Category: Seasons of Life

Re: Verse reading–Deuteronomy 34 (day three)  “He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is.”  God buried Moses.  Jesus wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus.  What was not well-understood by the Hebrews and what was only dimly understood by Jesus’s contemporaries is what we now know full well from the resurrection of our Lord: Those whom death seems to have claimed will live again.  God placed the body he had made into earth that he had formed.  The source of life will not be thwarted by death.  Jesus’s grieved not because death had bested his ability (indeed, he raised Lazarus), but because death had become a way of life for the human race.  The Lord is Lord of all.  From Moses to Lazarus, and before and beyond, death will give way to him.

 

Re: Verse reading–Deuteronomy 34 (day two)
Although Moses wasone hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated.

Talk about running your race well! Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit where we were able to hear the hearts of some truly Godly leaders on a variety of subjects. At the end of the summit we were introduced to the “new” head of the international arm of the organization. As he began his new position he was 70 years old, and in his opening remarks he said, “if you’re not dead, you’re not done.” This was certainly the case with Moses, who to the end was leading, teaching, and listening. He knew that the end of his earthly journey would not be the end of the journey for God’s chosen, so he continued to serve. Eventually we will all slow our pace with regards to work and career, but we should all look to Moses’ example for service in the Kingdom. We may all not have undimmed vision or unabated vigor, but we can still serve. What leg of the journey are you currently on? Stay in the race!

Re: Verse reading–Deuteronomy 34 (day one)
“When I come to die, yes, when I come to die, give me Jesus”–Jeremy Camp.  For 12 weeks we have surveyed the stages of life.  (Thank you, Baptistway –excellent summer study)  We have looked at youth, marriage, the birth of children, family tensions and retirement.  This week we come to the end of life–the experience of death.  What will death be like for the believer?  The biblical report is mixed.  Some struggle–Moses still wanted to live, prayed for the privilege to go into the land promised. ( See Deuteronomy 3)  Significant satisfaction–Moses’ last act was to teach Israel a new song of praise. (see Deuteronomy 32)  Praise indicates the gratitude of his heart as he prepared to meet the Lord.  The lesson for us?  An end to denial!  We will die.  Unless the Lord comes beforehand, we will all experience what Moses did.  Are we ready?  What can we do, pray or resolve so that we can be?  (Personal note–I will be so glad to be back in the FBC pulpit this coming Sunday.  Looking forward to seeing you there!)

Re: Verse reading–1 Samuel 8:1-10, 1 Samuel 12:1-5 (day seven)
“Appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”  (8:5)  Serious mistake.  Common.  Wanting to be like “everyone else”.  An expression of insecurity, really.  Unconscious (and false) thought that other people are “more together”.  If I could only have what they have or live where they live, things would be better.  The problem?  Israel already had a king!  Just not one they could see.  God was their king.  Had been every step of the way.  Present.  Powerful.  Competent.  Compassionate.  Wise.  Better leadership than they would ever get from a person!   But the people of God couldn’t see what they had, their unique calling, their opportunity to “example” this spiritual life to all others.   Their eyes were too focused on other nations.  Do I do this?  Do I chase after possessions and security, just like everyone else?  Do I recognize the unique opportunity I have to walk with the Spirit?

Re:Verse passage:  1 Samuel 8:1-10; 12:1-5  (day four)
What does the term ‘patient’ or ‘longsuffering’ mean to you?  In our fast-food society and mindset, ‘to be patient’ means we give them two or, maybe, three chances to do it right before we react.  In 8:7-8, God says, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.  Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day—“  God had endured the continued rebellion of Israel for nearly 400 years!  His focus was on His divine plan to restore mankind from the ravages of sin…not on the perceived loss of a ‘right’.  Do we keep our eyes on God’s divine plan?  Are we looking at the events of the world, the relationships around us, the pressing problems of the day?  God has a plan…let’s discern where we fit into it, in our small slice of history!

Re: Verse reading–1 Samuel chapters 8 and 12 (day three)
“And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.”  God gave the people what they wanted.  Isn’t that how we often define the success of prayer?  Consider the words of C.S. Lewis:  “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.” All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened. ”

Re: Verse reading–1 Samuel 8:1-10, 1 Samuel 12:1-5 (day two)
Transitions are tough. Tougher still to watch something you have devoted yourself to for a lifetime go in a direction that points anywhere but up. Maybe you can relate. Have you witnessed a career’s worth of work dissipate due to lack of vision by successive leadership? Perhaps you have poured into your children’s spiritual development only to have them recalcitrant and unredeemed. It is certainly enough to make you want to throw your hands in the air. Surely Samuel felt this tension. His life’s devotion to the Lord on behalf of the nation of Israel was seemingly lost on his sons and the people. But how often do we have to be reminded to be responsible for ourselves? We cannot change the minds and hearts of others, we can only be accountable for our response to the world. It may be frustrating, but it is often enough just to handle what is on our plates rather than try to worry about everything else. God is still in control. The people of Israel cried out for a king. God did answer, but certainly not like they expected. This is why on Sunday we will sing “Rejoice, the LORD is King”.

Re: Verse reading–1 Samuel 8:1-10, 1 Samuel 12:1-5 (day one)
“But when they said, ‘Give us a king to lead us,’ this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord.”  (8:6)  Our RE Verse passage this week points our attention to Samuel at the end of his career.  Like many Senior Adults, Samuel struggles with value and despair issues as he faces this important life transition.  When the elders of the nation express a desire for a “change”–from prophet leadership to a king (government which would not involve his sons)  he was tempted to take it personally.  His next move was very wise.  Rather than react, he prayed.  God’s wisdom?  “This is not about you.”  “You will worry less about what people think of you, when you realize how seldom they do”–Jane Witcher.  We are all wise to interpret our disappointments with similar perspective.  Our children, our friends, our family. . they are not doing things “to us”.  The issue that matters is relationship to God.

Re: Verse reading–2 Samuel 13:1-2, 20-22,30-37, 2 Samuel 14:21-24, 2 Samuel 15:7-14, 2 Samuel 18:6-15, 33 (day seven)
David’s cry touches my heart.  “My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you”  (18:33)  I am certain he was sincere.  Death is often easier than life–preferred over the burden that God requires us to carry.  The crown, however, belonged on David’s head.  Not Absalom’s.  David had to survive so that Christ could come.  The true “Son of David” would also die.  Not in rebellion against authority, but in submission to it.  Not in an attempt to gain glory for himself, but in an act of obedience that would bring “many sons to glory”  Strange irony.  David preferred his own death if his son might  live.  God planned for His Son to die so that others might have life.  David’s assignment was to survive.  Christ’s assignment was to die.  God’s deep, unbending grace requires courage and submission of us all.   Not my will but thine be done.

Re: Verse reading–2 Samuel 13:1-2, 20-22, 30-37, 2 Samuel 14: 21-24, 2 Samuel 15:7-14, 2 Samuel 18:6-15, 33 (day six)
“The king said to him, ‘Go in peace.’  So he (Absalom) went to Hebron.”  (15:9)   He should have known better.  David knew his own heart–how prone to sin it was, how weak when not held accountable.  He should have been more vigilant with his sons.  Should have questioned Amnon more carefully.  “Now why is it that only Tamar can help you feel better, and why does she need to come to your bedroom?”  More cautious with Absalom’s plans.  “Now, what is happening in Hebron?”  Sometimes I feel guilty for being suspicious, careful with others.  (As if it is a character flaw to not trust people easily, automatically)  John 2 makes an interesting observation about Jesus.  “He was not entrusting Himself to them, because He knew what was in all men.”  Jesus knew. It is possible to be too trusting.  We are to be as wise as serpents AND as gentle as doves.