simply tells him the truth about evil, scheming people. They are running a different race by different rules, and you cannot beat them alone. Faithful people can merely survive human life, so of course they struggle when others create hazards and barriers. Jeremiah is right in knowing that even those close to him - those who claim to love him as family - are scheming against him, so don't trust even their kindness.

Application: While this instruction had some specifics for Jeremiah, I feel this lesson applies to all believers. Those under the influence of evil in the world will scheme against us, and we cannot overcome those schemes without the Lord's help. In fact, we will fall victim to some of the schemes, and the Lord's help will come after-the-fact, with assistance for our recovery, and future punishment for the evil actor. And lest we forget, these schemers are everywhere, even those who would declare themselves friends.

As I sit here today, I can thoughtfully state for a fact that I fully trust only my wife, my children, and two friends. I might trust two or three other people with only specific aspects of my life. I trust no one professionally. And my wife's list of whom she trusts might be smaller than mine.

Some might call this a very sad situation, and they may even criticize us for this ... they might state that this sort of mindset is indicative of a lack of faith in mankind and thus contrary to God's will for us to love others, or that this represents a division in the church if we don't trust our brothers and sisters in Christ. I sincerely believe our lack of trust is ... biblical. Off the top of my head, I see this warning to Jeremiah, correction in this matter given to Josiah, Paul's and John's expressions of pain about other church leaders betraying them, and even Jesus himself structuring concentric circles of trust in his followers.

Yes, perhaps our 'circle' is smaller than it should be. However, we have reasons and past experiences. We have seen our own pastor reputationally attacked by other pastors, and we have been lied about by church members and close work associates alike. There is a difference between sharing time with others, serving together, enjoying life together with a group of believers and friends, and trusting everyone. There are times I wish I trusted more. Perhaps, however, it is best to know that we must not race against horses.

Prayer: Lord, I trust in you alone, for in truth you are the only entity in the universe to be trusted. I thank you for the people in my life. Please give me wisdom about how to interact with them in love and service. Amen.

Make Me Holy like You Are

You are my God.

Mark me with your presence.

Restore as I yield anew.

God, I need resurrender,

So I resurrender.

God, for your glory ...

Understanding My Work Again

Scripture: We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. Colossians 1:10

Observation: As in other letters, Paul opens this letter to the church at Colosse with a general description of the joy he feels when he prays for them. In this case, his prayer becomes specific when discussing their "work". The prayer is hope for the work they do to be good, and also for that work to teach them something about God himself and that they would "learn how to do your work" (emphasis NOT added). In other translations, this same passage is about how to live life, but also more strongly uses a metaphor of harvest. It is about living a life that is worthy of the Lord and pleasing to him, bearing fruit in its work, while also deepening one's understanding and knowledge of the Lord himself.

Application: Again today I am drawn to apply this to 'my work' on earth. It remains work I do not fully understand, and thus I feel I need to wonder about two questions. First, is this work even in the 'orchard' ... is this really God's work for me? And second, if this is the work intended for me, what do I need to learn in order to bring myself into God's alignment and purpose for me in this place and time?

The first of these questions is clearly about life purpose. I don't always feel like I'm doing anything for the kingdom here, but certainly that might also be more about the second question ... me missing the mark when it comes to understanding how I should be serving the Lord here. And thus, perhaps I need to be leaning into this second question all the more.

How can I learn to do MY work here? What is MY work here? Certainly the process of learning "how" to do my work begins with the revelation of what that work actually is. Ideas come to my own mind, but I know how dangerous that can be, so instead this needs to involve way more prayer and conversation with the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, I do pray into this today, and may I pray into it more every day. What is my purpose right here, in this place and time you have given me. I may not always like it, but I am very aware you placed me here. Perhaps it was for a specific season that involved a specific outcome that is outside of the work environment. However, perhaps it was for this seasons for an outcome that you desire right here, in this place. The truth is, I do not know, and as Paul reveals, understanding this better will increase my knowledge of you. I love you, Lord, and I seek you. May I be worthy of the work you have planned for me, and may I learn of it and pursue it more and more. Amen.

Seeking Happiness in the Lord

Scripture: Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Philippians 4:11-12

Observation: Paul is about to make one of his most famous statement in all his letters; that he can do "all things through him who gives me strength." However, the context of this - verse 13 - is interesting. Paul is currently in prison, and he is not saying that he can walk free, or fly away from his persecutors, or defeat Rome through either great might or great love. Paul is actually saying that ... he can be happy.

This is the lead-up to the "all things" declaration: Paul has found a way to simply be happy, or at least content, in every situation. He is far happier than others would expect, and he knows how to hold onto that happiness when he has good or bad things, or when he has food or is hungry, or in any positive or negative circumstance.

This happiness comes from the source of behavior he outlines in verses 6-9. First, Paul surrenders all worry to the Lord, turning it over to him in prayer. Second, Paul instead concentrates on the good things in life, which have been provided by the Lord, and thus giving praise for those aspects of life.

Application: Recently, I have been focused on the lessons taught in scripture about what happens to sinful societies. How could I not? Old Testament prophesy directed at Israel and Judah - and their immanent destruction due to their abandonment of faith - are so apropos to the PNW today. However, Paul gives me a better lesson today.

I would really like to live a life of daily happiness. And the Lord offers that to me, if I will simply surrender my concerns about the huge issues of this world to him, and instead focus on the life he has given me. I should embrace those things that are true and good and noble and just and kind and pleasing. To do that, I should first release my cares about those things that are false and evil and corrupt and hurtful and meanspirited and hateful.

Prayer: Lord, may I heed the advice of Paul daily. May I release to you, in prayer, the concerns of this society. Yes, I need to consider them to bring them to you in prayer, but then I can know that your will be done and you have them under your control as you have seen fit. Then I can fix my eyes on you and your love, finding happiness in a world where you have actually provided goodness. May I do this daily. Amen.

Considering Again False Prophets

Scripture:
Prophets preach lies
and priests hire on as their assistants.
And my people love it. They eat it up!
But what will you do when it’s time to pick up the pieces?
Jeremiah 5:31

Observation: Jeremiah, full of the words of the Lord, is going into detail in his warnings to Judah about their impending destruction. The people have rebelled against the Lord's ways, and this is one of those ways ... they have false prophets pronouncing things that are not of the Lord, then supported by priests who declare teaching for their own good, and all the people "eat it up". They not only listen and believe, but they find these lies align to the way they wish the world were ordered, and thus cling to it as truth, failing to test the prophets and priestly teachings for accuracy based on the word of the Lord.

This is a group conspiracy against the Lord, and the nature of the conspiracy is this ... everyone seeks to have the Lord say and teach exactly what they want to hear - in a manner that justifies their desires - and rejects anything that the Lord is actually saying.

Application: I was thinking on this again yesterday, about certain Christians I know who are so deeply engaged in the words of false prophets. These false prophets declare words over topics ranging from current politics, to personal health matters, to today's weather, and other Christians use these words to justify decisions in their lives. Again, they don't so much use them to make choices, but rather to justify that which they were already hoping to do or to be true. There is an element of spiritualism to it, with "believers" seeking the false prophesy that will uphold their own false understanding, then using these circular falsehoods to justify it all.

I have been having thoughts about my role in our church, wondering about how perhaps I should be engaging with others. I feel a push to become one of the "older men" of the church who gently guides and corrects people, and this is one of the topics on my heart. However, I fear my desire to correct such people may not be from God, but just the way my mind works. Becoming a hypocritical legalist would be the worst thing possible. That said, this topic of false prophets, and especially the way some Christians are so bought into them, is on my heart for a reason.

Prayer: Lord, I am an older man of the church, but I am not wise. I worry that my thoughts are just that, my thoughts, and not yours. Please stay my heart in matters where you are not leading me, but also give me knowledge and wisdom to pronounce your word when you give it to me. Amen.