Real Salvation

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 22-24, Psalms 93

Salvation is real. It’s based on real events within human history. It’s an accurate record of God’s miraculous intervention on behalf of His chosen people which is why it retains such a hold on our imaginations. When I was in seminary, I remember debating fellow students and even some of my professors over the nature of salvation. They believed the events of the Bible to be largely mythological. They believed salvation to be a spiritual metaphor describing the basic human longing for freedom or liberation. They couldn’t conceive of a God who would act within history. They rejected the historicity of events like the Exodus or people like David or even the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. They began with the a priori philosophical assumption that miracles were impossible and therefore the Bible must be wrong or using hyperbole when it describes them. Everything must have a naturalistic or humanistic or scientific explanation. The problem with this approach is it doesn’t adequately explain why events like the Exodus remain so influential over the centuries.

In today’s reading, David composes a song of thanksgiving. It’s a song commemorating his victories over all his enemies. David is finally at peace. He has won all his wars. He has secured his line of succession. He has united the nation of Israel under his rule. And he rightfully gives God all the glory. As he writes his poetry, he draws on the image of the Exodus to describe all God has done for him. “The Lord thundered from heaven; the Most High made his voice heard. He shot arrows and scattered them; he hurled lightning bolts and routed them. The depths of the sea became visible, the foundations of the world were exposed at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.” (2 Samuel 22:14-16 CSB) He goes on to talk about God lifting him out of the deep waters to bring him to a safe place. He talks about God’s deliverance from all his enemies and how God gave him victory after victory everywhere he went. Clearly, David has in mind specific battles in specific places against specific people. These are not abstract ideas. David isn’t just talking about spiritual metaphors. He is talking about salvation in the literal sense. A real God acting on behalf of His people within real time and space. And David relates his own experiences to the experiences of God’s people throughout their history.

The question I often posed to my fellow students and professors when we would debate is how we could honestly talk about God as “Savior” if He never actually saved anyone? Why would we call Him names like “Deliverer”, “Rescuer”, “Liberator”, etc. if He wasn’t actually engaged in the business of deliverance, rescue, and liberation? It’s baffling to me that people would worship a god who never actually does anything. I am honestly stumped why anyone would seek to follow such a god? Why would we believe or trust anything this supposed god actually said? How is this not just wishful thinking? How is this not just blind hope? No, I worship a God who saves. I worship a God who delivers. I worship a God who parted the Red Sea, saved David from all his enemies, and raised Jesus Christ from the dead. I worship a God who still intervenes miraculously to save His people even today.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 1-3, Psalms 94

The Futility of Revenge

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 13-15, Psalms 90

“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” - Gandhi

“Fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Whatever injury he inflicted on the person, the same is to be inflicted on him.” (Leviticus‬ ‭24‬:‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The principle of proportional justice cited by Gandhi comes straight out of the Old Testament from passages like the one in Leviticus. It’s specifically designed by God to bring an end to the perpetual cycles of violence and revenge that plagued the ancient world. Insults were met with assault. Assaults met with murders. Murder met with the elimination of entire families. The elimination of families led to open warfare between tribes. These are generational cycles in honor/shame cultures. The next generation shouldering the responsibility to restore the honor of their family by taking revenge on those who wounded their fathers and mothers.

We see a similar dynamic play out in the stories we read today. David led a highly dysfunctional family. He played favorites. Indulged the children he liked and ignored the children he despised. Mostly he appears to be an absentee father who seems consumed with running the Kingdom of Israel rather than securing his succession and teaching his children to fear the Lord. The results are tragic. Amnon rapes his sister. Absalom assassinates Amnon. David effectively exiles Absalom. Absalom leads a rebellion to overthrow his father, dragging the entire country into war. At every point, there are opportunities to choose a different path. Amnon could have asked David for Tamar’s hand in marriage. David could have brought Amnon to justice for the rape of his sister. David could have chosen reconciliation after Absalom’s exile had ended. Absalom could have chosen the path of peace rather than war against his father. Sadly, the desire for revenge got the best of them which led to all kinds of horrific consequences for them, their families, their communities, and the nation.

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” (Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬) The path Jesus offers is the path of non-violent resistance. He challenges his followers to break the cycles of revenge that so often enslave us and instead claim the moral high ground. He challenges them to overcome evil with good. Violence with peace. Hatred with love. There may not be a more radical teaching in all of Scripture! It would almost be too much except for the fact that Jesus Himself models this ethic in his suffering and death. Refusing to lift a hand against his oppressors. Refusing to call down legions of angels to fight on his behalf. Asking for forgiveness for us rather than revenge from the cross all because He trusted in His Father’s higher, greater plan. Do we trust God in this same way in our own lives?

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 16-18, Psalms 91 (No devotionals on Sundays)

Promises

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 9-12, Psalms 89

David was a promise keeper. He promised his friend Jonathan that he would show kindness to his descendants. He took a vow that he would bless his children should he be given the opportunity. After years of being hunted by Jonathan’s father, David now rules over a united Israel. The temptation so many face in his position is the potential threats posed by the family members of the former king who might lay claim to the throne. Many in David’s position would either kill or banish potential rivals. We see it happen all the time around the world even today. David, however, operated by a different set of values. When given the chance, he sought out anyone left in Saul’s family in order to show them kindness. This included a lowly, orphaned, crippled, almost forgotten young man named Mephibosheth. Unable to go to war with his father and grandfather, he had to rely on the generosity of others in order to survive. David lifts him up and treats him like a prince. He gives him all the property of King Saul and invites him into the royal court. Even welcomes him at the king’s table! This act of kindness fulfilled his vow to his dear friend and I’m sure brought joy to David’s heart.

David had so many reasons NOT to keep his promise. Circumstances had changed. His responsibilities had grown exponentially. The decisions he made impacted not just himself but an entire kingdom. Political expediency suggested he secure his kingdom by eliminating any potential threats both internally and externally. I am sure David received counsel to kill every one of Saul’s remaining family members. But David trusted God. He knew God was the source of his power and authority. He knew God had raised him up to the throne. He knew God would protect him and keep him. And because he had full confidence that God would keep His promises, he was set free to keep his promises as well no matter the potential cost.

This is the key to keeping our promises. If we trust God is in control, we don’t need to be anxious. We don’t need to be afraid. We don’t need to worry or fret over “what if.” If we believe God is faithful, we are set free to make promises and keep promises. We are set free to honor our word even if it costs us something. We are set free to walk with integrity no matter how difficult it may be. With God at our right hand, we will not fall. He will not let our foot be moved nor will He let us slip. He is our strength. He is our wisdom. He is our guide. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5)

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 13-15, Psalms 90

Worship

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 4-8, Psalms 88

What is worship? According to the dictionary, it is an act, feeling, or expression of reverence or awe for a deity. A divine being of infinite worthiness who has a right to demand our total allegiance and obedience. Worship is typically accompanied by sacred rituals and rites designed to humble the human being. The goal being to highlight the vast gulf that exists between the human and divine or heaven and earth. Anyone profaning these rituals or making a mockery of worship places themselves at significant risk of angering God. And before we protest that God has no right to be angry with us when we make mistakes, we have to remember who God is and who He has revealed Himself to be. God is perfectly holy and righteous and just. He is infinite in power and majesty. His splendor fills the heavens. His glory fills the earth. He is not to be trifled with or taken for granted. He is not to be dismissed or ignored or set aside. He is not to be treated with anything less than total respect and honor.

Think about what you felt when you read through 2 Samuel 6 today. It’s not an easy passage for us because we cannot begin to fathom the Lord’s anger burning against someone enough that it would cost them their life. Sure, we might understand God getting mad at us in the abstract. We can grasp the concept. But to strike someone dead on the spot? For putting a hand out to steady the Ark of the Covenant? What is with God? We are in good company. David didn’t understand it either. It’s why he refused to bring the Ark into Jerusalem at first. He was afraid of God. He was afraid of what God might do. He didn’t have the proper respect for who God is and what God is all about. But then David hears that God has blessed the household of Obed-Edom. The same God who struck Uzzah down now blesses an entire family over the course of three months. What gives? Maybe it’s now safe to bring the Ark to Jerusalem? Actually, what David has learned is the proper reverence and awe of God. Look at the difference between verses one through five and twelve through nineteen. David’s first attempt was more of a military parade with the Ark of the Covenant at the center like a pagan talisman of sorts. David does what is convenient rather than what is required by putting the Ark on a new cart. It’s more a celebration of David and his mighty men than it is a worship event. Contrast that with the second attempt. Sacrifices are made every six steps. David is dancing in a linen robe with all his might before the Lord. The blow the ram’s horn and gather all the people of Israel. When they arrive at the tent, David offers up all kinds of burnt offerings and blesses the people in the Name of the Lord. Clearly, he’s learned something.

What about you? How do you engage in worship? When you worship, is it about God or about you? Do you approach worship with a critical eye? Always on the lookout for worship music you don’t like or preaching you don’t agree with? Is your heart open or is it guarded? Do you find yourself judging those around you? You need to be careful lest you arouse the anger of God. Much better to follow David’s latter example. Much better to give God the worship He deserves and demands. Much better to abandon yourself in the presence of God and let go of your need to be right or your need to be entertained or your need to agree theologically with everything that is said. I love how David puts it at the end of chapter six when his wife critiques him, “I will dance before the Lord and I will dishonor myself and humble myself even more.” That’s a man with a heart after God. May we have that same heart as well.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 9-12, Psalms 89

Lament

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 1-3, Psalms 87

Lament is a powerful spiritual practice. It breaks down the barriers that exist between us and our enemies. It tears down the dividing walls of hostility that separate us from our opponents. It creates common ground for us and those with whom we disagree. For example, imagine how different things might be if our political leaders could all step back and lament the many things going wrong in our country rather than spend so much energy casting blame? Imagine what could happen if families or neighbors or co-workers would lament together rather than so quickly rush to judgment or act on false assumptions? Imagine what would happen if social media became a space for common lament rather than act as a catalyst for outrage?

Lament is not weakness. It is not an implicit acknowledgement of guilt. It is not passive. It is an active, strong, gracious way to deal with hardship and suffering and the pain that results from the power of sin in our world. David laments over the death of Saul not because Saul was godly or deserving or had earned it. David weeps over him because Saul’s failure breaks the heart of God and tragically impacts the people of God. David weeps over Jonathan because of the death of a dear friend who was also a rival for the throne. David weeps over Abner because of the injustice of his death due to the ravenous violence of his subordinates. David weeps because the divisions and fractures and fights among God’s covenant people are the consequences of generations of sinful choices. He weeps because they are reaping what they’ve sown through the time of the Judges where each person did what was right in their own eyes. David sees all of this and more and longs to set a different tone. He longs to take Israel in a new direction. It’s why he stayed his hand over and over again when he could easily have struck Saul down. It’s why he made peace with Abner rather than fighting to the bitter end. David understands God’s heart and how God laments over the violence and divisions among his people.

Lament is a challenge for us. We struggle to step back and weep together over the state of things. Instead, we seem far more focused on blaming others. Far more focused on attacking others. Far more focused on absolving ourselves and protecting ourselves from any sense that we have contributed to the brokenness of our world. I think about some of the business that will come before our denomination this summer. One of the major issues will be the presentation of a “lament” over the history of racial strife in our nation. A group of pastors and elders have been working hard to put it together and already there are some who are rising against it. Before they’ve even seen it! They are afraid it will serve as an implicit acknowledgement of guilt. They are afraid it will stir up even more strife and dissension. They are afraid it will cast blame. Why we cannot simply sit in the dust and ashes of our sinful condition and lament the brokenness of our history and our world is beyond me. It is yet another sign of how far we have to go to really understand the heart of God. How can you begin to practice lament in your life today?

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 4-8, Psalms 88

Humility is a Super-Power

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 25-27, Psalms 85

I am convinced humility is a super-power. I believe it was former President Harry Truman who once said, “It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.” I believe him. It’s certainly squares with my experience. When I have been willing to lay aside pride and ego, the impact of whatever is accomplished grows exponentially. When I have been willing to relinquish my rights for the sake of others, especially those in less powerful positions, all kinds of new opportunities emerge. When I have been willing to let go of control and work collaboratively and share authority and extend freedom, we reach heights I’ve never dreamed possible.

Imagine what could have happened if Nabal had welcomed David’s servants? Imagine if he had honored David for protecting his men when they were grazing his flocks in the wilderness? Imagine if he had been open rather than closed? Generous rather than selfish? Imagine if he had extended hospitality rather than close his doors? Tragically, Nabal chose the path of pride rather than humility and it eventually cost him his life. He hardened his heart and fell under God’s judgment. His choices almost led to a violence conflict and it was only the humility of his wife, Abigail, who averted a war. Abigail turned aside David’s anger by showing humility. She was generous and open-handed with him, interceding on behalf of her stubborn husband. She took matters into her own hands and intervened in order to stave off disaster and God honored her for her sacrifice.

You can live life in one of two directions. Either you will say to God, “Thy will be done” or God will say to you, “thy will be done.” You will either humble yourself before the Lord and live generously and open-handedly or you will harden your heart and live pridefully and selfishly. There really is no middle ground. Those who choose the latter path find themselves on the same trajectory as Nabal. Their hearts eventually turn to stone and they die with no one to mourn their passing. Those who choose the former path find themselves on the same trajectory as Abigail. Their lives are rich and full and when they pass, many come to mourn them. Which path do you find yourself on today? Is your heart softening towards God? Are you becoming more generous and more humble with each passing year? Is your heart hardening towards God? Do you find yourself becoming more selfish and prideful with each passing year?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 28-31, Psalms 86

Open Hands

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 21-24, Psalms 84

One of the most important things I have learned in life is to walk with open hands before the Lord but it is not easy. In order to do this, one has to set aside their anxieties and fears. One has to relinquish their ego and pride. One has to give up control over their life. I will tell you I didn’t do this willingly. God took me through an extremely painful season to get me to unclench my fists. Once I did, I found a freedom and a joy and a peace that I had hadn’t experienced since my initial conversion. I discovered I had more energy than I thought possible. All kinds of new opportunities and new experiences opened up to me that I would never have considered before. All because I finally surrendered to God.

In our reading today, we see a stark contrast between Saul who is trying like crazy to hold onto his kingdom and David, who is walking with an open heart before the Lord. Saul knows his days are numbered so he does all he can to tighten his grip. He is paranoid. He seeks to eliminate every single possible threat. And the more he clenches his fist, the more the kingdom slips through his fingers. It’s like trying to hold onto water or sand. David, on the other hand, is living in the freedom of the Lord. Though he’s been promised the kingdom, he trusts God with the timing. He maintains his integrity and refuses to raise his hand against God’s anointed king. Even when given the opportunity to strike, David stays his hand. Jonathan also walks with open hands as well. He is the rightful heir to the throne but he doesn’t hold onto it. He refuses to allow his ego to get in the way. He acknowledges David’s rightful claim and even promises to serve at David’s right hand. What a powerful example of humility and relinquishment!

Do you walk with open hands before the Lord? Do you consciously and regularly surrender all your time and energy and resources to Him? Do you give Him control over your life? On the flip side, where are you holding on too tight? What areas of your life are you refusing to relinquish? Where has your ego taken hold and can you let go? These are important questions to ponder and pray over as we think about our relationships in every sphere of life from the home to our extended family to our work to our lifestyle to our faith.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 25-27, Psalms 85

God Looks on the Heart

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 15-17, Psalms 82

What does God see when He looks on your heart? Does He see a heart full of devotion or a heart that’s divided? Does He see a heart that is humble and willing and obedient or a heart that is prideful and resistant and oriented more around self? Does He see a heart full of love and grace or a heart full of anger and hate? Does He see a heart that is quick to forgive or quick to judge? How is your heart? Have you spent intentional time cultivating a heart after God or have you ignored or neglected your heart along the way?

1 Samuel 16:7 is one of my favorite verses in all the Bible. “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” (1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

What does it mean to love God with a “whole” heart? To be fully devoted to Him? To make Him our first love? Does it mean outward, physical perfection? King Saul literally stood head and shoulders above his countrymen. (1 Sam. 10:23) Eliab, David’s older brother, clearly was an impressive physical specimen. (1 Sam. 16:6) Does it mean achievement or success? I am sure God could easily have lined up a hundred other men who had accomplished a heck of a lot more than David. Is it based on wealth or privilege? Or perhaps great moral character? What kind of heart does God treasure in a man or woman? The key is found in 1 Sam. 15:22-23 CSB, ”Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.” Humility. Submission. Obedience. These are the qualities on which God places supreme value. So are we willing to listen? Willing to follow? Willing to surrender our plans in favor of God’s plan for our lives? Are we willing to trust God even when our circumstances seem bleak? Are we willing to obey even when it’s hard? 

As we’ve read yesterday and today, King Saul was a half-hearted man. Though he was chosen by God and instructed by Samuel in the “rights and duties” of godly kingship, his heart was divided. At times, Saul was faithful and found great success. At other times, he was unfaithful and found only heartbreak. The unlawful sacrifice at Gilgal. A rash vow during the heat of battle. A refusal to devote the Amalekites to destruction. These events illustrate the half-hearted devotion Saul paid to God and it eventually cost him everything. The kingdom was literally ripped from his hands. The Spirit of the Lord departed from him. And he ended up tormented and paranoid. 

King David was a whole-hearted man. As we will see, David was a man after God’s own heart but this doesn’t make him perfect. His failures are massive and significant and costly. But through it all, the one thing David does is keep seeking after God. David keeps humbling himself before God. David keeps returning to God in repentance. And God loves David. Honors David. Promises to give the throne to his descendents for generations.  

So time to take stock. Time to step back and honestly examine your own heart. Are you half-hearted or whole-hearted in your devotion to Jesus? We’ve already seen that it doesn’t necessarily depend on our outward appearance or achievement or actions. We can’t count on the image we project to the world to save us. We have to be strong and courageous enough to take the inward journey into the heart. What do you find there? What will God see when He looks at you?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 18-20, Psalms 83 (No devotionals on Sundays)

What Drives You?

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 13-14, Psalms 81

There is a lot being written today about what drives human beings to do the things they do. Ever since the Enlightenment, we’ve been living under the illusion that we are rational creatures. As Rene Descartes famously put it, “I think therefore I am.” But many are now questioning this fundamental assumption because of the overwhelming evidence that it’s simply not true. Human beings seem to be enslaved to their desires. Base emotions at the core of their being drive them to make all kinds of decisions, many of which are not rational or objective or based on facts. It’s why human progress is a myth. We’ve been chasing things like justice and righteousness and honesty and truth for thousands of years but seem no closer to realizing them in human society. Over and over again, we regress to power, corruption, greed, selfishness, etc. and our minds work overtime to “rationalize” our choices to make them seem more logical than they are.

In my personal and professional experience, I find many people are driven by fear. They experience trauma or pain or suffering at a young age and they make a determination deep down never to allow themselves to be put in that position ever again. I think of people I know who suffered from food insecurity as children who, even though they make plenty of money now, always feel the need to keep their refrigerators, freezers, and pantries overflowing. I think of people I know who’ve been abused who vow deep down never to make themselves vulnerable again and sabotage relationship after relationship. I think of people I know who experienced significant failure or saw someone they loved impacted by another person’s failure and spend their lives chasing success at every turn. I think of myself and what drives me. I have all kinds of motivations that were warped and twisted by my experience growing up in an alcoholic home. I have to check myself all the time so that I don’t relapse into unhealthy behaviors and bad decisions.

King Saul was a man driven by fear. He was afraid of losing his influence over the people of Israel so when they begin to desert him at Gilgal, he responds in fear and offers an unlawful sacrifice. Then he overcorrects and makes a rash vow that almost costs him the life of his son. As we continue his story in the days ahead, we will see Saul give into all kinds of envy and jealousy. His fragile ego and desire to protect himself at all costs will eventually cost him not only his kingdom but also his life. That’s what happens when we are driven by fear. The more we try to tighten our grip, the more what we hold most dear slips through our fingers.

God wants us to be driven by faith. God wants us to trust in Him alone. When Samuel confronts Saul, he talks to him about his heart. The issue has less to do with the sacrifice and more to do with Saul’s failure to love God. “Samuel said to Saul, “You have been foolish. You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. It was at this time that the Lord would have permanently established your reign over Israel, but now your reign will not endure. The Lord has found a man after his own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over his people, because you have not done what the Lord commanded.” (‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭13‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭CSB‬‬) So again, let me press the question. What drives you? What motivates you to make the decisions you make? Take the actions you take? Make the plans you’ve made? Are they driven by faith or by something else?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 15-17, Psalms 82

Handling Rejection

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 9-12, Psalms 80

Raise your hand if you like rejection? That’s what I thought. No one does. I hate it. Over the course of my life, I’ve been rejected by girls I’ve asked out. Colleges I wanted to attend. Promotions I thought I’d earned. I was rejected by the first seminary I applied to and countless numbers of churches I contacted when I was graduating from seminary looking for a pastoral position. I’ve had ideas rejected that I believed would rejuvenate dying ministries. I’ve had visions rejected that I believed would transform the church. I’ve been personally rejected by congregational members whom I disappointed for some reason along the way. None of it’s easy. All of it hurts. Perhaps that’s why I like Samuel so much. He struggles with rejection as well. 

Samuel is as faithful a man as it gets in the Bible. A man who dedicates his whole life to serving God and His people. Samuel has judged Israel for decades. Given his heart and soul to them. He has led them in war and in peace. Through seedtime and harvest. In every season of life, he has been there for them. Faithfully praying for them. Faithfully serving them. Faithfully loving them and pointing them back to Yahweh. But now that he’s old, they reject him. Or at least that’s how he feels. “But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." (1 Samuel 8:6 CSB) He knew the shortcomings of his sons. He knew they didn’t walk in his ways. That didn’t make their words sting any less. Samuel experienced Israel’s desire for a king as a repudiation of all he had accomplished over the course of his life. That’s a hard place to be. 

But Samuel doesn’t just look to the opinions of people. He also looks to God. And in the midst of his disappointment, he does this extraordinary thing...he prays. And as he prays, God changes his perspective. “As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the good and right way. Above all, fear the Lord and worship him faithfully with all your heart; consider the great things he has done for you. However, if you continue to do what is evil, both you and your king will be swept away.” (1 Samuel‬ ‭12‬:‭23‬-‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬) Samuel had indeed judged Israel well for years but God had done so for centuries. Samuel had indeed led them in war and in peace but God had delivered them from slavery in Egypt, led them through the wilderness, conquered the Promised Land, and been faithful to them even in the midst of their unfaithfulness. Samuel had given his heart and soul to them but it was nothing compared to what God had done for them so even here at the end of his career, in the midst of his disappointment, Samuel remains faithful.  

Where have you been disappointed in your life? Rejected? Betrayed? How did you respond? God calls Samuel to not only forgive but to actually anoint Israel’s new king. Who is God calling you to forgive? And how is God calling you to take the next step?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 13-14, Psalms 81

The Emptiness of Idols

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 4-8, Psalms 79

John Calvin once said the human heart is a factory for idols. We produce them at a rapid, almost continuous clip. Unwilling to allow God to be God, we try to cut Him down to our size. We try to remake Him in our own image. We try to reduce Him to a level we can understand or comprehend. Even worse, we try to control Him or manage Him or compel Him to act on our behalf. We make deals with God. We try to bargain with God. We treat God as if He’s somehow owes us something in return for our obedience. It’s all nonsense, of course. The idols we create for ourselves, whether they take the shape of a statue or totem or some other sacred object or they are just an idea in our minds, are empty. They are worthless. They hold no power whatsoever which is why God hates them. He hates what such idols do to us. Do to our conception of God. Do to our understanding of God. Do to our faith in God. Idols warp and corrupt and pervert our relationship with God which is why the Bible is full of warnings against them. They are dangerous. They place us at great risk. Those who trust in them find only death and despair.

Ancient Israel was an idolatrous nation under the corrupt leadership of Eli and his sons. They treated the Ark of the Covenant like a sacred totem. They believed it gave them power. They believed it represented God. So when they are being oppressed by their enemies, they send it into battle assuming it will guarantee them a victory. Tragically, they find out it’s just a nice box. It has no power of its own. They are routed in battle as God exposes the emptiness of their idolatry. Of course, the Philistines make the same mistake. They believe the Ark has great significance as well which is why they bring it before the idol of their own god, Dagon. Once again, God exposes the emptiness of their idolatry by cutting off Dagon’s head and hands and forcing him to bow before the Lord. Furthermore, He sends a plague and oppresses the Philistines, thereby showing He has no need of idols to do His work. He has no need of a people to do His work. God’s power is not bound by anything or anyone in this world. He will accomplish His will according to His purposes. And soon, the Philistines send the Ark back home where it belongs.

Can you identify the idols in your own life? They will be the things you hold more dear than God Himself. It could be something bad for you like an addiction or a dysfunction or an unhealthy pattern of behavior that you refuse to deal with or let go of. It could be a good thing in your life that you’ve elevated to an ultimate thing like your spouse or your children or your job or your lifestyle. What do you believe you simply could not live without? What do you believe is too much to give up, even to God? What gives you nightmares at the thought of losing it? What are you most protective of? What makes you most anxious and afraid? These are great questions to reflect on as you ponder where you’ve allowed idolatry to creep into your heart. Once you’ve identified your idols, surrender them to the Lord. Do what the Israelites did under Samuel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, get rid of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths that are among you, set your hearts on the Lord, and worship only him. Then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” So the Israelites removed the Baals and the Ashtoreths and only worshiped the Lord.” (1 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 9-12, Psalms 80

I Surrender All

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 1-3, Psalms 78

This past Sunday we sang the song, “I Surrender All” in worship. It’s a simply yet powerful tune with a deeply, challenging message. Do I surrender all? Am I willing to surrender all? What would “surrendering all” actually look like in my life? I think of all the things I hold dear. Personally, I think of my time and money. Relationally, I think of my wife and children and family and friendships. Vocationally, I think of my work as a pastor, my teaching as a professor, and my mission work. Am I willing to surrender all in any of these categories? Am I willing to give God all my time or do I want to withhold some for myself? Am I willing to give God all my money or do I want to make sure I reserve enough to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle? Am I willing to give God my wife and children, trusting He loves them far more than I do, and set them free to serve Him in whatever way He calls or do I seek to control them or shame them or bend them to what I want for their lives? What about my family and friendships? Do I surrender them to God by seeking to serve rather than be served? What about my vocation? Am I willing to give it up or do I hold on too tight? All these things are worth pondering as we read through the chapters assigned for today.

Hannah is an amazing example of faith. She truly “surrenders all” when she offers Samuel to God. Barrenness was considered one of the worst experiences a woman could experience in ancient times. One of the primary ways women added value to society was through child-bearing, especially the bearing of sons. Though Hannah’s husband loved and provided for her abundantly, she was heartbroken over her inability to provide him a child. She could have responded in all sorts of ways to her condition but because of her deep faith, she turned to the Lord. She prayed so fervently that the high priest thought she was drunk. When God answered her prayer, she was faced with another decision. Would she follow through? Would she surrender her firstborn son with no guarantees she would have any more children? Imagine the faith it took to take such a step? Imagine the sadness she must have felt when she weaned Samuel and gave him to Eli? Imagine her having to walk away from the Tabernacle and go back home to an empty tent yet again? This is an example of what it truly means to surrender all.

What about you? What does surrender look like in your life? Where are you on the journey of surrendering all to God? I have been walking with the Lord for over thirty years now and I find God demanding more and more of my life not less. I find Him demanding more of my time, more of my money, more of my attention, more of my heart. And, if I am honest, I sometimes struggle to give him what He demands. But every time I do, I find myself experiencing all kinds of blessing. In fact, I find myself receiving back from God more than what I give and it only reinforces what Hannah and so many saints have learned throughout history. You simply cannot out-give God. You cannot out-give the One who surrendered all for us in Jesus Christ.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 4-8, Psalms 79

Under God’s Wings

Readings for today: Ruth 1-4, Psalms 77

The Bible talks frequently about taking refuge under God’s wings. The image is of a mother bird protecting her vulnerable young by covering them with her wings. We see this image invoked today in our reading from the Book of Ruth where Boaz says, “May the Lord reward you for what you have done, and may you receive a full reward from the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” (Ruth‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Ruth had left her home and family and country to come and dwell among the people of God. She had taken an incredible risk out of loyalty to her mother-in-law, knowing there was no guarantee she would be able to find a husband or have a family of her own in this new country where she went. Naomi certainly would not be able to help her. Women in those days simply didn’t have the opportunities women do today to provide for themselves. It’s why widows remain among the poorest of the poor around the world. Add in the fact that Ruth was a Moabite, a member of one of Israel’s ancient tribal enemies, a foreigner in a time and place where marrying outside one’s tribe was considered shameful and you quickly see how Ruth risked her very life to remain faithful to her mother-in-law. Why would Ruth do such a thing? I think the key is found in her response to Naomi’s initial request for her to go back home. “Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.” (Ruth‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭CSB‬‬) In her ten years of marriage to Naomi’s son, Ruth had clearly learned some things about Yahweh. Things that set him apart from Chemosh, the Moabite god. And those things attracted her so much so that she was willing to “seek refuge under His wings.”

Is that your experience of God? Do you experience Him to be a refuge? A place of safety? A sanctuary amidst all the chaos that swirls around us in the world? Is He the one you run to when you experience pain and tragedy? Is He the one to whom you turn when you are anxious or afraid? Is He the one you look to when all hope seems lost? Try to put yourself in the position of Ruth. You are a stranger in a strange land. A foreigner. An immigrant. You’ve made a long journey with no idea of what you might find when you arrive. You have no standing in society. You have no way to make a living. You have no family or friends to rely on. It reminds me of some of the immigrants I’ve met in our own country. People who have traveled hundreds of miles at great risk to themselves. Enduring all kinds of trauma along the way. Leaving all that’s familiar and all that they know behind. Having no idea what they will find when they arrive or how they will make a living or what they will do. Yes, there are all kinds of legal issues and our southern border policy is a disaster and there are many dangerous people who take advantage of the situation. Those things must be addressed as soon as possible. But put all that aside for a moment. Think of what would drive a person to undergo such hardship. Think of how horrific the conditions must be in their home country for them to risk it all to make the journey north. Now consider the example of Boaz. Look at how he treats this poor immigrant woman. Look at how God uses his generosity and grace to bring about His salvific purposes in the world. What might it look like for us to do the same?

The idea of the “kinsman-redeemer” is an important one in the Bible. Boaz is the supreme example, of course. But there is one who is even greater than Boaz. Jesus is our kinsman-redeemer. He plays this role in our lives by redeeming us from our spiritual poverty and broken condition. By redeeming us, He makes us - who are strangers and aliens and foreigners and immigrants in the Kingdom of God - citizens of heaven. He honors us though He has no reason to do so. He blesses us though we have done nothing to earn His favor. He shows us love though we are about as unlovable as it gets. We love, friends, because God first loved us and He sends us out to share that love with the world.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 1-3, Psalms 78

Descent into Hell

Readings for today: Judges 19-21, Psalms 76

Every year when I get to this point in Judges, I feel my heart drop. It’s some of the most difficult material in all of Scripture. We see Israel at one of her lowest points. She has forgotten Yahweh. She has become like all the pagan tribes around her. She is more focused on her own gratification than she is on serving and honoring the Lord. Her world is full of idols and sexual perversion and violence. Yes, she still goes through the motions. She still makes her sacrifices. She still prays and fasts and appears before the Lord at the appointed times. But it’s all empty at this point. Everyone is doing what seems right to them. They are all following their own ways. They are plumbing the depths of sin. They are pushing the boundaries of evil. Unspeakable atrocities are taking place in Israel such as the gang rape of a woman whose body is then dismembered resulting in a genocidal war that basically annihilates an entire tribe. It’s madness.  

Horror is a good word to describe what we read today from the book of Judges. There simply is nothing redemptive in the story. Nothing good. Nothing godly. Man’s inhumanity to man is on full display. It’s dark. It’s evil. It’s terrifying. Horror is also a good word to describe what’s going on in our world today. One only has to scroll through social media to see the hate that leads to violence that leads to death and then return the next day to watch the cycle repeat itself. If we’re totally honest, horror is a good word to describe what goes on in all of our hearts. All of us are perpetrators. All of us are victims. We are the Levite. We are the concubine. We’ve sacrificed others and we’ve been sacrificed by others for the sake of self-protection and self-gratification.

Perhaps it’s providential that we come across this passage every year around Holy Week. A sacred time when we take time to reflect on the cross and the horror of the death of God. We reflect on the price Jesus paid and the blood He shed and the penalty He bore. We reflect on the suffering He endured. The pain He experienced. The heartbreak of betrayal. We reflect on the depth of our sin. The depravity of our nature. The darkness of our hearts. We reflect on the cost of our salvation and what it took to redeem us from sin and death. But we also reflect on our salvation. God plunging Himself into the horror of our condition. God plumbing the depth of our darkness. God immersing Himself in the breadth of our madness and embracing us as His own.

Readings for tomorrow: Ruth 1-4, Psalms 77 (No devotionals on Sunday)

Whose Authority?

Readings for today: Judges 16-18, Psalms 75

“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.” (Judges‬ ‭17‬:‭6‬ ‭CSB‬‬) There is nothing worse than living in a place where there is no authority. No one to fight for justice. No one to enforce the laws. Think of the misguided and tragic attempt made a few years ago to “abolish the police.” It was a disaster. Think of the cities where law enforcement was gutted. Crime immediately shot up. Such policies put people at greater risk, especially the most vulnerable. Many of those cities have since recanted and pushed through changes to reinforce those who protect and serve our communities. I think of nations where I’ve traveled where there is no rule of law. Roving gangs or tribes are allowed to kill and rape and burn without consequence. Starvation and famine and oppression and injustice are the rule not the exception. Development work slows to a crawl because it simply cannot succeed without a government exercising their authority over the local population.

As we near the end of the Book of Judges, we see what happens when everyone does what is right in their own eyes. The results are horrific. Violence, murder, rape, and destruction. Might makes right. Those with the most power operate without restraint. It’s brutal. This is humanity left to her own devices. This is humanity enslaved to sin. This is humanity at her bestial and most primal. The main message throughout these final chapters is that humanity is not fundamentally good. We are not fundamentally pure. We are not fundamentally innocent. We are conceived in iniquity. Born in sin. Oriented towards self. Almost always inclined to do what benefits us even if it comes at the expense of others. We see this all around the world today. We see this in our own country today. We see this in our own communities today. If we’re honest, we see this in our own hearts today.

What’s the answer? Submission to the king. Not necessarily a worldly king although God raises up human governments for the purpose restraining evil on some level. It’s submitting to the King of kings. The only King with the power to set us free from ourselves. To set us free from the power of sin. To deliver us from bondage to evil. When we submit our lives to Jesus, we do what seems right to Him rather than what seems right to us. We follow His ways rather than our ways. We deny our base impulses and instead pursue godliness and the world around us is blessed. The people we love and live among are blessed. This is what God desires. This is why He sent Jesus in the first place. This is why all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. Submit yourself to the King. Let Him ascend the throne of your life. Honor Him in all you think, do, and say and you will live a life of blessing.

Readings for tomorrow: Judges 19-21, Psalms 76

Despising God

Readings for today: Judges 13-15, Psalms 74

Samson is a cautionary tale. He is not a man to be emulated or admired. He is not a man to try to pattern one’s life from. He is not a shining example of faith. Yes, he’s mentioned in the great “Hall of Fame” of faith in the Book of Hebrews but he’s simply a broken man whom God uses for His purposes in the world. He’s yet another example of how God has sovereignly chosen to work through humanity to restore a ruined world.

Samson is often extolled for his strength. I remember hearing stories of this man when I was growing up as a boy. Sunday school teachers would talk about how powerful he was, how many battles he won, and how many enemies he killed. I was enraptured by a man who could take on a lion, put city gates on his back, and bring down a temple. I was fascinated by the Nazarene vow he took and how his strength was tied to the keeping of that vow by not cutting his hair. However, what my well-intentioned Sunday school teachers missed was the utter disdain Samson held for the God he served. He treated God like a pagan deity. He only seemed interested in God when it served his purposes. His life reflects none of the devotion and love one would expect from a spiritual leader of Israel. Samson was a brutal, violent man. He was as undisciplined as they come, especially as it related to sexual desire. He shows little to no regard for the laws of Israel.

If I am honest, I see some of the same dynamics in my own life. I’ve been blessed beyond all measure. I live in one of the wealthiest communities in the world and have access to all kinds of incredible people. I’ve been given more opportunities than I could possibly take advantage of professionally. I’ve been given a great education. I serve an incredible church. My marriage is strong and my relationships with all four of my kids is deep and intimate. In short, God has absolutely poured out His favor on me and still I squander so much of my time and talent and treasure on myself. I show too little regard for God’s Word or for prayer. I sometimes find myself treating God like a pagan deity, only talking to Him when it serves my own selfish purposes or when I am in trouble. And as much as I repent of these things on a daily basis, I find myself too often repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

If we’re honest, all of us can identify with Samson on some level. Perhaps that’s why his story resonates with us so much. All of us want to be the hero if we’re honest. We want to perform great things for God in this world. But all of us are undisciplined as well. We let our selfish desires get the best of us and we despise God at times just like Samson did. Now, does God still use us? Thankfully. But make no mistake, this is an act of grace. It is not something we earned by being faithful. Only God is truly faithful and He promises to use even our brokenness to accomplish His purposes in the world.

Readings for tomorrow: Judges 16-18, Psalms 75

The Danger of Syncretism

Readings for today: Judges 9-12, Psalms 73

One of the very real dangers to the Christian faith is syncretism. Syncretism is the attempt to merge different belief systems together. They could be religious systems, political systems, social/cultural systems, family and/or clan systems, or some combination thereof. It’s happened many times throughout history all over the world. I’ve personally seen it in our own country as people try to merge their faith with their politics or Western cultural norms or even particular church traditions. I’ve seen it in other countries where different tribal groups add ancestor worship or other ancient, pagan customs to their faith. Every time we do it, we water down true Christianity into something sub-Christian or even non-Christian and we make the same mistake as ancient Israel.

In our reading today, we run across syncretism all over the place. Yesterday, we saw Gideon make the mistake of fashioning an idol. Today, we see Jephthah treating the God of Israel like all the other pagan tribal gods of the Canaanites when he makes his tragic vow. Not only that but we read these words from Judges 10:6 CSB which clearly spell out the problem. “Then the Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They worshiped the Baals and the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and the Philistines. They abandoned the Lord and did not worship him.” Why is syncretism such an issue? Because God had set His people apart. He commanded them to be holy even as He is holy. He wants them to serve as salt and light in the world. They are to be a living example of God’s original purpose for humanity. When they engage in the worship practices of the Canaanites, they lose their saltiness. They put their light under a basket. They lose their distinctiveness and the world no longer has an example they can follow. Furthermore, the religious practices of the ancient Canaanites were detestable to God because they involved all kinds of sexual exploitation and prostitution not to mention child sacrifice. In short, it was a complete horror show.

So how can we know if we’ve fallen into the trap of syncretism? I like to apply the “Jesus and” test. Ask yourself what it takes to be a Christian. Is it “Jesus and” a particular way to vote? “Jesus and” a particular social policy? “Jesus and” a particular theological camp? “Jesus and” a particular style of worship? “Jesus and” a particular cultural norm? “Jesus and” a particular group identity? If you qualify your faith in Jesus Christ in any way, shape, or form, you may be trying to merge belief systems with your faith. I think of the people I know who call themselves a “Progressive” or “Conservative” Christian. I think of the people I know who call themselves a “Mainline” or “Evangelical” Christian. I think of the people I know who call themselves a “Gay” or “Straight” Christian. The list is lengthy and I know I’ve fallen into this trap myself on occasion. “Christian” needs no qualifier because Jesus needs no qualifier. He Himself is the one who qualifies those whom He calls to saving faith.

Readings for tomorrow: Judges 13-15, Psalms 74

Humility

Readings for today: Judges 6-8, Psalms 72

One of my favorite books is by Andrew Murray. It’s a classic titled Humility. A short little read with insights packed into every page. Here is how he defines humility. “Humility is nothing but the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all...The highest glory of the creature is in being only a vessel, to receive and enjoy and show forth the glory of God. It can do this only as it is willing to be nothing in itself, that God may be all. Water always fills first the lowest places. The lower, the emptier a man lies before God, the speedier and the fuller will be the inflow of the divine glory.”

I think we can all agree humility is a virtue sorely lacking in our world today. The spirit of our age is arrogance, pride, criticism, entitlement, and self-indulgence. It infects our politics. It infects our workplaces. It infects our schools, our homes, our neighborhoods, even our churches. It’s the spirit of the Pharisee. The spirit of self-righteousness. An unwillingness to submit to any other authority in our lives except our own. This includes God. Sure, we know how to say the right things. “God is first in my life!” “I love God the most!” “God is my all in all!” We sing songs that declare these truths. We sit through sermons where these truths are proclaimed. We tell these things to our Christian friends. But one look at our schedule. One look at our bank account. A glance at our Twitter feed, Instagram, or Facebook account. A moment of honest self-reflection. All these conspire to reveal what we really believe. We are our own gods. 

Gideon was different. Not perfect. Not blameless in his generation. Not powerful and mighty among men. No, what marked him was his humility. The angel of the Lord found him treading out grain in a winepress. Providing for his family at great risk to himself. When the Lord called him to become the next judge over Israel, Gideon echoes Moses at the burning bush. “Who am I that you would send me?” So unsure of himself, he puts God to the test by laying out a fleece not once but twice! God honors his humble heart. Gideon was humble enough to place his faith and trust into action. He tears down the altar of Baal. He sends almost his entire army home before a major battle. And then, when confronted at the beginning of Judges 8 by the Ephraimites who wanted to claim the glory, he humbles himself before them and honors them. It’s a stunning display. Finally, when it is all said and done, the people want to make him king. He refuses the crown. He refuses to take God’s rightful place in their lives. In the words of Murray, Gideon understood “the highest glory of the creature is in being only a vessel, to receive and enjoy and show forth the glory of God.” 

What about us? What does humility look like in our own lives? Surely, it is more than words. It is life lived intentionally under the sovereign authority of God. A life lost in the vision that God is all. A life lived before God, submitted to God, surrendered to God. What does such a life look like in the 21st century? It is a life of worship. Personal worship. Weekly worship with a church family. It is a life of Sabbath rest. It is a life of prayer. It is a life of reflection on the Scriptures. It is a life of service to the Kingdom. It is a life of devotion to our Lord. It is a life that intentionally directs all its resources - time, talent, treasure - towards God. It is a life that engages the world while remaining set apart. A life of risk where safety and comfort are sacrificed for the sake of the gospel. 

Readings for tomorrow: Judges 9-12, Psalms 73

Powerful Women

Readings for today: Judges 4-5, Psalms 71

Last Friday was International Women’s Day. A day dedicated to celebrating the global and historical achievements of women from every family, clan, tribe, and nation all over the earth. I found myself reflecting on the influence of the many women in my life. My wife and daughters. My mother and mother-in-law. Women in my family tree who sacrificed so much to serve our family over the generations. I thought of the women I have the privilege of working alongside. Women who serve as elders and leaders in our church family. Their contributions to our life together simply cannot be measured. And I know I certainly would not be the man I am today without the incredible impact of these women in my life. They are modern-day versions of Deborah who we read about in the chapters for today.

Deborah was the spiritual and political leader of Israel. She was filled with God’s Spirit and set apart as judge over all Israel. She led during a time of great uncertainty. Israel was not yet established in the Promised Land. She was surrounded by enemies on all sides. She was at war with King Jabin of the Canaanites. Deborah was a woman of great faith and courage. She commanded Barak, the military leader of Israel at the time, to fight to deliver God’s people but he refused to go into battle unless she went with him. This story echoes some of what we saw when Moses led Israel into battle. When he raised his arms and Israel could see him, they won. When he sat down and they couldn’t see him, they lost heart and would begin to retreat. It seems Deborah’s leadership had a similar effect. Not only that but once the battle was joined and the Canaanites fled, God used a second woman named Jael to kill Sisera, the Canaanite general, and bring an end to Israel’s oppression.

Over the years, I’ve met some Christians who try to downplay Deborah’s leadership. They talk about the abdication of Barak and other male leaders in Israel but the text never indicates this is the case. In fact, it presents Deborah’s leadership as normative. Just another in a long line of judges who led Israel during a chaotic, tumultuous period in her history when she had a tendency to do what was right in her own eyes rather than follow the Lord. In fact, when one compares Deborah to the judges who come after her, one can easily conclude her godly leadership surpasses them all.

As sinful human beings, we can get so caught up in who holds the power. Who holds the authority in a relationship. Is it the man or the woman? Is it the husband or the wife? Is it the parent or the child? Is it the employer or the employee? Is it the pastor or the elders? Is it the denomination or the church? All of it, frankly, is nonsense. There is only One who holds all authority in heaven and on earth. There is only One who holds the keys to Death and Hades in His hands. And He chooses to use whomever He wills to accomplish His purposes on the earth. Over time, He has used any number of powerful women in extraordinary ways and we are blessed beyond measure by their courage and faithfulness.

Readings for tomorrow: Judges 6-8, Psalms 72

The Danger of False Assumptions

Readings for today: Joshua 22-24, Psalms 69

Over the years, I have seen so many relationships and organizations fall apart due to false assumptions. An individual or group of people gets only part of the story and chooses to act on it rather than wait for all the information to come in. They grow impatient or succumb to the tyranny of the urgent and don’t take the time to make sure they talk to all parties involved. They tend to believe the worst rather than the best about others and the results are quite often disastrous. We see the same dynamic on display in today’s reading from Joshua. Remember, the tribes have been fighting side by side for some time now. They have bled together for the same cause on the same field against common enemies. One would think they would have built up a ton of trust by this point and yet it so easily breaks down. “Then the Israelites heard (about the altar) and said, “Look, the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh have built an altar on the frontier of the land of Canaan at the region of the Jordan, on the Israelite side.” When the Israelites heard this, the entire Israelite community assembled at Shiloh to go to war against them.” (Joshua‬ ‭22‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and a disaster was prevented but how many times have we seen this happen in our own lives? How many times do people tell themselves only part of the story and therefore make decisions on incomplete information? How many times do we believe the worst about those around us rather than assume the best? How many times do we rush to judgment rather than waiting to get all the information? This is a huge problem in our world today and in the church today. It’s why I love Proverbs 18:17 so much. “The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.” (Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭17‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Imagine what might change if we would simply put this verse into regular practice?

Last evening, I had dinner with some dear friends. They work for a global ministry with a strong track record of success. They themselves have served this organization for decades and have produced an incredible amount of gospel fruit over that time. They’ve built up a network of supporters over the years and do a great job of staying in regular communication with them. They are accessible. They are available. They are easy to talk to and ask questions if there are ever any concerns. However, the global ministry they work for launched an initiative that generated a great deal of controversy. Though they quickly pivoted and shuttered the ministry, the fallout was significant. My friends shared with me that they lost some supporters who had been with them for years. Many of these folks didn’t reach out to get my friends’ side of the story but simply dropped them. I see this all the time and the negative impact on the Kingdom is huge.

In the case cited above, a strong leader named Phineas intervened to save the day. He stepped in to make sure the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh got the chance to tell their side of the story. As a result, the very altar that was the source of the conflict became a physical witness to their unity. “So the Reubenites and Gadites named the altar: It is a witness between us that the Lord is God.” (Joshua‬ ‭22‬:‭34‬ ‭CSB‬‬) What about you? How can you lead in such a way that everyone gets a chance to present their side of the story? It could be in your marriage or family, among your friends or neighbors, at work with colleagues or fellow students at your school. How can you make sure we avoid the dangers of false assumptions today?

Readings for tomorrow: Judges 1-3, Psalms 70 (No devotionals on Sundays)