Transformation

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 19-21, Romans 2:25-3:8, Psalms 11, Proverbs 19:10-12

“But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.” (Romans‬ ‭2:29‬)

How does transformation happen? From the outside in or from the inside out? Some combination of both? Imagine being the Apostle Paul. You’re a rabbi trained by the great Gamaliel. You are a highly esteemed leader among the Pharisees. You’ve been steeped in the traditions of your forefathers. You know God’s Law by heart. As such, you believe circumcision is at the heart of what it means to be a Jew. It is the defining mark of the covenant people of God. But on your missionary travels, you’ve seen the Holy Spirit come over Gentiles. You’ve seen uncircumcised people respond to the call of the gospel. Not just in isolated cases but in huge numbers. This breaks down all your categories. It disrupts. It unsettles. You feel the theological ground beneath your feet begin to shift.

We are experiencing a similar shift in our world today. Especially in America where Christendom is breaking down all around us. The old world where the church enjoyed “home field advantage” is gone. Gone are the days when businesses were closed on Sundays. Gone are the days when Wednesday night was church night. Gone are the days - in many cases - where the church occupied the center of a community’s life. We are being pushed to the margins. We can feel the ground beneath our feet beginning to shift.

How did Paul respond? He turned back to the Scriptures. The cultural crisis forced him deeper into his faith. Deeper into his understanding of God. Deeper into his understanding of his own traditions. He went back to Abraham. Back to where it all began. He realized circumcision was but an outward expression of an inward faith. Abraham believed God and this is what was counted to him as righteousness. Not circumcision. Not the outward physical sign. And this gave him fresh eyes to see what God was up to in the world. He was able to extend freedom to the Gentiles rather than require them to become Jewish in their faith. He realized God was pushing past all cultural barriers as the gospel began spreading to the ends of the earth.

What about us? How do we handle the cultural crisis of our own day? How do we deal with the tribalism and identity politics of our age? How do engage people who apply a litmus test to relationships that is analogous to circumcision? Do we fight back with our own labels? Do we isolate and retreat from the public sphere? Do we accommodate to much that we lose our Christian identity altogether?

I’ve thought long and hard about these issues. I’ve prayed for God’s wisdom and here is what I’ve learned. It is God’s love that transforms the human heart, not God’s Law. I cannot “require” people to believe like I do. I cannot force them to act “Christianly.” I cannot “police” their language or behavior. All I can do is love them with the unconditional love and grace of Jesus Christ. As they draw near to Him and come to faith, then I can teach them to “obey all Christ’s commands.” Our obedience to God’s Law flows from a heart transformed by God’s love. And transformation comes as the Spirit descends. Transformation comes as the heart is regenerated. Transformation comes as God removes our heart of stone and gives us a heart flesh. Once this miracle of salvation takes place, then we find the strength and desire to faithfully keep God’s Law.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 22-23, Romans 3:9-31, Psalms 12, Proverbs 19:13-14

Worship

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36, Romans 1:18-32, Psalms 10:1-15, Proverbs 19:6-7

I love the song David appoints Asaph to sing. It’s all about God. All about His majesty and splendor and greatness. All about His mighty deeds. The miracles performed by His mighty hand. It calls us to lay aside our issues. Our struggles. Our trials. Our fears. It calls us to lay aside our distractions. Preoccupations. Those things that draw our attention away from God. It calls us to lay down our personal preferences. Our needs. Our wants. Our desires. It calls us to focus on God and God alone.

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭16:8-10‬)

“Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭16:23-25‬)

How often do we walk into worship with a critical spirit? How often do we walk out of worship and evaluate the experience based on what we did or did not get out of it? How often do we judge our worship based on the emotions we felt? These questions only betray the poverty of our spiritual condition. The sinful, selfish nature of our hearts. Worship is not about us. It’s not about getting our needs met. Our desires fulfilled. It cannot be judged on the relevance to our daily lives. Worship is about God. It’s about His Presence. His majesty. His glory. Worship requires all our focus. All our attention. All our energy. The greatness of our God should consume us. Overwhelm the senses. Bring us to our knees in awe and wonder at all He has done. In the light of His mighty works of salvation, the petty needs, wants and desires that occupy so much of our attention should fade into the background.

Does that mean our needs will go unmet? Of course not! God is faithful. Look at how Asaph ends his song. “Say also: "Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!" Then all the people said, "Amen!" and praised the Lord.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭16:35-36‬) Yes, God will deliver. Yes, God will save. Yes, God will answer our prayers. Yes, God’s love is steadfast, loyal, and true. But our salvation is but a byproduct of His glory. It is intended to serve His purposes more than our own. Yes, we glory in the fact that our names are written in the Book of Life. Yes, we glory in the fact that God has gathered us from among the nations. Yes, we glory in the fact that we have been forgiven and set free by the Cross. But even these things pale in significance to the glory of God! In fact, these gifts are given in order to lift our eyes above our station. Above our circumstances. Above all earthly wants, needs, and desires to the One who gives so generously and so lavishly to His people.

Worship God, dear friends! Enter His Presence with thanksgiving! Enter His courts with praise! Give Him all the honor and glory He demands and deserves! For He is God and we are but the sheep of His pasture! He is God and we are but dust and ashes! He is God and we are but “few in number, of little account, and sojourners” in this world. Wanderers far from our eternal home. Worship God for He has chosen us from before the foundations of the world to bear His image and reflect His glory to the world!

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 16:37-18:17, Romans 2:1-24, Psalms 10:16-18, Proverbs 19:8-9

The Power of the Gospel

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17, Romans 1:1-17, Psalms 9:13-20, Proverbs 19:4-5

You may have seen the news out of Europe about the Dutch man who tried to change his legal age. Biologically, he is in his sixties but he “feels” like he’s in his forties and his life is diminished because of the discrimination that happens the older one gets. You may have caught the news out of England about the man who believes passionately in “ethical veganism” and wants it to become legally protected as a religion so he can potentially force his former employer to give him his job back as well as change their investment practices so as not to violate his religious beliefs. You may have seen the opinion piece in the New York Times from the transgender woman who argues the medical ethical guildeline of “Do no harm” no longer should apply because no doctor should ever have the authority to determine what actually “harms” another person. “I also believe that surgery’s only prerequisite should be a simple demonstration of want. Beyond this, no amount of pain, anticipated or continuing, justifies its withholding.” (Andrea Long Chu, NYT, 11/24/2018) These may seem like isolated cases to you. Outliers we should dismiss. I disagree. 

I believe they are the prime examples of God giving us over to the “lusts of our hearts...dishonorable passions...debased minds.” Now please hear me. I am not being mean. I am not being judgmental. I am simply pointing out the reality of what happens when we turn away from God. We dis-integrate. Body, mind, heart, and soul are set in opposition to one another, resulting in skyrocketing rates of depression and suicide ideation. Dysphoria, once considered a mental illness, is now being celebrated and embraced. The Apostle Paul knew the tragic consequences of such thinking. It was celebrated in his own context as well. Human beings, created and designed to bring God glory and honor, turned from their sacred vocation and pursued their own pleasure. They did what was right in their own eyes. They forged their own path only to find it leading them over a cliff. The most heartbreaking part of reading the New York Times story mentioned above was Andrea’s willingness, even desire, to embrace depression and suicide. She admits taking hormones and having surgery will actually take her deeper into depression but she sees no alternative. She has no hope. 

This is why Paul’s stirring words in Romans 1:16 are so important! “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Make no mistake, Paul doesn’t believe the gospel is simply a good idea. One philosophy among many. One path among many to get to God. No, he truly believes the gospel provides the only ANSWER to the problem of pain and suffering of this world. He truly believes the gospel provides the only HOPE we can possibly have for a better, richer, more integrated life. He truly believes the gospel alone has the power to save humanity from itself. 

Now I know this idea is very unpopular in our culture today. To suggest Christianity is somehow superior in any way to any other religious or philosophical idea is considered arrogant and condescending. Exclusive and intolerant. But let me put it another way. Imagine you develop a successful treatment for cancer. Imagine your success rate is 100% at curing the disease. Sure, there are a lot of other treatments out there. Some more successful than others but yours is guaranteed. Would it not be right to promote it as the better, more superior option? Paul believes the gospel is the power of God for salvation. He believes it actually delivers on what it promises. Is he not right then to promote it as the superior cure to what ails humanity? Namely, sin? Is he not right to promote it above the Torah? Are we not right to promote it above Islam? Hinduism? Buddhism? If we truly believe Jesus is God then how can we not declare Him as superior in every way to Mohammed, Krishna, Buddha, even Moses? Friends, this is exactly the truth that changed Paul’s life on the road outside Damascus. When he realized Jesus had been raised from the dead, he knew He could be no ordinary prophet. Jesus must be God and therefore everything Jesus said or did must be true. And if everything Jesus said or did must be true then we must believe Him. And if we believe Him then we will surrender our lives to Him. And if we surrender our lives to Him then we will be submit all our thoughts, feelings, and actions to His Lordship. And if we submit to His Lordship, we will find ourselves a regenerated and re-integrated people living not for ourselves but for the honor and glory of God. This is the power of the gospel.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36, Romans 1:18-32, Psalms 10:1-15, Proverbs 19:6-7

Count your Blessings

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18, Acts 28, Psalms 9:1-12, Proverbs 19:1-3

“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” (Psalms‬ ‭9:1-2‬)

We live in a world full of hate. Anger. Rage. Violence. At least that’s what the media would have us believe. They self-select stories based in no small part on the outrage they will generate. Social media platforms have become vents for bitterness. The amount of negativity we are exposed to on a daily basis is enormous. No wonder the “happiness index” in the United States continues to decline with each passing year. And yet the truth of the matter is this…there has never been a better time to be alive as a human being. Yes, some humans are better off than others but as a species overall, we are thriving by every measure. There has never been a safer time to be alive. Yes, some communities are safer than others but again, by every measure, because of advanced healthcare, human rights advocacy, etc., as a species we’ve never been more safe. Why then are we so anxious and afraid?

The Psalmist lived at a time of great insecurity. The ancient near east was full of violence, suffering, and pain. Food insecurity was an everyday reality for most people. Many babies died in childbirth. Medical care was non-existent. Human rights unknown. Days off, vacation, retirement were foreign concepts because you had to work every single day if you were going to survive. Layer in all the injustices of the ancient world and the harsh criminal codes. The periodic raids of foreign tribes. And the slavery and oppression one experienced should one be defeated in battle. It was a brutal time.

And yet the Psalmist finds a way to “thank God with his whole heart.” How in the world in the midst of all his turmoil, suffering, and pain. In the midst of his struggles, anxieties, and fears can he find the strength to thank God for his blessings? David is wise. He does not know the future. He lives with daily uncertainty. He’s lived on the run. He’s had to fight his way free from his enemies. He knows what it’s like to face death. But David has also seen the salvation of God. He has seen God perform miracles and signs and wonders. Show up when all hope is lost. Snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Come to his rescue when things looked very bleak. And as he looks back on those events in his life, he finds his hope renewed. His joy restored. His confidence soars because he knows God is with him.

The simple act of counting your blessings on a regular basis is a powerful one. Looking back over the course of your life and reflecting not the many ways God has spoken to you. Revealed Himself to you. Saved you. Delivered you. Blessed you. I was talking to one of my children the other day. They struggle with anxiety and fear. Growing up has them frightened. They aren’t sure they’re going to make it. They were starting to spin out and get very negative and I simply asked them to count the blessings in their life. A great family. Good friends. A home to live in. Food to eat. A car to drive. A job that pays at least some of the bills. We talked about the many experiences they’ve had and the things they’ve seen. They’ve been on mission trips. They know those less fortunate live. They’ve seen suffering up close and personal.

The more we talked, the more encouraged they became. Pretty soon we were laughing and joking and talking about the future with little to no fear at all. When was the last time you sat down and counted the blessings in your life? Recounted all the things God has done for you over the course of your life? When was the last time you turned off cable news and took a break from social media? Intentionally shut down the doomsday voices of our culture so you could listen to the still, small voice of God? Take some time today and claim this promise for your life, “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalms‬ ‭9:9-10‬) God will never let you down.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17, Romans 1:1-17, Psalms 9:13-20, Proverbs 19:4-5

Epitaph

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 9-10, Acts 27:21-44, Psalms 8, Proverbs 18:23-24

In the final analysis, what message will your life send? What will be written about you after you die? What memories will your children and grandchildren hold onto? How will they speak of you? King Saul ruled Israel for a number of years. He started off well but quickly went off track. His life is one of half-measures. A part of him tries so hard to be faithful to God but a greater part keeps taking matters into his own hands. His fear gets the best of him on so many occasions. And now we read about his death. A horrible one. You can almost see him on top of Mt. Gilboa. Wounded. Pierced through by many arrows. The bodies of his sons lying on the ground around him. He’s in pain. Agony. Grief-stricken. Israel has fallen before the Philistines. The glory of the Lord has departed. He’s watching it all come crashing down around him and in his despair, he asks his armor-bearer to finish him off before his enemies come and torture him. His armor-bearer refuses so Saul falls on his own sword. 

What verdict does the Bible render about this man’s life? “So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭10:13-14‬) Saul’s death did not come at the hands of the Philistines. Not ultimately. His fate was sealed when he broke faith with God. When he did not wait all those years ago for Samuel to come and make the right sacrifices. From that point forward, Saul was doomed to perish and every action he took to stave off his fate only served to seal it further. Seeking out the witch of En-dor was simply the final straw that broke the camel’s back. Saul no longer sought God. No longer pursued God. No longer loved God. And so God put him to death and gave the kingdom to David. 

So back to us? What will future generations say about you when you’re gone? The writers of the Chronicles were looking back at their history. They looked back at their leaders and they judged them primarily based on their fidelity to the Lord. Good leadership looks to Yahweh. Evil leadership looks to other gods. A good life is one defined by faithfulness to God. An evil life is one defined by selfishness, greed, and the worship of idols. Saul will forever be remembered by his epitaph in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14. David will forever be remembered as the “man after God’s own heart.” Who are you? 

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18, Acts 28, Psalms 9:1-12, Proverbs 19:1-3

Rootless

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 7-8, Acts 27:1-20, Psalms 7, Proverbs 18:22

I have an ancestral home. If you go to the cemetery in the tiny town of Wauneta just off old route 6 in western Nebraska, you will find a bunch of people I’m related to. My parents will be buried there near my grandparents. I have aunts and uncles and a host of cousins buried there as well. We can still go by the home where I spent a lot of time in the summers bouncing on the trampoline. Eating great food. Helping out with the harvest. We can drive by the old feedlot operation. We can run through the pastures where we played “cowpatty softball.” We can go out to the land we still own and dig our hands into the dirt. Whenever I visit, I can feel my roots. They run pretty deep in this place. It gives me a sense of security. A groundedness. I know where I have come from. I know the family I’ve come from. I know my lineage. I know the legacy that’s been passed down good, bad and ugly.

Most people these days don’t have roots. They are two or three generations removed from their ancestral lands. They might be able to find their hometown on a map but have never been there. They are nomadic. Moving from place to place. Sure, they always make new friends but it’s nothing like living in the same community for generations. When the people around you remember your grandfather and grandmother or your parents when they were little or they taught your aunts and uncles in school, you become truly and deeply known. Known in a way that is disconcerting at times. Small towns are notorious for everyone being in everyone else’s business! At the same time, being known like this provides a sense of safety and security as well.

Why read through the genealogies of the Bible? Who cares who’s descended from whom and how many brothers and sisters they may have had? We can hardly pronounce the names much less understand why they’re listed here in such great detail. Genealogies were vital to the ancient Israelite. It was how you were known. “Oh, you’re Tola? You must be Issachar’s boy.” “Oh, you’re Saul? You must be from the tribe of Benjamin.” Each family had a story. Each tribe a connection to the Promised Land. And these stories and connections are what gave each individual Israelite their identity.

Think about the world we live in right now. Think about how many people are searching for identity. A family or tribe to belong to. They may ground their identity in their race or ethnicity, sexuality, religious faith, professional expertise. They may ground their identity in life experiences or certain abilities/disabilities. Some of these roots run deeper than others. Sadly what’s been lost in all this is any sense of connection to community. Any sense of rootedness in a story larger than ourselves. In fact, each generation seems more apt to reject their family identity in favor of one they construct for themselves. No wonder we live such anxious lives.

We are all nomads in a sense. All homeless in significant ways. Constantly searching but never finding. Constantly seeking but always lost. At first, the nomadic lifestyle appeals. Who doesn’t want the unencumbered life? A life of unfettered freedom where you get to go where you want and do what you want? Gratify every desire. Chase every pleasure. It sounds wonderful until you actually try it. Pretty soon it loses it’s luster. Relationships are superficial and thin. It requires more and more to get that dopamine high. Pretty soon you start to feel anxious. Afraid. Alone. Life loses it’s meaning and purpose. We’ve lost any connection to our family story. We hold little appreciation or understanding for the generations who came before us and we certainly show little concern for the generations coming after us.

This is not what God intends. God created us for family. He created us to be part of His story. Part of this grand unfolding narrative of the Kingdom of God coming into this world. Each generation plays an important role. Each person has a unique part to play. Through faith in Jesus Christ, nomads come home. We find our place. Our people. A purpose greater than our own personal pleasure. God doesn’t want you to wander. God refuses to let His children remain lost. He is relentless in His pursuit of those He loves and once He finds them, nothing can snatch them out of His hand. If you are a Christian, the Bible’s story is your story. You are related by faith to every single name. Every single person. Every single generation listed. You are not an orphan. You are not alone. You have a home not made with human hands awaiting you in the heavens fashioned by God Himself. Let this truth sink in and ease any anxieties and fears you may have today.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 9-10, Acts 27:21-44, Psalms 8, Proverbs 18:23-24

Godly Sorrow

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 15:18-6:81, Acts 26, Psalms 6, Proverbs 18:20-21

Repentance is a very important word for the Christian. It formed the heart of Jesus’ preaching. It represents a clarion call to a new way of life. It necessitates a radical break with the old so the new may emerge. Sadly, I find too many Christians do not understand this word much less seek to embrace it in their daily lives.

Repentance begins with godly sorrow. An overwhelming feeling of guilt over how far we have fallen short of the glory of God. It is the heart-shattering awareness of our sin. The depths of our depravity. Coming to grips with the idolatry of our lives. John Calvin once said, “our hearts are idol factories.” I agree and would only add that the assembly line never stops running. We are in constant conflict with ourselves. Refusing to bow the knee. Refusing to submit. Refusing to surrender our lives to the Lordship of Christ.

David lived with a deep awareness of his sin. This man after God’s own heart was broken just like all of us. He was not perfect. He was not holy. He was not righteous. He held no corner on the truth. He was unfaithful. He was unforgiving. He was violent and vengeful. But David did have one thing going for him that was his saving grace. He repented. Over and over again. Throughout the course of his life. Whenever he was confronted, he fell on his knees in godly sorrow over what he had done. This is why God loved him so much. A broken and contrite heart God will never despise.

I do not meet many Christians who grieve over their sin. The whole idea of guilt and shame is a non-starter in our world. In fact, our culture would have us believe that any feelings of guilt and shame are not good for our mental health. Instead, we should live in constant affirmation of all we think, say, and do. If anyone hurts us, we should cut them out of our lives. They are “toxic” and not worth our time. If we hurt others, we blame-shift and self-justify. In short, we will do anything to avoid true repentance. Fundamentally, this is why so many churches have cut any kind of “confessional prayer” out of their weekly worship services because we don’t want people to feel bad about themselves.

However, the biblical truth is that we all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. All of us have wandered and gone astray like sheep without a shepherd. All of us naturally rebel against the Law of God. All of us are sinners in desperate need of grace. This fundamental truth should undo us. It should cut us to the heart. It should grip our souls. We should grieve and shed tears over our broken condition. I love how David puts it, “O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath…I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.‭‭” (Psalms‬ ‭6:1, 6-7‬) David understands his hopeless and defenseless position before a perfectly Holy God. He knows unless God chooses to show him grace that he is lost. So he cries out in godly sorrow for God to have mercy. He cries out for forgiveness. And God answers him. “The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer.” (Psalms‬ ‭6:9‬)

When was the last time you cried out to God? When was the last time you confessed your sins? When was the last time you reflected on the utter helplessness of your broken spiritual condition? Yes, God is quick to forgive. Yes, God is quick to show grace. Yes, God is merciful but only to those who repent. Only to those who humbly acknowledge their sin. Only those who come to grips with the sheer depths of their sin will ever come to fully appreciate the magnitude of God’s amazing grace.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 7-8, Acts 27:1-20, Psalms 7, Proverbs 18:22

The Problem of Evil

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17, Acts 25, Psalms 5, Proverbs 18:19

Why is there so much evil in the world? And what is God doing about it? These are questions the people of God have been struggling with for millennia. We know God is good. We know God is love. We know God is all-powerful and omniscient. We know God sees all things. We know nothing is hidden from his sight. So why then does He allow evil to exist? Why does He not step in and destroy the works of the devil? Why does He not step in to end suffering? Why does He not step in to defeat those who would commit such terrible crimes?

The history of humanity is replete with violence and suffering and unimaginable evil. The Holocaust. Stalin’s purges. The killing fields of Pol Pot. Massacres under Mao Tse-Tung. The systematic killing of our own native population and the subjugation of an entire race of people for hundreds of years in America. The list seems endless. Consider the millions of babies who’ve been aborted. The inhumane treatment of those on our southern border. The rise of white nationalism in recent years. Human progress is a myth. Add to this the personal evil we commit against one another. Harsh words. Betrayal. Hurt. Anger. Gossip. Slander. Abandonment. All leading to deeply broken relationships. All of us have known evil. All of us have seen evil. All of us have experienced evil.

David had seen evil as well. He had been attacked by bloodthirsty men. Slandered by those who hated him. Put down by the boastful who envied his rise to power. He knew they were liars. Full of deceit. Not to be trusted. And yet their words stung. Their attacks drew blood. He had been hurt, wounded, and betrayed. How did David respond? He cried out to God. “Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.” (Psalms‬ ‭5:1-6‬) David placed his trust in God alone. He put himself in God’s hands. He believed God’s justice would win out in the end.

Furthermore, David understood he was not clean. He was not pure. He was just as capable of great evil as anyone. He approached God clothed not in his own righteousness but trusting in His love and grace. “But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you…But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” (Psalms‬ ‭5:7, 11-12‬) God was David’s refuge. God’s steadfast love was David’s hope. God’s righteousness was David’s shield. For all his failings, David feared God. He sought protection in the shadow of His wings.

What about you? You and I are both victim and perpetrator. We are innocent and we are guilty. We are capable of great good and capable of great evil. We are not clean. We are not pure. We are not righteous. Given enough power. Given enough wealth. Given enough influence. Who knows what evil we would do? Who knows what corruption would come out? The key for all of us is to follow David’s example. Take refuge in God. Cover yourself in Christ’s righteousness. Humble yourself before Him. Fear Him and walk in His ways. As we do this individually and as we do this communally, we will see light push back darkness. Love overcome hate. Good defeat evil. As God puts His righteousness on display in and through us for the sake of the world.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 15:18-6:81, Acts 26, Psalms 6, Proverbs 18:20-21

Peace

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4, Acts 24, Psalms 4, Proverbs 18:16-18

We live in an anxious world. More and more people are suffering from anxiety disorders, depression, self-harm, and even suicide. There is something desperately wrong with the pace and rhythm of our lives. Something desperately wrong about the goals we are pursuing. We chase wealth and fame and success. We make idols out of youth and physical beauty. We seek to satisfy every sexual desire. But we are not happy. We are not content. We are not at peace. In fact, we are more anxious than ever.

The Psalmist teaches us a better way. “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalms‬ ‭4:8‬) King David has everything a person could ever want. He holds the power of life and death in his hands. He has wealth beyond measure. He is famous and beloved by his people. He truly can do whatever his heart desires. But he does not look for peace from any of these things. He seeks it from the Lord.

How have you been sleeping lately? Do you dream at night? Is your rest deep and peaceful? Or do you find yourself struggling with insomnia. Struggling to sleep more than a few hours at a time. Is your sleep plagued by nightmares? Anxious thoughts that take on a life of their own as soon as you close your eyes? Does your pace cause you to skip out on sleep? Try to get by on four to five hours a night? Let me gently suggest you are heading for a crash. You are trying to live according to your own strength. You are pursuing the ways of this world which will eventually result in pain and suffering if it hasn’t already.

David understood stress. He carried the weight of a nation on his shoulders. Though beloved by his people, he definitely had his enemies. He begins his prayer by crying out to God for help. “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!” His enemies spread lies about him. They are actively trying to tear him down. Question his authority. Question his integrity. Question his honor. “O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?” David acknowledges his frustration but claims the promises of God. He knows the Lord preserves the righteous. He understands God has His hand on those who fear Him. God will be with him to protect him and guide him. He will hear David’s prayer and respond. “But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.” This is why David can sleep in peace. He knows he doesn’t have to take matters into his own hands. God is in control. God commands his destiny. God determines when he wakes and when he sleeps. God has raised him up to his position and God will preserve his life as king.

Do you live with the same faith? The same trust in the Lord? In the midst of all your fears and anxieties and stress and struggles, do you continue to worship God? Do you trust in His Word? Do you listen for His voice and His affirmation more than you do the affirmation of those around you? Is the joy of the Lord your strength? Listen again to David’s words, “Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!" You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” (Psalms‬ ‭4:5-7‬)

Friends, God wants you to experience peace. He wants you to rest secure in the knowledge that He loves you. Delights in you. Treasures you. You are His child. Bought with the precious blood of His Only Begotten Son. He will protect you. He will provide for you. He will never turn His face from you. His joy is worth more than any wealth you can accumulate. Any success you can achieve. Any fame you can gain. Place your trust in Christ today and find the deep satisfaction your soul longs for!

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17, Acts 25, Psalms 5, Proverbs 18:19

God’s Salvation

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17, Acts 23:11-35, Psalms 3, Proverbs 18:14-15

I’ve been reading the sermons of Dr. Gardner Taylor, considered one of the greatest African-American preachers of the last century, recently during my devotional time. This morning, I ran across this gem. “No matter the reason, every man (or woman) has his Gethsemane and his Calvary.” It reminded me of the utter despair David must have felt when Absalom betrayed him. Absalom, you may remember, murdered his brother to avenge his sister who had been raped. He fled from the king’s presence out fear for his own life. The brokenness that ensues divides the kingdom and eventually results in a civil war. Through it all, David never stops loving his son which makes the betrayal even harder to bear. As David flees for his own life, he pens these heartbreaking words…

“O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, "There is no salvation for him in God." (Psalms‬ ‭3:1-2‬)

David felt abandoned. Alone. Overwhelmed. And yet, in the midst of his fear and anxiety, he turns to God. “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people” (Psalms‬ ‭3:3-8‬) David knew God was with him. No matter where he went. No matter how far he had to run. No matter how high the odds were stacked against him. God would deliver him. God would protect him. God would save him.

It’s important to note there are no guarantees in this Psalm. David never asks for his kingdom. Never asks for his family to be restored. Never asks for things to go back to the way they were before. His hope is not in his circumstances. His hope is in the Lord. And David trusts God with his future. He knows God will be faithful to work things according to His good will and pleasure.

The key to maintaining your faith in the midst of adversity is to release the outcome to God. Trust Him with your future whatever that may be. Humble yourself before Him. Do not presume on His grace. David had made some mistakes along the way. He bore some responsibility for the situation he found himself in. There are no victims in this story. Both Absalom and David are at fault. Both have sinned. Both will face the consequences of their actions. At the same time, only one turns back to the Lord in repentance. Only one seeks the face of God in humility. Only one gives his life back into God’s hands.

I love how Dr. Taylor puts it in his sermon, “We can bring any mood before God, so long as we cling to our integrity of soul. When all of this is said, the ultimate cry of higher religion must ever be though He slay me, yet will I serve Him.” This is the truth David knew and believed. Though God take the kingdom away from him. Though lifelong alliances breakdown and friends become mortal enemies. Though he lose all his wealth and power and privilege…yet will David serve Him. Yet will David trust in Him. Yet will David turn to Him in repentance and faith. This is why David can cry out to God from the depths of his being. This is why David can bring before God his deepest hurts and heartbreak. He knows God will listen. He knows God will answer. And he trusts God with the result.

What about you? Do you trust God with your life? Do you trust God to direct your steps wherever they may lead? Do you trust God with the outcome? Do you believe God has your best in mind even though it may not look anything like what you once thought? When you go through hardship and struggle and pain, do you resent God? Do you feel you deserve more? Like God’s somehow not lived up to His end of the bargain? Follow David’s example. Turn to Christ. Trust in Christ. Repent and believe in Christ. He will listen. He will answer. He will save.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4, Acts 24, Psalms 4, Proverbs 18:16-18

A Blessed Nation

Readings for today: 2 Kings 23:31-25:30, Acts 22:17-23:10, Psalms 2, Proverbs 18:13

“Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” (Psalms‬ ‭2:10-12‬)

Today is the 4th of July. Many of us will be celebrating with friends and family and great food. Meme’s will be shared all over social media thanking God for our country and the men and women who’ve given their lives to serve and protect the values we hold dear. The night sky will light up with “rockets red glare and bombs bursting in mid-air.” Our hearts will fill with pride and joy and patriotism as we commemorate the national day of Independence in the United States.

At the same time, we need to be honest with ourselves. We should endeavor to celebrate our nation’s history with eyes wide open. As we rightfully honor the men and women who’ve served in uniform, we should also honor those men and women who staged sit-ins and refused to move to the back of the bus. As we remember those who paid the ultimate price defending our freedoms, we should lament those who paid a similar price on our southern border seeking the dream of a better life for their children. As we remember those patriots who forged this nation, we should take time to listen to those they displaced for these were not virgin shores we landed on all those years ago.

Today’s reading provides a warning to those with ears to hear. Kings and rulers, presidents and politicians ignore God at their own peril and endanger the nations they lead. God calls us to wisdom and the beginning of wisdom is the “fear of the Lord” according to Scripture. If God will not spare His own people, why do we think He will spare us? If God will send Assyria and Babylon to execute His judgment on Israel, why do we think we are exempt? If God will raze the very Temple where He dwelled to the ground and destroy the city that bears His name, why do we think singing “God bless America” will protect us?

Our future as a nation rests in God’s hands. He alone is the arbiter of our fate. Any nation that claims His blessing must walk in His ways. Any nation that claims His protection must submit to His will. Any nation that claims a Christian heritage must demonstrate it in the way they live, the way they love, and the way they serve.

Friends, we have reached a critical point in history. We have given into the politics of hate and fear. We have turned difference into division. Our fellow citizens have become our mortal enemies. We are being torn apart from within. The only hope we have is to repent. Repent of our arrogance and pride. Repent of our selfishness and greed. Repent of our privilege and prejudice. We must repent and return to the Lord with our whole hearts. We must acknowledge that our greatness as a nation is a byproduct of our faithfulness to Christ. It is only as we lose our lives as a nation for Christ’s sake that we will find Him granting us an abundant life full of joy and peace. It is only as we give all we have as a nation in service to Him that we will find riches beyond measure. It is only as we lay our lives down as a nation for the most vulnerable in our world that we will once again find God shedding His grace on us and making America truly great. This is the call of the gospel and it as much a mandate for nations as it is for individuals.

My prayer today is that we will be wise as a nation. We will take heed of God’s warning. We will lay aside the hate. Lay aside the lust for power. Lay aside the need for control. Instead, may we serve the Lord with fear. Rejoice with trembling over all He has done. I pray for our leadership from the President to the members of Congress to the Supreme Court justices. From governors to state legislators to local mayors and town councils. May they embrace Jesus. May they kiss the Son before it’s too late. May they seek refuge in Him, have the courage to walk by faith, and the humility to be led in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. To whom much is given, much is expected. May our nation strive to be the “city on a hill” and a “light to the nations” so that our world will be blessed!

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17, Acts 23:11-35, Psalms 3, Proverbs 18:14-15

Walking in the Counsel of God

Readings for today: 2 Kings 22:3-23:30, Acts 21:37-22:16, Psalms 1, Proverbs 18:11-12

“Blessed is the one who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers…”

Cable news. Twitter feeds. Facebook posts. Instagram stories. YouTube video channels. Newspapers. Google. Email. Texts. Snapchats. Every day, we are immersed in a sea of information. Most of it reflecting the “counsel of the wicked.” Most of it promoting the “way of sinners.” Most of it beckoning us to “sit in the seat of scoffers.” We cannot escape it. We cannot ignore it. We cannot insulate ourselves against it. It shapes our hearts and minds. It squeezes us into the world’s mode. It’s why we find ourselves so anxious and depressed and afraid. It’s why we find ourselves turning to the ways of the world to get our way. Accumulate power and wealth and influence and control. We want to stay safe. We want to be secure. We want to remain comfortable. We believe we deserve it.

There is another way. The way of the righteous. The one who takes counsel with the Lord. Who follows the way of Christ. Who sits down at the feet of his or her God. “His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Does this image reflect your life? Is God’s Word your delight? Do you meditate on it day and night? Is your life like a flowering tree? Yielding the fruit of blessing for those around you? Your family? Friends? Co-workers? Neighbors? Have you prospered spiritually? Have your grown in wisdom and knowledge and honor as you’ve walked in faithfulness to Jesus?

“The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.” The wicked are easily identified. They live for themselves. They pursue pleasure. They satisfy every desire. They do not submit their lives to Christ. On the contrary, they reject the existence of God. The recognize no authority but their own. They chase unfettered freedom only to find slavery. They live lives of quiet desperation. Struggling with despair, depression, and thoughts of self-destruction. Such is the way of the wicked which is why they are like the chaff the wind blows away. Does your life have substance to it? Eternal weight and glory? Is it full of meaning and purpose or is it empty and void?

This is why “the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” God will not be mocked. He will not allow our rebellion to stand. He will put an end to our stubbornness and pride once and for all. We will face His judgment for He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. His will reigns supreme over all He has made. We ignore Him at our peril. We take counsel against Him at our own risk. We are fools to reject Him.

Friends, God is calling you home. No matter how far you have wandered. No matter how long it has been. No matter how dark things have gotten. God is offering you His counsel. He invites you into His Presence. He longs to speak with you and share with you His heart for your life. His great desires is that you would thrive. You would become that tree planted by streams of living water. Branches overflowing with fruit. Leaves in full bloom. Turn off the technology. Turn off the television. Put aside the newspapers. Pick up God’s Word. Let Him fill you with His wisdom. Then you will prosper in all that you do.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 23:31-25:30, Acts 22:17-23:10, Psalms 2, Proverbs 18:13

Leadership

Readings for today: 2 Kings 20:1-22:2, Acts 21:18-36, Psalms 150, Proverbs 18:9-10

Last July, I had the privilege of visiting Rwanda with my wife and serving with the great folks at Hope Haven school outside of Kigali. Many may remember the terrible genocide that took place in the 1990’s as over one million Tutsi’s were killed in 100 days by their Hutu friends and neighbors. While we were there, we visited the National Genocide Museum. Spending time at the mass graves of over 250,000 people was sobering to say the least. A national trauma survey by UNICEF estimates that 80% of Rwandan children experienced a death in their family in 1994. 70% witnessed someone being killed or injured and 90% believed they would die. How can such a thing happen? 

Leadership. An unholy alliance between the racist government of Juvenal Habyarimana and the “Hutu Power” promoting media run by Hassan Ngeze combined to create the conditions whereby such a horror was possible. Aided and abetted by the French government who supplied them arms and training, the government worked hard to gain control over the country as they prepared to implement their own version of Hitler’s “Final Solution.” As the international community turned their backs on Rwanda, evil was allowed to flourish and the results were beyond tragic. 

Such leaders are not unknown in the Scriptures. Manasseh reigned for over fifty years and in that time, “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel.” (2 Kings‬ ‭21:2‬) He reinstituted pagan idol worship, rebuilding the high places his father had torn down. He defiled the Temple by setting up altars to foreign gods. “And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger.” (2 Kings‬ ‭21:5-6‬) In short, he did more evil is reign than all the kings who had come before him and after he died, his son Ammon continued in his ways. It was the darkest period in the southern kingdom’s history, the people were led astray, and the eventual result was judgment as God sends the Babylonians in to lay waste to Judah.

All of us are leaders. Leadership begins with self. Learning to control our thoughts and desires and channel them to godly action. Leadership continues in the family. We lead our families as fathers and mothers and teach our children to walk in God’s ways. We lead at work as we use our influence - whether supervisor or employee - to impact the health and well-being of others and our organization’s future. We lead at church by the way we worship and serve our brothers and sisters in Christ. We lead in every sphere of life so here’s the critical question...what kind of leader are you? When the final analysis is in and the impact of your life is measured, will it be for good or for evil in the eyes of the Lord? 

Everything rises and falls on leadership. President Paul Kagame could see what was happening in his country. He saw the signs and he began to organize a resistance. He led a rebellion against the racist government and national media and, as a result, saved tens of thousands of lives. He is rightfully called a hero. But his leadership didn’t stop there. He has worked hard to reintegrate the country. Establishing Unity and Reconciliation commissions where wrongs can be redressed, crimes confessed, forgiveness offered, and entire communities restored. This is his greatest accomplishment. Like Nelson Mandela before him, he refuses to allow hate to drive his leadership and his nation is reaping the benefits. 

Everything rises and falls on leadership. How are you doing? 

Readings for today: 2 Kings 22:3-23:30, Acts 21:37-22:16, Psalms 1, Proverbs 18:11-12

The Dangers of Idolatry

Readings for today: 2 Kings 18:13-19:37, Acts 21:1-17, Psalms 149, Proverbs 18:8

A few years ago, I was having a conversation with one of my children who was asking me about a friend of hers who was struggling. She was depressed. Anxious. Afraid. Lonely. Being bullied at school. I asked about her faith. Did she believe in Jesus Christ? No, came the answer. But she does pray. She is a spiritual person. She believes in a personal spirit animal. I asked if she’d prayed to the spirit animal about her struggles? Yes. All the time. But nothing happens? That’s right. Could it be that nothing happens because there is no such thing as a spirit animal? Could it be that she’s worshipping something that doesn’t exist and is therefore completely unable to help? Might the answer she’s looking for be found in Jesus Christ? And are you willing to talk to her about Him? It was a great conversation. Hard but good. Heartbreaking to hear all this young woman was going through but hopeful because my child now had the opportunity to share Christ with her. 

Today’s reading highlights an important truth. We live in a religiously pluralistic world. A world full of all sorts of gods and goddesses. A world that is growing more religious by most measures. A world full of competing ideologies and worldviews. A world full of idols. Such has always been the case. In Hezekiah’s time, every tribe had their own god. They worshipped their gods. Sacrificed to their gods. Served their gods. In return, their gods were supposed to provide for them. Protect them. Give them victory over enemies. So when a nation like Assyria invaded, the battle wasn’t just between kings and armies but between the gods they served. If Assyria won, their god was more powerful. If they lost, their god was weak. “Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you out of my hand. Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord by saying, The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria…And do not listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you by saying, "The Lord will deliver us." Has any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their lands out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?” (2 Kings‬ ‭18:29-35‬)

Assyria has established their dominance. Their god has thus far proved more powerful than the tribal gods of the other nations. But the Assyrians have misplaced their trust. They believe in idols. Gods who are not gods. Further, their victories are hollow because the nations they have conquered also worship false gods. Now things are different. Now they have come up against the one true and living God of the universe. The One who reigns in glory high above the heavens. The One who directs the affairs of all men. Hezekiah doesn’t need his army. He doesn’t need chariots and horses. The Lord is on his side and it is enough. “And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said: "O Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. So now, O Lord our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone." (2 Kings‬ ‭19:15-19‬)

We often fall into the trap of believing as long as someone is spiritual, it’s enough. As long as someone worships something - call it whatever - it is enough. As long as they acknowledge the existence of a deity on some level it is enough. It’s different names for the same reality. Like the “COEXIST” bumper stickers you see on the back of cars. But that’s simply not true. Allah and Yahweh are not the same. Muhammed and Jesus are not the same. Christians worship a different God than our Muslim, Mormon, Jehovah’s Witness, Hindu, and Buddhist friends. Biblically speaking, they worship false gods and their false worship has consequences. Their gods cannot answer them when they cry out. Their gods cannot heal. Cannot comfort. Cannot provide. Cannot protect because they do not exist. As Hezekiah points out in his prayer, “They were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone.” We might put it this way in our time, “They are no gods but the work of men’s imaginations, crafted and created to serve our own purposes.”  

This was the point I was making to my daughter. Our faith is not a matter of opinion. It doesn’t rest on sincerity or how strongly we hold to our convictions. Our faith is real because it trusts in a God who is real. Who is alive. Who reigns and rules from heaven even now. Who is with us. Who’s Spirit dwells in the heart of every believer. Who hears our prayers. Who breaks through time and space to work miracles on our behalf. Who actually came to earth. Walked among us. Taught us the ways of His Kingdom. Who suffered and died on our behalf. Who rose again. These aren’t just philosophical truths we believe but historical facts that undergird our faith in a way that sets us apart from all others.  

I don’t know what you are dealing with today. The challenges you face. The burdens you carry. I don’t know what your friends and loved ones are struggling with but I encourage you to pray the prayer Hezekiah prayed. “O Lord our God, save us that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord." 

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 20:1-22:2, Acts 21:18-36, Psalms 150, Proverbs 18:9-10

The Steadfast Love of God

Readings for today: 2 Kings 13-14, Acts 18:23-19:12, Psalms 146, Proverbs 18:2-3

As I read our text for today, I find myself continually struck by the tragic pattern I see emerging. The same pattern that’s been in place since the Fall. Cain and Abel. The state of the world just before the Flood. Tower of Babel. The time of the Judges. Left to her own devices, humanity inevitably descends into godlessness. Violence. Suffering. Pain. God grieves over all He has made and executes His righteous judgment. Humanity drowns. Languages are confused and the people scatter. Enemies oppress and enslave. All so that we might turn our hearts again towards God in repentance.

The time of the kings is no different. Good kings turn their hearts towards God and the people are blessed. Evil kings do what is right in their own eyes and they suffer. God sends prophets like Elijah and Elisha to call them to repentance but they are largely ignored. Finally, God sends judgment. He raises up adversaries both within and without Israel. Rebellion. War. Death. Kings are murdered. Families are decimated. God’s righteous wrath over their sin on terrible display.

Humanity never changes. No matter how much “progress” we make technologically, scientifically, culturally, intellectually, you name it…we remain morally depraved. Our hearts are hard towards God. Our necks are stiff. We refuse to bend the knee. The world around us is still awash in injustice and violence. We simply cannot escape our corrupt human nature. Our will to power. Our lust for pleasure. Our craving for wealth. The Bible’s diagnosis is incisive and true. “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." (Romans‬ ‭3:10-12‬) And just when it seems like all is lost. The end is near. There is no hope. God relents. God reaches out. God intervenes once more.

“But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and he turned toward them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, nor has he cast them from his presence until now.” (2 Kings 13:23) No matter how far humanity falls. No matter how bad things may get. No matter how much violence and suffering and pain may be taking place. God is faithful. God is true. God is steadfast. He will not abandon us. He will not forsake His people. He loves us with an everlasting love. “For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalms‬ ‭30:5‬) Great is Thy faithfulness! Lord, unto me.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 15-16, Acts 19: 13-41, Psalms 147, Proverbs 18:4-5

High Places

Readings for today: 2 Kings 10:32-12:21, Acts 18:1-22, Psalms 145, Proverbs 18:1

High places. We see them pop up all over the place in the Kings. Often the righteousness of kings is judged on whether or not they tolerate them. What are they? Originally, they were sacred spaces where the Canaanite tribes worshipped their gods.  If you flip back to Deuteronomy 12, you read these words, “You shall surely destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. You shall tear down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and burn their Asherim with fire. You shall chop down the carved images of their gods and destroy their name out of that place.” (Deut. ‭12:2-3‬) Yahweh had set His people apart. They would be different. They would not be like any other tribe or nation. Because they were a nation of priests, they would worship Yahweh in the way He prescribed. “But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go, and there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, your vow offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock. And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your households, in all that you undertake, in which the Lord your God has blessed you.” (Deut.‬ ‭12:5-7‬) 

Where was this place? Originally, it was the Tabernacle that traveled with them in the wilderness. After Solomon, it was the Temple in Jerusalem. This was the place where God had set His name and indwelt with His presence. This was the “place” the Israelites were commanded to seek when they worshipped. However, the travel could be difficult. The cost was high. It meant time away from the fields. Time away from home. After the kingdoms split, it meant possible defection by the northern tribes so the Israelite kings set up their own shrines (the sin of Jeroboam) and forbade their people from traveling to Jerusalem at the prescribed times. The people set up their own shrines to Yahweh on the very high places He once commanded them to destroy. If we assume the best of them, they were trying to worship Yahweh. Trying to remain faithful. Just not in the way He demanded or the way He deserved. At their worst, they adopted the worship practices of the locals and sought other gods.  

God cares about our worship. He cares about what happens week in and week out in local churches all over the world. Not because God is taking attendance but because God seeks worshippers who will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Worshippers who will give Him the worship He demands in the way He deserves. Worshippers who will not compromise. Worshippers who will honor Him as holy. Worshippers who refuse to make themselves the center of the experience. Worshippers who lay aside their wants, their needs, their desires, their preferences to come before the Lord in humility. To do anything else is to create a “high place.” A shrine to another god. And most of that time, that “god” is Self. The besetting sin of the Western Church is the idolatry of self. We are the object of our worship. Our satisfaction is the key performance indicator. We engage worship based on our own personal preferences. We refuse to honor God as holy. God as supreme. God as Lord. We are proud. We are arrogant. We think far too much of ourselves. And if the lives of the kings teach us anything it is this...God will not be mocked. We will be judged on the basis of who or what we worship. 

Where are the high places in your life? Do you find yourself despising the gathering of God’s people? Do you find yourself avoiding weekly worship? Do you find yourself struggling to hear the Word? Sing the songs?  Pray the prayers? Let me gently but boldly call you to repentance, friends! Remember whose presence you are in! Remember who you’ve come to serve! Remember what worship is all about! Repent. Confess. And ask the Spirit to renew your passion for true worship. 

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 13-14, Acts 18:23-19:12, Psalms 146, Proverbs 18:2-3

Evangelism

Readings for today: 2 Kings 9:14-10:31, Acts 17, Psalms 144, Proverbs 17:27-28

I teach evangelism and mission at Denver Seminary once or twice a year and always spend time unpacking this text from Acts. Paul’s defense of the gospel in Athens is brilliant and a great model for us as we engage our culture. Remember, 1 Peter 3:15 encourages us to “always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that lies within.” As Christians, we should live “questionable lives” or lives of such holiness and devotion that they naturally elicit questions from the people around us who do not yet believe. The Apostle Paul certainly lived such a life and often had to give a defense for what he believed to angry mobs, kings and princes, and the Athenian court on the Aeropagus.

Paul is not engaging in a simple religious debate. This is not just any philosophical discussion. Paul has been dragged before the Athenian court to answer for the beliefs he is espousing. Religion was no joke in the ancient world. They truly believed the gods were engaged in their world and ending up on their bad side resulted in real life consequences. Paul also believes God is engaged with His world and refusing to believe the gospel holds real life consequences. So what we are watching unfold in Acts 17 is a trial. Paul is fighting for his life as well as for the hearts of those who are listening.

Note how Paul begins with an affirmation. He complements the Athenians on their religious devotion. Their city is filled with shrines to every god imaginable. They truly do want to please the gods which is a good thing and a great place to build common ground. He further connects with them around a particular shrine to the “unknown god.” The Athenians were so worried about leaving one of the pantheon of gods out that they built a shrine to any gods that were not yet known. And Paul uses this shrine as a springboard to preach the gospel. Let me tell you the name of this unknown God. Let me share with you about His nature and character. Let me reveal to you who He is and what He’s about. He is the God of gods. The Lord of heaven and earth. A God with no rival or peer. He cannot be depicted in idols of wood, stone, or precious metal. He cannot be housed in a temple or shrine. He cannot be served by a cult of priests. He needs nothing from us and yet gives everything to us. And through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, He has revealed Himself to us and called us to faith and repentance. As I said before, it’s a brilliant argument that the Athenians clearly appreciated even if they didn’t necessarily agree. So Paul is released. New converts are made. He moves on to the next city and assignment.

Are you prepared to give a defense of the gospel? Are you ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within? Do you share your faith in Christ with those around you? Do you live a “questionable” life before them? What would you say if someone asked you about Jesus? How would you describe your God to them? What would happen if you were dragged into court and forced to give an answer much like Andrew Brunson was recently in Turkey? Could you make a defense and how would you do it? Times are changing. Persecution is coming. The day is drawing near when holding fast to Biblical faith will be difficult. Jobs will be lost. Accusations will be made. Doors will be shut. What are you doing right now to prepare for the day when you are commanded to give an answer for why you believe?

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 10:32-12:21, Acts 18:1-22, Psalms 145, Proverbs 18:1

Civil Disobedience

Readings for today: 2 Kings 8:1-9:13, Acts 16:16-40, Psalms 143, Proverbs 17:26

“And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, "These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice." (Acts‬ ‭16:20-21‬)

The gospel is disruptive. It confronts as much as it comforts. It stirs up as much as it calms down. It incites conflict as much as it brings peace. The Bible calls it a “two-edged sword.” Jesus warns us it will cause division. Setting family members against one another. Good friends. Whole communities. It forces us to face ourselves. Face our fears. Face our failures. It forces us to make a choice between Jesus and Self. Submission or sedition. Surrender or rebellion.

Preaching. Teaching. Living the gospel will set you at odds with our culture today. One could easily reframe the verse above to say, “And when they had brought them to the judge, they said, “These people are Christians and they are disturbing our city. They advocate a way of life that is bigoted, hateful, deceptive, and not lawful for us as Americans to accept or practice.” The Bible commands us to deny ourselves. Our culture celebrates Self as the new god. The Bible condemns greed, pride, lust, and ambition. Our culture monetizes them. The Bible teaches us to surrender and submit. Our culture teaches us to resist and rebel. The Bible demands that we love our enemies. Our culture demands that we demonize them. The Bible roots human freedom in the practice of forgiveness and grace. Our culture enslaves through rage, anger, and vengeance.

Paul is on his way to pray. He soon notices a young woman following him. She lives in terrible torment. Oppressed and possessed by demons. She is enslaved. Rather than care for her, her community uses her for monetary gain. They pay her to divine the future and her owners reap the profits. Then one day she meets Paul. She can’t help herself. There’s something about him that is different. Attractive. So she follows him around for days. The evil spirit lurking within her recognizes the Spirit of Christ that lives in Paul. She starts shouting to all who would hear her, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” Perhaps wanting to keep a lower profile, Paul finally gets exacerbated and casts the demon out. Now the trouble begins. Her owners have just lost their business. A significant source of their revenue. And Paul is just one man. What will happen if Christianity sweeps the city? Won’t it turn their whole world upside down?

Make no mistake. The gospel is personal but it is not private. It impacts communities, villages, towns, cities, and nations. It influences politics and societal norms. Paul will later tell the Corinthians that the gospel tears down everything that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. He will tell the Romans that the gospel is the power of God. And this same power is alive and well even today. The gospel confronts how we think about human sexuality. Wealth accumulation. The projection of military power. The gospel confronts how we think about the crisis on the border. The rise of white nationalism. The way we weaponize false information and lies to our own political benefit. The gospel confronts how we think about the environment. Family systems. The value of human life from the womb to the tomb. In short, the gospel penetrates and permeates every corner of society seeking to reshape and reform to the glory of God.

What difference does the gospel make in your life? In your relationships? In the way you vote? In the public policies you support? In the candidates you endorse? Where has the gospel disrupted you? Where is it currently challenging you? What implications does this hold for the way you live? “Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 9:14-10:31, Acts 17, Psalms 144, Proverbs 17:27-28

Open our Eyes

Readings for today: 2 Kings 6-7, Acts 15:36-16:15, Psalms 142, Proverbs 17:24-25

I have heard it said that the world has yet to see the power that would be unleashed through one man or woman who’s sold out to God. I disagree. I think we see such power all the time. Certainly in Scripture. Take the story of Elisha for instance. He’s a one-man wrecking crew when it comes to Syria. Ben-hadad wanted to destroy Israel. Invaded time after time. He had the best generals. Mighty men of valor like Naaman. The odds were surely in his favor. But Israel had one advantage...Elisha. A man who loved God with all his heart. From Elisha’s deep faith sprung wisdom and insight and even prophetic utterances. He thwarted the plans of Ben-hadad to such an extent that his counselors believed it was like Elisha was hanging out in Ben-hadad’s bedroom! 

Elisha posed such a great threat that Ben-hadad sent his entire army on a seek and destroy mission. Find him. Kill him. Destroy whatever city is giving him refuge. So Elisha and his servant wake up one morning only to see the Syrian army arrayed in all its might before them. It must have been an intimidating sight. The servant is immediately afraid. What will we do? How will we survive? But Elisha doesn’t miss a beat. He asks God to open the eyes of his servant so that he can see what Elisha sees. Horses. Chariots. The mountains ringed with fire from the army of the Lord. 

This is one of my favorite stories in all of Scripture because of the reminder that though my circumstances may seem bleak. Though I may undergo all kinds of trials and tribulations. Though I may suffer and struggle and hurt. Though the enemy wage war against me. Though the government or culture or society grow increasingly hostile to the gospel. No matter what may come, my adversaries - as numerous as they may be - are no match for the armies of the Lord! His sovereign hand continues to lead and guide and protect. His power cannot be measured. His wisdom cannot be fathomed. And if I will simply lift my eyes above the hills, I will see where my true help comes! (Psalm 121) 

 “Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.” (Ecclesiastes‬ ‭9:11) I frequently find myself in positions where I am weak. I have no power. No authority. I am not strong or swift or wise or wealthy. In those moments, I am tempted to despair. And that’s when God has me right where He wants me! God does His best work when I come to the end of myself. God does His greatest work when I get out of the way. God is at His most glorious when I am weak and afraid and lonely and have nowhere else to turn. All I have to do is open my eyes. See the power He has brought to bear. Sit back and watch Him go to work. Trust Him for the victory. 

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 8:1-9:13, Acts 16:16-40, Psalms 143, Proverbs 17:26

Conflict

Readings for today: 2 Kings 4:18-5:27, Acts 15:1-35, Psalms 141, Proverbs 17:23

Occasionally I come across people who seem surprised when there is conflict in the church. They have this impression that because we all love Jesus we would never have a difference of opinion. Never have an argument or disagreement. They seem to think “unity” is the same as “unanimity” which simply is not true. From the very beginning, the church has struggled over significant issues. Struggled to come to one mind and one accord on various things. Because we’re all sinners, it is not easy to discern the will and call of God. 

Today’s passage highlights a number of different conflicts. Conflict over circumcision and the role of the Jewish law in a Christian’s life. Conflict over restoring an individual who has proved untrustworthy in the past. Conflict over where the Spirit was leading the different evangelism teams to go. Conflict in Philippi over the deliverance of the slave girl. Conflict in prison which results in the conversion of the jailer. It is messy. There is division. The process of discernment often involves trial and error. Mistakes are made. I imagine feelings get hurt. Frustrations mount. But through it all, the Spirit is faithful to make His will known. And the result is the churches are strengthened in their faith and increase in numbers daily as God adds to them those who are being saved. 

Is it possible that Acts 15 and 16 are paradigmatic for today? Do they reflect real life in the real church? Should we expect conflict? Expect disagreement? Expect arguments over where to go and what to do and who to involve? And if so, how can we resolve conflict peacefully? In a way that glorifies God and brings honor to His name?  

One of the keys to navigating conflict in a godly manner is mutual submission. In Acts 15:1, a question is raised. Is circumcision required for salvation? This is no small matter. It’s a question of identity. For centuries, the rite of circumcision has set the Jewish people apart. Marked them as God’s chosen people. They have suffered for this belief. Been persecuted for this belief. No matter where they found themselves, they were easily identified by the fact they had been circumcised so there was never any place to run or hide. Since Abraham, circumcision has formed the core part of their shared identity and linked them intimately with the covenant promises of God. Now it is being threatened...what should they do? Paul and Barnabus have strong opinions. Based on what they have seen and experienced, it appears the Holy Spirit is moving among the Gentiles. Non-Jews. People who are not circumcised. Why add to what the Spirit is doing? There is quite a bit of dissension and debate. So they decide to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles to make their case. Again, there is much debate. Strong opinions being offered on all sides. Finally, Peter stands up. Shares his heart. Shares his experience. Once again, Paul and Barnabus share about the signs and wonders they have seen in their travels. James calls for a decision and the council decides to let circumcision be a secondary matter. Non-essential when it comes to salvation. 

This has huge implications and it is notable that their conclusion “seemed good to the apostles, elders, and the whole church.” Though the issue will continue to come up throughout the rest of the book of Acts, this moment represents a turning point. A general willingness of all parties to mutually submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Another aspect that’s highlighted is their ability to differentiate between essentials and non-essentials when it comes to the gospel. Again, just because a compromise was reached doesn’t mean everyone agreed. Unity is not the same as unanimity. I imagine quite a few of the Pharisees who had come to faith walked away with serious reservations. But they set those reservations aside for the sake of the unity of the church. They recognized the danger of division and how much harm would come should the church fracture over this issue. They made sure to focus on the essentials - not getting mixed up in idolatry, sexual immorality, and maintaining purity which are all more matters of the heart - rather than force Gentiles to become Jews before becoming Christian. 

Would that modern-day Christians were able to do the same! Instead of fighting over secondary matters like baptismal practices, worship styles, spiritual gifts, etc., can we not exercise mutual forbearance and submission and keep the main thing the main thing? Rather than pull up stakes the moment we disagree with the preacher or the elder board, can we not put aside our differences for the sake of the unity of the church? Rather than bounce the moment we are disappointed or let down, can we not obey the gospel’s call to forgive and reconcile? Unity does not mean unanimity so we should never expect we will always agree. The key to doing life together is navigating conflict in a way that honors God and keeps Christ at the center. 

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 6-7, Acts 15:36-16:15, Psalms 142, Proverbs 17:24-25