Why it Matters - Unity

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

A fundamental principle of the Christian faith is that we are never, ever alone. First and foremost, God is with us. He promises to come and dwell with us when we give our lives to Him. Through the Holy Spirit, He indwells our hearts and abides with us forever. This is why it’s so important to spend time with God every day and gather for worship with His people every week. We need the constant reminder that He is Emmanuel, God with us. Second, God surrounds us with His people. People from all walks of life who share a common commitment to the Lord. They pray for us. They encourage us. They support us. They hold us accountable. Men and women of deep faith who do life alongside us. We build these relationships in small groups, Bible studies, and through mentoring. We connect deeply with one another as we share openly and honestly and vulnerably and transparently. This is how God designed the Christian life to work and as we follow Him faithfully, our circle of relationships grows. It’s beautiful.

This is what David experienced as well. First and foremost, the Bible says God was with David. “David’s power grew steadily, for the Lord God who commands armies was with him.” (1 Samuel 5:10 NET) The source of David’s success was the Lord. He did not win his battles by himself. He did not accomplish all the great things he accomplished on his own. God was with him to strengthen and empower him along the way. Second, God surrounded David with godly men. Mighty men. Men of valor who would have his back and fight by his side. “These were the leaders of David’s warriors who helped establish and stabilize his rule over all Israel, in accordance with the Lord’s Word.” (1 Chronicles 11:10 NET) The author of Chronicles goes on to list the names of these men and even provides some of the detail as to their accomplishments. The sacrifices these men made for David are extraordinary. These men were eventually joined by thousands of others as God brought unity to His people under David’s godly leadership.

God blesses the unity of His people. I have seen it with my own eyes. All it takes to make it happen is one person who commits to walk with the Lord. As we commit our way to Him, He will surround us with godly men and women who share the same heart and desire. And as that group of people grows, great things will be accomplished for God’s Kingdom. This is how it has always been and always will be. What role do you play in bringing God’s people together?

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

Why it Matters - Never Forgotten

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 7-9

Today’s reading brings us to an end of the genealogies. And while it isn’t easy to plow through all the names, it is important to remember the overarching point. God never forgets. He never forgets His people. He never forgets His promises. The Book of 1 Chronicles is most likely written to a group of people who have returned from exile. They have spent decades in Babylon wondering if God had indeed forgotten them. Now they have returned and they take a census of everyone who is resettling the land. To their amazement, all of the tribes are represented. Even the ten northern tribes who were scattered by the Assyrians centuries before. Yes, some of the tribes get more treatment than the others and it’s possible that the tribe of Dan is only indirectly referenced but all of them seem to there.

I don’t know about you but I find this deeply comforting. Though we may forget God. Though we may walk away from God. Though we may try to reject God. He never forgets us. He never walks away from us. He never rejects us. Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are grafted into His family forever. We are adopted as His children and He will never stop pursuing us until He has rescued every lost sheep, found every lost coin, and saved every lost son or daughter. This is His promise. No one can snatch us out of His hand. I think of the people I love who gave their lives to Christ but now are trying to live apart from Him. They try so hard to forget God but I can see His hand at work in their lives, drawing them back home. It gives me hope. Even if they push Him away for years, His grace is irresistible in the end.

Do you know people in your life who once knew the love of God and have walked away? Deconstructed? Left the Christian faith? Don’t lose heart. God never forgets. He will pursue them with His love until the day they die. That’s His promise and that’s what these verses from 1 Chronicles attest to in our reading today.

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

Why it Matters - Chaos

Readings for today: Psalms 81, 88, 92, 93

Human beings have always hated chaos. Some of our earliest mythologies present the gods as bringing order to chaos. Typically, order comes about through a cosmic conflict whereby “chaos” is defeated and dismembered thus bringing the universe into being. When the ancient Hebrews looked out on the Mediterranean Sea, all they saw was chaos. It’s why they often depict chaos using water imagery. The waters of creation over which the Spirit of God hovered. The waters that covered the earth during Noah’s flood. And the waters that roar and surge in Psalms 93. “The waves roar, O Lord, the waves roar, the waves roar and crash. Above the sound of the surging water, and the mighty waves of the sea, the Lord sits enthroned in majesty.” (Psalms 93:3-4 NET) This is one of the many things that sets the Hebrews apart from their ancient near east neighbors. They don’t believe God has to fight some cosmic war to bring chaos to heel. He already sits enthroned above the flood. The waters can roar and foam and surge all they want but they present no threat to God. He simply speaks and order is brought to chaos.

I find this thought extremely comforting as did the Psalmist. The world often feels chaotic. Humanity is almost always at war. The pain and suffering we experience is real and overwhelming. Armies march. Economies crash. Pandemics rage. Storm systems spin. Drought and famine create a harvest of death. But the Psalmist lifts his eyes above it all to see the Lord enthroned on high. He knows God reigns and His throne cannot be moved. The Lord is robed in strength and majesty. His will is sovereign and reliable. No matter what we experience in this world, we can trust Him for He has always been and always will be king.

When you experience chaos in your life, where do you turn? Do you turn, like the Psalmist to God? Do you place your trust in His sovereign will and strength? Do you look to Him to bring order to the chaos of your life?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 7-9

Why it Matters - Despair

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

I recently spoke to a person who is really struggling with despair. Their life has not been easy. They’re battling addiction. They suffer from an anxiety disorder. They take medication for depression. They don’t make healthy choices. They seem to make the same mistakes over and over again. They have seasons where it looks like they are making progress but then they have a string of bad luck and things feel worse than before. It’s heartbreaking. And yet, all is not lost. One of the things I often encourage them to do is to reflect back over the course of their life and remember the blessings God has given them. Write them down in a gratitude journal of some kind. Take time every day to thank God for even small things like a warm home and food on their table and a family that loves them.

Our world is full of pain and suffering. Evil is all around us. Life is expensive and hard. Violence and hatred on the rise. Social media and cable news dumps all kinds of gasoline on this raging inferno. And in the face of everything we see and experience on a daily basis, it is easy to give into despair. The same was true for the Psalmist. Listen again to his words. “I said, “I tried to make sense of what was happening. I asked, “Will the Lord reject me forever? Will he never again show me his favor? Has his loyal love disappeared forever? Has his promise failed forever? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has his anger stifled his compassion?” Then I said, “I am sickened by the thought that the sovereign One might become inactive.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭77‬:‭6‬b-‭10‬ ‭NET‬‬) Ever felt that way? Ever tried to make sense of what was happening in your life or in the world around us and wondered if God had abandoned you? Wondered if He had finally had enough and rejected you? Wondered if His patience had run out and His promises come to an end? I think all of us know what this feels like on some level. So how did the Psalmist handle his despair? He remembered. He reflected back on all God had done for Israel over the centuries. He recounted all of God’s mighty deeds. And it led him to praise and thanksgiving and gratitude once again. “I will remember the works of the Lord. Yes, I will remember the amazing things you did long ago! I will think about all you have done; I will reflect upon your deeds!” O God, your deeds are extraordinary! What god can compare to our great God? You are the God who does amazing things; you have revealed your strength among the nations.” (Psalms‬ ‭77‬:‭11‬-‭14‬ ‭NET‬‬)

Spiritual reflection is an important spiritual discipline. Thinking back over the course of our lives on all God has done. Remembering His goodness to us and to our family and to those we love. Even connecting to the wider story of all God has done for His people throughout history can bring us a sense of hope in the midst of our depression and despair. Whatever you may be facing today. Whatever pressures you may be under. Whatever anxieties and fears you may feel. Take some time to remember God’s faithfulness. God’s goodness. God’s steadfast love. You are not alone in what you are experiencing. God is with you.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - Belonging

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 3-5

Several years ago, I ran across a brilliant insight from Old Testament theologian, John Walton, who wrote, “Though the Bible was written for us, it was not written to us.” This is critical to keep in mind as we read. For example, in today’s reading, the audience is very likely the Jewish community who returned from exile in Babylon. It is not being written down as it happens but as God’s people reflect back on their history. These former exiles would have been desperate to reclaim their tribal identities. They were looking to restore the worshipping life of Israel and the rebuilding of their nation. Tracing their lineage back to the patriarchs and kings of old would have provided a deep sense of belonging and a sense that God had not forgotten His promises to them. It’s a great reminder that “exile”, in whatever form that takes, is not the final word in our story.

When I meet with people for counseling, I often remind them they are not defined by their worst day or worst moments. They are not defined by their guilt or shame. They are not defined by their failures and mistakes. The reality is that all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The key is to return to Him in repentance. Humble ourselves before Him. Submit once again to His will and to His way and in due time, He will lift us up again. God is faithful. He never leaves us or forsakes us. He never abandons us to our fate. This is the main thrust of the message of all these genealogies. The people of God literally tracing the faithfulness of God throughout their history. We should be able to look back on our own lives and our own families and our own histories and see the same dynamic in play.

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

Why it Matters - Wealth

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

Why does the Bible talk so much about money? Why does God care about what we do with our wealth? What possible relevance could earthly riches have in heaven? These are just a few of the questions I get frequently in my line of work. And when I scratch the surface, usually what I find is a deeper struggle for ownership and control. We want to run our lives. We believe we have the right to spend our money any way we desire since we are the ones who worked hard to earn it. We believe we are entitled to live at a certain economic level. We believe we should be free to pursue a certain kind of lifestyle. We don’t like constraints. We don’t like demands. We resist any claim on our wealth. And this is what makes money so dangerous. So easy to fall in love with which, according to Scripture, is the root of all evil. To be clear, it’s not wealth that is evil, it’s the love of wealth. It’s the sin of greed that so infects the human heart. It’s virulent. Airborne and highly contagious. There is no natural immunity or vaccine to stop it. There is only the Holy Spirit removing the old heart with its lusts and greeds and replacing it with a new heart and new, rightly ordered desires and loves, among which is generosity.

• The problem of greed is as old as the human race itself. For as long as human beings have walked the earth and lived in community together, there are some who accumulate more than others. Sometimes through hard work and determination. Sometimes through random chance and blind luck. Sometimes through manipulation and exploitation and the use of power. And it’s easy to grow resentful when we see the unrighteous prosper. We wonder how in the world a good God could allow the wicked to accumulate vast amounts of worldly wealth. The Psalmist felt the same way but he also understood the limitations of wealth. “They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches. Certainly a man cannot rescue his brother; he cannot pay God an adequate ransom price (the ransom price for a human life is too high, and people go to their final destiny), so that he might continue to live forever and not experience death.” (Psalms‬ ‭49‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭NET‬‬) Wealth cannot buy you happiness. Wealth cannot get you into ticket to heaven. Wealth cannot be used to win favor with God. It is temporal not eternal. It is fleeting. It is here today and gone tomorrow. And we certainly cannot take it with us when we die.

• So what is the purpose of wealth? The Bible is clear. God entrusts us with wealth to further His Kingdom in the world. When we give generously and sacrificially to the Lord, we are storing up treasures in heaven. We are inoculating ourselves against the love of money. We are letting go of temporal riches that fade in favor of heavenly riches that endure. So how do we get started? How do we grow in the spiritual discipline of generosity? We pray. We ask the Lord what we are to give and then we are to give it cheerfully and joyfully. Trust the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in your giving.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 3-5

Why it Matters - God’s Plan

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

Biblical genealogies are not the easiest to untangle. There are a lot of names. Some are connected to the family tree. Their importance is obvious. Abraham. Isaac. Jacob. Others don’t appear connected in any way and seemingly pop up out of nowhere. Seir and the Horites. The kings of Edom. Caleb’s many wives and children. It gets confusing and it’s hard to keep everything straight. So what’s the point of reading these chapters? What value do they add to the believer’s life? If every Word of Scripture is breathed out by God and useful for correction, rebuke, and training in righteousness, what purpose do these chapters serve? I’m glad you asked.

1 Chronicles 1-2 offers the careful reader several important insights. First, it connects us to humanity’s origin story. It reminds us we all share a common ancestor. A man made in the image of God who was given dominion over all He had made. We are not just the product of random chance or natural selection. We have dignity and value and worth given to us by God Himself. Second, it connects us to God’s covenant family. The family through whom salvation will come to the world. The family God promised He would use to bless the nations. The family to whom God made an unbreakable, unshakeable promise. This means we are not orphans in this world. We have an identity. We are children of God, adopted into His family, chosen by grace. Third, it connects us to a holy nation. The nation of Israel. We’ve been grafted in according to God’s sovereign plan. Once we were not a people, now we are part of God’s people. Fourth, it connects us to the royal tribe of Judah. The tribe from which the Messiah will one day come. In Jesus, God fulfills His promise to never let the scepter depart from Judah. Finally, it connects us to the royal line of David. God fulfilling His promise to David that he would always have a descendent to sit on his throne. All of this is running in background as we read these names. It’s a snapshot of God’s salvation plan in action.

There are so many moments in life where I need the comforting reminder of God’s salvation plan. I need to remember He is at work. Even when I cannot see Him. Even when I cannot feel Him. Even when I cannot touch Him or perceive Him. God is at work in every generation. In every tribe and tongue and nation. He is at work in human history. He holds the past, present, and future in His hands. Whenever I feel discouraged or down or anxious or afraid, I try to remember the saints who have gone before me and their faith in the One who holds all things together.

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

Why it Matters - Honesty

Readings for today: Psalms 6, 9, 10, 14, 16, 21

I love the Psalms. One of the main reasons is how honest they are about real life. The Psalmist expresses the full range of human emotion. Anger and despair. Grief and sorrow. Frustration and the desire for revenge. He is not afraid to lay his troubles before the Lord. He is honest about his fears and failures. He even wonders at times if God is present or if He even cares. At the same time, he clings to his faith. He calls on God for deliverance. He trusts God’s righteous character. He knows God will hear his prayers even if it doesn’t feel like it at times. He continues to seek the Lord with all his heart. “Lord, you give me stability and prosperity; you make my future secure. I constantly trust in the Lord; because he is at my right hand, I will not be upended.” (Psalms‬ ‭16‬:‭5‬, ‭8‬ ‭NET‬‬)

Recently, I was counseling an individual who has experienced significant loss and betrayal in her life. She comes from a country with an oppressive regime where women are systematically mistreated. She had a son who died tragically of cancer when he was seven years old. Immediately after her son died, her husband had an affair and left her for the other woman. Rather than support her, her mother blamed her for the breakup of her marriage. Her new husband cares for her but recently declared bankruptcy, putting them in significant financial straits. She is not yet a believer but is open to the faith. As she and I talked, I asked her what she thought about forgiveness. She immediately rejected the idea but as we talked more, she kept coming back to the concept. She asked me what it would take and why I felt it important. We talked about forgiving the different people in her life and than I suggested she may need to forgive God. This really took her by surprise. I encouraged her to share with God how betrayed she felt when He didn’t answer her prayers to heal her son. I encouraged her to share her anger with God and her deep grief and disappointment. I assured her God could handle her emotions. It was a new thought for her and I took her to the Psalms to give her some examples.

It’s hard for us to be completely honest with God. We often feel like we’re sinning if we express our frustrations or disappointments or even anger with Him. But the Psalmist shows us how to wrestle with God honestly in faith. It’s okay to share anything and everything we’re feeling with God as long as it leads us to a deeper faith and trust in Him. Through the Psalms, God invites us to share our deepest emotions with Him and He proves He is not afraid to hear our heart’s cries. This is what I love about our God and it is what it means to have an authentic relationship with Him.

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

Why it Matters - Friendship

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 1-4

I got a call from my oldest friend the other day. His mom passed away recently and he asked me if I would officiate at the memorial service. I was honored. After all, I’ve known Kyle since I first moved to Colorado. He and I went to elementary school together. We were in Boy Scouts. We hung out all the time in high school. We attended each other’s weddings. When he lost his mom, I too was grieved because of all the memories I have of her from growing up.

I reached out to another friend when I was in Central Asia last week. I met Tim in college right after becoming a Christian. Tim and I did Bible study together and served in our campus ministry together. When I got married, Tim was my best man. When he got married - literally two weeks later - I was one of his groomsmen. When he and his wife went on staff with a parachurch ministry, my wife and I were one of his early supporters. It’s been an honor to stay in touch with him over the years and follow the work God has done in and through him. That’s why I reached out to him while overseas. The people I was with are part of the same ministry Tim is with and it made me so grateful for our friendship and partnership in the gospel over so many years.

I hope you have friends like Kyle and Tim in your life. People who are close to you. People you could call at 2AM if you were in crisis. People who would pray for you, support you, encourage you, and bless you. People who are very dear to you. That’s what Jonathan was to David. He was David’s closest and dearest friend. Though they were technically rivals for the throne of Israel, Jonathan willingly gave up his rights for the sake of their friendship and David honored Jonathan in return. When Jonathan dies, David grieves. The loss is painful and personal for him. In fact, he even says his love for Jonathan was more special to him than the love of women. “I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan! You were very dear to me. Your love was more special to me than the love of women.” (2 Samuel 1:26 NET) The loss of Jonathan represents not only the loss of a close friend but the death of their dreams of ruling Israel together.

Now some have suggested this passage is an oblique ancient reference to a homoerotic relationship. It’s utter nonsense. Those who support such a view are reading their own point of view back into the text. Sadly, in our culture today, we have hypersexualized every relationship. We falsely believe that if we feel a deep, emotional connection to someone then we must desire them sexually. We don’t have modern categories for platonic friendships anymore whereas such things were common in the ancient world. Our lives are the poorer for it. The epidemic of loneliness and isolation is largely due in part to the loss of deep friendships. The reality is far too many of us don’t have a close friend. We don’t have someone we can call at 2AM in a crisis. We don’t have someone with whom we can bare our soul. This is not God’s design. He created us for deep friendships, especially in the Body of Christ.

p.s. If you need help getting started, let me recommend picking up the book, Receive, by Jeff Kemp. It’s geared towards men but is equally applicable to women. Very practical guide to how to begin forming deep friendships.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 6, 9, 10, 14, 16, 21

Why it Matters - Help

Readings for today: Psalms 121, 123-125, 128-130

I just returned from an international trip and one of the places I visited was Kazakhstan. I had never been there before and it is beautiful. I flew into Almaty and spent time with mission partners in the city. The city is located in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. The peaks tower directly over the city to the south, some rising to over 16000 feet. They are glorious on a clear day. One of the main attractions in Almaty is a beautiful ski resort located about twenty minutes outside the city. Once you’re there, you can ride a gondola up into the mountains and catch some amazing views. Unfortunately, the day I was there it was cloudy but we were still able to get high enough to see the city below.

The city of Jerusalem is located in a similar spot, though the mountains are not nearly as high. It too is nestled on a plateau in the middle of the Judaean Mountains. The Mount of Olives lies to the east and Mount Scopus to the northeast. One of the most iconic views of Jerusalem is seen from a lookout point on the Mount of Olives and it’s where most tours stop on their way into Jerusalem. It’s spectacular. For the Psalmist, the view has a deeper spiritual meaning. As he looks out on the mountains that surround the city, he sees it as symbolic of how the Lord surrounds His people. Protecting them. Guiding them. Encircling them in His love. “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, now and forevermore.” (Psalms‬ ‭125‬:‭2‬ ‭NET‬‬) It’s a potent vision. One I am reminded of when I look out on the mountains that lie to the west of my own city. I think about their strength and permanence. I think about their heights and majesty. Over the years, I’ve climbed many of those mountains and the view from the top is breathtaking. A taste of what the Lord sees when He looks down on all He has made.

In Psalm 121, the Psalmist poses this question…”I look up toward the hills, toward the mountains, from where does my help come?” Not from the hills. Not from the mountains. Not from any place in this world. His help comes from the Lord, who made everything in heaven and on earth. Is the Lord your helper? Do you sense His abiding presence with you each and every day? Do you lean on Him for strength and wisdom? Do you look to Him for guidance when you make decisions? Is He your protector? Do you find yourself living within His embrace? Resting in His everlasting arms?

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - Grace

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 28-31, 1 Chronicles 10

Grace is unmerited favor. It is unearned blessing. It is a free gift from God. David understood grace. He understood his entire life up to this point had been filled with grace. Grace brought him from a shepherd’s field to a powerful position within the Kingdom of Israel. Grace won his battle with Goliath. Grace delivered the Philistines into his hands over and over again. And because David walked by grace and lived by grace, he was able to extend it out to others. Like the two hundred men who couldn’t keep up with him when they went into battle. The normal thing to do would be to punish them for their faithlessness. Deny them any part of the victory spoils. But David knew it was God who had given him the victory not his own strength of arms so he could be generous even with those who had let him down. I love how he is so quick to give God all the credit and glory. “But David said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us.” (1 Samuel 30:23 NET)

Over the years, I’ve become convinced that grace is the most powerful force in the universe. I have seen grace change the hearts of those I love in my own family. I have seen grace change enemies into dear friends. I have seen grace heal divisions in churches. I have seen grace have a transformative effect in ways judgment never could. Grace sees the best in people. Grace sees God’s image in people. Grace refuses to let any barriers get in the way. Just this past week, I experienced grace when spending time with people from multiple different cultures, speaking multiple different languages. My heart was filled by their joy and laughter and tears and sadness. All of it grace upon grace upon grace.

Where has grace changed your life? Where have you seen grace change the lives of others? How can you extend grace to those around you today?

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 121, 123-125, 128-130

Genealogy and Race

Readings for the day: 1 Chronicles 7, 8, 9

The key verse in today’s reading is 1 Chronicles 9:1, “So all Israel was recorded in genealogies, and these are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their breach of faith.” Why are all these names important? Why are the generations laid down with such detail and specificity? Why record Israel according to their respective tribes? What’s at stake here? Identity. Connection. History. Even their relationship with God. Israel took their history seriously. They took God’s Word seriously. Even after they were carted off to exile in Babylon and were faced with the temptation to intermarry and lose their connection to their past, Israel remained faithful. They knew God had set apart the Levites to serve Him as priests. So the Levites remained set apart even in exile. They knew God had given authority to the tribe of Judah to reign and to rule. So the tribe of Judah continued to serve as princes and leaders for God’s people. They knew David and Samuel had set apart certain families as gatekeepers, guardians of the Lord’s treasury, etc. So they made sure these families retained those roles. And when Israel finally did return from exile, you see the descendents of these great men and women re-connecting to their glorious past. 

Most of us have never been carried into exile. Most of us have not had our identities wiped out. We’ve not had our history erased. We’ve not had our connection to our ancestors severed. At the same time, many among us have had this terrible and tragic experience. I think of the Native American men and women I have known. Their people lived on this continent for hundreds of years before the arrival of the first European explorers. They lost their land. They were forcibly relocated. They were forced to forgo the key rituals and give up the key rhythms that connected them to their history and their tribal identity. Their stories are terrible and heartbreaking. I think of the African-American men and women I have known. Their ancestors brought over on slave ships across the Atlantic. Their connection to their land severed. Their connection to their history erased. Their connection to their past lost. They were given new names. Were forced to take on new identities. They suffered in slavery for hundreds of years including economic slavery after officially being emancipated during the Civil War. Their stories are terrible and heartbreaking. 

It’s vital for those of us who have not suffered at the scale of others to humble ourselves and listen to those who have endured such pain and loss. It is important for us to become advocates for them and allies with them in their fight to re-connect to their glorious past. We must pluck up the courage to face the difficult and complex issues that arise as a result. Issues such as national repentence, formal apologies, legal and economic reparations, etc. are not easy to tackle. We must remember how much we rejoiced when the nation of Israel was restored in 1948 and continue to work for similar restoration for our brothers and sisters of color right here at home.

I certainly don’t pretend to have all the answers. I know the way forward is difficult. But I have to believe as we work for the good of one another. As we celebrate the history and culture and diversity God has created among human beings on this planet. As we help each other re-connect to something deeper. A deeper identity. A deeper story. A deeper truth. I have to believe God will reveal Himself in that process in a powerful way because this “genealogical impulse” exists within all of us. In a very real sense, Israel’s story is our story for all of us can ultimately trace our lineage back to the same common source. Adam and Eve. The first man. The first woman. Made in the image of God by the hand of God for the glory of God. This is truly our heritage.

In the beginning...

Readings for the Day: Genesis 1 & 2

Nothing. Emptiness. Void. Before time. Before space. Before matter.  There was only God. Already Trinity. Already Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Existing from eternity in Three Persons. Complete. Full. Rich. God needed nothing.  God lacked nothing.  God was eternally satisfied in Himself.  Decision. Resolve. Commitment.  God choosing to create.  God choosing to bring forth life and light and beauty and order.  God choosing to love and be loved.   

Let there be Light!  

Let there be Heaven! 

Let there be Earth and Seas! 

Let there be plants, trees, and flowers!

Let there stars and sun and moon! 

Let there be fish and birds! 

Let there be beasts on the earth! 

Something. Time and space and matter now come into being.  A universe filled with stars and planets and galaxies bursts into being. The first sunrise.  The first sunset. Tides begin. The first buds appear on the earth. The first babies are born on the earth and in the sea.  And through it all, there is God. Still lacking nothing.  Still needing nothing. Still eternally satisfied but deeply in love with all He creates.  

Out of love, God provides a guardian. Someone to take care of all He has made. A creature made in His own image. Male and female, they too are to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. They are given a sacred charge. To subdue the earth. To hold dominion over creation. God entrusting to them a precious gift. They are to steward life. To make sure it flourishes and God’s good purposes come to pass.  They are to nurture and care for it.  They are to work and keep it.  They are to guard and protect it.   

So much gets lost in the debates over whether creation happened in six literal 24-hour days.  Or whether the plural first person (“Let us make...”) is an early reference to the Trinity or simply the use of the royal “we” that was common in Ancient Near East literature. Or parsing the differences between the two creation accounts, one poetry (Gen. 1) and one prose (Gen. 2), that we lose sight of the point of the text.   

God creates something out of nothing.  Brings order to chaos. Light to darkness. Fills the void. And then sets humanity up as His vice-regents on the earth.  They are given the authority to rule over all He has made in His name.  They are to walk in obedience with Him and thereby enjoy a unique relationship with their Creator.  They are to work.  They are to be fruitful.  They are to multiply and fill the earth with the image and glory of God. This is their purpose.  This is the role God designed them to play.   

Think about all God has entrusted into your hands today.  Think about all the responsibilities God has given you.  Family. Friends. Work. Wealth. Talent. Ability.  How are you stewarding these gifts for His glory?  How are you living out your God-given purpose to nurture life today in all you say, think, and do?  How will you contribute to the flourishing of those around you?