A Model Prayer

Readings for today: 1 Kings 7-8, Psalms 11

The prayer of King Solomon at the dedication of the Temple is one of my favorites in all of Scripture. It’s serves as a great model for us as we think about our own prayer life. It begins with an ascription of praise for who God is and a recognition that He is utterly transcendent. 

"O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart...” (1 Kings‬ ‭8:23‬) Solomon acknowledges the greatness of God. His majesty. His glory. His splendor. He is not just one among many gods. He is alone is the true God of the heavens and the earth. He is also a God defined by faithfulness. Eternal loyalty. Steadfast love for His covenant people who are the humble recipients of His blessing. This attitude is truly the starting point of prayer. Prayer must begin with an understanding of who God is and who we are. We are not the same. We are not on the same level. God is the shepherd and we are the sheep. God is the potter and we are the clay. God is the king and we are his servants. Prayer place us in a humble position before the Lord. This is the ONLY posture one can take when they come before God in prayer. 

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day...” (1 Kings‬ ‭8:27-28‬) As we come humbly before the Lord, we are assured of His promise to hear us. To listen. To attend to our prayers. God hears every word. Every cry. He sees every tear. He knows the secret thoughts of our hearts and He delights when we bring those before Him openly and honestly. Solomon makes it clear that the Temple’s primary purpose is to serve as a house for prayer. A place where Israel can come before God and lay their requests before Him. 

God not only listens to our requests, He also hears our confession. Throughout this prayer, Solomon acknowledges the inescapable reality of sin. It is ubiquitous. It is endemic. It is simply part of who we are as God’s people. So when a man or woman sins. When God’s people sin collectively. Whether against neighbor or friend. Through systems of oppression or abuse. When Israel suffers defeat at the hands of their enemies or the rains are shut up in the heavens or famine strikes the land. In those moments, if Israel will humble themselves and pray and seek God’s face, God promises to hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land. He promises to “hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know...” (1 Kings‬ ‭8:39‬)

God will do all these things in such a way as to make His name great upon the earth. Even in Solomon’s prayer, there is a missional, outward-facing component. "Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country for your name's sake (for they shall hear of your great name and your mighty hand, and of your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this house, hear in heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house that I have built is called by your name.” (1 Kings‬ ‭8:41-43) God desires to fill the earth with His glory. Israel is called to serve this very purpose. In the way Israel orders her life and faithfully serves her Lord, she will be a witness to the nations and to all of creation of the steadfast love of God. 

You can see why I love this prayer so much! As I said above, it is a great model for us to follow in our own lives as we ponder and reflect on our relationship with God. Because of Christ, Christians have access to the Father in ways Solomon, in all his wisdom, could never have imagined! Because Christ sits at the Father’s right hand interceding for us continually, the door is always open. The way to the Holy of Holies always clear. We have a standing invitation to come before our Heavenly Father with the blessed assurance He will always listen. When you pray, pray with this eternal promise firmly fixed in your mind and heart. 

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Chronicles 4-7, Psalms 134, 136

Building God’s House

Readings for today: 1 Kings 5-6, 2 Chronicles 2-3

“Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father. And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel.” (1 Kings 6:12-13)

We recently remodeled our sanctuary. It was a big project. It required a significant investment of time, energy, and resources. The process from beginning to end spanned a couple of years. It required a design team, architect, construction firm, A/V integrators, and scores of volunteers. As we prayerfully sought God’s will for the space, we recognized that it would be so easy to give into the temptation to follow current cultural trends. Eliminate everything distinctive about our worship space. Get rid of key elements like the cross or the table or the baptismal font so we didn’t offend non-believers. At the same time, we also recognized our need to “translate” our worship experience for the next generation. A generation of digital natives. A generation who will seamlessly interact online and in person. As much as we might wish it were otherwise, livestream worship is now a required feature for any church seeking to reach the lost in their community. It is the new “front door” of the church. All of these factors came into play as we came before the Lord in prayer. More than anything else, we wanted the new space to reflect the glory and wonder and beauty and majesty of God. We wanted to make sure that the worship that took place in our space aligned with His revealed will for His people. For we want God to come and dwell with us. We want God to come and meet with us. We want God to root and establish us for many generations to come. It’s a huge ask and yet we believe with all our hearts that it is God’s desire for us.

Solomon believed the same. He knew the magnitude of what he was building. How in the world could any house built with human hands contain the Lord of the universe? How in the world could all the wealth of such a house reflect the fullness of God’s glory? How in the world could any one man - even if he were the richest king on earth - accomplish such a significant project? Listen to how he describes the nature of his work, “The house I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. But who is able to build Him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain Him? Who am I to build a house for Him, except as a place to make offerings before Him?” (2 Chronicles 2:5-6) Clearly, Solomon was humbled by the work he was being called to do. He was daunted by the great task his father David had left to him. And yet he trusted God was with Him. He trusted God to guide Him and provide for Him. He knew the Lord loved His people and desired to dwell among them. As God had already declared so many times before, “He would be their God, they would be His people.”

In a very real sense, all of us are engaged in the work of building God a house. We are building for glory or for ruin in the way we choose to live our lives. If we walk in God’s ways and live according to His commands and love His Word, He will establish us. He will come to dwell with us. He will never leave us or forsake us. If we invite Him into our homes, into our families, and into our work; He promises to do great things in and through us. He promises to help us build lives that are strong and secure. Lives that can withstand any storm that may come because they are founded on the rock that is Jesus Christ. Is this daunting? Yes. Is it humbling to think that God would be that interested in how we conduct ourselves day to day? You bet. It’s a huge task. One that will require all our focus and time and attention and resources if we are to be successful. But is this not our chief end? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever? As such, it will be worth every effort we expend.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 7-8, Psalms 11

Pride

Readings for today: Proverbs 21-24

“Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin…"Scoffer" is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.” (Prov.‬ ‭21:4, 24‬) ‬‬‬

There is no greater sin than pride. Pride lies at the root of all sin. It was pride caused Satan to fall from grace and glory when the heavens were young. It was pride that caused Adam and Eve to reject God’s command and go their own way. Cain’s pride was wounded so he killed Abel. It was Joseph’s pride that got him in trouble with his brothers. In his pride, Moses thought he could deliver Israel without God. Saul, in his pride, refused to make right sacrifices. David’s pride caused him to number Israel so he could see how powerful he was. Solomon, in his pride, thought he could worship lots of different gods and still remain faithful to Yahweh. Over and over again in the Scriptures, we see pride creep up in God’s people with devastating effect.

Pride is still our greatest sin. Pride makes us think we know best how to live our lives. Pride makes us think we can stand in judgment over God’s Word and determine what is relevant. Pride makes us think we are like God, discerning good from evil. But how’s that working out? When we look at the world around us, is it not pride that is the root cause of the violence? The suffering? The pain? Is it not the pride of nations that causes them to go to war? Is it not the pride of privilege that causes some to look down on others? Is it not the pride of wealth that causes us to accumulate more and more while others go without? Is it not pride that drives our decision-making on a daily basis? We do what’s best for us first without a thought for others. Haughty. Proud. Wicked. Scoffer. Arrogant. These are the labels God uses for us when we fall into this trap.

So what’s the answer? Humility. Not thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought. Or less of ourselves than we ought. But simply thinking of ourselves less. When we think of ourselves “less.” When we consider others before we consider ourselves. When we have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus who – though He was God – did not consider His prerogatives as God something to hold onto. We begin to become humble. We take on the form of a servant. We begin to look like Jesus. And humility comes with its own reward. “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” (Prov. 22:4‬) God blesses the humble. God blesses those who put Him first. Who put others first. He grants them His favor and they often find the very things they were chasing so hard after coming into their life. The difference, of course, is that these things no longer have any hold on us because Christ now has the tighter grip.

So are you a humble person? Are you the kind of person who needs compliments? Needs to be told how good you are? Are you the kind of person who hates compliments? Hates it when you are recognized for something you did? Both are signs of pride, friends. Are you the kind of person who receives rebuke? Correction? Critique? Or do you grow resentful and angry? Are you the kind of person who crumbles at the first sign of disapproval? All are signs of pride, friends. God wants you to think of yourself less. The truly humble person accepts honor and praise for the things they do well because they recognize God has blessed them. The truly humble person is generous with praise of others. Looks for opportunities to build others up. To spread the praise while taking responsibility for any failures. The truly humble person rejects any attempt of the enemy to make them feel worthless, afraid, or of less value in the eyes of God. A truly humble person is free because they do not live for praise nor in fear of praise. So are you a humble person? Pray for God to show you the way.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 5-6, 2 Chronicles 2-3

The Power of Words

Readings for today: Proverbs 17-20

Words are powerful. They can be used to bless and build up. They can be used to comfort and encourage. They can be used to inspire and motivate. Sadly they can also be used to curse and tear down. They can be used to wound and discourage. They can be used to shame and condemn. The old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” simply doesn’t pass muster. We’ve all been hurt by the things someone has said or left unsaid. We all carry deep wounds from things that were said to us as young children or young adults by those in authority in our lives. At the same time, we also can recall vivid memories when words were shared with us that left a positive impression. Words that healed or uplifted or perhaps even changed the course of our lives.

Today’s reading carries a strong warning to us to watch how we use our words. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (Prov. 18:21) Normally when I read this verse and the many others like it that are sprinkled throughout the Scriptures, I think of rash words. Words said in anger. Words said in frustration. Words intended to hurt. Words used as weapons. Words said in ignorance. And I do believe these are exactly the kind of words Solomon is referring to when he writes things like, “A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.” However, serving in an alternative cultural context recently reminded me of yet another layer of meaning.

When I am preparing for one of my trips, I usually have a few people ask me how I will communicate. They ask if the local church planters I train speak English. They do not. They ask me if I have learned to speak any of the local languages like Oromifa or Amharic. I have not with the exception of a few words like “hello” and “thank you.” They then ask about the interpreter and what that experience is like. It isn’t always easy. The challenge for the interpreter is not only communicate the words being spoken but the meaning being conveyed as well, all at the same emotional level as the original speaker. Whew! The best interpreters are able to do all three but it is a monumental challenge! My friend Behailu is one of the most brilliant I have met as are many of the other interpreters I’ve been blessed to have along the way.

The other thing I learn through this process is to confront my self-centeredness. When people ask about the translation process, I used to say, “They don’t speak English so I use an interpreter.” It’s a subtle but important nuance as basically I am saying “they” are lacking because “they” don’t speak my language so I must “help” them by getting an interpreter. Do you see how I’ve centered myself? The better and more humble way to put it would be to say, “I don’t speak Amharic or Oromifa so I need an interpreter.” This puts the focus back on my weakness as a monolingual American. Does that make sense?

Both my use of language and my self-centeredness can make or break a cross-cultural relationship. It’s only by the grace of God that my “mouth hasn’t invited a beating” on any number of occasions where I was culturally insensitive. And because I teach things like theology and leadership, I have marveled that my ignorance of local customs, lingual nuances, etc. doesn’t get more in the way. Again, all credit is due to the Holy Spirit as well as to the brilliance of the translators I get to work with when I am overseas.

The key to harnessing the power of the tongue is to bring every thought captive to Christ. To run every thought. Every emotion. Every idea we have through the grid that is Christ and ask ourselves if it honors Him. Chances are high that we are truly seeking to honor Christ with our lips, we will not speak careless words. We will not cling to our cultural privilege. We will not center ourselves but rather center Christ in our relationships. We will not throw gasoline on the fire of a conflict but instead use gentle words to turn away wrath. We will speak positive words to bring hope. Loving words to ward off hate. You see, the power of the tongue works both ways. It can be used for good as much as evil. It can uplift as much as it tears down. In my experience, simply using my words to bless others makes a huge impact. How can you use your words today to bring about the blessing of God in someone’s life?

Readings for tomorrow: None

Righteousness

Readings for today: Proverbs 13-16

I’ve been thinking a lot about righteousness the last few weeks especially as word went around that the Southern Baptist Church would release their long-awaited report on sexual abuse in the church. Commissioned last summer by delegates to their annual meeting, the independent investigation covers a twenty year period during which top denominational leaders suppressed abuse claims, rejected reform efforts, and dismissed victims and their families. Hundreds of abusers were identified, including past presidents, and yet it seems clear the leadership was more interested in avoiding liability rather than pursuing justice. Investigators interviewed 330 people, including 22 accusers, and were given access to literal mounds of data including email correspondence from survivors and denominational leaders. Tragically, the pattern that emerges is all too common. At least in my experience. Leaders close ranks, trying to protect the reputations of their friends as well as the institutions they lead. They are highly suspicious of any accusation and are more than willing to give abusers the benefit of the doubt. They refuse to be transparent about their practices and often try to operate in secret so they can control the flow of information. Perhaps most egregiously, they attack and blame the victims and their families in an effort to avoid accountability. None of this is unique to the Southern Baptists. The Roman Catholic Church is still attempting to redress their own hideous past as are many non-denominational evangelical churches whose leaders turned a blind eye to horrific abuse in their midst. Of course, the secular world has their own issues as well. Consider the abuse scandals that plague Hollywood or Washington D.C. or many corporate board rooms across America. It seems almost ubiquitous.

When will we ever learn? Our ways simply are not God’s ways. Our ways are naturally corrupted by selfishness and greed which is why they always lead to death. (Prov. 14:12) Our ways seem right in our own eyes but God is constantly judging the intentions of our hearts. (Prov. 16:12) Do we somehow think God is blind to our sin? Do we think we can actually hide our wrongdoing from Him? What foolishness! (Prov. 15:3) No, the way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord. (Prov. 15:9) His evil will become his undoing. (Prov. 14:32) In fact, the Lord refuses to have any association with wickedness and evil. (Prov. 15:29) He will not bless sin or abuse or lies or oppression. These things become a reproach and a shame to any church, organization, or nation who tolerates them. (Prov. 14:34)

So why do we keep falling into this trap? Why do these abuse cycles seem forever on repeat? When human beings abandon righteousness for the sake of power or greed or influence or a platform, they seemingly can justify just about anything. Our ability to sin is exceeded only by our ability to rationalize away such sin. The reality is we tend to tolerate certain levels of sin in our lives because to root them out would compromise our position or our lifestyle or our reputation and we simply refuse to let that happen. We circle the wagons. Retreat behind bureaucracy. Weaponize our policies and procedures. Lock down in self-protection mode. That’s why God says, “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues (or power or platform or influence) with injustice.” We simply cannot have it both ways.

Read through today’s chapters again. Take a look at how Solomon describes the life of the righteous. It’s a life of peace and security. A life of honesty and transparency. A life of beauty and wisdom. A life that blesses others and is blessed by God. My prayer for all of us today is that we would hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God above all other worldly things.

Readings for tomorrow: Proverbs 17-20

The Integrated Life

Readings for today: Proverbs 9-12

“Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” (Prov. ‭12:25‬)‬‬‬

I know so many who struggle with anxiety. They are young and old. They are male and female. They are black, white, and brown. They are rich and poor. Gay, straight, and bi. They come from all different backgrounds and life experiences. No one is immune. Many studies have been done attempting to pinpoint the source but the reality is there are a multiplicity of factors involved. For example, consider the factor of isolation. Despite tools like social media, people report feeling more disconnected than ever. Fewer and fewer report having a good friend. Someone they can call at 2AM if they have a need. This feeling of isolation leads to busyness as people fill up their schedules with all kinds of activities, longing to connect. But the opposite happens. The busier we become, the harder it is for us to connect and the more isolated we feel. Add to this all the stress we carry from our jobs, families, health, finances, etc. and it’s actually not hard to see why we are so anxious.

Anxiety in a person’s heart does indeed weigh them down. Saps them of their strength. Wears them out. Impacts their physical health. Their mental acuity. Their emotional stability. It hits every system in the body until we are debilitated. Unable to function on some level. So what’s the answer? Walking in integrity. “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” (Prov. ‭10:9‬) Now, at first blush, that may seem strange. Doesn’t integrity have to do with honesty? Are you suggesting if we just tell the truth, we’ll all be okay? Certainly that’s part of it. But integrity has a deeper meaning as well. Just as buildings have a “structural integrity” so do human beings. Strong lives are built on strong foundations. They are built on strong, godly habits that keep us secure. When we walk in integrity with the Lord, He becomes our stronghold. Our refuge. Our fortress. And then we are able to put aside all anxious thoughts because we’ve made Christ the foundation of our lives. When we build our daily lives around godly rhythms, Christ promises we will experience a peace that passes all understanding. ‬‬‬

So what are some of those godly rhythms? What does it mean to live with integrity before the Lord? It starts with humility. Humble submission to Christ. Surrendering to His Lordship over our lives. On this foundation, we layer daily prayer and reflection in the Scriptures. We layer in weekly worship with our church family. We layer in regular intentional time with a few Christian friends. We layer in service to others. Giving ourselves away for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Spiritual disciplines such as these become the four walls of a spiritual house that is strong and firm and secure because it is built with the Lord.

Readings for tomorrow: Proverbs 13-16

Temptation

Readings for today: Proverbs 5-8

It begins with a thought. An attraction. A second glance. Something forbidden catches our attention and the enemy is right there. He’s a smooth talker. Delighting in leading us astray. We take our eyes off of Jesus. The horizon shrinks to the immediate. We give no thought as to where this leads. We only feel the desire growing within us. If we could take a step back, we know where it will go. Nowhere. A dead end. So a battle ensues. A fight within. A struggle between life and death.

When Solomon describes the temptress, he’s not just talking about sex. He’s describing in great detail what takes place within the heart of every human being as they wrestle with sin. Our battle with sin is not rational. It doesn’t take place in the mind so much as in the heart. The seat of our desires. And it is extremely difficult to resist. It’s why Solomon encourages his son to stay as far away as possible. To avoid any situation where temptation may arise. “Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house…” (Prov. 5:8) Instead, he encourages him to focus on what he already has. What God has already given him. “Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well.” (Prov. 5:15)

Unfortunately, we do not take Solomon’s words to heart. We believe we can fly close to the sun. We believe we can walk right up to the edge without going over. “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?” (Prov.‬ ‭6:27-28‬) Over and over again, I have seen this happen. Not just in my life but in the lives of so many I love and serve as pastor. Mistakes are made. Betrayals. Brokenness. And every time we talk it through. Trace it back. Untangle the mess. It begins with this attitude that we are somehow much stronger than we think. And that’s why Solomon says, “He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.” (Prov. ‭5:23‬)‬‬‬‬‬‬

Resisting sin is part and parcel of the Christian life. The ancients called it the “mortification of the flesh.” Paul talks about putting to death his fleshly desires. What does this look like in your life? And do you resist in faith or in your own strength? Friends, we cannot white-knuckle our sobriety. The only way to defeat temptation is to look to Christ. To focus all our attention and all our love and all our devotion on Him. When His love fills our hearts, there is no room for anything else.

Readings for tomorrow: Proverbs 9-12

Living with Wisdom

Readings for today: Proverbs 1-4

Our world suffers from an acute lack of wisdom. Where wisdom is lacking, there can be no righteousness. No justice. No equity. No understanding. No discretion. No learning. No guidance. Instead, we are like a rudderless ship on the ocean. Completely at the mercy of the wind and waves. We are like a hiker in the wilderness without a compass. Lost and aimlessly wandering. We are like a plane flying through a deep fog with no guidance system. We have no idea if we are right side up or upside down. The results are devastating. A dramatic rise in anxiety and fear, violence and suffering, hate and outrage. We are like a raw nerve, lashing out at anything and everything that touches us.

The Bible is clear. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. If we want wisdom and insight and knowledge and understanding, we must turn to the Lord. Only God can teach us the meaning of righteousness and justice and equity. Only God can bring about peace and rest and satisfaction and fulfillment. Only God can save us from our sin. The harsh reality is we are our own worst enemy. We create so much of our own suffering. We are prone to violence. We are vulnerable to greed. We run towards evil. We selfishly pursue our own ends.

And yet wisdom still cries aloud in the streets! She raises her voice in the public square. She preaches at the gates of the city. Constantly calling us to repent. Calling us to humble ourselves before God. Calling us to fear the Lord. Those who turn aside to listen soon find themselves filled with the Holy Spirit. They find comfort for their anxious hearts. They find rest for their weary souls. This is the promise of God for those who will return to Him. If we receive God’s Word and treasure His commands, we will dwell secure. We will walk in God’s favor. We will be blessed beyond all measure.

Friends, God is generous. He gives wisdom to all who would ask, holding nothing back. He makes Himself a shield to the upright. He guards them as they walk the paths of justice. He watches over the ways of His saints. He is with them in the valley of the shadow. He prepares a feast for them in the presence of even their fiercest enemies. He makes their cup to overflow. This is what God wants for your life if you will simply commit your way to Him!

Readings for tomorrow: Proverbs 5-8

Desperate for God

Readings for today: Song of Solomon 5:2-7:13, 8:14, Psalms 45

Two Fridays ago, I helped lead a commissioning service for 330 church planters in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. These men and women are headed out to three different regions of their country where they will preach the gospel and plant churches in unreached villages. They know they will face significant persecution. Their lives will be threatened. They will endure incredible hardship and poverty. Some of them will even give their lives for the sake of the Kingdom of God. And yet, as we prayed over them, they wept at the privilege of being counted worthy to share in the sufferings of Christ. As each group returned to their seats after the prayer time, they burst out in spontaneous, joyous singing. Their hearts are pure so I know they will see God. They hunger and thirst for righteousness so I know the Spirit will fill them. They will be persecuted for righteousness’ sake so I know they will inherit the kingdom of heaven.

What is the secret to such deep and abiding faith? Desperation for God. These men and women exhibit a devotion to God that is awe-inspiring. They have nothing and yet have everything. Everyday is filled with hardship, suffering, and pain and yet they keep their eyes on Jesus. The challenges they face are enormous and overwhelming and yet they trust God is on their side. It’s incredible. It reminds me of the desperation we read about in today’s reading out of the Song of Solomon. The woman searching the streets at night for her beloved. She too endured beatings and bruisings. She too endured suffering and shame. And yet she should could not get the vision of her beloved out of her mind or off her heart.

“My beloved is radiant and ruddy, distinguished among ten thousand. His head is the finest gold; his locks are wavy, black as a raven. His eyes are like doves besides streams of water, bathed in milk, sitting beside a full pool. His cheeks are like beds of spices, mounds of sweet-smelling herbs. His lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh. His arms are rods of gold, set with jewels. His body is polished ivory, bedecked with sapphires. His legs are alabaster columns, set on bases of gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend…” (Song of Solomon 5:10-16)

Is this your vision of God? Is this how you see and understand your beautiful Savior, Jesus Christ? Does the vision of Jesus fire your devotion? Capture your attention? Fill your dreams? Is He your supreme treasure? Is He your most precious thought? Do you consider your relationship with Him to be the most special in your life? Is it hard to wait to spend time with Him? Do you find yourself longing for worship each week? Does serving Him bring you great joy? Are you excited to share Him with others? A lot depends on how you answer these questions. If your answer is “yes” to them all, praise God! Your life is marked by a desperation for Jesus that only He can fill and the great news of the gospel is that He will indeed satisfy every longing of your heart! If your answer is “no” or “I don’t know” or “I’m not sure”, then I encourage you to turn to prayer. Fall on your knees before the One who loves you most and ask Him to give you a deeper hunger and a greater thirst for righteousness. Confess those things that distract you or draw your attention away from Christ. Lay them at His feet. Empty yourself of anything that would compete for your love for Jesus and let Him fill you with His grace in return.

Readings for tomorrow: Proverbs 1-4

Sex and God

Readings for today: Song of Solomon 1:1-5:1

The Song of Solomon is one of the most difficult and least understood books in all of Scripture. It’s one we tend to avoid in our sex-saturated culture. The language is far too intimate. The imagery too graphic. We won’t let ourselves picture it much less reflect on how the Spirit might speak to us through it. We flip through the pages as fast as we can to get to the end so we can avoid any embarrassment.  

But what is the book about? The love of a man for a woman? The love of God for His church? Perhaps both? Are we comfortable thinking about our relationship with God in sexual terms? Or is that a bridge too far? I firmly believe the Bible is inviting us to approach God in the most intimate of ways. The language of the Song is meant to arouse. Meant to touch the deepest places of our hearts. Meant to draw us into intimate embrace with the Father.  

Our inability to embrace this book only reveals how corrupt our understanding of human sexuality has become. We see it as dirty yet pleasurable. Something to be enjoyed and yet something to be feared. Our culture boasts of sexual freedom and yet is shocked when such unfettered freedom leads to abuse and violence. If there’s anything the #MeToo movement has taught us is that our sexual appetites are almost impossible to satisfy. Sexuality without restraint is actually destructive and traumatic.  

And yet, sex is God’s creation. Sexuality is something He instilled within each of us. We are created as sexual beings and when the Bible talks about “knowing” another person, it often uses the most sexually intimate of terms. The same is true for “knowing” God. God designed sex to be the ultimate experience of “knowing.” A way for us to express our deepest affections. Our deepest emotions. Our deepest vulnerabilities. All within the safety of the covenant bonds of marriage between a man and a woman. All within the safety of the covenant bond we share with Jesus.  

So is it possible to see the Song of Solomon as a prayer? As a way to express the deepest desires of our hearts to God? As a way for us to ask for deeper intimacy with Him? Or does our broken human experience of sexuality warp our thinking? Corrupt how we understand this most powerful and primal of drives? Does it poison this well and thus prevent us from fully grasping the depth of relationship God desires to have with us? There’s a reason Christ calls the church His “bride.” There’s a reason God so often refers to Himself in the Old Testament as a “husband” and Israel as his “wife.” Marriage is the place where a man and a woman become “one flesh” before the Lord and it is designed to point beyond itself to something even greater...the “oneness” God desires to have with His people for all eternity.  

Readings for tomorrow: None

Wisdom vs. Foolishness

Readings for today: Psalms 119:89-76

A few years ago I read a book that helped me parse the difference between wisdom and foolishness. Wisdom, according to the author, is when we see the truth and adjust our lives accordingly. Foolishness, on the other hand, is when we demand that truth adjust to our reality. To put it another way, wise people will meet the demands of life while foolish people will demand that life meet their demands. Wise people receive feedback when it is given. They own their own performance, mistakes, and issues and take responsibility without externalizing blame or giving excuses. Foolish people become defensive very quickly when confronted. They refuse to own their own shortcomings and often externalize by blaming those around them. Wise people listen. Fools dismiss or ignore. 

Are you a wise person or a fool? How do you know? Well, how do you feel as you read the words from Psalm 119? What happens internally when you consider the demands of God’s Law? Are you the kind of person who embraces God’s commandments, however imperfectly? Are they your delight? Do you find yourself seeking to bend your life in submission to what God has revealed in His Word? Or are you the kind of person who resists God’s laws? Dismisses them? Ignores them? Rationalizes away your sin? When you read or engage God’s Word, do you seek to bend it to your will? Your life? Your desires? Or do you seek to submit your life to Him? Are you a wise person or a fool? 

The Psalmist is clearly wise...

“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life...”

“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day...”

“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

“Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.”

”Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

“Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.”

“The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭119:93, 97, 103-105, 111, 160‬)

The Psalmist loves God’s Word. Loves God’s Law. Loves God’s commands. The Psalmist seeks to do all he can to adjust his life to God’s Will. To live his life under God’s sovereign rule and authority. He makes no excuses for his sin. He doesn’t hide his shortcomings. He faces his failures honestly and transparently.

Sadly, so many in our culture today are fools. Even more tragically, they sit in our pews and attend our worship services. As the Apostle Paul says in Romans 10:2, they have a “zeal for God but not according to knowledge.” They love God but not in the way He deserves or demands. Instead, they “do what is right in their own eyes.” They bend God’s truth to their reality. They seek to make God’s Word null and void either through outright rejection or simple ignorance. They refuse to submit their lives to His will. As a result, they live lives of quiet desperation. They are not evil people. They do not have bad intentions. They simply are misguided. As Paul says in Romans 1, “Although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools...” (Romans‬ ‭1:21-22‬)

Let me be the first to say this all too often describes me! On some level. At certain seasons. In particular circumstances throughout the course of my life, I have tried to bend God’s will to my own. I have tried to rationalize away my sin. I have tried to twist and turn God’s Law to make it fit my life. To no avail. I have thrown myself against the will of God so many times until I finally broke. Finally surrendered. And with that surrender has come wisdom. Not perfection. Wisdom. Self-knowledge. Self-understanding. Seeing myself for who I truly am, warts and all. And learning to trust God’s ways above my ways. God’s thoughts more than my thoughts. God’s will more than my feelings. This is what it means to be wise, friends. The fear of the Lord truly is the beginning of wisdom!

Readings for tomorrow: Song of Solomon 1:1-5:1

Ask and You Shall Receive

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

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

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, especially back then!) 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. “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” ‭(1 Kings‬ ‭3:9‬) 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) 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! How humble! How insightful! 

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches His disciples, saying, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew‬ ‭7:7‬) Isn’t that amazing? Essentially, Jesus is asking his disciples the same question He once asked Solomon. What is it you want? Ask and I will give it to you! Seek it out and I will show it to you! Be persistant in prayer and I will open the door for you. I will let you into my presence. I will answer all your questions. I will meet all your needs. I will give you what your heart desires. 

Wait a minute, you say! That cannot be true! We’ve all prayed lots of prayers that were never answered! We’ve all prayed lots of prayers that just seemed to bounce off the ceiling! We’ve all prayed lots of prayers and gotten the silent treatment - so we thought - from the Lord. So what’s really going on here? What’s Jesus really saying? 

Jesus is no genie. We are not given a magic lamp. Expressing to God our deepest desires and deepest needs is not the same as making three wishes! God probes the deepest recesses of our hearts. Psalm 42:7 describes it like this, “Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.” The Apostle Paul says it like this in Romans 8:26-27, “For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” This is why Paul can say with confidence that God works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose! Because God responds to the deepest needs of the human heart. The needs we can’t give voice to. The needs we don’t want to admit to. The needs we are most afraid to express. 

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

Jesus is Better

Readings for today: Psalms 119:1-88

The way of Jesus is better. His ways are better than our ways. His thoughts are better than our thoughts. His wisdom is deeper. His knowledge is higher. His understanding unsearchable. He knows what is good for us. He blazed the trail of righteousness. He paved the narrow road that leads to salvation. Why in the world would we not want to follow Him? Why try to make our own way? Do we actually believe we know better than God? Are we actually so foolish as to think we can make our way in this world on our own?

Psalm 119 is a song of praise for the commandments of the Lord. It’s a declaration of love for the law of God. A promise of fidelity to the ways of God. At first, it may sound strange to our ears. We who have been saved by grace tend to dismiss God’s law as irrelevant to our lives. We who fear any form of works-righteousness tend to practice avoidance when it comes to God’s commands. We don’t want to play the Pharisee or be accused of legalism so we swing the pendulum to the other extreme and simply ignore what God has to say in His Word. The result is an impoverished life with God. An impotent life with God. A life that lacks any kind of spiritual power or vitality or lasting joy or enduring peace.

One cannot reasonably expect to experience God when we are constantly trying to avoid Him. One cannot reasonably expect to receive the blessings of God when we refuse to submit our lives to Him. One cannot reasonably expect to inherit the promises of God when we will not listen or obey Him. There is only one path to peace. There is only one way to dwell in safety and security in this world. There is only one road that leads us back to our eternal home and it is the one Jesus Himself walked for us. Jesus loved the law of God. Jesus kept His Father’s commands. Jesus lived a sinless and blameless life and He said anyone who would come after Him must do the same. Anyone who would love Him must keep His commands. Friends, this isn’t about earning God’s favor or buying God’s blessings or working to achieve our own salvation. Rather it is about trusting God. It’s about submitting our lives to Him. It’s about surrendering our will to His will and letting Him be our guide.

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

Resisting Evil

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

It is easy to “fret yourself because of evildoers.” It’s easy to watch the news or scroll through social media and focus on all that is negative. All that is wrong with the world. It is easy to focus on the unrighteous and their manipulation, oppression, and greed. It is easy to give in to anger and hate. To lash out at those who perpetrate abuse and violence. There’s something deep inside all of us that longs for revenge. 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. Delight ourselves in God and commit ourselves to walk in His ways. If we will remain faithful, God promises to make our light shine. He promises 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.

This isn’t easy. Our world is growing more chaotic by the day. Evil is rising up all around us. Evil people are taking advantage of the instability to hoard power and wealth and influence. They plot against the righteous. They draw the sword. They bend the bow. Their goal is the destruction of the godly. The oppression of the poor and needy. They are a curse. They sow fear. They spread anxiety. They will stop at nothing until they achieve their sinful, selfish, unrighteous ends. But God sees them and laughs. He knows their day is coming. He will execute judgment on them and cut them off forever. So place your trust in the Lord. Make Him your stronghold in times of trouble. Seek His help. Deliverance and salvation come from His hand. Take refuge in Him.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 119:1-88

A Life of Blessing

Readings for today: Psalms 111-118

I have been reading a book recently titled, “The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World.” The authors are the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu. It is essentially an interview, the last one between the two dear friends, before Archbishop Tutu died. In the book, both men agree that we create so much of our own suffering. We have this innate selfishness about us that is the root of much of our pain and frustration. We are naturally inclined to be greedy and gluttonous. We seem addicted to pleasure and give little thought to those in need around us. To put it in biblical terms, we too easily “gratify the desires of the sinful nature” which creates a negative ripple effect on the world around us. What’s the antidote to pervasive disease? Giving ourselves away to others. Compassionate concern for those who are less fortunate. Deliberately choosing to deny ourselves so that others around us might flourish. Living in radically generous ways. Being open-handed with all that we have to help those in need. Focusing on the well-being of others is the surest and truest path to joy.

The Psalmist agrees. Blessed is the one who fears the Lord. Light dawns in the darkness for the one who is upright. It goes well with the one who is generous and just. The righteous will never be moved. They will be remembered forever. They are immune to fear for they place their trust in the Lord. They are steady and non-anxious for they know their victory over this world is secure. Only the righteous person is truly free for they are not bound to the things of this world. They do not love the things of this world. They store up their treasures in heaven. This allows them to distribute freely. To walk with open hands and live with an open heart. This is the life God promises to those who will follow Him.

We live in such an anxious world. More and more people suffer from anxiety disorders and depression. They medicate with alcohol and marijuana and opioids. There is so much anger and hatred in our world. Violence is on the rise. Pain and suffering are becoming more and more unbearable. It’s heartbreaking to witness. As a pastor, I often have a front row seat as people seek my counsel. They come into my office or grab coffee with me down at Fika and they want to know why things are so hard. They want to know why life is so difficult. They want to know where God is in the midst of all they are going through. Sadly, as I listen to them share, I see the same self-centered patterns emerge. They are often the victim of their own sinful choices. They spend years ignoring God and then are surprised when life doesn’t go their way. They justify their selfish attitudes and actions. They rationalize away their sin. They don’t really want to make the changes God requires. So their suffering only deepens. If only they would turn to God! If only they would delight in His commands! God has tremendous blessings stored up for those who commit their way to Him. For those who seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. If you want to live a life free from fear, give your life over to Christ. Love Him by obeying His commands. Put on His righteousness like a garment. Let Him cover you with His peace.

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

Generosity

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

The global economy lost trillions due to the pandemic. Throw in natural disasters like hurricanes and super-cyclones or historic droughts and locust plagues and some of the poorest people in the world are now in danger of a famine of biblical proportions according to the latest news from the WHO and UN. They are setting up emergency operations in the most vulnerable countries in order to help provide food security during a time when global supply chains are disrupted and local markets shut down due to violence in places like Ukraine and the lingering effects of the virus. It’s heartbreaking. Some ask where is God in the midst of all of this? I believe God turns that question back to us. Where are you? Where are my people? Why do you not take what I have given you and use it to bless others in my name? You see, the reality is God has given us all we need to take care of every single human need in the world today. According to the New York Times, it would take 10 billion dollars a year to provide clean drinking water to the world. Sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? It’s 1/10 of what Europe spends on alcohol each year and about half of what the US spends on dog food. According to the UN, it would take about 30 billion a year to provide food security for those living in desperate hunger. According to the WHO, it would cost $58/person to provide everyone with access to basic healthcare. About 371 billion by 2030. The impact? 97 million premature deaths could be averted, including more than 50 million children who currently do not live to see their 5th birthday. 20 million deaths from non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease could be prevented. Life expectancy is estimated to jump by potentially 3-9 years. Incredible!

How do we get from here to there? How do we become a more generous people? The kind of givers God loves? King David shows us the way. First and foremost, we must love God supremely. We must love God more than our wealth. More than our lifestyles. More than our safety. More than our comfort. We must love God with our whole hearts. Listen to what David tells his son Solomon. “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭28:9‬) Essentially, the key to Solomon’s success. The key to his kingship will be his love for God. 

Second, we must recognize God is the giver of all good gifts. "Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭29:10-13‬) We don’t own a single thing. Everything we have comes from God’s own hands. He chose the place of our birth. He endowed us with gifts and talents and abilities. He sovereignly orchestrated the opportunities we’ve been given. All these things were outside our control and yet they are the secret to our success. Of course we work hard. Of course we do our best. We are not passive in this process. But the foundation of whatever success we’ve achieved in this life was not laid by our own hands but by God Himself. 

Third, we must acknowledge we are unworthy of such divine attention. “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭29:14-15‬) The world is constantly telling us we “deserve” all we have. We’ve “earned” all we’ve received. We are “good” and “righteous” and “worth” every penny of our wealth. The Bible calls this a lie. We are unworthy sinners. Unworthy of God’s attention. Unworthy to come into His presence. We are sinners in desperate need of grace. Our days are like a shadow. There is no abiding. In a generation or two, all we have accomplished will be dust and no one will even remember our names. But God loves us. He has dealt bountifully with us. He has secured for us an eternal home in the heavens if we will receive His greatest gift…Jesus. 

Fourth, once we’ve set our hearts on Christ. Once we’ve acknowledged God as the “sole proprietor” of this world and all that is in it. Once we’ve humbled ourselves in our unworthiness before Him. Our hearts and hands quite naturally open. Our fists unclench. Our fears and doubts fade. And we give. Give generously. Freely. Cheerfully. “I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭29:17-18‬)

When it comes to your money...is your heart directed towards God? When it comes to your wealth...do you see it as a tool in God’s hand? In these uncertain times, do you find yourself holding tighter onto what you have? Hunkering down? Doing all you can to preserve your lifestyle? Or are you becoming even more generous? Even more sacrificial as you see the needs around you grow? We face these same questions as a church. We’ve been blessed. Through careful stewardship, we’re debt free and stable financially. To whom much is given, much is expected. It’s why we’ve sent money through the Petros Network to places like Ethiopia. It’s why we’ve given funds to Bishop John Rucyahana in Rwanda as he seeks to serve the poorest of the poor. It’s why we’ve sent money to help Pastor Martin rebuild in South Sudan. It’s why we support clean water projects with Peter Halder in Bangladesh. And we’re seeking to do even more. Not just around the world but in our own backyard as well. We are about to break ground on a long-awaited youth building so we can serve Parker students and their families. We launched Douglas County Christian Counseling so we can meet the growing mental health needs among the underserved in our community. If you are looking for an opportunity to respond to God’s Word today, prayerfully consider joining us at PEPC as we seek to answer God’s call to give generously to His Kingdom work!

Readings for tomorrow: None

The Wondrous Works of God

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

“Why do you go to Africa?” It’s a question I am frequently asked. Especially in light of the fact that this is my fifteenth or sixteenth time over here. Most people could understand coming over here once or twice on a mission trip. But the commitment I’ve made to give my life to this particular Kingdom cause intrigues them. They want to know more. They want to know what motivates me to sacrifice the time and the money to make these trips happen. They want to know what it is about this particular mission that keeps me coming back for more.

In Psalm 145:4, David writes, “One generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts.” Every time I come over here, I get to hear of the mighty works of God. Every time I sit down to interview a church planter, I hear them speak of “the might of God’s awesome deeds.” Over and over again, they declare His greatness and goodness. Many of them put their lives on the line to make His name famous in regions of the world where the name of Jesus Christ has never been spoken. They sing of His glorious splendor. They sing of His righteousness and holiness. They sing of His wondrous works. They tell tales of miraculous healings from disease. Deliverance from addiction. Raising the dead. These signs and wonders draw people to Christ like a moth to flame. Hundreds of new churches are being planted. Tens of thousands are coming to know Christ. It’s simply incredible.

These stories never get old. Not for me. I live for them. I need them like I need the air I breathe. They inspire me. They encourage me. They strengthen me. They lift me up. They fill my heart and soul to overflowing. They remind me God is still very much on His throne. He still very much is on the move in our world. He is still very much building His church and the gates of hell shall not stand against it.

Another thing these stories do is humble me. The men and women I meet have nothing. They come from the deepest poverty. They often lack a good education. They are the poor in spirit and yet to them belongs the kingdom of heaven. They are the meek who shall inherit the earth. Their devotion is pure which is why they see God. It is clear to me as I listen to them share that “the Lord upholds those who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” They look to the Lord and He “gives them their food in due season.” They look to the Lord and He “opens His hand to satisfy the desire of every living thing.” They look to the Lord and He “draws near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.” This is why I come. I need to see the works of the Lord firsthand. I need to bear witness to His goodness in the land of the living. I need to see the wondrous works of God for myself so that “my mouth will speak of the praise of the Lord.”

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

Putting your House in Order

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 23-26

One of the great privileges of my job is to walk with families as their loved ones experience their final days. It’s usually a tender time as everyone gathers to say goodbye. It can be a complicated time as well especially if the person has not taken the time to get their affairs in order. Perhaps they never signed a DNR or prepared an advance directive. The result is the family remains in the dark as to their end of life wishes and it causes unnecessary suffering. Perhaps they never prepared a will or talked to their family about how to settle the estate after they die. The result is conflict as surviving family members fight one another for their share. I remember one man who put all the property in his name alone which caused his widow to fight through probate. I remember another man who took care of everything for his wife – including driving – leaving her completely at a loss when he passed. At the same time, I’ve seen what happens when someone does it well. They’ve prepared all the necessary documents. They’ve clearly communicated their wishes. They’ve held a series of family meetings to make sure there is no confusion. This turns out to be one of the greatest blessings someone can give as they take those final steps from this life into the next.

David understood how important it was to set his house in order. He is old. He is dying. His reign is coming to an end. He wants to do all he can to set his son up for success. So he gathers all the leaders of Israel. He organizes them according to their call. He clarifies their roles and responsibilities. The Levites are numbered and charged to work in the house of the Lord. The divisions of the priests are established according to their lineage, divided by lot, and established in their rotations. He then organizes the musicians and sets them apart for their service in worship. Finally, he identifies the gatekeepers, treasurers, and other officials. All in an effort to secure his succession and ensure a smooth transition.

What about you? Is your house in order? Are you prepared to pass on what the Lord has entrusted to you? Do you think about future generations of your family? Future generations of your church family? What kind of legacy are you leaving those who will come after you? Have you communicated your wishes? Signed the necessary paperwork? Done all you can to smooth the way for those who will come after you? These are critical conversations to have with those you love. They represent the essence of godly stewardship.

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

Suffering

Readings for today: Psalms 108-109

I have walked into great suffering. The people of the land into which I have come are suffering under a brutal drought. Famine has robbed them of their food supply. Plagues of locusts have stolen what little was left over the years. They are in danger of mass starvation. Compounding this terrible and tragic condition is prevalence of khat. A powerful drug that is a major cash crop in eastern Ethiopia. Plane loads of the stuff are shipped all over the Horn of Africa. But much of it stays right here. So many of the locals suffer from addiction to this drug. They chew the leaves and then lay blasted out of their minds on the sidewalks and streets of the city. It’s heartbreaking. Layer in the widespread poverty. The ongoing and historic tensions between tribes. And the violence that breaks out occasionally and it makes for an utterly hopeless condition.

I imagine David was familiar with such suffering. Anyone who can write these words knows suffering intimately. “For I am poor and needy, and my heart is stricken within me. I am gone like a shadow at evening; I am shaken off like a locust. My knees are weak through fasting; my body has become gaunt, with no fat. I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they wag their heads.” David has experienced much 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! Save me according to your steadfast love! Let them know that deliverance comes from your hand; you, O Lord, have done it!…With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise Him in the midst of the throng. For He stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.” This is my prayer this week for my brothers and sisters over here in eastern Ethiopia. May it be our prayer as well! 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

Addiction

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

The more experts study the impact of social media on our mental health, the more scary the results become. The data is clear and unequivocal. Prolonged social media use presents like addiction with similar accompanying symptoms. The more we use social media, the less happy we seem to be and the more socially isolated we become. The comparisons social media invites between our mundane, everyday lives and someone else’s highlight reel doesn’t feel good and yet we cannot bring ourselves to quit. Why is it so hard? It is because 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 a part of their self-worth off 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 Twitter or the amount of views on a YouTube video. Especially 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 drive there is in most churches to grow their online audience. I know some pastors who seem to live or die based on whether they make OutReach Magazine’s Top 100 list. I think of the uncritical assumptions too many Christians make that larger churches must be doing something “right” and smaller churches must be doing something “wrong.” Or the reverse. I think of the number of folks I know who criticize large churches simply because they’re large. I once belonged to a denomination where the salaries of all of the pastors in each region were published and voted on each year. I remember one older man who came from a very small church standing up to rail against large church pastors whose salaries were more than his entire church’s budget. Never mind the differences in scale or complexities of the job. He just didn’t like big churches and made his opinions known.

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, Mexico, South Korea, Ethiopia, Uganda, etc. 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 doesn’t seem to be the emotional attachment American Christians, and especially American pastors, seem to have with attendance, buildings, and budgets. It’s like we get a dopamine “high” every time the sanctuary’s full.

It’s why I find this story about David in our reading today so convicting. David wants to number his people. He wants to know the size of his army. He wants to measure his power. His influence. His accomplishments. He wants to feel secure. Safe. In control. The images I have in my head are of third-world despots throwing military parades to show off their strength. David is clearly feeling insecure and in that moment, Satan strikes. He comes along and tempts David according to 1 Chronicles 21 and God allows it to happen according to 2 Samuel 24. The results are tragic. "Thus says the Lord, 'Choose what you will: either three years of famine, or three months of devastation by your foes while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the Lord, pestilence on the land, with the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.' Now decide what answer I shall return to him who sent me." (1 Chronicles‬ ‭21:11-12‬) God is going to teach David a lesson in humility. And the lesson is harsh and brutal.

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

So how do we respond? What does this mean for our lives? First and foremost, it should lead us to confession. Repentance. It should call to mind all the times we too have placed our faith in numbers. Our mental health and well-being in the number of likes we get from social media. None of us are immune. Second, it should lead us to the cross. To the place where the penalty for our sin was paid. To the place where God’s judgment was fully and completely and utterly satisfied by the death of our Lord. We are not condemned. We need not feel any shame. God has done for us what we could not. Third, it should inspire us to live for Him. To live from that place of grace knowing God has torn down the dividing wall of hostility that exists between us and made peace with us by the blood of His cross. We are forgiven so we can forgive others. Grace was extended to us so we can extend it to others. Love was shown to us so we can show love to others. We can rest secure in God’s hands.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 108-109