Author: Aaron Hufty

Re:Verse passage – Esther 7:3-7 (day one) 

Then Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me as my petition, and my people as my request vs. 3

Speaking truth to power is an oft-used trope throughout scripture. Esther is one of the greatest examples of this theme. The concept is simple – tell the truth; the execution is often perilous. Truth telling when you are in agreement carries no consequences. Truth telling in the face of opposition or in disagreement with social norms carries extraordinary risk. In order to get to this position one must be confident that telling the truth is worth the reprisal, including death. Earlier in the story Esther tries to obfuscate, but she is reminded of a need and purpose that exceeds her personal comfort or protection.

Esther had truth on her side, but that did not guarantee her safety, but that is what made the decision to speak on behalf of her people all the more righteous. How often do you find it easier to sit on the sidelines and let things go rather than speak the truth? Please don’t misunderstand me, I’m not talking about engaging in a social media rant. No one has EVER won a FaceBook argument. I’m talking about having the courage to speak, in love, about what you know to be true about Jesus without knowing how that courage will cost you. We need more Esthers.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Kings 19:3-8 (day two) And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. Vs. 3

Why do emotional and spiritual valleys seemingly ALWAYS follow mountains? We see here in Elijah a truth which often parallels our own. When we are on the mountain it is so clear to see the plan and purpose of God. We can discern steps forward, and be assured of success. We do not fear assault because our defenses are sure and strong. And then, we need rest. We get tired. The mountain is behind us, and our defenses are lowered. We feel every assault, and we are easily defeated.

Does this sound familiar? You are in good spiritual company, but notice God does not give Elijah his request. Elijah asks to die and be removed from this strife. The Lord provides food and rest for the task and journey ahead. The valleys WILL come. You will feel at your end. Don’t stop talking to God. Ask for the next breath, the next rest, the next bite. He’s as near in the valley as he was on the mountain.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Kings 18:30-39 (day two)

“O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant…” vs 36b

Elijah makes sure to set things in the proper perspective. His first actions were to repair the altar. By doing so he was honoring the covenant that God had with Moses and the people of Israel. His prayer is one that we should take notice of. Elijah makes clear nothing wonderful that is about to take place is due to him. All the glory, all the honor belongs to the Lord. When we pray, how do we focus our prayers? How much attention do we give to honoring the Lord? Examine your prayer life today, and make an effort to not only exalt him, but to surrender any sort of pride, ego, or adulation that would take any focus from God. See how the Lord shapes your heart as a result.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 18:6-11 (day two) For the battle there was spread over the whole countryside, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured. Vs. 8

Before and after our filming of re:vlog last week the three pastors discussed this verse. The forest devoured more people than the sword. That is incredibly vivid language, which gives rise to incredibly vivid imagery. One of the things that I love about scripture is its ability to inspire the imagination. Countless songs, pictures, novels, and every other conceivable art form have been born out of a love and knowledge of scripture. To be clear, the scripture is set apart from these works. Scripture alone is sufficient. But God has created us to imagine, create, and dream. He has redeemed our whole selves, including our imaginations. It is no wonder that Tolkien took inspiration from this passage and created Fangorn Forest and the Ents for his Lord of the Rings epic. Have you ever let scripture inspire you to write, sing, or paint? It is NEVER too late to start.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Samuel 17:38-51 (day two) 

Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. vs 48

How often do you run to meet a challenge? How often do you face insurmountable odds and danger with abandon? More importantly, how often do you feel the pleasure of the Lord in what you are called to do? Call it the impetuousness of youth if you like, but there is more than youthful zeal in David’s action. He has rightly discerned that if the Lord is for you, then nothing that opposes you will stand. This isn’t just a beloved Old Testament story, this is our spiritual reality. God doesn’t measure obstacles the way we do, just as he didn’t judge a king’s stature when choosing David. Know the Lord is on your side, and run to face whatever challenges are in your way.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Samuel 16:5-13 (day two)  

And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.” vs. 11a

We often talk about the sibling rivalry found among Joseph and his brothers. He was favored among the rest, and it cost him. David’s family dynamic was the opposite. He wasn’t included among the rest of his brothers as they were brought before Samuel to be consecrated. He didn’t even rate an introduction until the prophet asked if there were any other sons. Small, young, and insignificant is how he was portrayed. Hopefully, this isn’t a lesson in how to treat your children better, but there are likely some areas of our lives where we give little thought. Things, relationships, priorities that receive no attention when we consider Kingdom things. Perhaps we need to take some time to re-evaluate. Why has the Lord placed an insignificant matter in the corner of my life? Is this an opportunity to be led in a direction you have never considered before?

Re:Verse passage – Judges 16:15-21 (day two)

Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? vs. 15a

A few years ago we did a study on the Judges of Israel. It was fascinating to look at the lives of these leaders. To say they were flawed is an understatement. Bryan used the term anti-hero, and that is about as close as we can come to describing most of those characters. They don’t share the archetypes that we usually associate with leadership, but it also shows that God can use anyone to fulfill his purpose. In our story this week we see how the impetuous Samson is unequally yoked to Delilah. Their union was not what you would want for your children. There was never a shared story between them that lead to their marriage. What is most troubling is Samson did not see the deceit that was brewing in front of him. When we make decisions based on desire rather than the leadership of the Holy Spirit we so often become blinded to the danger that is right in front of us. We must take care to always be sensitive to the Spirit, so we know when to turn right or left.

Re:Verse passage – Joshua 7:6-12, 20-21 (day two) So the Lord said to Joshua, “Rise up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face? vs. 10

Can you imagine how Joshua must have felt? Things were moving in the right direction. Israel was finally getting to reap the promises of the Lord, and then to be routed in defeat for no discernible reason. It must have felt like a gut punch. Joshua knew enough to fall down and grieve their situation, but God was not calling for a season of inaction. He was expecting Joshua to act, on his behalf, to root out the cause of the sin. If Joshua had not be dialed into a relationship with the Lord, he would have missed the point of the defeat. Not every situation, fumble, sin, or problem has the same formula for fixing. The key is to be in a right relationship with the Lord. Sometimes we need to grieve, and sometimes we need to act. We shouldn’t treat every situation with some ‘universal’ fix other than to seek after God’s design.

Re:Verse passage – Joshua 5:13-15; 6:1-5 (day two) and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat vs 6:5b

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;
Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises. Psalm 98:4

Let’s be honest, we need to do more shouting. One of the questions I get in regards to worship is ‘how do I feel about clapping in service?’ I think I understand the heart of the question.  It speaks to who is receiving glory and recognition. Let me be clear, it is not us. We do not approach worship hoping to be recognized or honored for their performance.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
But to Your name give glory Psalm 115:1

Our prayer each week is to use the gifts, given on loan from the Lord, to present an offering of praise that we may glorify the Lord, and in so doing help others to see his goodness. It is a beautiful circle. We take from the Lord and use what he has given us to give back.

There are times when worship is so alive and profound that you can’t help but react. Scripture is on your side. Clap, shout, and respond. Not for our benefit, but to give praise to the Lord. This doesn’t always happen. Some times we need to sit and reflect, and just be still in the Lord.

My hope is that I will encourage more people to respond to the Lord in a way that directs praise to him. My prayer is also that our congregation knows we don’t need applause. We simply want to use our worship to see Jesus more clearly, and to help others to do the same. However you respond, please do so for the glory and honor of our savior.