I Surrender All

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 1-3, Psalms 78

This past Sunday we sang the song, “I Surrender All” in worship. It’s a simply yet powerful tune with a deeply, challenging message. Do I surrender all? Am I willing to surrender all? What would “surrendering all” actually look like in my life? I think of all the things I hold dear. Personally, I think of my time and money. Relationally, I think of my wife and children and family and friendships. Vocationally, I think of my work as a pastor, my teaching as a professor, and my mission work. Am I willing to surrender all in any of these categories? Am I willing to give God all my time or do I want to withhold some for myself? Am I willing to give God all my money or do I want to make sure I reserve enough to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle? Am I willing to give God my wife and children, trusting He loves them far more than I do, and set them free to serve Him in whatever way He calls or do I seek to control them or shame them or bend them to what I want for their lives? What about my family and friendships? Do I surrender them to God by seeking to serve rather than be served? What about my vocation? Am I willing to give it up or do I hold on too tight? All these things are worth pondering as we read through the chapters assigned for today.

Hannah is an amazing example of faith. She truly “surrenders all” when she offers Samuel to God. Barrenness was considered one of the worst experiences a woman could experience in ancient times. One of the primary ways women added value to society was through child-bearing, especially the bearing of sons. Though Hannah’s husband loved and provided for her abundantly, she was heartbroken over her inability to provide him a child. She could have responded in all sorts of ways to her condition but because of her deep faith, she turned to the Lord. She prayed so fervently that the high priest thought she was drunk. When God answered her prayer, she was faced with another decision. Would she follow through? Would she surrender her firstborn son with no guarantees she would have any more children? Imagine the faith it took to take such a step? Imagine the sadness she must have felt when she weaned Samuel and gave him to Eli? Imagine her having to walk away from the Tabernacle and go back home to an empty tent yet again? This is an example of what it truly means to surrender all.

What about you? What does surrender look like in your life? Where are you on the journey of surrendering all to God? I have been walking with the Lord for over thirty years now and I find God demanding more and more of my life not less. I find Him demanding more of my time, more of my money, more of my attention, more of my heart. And, if I am honest, I sometimes struggle to give him what He demands. But every time I do, I find myself experiencing all kinds of blessing. In fact, I find myself receiving back from God more than what I give and it only reinforces what Hannah and so many saints have learned throughout history. You simply cannot out-give God. You cannot out-give the One who surrendered all for us in Jesus Christ.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 4-8, Psalms 79

Under God’s Wings

Readings for today: Ruth 1-4, Psalms 77

The Bible talks frequently about taking refuge under God’s wings. The image is of a mother bird protecting her vulnerable young by covering them with her wings. We see this image invoked today in our reading from the Book of Ruth where Boaz says, “May the Lord reward you for what you have done, and may you receive a full reward from the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” (Ruth‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Ruth had left her home and family and country to come and dwell among the people of God. She had taken an incredible risk out of loyalty to her mother-in-law, knowing there was no guarantee she would be able to find a husband or have a family of her own in this new country where she went. Naomi certainly would not be able to help her. Women in those days simply didn’t have the opportunities women do today to provide for themselves. It’s why widows remain among the poorest of the poor around the world. Add in the fact that Ruth was a Moabite, a member of one of Israel’s ancient tribal enemies, a foreigner in a time and place where marrying outside one’s tribe was considered shameful and you quickly see how Ruth risked her very life to remain faithful to her mother-in-law. Why would Ruth do such a thing? I think the key is found in her response to Naomi’s initial request for her to go back home. “Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.” (Ruth‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭CSB‬‬) In her ten years of marriage to Naomi’s son, Ruth had clearly learned some things about Yahweh. Things that set him apart from Chemosh, the Moabite god. And those things attracted her so much so that she was willing to “seek refuge under His wings.”

Is that your experience of God? Do you experience Him to be a refuge? A place of safety? A sanctuary amidst all the chaos that swirls around us in the world? Is He the one you run to when you experience pain and tragedy? Is He the one to whom you turn when you are anxious or afraid? Is He the one you look to when all hope seems lost? Try to put yourself in the position of Ruth. You are a stranger in a strange land. A foreigner. An immigrant. You’ve made a long journey with no idea of what you might find when you arrive. You have no standing in society. You have no way to make a living. You have no family or friends to rely on. It reminds me of some of the immigrants I’ve met in our own country. People who have traveled hundreds of miles at great risk to themselves. Enduring all kinds of trauma along the way. Leaving all that’s familiar and all that they know behind. Having no idea what they will find when they arrive or how they will make a living or what they will do. Yes, there are all kinds of legal issues and our southern border policy is a disaster and there are many dangerous people who take advantage of the situation. Those things must be addressed as soon as possible. But put all that aside for a moment. Think of what would drive a person to undergo such hardship. Think of how horrific the conditions must be in their home country for them to risk it all to make the journey north. Now consider the example of Boaz. Look at how he treats this poor immigrant woman. Look at how God uses his generosity and grace to bring about His salvific purposes in the world. What might it look like for us to do the same?

The idea of the “kinsman-redeemer” is an important one in the Bible. Boaz is the supreme example, of course. But there is one who is even greater than Boaz. Jesus is our kinsman-redeemer. He plays this role in our lives by redeeming us from our spiritual poverty and broken condition. By redeeming us, He makes us - who are strangers and aliens and foreigners and immigrants in the Kingdom of God - citizens of heaven. He honors us though He has no reason to do so. He blesses us though we have done nothing to earn His favor. He shows us love though we are about as unlovable as it gets. We love, friends, because God first loved us and He sends us out to share that love with the world.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 1-3, Psalms 78

Descent into Hell

Readings for today: Judges 19-21, Psalms 76

Every year when I get to this point in Judges, I feel my heart drop. It’s some of the most difficult material in all of Scripture. We see Israel at one of her lowest points. She has forgotten Yahweh. She has become like all the pagan tribes around her. She is more focused on her own gratification than she is on serving and honoring the Lord. Her world is full of idols and sexual perversion and violence. Yes, she still goes through the motions. She still makes her sacrifices. She still prays and fasts and appears before the Lord at the appointed times. But it’s all empty at this point. Everyone is doing what seems right to them. They are all following their own ways. They are plumbing the depths of sin. They are pushing the boundaries of evil. Unspeakable atrocities are taking place in Israel such as the gang rape of a woman whose body is then dismembered resulting in a genocidal war that basically annihilates an entire tribe. It’s madness.  

Horror is a good word to describe what we read today from the book of Judges. There simply is nothing redemptive in the story. Nothing good. Nothing godly. Man’s inhumanity to man is on full display. It’s dark. It’s evil. It’s terrifying. Horror is also a good word to describe what’s going on in our world today. One only has to scroll through social media to see the hate that leads to violence that leads to death and then return the next day to watch the cycle repeat itself. If we’re totally honest, horror is a good word to describe what goes on in all of our hearts. All of us are perpetrators. All of us are victims. We are the Levite. We are the concubine. We’ve sacrificed others and we’ve been sacrificed by others for the sake of self-protection and self-gratification.

Perhaps it’s providential that we come across this passage every year around Holy Week. A sacred time when we take time to reflect on the cross and the horror of the death of God. We reflect on the price Jesus paid and the blood He shed and the penalty He bore. We reflect on the suffering He endured. The pain He experienced. The heartbreak of betrayal. We reflect on the depth of our sin. The depravity of our nature. The darkness of our hearts. We reflect on the cost of our salvation and what it took to redeem us from sin and death. But we also reflect on our salvation. God plunging Himself into the horror of our condition. God plumbing the depth of our darkness. God immersing Himself in the breadth of our madness and embracing us as His own.

Readings for tomorrow: Ruth 1-4, Psalms 77 (No devotionals on Sunday)

Whose Authority?

Readings for today: Judges 16-18, Psalms 75

“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.” (Judges‬ ‭17‬:‭6‬ ‭CSB‬‬) There is nothing worse than living in a place where there is no authority. No one to fight for justice. No one to enforce the laws. Think of the misguided and tragic attempt made a few years ago to “abolish the police.” It was a disaster. Think of the cities where law enforcement was gutted. Crime immediately shot up. Such policies put people at greater risk, especially the most vulnerable. Many of those cities have since recanted and pushed through changes to reinforce those who protect and serve our communities. I think of nations where I’ve traveled where there is no rule of law. Roving gangs or tribes are allowed to kill and rape and burn without consequence. Starvation and famine and oppression and injustice are the rule not the exception. Development work slows to a crawl because it simply cannot succeed without a government exercising their authority over the local population.

As we near the end of the Book of Judges, we see what happens when everyone does what is right in their own eyes. The results are horrific. Violence, murder, rape, and destruction. Might makes right. Those with the most power operate without restraint. It’s brutal. This is humanity left to her own devices. This is humanity enslaved to sin. This is humanity at her bestial and most primal. The main message throughout these final chapters is that humanity is not fundamentally good. We are not fundamentally pure. We are not fundamentally innocent. We are conceived in iniquity. Born in sin. Oriented towards self. Almost always inclined to do what benefits us even if it comes at the expense of others. We see this all around the world today. We see this in our own country today. We see this in our own communities today. If we’re honest, we see this in our own hearts today.

What’s the answer? Submission to the king. Not necessarily a worldly king although God raises up human governments for the purpose restraining evil on some level. It’s submitting to the King of kings. The only King with the power to set us free from ourselves. To set us free from the power of sin. To deliver us from bondage to evil. When we submit our lives to Jesus, we do what seems right to Him rather than what seems right to us. We follow His ways rather than our ways. We deny our base impulses and instead pursue godliness and the world around us is blessed. The people we love and live among are blessed. This is what God desires. This is why He sent Jesus in the first place. This is why all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. Submit yourself to the King. Let Him ascend the throne of your life. Honor Him in all you think, do, and say and you will live a life of blessing.

Readings for tomorrow: Judges 19-21, Psalms 76

Despising God

Readings for today: Judges 13-15, Psalms 74

Samson is a cautionary tale. He is not a man to be emulated or admired. He is not a man to try to pattern one’s life from. He is not a shining example of faith. Yes, he’s mentioned in the great “Hall of Fame” of faith in the Book of Hebrews but he’s simply a broken man whom God uses for His purposes in the world. He’s yet another example of how God has sovereignly chosen to work through humanity to restore a ruined world.

Samson is often extolled for his strength. I remember hearing stories of this man when I was growing up as a boy. Sunday school teachers would talk about how powerful he was, how many battles he won, and how many enemies he killed. I was enraptured by a man who could take on a lion, put city gates on his back, and bring down a temple. I was fascinated by the Nazarene vow he took and how his strength was tied to the keeping of that vow by not cutting his hair. However, what my well-intentioned Sunday school teachers missed was the utter disdain Samson held for the God he served. He treated God like a pagan deity. He only seemed interested in God when it served his purposes. His life reflects none of the devotion and love one would expect from a spiritual leader of Israel. Samson was a brutal, violent man. He was as undisciplined as they come, especially as it related to sexual desire. He shows little to no regard for the laws of Israel.

If I am honest, I see some of the same dynamics in my own life. I’ve been blessed beyond all measure. I live in one of the wealthiest communities in the world and have access to all kinds of incredible people. I’ve been given more opportunities than I could possibly take advantage of professionally. I’ve been given a great education. I serve an incredible church. My marriage is strong and my relationships with all four of my kids is deep and intimate. In short, God has absolutely poured out His favor on me and still I squander so much of my time and talent and treasure on myself. I show too little regard for God’s Word or for prayer. I sometimes find myself treating God like a pagan deity, only talking to Him when it serves my own selfish purposes or when I am in trouble. And as much as I repent of these things on a daily basis, I find myself too often repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

If we’re honest, all of us can identify with Samson on some level. Perhaps that’s why his story resonates with us so much. All of us want to be the hero if we’re honest. We want to perform great things for God in this world. But all of us are undisciplined as well. We let our selfish desires get the best of us and we despise God at times just like Samson did. Now, does God still use us? Thankfully. But make no mistake, this is an act of grace. It is not something we earned by being faithful. Only God is truly faithful and He promises to use even our brokenness to accomplish His purposes in the world.

Readings for tomorrow: Judges 16-18, Psalms 75

The Danger of Syncretism

Readings for today: Judges 9-12, Psalms 73

One of the very real dangers to the Christian faith is syncretism. Syncretism is the attempt to merge different belief systems together. They could be religious systems, political systems, social/cultural systems, family and/or clan systems, or some combination thereof. It’s happened many times throughout history all over the world. I’ve personally seen it in our own country as people try to merge their faith with their politics or Western cultural norms or even particular church traditions. I’ve seen it in other countries where different tribal groups add ancestor worship or other ancient, pagan customs to their faith. Every time we do it, we water down true Christianity into something sub-Christian or even non-Christian and we make the same mistake as ancient Israel.

In our reading today, we run across syncretism all over the place. Yesterday, we saw Gideon make the mistake of fashioning an idol. Today, we see Jephthah treating the God of Israel like all the other pagan tribal gods of the Canaanites when he makes his tragic vow. Not only that but we read these words from Judges 10:6 CSB which clearly spell out the problem. “Then the Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They worshiped the Baals and the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and the Philistines. They abandoned the Lord and did not worship him.” Why is syncretism such an issue? Because God had set His people apart. He commanded them to be holy even as He is holy. He wants them to serve as salt and light in the world. They are to be a living example of God’s original purpose for humanity. When they engage in the worship practices of the Canaanites, they lose their saltiness. They put their light under a basket. They lose their distinctiveness and the world no longer has an example they can follow. Furthermore, the religious practices of the ancient Canaanites were detestable to God because they involved all kinds of sexual exploitation and prostitution not to mention child sacrifice. In short, it was a complete horror show.

So how can we know if we’ve fallen into the trap of syncretism? I like to apply the “Jesus and” test. Ask yourself what it takes to be a Christian. Is it “Jesus and” a particular way to vote? “Jesus and” a particular social policy? “Jesus and” a particular theological camp? “Jesus and” a particular style of worship? “Jesus and” a particular cultural norm? “Jesus and” a particular group identity? If you qualify your faith in Jesus Christ in any way, shape, or form, you may be trying to merge belief systems with your faith. I think of the people I know who call themselves a “Progressive” or “Conservative” Christian. I think of the people I know who call themselves a “Mainline” or “Evangelical” Christian. I think of the people I know who call themselves a “Gay” or “Straight” Christian. The list is lengthy and I know I’ve fallen into this trap myself on occasion. “Christian” needs no qualifier because Jesus needs no qualifier. He Himself is the one who qualifies those whom He calls to saving faith.

Readings for tomorrow: Judges 13-15, Psalms 74

Humility

Readings for today: Judges 6-8, Psalms 72

One of my favorite books is by Andrew Murray. It’s a classic titled Humility. A short little read with insights packed into every page. Here is how he defines humility. “Humility is nothing but the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all...The highest glory of the creature is in being only a vessel, to receive and enjoy and show forth the glory of God. It can do this only as it is willing to be nothing in itself, that God may be all. Water always fills first the lowest places. The lower, the emptier a man lies before God, the speedier and the fuller will be the inflow of the divine glory.”

I think we can all agree humility is a virtue sorely lacking in our world today. The spirit of our age is arrogance, pride, criticism, entitlement, and self-indulgence. It infects our politics. It infects our workplaces. It infects our schools, our homes, our neighborhoods, even our churches. It’s the spirit of the Pharisee. The spirit of self-righteousness. An unwillingness to submit to any other authority in our lives except our own. This includes God. Sure, we know how to say the right things. “God is first in my life!” “I love God the most!” “God is my all in all!” We sing songs that declare these truths. We sit through sermons where these truths are proclaimed. We tell these things to our Christian friends. But one look at our schedule. One look at our bank account. A glance at our Twitter feed, Instagram, or Facebook account. A moment of honest self-reflection. All these conspire to reveal what we really believe. We are our own gods. 

Gideon was different. Not perfect. Not blameless in his generation. Not powerful and mighty among men. No, what marked him was his humility. The angel of the Lord found him treading out grain in a winepress. Providing for his family at great risk to himself. When the Lord called him to become the next judge over Israel, Gideon echoes Moses at the burning bush. “Who am I that you would send me?” So unsure of himself, he puts God to the test by laying out a fleece not once but twice! God honors his humble heart. Gideon was humble enough to place his faith and trust into action. He tears down the altar of Baal. He sends almost his entire army home before a major battle. And then, when confronted at the beginning of Judges 8 by the Ephraimites who wanted to claim the glory, he humbles himself before them and honors them. It’s a stunning display. Finally, when it is all said and done, the people want to make him king. He refuses the crown. He refuses to take God’s rightful place in their lives. In the words of Murray, Gideon understood “the highest glory of the creature is in being only a vessel, to receive and enjoy and show forth the glory of God.” 

What about us? What does humility look like in our own lives? Surely, it is more than words. It is life lived intentionally under the sovereign authority of God. A life lost in the vision that God is all. A life lived before God, submitted to God, surrendered to God. What does such a life look like in the 21st century? It is a life of worship. Personal worship. Weekly worship with a church family. It is a life of Sabbath rest. It is a life of prayer. It is a life of reflection on the Scriptures. It is a life of service to the Kingdom. It is a life of devotion to our Lord. It is a life that intentionally directs all its resources - time, talent, treasure - towards God. It is a life that engages the world while remaining set apart. A life of risk where safety and comfort are sacrificed for the sake of the gospel. 

Readings for tomorrow: Judges 9-12, Psalms 73

Powerful Women

Readings for today: Judges 4-5, Psalms 71

Last Friday was International Women’s Day. A day dedicated to celebrating the global and historical achievements of women from every family, clan, tribe, and nation all over the earth. I found myself reflecting on the influence of the many women in my life. My wife and daughters. My mother and mother-in-law. Women in my family tree who sacrificed so much to serve our family over the generations. I thought of the women I have the privilege of working alongside. Women who serve as elders and leaders in our church family. Their contributions to our life together simply cannot be measured. And I know I certainly would not be the man I am today without the incredible impact of these women in my life. They are modern-day versions of Deborah who we read about in the chapters for today.

Deborah was the spiritual and political leader of Israel. She was filled with God’s Spirit and set apart as judge over all Israel. She led during a time of great uncertainty. Israel was not yet established in the Promised Land. She was surrounded by enemies on all sides. She was at war with King Jabin of the Canaanites. Deborah was a woman of great faith and courage. She commanded Barak, the military leader of Israel at the time, to fight to deliver God’s people but he refused to go into battle unless she went with him. This story echoes some of what we saw when Moses led Israel into battle. When he raised his arms and Israel could see him, they won. When he sat down and they couldn’t see him, they lost heart and would begin to retreat. It seems Deborah’s leadership had a similar effect. Not only that but once the battle was joined and the Canaanites fled, God used a second woman named Jael to kill Sisera, the Canaanite general, and bring an end to Israel’s oppression.

Over the years, I’ve met some Christians who try to downplay Deborah’s leadership. They talk about the abdication of Barak and other male leaders in Israel but the text never indicates this is the case. In fact, it presents Deborah’s leadership as normative. Just another in a long line of judges who led Israel during a chaotic, tumultuous period in her history when she had a tendency to do what was right in her own eyes rather than follow the Lord. In fact, when one compares Deborah to the judges who come after her, one can easily conclude her godly leadership surpasses them all.

As sinful human beings, we can get so caught up in who holds the power. Who holds the authority in a relationship. Is it the man or the woman? Is it the husband or the wife? Is it the parent or the child? Is it the employer or the employee? Is it the pastor or the elders? Is it the denomination or the church? All of it, frankly, is nonsense. There is only One who holds all authority in heaven and on earth. There is only One who holds the keys to Death and Hades in His hands. And He chooses to use whomever He wills to accomplish His purposes on the earth. Over time, He has used any number of powerful women in extraordinary ways and we are blessed beyond measure by their courage and faithfulness.

Readings for tomorrow: Judges 6-8, Psalms 72

The Danger of False Assumptions

Readings for today: Joshua 22-24, Psalms 69

Over the years, I have seen so many relationships and organizations fall apart due to false assumptions. An individual or group of people gets only part of the story and chooses to act on it rather than wait for all the information to come in. They grow impatient or succumb to the tyranny of the urgent and don’t take the time to make sure they talk to all parties involved. They tend to believe the worst rather than the best about others and the results are quite often disastrous. We see the same dynamic on display in today’s reading from Joshua. Remember, the tribes have been fighting side by side for some time now. They have bled together for the same cause on the same field against common enemies. One would think they would have built up a ton of trust by this point and yet it so easily breaks down. “Then the Israelites heard (about the altar) and said, “Look, the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh have built an altar on the frontier of the land of Canaan at the region of the Jordan, on the Israelite side.” When the Israelites heard this, the entire Israelite community assembled at Shiloh to go to war against them.” (Joshua‬ ‭22‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and a disaster was prevented but how many times have we seen this happen in our own lives? How many times do people tell themselves only part of the story and therefore make decisions on incomplete information? How many times do we believe the worst about those around us rather than assume the best? How many times do we rush to judgment rather than waiting to get all the information? This is a huge problem in our world today and in the church today. It’s why I love Proverbs 18:17 so much. “The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.” (Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭17‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Imagine what might change if we would simply put this verse into regular practice?

Last evening, I had dinner with some dear friends. They work for a global ministry with a strong track record of success. They themselves have served this organization for decades and have produced an incredible amount of gospel fruit over that time. They’ve built up a network of supporters over the years and do a great job of staying in regular communication with them. They are accessible. They are available. They are easy to talk to and ask questions if there are ever any concerns. However, the global ministry they work for launched an initiative that generated a great deal of controversy. Though they quickly pivoted and shuttered the ministry, the fallout was significant. My friends shared with me that they lost some supporters who had been with them for years. Many of these folks didn’t reach out to get my friends’ side of the story but simply dropped them. I see this all the time and the negative impact on the Kingdom is huge.

In the case cited above, a strong leader named Phineas intervened to save the day. He stepped in to make sure the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh got the chance to tell their side of the story. As a result, the very altar that was the source of the conflict became a physical witness to their unity. “So the Reubenites and Gadites named the altar: It is a witness between us that the Lord is God.” (Joshua‬ ‭22‬:‭34‬ ‭CSB‬‬) What about you? How can you lead in such a way that everyone gets a chance to present their side of the story? It could be in your marriage or family, among your friends or neighbors, at work with colleagues or fellow students at your school. How can you make sure we avoid the dangers of false assumptions today?

Readings for tomorrow: Judges 1-3, Psalms 70 (No devotionals on Sundays)

Fear of the Lord

Readings for today: Joshua 9-12, Psalms 67

“Your servants have come from a faraway land because of the reputation of the Lord your God. For we have heard of his fame, and all that he did in Egypt, and all that he did to the two Amorite kings beyond the Jordan — King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan, who was in Ashtaroth. So our elders and all the inhabitants of our land told us, ‘Take provisions with you for the journey; go and meet them and say, “We are your servants. Please make a treaty with us.” (Joshua‬ ‭9‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The fear of the Lord is a real thing. It was real in ancient Israel. The inhabitants of the Promised Land heard about what God had done for His people in Egypt. The plagues. The parting of the Red Sea. The destruction of the Egyptian army. News traveled fast. The city of Jericho trembled when they saw Israel across the Jordan River valley. The powerful Canaanite tribes banded together to try to destroy Israel before she could gain a foothold. Even major city-states like Gibeon which was full of mighty warriors sued for peace. The Book of Joshua is the story of Israel’s conquest. It catalogues all the major battles that took place. It lists all the major cities that were taken. And it names all the kings who fell before them. It also begs the question…how could the same God of the New Testament, the same God of love, be the same God who directs His people into battle?

God is a God of justice and mercy. He is a God of judgment and compassion. He is a God of righteousness and holiness as well as love and grace. We fear the Lord because we know He will by no means clear the guilty. He will judge the wicked for their deeds. The Canaanite tribes engaged in all kinds of evil. They sacrificed children to their pagan gods. They engaged in all kinds of sexual immorality. Their societies were full of injustice and oppression. They were tribes with a brutal reputation and God rightly judged them for their sins. Not only that but He sends His people as the instrument of such judgment.

Why does He not do the same today? He has. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The same God who destroyed the cities of Jericho and Ai and many others in righteous judgment is the same God who poured out His judgment on His only begotten Son on the cross. Jesus took the judgment we deserved. He was put under the same holy ban that the Canaanites suffered. And this is why we should fear the Lord even more. Not because we’re scared or terrified but because we are in awe of what He has done for us in taking our place. God endured what we could not so that we could enjoy what we could never earn…His amazing grace and love.

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 13-21, Psalms 68

Taking Sides

Readings for today: Joshua 5-8, Psalms 66

“When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua approached him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied. “I have now come as commander of the Lord’s army.” Then Joshua bowed with his face to the ground in homage and asked him, “What does my Lord want to say to his servant?” (Joshua‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Whose side is God on? A college football team wins the national championship. Music is playing. Students rush the field. Confetti flies. A reporter catches up with the star of the game and asks, “How’d you do it?” “God was with us…” he replies. Truth? Does God really pick sides in football games?

Whose side is God on? A piece of legislation is proposed. A scandal hits the administration. The next election is on the line. Both political parties claim the sanction of God. Both claim to better represent His will. Both claim the moral high ground and argue their platform is more pleasing to God. After the results are in, the winner basks in the glory of victory often proclaiming, “God was with us tonight!” Truth? Does God take sides in our morally bankrupt political system? Does He go with the lesser of two evils?

Whose side is God on? Harsh words are said. Feelings get hurt. A relationship fractures. Friends rush to either side for support. Quick to justify the actions of the one they care about. Quick to dismiss the one who has hurt their friend and loved one. Surely God is on our side, right? Surely He has seen the hurt we’ve experienced? Truth? Does God bless our brokenness and take sides in a divorce? Or a falling out between friends?

Whose side is God on? Joshua was standing out by Jericho. Scouting the opposition. Looking up at those formidable walls. Wondering how he’s going to win a victory. Suddenly, an angel appears. Not a baby wearing diapers playing a harp. Not some precious moments cherub with the rosy cheeks. A terrifyingly powerful being wearing armor and carrying a monstrous sword. “Whose side are you on?” Joshua asks. It’s the most natural question in the world. Are you for us or against us? If you’re for us, we’ll easily win the victory. If you’re against us, we will clearly suffer defeat. But the angel hasn’t come to “take sides.” This isn’t about God blessing the work of Joshua’s hands. This is about Joshua and Israel taking the Lord’s side. Joshua falls down in worship. He humbles Himself before the angel. He submits himself to the Lord. Now he’s ready to take the city.

We spend so much time wondering whose side God is on when the reality is we should be trying to figure out how to get on His side. We talk about “being on the wrong side of history.” We fear being on the losing side of an argument or a game or an election. We struggle when we see relationships around us break up and we try to figure out who’s wrong so we can cast blame. The reality is we are always wrong. Only God is right. Only God is faithful. Only God is true. Our cause is never pure. Never truly just. Never holy. Rather than spend so much time trying to figure out how we can get God on our side, we should be spending that time in prayer and meditation on God’s Word so we can get on His side.

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 9-12, Psalms 67

Sing Your Song

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 32-34, Psalms 64

As we finish the Book of Deuteronomy, we need to pause for a moment and reflect on the life of Moses. Miraculously saved at birth. Raised in the palace of Pharaoh. Exiled for murder. Bedouin shepherd. Husband. Father. Called late in life to save Israel. Prophet. Miracle-worker. Deliverer. Spiritual and political leader of a nation of wandering ex-slaves. His life, especially the last third, was marked uniquely by his close relationship with God. Now we are at the end. Now the people stand on the borders of the Promised Land. Now he’s on a mountain looking over at the fulfillment of all God has promised. Now is his last chance to share with his people all he has learned in his 120 years of walking with the Lord. 

So Moses sings them a song...

“Pay attention, heavens, and I will speak; listen, earth, to the words from my mouth. Let my teaching fall like rain and my word settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass and showers on tender plants. For I will proclaim the Lord’s name. Declare the greatness of our God! The Rock  — his work is perfect; all his ways are just. A faithful God, without bias, he is righteous and true.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭32‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭CSB‬‬) For Moses, everything begins with God. God’s faithfulness. God’s steadfast love. God’s enduring grace. Without God, he is nothing. Without God, the people of Israel are nothing. Without God, they would still be slaves in Egypt. If God had abandoned them, they would have died in the wilderness. If Moses is going to sing about anything, it will be about the greatness of God.

“His people have acted corruptly toward him; this is their defect  — they are not his children but a devious and crooked generation. Is this how you repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Isn’t he your Father and Creator? Didn’t he make you and sustain you? Remember the days of old; consider the years of past generations. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will teach you.”(Deuteronomy‬ ‭32‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Moses also sings of the people he has served. He boldly reminds them of the truth. They are sinners. They are broken. They are rebellious. They despised God. They abandoned God. They doubted God. They disobeyed God. He sings, eyes wide open to the reality of their condition. He pulls no punches. He’s not interested in sentimentality. This is his last chance to speak and he’s not going to waste words on empty flattery. 

“But the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob, his own inheritance. He found him in a desolate land, in a barren, howling wilderness; he surrounded him, cared for him, and protected him as the pupil of his eye. He watches over his nest like an eagle and hovers over his young; he spreads his wings, catches him, and carries him on his feathers. The Lord alone led him, with no help from a foreign god. He made him ride on the heights of the land and eat the produce of the field. He nourished him with honey from the rock and oil from flinty rock, curds from the herd and milk from the flock, with the fat of lambs, rams from Bashan, and goats, with the choicest grains of wheat; you drank wine from the finest grapes.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭32‬:‭9‬-‭14‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Moses shifts his focus back to God. It was God who first called Jacob. Found him in the wilderness. Loved him. Nursed him. Cared for him. Taught him how to walk. Taught him how to live. Guided him along the way. Always protecting. Always providing. 

“Then Jeshurun became fat and rebelled — you became fat, bloated, and gorged. He abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation. They provoked his jealousy with different gods; they enraged him with detestable practices. They sacrificed to demons, not God, to gods they had not known, new gods that had just arrived, which your ancestors did not fear. You ignored the Rock who gave you birth; you forgot the God who gave birth to you.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭32‬:‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭CSB‬‬) What was the response of the people? Again, rebellion. As they grew strong and prosperous, they forgot God. They started going their own way. Doing their own thing. Forgetting God. Seeking to be their own gods. They repeated the sin of Adam and Eve. They fell for the original temptation of the evil one. They gave in, wanting to live like gods themselves. 

“When the Lord saw this, he despised them, angered by his sons and daughters. He said, “I will hide my face from them; I will see what will become of them, for they are a perverse generation — unfaithful children.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭32‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬) So God judged them. Disciplined them in his wrath. He sought to purify and sanctify them through suffering. Through exile. Through wandering. Through defeat. He was faithful to remind them they held no power of their own. They had no strength of their own. All they had achieved had come via the mercies of God. He would not allow their illusions and self-deceptions to stand. 

“The Lord will indeed vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants when he sees that their strength is gone and no one is left — slave or free. See now that I alone am he; there is no God but me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal. No one can rescue anyone from my power. I raise my hand to heaven and declare: As surely as I live forever, Rejoice, you nations, concerning his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants. He will take vengeance on his adversaries; he will purify his land and his people.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭32‬:‭36‬, ‭39‬-‭40‬, ‭43‬ ‭CSB)‬‬ It took God forty years to bring his people to their knees. But the long years of wandering were not in vain. Now they knew God. Now they saw God. Now they understood God. They submitted. They surrendered. They repented. And they were ready to enter the land He had promised. 

Friends, this isn’t just Moses’ story. It’s not just Israel’s story. It’s my story. It’s your story. And this begs a really important question...when the years grow short and your strength begins to fail and you’re surrounded by your family and those you love, what song will you sing? Will you sing of God and His great faithfulness? Will you sing of His mercies and kindness? Will you declare His glory and majesty? Will you make known His mighty works to the next generation? What song will you sing?

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 1-4, Psalms 65

The Blessing of Loving God

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 28-29, Psalms 62

Two things are required if you truly want to understand the Bible. First, you must read it as a cohesive whole. The sum is greater than the parts. It tells an integrated story that you cannot understand if you try to read one section apart from the others. Second, you must understand your self. You are not a blank slate. You introduce bias into the equation every time you open up the book to read. You are a product of your environment. Your worldview is shaped by your circumstances. As such, you have a filter that you run all that you are reading through and it can often lead to misunderstanding. 

Today’s reading is a classic example. If you try to read Deuteronomy 28 apart from the larger story God has been telling up to this point in time, you will completely miss the point. The point is not to obey God in order to gain the blessings. Our obedience is not a form of manipulation to get God to give us what we want. This is not a step by step process to health and wealth in this world. This is not a guarantee that life will always be easy or a way to avoid suffering. Unfortunately, far too many people read it that way. They flatten out the Scriptures. Dis-integrate this text from the larger context. Atomize the Bible into bits and pieces in order to support their own selfish desires. A lot of us in this group come to the text as Americans. We are raised on the premise that if one works hard, one can succeed. We define success in terms of money made, possessions acquired, health maintained, etc. We view suffering as the ultimate evil. Something to be avoided at all costs. So when we come to Deuteronomy 28, we see a text that naturally fits our worldview. It endorses the American Dream. It fits the American way of life like a glove. But then life happens. We experience failure. We get hurt. Our hearts get broken. We struggle through trials and temptation. And this leads us to doubt God. What happened to His promises? Why doesn’t He deliver? Is He not faithful? We would do better to examine our own false assumptions.

God is faithful. He has declared Himself to be good. He loves us with an everlasting love. His great desire, expressed in the first and greatest commandment, is that we would love Him in return. Love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. And if we make the love of God the great end of our lives, we will quite naturally follow His commands. We will find ourselves authentically seeking His ways. We will define our lives according to His terms. And the result will be blessing. Not in every single instance because that is not how life works but on balance, on the whole, we will find ourselves living in peace and contentment and the blessing of God. When a person who loves God in the way He deserves looks back over the course of their lives, they will see the life Deuteronomy 28 describes. Does that mean you will live in a large house? Drive a fancy car? Live off a flush 401k? Does it mean your marriage will never struggle? Your kids never suffer? Your relationships will never break? Of course not. In this world you will face trials. In this world you will suffer temptation. In this world you will experience brokenness. But those who love God with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength overcome the world. They see their trials in light of the eternal glory God is revealing in and through them. And it is more than enough. 

Friends, there is no greater freedom than living wholly and completely for God. There is no greater joy in this life or in this world than giving all you have to God. There is no greater peace than trusting God to meet every need according to His wisdom and the riches of His grace. There is no greater love than laying down our lives for the cause of Christ. All that you desire is within your grasp. All you need to do is deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus. The way to true fulfillment in this life is the way of total relinquishment.

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 30-31, Psalms 63 (No devotionals on Sunday)

Remember you were a slave…

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 24-27, Psalms 61

I have often wondered how much would change if every single Christian would simply remember who they once were. Dead in our sin. Lost and without hope. Living in the deepest darkness imaginable. Blind. Deaf. Our hearts hardened to the will of God. Enslaved by the enemy. We had nothing and yet God gave us everything. We were worthless and yet God declared us worthy. We were ugly and broken and yet God saw beauty and made us whole. We were rebellious and God showed us grace. We were resistant and God embraced us. We were at war with God and still He made peace. God delivered us. God rescued us. God showed mercy on us. God loved us when we were at our most unlovable. Imagine if we could began each day reminding ourselves how far we’ve come? How far God has brought us? Imagine if we would approach every conversation and every interaction and every relationship with godly humility, knowing each moment we’ve been given in this life is far more than we deserve? Wouldn’t that change things? Now multiply that by the number of Christians around the world. Almost three billion by last count. Don’t you think it would have a global impact?

This is why I love reading through these sections of Deuteronomy. Though the laws are often confusing to me as a 21st century Christian, the rationale behind them is not. “Remember that you were a slave in Egypt…” Remember your hopeless and helpless condition. Remember how poor and powerless you once were before I saved you. Let your memory of those days humble you as you enter the Promised Land. Let it stir in your heart a deep compassion for those who are less fortunate. The widow. The orphan. The poor. The foreigner. May you treat them with the same grace and mercy with which I treated you. May you love them the way I loved you. May you provide for them just as I have provided for you. It’s why Moses challenges the people of God to rehearse their “origin story” over and over again…“You are to respond by saying in the presence of the Lord your God: My father was a wandering Aramean. He went down to Egypt with a few people and resided there as an alien. There he became a great, powerful, and populous nation. But the Egyptians mistreated and oppressed us, and forced us to do hard labor. So we called out to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, and the Lord heard our cry and saw our misery, hardship, and oppression. Then the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, with terrifying power, and with signs and wonders. He led us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. I have now brought the first of the land’s produce that you, Lord, have given me.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭26‬:‭5‬-‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

What’s your origin story? How did you first come to saving faith? Have you ever taken time to step back and reflect on all the blessings God has given you in your life that you had nothing to do with? Did nothing to earn? Where you were born? The opportunities that came your way? The resources you had access to? Do you remember when you first became aware of God’s saving grace? First embraced His unconditional love? Do you understand the depths of your “lostness” without Jesus Christ? Do you see your sin as serious enough to put Him on a cross? Only as we come to grips with the utter poverty of our sinful condition can we appreciate the glory and joy and delight in all God has done for us. And as we experience all the blessings of God’s presence in our lives, we are then called to extend that same blessing out to others.

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 28-29, Psalms 62

Cultural Distance and Difference

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 21-23, Psalms 60

It’s hard to read the chapters assigned for today. They typically elicit confusion, frustration, and even anger at the way women and rebellious children are treated not to mention the laws governing sexuality. This is where the cultural distance between us and the ancient Israelites becomes most obvious. We don’t have the same frame of understanding as they did in their day and so struggle to understand why God would allow such laws to exist. Furthermore, we have significant issues with some of these laws, considering them unjust to the core. So why does God command Israel to follow them? What’s He after here?

The dominant cultural paradigm in the ancient near east - as well as the modern Middle East - is honor/shame. What this means is that the primary purpose of the law is not to determine innocence or guilt but to protect the honor of the family/clan/community/nation. This is why there is a premium placed on ritual purity because the greatest honor for a nation would be for their god to come and dwell with them. This is why we read the phrase, “you must purge the evil/guilt from your midst” over and over again. God wants to dwell with His people. God wants to walk with them as He once did with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. God wants an unbroken relationship with them which means they must pay particular attention to maintaining standards of cleanliness. “For the Lord your God walks throughout your camp to protect you and deliver your enemies to you; so your encampments must be holy. He must not see anything indecent among you or he will turn away from you.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭23‬:‭14‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Why would God turn away? He turns away from the shame of our sin. The shame of our indecency. The shame of our behavior. All the laws listed in these chapters have to do in some way with honor and shame with the hope that Israel will hear and obey and thereby create an environment where God Himself can be present. By the way, the honor/shame dynamic is still very much a reality to this day in Israel and throughout the Middle East.

So what can we learn from these chapters? What’s our takeaway? Especially since we live in a culture far removed and far different? The dominant cultural paradigm in the United States is innocence/guilt. The primary purpose of our laws is to determine who is guilty and who goes free. We are far more concerned with right or wrong than we are with ritual purity. And we seemingly have no desire to “purge the evil from our midst” as long as it doesn’t “hurt anyone.” Our goal is not to have God walk with us or dwell with us, we’re doing just fine on our own. We actually prefer Him to keep His distance if we’re honest. Despite our sin, God still pursues us. He wants to have a relationship with us. And that’s why He sent His only begotten Son to “hang on a tree” and become the “curse” for us. “If anyone is found guilty of an offense deserving the death penalty and is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, you are not to leave his corpse on the tree overnight but are to bury him that day, for anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭21‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭CSB‬‬) On the cross, Jesus took our shame and gave us His honor. He took on our guilt and declared us innocent. He became sin - who knew no sin - that we might become the righteousness of God.

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 24-27, Psalms 61

What is God doing about Poverty?

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 15-16, Psalms 58

What is God doing about poverty? I get that question all the time. I get it here at home when people serve at the Denver Rescue Mission or with Open Door Ministries in downtown Denver. I get it overseas when people see the starvation and life-threatening poverty so many in our world are living in. Without a doubt, poverty is a very real issue in our world today. Despite major advances in the global war on poverty - and the progress has been miraculous when one considers the over 1 billion people who have been lifted out of extreme poverty since 1990 - the struggle remains. Furthermore, this issue is complicated by how we define “poverty.” There are some objective measures defined by the World Bank and others. Extreme poverty is defined as living on less than $1.90/day. Moderate poverty is less than $3.10/day. But then there is this idea of “relative poverty” which measures the economic distance of an individual from a certain percentage of the median household income in a particular community. Our response to the problem of poverty will depend to some extent on which definition we are working from and this, in turn, will shape how we understand our reading from the Bible today. 

In my travels around the world, I have personally witnessed extreme, life-threatening poverty. I have seen what this form of poverty does to a person. Physical bodies waste away from hunger. Lifeless eyes stare into the distance. Mothers beg me to take their newborn children. Men and women get high on khat to try to find some kind of escape. I have seen the effects of extreme drought and famine. I have seen what happens when crops fail or the rains don’t come. I have seen the graves of those who’ve perished in the violence that often ensues when resources become scarce. And though I acknowledge the truth of Jesus’ words, “you will always have the poor with you”, it doesn’t mean I like it or accept it. So what is God doing about poverty?

Thankfully, we know God cares deeply for the poor. We see His tender love and care on display in our readings from today. “There will be no poor among you, however, because the Lord is certain to bless you in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance  —  if only you obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow every one of these commands I am giving you today. When the Lord your God blesses you as he has promised you, you will lend to many nations but not borrow; you will rule many nations, but they will not rule you.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭CSB‬‬) The plain meaning of the text seems clear. If God’s people will obey God’s voice, contribute their tithes and offerings as commanded by the Law, and give generously to the foreigner, orphan and widow in their midst then the problem of “absolute poverty” disappears. However, it will be a continual process. A continual test the Lord will put before them according to Deuteronomy 15:11 (CSB), “For there will never cease to be poor people in the land; that is why I am commanding you, ‘Open your hand willingly to your poor and needy brother in your land.” Each generation will have the opportunity to “be their brother’s or sister’s keeper” and provide the less fortunate in their midst.

Human society is unequal by definition. People are not all given the same gifts and talents. People are not all given the same opportunities. People are not given the same resources. Furthermore, there are forces beyond our control that make a huge impact on our economy. Natural disasters. Wars. Death. Disease. Famine. Drought. Availability of natural resources. All exact a toll. Throw in the fact that some human beings simply work harder and smarter than others and the gap between rich and poor only seems to grow. 

God recognizes this very “human” trend which is why He demands generosity from His people. We who are blessed must in turn bless others. For our blessing did not come from ourselves but from God. He commands Israel to always remember their time as slaves in Egypt. To remain humble and compassionate towards those who have experienced economic hardship and therefore sold themselves into slavery to pay off their debts. When the Sabbatical Year comes (every seven years), they are to release their slaves, forgive their debts, and help them get started in their new life. “If your fellow Hebrew, a man or woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, you must set him free in the seventh year. When you set him free, do not send him away empty-handed. Give generously to him from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You are to give him whatever the Lord your God has blessed you with. Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you; that is why I am giving you this command today.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭15‬:‭12‬-‭15‬ ‭CSB‬‬) The Sabbatical Year serves almost as an economic “reset” as the wealth of the nation - which God has provided - is redistributed in a way that closes the gap between rich and poor. This effectively addresses the “relative poverty” of the country and provides hope and opportunity for those who wouldn’t otherwise have it. 

It’s an open question how often Israel actually kept the Sabbatical Year or what practical application it could have in today’s global economy. But the principle remains. If we live our lives with the understanding that all we have has been given to us by God. All our wealth. All our talent. All our opportunities. Then it becomes a lot easier to live generously. To provide for others. To sacrifice our own lifestyles so that we might relieve the burden of poverty for those around us, whether they live next door or on the other side of the globe. 

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 17-20, Psalms 59

Tithing

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 13-14, Psalms 57

When I first became a Christian, I was taught to give a tithe to the Lord. One tenth of all I made belonged to Him. Give it to the church. Give it to different ministries. Support missionaries. It didn’t matter so much who you gave it to as long as it furthered God’s Kingdom causes. My wife and I have never wavered in our commitment to give at least ten percent of our income to the Lord but when you read the Old Testament, you find out really quickly that “tithing” involves more than simply giving ten percent away.

Yes, the ancient Israelites were commanded to give ten percent to the priests each year. Since the priests were dedicated to the service of God, they needed the proceeds from the annual tithe to live on. However, it is clear from our reading today that the Lord commanded the Israelites to set aside a second tithe. This second tithe provided the food and drink for them to eat when they traveled to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. If they were close to Jerusalem, they would bring their food with them. If they were far from Jerusalem, they would convert it to cash and buy what they needed when they arrived. Then the Lord commands a third tithe. This one was to be given every three years and it was for the poor, the fatherless, and the widow. In other words, this was the welfare system of ancient Israel. So if you do the math, the practice of “tithing” actually ends up being 23% a year!

So what principles should guide the Christian as they give? After all, priests and pastors make salaries. We don’t have to leave our work in order to travel multiple times a year for annual festivals in Jerusalem. And our government provides a social safety net to take care of the poor in our midst. Does this mean we are off the hook? Not at all. Over and above the required tithes, the ancient Israelites also brought “freewill offerings” to the Lord. They would give above and beyond their ancient taxation system in order to further God’s work in the world. And the New Testament calls us to do the same. The Apostle Paul - raised in the ancient taxation system of ancient Israel as a former Pharisee - writes these words to the Corinthian church, “The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver…You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬-‭7‬, ‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Essentially he’s talking about the principles guiding freewill offerings.

Frankly, I think the tithe is too low a standard. If the ancient Israelites - who were largely poor, agrarian farmers - gave generously above and beyond the required tithes, should not we - who live in one of the wealthiest nations in human history - do the same? It’s why my wife and I have committed to growing our giving with each passing year. And here’s what we’ve learned. The more we give, the more God entrusts into our hands. We simply cannot outgive God! He enriches us in every way so we can be even more generous. It’s truly amazing and one of the most concrete ways we experience His miracles on a regular basis.

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 15-16, Psalms 58

God’s Treasured Possession

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 7-9, Psalms 55

One of the things I love most about God is His great faithfulness. God always delivers on His promises. God always keeps His Word. God will never abandon His people. Deuteronomy is Moses’ last sermon to Israel. He has led these people for decades. They’ve seen incredible miracles. They’ve experienced hardship and suffering. Now they stand on the cusp of the Promised Land. They can look over the Jordan River and see the land God has given them. But they also know the land isn’t empty. There are rival nations already living there. Pagan tribes who engage in all kinds of detestable worship practices. Driving them out will not be easy. It will require a long season of sustained warfare that will test their faith in God. 

So Moses reminds them of all God has done. Reminds them of why they were chosen in the first place. I love his words. “For you are a holy people belonging to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be his own possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth. “The Lord had his heart set on you and chose you, not because you were more numerous than all peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors, he brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from the place of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps his gracious covenant loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love him and keep his commands.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭7‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬) God tends to stand on the side of the weak. The oppressed. The enslaved. He takes the side of the poor, the outcast, the sinner. He did not choose Egypt or Assyria or Babylon or any of the other far more powerful Ancient Near East empires. He chose Israel. He was faithful to the oath He swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He refused to abandon His people to a life of slavery and death. 

God is faithful. He keeps the covenant. He is steadfast in His love. He is the guarantor of our relationship. Why can we count on God? Why can we trust God? Why can we believe God? Because He is faithful. To Himself. Faithful to His own character and nature. God never changes. He is who He says He is. That is why His name is “I am who I am.” Friends, no matter where life finds you today, God is faithful. He is with you. He will never leave you or forsake you for He is faithful.  

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 10-12, Psalms 56 (No devotionals on Sundays)

The Purpose of the Law

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 4-6, Psalms 54

Why does God give His people the Old Testament law? For centuries, people assumed it was a kind of roadmap to salvation. Follow the rules. Earn God’s favor. Become righteous through your works. God will let you into heaven. I know that’s a fairly simplistic reading but it largely holds true especially for those in the Protestant branch of the church. Martin Luther, as he processed his own existential angst, projected onto the biblical text his own flawed perspective of the Jewish understanding of the law and it tragically stuck. Thankfully, in the 1970’s, a New Testament scholar by the name of E.P. Sanders finally took the Jewish identity of Jesus and the rest of the apostles seriously. He grounded them in their Jewish context and challenged the traditional interpretation of “Jewish legalism” and instead coined a new term to describe the relationship of God’s people with God’s law. The term was “covenantal nomism” and it is the argument that the first century Jews didn’t believe in “works righteousness” rather they understood their obedience to the law flowed from a prior covenantal relationship initiated and established by God. In this way, it is very similar to how we understand the nature of grace and law in Christianity.

Covenantal nomism revolutionized New Testament scholarship because once you understand it, you see it all over the place. Consider these words from our reading today. “Carefully follow (the law), for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the peoples. When they hear about all these statutes, they will say, ‘This great nation is indeed a wise and understanding people.’ For what great nation is there that has a god near to it as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call to him? And what great nation has righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬) The emphasis here is not on following the law to earn God’s love and favor but on following the law to show the world the people of Israel already enjoy God’s love and favor. Moses continues, “But the Lord selected you and brought you out of Egypt’s iron furnace to be a people for his inheritance, as you are today…He will not leave you, destroy you, or forget the covenant with your ancestors that he swore to them by oath, because the Lord your God is a compassionate God…You were shown these things so that you would know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides him. He let you hear his voice from heaven to instruct you. He showed you his great fire on earth, and you heard his words from the fire. Because he loved your ancestors, he chose their descendants after them and brought you out of Egypt by his presence and great power, to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you in and give you their land as an inheritance, as is now taking place.” (‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭4‬:‭20‬, ‭31‬, ‭35‬-‭38‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Over and over again, he is emphasizing the covenantal relationship God has established with His people as the inspiration and motivation for their obedience.

God’s love and grace and mercy always precede the law. Relationship always takes precedence over rules. Even the Ten Commandments begin with the statement, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬ ‭CSB‬‬) We obey because we are loved, we don’t obey in order to be loved. We obey because we’ve received God’s grace, we don’t obey because we need to earn God’s grace. We obey because God has shown us mercy, we don’t obey in order to gain God’s mercy. Our obedience is simply the outward, tangible, concrete sign our hearts have been transformed by saving faith through our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 7-9, Psalms 55

Generational Handoff

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 1-3, Psalms 53

One of the real challenges for every generation is to hand off leadership. It’s hard to give up power, influence, and control. It’s hard to come to grips with failing strength and mental decline. It’s hard to face our own mortality so we tend to hold on as long as we can. We see it in politics where leaders remain in office as long as possible, sometimes even until they die. We see it in business as founders of companies struggle to let go and let someone else take their place. We see it in the church as pastors can’t seem to give up the pulpit. The examples across every sector of society are legion right now. So many of us struggle to follow the model John the Baptist set for us in John 3:30, “He must increase, so I must decrease.”

If it’s any consolation, Moses struggled with this issue as well. Over and over again, he pleaded with God to let him lead the people into the Promised Land. Finally, God got angry with Moses and told him to not speak about it again and instead hand his leadership over to Joshua, one of the two faithful spies who had given a good report when first sent into the land. “The Lord said to me, ‘That’s enough! Do not speak to me again about this matter. Go to the top of Pisgah and look to the west, north, south, and east, and see it with your own eyes, for you will not cross the Jordan. But commission Joshua and encourage and strengthen him, for he will cross over ahead of the people and enable them to inherit this land that you will see.’” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭3‬:‭26-‭28‬ ‭CSB‬‬) If Moses, the most humble man to ever live according to the Bible, struggled to let go, is it any wonder we do as well?

Raising up the next generation of leaders for God’s people is essential to any healthy organization but especially the church. As has been said, the church is always one generation away from extinction. Pouring into those who are coming behind us is critical if the church is going to continue to fulfill her mission. As believers in Jesus Christ, we must take seriously the call to set future generations up for success. How do we do that? Through intentional mentoring and discipleship. Older believers taking the time and making the time for younger believers. Younger believers humbly seeking the wisdom of their elders. Each generation seeking to lift up and learn from the other. It’s not easy. All of us are busy. All of us are running hard. All of us have other things we’d perhaps rather do. But is there any greater investment we can make? Think of the ripple effect we can have if we will take the time to come alongside those who are younger than us and help them learn from our experience. Think of the impact we can make on marriages and families as we pour ourselves out for those who are coming behind us. Think of the energy and excitement we will feel as we watch them rise up and take their place. Think of the joy we will have as we see them achieve great success. This is the same joy John the Baptist felt when He saw Jesus coming after him. It’s the same joy Moses felt when he raised up Joshua to take his place. Friends, this is the joy God wants us to experience as well.

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 4-6, Psalms 54