Month: July 2018

Re:Verse reading–Jeremiah 29:1-14 (day three)

Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.

You like to tell yourself you don’t want to “settle”, so you keep looking past this moment for something better.  But you really don’t know what you’re looking for.  Much of the history of the Old Testament can be summarized thusly: If you won’t live here, you won’t live anywhere.  Later, Jesus said the same in various ways. “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”  And, “Whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”  There’s nothing that you are afraid to do at this moment that you’ll have the moral courage to do in some idealized future.  The Lord draws near now.  Live.

 

Re:Verse reading–Jeremiah 29:1-14 (day two) 

Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’ Vs. 7

I write this post in Seattle, Washington at the beginning of the week as the Chapel Singers begin their week of service with the Seattle Union Gospel Mission. This organization seeks to engage the enormous plight of homelessness in the city by meeting physical needs and addressing their spiritual condition. We are called to engage, to help, to care for these people. Their welfare is our welfare. Will you pray for these young people as they expand their hearts this week? Please pray that God will continue to stretch them for continued service throughout their walk.

 

Re:Verse reading–Jeremiah 29:1-14 (day one) 

“When Babylon’s seventy years are completed, I will visit you and will fulfill my promise to you.”–v 10

Two parallel stories merged in Babylon in 586 BC.  Two nations.  Both groups known to God.  Both groups dealt with in great fairness, even if on separate paths.

God gave Babylon seventy years to repent.  To hear the gospel.  To turn from idolatry.  Many (some) did.  It was a window of grace and opportunity.

The exiles from Israel were under God’s discipline. ( Please see Hebrews 12:5-13.  It is one of the reasons that we still fear God, and should!)  For a time, they are commanded to live in Babylon and be “lights for the Gentiles”.

How wise God is to work together two stories for the purpose of grace!

Consider, please.  The way that God is currently working in your life may be much about lost people around you.  He is writing more than one story, here.

Re:Verse reading—Psalm 27 (day seven)

     The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? (v.1)

As impossible as it sounds, the answer is no one.  I shall fear no one except God above.

     Even though an army encamps against me, my heart shall not fear (v.3)

The most powerful thing this world has ever known is the creative voice of God.  Should anything come against God’s children, God only has to say, “peace, be still.”  Then it’s over, there’s not even a battle, but solely at God’s command adversaries fall. Yet, while God whispers to us, “fear not” our hearts race at each difficult day.

I’ve heard this N.T. Wright quote many times in recent days, “As surprising as it might be, the most frequent command in the Bible is not “Be good” or “Be moral” but “Fear not.”” Depending on how you parse the phrase, we are told to “fear not” anywhere from 125-366 times in Scripture.  Hundreds of times we are told to “fear not” as God’s constant Scriptural reminder that if God is for us no one shall prevail against us.

 

Re:Verse reading—Psalm 27 (day six)

The Psalms are full of beautiful theological truths; there is much to be learned about God from the words the poet is inspired to write, but we not only learn from their content but also their form. Psalm 27 is a wonderful example. David moves from hopeful affirmations, to spiritual longings, and then into prayer. In fact, the majority of Psalm 27 is a prayer.

What can we learn from these forms? We learn that as David works out these truths of God in real life (in this case fear), his faith finds its fullest expression in actual prayer, real, gutsy prayer. The Psalms would lead us to believe, that regardless of what we face in this life, it cannot be devoid of real prayer. In this way prayer becomes the feet of our faith; what we believe and hope in God.

So, let me ask you, do you pray? Does what you believe about God work itself out in real life and find its way into real-life prayer?

Re:Verse reading—Psalm 27 (day five) 

Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.

Do you ever take time to do an emotional and spiritual inventory?

List the real things that are going on in your heart, soul, and mind- tensions, stresses, conflicts, pressures, fears, and uncertainties.  Don’t stop there, list the experiences, promises, and potential that result from an authentic trust and friendship with God- search the scriptures, sermon notes, and journal entries. 

One of David’s inventories is found in Psalm 27. “I feel this- God promises that. I see this- God has provided that. I have experienced this, God acts and wills that.”

What David discovers is that God’s side of the inventory causes him to understand better God’s love and leadership.  And David’s conclusion is that God’s promises and care for the human race are vastly different from current and past circumstances and emotions- deeper, longer, higher. The result is courage, joy, peace, and hope.

Re:Verse reading—Psalm 27 (day four)

I have a friend who is deployed.  He is in a war zone…one of the hotspots of the world.  He is a warrior like King David.  When he reads Psalm 27:1-3, it is with different eyes than mine.  Can we really have confidence that God is with us…even in the battles of life?  Absolutely! David did not just write Psalms out of the experiences of his life…these words were inspired by the Holy Spirit.  They are the words of God.

So…when God makes a promise, can we trust Him to keep it?  Most assuredly…YES!  God keeps His promises…it is His character and He will never act contrary to His character.  Can we have courage when life gets difficult?  When Scripture says “fear not”, can we really stand firm in our faith?  Yes and Yes.  “He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.” (Psalm 91:4)  He redeems us from fear.

Re:Verse reading—Psalm 27 (day three) 

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?

Come on.  Even David felt fear.  It’s what fallen, finite human beings do.  This passage wouldn’t have us believe David belted out these verses as if they were taunts against hostile forces.  This isn’t bravado; it’s meditation—an examination of the self, a questioning of otherwise knee-jerk responses.  “Whom shall I fear?” is not a declaration.  It really does pose a question: What do I actually know about God?  Specifically, does God’s vision of human life rise above political machinations?  Does his wisdom rise higher than geopolitical intrigue?  Is there a love that remains when families fall into strife?  David shows us that in perilous times, if we will survey the soul, we will open our lives to a flood of courage from a God who’s still sure.

Re:Verse reading—Psalm 27 (day two) 

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, and to meditate in His temple. vs. 4

David was a king who was well acquainted with conflict. He knew what it was to be chased and hunted. He also knew what it was to taste conquest and victory. His story is filled with great victories on the battlefield. At his heart however, he was still a shepherd who longed for the quiet and solitude that caring for sheep provided him. That time where he could sing his songs of devotion to the Lord.

No matter what may surround you, or how the world buffets against you may your testimony be more concerned with longing to be near the Lord than to be victorious.

Re:Verse reading—Psalm 27 (day one)

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear. . .though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.”–v 1, 3

There is a beautiful confidence that God promises His children.  Part of His ordinary grace.  Regular armor for every soldier.  Peter and John had it.  (Acts 4:13)  David too (today’s text)

It is not really the absence of fear, rather the presence of a larger confidence/focus.  God is near.  I can, therefore, be confident.

Many believers I know (myself included) fall short in our experience of this great gift.  We are worried and distracted and anxious.  Why?

The secret is in seeking the Lord.  “Seek my face!” says the Lord in v 8.  “I do” says David in response. “I will” he says in v 4.

People who seek  God when danger is NOT present find Him near when it IS.  Is HE what you want, even when things are calm/easy?