The Hope of Eternity

Readings for today: Psalms 119:89-176

“If your instructions had not been my delight, I would have died in my affliction.” This line hit different today. Mainly because I am spending time with brothers and sisters who cling to the Word of God for life. Literally. This is not a metaphor for them. It’s not an abstract philosophical concept. They depend on God for life. They depend on God for daily provision. They depend on God for protection in an area where there is often significant persecution. Salvation, for them, involves the body, mind, heart, and soul. It’s not just a private spiritual experience. And it’s powerful to witness.

As I trained yesterday, I found myself wondering what keeps them going? We are training in almost 100 degree heat in a building with a metal roof which makes it feel like an oven at times. The sun is relentless. It’s the hottest and driest month of the year for them in this part of the country. Some of them travel for days. They sleep on the floors of churches while they are here. All they have are the clothes on their back and their training materials. Some of them are in dangerous areas. They travel through conflict zones. Some of them are persecuted regularly. All of them live in deep, deep poverty. As I listen to their stories, I can hear the incredible faith. They truly believe God is their Protector, Deliverer, and Savior. They truly believe His ways are the highest ways and His law stands eternal and provides a strong foundation for their lives. Their hope is not in the things of this world or in the governments of this world but in heaven itself. It’s powerful to witness.

Spending time with them makes my own time with the Lord sweeter. Jet lag has me rising early in the morning hours. The city is quiet. The hotel lobby is deserted. I can come down and sit with the Lord. People have asked me if God speaks more clearly to me over here. Yes and no. It’s not that God is somehow more clear over here and less clear when I am home, it’s that I’m able to hear more clearly because my life is more free of distraction. My prayers are more focused because there is less noise. My meditation and reflection on God’s Word is more fruitful because my time is less hurried. I am currently making my way home. Pretty soon I will be back into my daily routines. One of the things I always try to do when I get back from a trip is find ways to slow my routine down. Find ways to eliminate distractions. Find ways to spend unhurried time with the Lord. I don’t want to lose the connection I’ve gained by being over here.

Readings for tomorrow: Song of Songs 1-4, 5:1

Ask Anything

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

“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, "Ask. What should I give you?" (1 Kings‬ ‭3:5 CSB‬)

Put yourself in Solomon’s shoes as you read today. You have a glorious vision of God. He literally bends the heavens to come down and enter your dreams as you sleep. He says to you, “What shall I give to you?” “What is it you want?” “Tell me your heart’s desire and I will make it happen.” What would you say? What would you ask for?

Don’t let yourself respond too quickly. Take a moment. Let the Spirit search your heart as you ponder and reflect. As you think, let me encourage you to get in touch with your deepest fears. We all have them. Secret fears we harbor in our hearts that we spend a lifetime running from or protecting ourselves from. So much of how we choose to live our lives is in response to primordial fears we all carry inside. Fear of failure. Fear of not having enough. Fear of being unsafe. Fears for our children or our children’s children. Fear of insignificance. Fear of disease. Fear of death. What do you think Solomon was afraid of? As a young man, he had just inherited a powerful kingdom in the Middle East. Not the safest or calmest place in the world! He was surrounded by powerful neighbors with powerful armies. He faced enemies both at home and abroad. As fabulous as his wealth was, it was fleeting in the ancient world. It could be here today and gone tomorrow. There was no FDIC to guarantee his money. His people were looking to him for guidance and wisdom. What if he failed? What if he couldn’t live up to his father’s incredible legacy? All eyes turned to him as he ascended the throne. Would he be able to hold it? Would he preside over a period of peace and prosperity or would the nation crumble under his leadership? What if famines struck? What if the rains didn’t come? What if harvests failed? Plagues struck his livestock? So much responsibility at such a young age.

I imagine Solomon’s dreams were often filled with anxiety and fear. The pressure to perform had to be enormous. So when the Lord came to him with this question - “What shall I give to you?” - Solomon responds from the depths of his heart. “So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?” ‭(1 Kings‬ ‭3:9 CSB‬) Centuries later, a man named James would encourage God’s people to pray a similar prayer. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James‬ ‭1:5 CSB‬) It’s a potent prayer. Transcending time and place and circumstance. Solomon is clearly not simply focused on the present or even the short-term. He knows the challenges he will face. He knows the years will weigh heavy. He knows there will be trials and tribulations and struggles and heartache. He knows all of this and so he asks for divine wisdom to make good decisions for the sake of God’s people. How selfless and humble!

The most amazing thing about Solomon is that he’s in touch with his needs. He knows he is weak. He knows he is young. He knows he is immature. He knows he is unable to carry the burden that has been placed on his shoulders. He acknowledges all of this and his prayer therefore comes from that deep place within as he asks for divine wisdom to bear up under the challenges that will come. Are you in touch with your deepest needs? Have you spent time reflecting on your fears? Have you come face to face with your failures? Do you acknowledge your weakness and insignificance and are you willing to bring it before God? This, friends, is prayer. Humble. Heartfelt. Authentic. Real. Honest to goodness prayer. And such prayers God will never dismiss or despise!

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 119:89-176

Anxiety’s Cure

Readings for today: Psalms 119:1-88

Pleasure. Delight. Happiness. Goodness. Comfort. Gratitude. Blessing. These are just a few of the words the Psalmist uses to describe his devotion to the law of God. These are feeling words. Emotional words. Intimate words. They point to the relationship the Psalmist has with God Himself. One would not and could not use these words to describe God’s law if the focus was on outward obedience. No one “loves” the law. We respect it. We honor it. We obey it. But we don’t love it. We don’t have a relationship with it. But the law of God is different. Our respect and honor and obedience for God’s law flows fundamentally from a deep, intimate relationship with the Law-Giver.

There is so much fear and anxiety in our world. So much depression and despair. So much self-harm and suicidal ideation. Despite the massive, exponential increase in mental health resources and psychotropic drugs, things are only getting worse. Outcomes are not getting better. Perhaps it’s time to consider a different approach? One that treats the whole person - body, mind, heart, and soul - rather than attempt to treat only part of a person? Perhaps it’s time we took alienation seriously? Whether it’s alienation from our body that manifests itself in gender dysphoria or eating disorders or the obesity epidemic. Alienation of the heart that manifests itself in an unwillingness to forgive, inability to reconcile, and the cutting off of important relationships in our lives. Alienation of the mind that manifests itself in a lack of resiliency, inability to process bad news or disappointment, and an unwillingness to face reality. Alienation of the soul that refuses to acknowledge the deleterious impact of separation from our Creator. Alienation in any and all of these forms lead to poor health outcomes because we simply were not made a compartmentalized life.

The Psalmist hits on the secret to the Christian life. The secret to a blessed life. The secret to a fulfilling life. One filled with meaning and purpose. One marked by joy and peace. What is that secret? It’s loving God and loving His Word. Loving God and loving His commands. Loving God and trusting God enough to let go of our sinful, selfish ways of living and embrace the life He offers us in Jesus Christ. “Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I keep your word.” (Psalm 119:67 CSB) Before I was anxious and afraid but now I keep your word. Before I was depressed and in despair but now I keep your word. Before I was suicidal and afflicted with thoughts of self-harm but now I keep your word. When we live according to God’s Word, we find ourselves filled with the love and grace and peace of God. And though life may still be filled with all kinds of hardship and suffering, we endure. We persevere. We overcome. Not by our might. Not by our power. But by God’s Spirit who now lives inside us and imparts to us all we need for life in this world.

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

Seeing

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

It is easy to “fret yourself because of evildoers.” Today I drove through a town of radical Muslim extremists who make a huge profit off of selling khat which is a highly addictive drug. It’s one of the darkest areas in this region. Christians have lost their lives trying to plant churches here. The hostility and persecution of anyone who does not share the Muslim faith is fierce and unrelenting. The exploitation and oppression of the addicted is heartbreaking. The poverty is back-breaking. And it would be easy to respond with anger and hate. Lash out at those who perpetrate such abuse and violence. There’s something deep inside all of us that longs to see those who do evil get what’s coming to them. We get frustrated when they seem to prosper. We lose heart when they get ahead. We question the justice of God when the wicked seemingly get away with all their plots and schemes.

Once again, the Psalmist gives voice to how we feel. He speaks directly to our hearts and points us to God. He helps us reframe our understanding and teaches us God’s eternal perspective. Do not be envious of those who do wrong. They will fade like the grass. Do not fret over the one who carries out evil. For they will be cut off. In the grand scheme of things, the evil only prosper for a moment but it is the righteous and the meek and the godly who will inherit the earth. Our job is not to seek revenge but to trust in the Lord and do good. Our job is not to focus on all that’s wrong in the world but to delight ourselves in God and commit to walk in His ways. If we remain faithful, God promises to make our light shine. He promises to give us an eternal inheritance and the blessing of peace. He promises to uphold the righteous and never let us be put to shame. He promises to establish our steps and provide for our needs and give us a future.

Reading through the Psalms gives us God’s perspective. It reminds us that life is best viewed on an eternal timeline. The sufferings of this world are temporary. The injustices of this world will one day cease. The pain and hardship of this world will fade away. Only the will of God and the Word of God endures forever. The Psalmist challenges us to live with God’s Kingdom in mind. To embrace eternal life as a gift in the here and now. To not put off until tomorrow what God is promising us today. Trust in the Lord and do what is good. Commit your way to the Lord and He will act. Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him. The Lord delivers all those who take refuge in Him.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 119:1-88

Soli Deo Gloria

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

For the glory of God alone. This is the overarching purpose for all of human life. Every human being around the world. Every human being throughout history. Every human being yet to be born. All are created for this one purpose. To live for the glory of God alone. This is how it was in the beginning. In the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve living naked and unashamed before the Lord. This is how it will be when Jesus comes again and the Kingdom of heaven comes to earth. There will be no need for a sun or a moon anymore for the glory of the Lord will light all of creation and the nations will walk in it.

I have been blessed this week to meet men and women who live for the glory of God alone. On the outside, their lives are full of pain and hardship. They live in life-threatening poverty. They live in conflict zones. They live in areas where there is tremendous persecution. They are often the only Christians in their communities. But because they live for the glory of God, they are filled with inexpressible joy and all-surpassing peace. They testify to miracle after miracle of God’s provision and protection. They talk of signs and wonders they have seen and performed. Healings. Exorcisms. Resurrections. They are salt and light in the dark places they go. They not only preach the gospel but they plant gardens and give away food to those who are starving. They care for those who are sick or imprisoned. They show compassion to those who are hurting or grieving. They love and pray for their enemies. These are not just abstract concepts to them. They are spiritual practices they engage in everyday life. It’s beautiful and humbling to bear witness to their deep and abiding faith.

I have to admit, I feel so impoverished when I travel to Africa. If I am honest, I know I struggle to live for the glory of God alone. I am constantly tempted to steal some of that glory for myself. In the digital age where social media rules, it is so tempting to engage in self-promotion. So tempting to put out the humble brag. So tempting to claim a little credit for myself. It’s something I have to resist constantly. And part of my resistance is to turn my heart to praise. When I focus my attention on God and praise Him with all my heart, the desire to look in the mirror fades. When I meditate on all God’s works and all He has done for me, my frustrations with what I feel I may lack diminish significantly. When I fear the Lord and walk in obedience to His ways, I find my life enriched in all sorts of ways and my desire to provide for myself goes away. This is why reading and praying the Psalms is so important. It lifts our eyes above the cares and worries of this world so we can catch a glimpse of the glory of heaven.

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

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

Limitless

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

Reading through the Psalms this morning was refreshing, especially at 2:30AM in Africa! The only part of jet lag I love is getting up and spending hours with the Lord in the watches of the night. It’s quiet. There are no distractions. Space is created for me to listen to God and reflect in deep ways on His goodness and glory. Consider the words of Psalm 145. One cannot meditate on them enough. “The Lord is great and is highly praised; his greatness is unsearchable.” (Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬) God is truly great. Greater than we can imagine. Greater than we think we know. Limitless in his power and knowledge. Limitless in his love and grace. Limitless in his righteousness and justice. His greatness is simply so great it is unsearchable. It is mysterious. Unfathomable. His will is inscrutable. We will never truly understand the mind of God because we are finite. We see through a glass darkly. We only can see part of the picture. We have such a limited view. But God's greatness knows no end!

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love. The Lord is good to everyone; his compassion rests on all he has made.” (Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Echoes of Exodus where God showed Himself to Moses. The true nature and character of God revealed in all its fullness and glory. God is gracious. His love is unconditional. His mercy is everlasting. There is nothing that can separate us from God's love. Nothing that can condemn those who are in Christ Jesus. No conditions. No circumstances. No sinful behavior. No addiction. No crisis. No tragedy. No doubt. No fear. No failure. Nothing in all of creation can separate those who are in Christ Jesus from the gracious, merciful, steadfast love of God. This is why “All you have made will thank you, Lord; the faithful will bless you.” (Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all his acts.” (Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭17‬ ‭CSB‬‬) His Law is beautiful. Precious. It is like water to the soul. His commands are designed for human flourishing. His statutes are for our protection. All his ways are good and kind.

“The Lord is near all who call out to him, all who call out to him with integrity. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry for help and saves them. The Lord guards all those who love him, but he destroys all the wicked.” (Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬) O the wonderful promises of God! They are true! They are secure! They are more real to me than my thoughts. My feelings. My experience. They are the foundation of my life in Christ. Truly God fulfills His promises. Always in His way and in His time and according to His good plan. 

I love the Psalms so much sometimes I just sit and let the words wash over me like waves at the seashore. Wave after wave of God's goodness. Wave after wave of God's promises. Wave after wave of God's glory. As I am drenched in the love and grace of God, I find myself quite naturally falling to my knees in praise. Falling to my knees in humble submission. Falling to my knees is thanksgiving for all He has done for me. 

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

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

Sovereignty

Readings for today: Psalms 108-109

Today’s reading reminds us of God’s sovereignty. God reigns over all the earth. Over all human affairs. Over all the nations. Over all the princes and kings and presidents and prime ministers. God reigns over all of nature. His throne sits high above the heavens. The earth remains his footstool. God exalts Himself over creation and there is nothing that escapes His notice. Nothing operates outside His sovereign will. Nothing catches Him by surprise. Nothing lies outside His power and authority.

“God, be exalted above the heavens, and let your glory be over the whole earth. Save with your right hand and answer me so that those you love may be rescued. God has spoken in his sanctuary: “I will celebrate! I will divide up Shechem. I will apportion the Valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine, and Ephraim is my helmet; Judah is my scepter. Moab is my washbasin; I throw my sandal on Edom. I shout in triumph over Philistia.” (Psalms‬ ‭108‬:‭5‬-‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Wars and regional conflict. Pandemics and natural disasters. Just and unjust governments alike. Corrupt politicians and those who hold fast to their integrity. Rich and poor. Educated and uneducated. Every tribe. Every tongue. Every nation. All exist under His sovereign hand, at least according to the Bible. And if this is true, it creates the ultimate conundrum. If God is sovereign, how can He be good? There is just too much evil in the world. Too much suffering. Too much pain. Too much death. How could a good God refuse to act if He truly was sovereign? So perhaps He is good but just not sovereign? Perhaps He’s all-loving and all-gracious and all-compassionate but simply not powerful enough to confront the forces of darkness that afflict our world? Perhaps this is why plagues run amok. Wars never seem to cease. The most corrupt and power-hungry politicians seem to win. The gap between rich and poor grows wider. The social divisions only become more pronounced. These truths are difficult to hold together in our finite, human minds. How can God be both sovereign and good when we look at the state of the world He supposedly rules?

It’s a thoroughly modern problem. David, obviously, didn’t have such issues. He had no problems holding the tension in his own heart between the sovereignty of God and the goodness of God and the brokenness of our world. He fundamentally believed in the Biblical story. The good and sovereign God had created a good and perfect world. Into that good and perfect world, God put a good and perfect creature made in His own divine image. The charge to that creature was to care for and nurture and act as God’s agent in that good and perfect world to help it become fruitful and beautiful and lovely as God originally planned. However, the good and perfect creature grew proud. It disobeyed. It stretched out its hand in an effort to be like God. And the good and perfect world fell into ruin. Sin and death now reigned. But the good and sovereign God’s plan remained the same. He would work in and through the creature made in His image to restore the world to its pre-Fall condition. Thus, Adam’s call came to Noah. Noah’s call came to Abraham. Abraham’s call came to Moses. Moses’ call came to David. David’s call would eventually come to a man named Jesus. God Himself re-imaging Himself into the broken world He still loves. The good and sovereign God refusing to let go of all He had made. Through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension, the power of sin and death was broken. The forces of evil defeated. And what we are experiencing today is simply the aftershocks of that great victory that will one day find completion when the good and sovereign God returns to make all things new.

Until that day comes, we walk by faith. We hold fast to our belief that God is good. He is holy. He is pure. He is righteous. And we hold fast to our belief that God is sovereign. All-powerful. Almighty. Ruler of the heavens and the earth. And we trust He knows what He’s doing. We trust He sees things we cannot see. We trust He knows things we cannot know. And He is at work. The good and sovereign God has not abandoned His world to its fate. He is with us. He is near us. He is for us. And His promise is that He will bring to completion the good work He began.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 23-26

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

King and Kingdom

Readings for today: Psalms 97-99

God’s Kingdom is not of this world. It is in the world but not of the world. It is coming into the world but not here yet. It is growing like a mustard seed but not yet in full bloom. This doesn’t mean the world is worthless. It doesn’t make what happens in this world meaningless. God loves this world. He loves it so much He gave His only Son to save the world. And He promises His Son will one day return in glory to reign and rule over this world so what we do here matters. How we engage here matters. How we live our lives here matters. But we can’t get it twisted. It is not our job to save the world. It is not our task to rescue the world. It is not within our power to bring the Kingdom of God to earth. Our job is to serve as a witness. A living witness in this world of the world to come. We are to serve as living, breathing witnesses that life can and will be different once the world changes. What do witnesses do? They testify to what they have seen, what they have known, what they have heard, what they have experienced. They proclaim the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. And they do it in love. Do it because they care for the same things God cares about, lost people in a lost world.

The Psalms we read today serve as great reminders to us of our role in God’s Kingdom. The Psalmist is a witness. He is simply bearing witness to the glory of God as it is revealed. God is the primary actor on the world’s stage. God is the primary mover in world history. God is the primary driver of world events. He is the one who establishes righteousness and justice as the foundation of His throne. He is the one who burns up His foes on every side. He is the one who rescues His people from the power of the wicked. He is the one who protects the lives of His faithful ones. He is the one who comes to judge the earth. Our job is simply to lift our hands and voices in praise. Our job is to sing a new song, the song of the redeemed. Our job is to be glad and live our lives with gratitude and thankfulness before Him. Our job is to bow in worship before His throne.

It’s so easy to try to take matters into our own hands. It’s so tempting to see ourselves as the heroes in God’s story. It’s so tempting to self-promote and try to take center stage. But that spot is reserved for Jesus. No one else can take on that role. Even when we try, we turn into a tyrant. We simply cannot be trusted with that much power and authority. At the same time, it’s equally tempting to withdraw. It’s equally tempting to retreat. It’s equally tempting to seek an escape from all that’s wrong in the world. Hide in our holy huddles. Seek to blend in. This too is an abdication. A dereliction of duty. A failure to take the witness stand. As Christians, our citizenship has been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. From the kingdoms of this earth to the Kingdom of heaven. We speak as aliens and strangers. And though we love this world, though we advocate for this world, though we want what’s best for this world, it is not our home.

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

Salvation

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 22-23, Psalms 57

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

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

Tomorrow I head out to Ethiopia. I will spend two weeks with church planters who face persecution, imprisonment, even death. These men and women will share story after story with us of how God came to their rescue. Who am I to doubt them? I think of the men and women I am privileged to serve at PEPC. I spend hours with many of them over coffee or a drink. They tell me story after story of how God saved them. Who am I to discount them? The question I often posed to my fellow students and professors when we would debate is how we could honestly talk about God as “Savior” if He never actually saved anyone? Why would we call Him names like “Deliverer”, “Rescuer”, “Liberator”, etc. if He wasn’t actually engaged in the business of deliverance, rescue, and liberation? It’s baffling to me that people would worship a god who never actually does anything. I am honestly stumped why anyone would seek to follow such a god. Why would we believe or trust anything this supposed god actually said? How is this not just wishful thinking? How is this not just blind hope? No, we worship a God who saves. We worship a God who delivers. We worship a God who parted the Red Sea, saved David from all his enemies, and raised Jesus Christ from the dead. We worship a God who’s still in the salvation business even today!

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Tribes

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 19-21, Psalms 5, 38, 42

The other day I attended an event at the convention center here in Denver. It was an event centered on prayer. An event designed to bring people together. An event organized by Christians to give people a chance to pray for and bless our political and business leaders. I love the heart for unity. I love the heart to build bridges between Christians and our public officials. I love the heart that seeks to bless rather than curse. Perhaps my favorite moment was getting to interact with Christians from all different kinds of backgrounds. International and domestic. Citizen and immigrant. Black, white, and brown. Different denominations and generations. It was powerful and encouraging.

At the same time, I’ve been around long enough to know our unity is often superficial. It only goes so far. There were significant divisions in our midst. Some of those divisions were political. Some were social. Some were cultural. Some were theological. It’s not always easy to navigate. It requires a lot of hard, sometimes even painful, work. For example, I got to sit in with a group of Latino pastors as they discussed the impact of immigration on their communities. It was hard and heartbreaking. Afterwards, one of the pastors shared with me a recent experience he’d had with a white church where he was mistreated and looked down upon. Just brutal. In the main meeting, a friend of mine read excerpts from two letters some of our elected officials had received. One used some of the most horrific language to attack them. After the meeting, I saw several Christians attempt to defend the letter and its approach online. All I could do was shake my head. Later in the day, a few of my colleagues asked me why I went. Is it really worth the time and effort? Are the people who attend for us or against us? And, if I am honest, I often ask those some questions myself though I am absolutely committed to working to tear down the barriers and walls that divide us from one another.

Human beings, as a general rule, seem hardwired for tribalism. I once talked to a Somali man who shared with me a proverb from his country. “Me against my brother. My brother and I against my family. My family and I against my clan. My clan and I against my tribe. My tribe and I against my nation. My nation and I against the world.” That sounds about right. And not just in places like Africa or the Middle East where tribal loyalties have been a part of life for thousands of years. I see it in America where we tend to gather with our political or social “tribe.” I see it in the Christian world where we tend to gather in theological “tribes.” I see it in society in general where we tend to gather according to economic or ethnic class or “tribes.” Often, we will do all we can to protect our tribe. Even using ungodly means to accomplish our tribe’s ends. I’ve seen people intentionally use deception or anger or verbal abuse against those not of their tribe. I’ve seen people shade the truth, leave out important facts, purposefully employ inflammatory rhetoric all to support the narrative of their tribe. Sadly, none of this is new.

David and his son Absalom fight a civil war. Though brief, it shatters the peace of the nation. The seeds of disunity are sown. The twelve tribes of Israel, once united, now find themselves at odds. Jealousy over who has the better claim to the throne creates fractures. Harsh words are exchanged, resulting in a second rebellion under a man named Sheba. Once again, lives are lost. People are murdered as political loyalties shift. It’s harsh and brutal. We may not understand how or why all this happened. We are thousands of years removed from their world but make no mistake, we have our own issues with justice. We have our own problems with disunity and division. We too struggle with tribalism just as they did. So where do we go for healing? We go to Jesus. Through His death and resurrection He tore down the dividing walls that separate us from God and from each other. Only He can bring healing. Only He can bring reconciliation. And that’s why the Psalmist proclaims, “Put your hope in God for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God!” (Psalms 42:11b CSB)

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 22-23, Psalms 57

What is Prayer?

Readings for today: Psalms 26, 40, 41, 58, 61, 62, 64

What is prayer? Communion with God. On our knees. Folded hands. Eyes closed. Forming thoughts in our minds and sending them upwards like sparks from a fire? Is it a conversation or more of a monologue? A task we have to complete each day if we want to stay on God’s good side? Something we do before meals or before bed? Is it the recitation of memorized words learned as a child and carried through to adulthood? “Now I lay me down to sleep...” “Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen." “God is great. God is good. Let us thank Him for this food.” “Our Father, who art in heaven...” What is prayer? 

The Psalms are the prayerbook of the Bible. 150 different prayers written by different people on different occasions as they wrestled with life. Readers of the Psalms are always struck by their raw honesty and transparency. The beautiful way they express the deepest emotions of the human heart. The vivid descriptions of God and His great faithfulness. They are marvelous and great teachers when it comes to prayer.  

One of the biggest things I’ve learned in the years I’ve spent meditating on the Psalms is that prayer comes more from the heart than the head. Prayer is less about me forming thoughts or saying words or reciting texts and more about laying before God the deepest emotions of my heart. Deep prayer doesn’t require much in the way of words. Just letting the feelings flow and trusting God is hearing what’s behind them. This is what makes David such a great Psalmist. He doesn’t seem to stop to think about the “appropriateness” of his feelings. He doesn’t seem to “judge” his emotions. He just lets them fly up to God and trusts God is big enough and great enough to make sense out of the chaos. It’s why he can express contradictory emotions all in the same prayer. “I hate a crowd of evildoers, and I do not sit with the wicked. Lord, I love the house where you dwell, the place where your glory resides.” (Psalms‬ ‭26‬:‭5‬, ‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬) He feels no need to try to make sense of it all. He trusts God can sort it out. 

He can express his anger and desire for vengeance against those who hurt him. “God, knock the teeth out of their mouths; Lord, tear out the young lions’ fangs. May they vanish like water that flows by; may they aim their blunted arrows. Like a slug that moves along in slime, like a woman’s miscarried child, may they not see the sun. The righteous one will rejoice when he sees the retribution; he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. Then people will say, “Yes, there is a reward for the righteous! There is a God who judges on earth!” (Psalms‬ ‭58‬:‭6‬-‭8‬, ‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬) And almost in the same breath, be so tender. “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is our refuge.” (Psalms‬ ‭62‬:‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Ultimately, the Psalms give us permission to be real and authentic before God. To truly be ourselves. To put aside all pretense and performance and let drop the masks we so often wear.  

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 19-21, Psalms 5, 38, 42

Grief

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 16-18

I’ve often wondered at David’s grief over Absalom. At first blush, I can certainly identify with the death of a child. Anyone who has been a parent can understand this pain. Our love for our children transcends any disappointments, failures, even betrayals they may have committed in their lives. As a pastor, I have sat with parent after parent who is grieving over their children. Their children may have engaged in all kinds of behavior, some of it even criminal, and yet the parent’s love endures. In fact, I would argue their child’s mistakes only compound their heartache. So David’s grief makes sense to me on that level. Even though Absalom has literally betrayed and rebelled against him. Shamed him on every possible level. David still loves his son and his heart breaks when he receives the news he has been killed.

Recently, I’ve been wondering if part of David’s grief is due to his recognition of how he contributed to his son’s death. The choices he made. The way he isolated him after he murdered his brother, refusing to reconcile. The way he treated Absalom, purposefully keeping him at arm’s length. I wonder if David wept over what might have been, what could have been, if he had just made different choices along the way. All parents have regrets. All parents make decisions they later wish they had not. All parents know they bear some responsibility for the way their children turn out. I think of my own parenting. As a dad, I failed many times. I struggled to know how to handle certain situations. I got angry way too often. I let my own fears drive some of the decisions I made as a parent. None of these things were good. All of them impacted my kids. Thankfully, we have worked hard to forgive and reconcile but I can see how my failures as a parent create certain vulnerabilities in them that will last a lifetime and I grieve.

Thankfully, however, God is good and gracious to me. He has healed many of my griefs and sorrows as I’ve turned to Him. And this is one of my big “takeaways” from today’s reading. Take your grief to God before it is too late. David waited too long to express his true feelings for Absalom. His grief was that much deeper as a result. Don’t make the same mistake. If you are grieving the brokenness in a relationship with someone you love, ask the Lord for the strength to forgive and reconcile. Healing is possible if we will simply turn our grief over to Him.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 26, 40, 41, 58, 61, 62, 64

Looking Up

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 around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me. I will not be afraid of thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side…Salvation belongs to the Lord; may your blessing be on your people.” (Psalms‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬-‭6‬, ‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬) 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.

Last evening we met 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

Dysfunction

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 13-15

All families live with some level of dysfunction. Dysfunction occurs where unhealthy behavior (rage, addiction, abuse, neglect, etc.) is normalized, leading members of a family to make unhealthy accommodations rather than pursue repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Left unchecked, dysfunction leads destructive patterns of behavior that often impact generations as unhealthy coping skills are passed down from parent to child. Breaking generational cycles of sin is extremely difficult and requires incredible courage as well as sacrifice as dysfunctional family systems are often highly resistant to change. 

Consider the family of King David. Perhaps the pre-eminent Biblical example of a dysfunctional family system. Of course, his situation was made much more complex by the cultural practice of polygamy which led to many children by many different wives and concubines, all seeking to ascend the line of succession. Dynastic considerations complicate what we read today but many lessons can be drawn that are helpful in our own lives. Amnon is the oldest son of David and heir apparent to the throne. As such, he has grown accustomed to power and privilege and simply taking what he wants when he wants it. His treatment of Tamar, his half-sister, is horrific in its own right but probably emblematic of how Amnon lives his life. Absalom is not much better. What begins as a noble desire to protect his sister from public shame ends in murder and a coup attempt against his own father. Who knows what prompted Absalom’s move against David but it clearly was pre-meditated and even assisted by some of David’s closest confidants. David doesn’t help matters much. As king, he should have punished Amnon for his crime but instead appears to give him a pass. Once Absalom takes matters into his own hands, David appears both relieved and appalled. He refuses to forgive and reconcile with Absalom which only isolates him further and divides the royal household. David chooses to ignore the growing conspiracy until its almost too late and thus has to flee into exile. His family shattered. His kingdom divided. His country on the brink of civil war. 

I think of my own family system. Over the years, we’ve spent lots of time in counseling as we sought to break patterns of sin that not only were passed down generationally but reinforced by our own sinful choices. I had to learn to deal with my anger issues. Wrestle with my own fears and failures and disappointments. I had to face the fact that I caused my children pain through the choices I made and how I responded to the difference circumstances we had to face as a family. I had to take a long hard look at myself through Christ’s eyes and repent. Ask for forgiveness. Pursue reconciliation. It wasn’t easy. It required humility and sacrifice. I had to relinquish my need for control. My need to protect my family from the consequences of the choices we’ve made in life. My need to project “success” to the world around me. I had to come to grips with the fact that my family is as broken as any and I am a major contributor to that brokenness because of my own sin issues. Honestly, it was a painful journey. Then again, dying to self is always painful. 

What about your family system? If your family’s story was written in the Bible, what would others see? What failures? What successes? Would they see patterns of repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation? Would they see pride, neglect, abuse, addiction, and rampant conflict? Perhaps a mixture of both? Where is Christ at work in your family right now? What areas do you need Christ to pay particular attention to in order to bring healing, wholeness, grace and peace? Are there particular family members you need to be praying specifically for? Who are they? What are the issues? How are you contributing to the pain? Ask Christ to help you chart a different path. One that leads to true transformation. 

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

Forgiveness

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

This morning I found myself so thankful for the forgiveness and grace of God. It’s overwhelming. Reading the Psalms, especially Psalm 103, touched my heart. Perhaps it’s because I know the depths of my own sin. I know how my mind wanders. I know how my heart fails. I know how self-indulgent I can be. Selfish and self-absorbed. I know my cynicism. I know how easy it is for me to catastrophize. I know how quick I am to assume the worst about people and the worst about life. I have to battle these things on a regular basis. Thankfully, not every day. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit has sanctified me to a certain point but that work is clearly ongoing.

At the same time, I believe. My faith in Christ has never been stronger. My trust in God never greater. My gratitude for all God has done for me is daily at the forefront of my mind. It’s why I love reading and re-reading the Psalms. They keep my focus where it needs to be. God is faithful. God is good. God is gracious. God is merciful. God is loving. God is forgiving. God never fails. He forgives all my sin. He heals all my diseases, if not in this life then in the next. He redeems me from the grave. He sets me at His side and crowns me with faithful love and compassion. He satisfies me completely. He renews my strength every single day. God’s faithful love cannot be measured. It is as high as the heavens are above the earth. His forgiveness has no limits. It is as far as the east is from the west. The gift of His righteousness is infinite. It is from eternity to eternity. And this is why I bless the Lord. I cannot begin to count up all His benefits for me.

Many feel like they have to hide their sin. Many go through life weighed down by a burden of guilt and shame. Many feel they can’t be honest with themselves much less those they love much less God. But the words of the Psalmist reminds us there is no end to God’s love and grace and mercy and compassion. And this provides a deep sense of safety and security when we come before the Lord for He sees us. He knows us. And He loves us. There is nothing that can make Him love us any more or any less than He does right now, in this moment, even as you read these words. We can tell Him anything. There is nothing that will make Him turn His face away. We can share the deepest, darkest secrets with Him knowing He loves us eternally. Let his Spirit sanctify you, heal you, strengthen you, and make you whole.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

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

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.

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 crop. 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 us in righteousness with awe-inspiring works, God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas. You establish the mountains by your power; you are robed with strength. You silence the roars of the seas, the roar of their waves, and the tumult of the nations. Those who live far away are awed by your sings; you make the east and west shout for joy.” (Psalms 65:5-8 CSB)

“You visit the earth and water it abundantly, enriching it greatly. God’s stream is filled with water, for you prepare the earth in this way, providing people with grain. You soften it with showers and bless its growth, soaking its furrows and leveling its ridges. You crown the year with your goodness; your carts overflow with plenty. The wilderness pastures overflow, and the hills are robed with joy. The pastures are clothed with flocks and the valleys covered with grain. They shout in triumph; indeed, they sing.” (Psalms‬ ‭65‬:‭9‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

“God’s stream is filled with water.” 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 is about ready to replace a well on our land up in Nebraska because the old well is failing 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