Means and Ends

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 27-29, Psalms 68

It is so easy to confuse the “ends” with the “means.” It is so tempting to become more committed to process rather than outcomes. I see it time and time again. It happens in schools where we get more focused on achieving good grades rather than cultivating a love of learning. It happens in healthcare where more time and money is spent on managing disease rather than addressing the underlying problems. It happens in mental health where people are encouraged to remain in therapy for years rather than seriously address maladaptive thinking patterns and behaviors. It happens in businesses that refuse to evolve and change with the times. It happens in churches where we become more committed to “the way we’ve always done it” and lose sight of the Great Commission.

The end of the Christian life is clear. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Worship and enjoy God forever. Seek the Kingdom of God first and the righteousness of God first and everything else will be taken care of. I love how David put it to Solomon, “As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will reject you forever.” (‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭28‬:‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Yes, Solomon will build a magnificent Temple. A wonder of the ancient world. But even this mighty work is a “means” to a greater end which is the worship of the Living God. Solomon’s success will not be measured in the buildings he builds or the wealth he accumulates or the political power he wields or the military might he deploys. It will be measured in how he loves and serves God. It will be measured in how well he seeks God throughout his reign and rule and life.

These words apply to each and every one of us, no matter what season or station in life we may find ourselves in. It applies to the rich and poor. It applies to the powerful and powerless. It applies to the old and young. It applies to both men and women. The true measure of your life is not found in how much money you make or how much success you achieve. It is not found in the degrees you earn or the companies you build or the number of people you influence. It is not founded in the number of friends or followers you have on social media. These are all means to a much greater end. Did you love and serve God with a whole heart and a willing mind? Did you seek after God with all your heart so you might find Him? Did you pursue God all the days of your life and humbly submit to Him? Did you make His will your own and did you do all you can to live for Him? As C.S. Lewis once put it, “Aim for heaven and you’ll get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you’ll get neither.”

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Succession

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 23-26

“When David was old and full of days, he installed his son Solomon as king over Israel.” (‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭23‬:‭1‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

I am now in my fifties. Many of my dearest friends and colleagues are in their sixties. In my culture in America, seventy is usually the outer limit on retirement. It’s surprising to me how fast I got here. I still remember getting started in ministry in my twenties and thinking I had all the time in the world. Now I am wondering if I have enough time left to get done all the things I’d love to get done for the Lord. When one gets to this stage in life, one starts to think about succession planning. It’s a common topic of conversation among many of my friends. They have led fruitful ministries for many years and they wonder who will come after them. Some of them have the chance to pick their successor. Some will have their successor chosen for them. Some will have great influence on who follows them. Some will have no influence at all. Some are anxious about what might happen. Some feel a deep sense of peace. Being part of these conversations reminds me that none of is eternal. We are simply links in a much longer chain. Called to take our place and do our part for however long a season God may grant.

I love how David planned for his succession. Yes, he was able to choose his successor but more importantly David made sure the nation was ready for the handoff. He gathered all the leaders. He brought together the priests and Levites. He counted them up and organized them into different divisions with different responsibilities. He did this in accordance with their ancestral families to make sure the perpetual inheritance given to them by the Lord remained intact. He also prepared them for change. His son was planning to build a Temple. No longer would the Levites be required to set up and tear down the Tabernacle or carry it from place to place. They would now have a permanent home in Jerusalem and the holy things of God would have a resting place. This represented a pretty dramatic change for them which may not have been easy so David made sure to smooth the way for his son.

All of us have to think about succession. All of us have to think about who may follow in our footsteps. We think about it in our families with our children and grandchildren. We think about it at work in the positions we hold. We think about it in other areas of life where we may be leaders or have influence. Following the example of David means faithfully preparing the way for the person whom God may call to come after you. It means setting things in order as much as you are able to make things as easy as possible for that person to step up and step in. It means preparing those you serve for any changes to come to smooth over any resistance. To quote the words of the ancient prophet, Isaiah, it means lifting up every valley and laying low every mountain. Straightening the crooked ways and making the rough places plain. It means considering the needs of others or the organization as more important than your own.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 131, 138, 139, 143, 144, 145

Numbers

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalms 30

More and more studies are being conducted on the impact of social media on our mental health. The results are scary. It is becoming clear that prolonged social media use presents like addiction with similar accompanying symptoms. (Neglect of personal life, mental preoccupation, escapism, etc.) The more we use social media, the less happy we seem to be and the more socially isolated we become. The comparisons social media invites is not good for our well-being. Furthermore, social media is specifically designed to trigger dopamine “highs” in the brain. Dopamine release is triggered by unpredictability, small bits of information that can be digested quickly, and most importantly, reward cues. (i.e. number of “likes” on FB, number of “followers” on Instagram, number of “retweets” on Twitter, etc.)  

I think about the number of people I know who draw at least part of their self-worth off of the number of friends they have on Facebook. The number of times people hit the “heart” button on an Instagram pic. The number of retweets and likes a pithy phrase gets on X or the amount of views on a YouTube video. This is especially true for young people. But it’s not just social media. I think of the number of pastors I know who draw their self-worth off the number of people who show up on a weekend for worship. I think of the pressure there is in most churches for numerical growth. I think of the uncritical assumptions too many Christians make that larger churches must be doing something “right” and smaller churches must be doing something “wrong.”

Why are we so obsessed with numbers? It does seem to be an American phenomenon. I travel the world fairly regularly. I’ve been to China, South Korea, Mexico, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Uganda. In fact, I just arrived in Ethiopia this morning. I’ve interacted with pastors from all around the world in lots of different settings. In my experience, they just don’t seem as hung up as we are on numbers. That isn’t to say they ignore them. They pay attention. They evaluate. They are wise and discerning. But there isn’t the emotional attachment American Christians, and especially American pastors, seem to have with attendance, buildings, and budgets. It’s like we get a dopamine “high” every time the sanctuary is full.  

It’s why I find this story about David from 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21 so convicting. David wants to number his people. He wants to know the size of his army. He wants to measure his influence and power. He wants to feel safe and in control. The images I have in my head are of third-world despots throwing military parades to show off their strength. David is clearly feeling insecure and in that moment, Satan strikes. The results are tragic. “This is what the Lord says: ‘Take your choice: three years of famine, or three months of devastation by your foes with the sword of your enemy overtaking you, or three days of the sword of the Lord, a plague on the land, the angel of the Lord bringing destruction to the whole territory of Israel.’” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭21‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬) God is teaching David a lesson in humility. He is teaching David about true strength. He is teaching David about true security. David’s trust must remain in God alone.

70,000 die from the plague. This is where the story gets confusing and difficult. Why would God do such a thing? Is it just a coincidence and the Biblical authors are choosing to interpret the event theologically? After all, the ancient people believed God was involved in everything and they were far more willing to accept God’s judgment as well as His grace. Is it because David is king and, in the ancient near east, the king’s decisions had consequences? Not just for himself but for the people he ruled. Again, we don’t understand this way of thinking because we are far more individualistic as a society. Then again, maybe we do? How many times do you hear pastors interpret natural disasters as the judgment of God? How many times do our political leaders make decisions that result in real pain and suffering for real people in our country or another nation? David decides to number his fighting men and around the same time, a plague begins. It is brutal. Virulent. And it kills. Somewhere in David’s mind, Gad’s mind, Joab’s mind and the minds of many others, these events are related. The plague is perceived as God’s punishment on Israel for David’s sinful choices. And perhaps it is. We cannot dismiss the possibility out of hand for God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. He has clearly told His people over and over again that there are consequences...real, life-threatening consequences...for sin. God’s justice and righteousness will not be mocked. 

So how do we respond? What does this mean for our lives? What’s our takeaway from our reading today? First and foremost, it should lead us to confession and repentance. I think of all the times I too have made the mistake of placing my faith in numbers or drawn my mental health and well-being from the number of likes on social media or worked for the affirmation of others. None of us is immune. Second, we let our failures lead us to the cross. To the place where the penalty for our sin was paid. To the place where God’s judgment was fully and completely and utterly satisfied by the death of our Lord and Savior. We are not condemned and that is truly good news. Third, it should inspire us to live more faithfully for Christ. To place all my hope and all my trust in Him. To rest secure under the shadow of His wings.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 108-109

Power

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20, Psalms 51

“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” - Lord Acton

He might as well have been talking about King David. David who had so much going for him. David whom God raised from a shepherd’s field to a palace. David who went from fighting off wild animals to protect his sheep to fighting giants to protect the people of Israel. David who killed his “ten thousands.” David who was the bane of the Philistines. David who seemingly could not lose a battle. David who was a man after God’s own heart. David who refused to kill the Lord’s anointed. David who trusted God on so many occasions. This same David was also subject to weakness. Vulnerable to temptation. And the higher he rose, the more precarious his position became. The more authority and power he accumulated, the more it went to his head. As the prophet Nathan’s story makes clear, what happened with David was not a moment of weakness. He didn’t just slip up. He didn’t just fall into sin. He believed he had every right to Bathsheba just as the rich man believed he had every right to the poor man’s lamb.

Human beings don’t handle power well. It corrupts us from the inside out. It twists our way of thinking. It perverts how we see those around us. It makes us feel entitled. It deadens our sense of right and wrong. We start to believe we know better than others because, deep down, we believe we are better than others. And because we are better than others, we deserve what we can get. Think of the politicians who have become incredibly wealthy as they’ve served our country. They believe, deep down, they deserve it. Think of those in the highest economic classes who commit egregious crimes or exploit those who work for them or who take advantage of unjust laws in other countries to grow their companies. They believe, deep down, they are above the law. Think of those who exercise great spiritual authority like pastors and priests who take advantage of those who are hurting and struggling. They believe, deep down, they are immune from any consequences. But God sees them. God judges them. God will hold them accountable just like He did King David.

How do we avoid falling into this trap? How do we resist the temptation to use whatever influence, power, or authority we have in our lives for ourselves? We give it away. We seek to serve rather than be served. We intentionally lay it down for the sake of others. This is the way of Jesus.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 32, 86, 102, 103, 122

Honor and Shame

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalms 20, 53, 60, 75

One of the big challenges in reading the Bible, especially the Old Testament histories, is the cultural gap between their world and our world today. The ancient world viewed all of life through the lens of honor and shame. The goal in life was to accrue as much honor as possible and one would do this by honoring those around them and protecting the honor of those in their family, clan, tribe, and community. When the king of the Ammonites dies, David seeks to honor his son by sending emissaries to console and bless the family. The goal here was to strengthen the relationships between their two nations. However, Hanun shames David’s messengers by cutting off their beards and exposing their nakedness and sending them away. It was a dramatic act meant to humiliate David and Israel as much as the emissaries themselves. David responds by protecting the honor of the men. He tells them to remain in Jericho until their beards grow back so no one will see their shame. However, the shame cannot go unaddressed. The Ammonites know their actions are effectively an act of war. They know David will have to respond or the other nations who are watching will take advantage of his shame. So they form an army and attack Israel, hoping to catch David before he is prepared. David devises a strategy that not only defeats the Ammonites but also their allies, the Arameans. His victory is so complete the two tribes are afraid to ever join forces against Israel ever again.

Our culture is built on a guilt/innocence paradigm rather than honor/shame. A significant reason for this difference is how we understand ourselves. We see ourselves as individuals first and members of a community second. The opposite was true in the ancient world. We also privilege being “right” over being in “relationship” whereas those in the ancient world always privilege the relationship over everything else. We go to war if we feel it is the “right” thing to do and that’s why we tend to describe our conflicts as a battle between “good and evil.” In the ancient world, wars were fought over insults and perceived slights to members of a family or clan or tribe. Another layer to this dynamic is how the ancient writers described their victories. Hyperbole was a tool they often employed in order to increase the “honor” of their nation. So when the Bible describes these battles where tens of thousands are killed, it is highly unlikely it is using a literal number. The intent of the author is to convey a sense of overwhelming victory over their enemies. This is yet another significant cultural difference. Whereas we are concerned with getting the facts right and want a specific tally of the number killed, the ancient authors were more concerned with upholding the honor of their king and their nation as they reported out.

Interestingly enough, most of the world still runs on an honor/shame paradigm. When I travel to different nations in Africa or Asia or Central and South America or when I interact with immigrants domestically from these countries, I am always struck by how important honor is to building strong, healthy partnerships. Understanding this dynamic is the key to cross-cultural relationships and is becoming more and more important as the world gets smaller and our communities become more diverse.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 65, 66, 67, 69, 70

Dedication

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18

What often gets lost in the stories of David’s victories is what he did with the spoils. The tribute from the Arameans. The gold shields from Hadadezer. The bronze captured from different cities. The gifts from the king of Hamath. He dedicates all of it to the Lord along with all the gold and silver captured from the nations he subdued. It’s a powerful testimony to David’s faith and humility. David understood his victories came from the Lord. He understood it was the Lord who had gone before him and won the battles. David gave the Lord all the honor and glory for his success. He walked humbly before the Lord never claiming any honor for himself. And the result? “The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.” (‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Not only that but the Lord established David’s reign over all Israel and he ruled with righteousness and justice.

I think about the “victories” I’ve won in my own life. The successes I’ve had in ministry. The achievements I’ve been able to accomplish. Do I give the credit to the Lord or do I take some of the credit for myself? What do I do with all the blessings that come my way? Do I seek to bless others in the name of the Lord? Do I give all the honor and glory to God? Do I dedicate my time and energy and attention and resources back to the Lord in tangible ways? Give more generously? Serve more sacrificially? Am I committed to walking in faith and humility? One of the secrets I have learned over the course of my life and ministry is to always give God the credit. Remind myself I am nothing without Him. Everything I have and everything I’ve achieved over the course of my life is due to Him. He determined where I would be born and what family I would be born into and I have been blessed. He gave me the gifts and talents and abilities I enjoy. He created all kinds of opportunities for me that I did not deserve. He opened doors that should have remained shut. He called me to the church I serve. He raised me into positions of influence. All I did was walk with open hands. And that’s why all the credit goes to God for any success I’ve had over the course of my life and ministry. And it’s why I continue to dedicate more and more of my time, energy, and resources to His mission.

What about you? Do you see God’s hand at work in similar ways in your own life? Do you give God the credit He deserves for the success you’ve been able to achieve? Do you look for tangible ways to dedicate your time, energy, and resources to Him? What would that look like for you today? Where do you start? What’s the next step? Go to the Lord in prayer and ask the Spirit to lead you.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalms 20, 53, 60, 75

The Builder

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17, Psalms 1, 2, 33, 127, 132

“Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.” (Psalms 127:1 CSB) This verse hits me almost every year. Especially when juxtaposed with David’s desire to build the Lord a temple. A permanent home. A sacred place where Israel could come and go before the Lord. It’s not a bad desire. It’s not a sinful desire. In fact, the prophet Nathan initially affirms David’s heart. God Himself agrees with David though David will not be the one to build God His home. However, the bigger lesson God wants us to grasp here is that He is the master builder. He is the great architect of our lives. We may think we are builders, doers, planners, achievers but it is God who wills and who works according to His good pleasure.

It’s so tempting to look at the work of our hands and take credit. It’s so tempting to look at what we have done or what we have accomplished in our lives or what we have achieved and think we are the author of our success. But God makes it clear through the life of David that He is the one who builds and grows and grants success. God plucked David from obscurity in a shepherd’s field. Gave Him a name. Gave Him victory after victory. Anointed Him king. Built his household so he would have successors who will sit on the throne after him. David doesn’t bless God, God blesses David. David doesn’t provide for God, God provides for David. It’s not David who is making God’s name great, it is God who is making David’s name great. And the same dynamic is true for us. I think about my marriage and my family. We are close. We love each other deeply. We serve each other. We have great relationships and conversations and the future is so bright for all our kids. All of it is because of God. I think about the church God called me to serve. It is growing. It is thriving. There is so much life and joy here. All of it because of God. I think about the many ways I’ve been able to serve students at Denver Seminary or our denomination nationally or the Petros Network internationally. All of it because of God.

The problem, of course, is I start to think it’s because of me. I start to pat myself on the back. I start to believe my own hype. I start to look at everything and think “I did this” or “I’m the essential part of this story.” Nothing could be further from the truth. God doesn’t need me but graciously chooses to use me. God doesn’t depend on me but graciously invites me in to share in His blessings. God can easily do all this without me but graciously includes me. This is the lesson David needed to learn. It’s the lesson I need to still learn. It’s the lesson all of us need to learn and hold onto in life.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18

Audience of One

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 5:11-25, 2 Samuel 6, 1 Chronicles 13-16

Many years ago, a therapist challenged me with this question, “Who are you trying to impress?” I was a young pastor serving my first church. The church was struggling when I first arrived and I felt it was my job to “save” her. I worked long hours. I got involved in everything. We launched new programs. The schedule filled up. More people came. By all outward appearances, the work I was doing was bearing fruit. But I was burning out. I was trying to do too much. And I was motivated by my fear of failure rather than my faith in God. I was worried about what my colleagues would say about me. Worried about my reputation in the community. Worried that the people I loved and served might think less of me. Worried that my family might lose faith in me. I was so worried about what others thought and believed and it was driving me crazy. So I went to see a counselor. A therapist who specialized in treating pastors. He cracked open my head and heart and helped me to see that I was performing for the wrong audience. My true audience was the Lord. He was the only one whose opinion I needed to worry about and He had already declared me justified. Already declared me righteous. Already set His great love on me. Not because of anything I had done but because of what Christ had done for me. It’s hard to describe the freedom I felt once I processed this gospel truth once again. It was transformative and has shaped my life and ministry ever since.

King David understood his true audience. It wasn’t his people. It wasn’t his enemies. It wasn’t even his wife. David performed for the Lord. David served at the Lord’s good pleasure. David became king not through his own effort or ability or achievements or accomplishments but through the grace of God. This was why he was more than willing to strip down and dance for the Lord. It was why he was more than willing to humble himself and dishonor himself before all the people. He didn’t care. He only had eyes for God. His heart was completely devoted to God. And while he would make incredible mistakes in the future and even commit terrible crimes that would put his kingship in jeopardy, right now, in this moment, he was as free as a person could be. All because he understood his true audience was God.

Who do you work for? Who do you perform for? Who are you living your life for? Is it for the cheers and affirmation of those around you? Is it to gain status and favor and influence in our world? Is it to secure a good reputation with your family or the community? What drives you? What motivates you? Is it fear of failure? Fear of letting others down? Fear of not being recognized? What would it look like for you to shift your focus and begin playing for an audience of One? What would it take for you to shift your heartset and mindset and begin doing “everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him?” (Col. 3:17)

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 15, 23-25, 47

Unity

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 5:1-10, 1 Chronicles 11-12, Psalms 133

Psalm 133 is one of my favorite Psalms. Mainly because I have seen it in action. I have seen what happens when God’s people truly serve Him with one heart and mind. I have witnessed the miracles that take place when God’s people put aside their egos, their needs, their wants, their desires in favor of serving the Kingdom. I have watched God’s Spirit move when God’s people humble themselves. Deny themselves. Pursue forgiveness and reconciliation. Lay aside their need to be safe, both physically and emotionally, and chase after God. It is powerful. Life-changing. It transforms churches. Communities. Villages. Towns. Cities. Entire tribes, regions, and nations.  

True biblical unity requires us to relinquish “self” in favor of others. It requires us to lose our individual identity in favor of the whole. It requires us to consider others more important than ourselves. It requires us to risk. Risk being hurt. Risk being wounded. Risk feeling rejected. It requires us to have courage. Courage to forgive. Courage to pursue reconciliation. No matter what the cost. No matter how many times we get burned. Like Jesus told Peter, we must be willing to forgive “seventy times seven.” It requires honesty. Transparency. Self-reflection. We must constantly seek to take the log out of our own eyes before we look to take the speck out of someone else’s eye.

True biblical unity requires the church to lay aside it’s need to compete. Extend it’s brand. Criticize other parts of the Body as if “we have no need of them.” It requires leadership to get serious about working together. Working with and for one another. Willing to sacrifice our buildings, budgets, and attendance in order to expand God’s Kingdom in the communities where we serve. It requires mutual submission and accountability. A willingness to step aside and relinquish our platforms when we fall into sin. It requires a radical commitment to love God and neighbor at the expense of our organizations and institutions. Self-denial and picking up our cross is not just a call to the individual Christian but to the church as a community as well! 

True biblical unity requires a radical re-orientation of the heart. It requires laying aside our personal preferences for the sake of those around us. It requires laying aside our cultural preferences for the sake of those who may be different than us. It is incredibly difficult and challenging which is why it happens so infrequently in Scripture. Even the unity King David experiences as he builds his kingdom will soon give way to division as his own children betray him. We have to constantly be on guard because we are our own worst enemy. Our hearts naturally resist unity because it requires literal death to self. And we have such a strong instinct for self-preservation.  

Ultimately, unity is not something we can achieve through our own strength. It’s not about us being the same but coming together across our differences, even allowing those difference to enrich our life together. And this is why it is a work of the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can bring the kind of deep, spiritual unity Psalm 133 talks about. And the first step towards unity is surrender. Surrender to the Holy Spirit and all He wants to do in our lives.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 5:11-25, 2 Samuel 6, 1 Chronicles 13-16

Small Things

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 7-9

Easter weekend is a big one for any pastor. This one was no different. I spent a great deal of time after all the services connecting with different people. Different ages. Different cultures. Different languages. Different life experiences. Many of them asked me a variation of the same question…what now? Where do we go from here? How do we live the resurrection life that we celebrate on Easter Sunday? Honestly, it’s not rocket science. It’s the small decisions we make every single day. It’s paying attention to the little details in life that matter. The words we say. The way we listen to those we live with and work with and interact with every single day. Keeping our priorities straight. God first. Others second. Ourselves third. It’s watching how we spend our time and energy and resources and making sure they serve God’s purposes.

The thing that always strikes me about this section of the Jewish Histories is how important the little details are to God. He designates some of his people to be doorkeepers. Think greeters on a Sunday morning or a life safety team member who keeps everyone safe. He designates others to care for the utensils used in worship. Think of a deacon team who prepares the communion elements, makes the coffee, or serves the donuts and then cleans up and takes out the trash afterwards. Think of the facilities team who cares for the property and keeps things in working order. Then there are the singers. The worship teams. The volunteers who dedicate so much of their time and energy to practicing the music we sing week over week. The worship leadership who plans and executes each service with such intentionality. The audio and production team who spends late nights getting everything set up and torn down for each service. None of these may seem like big things. In fact, I’ve often heard people dismiss them as unnecessary or even distractions to “true worship” whatever that means. But these things matter to God so they should matter to us. The people involved matter to God so they should matter to us. We should appreciate them and honor their calling just as David and Samuel did in their own time.

Before we get too far away from Easter, I would encourage you to find a way to reach out to those who served this past weekend. Thank them for helping with the parking, the greeting, and the kids ministry. Thank them for serving the food and the coffee and preparing the communion elements. Thank them for leading us from the platform in music or from the sound booth in production. Thank the life safety team and the facility team for all their hard work setting up and tearing down. Thank the prayer team and the elders and deacons and staff who gave so much of their time and energy. None of them do it for the recognition, of course, but I know they will appreciate it. Even more, I believe God loves it when we honor His people for serving Him.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 5:1-10, 1 Chronicles 11-12, Psalms 133

Singing

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 6, Psalms 36, 39, 77, 78

Music has always been a part of the worship of God. We sing about the character and nature of God. We sing about God’s mighty acts in human history. We sing about God’s power over creation and over the creatures of the earth. We sing of our redemption. The song book of the people of God is the Psalms. They set their prayers to music. Music allows them to express the full range of emotion. I imagine some of the songs they sang were slow and reflective. Others were fast-paced and joyful. Still others were confessional and melancholy. Still others were focused on praise. We don’t necessarily know the style of music they played or the different instruments they used. In my experience, both in Israel and the Middle East, it probably varied based on what was available to them and the quality of the leader. But those things were secondary. What mattered most was their heart and how they expressed themselves to God.

In 1 Chronicles six, King David sets apart a certain group of people to be in charge of musical worship. They will lead God’s people in song. They will lead God’s people when they come before Him to make their sacrifices. They will lead God’s people during the prescribed feasts and festivals. They were not only in charge of leading God’s people but I imagine they were also charged to create new songs for them to sing. New songs to describe the wonder and glory of God. New ways to describe all He had done for Israel throughout her history. I have to believe it was an amazing job. To spend your life pondering and reflecting and creating music for the people of God to sing as they come to worship. It’s why I admire those I serve alongside at my own church for the many ways they create and design and shape our worship services week over week. Introducing new music to go alongside the classic hymns from our past that we all love. Introducing new liturgical elements through prayer and testimony to draw us all closer to the Lord. It is a great privilege to work alongside such gifted and talented people.

Ultimately, however, the excellence of the music doesn’t matter if our hearts aren’t right before the Lord. If we harbor sin. If we hold onto bitterness or resentment. If we refuse to extend forgiveness and seek reconciliation with others in our community. If we enter into worship with pride, seeking only to serve ourselves. God wants our hearts. He wants us to approach Him with humility and open hands. An authentically contrite heart, He will never despise or reject. As we gather for worship this Easter weekend, my prayer for all of us is that we come open and expectant and ready to meet the Lord. My prayer is we come honestly and authentically before Him. My prayer is we come in humility as we approach the throne of grace to receive the help we need. Most of all, my prayer is we come with a desire to worship the Lord. To make worship about Him and not us. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! May the miracle of His resurrection bring us to our knees in awe and wonder yet again!

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Righteous Prayer

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 3-5

Over twenty years ago, a best-selling book was published on the prayer offered by a rather obscure Old Testament figure named Jabez. He shows up in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 but no specific mention is made of how he fits into the family tree of Judah. He is described as a man of honor who was birthed in pain by his mother and who prayed a prayer God answered. That’s it. Two verses total. Not much to go on. Not much to draw any conclusions from and yet the book written about him became an instant best-seller, selling millions of copies, launching an entire cottage industry.

Why the popularity? I think it has to do with the fact that Jabez’ prayer fits the prevailing self-centered, “health and wealth” theology of so many Americans, Christian or not. “Jabez  was more honored than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez and said, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez called out to the God of Israel, “If only you would bless me, extend my border, let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm, so that I will not experience pain.” And God granted his request.” (‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Fundamentally, we believe we are worthy of God’s blessing. Fundamentally, we believe we have earned the right to have our territory expanded. Fundamentally, we believe we should never experience evil or pain or suffering. Fundamentally, we believe life is about us and our comfort and the prayer of Jabez only reinforces this idea.

I was in seminary when the book came out and I remember church after church teaching on it. All kinds of miracles were attributed to this prayer. Entire congregations would commit to praying this prayer for thirty, sixty, or ninety days and then report back on the ways God answered their prayers. Preachers, even from evangelical and mainline church contexts, would preach entire sermon series on this prayer and encourage people to memorize it and pray it daily. It seemed utterly crazy to me. After all, this was a verse ripped completely out of it’s Old Testament context. It comes from a figure in the Old Testament we know almost nothing about. If we’re going to memorize one prayer from the Bible and pray it fervently and daily, shouldn’t it be the Lord’s Prayer?

This highlights a danger for us as we read through the Scriptures. The Bible is not a magic book. It is not a book full of mantras that we can pray to get what we want. The Bible is not a self-help book meant to teach us how to have a better life. The Bible has one primary purpose and that is to reveal the character and nature of God. It tells the story of God’s mission to reach His people with the gospel. As one rabbi famously put it, “The Bible is not the story of humanity’s search for God but God’s search for humanity.” God is on a rescue mission to deliver us from the powers of sin and death and evil. His goals are far greater than material blessings or expanding our territory or giving us more influence in this world. He wants to save a people for Himself. He is growing His family through the conversion of women and men. He is building His Kingdom here on earth through His church made up of Jews and Gentiles together. This is His plan and this is what should be the focus of our prayers.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 6, Psalms 36, 39, 77, 78

Story

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 1-2, Psalms 43-44

Many years ago, a friend of mine introduced me to the “Three Story” method of evangelism. It’s simple and natural and easy to use. Basically, you start by asking another person about their story. By showing genuine curiosity in who they are and how they got here and where they feel they are headed, you get to learn all about another human being. Another creature made in God’s own image. You get to hear all about their hopes and dreams and, depending on their level of vulnerability, their heartbreaks and pain. It’s incredible what people will tell you if you are willing to listen. After sharing their story, the most natural thing for them to do is ask you about your story. I don’t know about you but I can’t share my story without sharing about the day Jesus Christ saved me. He literally changed the course of my life. And this brings us into the final story…God’s story…which is the story all of us are wrapped up in on some level. I have to tell you I’ve probably had thousands of conversations about Jesus over the years. I’ve not had one negative reaction when I used this method to tell His story. It doesn’t mean everyone gave their life to Jesus. Far from it. But it does get people thinking in new ways about the story of their life and what role God may have to play in it.

I thought about this method when I read through the genealogies at the beginning of Chronicles. It’s easy to brush past all these names. They don’t mean much to us because we don’t feel any kind of connection to them. They are names of people and places we have never encountered which is why they feel so distant to us. Irrelevant to our lives. But what if we engaged the reading using the “Three Story” method I shared above? What if this is Israel telling us her story? Telling us how she got to where she is today? Telling us about all the important people and places in her life? What if instead of just reading through the chapters, we envisioned a person telling us all about their family tree and what it meant to them? Would that change how we received it? I think it would. Now imagine that same person asking us about our family tree. What would we share? Could we point to names and places where our family had been? Do we see all the different connections that brought us to where we are today? Now think about God’s story. Where’s His hand in all of this? Where do we see Him at work in the lives of those who are listed? What story is God working out in and through His people for the world?

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 49, 84, 85, 87

Godly Generosity

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 25-29, Psalms 70

How does one become a generous person? The kind of giver God loves? King David shows us the way. First and foremost, one must love God supremely. We must love God more than our wealth. More than our lifestyles. More than our safety. More than our comfort. We must love God with our whole hearts. Listen to what David tells his son Solomon. “As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will reject you forever.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭28‬:‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Essentially, the key to Solomon’s success, the key to his successful kingship, will be his love for God. 

Second, we must recognize God as the giver of all good gifts. "May you be blessed, Lord God of our father Israel, from eternity to eternity. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all. Riches and honor come from you, and you are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all. Now therefore, our God, we give you thanks and praise your glorious name.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭10‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬) We don’t own a single thing. Everything we have comes from God’s own hands. He chose the place of our birth. He endows us with gifts and talents and abilities. He sovereignly orchestrates the opportunities we’ve been given. All these things were outside our control and yet they are the secret to our success. Of course we work hard. Of course we do our best. We are not passive in this process. But the foundation of whatever success we’ve achieved in this life was not laid by our own hands but by God Himself. 

Third, we must acknowledge we are unworthy of such divine attention. “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your own hand. For we are aliens and temporary residents in your presence as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭CSB‬‬) The world is constantly telling us we “deserve” all we have. We’ve “earned” all we’ve received. We are “good” and “righteous” and “worth” every penny of our wealth. The Bible calls this a lie. We are unworthy sinners. Unworthy of God’s attention. Unworthy to come into His presence. We are sinners in desperate need of grace. Our days are like a shadow. There is no abiding. In a generation or two, all we have accomplished will be dust and no one will even remember our names. But God loves us. He has dealt bountifully with us. He has secured for us an eternal home in the heavens if we will receive His greatest gift, Jesus.

Fourth, once we’ve set our hearts on Christ. Once we’ve acknowledged God as the “sole proprietor” of this world and all that is in it. Once we’ve humbled ourselves in our unworthiness before Him. Our hearts and hands quite naturally open. Our fists unclench. Our fears and doubts fade. And we give. Give generously. Freely. Cheerfully. “I know, my God, that you test the heart and that you are pleased with what is right. I have willingly given all these things with an upright heart, and now I have seen your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to you. Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors, keep this desire forever in the thoughts of the hearts of your people, and confirm their hearts toward you.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Chronicles 1-4, Psalms 71

The One Job of a Leader

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 18-21, Psalms 68

Leaders have one job. To lead with righteousness and justice. This is especially true the higher up in leadership one ascends. It’s true in every facet of life. Parents are to lead their families with righteousness and justice. Pastors and elders are to lead their churches with righteousness and justice. Business leaders are to lead their employees and organizations with righteousness and justice. Civic and political leaders are to lead with righteousness and justice. Why? Because righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne. (Psalms 97:2) When we lead or rule or exercise whatever authority we’ve been given with righteousness and justice, the people and organizations we serve are blessed because we are patterning our leadership after God. When we lead or rule or exercise whatever authority we’ve been given with pride and selfishness and greed, the people and organizations we serve suffer and are cursed as a result. We see this on display in David’s life in our passage today.

David begins well. He is given victory after victory by God. He triumphs over his enemies. Whoever raises an army against him is defeated. As a result, David consolidates his power. He solidifies his reign over the Promised Land. The people of Israel become a nation under his banner and leadership and are blessed. Why? 1 Chronicles 18:14 CSB gives us the answer. “So David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people.” However, David’s reign of blessing soon comes to an end as he falls prey to pride. He calls for a census. He wants to count the soldiers serving in his army. He wants to quantify his military might. He wants to demonstrate his power to the nations around him. Let’s pause and reflect a moment. God has given David all kinds of victories over armies that vastly outnumbered his own. He has given David victory over giants and mighty warriors. He has expanded David’s territory and delivered entire nations into his hands. It’s still not enough. David has begun to believe his own hype. He’s reading his press clippings. He’s starting to believe he has accomplished these things by his own strength and military genius. These are unrighteous and unjust goals and it triggers a plague that kills seventy thousand of his men.

We are no different. Think about the impact of righteous and unrighteous political leaders in our nation. Think about righteous and unrighteous civic leaders in our communities. Think about the impact of righteous and unrighteous parents in the home or teachers in the schools or pastors in churches. Now think about yourself. Where do you lead righteously in your life? Where do you lead unrighteously? What would those under your leadership say? How do they experience you? Do you seek to be a blessing to others or are you seeking to serve yourself?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 22-24, Psalms 69 (No devotionals on Sundays)

A Model Prayer

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 15-17, Psalms 67

I love the heart of David. To be sure, the guy’s a mess. The successes of his life are massive but so are his failures. His devotion to the Lord is convicting, his unfaithfulness deeply troubling. Despite the problems he creates for himself through his penchant for violence and greed and selfishness and a lust for power, David does have his moments. Moments when his deep love for God shines through. Today’s prayer (1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭8‬-‭36‬ ‭CSB‬‬) is a great example. There is praise, thankfulness, gratitude, and joy. There is awe and reverence for who God is and revealed Himself to be as well as humility as David acknowledges his need for salvation. David’s prayer provides a model for the believer to help guide our own prayers as we seek to build a deeper, more intimate relationship with God.

“Give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; proclaim his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him; sing praise to him; tell about all his wondrous works! Boast in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” David begins with an ascription of praise. He looks at the world around him and sees the handiwork of God. He looks back throughout history and sees the hand of God at work. He knows God is faithfully ordering things according to His sovereign will and purpose and he calls on God’s people to give Him praise. Take a moment and look at the world around you. No matter where you live, creation itself is singing the praises of God. The mountains. Oceans. Fields full of wheat and corn. Mighty rivers like the Nile. Lakes like Victoria in Uganda where I will be going tonight. The birds. The fish. The animals. All of it designed to bring us to our knees in awe and wonder.

“Remember the wondrous works he has done, his wonders, and the judgments he has pronounced, you offspring of Israel his servant, Jacob’s descendants — his chosen ones. He is the Lord our God; his judgments govern the whole earth. Remember his covenant forever — the promise he ordained for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, swore to Isaac, and confirmed to Jacob as a decree, and to Israel as a permanent covenant: “I will give the land of Canaan to you as your inherited portion.” When they were few in number, very few indeed, and resident aliens in Canaan wandering from nation to nation and from one kingdom to another, he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their behalf: “Do not touch my anointed ones or harm my prophets.” David remembers not just the miraculous works of creation but the specific acts of God for His people. The faithfulness of God in choosing His people and setting them apart for His holy purpose. The eternal covenant He made to give them a land and an identity. The protection God provided as He guided them from Egypt to the Promised Land. This is where prayer becomes personal. We reflect not just on what God has done generally but what He has done for us personally and we give Him praise.

“Let the whole earth sing to the Lord. Proclaim his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples. For the Lord is great and highly praised; he is feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. Ascribe to the Lord, families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him.” David next turns to the character and nature of God. God is worthy of our worship simply because He is God. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing else. We don’t worship God for His blessings. We don’t worship God because of His benefits. We worship God for His greatness and holiness and glory and strength. Reflecting on the nature and character of God naturally brings us to our knees in humility. It serves as a good reminder to us of how fleeting and finite we are as human beings. Our lives come and go but God endures forever. And because God endures forever, we can trust Him.

“The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” Let the sea and all that fills it resound; let the fields and everything in them exult. Then the trees of the forest will shout for joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever. And say, “Save us, God of our salvation; gather us and rescue us from the nations so that we may give thanks to your holy name and rejoice in your praise. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting.” Then all the people said, “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.” Finally, David calls on the Lord, the judge and ruler of the earth, to save him and his people. He calls on God to deliver and rescue His people from the nations that seek to enslave, oppress, and terrorize. He calls on God to do what He’s always done which is protect and guide His people so they may be free to worship Him in spirit and in truth. God sets us free not just to do what we want. He sets us free so we might bring Him the worship He deserves. Take time today to thank God for His freedom and ask His Spirit to guide you in how you use that freedom to worship and serve the Lord.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 18-21, Psalms 68

Mighty Men and Women

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 11-14, Psalms 66

No person is an island. No one accomplishes anything in life on their own. I remember years ago speaking to a man who was a significant benefactor to Princeton Theological Seminary. He had made his millions in real estate in New York City. He had endowed academic chairs at Ohio State and Princeton as well as created fellowships for the training of pastors. He was incredibly generous and I asked him one time why he gave so much of his wealth away. He replied, “Doug, I have benefited from the generosity of so many over the course of my life. So many people who invested in me, taught me, helped me network, and used their resources to get me where I am today. I didn’t do any of this on my own and I simply want to create similar opportunities for others.” He’s just one example of a “mighty man.” Someone who seeks not his own good but the good of others. Someone who understands his role to build others up. Someone who celebrates the success of others.

David had his mighty men. They are named in our passage for today. David would never have become king without these men. He would have never captured Jerusalem without these men. He would never become the greatest leader Israel had ever known without these men. They invested in David. They served David. They gave their lives for David. Everything David accomplished in his life was due in large measure to the efforts of these men. It’s a great reminder to us all of how much we need “our people.” People who will invest in us, bless us, create opportunities for us, and even give their lives for us. I naturally think of my wife and children here. I do my best to serve them, invest in them, and give my life for them. I think of my church family. I would do the same for them. I think of the pastors I serve overseas. I would do the same for them. I have reached a place in my life where serving others and investing in others and celebrating others brings me the greatest joy.

I would not be where I am today without so many mighty men and women over the years. The list is endless. My mom. My wife. My children. My in-laws. Mentors. Professors. Fellow pastors. Men and women in the church who have supported me, encouraged me, and blessed me in so many ways. I am a product of their intentional effort and prayer. Take a few moments and make a list of the people who have invested in you over the years. People who helped shape you into the person you are today. People who opened doors for you. People who gave you opportunity. People who mentored you along the way. Thank God for each of them. Pray for them and their families. Find a way to reach out to them to thank them if you can. Find ways to cultivate relationships with even more mighty men and women. And perhaps most importantly, be a mighty man or woman yourself!

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 15-17, Psalms 67

Chronological Snobbery

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 1-10, Psalms 65

One of the major obstacles C.S. Lewis had to overcome when he came to faith was what he dubbed, “Chronological snobbery.” He defined it as “the uncritical acceptance of the intellectual climate of our own age and the assumption that whatever has gone out of date is on that count discredited.” Essentially, it is the false belief that we have it right and those who came before us had it wrong. We’ve figured things out and those who preceded us were operating from superstition, ignorance, and foolishness. We ask all kinds of critical questions of the past but are unwilling to subject our present to those same questions. Eventually, Lewis was challenged to think more deeply by his friend, Owen Barfield, who forced him to confront a series of questions like why did an idea go out of date? Was it ever refuted? If so, by whom, where, and how conclusively? In other words, which things are false—and why—and which things remain true?

I thought about Lewis as I read through today’s genealogies. It’s so easy to pass them over. Treat them as a series of names with which we have no connection. But if we will slow down, we will recognize quite a few of them. And if we have been keeping up on our reading, we will realize we do know their stories. We get to see God and the world and human life through their eyes. We get to learn some things from their example. Foundational beliefs that undergird how we understand the world even to this day. For example, we learn from the story of Adam and Eve that creation is ordered and regulated by God’s Word. This idea is what eventually will give birth to modern science. We learn that human beings are made in the image of God which is the fundamental underpinning to universal human rights. We learn from Abraham that God is personal and desires a relationship with us. We learn from Moses that God has a particular plan for our lives, to set us apart as holy and pure. Taking a step back and looking at the big picture, we learn about God’s faithful, covenantal love for His people. A love that endures despite our many failures and sin. It’s incredible when you stop to think about it.

Every generation naturally assumes they know what’s best. Every generation naturally assumes they are more enlightened than the ones who came before them. Every generation naturally engages in chronological snobbery. The challenge for the people of God is to humble themselves, recognizing we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. We are challenged to be thankful of the sacrifices they have made and be appreciative of the things they have to teach us. The old cliches that those who don’t know their history are doomed to repeat it certainly rings true. If we forget the lessons of our past, we will repeat them in the present. If we forget what God has taught us about Himself and the world and the life He longs for us to live, we will have to re-learn it the hard way. It is much better to treat those who have gone before us with respect, learn from them what it means to follow God in their cultural context, and then seek to apply it to our own lives.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 11-14, Psalms 66

Legacy

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 23-26

“When David got to be an old man, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭23‬:‭1‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

Legacy. It’s something all of us will leave to our children, our grandchildren, those we work with, and, for pastors especially, those we serve. Over the past several years, I’ve been part of a couple of teams in my denomination both regionally and nationally that oversee the work of pastors and churches. As such, it has been my privilege to walk alongside several pastors as they made the transition into retirement. It wasn’t always easy. Some of those transitions were smooth. Some were rocky. Some were planned. Some were unplanned. Some felt affirmed on their way out. Others felt pushed out by the people they loved. My biggest takeaway? We either plan for the day when we will no longer be around or someone else will plan it for us.  

David made plans. He understood from wisdom and experience that he could set his successor, Solomon, up for success. So he organizes the Levites. Helps them transition from service to the Tabernacle to service in the Temple. Gives them new roles and responsibilities that fit the new situation they will find themselves in. He organizes the priests. Casts lots so they can be established in their terms of service. He sets up the musicians in their service. And then the gatekeepers, treasurers, and other officials. It is a massive undertaking. A complete reorganization from top to bottom of the entire leadership structure of a nation. Imagine what might have happened had David left this to Solomon to figure out? Imagine the infighting. The jockeying for position. The currying for favor. Imagine the chaos that might have resulted as the sons of Eleazar fought with the sons of Ithamar for the power of the priesthood. Imagine the sons of Levi, set free from their obligations to carry and care for the Tabernacle, refusing to care for the sacred elements of the Lord. Imagine the gatekeepers and musicians each deciding to do their own thing. Solomon would have had a mess on his hands for sure! 

But David was faithful. He knew a significant part of his role was to finish well. To pass on a strong legacy to his son. Not just for Solomon’s sake but for the sake of Israel as a nation. Because of my experience walking alongside so many pastors, my wife and I talk a lot about our legacy. I just hit 50 this year and it feels like the years are passing by so fast. How am I preparing to pass on what has been entrusted to me? Should the Lord tarry and give me a rich and full life on this earth, I might have twenty good years of pastoring left. What will those years look like? How will I spend them? When will I know it is time to raise up my successor? How can I set them up for success? My youngest children are preparing to leave home and head off to what’s next. What kind of spiritual legacy have I given them? How have I prepared them to take on the roles and responsibilities of an adult? My parents are getting older and have begun to face the challenges that come along with aging. Am I prepared to care for them? Assist them? Make sure they continue to live a rich and full and vital life alongside their grandkids? These are important questions to ask and ponder and pray over no matter what season of life you find yourself in.  

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 131, 138-139, 143-145

The Problem with Popularity

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalm 30

More and more studies are being conducted measuring the impact of social media on our mental health. The results are scary. It is becoming clear that prolonged social media use presents like addiction with similar accompanying symptoms. (Neglect of personal life, mental preoccupation, escapism, etc.) When people attempt to stop using social media, they go through something akin to withdrawal. The more we use social media, the less happy we seem to be and the more socially isolated we become. The comparisons social media invites between our lives and those we are connected to is not good for our well-being. Furthermore, social media is specifically designed to trigger dopamine “highs” in the brain. Dopamine release is triggered by unpredictability, small bits of information that can be digested quickly, and most importantly, reward cues. (i.e. number of “likes” on FB, number of “followers” on Instagram, number of “retweets” on Twitter, etc.)  

I think about the number of people I know who draw at least part of their self-worth off of the number of friends they have on Facebook. The number of times people hit the “heart” button on an Instagram pic. The number of retweets and “likes” a pithy phrase draws on Twitter or the number of “views” on a YouTube video. Young people seem especially susceptible. But it’s not just social media. I think of the number of church leaders I know who draw their self-worth off the number of people who show up on a weekend for worship. I think of the drive there is in most churches for numerical growth. I know some pastors who seem to live or die based on whether they make OutReach Magazine’s Top 100 list every year. I think of the uncritical assumptions too many Christians make that larger churches must be doing something “right” and smaller churches must be doing something “wrong.” Or they flip the script. I think of the number of folks I know who criticize large churches simply because they’re large. I can’t tell you the number of conversations I’ve been in over the years where such criticisms were leveled largely out of jealousy, envy, or spite.

Why are we so obsessed with numbers? Full transparency, it does seem to be a particularly American phenomenon. I travel the world fairly regularly. I’ve been to China, South Korea, Mexico, Ethiopia, Uganda, etc. I’ve interacted with pastors from all over in lots of different settings. In my experience, they just don’t seem as hung up as we are on numbers. That isn’t to say they ignore them. They pay attention. They evaluate. They are wise and discerning. But there isn’t the emotional attachment American Christians, and especially American pastors, seem to have with attendance, buildings, and budgets. It’s like we get a dopamine “high” every time the sanctuary’s full.  

Perhaps this is why I find the story from 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21 so convicting. David wants to number his people. He wants to know the size of his army. He wants to measure his power. His influence. He wants to feel secure, safe, and in control. The images I have in my head are of third-world despots throwing military parades to show off their strength. David is clearly feeling insecure and in that moment, Satan strikes. He comes along and tempts David according to 1 Chronicles 21 and God allows it to happen according to 2 Samuel 24. The results are tragic. “Gad delivered the message to David: “Do you want three years of famine, three months of running from your enemies while they chase you down, or three days of the sword of God—an epidemic unleashed on the country by an angel of God? Think it over and make up your mind. What shall I tell the One who sent me?” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭21‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭MSG‬)‬ God is going to teach David a lesson in humility.

70,000 die from the plague. This is horrific and impossible to understand. How could God do such a thing? At the same time, we have to remember that such events take place at the mysterious intersection of God’s will and human freedom. David’s decision has consequences and because David is king, the consequences impact his people. The same is true for us today. The decisions our politicians make impact real people in real life and can cause real pain and suffering. David decides to number his fighting men and around the same time, a plague begins. It is brutal. Virulent. And it kills. Somewhere in David’s mind, in the prophet Gad’s mind, probably in Joab’s mind and the minds of so many others, these events are related. The plague is perceived as God’s punishment on Israel for David’s sinful choices. And perhaps it is. We cannot dismiss the possibility out of hand for God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. He has clearly told His people over and over again that there are consequences...real, life-threatening consequences...for sin. God’s justice and righteousness will not be mocked. 

So how do we respond to such a text? First and foremost, it should lead us to humble confession. Repentance. It should call to mind all the times we too have placed our faith in numbers or our mental health and well-being in the number of likes we get from social media. We are not immune. So we confess our sin before the Lord. Second, it should lead us to the cross. To the place where the penalty for our sin was paid. To the place where God’s judgment was fully and completely and utterly satisfied by the death of our Lord. We are not condemned. We need not feel shame. God has done for us what we could not. Third and finally, it should inspire us to live for Him. To live from that place of grace knowing God has torn down the dividing wall of hostility that exists between us and made peace with us by the blood of His cross. We are forgiven so we can forgive others. Grace was extended to us so we can extend it to others. Love was shown to us so we can show love to others. We are secure in God’s hands.  

Readings for tomorrow: Psalm 108-109