Why it Matters - Ends and Means

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 119:89-176

It’s tempting in our world to believe the ends justify the means. We use this line of thinking whenever we feel our worldview or way of life is under threat. I see it in politics. I see it in business. I see it in the personal decisions people make. I see it in the church. For example, the denomination I serve is facing a difficult decision. One over which there is significant disagreement. It’s a divisive topic and many have very strong opinions on both sides. Sadly, I have seen far too many of my friends and colleagues exhibit a lack of integrity as they promote fear, misinformation, and, in some extreme cases, question the character of others as they seek to sway opinion in their direction. They truly believe the future of our denomination is at stake and it therefore justifies any tactic they employ. I see the same dynamic in play in our political discourse in America today. We no longer hold our leaders to any kind of moral standard. We are locked in a race to the bottom. The moment our opponent strikes a low blow, we go lower. And sadly, this approach works. Voters seem motivated by all the anger and outrage and hate. They truly want to believe they are battling an existential threat to their way of life. Both sides are infected with it. Both sides believe democracy is at stake. It’s a cultural death-spiral.

Is there a way out? I’m often asked this question when I meet with people and the answer is unequivocally, “Yes!” But it requires us recommitment to God’s Word. It requires us to trust in God’s Word as a “lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.” It means making God’s Word our “hiding place and shield.” It means placing our faith in the commandments and statutes of God rather than human beings. It means fearing God more than anything else in our lives. More than failure. More than the future. More than our political opponents. More than those who disagree with us. We must hate all deceit. We must put to death all lusts. We must flee all sin. We can give no quarter to greed or selfishness or a desire for influence and power. We must live by grace and extend mercy and forgive freely and seek reconciliation and promote peace as a way of life. Most of all, we must submit ourselves to God’s Law. We must surrender ourselves to His judgment. We must humble ourselves before Him. I love how the Psalmist concludes Psalm 119. “Listen to my cry for help, O Lord! Give me insight by your word! Listen to my appeal for mercy! Deliver me, as you promised. May praise flow freely from my lips, for you teach me your statutes. May my tongue sing about your instructions, for all your commands are just. May your hand help me, for I choose to obey your precepts. I long for your deliverance, O Lord; I find delight in your law. May I love and praise you! May your regulations help me! I have wandered off like a lost sheep. Come looking for your servant, for I do not forget your commands.” (Psalms 119:169-176 NET)

Readings for tomorrow: Song of Solomon 1, 2, 3, 4, 5:1

Why it Matters - Blessing

Readings for today: Psalms 119:1-88

Many years ago, my father gave me some wise advice. He told me that once my children hit middle and high school, my time “parenting” them was over and I needed to move into more of a “coaching” role. I wasn’t sure at first. I still wanted to make a bunch of decisions for them because I didn’t trust they would make the wise choice all the time. But as they got older, I found that approach only led to conflict so I backed off. I began to wait for them to come to me. Yes, it meant watching them make mistakes and fail and fall but it also led to them asking questions and seeking advice. Now that they are adults, I still find myself wanting to tell them what to do and how to do it. I cringe at some of the decisions they make because I know it will lead them to pain and heartbreak. Sometimes it even feels like I’m watching a slow-motion train wreck. But more and more, they are coming to me. The lines of communication are open and strong. They know I have their back. They know I want what’s best for them. And when they finally seek out my advice and take it, life often goes so much better for them. They feel blessed.

I imagine God must feel the same way when He looks down on us. He is the perfect parent. He knows exactly what we need when we need it. He knows the plans He has for us. Plans to bless us and give us hope for a future. He has our back. He knows what’s best for us. And He even tells us in His Word exactly how we are to live our lives. But we are stubborn. We are prideful. We believe we know better. And yet, how many times do we find ourselves at a dead-end? In a cul-de-sac of our own making? I love Psalm 119 because of how it describes the Psalmist’s love for God’s Law. The Psalmist clearly sees and experiences the blessings of obedience. Blamelessness. Righteousness. Purity. Gratitude. Thanksgiving. Joy. Peace. It’s the kind of life we all want and all aspire to but there’s only one way to get from here to there. We must follow God’s Law. We must obey God’s commands. We must walk in God’s ways. We must love His Word.

Listen again to how the Psalmist describes His relationship with God’s Law and ask yourself if you feel the same way. “With all my heart I seek you.” “I rejoice in the lifestyle prescribed by your rules as if they were riches of all kinds.” “Yes, I find delight in your rules; they give me guidance.” “Turn my eyes away from what is worthless! Revive me with your Word!” “I find delight in your commands which I love.” Do these prayers sound familiar at all? Do you find yourself praying similar words to God? If not, do not despair. Follow the example of the Psalmist when he writes, “I am like a foreigner in this land. Do not hide your commands from me! I desperately long to know your regulations at all times.” (Psalms 119:19-20 NET) I believe the Lord will answer you if you pray this prayer and He will give you a deep love for His Word if you will but seek Him.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 3-4, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalms 72

Why it Matters - Praise

Readings for today: Psalms 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118

The Lord deserves our praise. He deserves our praise for who He is and who He has revealed Himself to be. He deserves our praise for all He has made. He deserves our praise for all He has done. It’s why I love this section of the Psalms so much. The Psalmist almost runs out of words as he praises God. He praises Him for His faithfulness and mercy and compassion. He praises Him for His justice and righteousness. He praises Him for lifting up the poor and needy and making the barren the mother of many children. He praises Him for His transcendence over all other false gods. He praises Him for being Israel’s deliverer and protector. He praises Him for His loyal and steadfast love. Just reading these words opens my heart as the Holy Spirit reminds me of all God has done for me in my own life.

Yesterday, we worshipped on our hillside as a church family. We’ve been worshipping up there for over forty years. We gather there three or four times a year to praise God and it never gets old. Not for me. Every time I am up there, whether alone or with my church family, I think of the words of the ancient prophet Isaiah when he writes, “This is what the Lord says: “The heavens are my throne and the earth is my footstool. Where then is the house you will build for me? Where is the place where I will rest?” (Isaiah‬ ‭66‬:‭1‬ ‭NET) Creation itself is God’s Temple. Built by His hands so He might fill it with His glory as the waters fill the sea. When I look out over the front range and see Pikes Peak to the south and Longs Peak to the north and Mt. Blue Sky directly to the west, I am in awe. Awe of who God is and what God has done. And the only response I can give is praise. When I consider what God has done for our church over the last forty years. The hundreds, if not thousands, who have come to faith. The work the Lord has done through us locally and globally to advance His Kingdom. Again, I am in awe of who God is and what God has done and the only response I can give is praise. When I think about all God has done for me in my life. Saving me in college. Giving me the gift of a godly wife. Four wonderful children. A loving family. Great friendships. Meaningful work. The opportunity to preach, pastor, teach, lead, and travel the world to spread the gospel. I am in awe. Awe of who God is and what God has done and the only response I can give is praise.

What about you? Let me encourage you to take some time today to reflect on who God is and all God has done for you and for those you love and give Him praise.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 1-2, Psalms 37, 71, 94

Why it Matters - Life

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

God is a god of the living not the dead. He is the Author and Creator of life. He is the Breath of Life. He is the Bread of Life. He is the Water of Life. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the Resurrection and the Life. His is the gift of Eternal Life. He sustains all life. He upholds all life. He is the giver of all life. He was there at life’s beginning and He will be there at life’s end. He conceives life and He concludes life. He alone knows the number of our days. He measured them out for us before time began. He shaped and formed us in the darkness of our mother’s womb for darkness is not dark to Him and nothing is hidden from His sight. His Spirit is always with us whether we ascend to heaven or descend into the depths of the earth. There is nowhere we can go to escape His presence.

This is what it means to be “pro-life.” It means we are for life from conception to our last breath. We stand against death. We treat him as an enemy. It doesn’t matter whether he is state-sanctioned or not. It doesn’t matter if he has been written into public policy or not. We refuse to bow the knee to him for he is our most ancient enemy. Abortion. Euthanasia. Death penalty. War. Violence. Famine. Disease. Poverty. Anything that would seek to steal life, we set ourselves against as followers of Jesus. He is the Alpha and Omega. The Beginning and End. The First and Last. In Him was life and that life was the light of all humankind and we are called to take His light, the light of life, to the world.

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

Why it Matters - Suffering

Readings for today: Psalms 108-109

Suffering is a universal human experience. I have sat with couples suffering over the loss of a child. Spouses suffering over the loss of the one they love. Families suffering from all kinds of abuse and dysfunction. People suffering from cancer or some other terminal disease. I have traveled the world and seen the suffering of drought and famine and disease and war firsthand. I have seen the devasting impact of drugs like khat on an entire population of people. I have listened to the stories of those who have been raped and beaten. I have prayed over those broken by the violence of this world. It’s heartbreaking and overwhelming and it’s easy to feel so helpless and hopeless in the face of it all.

King David was familiar with suffering. Anyone who can write these words knows suffering intimately. “For I am oppressed and needy, my heart beats violently within me. I am fading away like a shadow at the end of the day; I am shaken off like a locust. I am so starved my knees shake; I have turned into skin and bones. I am disdained by them. When they see me, they shake their heads.” (Psalms 109:22-25 NET) David has experienced a lot of suffering over the course of his life. Despite being called a “man after God’s own heart”, his life was not always up and to the right. He didn’t jump from spiritual mountaintop to spiritual mountaintop. Quite the opposite. He suffered early in his reign. He suffered in the middle of his reign. And here he is at the end of his reign…suffering. He lived on the run when he first was anointed. Fleeing the wrath of Saul. He was betrayed by one of his own sons who launched a rebellion to try to take the kingdom from him. His own sinful pride and lust for power cost him dearly on more than one occasion. David suffers from external forces outside his control and he suffers from internal forces - also outside his control - that exist inside his own heart.

Does any of this sound or feel familiar? It should. This is the story of our lives as well. We are all subject to the principalities and powers of this world. Political forces that pass laws and public policy that impact us on a daily basis. Cultural and social forces that push against all forms of godliness. Economic forces that rise and fall according to the whims of the free market. Global forces that affect supply chains and deny us access to some of the basic staples of life. Not only that, we all suffer from a sinful human nature. The passions and desires that fill our hearts are naturally oriented away from God. It’s why we seem so susceptible to violence, deceit, greed, and selfishness. We are a broken people in desperate need of grace.

David agrees. “Help me, O Lord my God! Because you re faithful to me, deliver me!…I will thank the Lord profusely, in the middle of the crowd I will praise Him, because He stands at the right hand of the needy, to deliver Him from those who threaten his life.” (Psalms 109:26, 30-31 NET) May we look to God in the midst of our suffering and trust Him to stand at our right hand in our hour of need.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 23-26

Why it Matters - Justice

Readings for today: Psalms 97-99

My mother places a high value on being fair. Growing up, she made sure every one of her three boys was treated the same. None of us got anything we didn’t earn. If she gave one of us ten dollars, we all got ten dollars. If she assigned one of us a chore, we all got chores. If one of us got involved in an activity, we all got a chance to pick an activity. She did her best to make sure we all got equal opportunity. What we did with that opportunity was up to us. I am not sure where mom’s passion for justice came from but it didn’t end in our home. She was a teacher and did her best to make sure every one of her students got treated the same. She is heavily involved in her church and supports ministries that are particularly focused on the less fortunate. She wants to do all she can to level the playing field. This is a passion she passed on to me. I too feel a strong call to justice and much of the work I do in Parker and around the world is focused on increasing accessibility and opportunity for those who otherwise wouldn’t have it.

The Psalmist extols justice as one of the main attributes of God’s eternal character. “Equity and justice are the foundation of his throne…the sky declares his justice and all the nations see his splendor…Zion hears and rejoices, the towns of Judah are happy, because of your judgments, O Lord…the godly bask in the light; the morally upright experience joy.” (Psalms 97:2b, 6, 8, 11 NET) The success of human society depends on justice. Without justice, there can be no peace. Without justice, there can be no blessing. Without justice, nations fall into ruin. We’ve seen it time and again throughout history and it’s one of the main reasons we find ourselves once again at the brink in the United States. Truth has been exchanged for a lie. Light exchanged for darkness. Good is now evil and evil good. The embrace of hatred, outrage, and deceit as acceptable means to achieve power in our society is literally killing us. We’re watching a culture commit suicide in slow motion.

So what’s a believer in Christ to do? First, we pray. We intercede daily for our nation and our state and our community and our leaders at every level. We ask the Holy Spirit to humble our leaders and bring them to repentance so they might confess their sins and turn to Christ. Second, we check our own hearts. We relinquish any desire for political gain ourselves. We let go of our own need for influence and control. We confess our pride and greed and selfishness. We humble ourselves and repent of our sin and turn to Christ. Third, we advocate. We get involved. We engage our world using godly means. We refuse to act in underhanded or deceitful ways. We refuse to be motivated by anger or hate. We refuse to demonize or blame any particular group of people. We fight for the truth. The whole truth and nothing but the truth so help us God. Most of all, we must be motivated by love. Love of God. Love of neighbor. Love of enemy. Love of self. In that order. This is the only way to bring healing to our world.

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

Why it Matters - True Courage

Readings for today: Psalms 3, 4, 13, 28, 55

It’s hard for me to imagine how David must have felt. Running for his life from his own son. Knowing his son not only wanted to depose him but wanted to kill him. I can’t fathom such a scenario. Not only that but David had to know he bore some measure of responsibility for what had taken place. He refused to bring Amnon to justice. He refused to reconcile with Absalom when he lived in the city. His decisions helped create the very conditions under which a rebellion could rise up. I also wonder what kind of impact David’s crime with Bathsheba had on both his boys. What did they learn from his example? Did David ever sit down with them and share his pain and heartbreak over his sin? We will never know but it’s worth thinking about.

It’s also worth noting where David goes when he feels afraid. He goes to the Lord. He cries out to God. He rehearses what he knows about God over and over again. “But you, Lord, are a shield that protects me; you are my glory and the one who restores me. To the Lord I cried out, and he answered me from his holy hill. I rested and slept; I awoke, for the Lord protects me. I am not afraid of the multitude of people who attack me from all directions…The Lord delivers; you show favor to your people.” (Psalms‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬-‭6‬, ‭8‬ ‭NET‬‬) I don’t think this means David is any less afraid. True courage is not the absence of fear. In fact, true courage is walking by faith even in the midst of your fear. True courage is keeping your eyes fixed on God even in the middle of the chaos of our world and David’s world is incredibly chaotic at this point in his life.

We met recently with some friends. We talked with them about a recent period of their lives where they were out of work and things got hard financially. It wasn’t easy for them. They experienced all kinds of anxiety and fear. But they kept walking by faith. They kept looking to the Lord. They found the courage to keep moving forward despite their feelings. And as they leaned on the Lord, their faith deepened. It was a powerful testimony. What about you? How are you looking to the Lord in your own life? Let the Psalms lift your eyes and heart to the Lord.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 16-18

Why it Matters - Rock Bottom

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

I hate addiction. I hate what it does to those I love. I hate how it impacts those I serve. I have had to battle addiction in my own life and family. As a pastor, I’ve come alongside countless people struggling with addiction or struggling with someone they love who’s enslaved by addiction. I think of a young man I met years ago who struggled with substance abuse. He was unable to hold a job. Unable to find a consistent place to live. He would manipulate and threaten his mother until she gave him money to support his habit. As a result he grew isolated from the rest of his family. He lost all his friends. His only consolation was his drug. It was heartbreaking. It reminded me of what David says today in Psalms 32. “When I refused to confess my sin, my whole body wasted away, while I groaned in pain all day long. For day and night you tormented me; you tried to destroy me in the intense heat of summer.” This young man’s unwillingness to seek help and submit to a treatment program cost him everything he held dear.

My heart breaks for that young man and for the so many others I know just like him. As human beings, we somehow convince ourselves it is easier to hold onto our sin than to confess, repent, and give it up to the Lord. And the harder we hold onto sin, the more it impacts our lives. Our physical bodies. Our mental health. Our emotional well-being. Our relationships. Our stability in life. Our future hopes and dreams. But if we confess our sins, if we no longer spend so much energy attempting to hide our wrongdoing, we find forgiveness. We find freedom. We find health and wholeness. We find reconciliation and restoration.

One of my favorite passages from the Psalms comes from Psalms 32:7, “You are my hiding place; you protect me from distress. You surround me with shouts of joy from those celebrating deliverance.” The reality is God wants to be our help and our hope in time of trouble. God wants to be our refuge from all fear and anxiety. God wants to protect us from our distress but that can only happen if we trust Him. If we submit to Him. If we surrender to Him and let Him direct our steps in life. Those who continue to walk in sin will suffer a great deal of pain but the Lord’s faithfulness overwhelms those who trust in Him. Place your trust in Him today!

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - Repentance

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

Repentance is a consistent theme throughout the Bible. It is the key to maintaining a right relationship with God. God isn’t interested in religion. He isn’t interested in us performing a bunch of rituals if our hearts are not in it. He doesn’t want us going through the motions. As David sings after being confronted by the prophet Nathan, “The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit – O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject.” (Psalms‬ ‭51‬:‭17‬ ‭NET‬‬)

Over the years, I’ve made a lot of promises to God. Promises to be faithful. Promises to obey Him. Promises to make great sacrifices to honor Him. Sometimes I deliver on those promises, sometimes I do not. Sometimes I am faithful, sometimes I am not. Sometimes I do make great sacrifices but not always for God. I am a sinner. I am saved by grace alone through faith alone by Christ alone. And the Holy Spirit has to continually remind me that the sacrifices God desires must from me are not outward expressions of piety so much as inward humility of the heart. God wants me to live my life in a constant state of repentance. Not to make me miserable but to set me free. Not to take all the joy and fun out of life but to help me learn what it means to walk by faith and not by sight and depend on God alone.

David learned this lesson the hard way. Rather than fulfilling his duty to lead his armies in battle, he stayed home. Rather than remain faithful, he committed adultery. Rather than confess his sin, he murdered one of his mighty men and closest followers. It’s a brutal cycle. One that is tragically all too common. But God will not be mocked. He sees what David attempts to cover up and He sends Nathan to confront him. David repents but his choices still result in significant consequences. The death of a child. The disruption of a kingdom. Eventual civil war.

To whom much is given, much is expected. The more power and position and influence and authority a person is given, the more their choices impact those around them. David was a king so his choices impact a nation. The same holds true for our national, state, and local leaders today. I am a pastor so my choices impact the church I serve. I am a husband and a father and my choices impact my wife and children. What choices are you making? What impact are they having? What sacrifices are you offering to the Lord?

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

Why it Matters - Provision

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

I have seen plenty and I have seen want in my life. I’ve had seasons where my bank account was full and times where it was empty. I’ve had years where I made plenty of money and was able to provide abundantly for my family and years where I’ve needed public assistance to feed them. I’ve seen both ends of the economic spectrum. I’ve moved up and down the levels of our economic system. Here’s what I’ve discovered to be true…God provides. He provides what we need in the time we need it. Maybe not more than we need but never less than what we need. Maybe not what we want or desire but enough for us to make it through another day. If we are humble and if we submit to Him and if we are willing to accept His help and the help of the people or programs He brings into our lives and if we consider all our options, God is faithful.

Ancient Israel was an agrarian society. As such, they depended on the harvests each year to provide them with food. They worked hard. They were faithful to till the ground. Plant the fields. Do what they could to tear up the weeds or chase away the animals who might steal their crops. But as any farmer knows, there’s only so much one can do. Ultimately, there are so many things outside our control. The sun. The rain. The health of the soil. These things can only come from God. This is why David sings Psalm 65. It’s a song celebrating the bountiful harvest. It’s a song of praise to God the provider. It’s a song declaring the goodness of God the creator.

“You answer our prayers by performing awesome acts of deliverance, O God, our savior. All the ends of the earth trust in you, as well as those living across the wide seas. You created the mountains by your power, and demonstrated your strength. You calm the raging seas and their roaring waves, as well as the commotion made by the nations. Even those living in the most remote areas are awestruck by your acts; you cause those living in the east and west to praise you.” (Psalms‬ ‭65‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NET‬‬)

“You visit the earth and give it rain; you make it rich and fertile with overflowing streams full of water. You provide grain for them, for you prepare the earth to yield its crops. You saturate its furrows, and soak its plowed ground. With rain showers you soften its soil, and make its crops grow. You crown the year with your good blessings, and you leave abundance in your wake. The pastures in the wilderness glisten with moisture, and the hills are clothed with joy. The meadows are clothed with sheep, and the valleys are covered with grain. They shout joyfully, yes, they sing.” (Psalms‬ ‭65‬:‭9‬-‭13‬ ‭NET‬‬)

“You visit the earth and give it rain…” I love that line. Perhaps because my family has been in farming for generations, I know the importance of abundant water. In fact, my mom just replaced a well on our land up in Nebraska because the old well failed and the crops can’t survive without the water it provides. I also know the importance of Living Water. The kind of water Jesus talks about to the woman at the well in John 4. I’ve experienced it in my own life. No matter how much I’ve struggled or how far I’ve fallen or how little I may have, God always provides. His river is always flowing, providing what I need. Sometimes it feels like a trickle but it gets me through. Sometimes it feels like a torrent and I am overwhelmed by its abundance. Most of the time, I find it to be a slow, meandering stream constantly refreshing my soul.

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

Why it Matters - Suspicion

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

Human beings tend to be naturally suspicious. Especially those who have been hurt before. It is hard to earn trust and when it is lost, it is almost impossible to regain. There is an old Nigerian proverb that says, “Any animal that escapes from a trap will be suspicious of every bent stick.” This rings true to me especially in our culture today. The rise of social media has led to an exponential increase in bullying and abusive behavior. The hurt and pain so many suffer online bleeds over into everyday relationships. It creates a posture where we assume the worst rather than the best of each other. We question each other’s motives and/or character rather than offer trust. We are quick to pounce on mistakes rather than extend grace. The result is a toxic emotional system which perpetuates pain and suffering on a local, national, even global scale.

There is nothing new under the sun. In our reading for today, King David reaches out to King Hanun of the Ammonites to offer his condolences after his father dies. Sadly, Hanun is deeply insecure and perceives a threat where there is none. In an effort of self-protection, he shames David’s messengers and sends them back home. This represents a significant act of aggression in the Ancient Near East so David goes to war. He defeats the Ammonites in a major battle that costs the lives of thousands of soldiers. All because one man reacted with suspicion to a compassionate gesture.

In one of my favorite all time passages, the Apostle Paul writes, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NET‬‬) Those who are in Christ are set free from a life of suspicion. We are set free from a life of caution and distrust. We are set free from the burden of being guarded and self-protective. We are set free to love. Love unconditionally. Love generously. Love sacrificially just as Jesus did. And as the Apostle John so famously said, “Perfect love casts out all fear.” So let me challenge you to set aside any and all of your suspicions. Step into the freedom Christ won for you on the cross. Step into the freedom Christ offers you through His Spirit. Embrace the way of love and watch how it changes your relationships with those you love and the world around you.

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

Why it Matters - Credit

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17, Psalms 1, 2, 33, 127, 133

I love today’s reading. It’s one of my favorite stories in the Old Testament. David, a man after God’s own heart, looks around at his beautiful palace and the first thing he thinks about is the disparity between his house and God’s house. God lives in a tent so how can David live in a house of cedar? What does it say about David that he would live in a palace while God still has no permanent place to place His glory? So David begins to plan. He intends to build God a magnificent Temple. But this is not God’s will for David. God refuses to allow David to take any credit for what has taken place in his life. It is God who raised David up from the pasture. God who took a shepherd boy and made him king. God who defeated all David’s enemies. God who made his name famous in the region. It is God who will continue to give David success as he sits on throne and it will be God who will guarantee his dynasty for eternity.

What is David’s response? Does he argue with God? Does he point out all the work he’s put in over the course of his life? Does he seek to take credit for any of his accomplishments? Not at all. David humbles himself before the Lord. He falls on his knees in worship and praises God for all He has done. “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that should have brought me to this point?” (2 Samuel 7:18 NET) As David reflects on all that has happened in his life, he immediately turns to praise. He gives God all the glory. He gives God all the credit.

Who gets the credit for your life? It’s a very important question. Especially for a Christian. Do I claim all the credit for myself or do I give glory to God? When I look back on my life, do I attribute all I’ve accomplished to my own hard work or do I thank God for the grace He has given me? When I consider all I have experienced, do I consider it the natural result of my own effort or can I see God’s hand at work, carefully orchestrating things according to His sovereign will? The fundamental reality is this…I didn’t choose where I would be born. I didn’t choose my family. I didn’t choose my gifts and talents and abilities. God gave me all of those things. He blessed me in more ways than I could possibly imagine and it is what has allowed me to achieve whatever success I have achieved in my life. What about you?

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

Why it Matters - Righteousness and Justice

Readings for today: Psalms 89, 96, 100, 101, 107

In our current political climate, there is a tug of war between righteousness and justice. Those who lean right politically tend to focus on individual righteousness. Individual responsibility. Personal choices. The temptation is to ignore the very real impact of unjust systems and structures that often impact individual lives, limit their options, and shape how they understand the moral good. Those who lean left politically tend to focus on justice. Just systems. Just structures. Just laws. The temptation is ignore the very real impact of the unrighteous choices individuals make whether due to greed, selfishness, deceit, etc. The Bible is clear we need both to thrive.

Psalms 89:14 states, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loyal love and faithfulness characterize your rule.” God’s Kingdom is built on a foundation that includes both righteousness and justice. You can’t have one without the other. You have to take both seriously. Human beings are sinful. The history of humanity is a testimony to this salient, Biblical fact. As such, we will naturally love unrighteousness more than righteousness. It’s why we need Jesus. Only by accepting Christ and receiving the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit will we ever learn to love righteousness. At the same time, it’s just as important to address the systems and structures we build. Because humanity is sinful, the systems we create are naturally unjust. They privilege certain classes of people over others. They reinforce prejudice and bias. They are tilted towards those with power and influence. We must consistently fight to reform these systems in order to create a more just and equitable society. Ultimately, of course, we will never reach perfection. Not in this life. Not on our own. Not without God. But the battle is worth it. The battle for every human heart. The battle for every society and nation on earth.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - Security

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

Human beings have an innate need for security. Without it, we cannot flourish. Not as individuals. Not as families. Not as a society. I think of the nations I’ve worked in where there is no security. The result is all kinds of lawlessness and violence. The people there experience all kinds of pain and suffering. They are often left helpless and without hope. I think of the work a dear friend of mine is doing among immigrants in a city just north of me. So much of his focus is to bring security to a very insecure population. He works on issues like legal security, food security, housing security, and job security. Most of all, he works on spiritual security. Eternal security. Something every human being desperately needs. Recently, I was talking to someone I love dearly about his life. He has lived a quarter century at this point and most of that time has been a struggle. By his own admission, he keeps trying to do things his own way but it’s not working out for him. He wants desperately to be free of his addictions. He would love to let go of the guilt and shame of his past. He lives with all kinds of regrets over the choices he’s made. What he’s longing for is the security only Jesus can bring.

The Psalms talk a lot about how to live a secure life. First and foremost, we place our trust in God. The One who owns the earth and all it contains. The One who runs the world and all that is in it. (Psalms 24) We trust Him because He promises to provide for our needs and lead us to green pastures and still waters and restore our souls. He never leaves us or forsakes us but is with us through every dark valley in life. (Psalm 23) The more we trust God, the more we walk in His ways. We do what is right. We speak honestly. We do no harm to others. We keep our promises. (Psalms 15) Our deeds become blameless. Our hearts become pure. (Psalms 24)

God rewards those who seek Him and those who follow Him with a secure life. Not an easy life. Not a comfortable life. Not a pain-free life. But a secure life. A life that stands no matter how many storms come our way. We do not obey God in order to gain this life or earn this life but our obedience is a natural response to the life we are given when we begin a relationship with Him. Holiness and purity and righteousness characterize the lives of those who love God. And it’s why we can rest secure. Because we dwell with Him. In His home. On His holy hill. On the mountain of the Lord. In His holy dwelling place.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 89, 96, 100, 101, 107

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 - 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 - 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