A Prophet’s Call

Readings for today: Isaiah 5-8, Psalms 110

There are many today that claim the title “Prophet.” They claim to hear messages from the Lord. They claim to have special revelations from God. They speak in all kinds of riddles. They string together all sorts of meaningless phrases. They pluck verses out of context from the Bible to predict the future. I see them all over YouTube. I see them all over social media. Many that I know and love have been taken in by them. They are grifters. They are con men and women. They use the Bible to exploit the vulnerable and weak and helpless. I believe God will judge them harshly when He comes again. How do I know? Because their supposed “prophecies” never come true. They always fail. And the Biblical test of any prophet is whether or not what they have to say actually comes to pass. If it doesn’t and they prove false, the command is clear. Execute them. Stone them to death for claiming to speak for God.

Biblically speaking, prophecy has more to do with “truth-telling” than “future-telling” though I readily admit it can be both. Prophets in the Old Testament were called to speak truth to power and confront the leaders of God’s people in an effort to turn them away from sin and back to God. It was a challenging call. It often put their lives at risk. They sacrificed much for the call. They were more often than not, discouraged and depressed by the lack of response to their message. Listen to how Isaiah describes his own call, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking: Who will I send? Who will go for us? I said: Here I am. Send me. And he replied: Go! Say to these people: Keep listening, but do not understand; keep looking, but do not perceive. Make the minds of these people dull; deafen their ears and blind their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their minds, turn back, and be healed. Then I said, “Until when, Lord?” And he replied: Until cities lie in ruins without inhabitants, houses are without people, the land is ruined and desolate, and the Lord drives the people far away, leaving great emptiness in the land. Though a tenth will remain in the land, it will be burned again. Like the terebinth or the oak that leaves a stump when felled, the holy seed is the stump.” (Isaiah 6:8-13 CSB)

Woof. Thanks but no thanks. Speak to a people who will not listen? Go to a people who are blind? Preach to those whose hearts are actively being hardened by God against your message? Until their cities lie in ruins and the people are in exile and death and destruction reign in the land? That’s the call? Are you serious, God? And yet, Isaiah obeys. He does exactly what God calls him to do. And God uses him to preach powerful messages of repentance to His people.

I don’t know about you but I believe we are living in a time similar to that of the ancient prophets. The church in North America, once so vibrant and full of life, has fallen on hard times. She seems more concerned with herself than with the mission God has entrusted to her. She seems more consumed with her own comfort than in sacrificing for the Lord. She seems more focused on building up herself rather than building up the Kingdom. What we need now are prophets who will speak God’s truth no matter the cost. Prophets who will challenge God’s people to push beyond personal preferences, move outside their comfort zones, and offer all they have in service to God. God won’t accept anything less. Nor should we. When I read Isaiah, I find myself deeply convicted. I find myself falling on my knees before the Lord and asking Him to show me how I can give more, serve more, offer more of myself back to Him. I know whatever I ask of God’s people must begin in my own heart. So this is my prayer.

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 9-12, Psalms 111

The Will of God

Readings for today: Isaiah 1-4, Psalms 109

What is the will of God for my life? It’s a question I field all the time. I hear it from young and old alike. New believers and mature believers have it in common. We all want to know what God wants from us. Typically, when we ask the question, we want to know something specific. What is God’s will for my family? What is God’s will for my future vocation? What is God’s will as I hit my golden years? What is God’s will with the years I have left? Who should I marry? How many kids should I have? These are the kinds of questions we often associate with “God’s will.” But what if God’s will were bigger and grander than we have ever imagined? What if God’s will had less to do with the actual events of our lives and more to do with the kind of people we become? (Let me hasten to add, I believe His will involves both.) That’s what Isaiah the prophet was wrestling with in the first chapter of his book.

“Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from my sight. Stop doing evil. Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause…Zion will be redeemed by justice, those who repent, by righteousness.” (Isaiah 1:16-17, 27 CSB)

The people of God were engaged in all the “right” activities. They were bringing all the “right” sacrifices and worshipping at all the “right” seasons. But they were just going through the motions. Their hearts were not in it. They were too busy chasing their own desires and following their own dreams. The reign of King Uzziah was one of great wealth and power and prestige. It was a golden age of sorts. And yet the seeds of Judah’s destruction were already being sown. The people had abandoned their God. They tolerated injustice. Their leaders were corrupt. As a result, God brought judgment upon them. Warfare. Violence. Suffering. Pain. God exposed them to the consequences of their sin with the hope they would return to Him. “Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep on rebelling? The whole head is hurt, and the whole heart is sick. From the sole of the foot even to the head, no spot is uninjured  — wounds, welts, and festering sores not cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil.” (Isaiah 1:5-6 CSB)

And what would a return to God look like? It would look like repentance. Confession of sin. Turning from wickedness. Learning to do what was good. Pursuing justice and righteousness. Defending the defenseless. Rising up against the oppressor. In short, it was about seeking God first in their lives and aligning their hearts with His will. Nothing has changed over the centuries. God’s will remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. He has clearly revealed in His Word what He wants for our lives. He wants us to live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. He wants us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. He wants us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves. As we do these things, He promises to bring blessing to us and through us to the world.

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 5-8, Psalms 110

Past the Point of No Return

Readings for today: 2 Kings 23-25, Psalms 108

Eventually we run out of chances. Eventually we do reach the point of no return. Eventually the bill for our sin does come due. I think of the addicts I’ve known and counseled over the years who relapse and relapse and relapse. Eventually their families do run out of patience. Eventually their broken promises to change ring hollow. Eventually they have to face the consequences of their decisions. I remember one young man who was in his thirties. His family had supported him for years despite constant deceit and manipulation. His mother reached her breaking point which is when she came into my office for help. I suggested finally and completely cutting him off financially. It was the toughest decision she had ever had to make but it was the right one. I think of the many people I know who pursue all kinds of unhealthy habits. They refuse to exercise. They don’t eat well. They don’t get enough sleep. Eventually, their bodies break down. Their mental health suffers. And sometimes the damage is permanent. These are just a few examples I could cite that illustrate what happens when we refuse to walk in the way of the Lord.

Now expand this idea to a macro level. Consider the nation of Judah. For decades they have been led by evil kings who lead them into all kinds of idolatry and sin. It piles up year after year. And though God sends them prophets and preachers to call them back to faithfulness, they ignore His Word and, in some cases, kill the very messengers God has sent. Eventually they run out of chances. Eventually things reach the point of no return. Eventually the bill for their collective, national sin comes due. Even the radical reforms of Josiah are not enough to stem the tide of God’s righteous judgment. The people of God will now have to experience the consequences of their decisions over the years. Warfare. Destruction. Exile. It’s heartbreaking and painful to read.

Now think about your own life. Think about our life together as a nation. Think about the communities you live in or the family systems you are part of. Think about the sins - both individually and collectively - that we are currently engaged in. Do we think we are immune to the consequences? Do we think we will somehow escape God’s judgment? Do we think we can continue living a life of rebellion before the Lord without reaching a point of no return? Friends, God will not be mocked. He loves us too much to let us persist in sin. The Scriptures say He disciplines those He loves in an effort to bring them to repentance. Make the time today to take stock and take whatever steps are necessary to turn from your sin and embrace Christ.

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 1-4, Psalms 109

What Drives You?

Readings for today: 2 Kings 20-22, Psalms 107

I’ve often wondered what drives the kings of Israel and Judah. What drives some like Hezekiah and Josiah to be faithful to the Lord and what drives others like Manasseh and Amon to be unfaithful? What drives some to tear down the high places and what drives some to rebuild them? What drives some to love and serve Yahweh with all their heart and what drives others to chase after other gods? Frankly, we probably will never know but at the same time, human beings are human beings. We are creatures driven by desire who react in all sorts of ways to the feelings our circumstances engender.

In our reading today, it’s clear the kingdom of Judah is surrounded by enemies. The nations surrounding them are ascending while they are descending. They are slowly but surely encroaching on their borders. Picking off one town after the next. Even invading as we saw with the Assyrians. This creates all kinds of political and social pressure to which the kings must respond. I imagine that’s at least one factor in why some kings responded with faith and others with fear. There was no such thing as separation of church in state in the ancient near east. Kings and emperors, tribes and nations, all believed their gods were intimately involved in their daily lives. When the nation experienced blessing, it must mean their god was pleased and exercising his power on their behalf. When the nation was struggling, it must mean their god was angry and withholding his power from them. Not only that but when nations came into conflict, the battle wasn’t just waged on earth. The gods clashed in the heavens as well. This is why Sennacherib boasted about defeating the gods and not just the nations. Israel, however, was different or at least they were supposed to be. They knew Yahweh was Lord of heaven and earth and had no rival among the gods. The nations around them worshipped empty idols so when those same pagan nations defeated them, it wasn’t because Yahweh was weak or defeated, it was because they had sinned. Typically their sin involved treating Yahweh as if he were just another pagan god. This is what “doing evil in the sight of the Lord” was all about.

You and I are often tempted to treat God the same way. Every time we try to bargain with Him or make some kind of deal with Him. Every time we try to be “good enough” to earn His blessing and favor. Every time we treat Him like a first responder, only to be called upon in case of emergency. We are treating Him like a pagan god. God wants to be involved in every moment of every day. God wants to be part of your day to day life. God wants a relationship with you. He wants you to trust Him. Believe in Him. Submit to Him because He knows what’s best for you. So what drives you? Is it faith or fear? Is it belief or doubt? Is it trust or anxiety? And how do you respond to the ever-changing circumstances of your life? Do you respond like Hezekiah and Josiah or do you respond like Manasseh and Amon? Place your trust in the Lord. The Maker of heaven and earth. The One who holds all authority in heaven and on earth in His hands.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 23-25, Psalms 108

Trust

Readings for today: 2 Kings 18-19, Psalms 106

Trust is the most important currency when it comes to leadership. If one trusts a leader, one will be willing to do just about anything for them. If one doesn’t trust a leader, they will do as little as possible. It’s been said that organizations move at the speed of trust. Families depend on trust. Friendships are built on trust. Trust is everything.

One of the most striking parts of the story we read today is the trust God’s people have in King Hezekiah. The Assyrians were one of the most fearsome and brutal empires of the ancient world. Sennacherib was one of their greatest kings. Assyria had already wiped out the northern kingdom of Israel. They had taken the people into exile, scattering them in different places so they would never rise up in rebellion. This was Assyria’s standard operating procedure. Now it was the southern kingdom’s turn to feel their wrath and come under their control. They brought a massive army to the gates of Jerusalem and laid siege to the city. There was no hope of fighting back. No chance of escape. The sight must have been completely demoralizing. To add insult to injury, Sennacherib sends his envoy to the city to call for their surrender. He cites the litany of victories his king has won. He talks about all the so-called gods who have fallen before them. He even claims divine sanction for his mission of violence. The whole point of this exercise is to shake the faith of the people in Hezekiah. But the people refuse to respond. Their trust in Hezekiah is absolute and well-founded. Hezekiah turns to God for help and the Assyrians are destroyed.

It’s an incredible testimony to the power of trust. Trust in God. Trust in godly leadership. Trust in one another. And such trust doesn’t rise in a vacuum. It was built on years of faithful leadership from their king. Hezekiah turned the hearts of his people back to God. He tore down the high places. He destroyed all the idols. He prospered in all sorts of ways because he trusted God. And because Hezekiah trusted God, his people trusted him. They believed in him. They followed him. Even in the face of insurmountable odds, they never lost their faith in Hezekiah’s leadership.

Now consider your own life. All of us lead in all sorts of ways in all kinds of situation. We lead in our families. We lead in our places of work. We lead in our churches. We are all given influence on some level. We are all given a certain amount of authority. What do we with it? Do we seek to build trust among those we lead by serving them? By doing all we can to make them successful and set them free? Or do we cling to our power and influence in order to control others? When we are able to trust one another, God can do great things in and through us. When trust is lost, life becomes a struggle. Where do you find yourself today?

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 20-22, Psalms 107

Sins of our fathers

Readings for today: 2 Kings 12-14, Psalms 104

“Those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it.” As someone formally trained in history, I have seen this pattern quite a bit. It’s amazing how much history tends to repeat itself. I’ve also seen this as a pastor in the lives of those I serve. People who struggle to acknowledge the issues from their families of origin often find those same issues impacting them as well. No matter whether we are talking about history on a macro or micro level, there is a great truth to the idea that we tend to repeat the mistakes of our past. We tend to repeat the failures of our past. We tend to repeat the sins of our past.

This was definitely true for the nation of Israel. When God tore the kingdom in two in judgment, He gave Jeroboam the larger part. But Jeroboam struggled to trust God. He was fearful he would lose the people’s allegiance if they returned to Jerusalem on a regular basis and worshipped at God’s Temple. It makes sense from a human perspective. Solomon had built the Temple. It represented a golden age in Israel’s history when the line of David rested securely on the throne of a united kingdom. So Jeroboam set up his own temple system with his own priests and shrines and idols. In so doing, he broke the first three commandments. This was a grievous sin that broke the heart of God and sets in motion a series of events that will eventually lead to the northern kingdom’s destruction. Tragically, the kings who followed Jeroboam - even Jehu - refused to repent of the sins of their past and continued to repeat them. It’s why you see the refrain, “but they did not turn away from the sins that the house of Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit” over and over again. It represents the heart of God’s indictment on His people.

Take some time and reflect on your own life. Where are you repeating the sins of your past? What issues from your family of origin do you struggle to acknowledge, much less face? How are you intentionally repenting over the generational sin in your family? Unless these things are honestly and authentically laid before the Lord in true confession, they will continue to trip you up. Now broaden it out a bit. What about the historic sins of your community or nation? There’s not a single nation on the earth that doesn’t have skeletons in their closet. Issues from their past that need to be brought into the light of day so they can be dealt with. The longer we wait to fully address the “sins of our fathers”, the more we’ll struggle and suffer in this world. I think of a friend of mine who leads the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Rwanda. He is actively trying to address the sin of ethnic hatred that resulted in the horrific genocide in 1994. Once a full and truthful confession is made, forgiveness and reconciliation can be accomplished and the nation healed. It’s a process but it is bearing great fruit. Imagine what could happen if we engaged in a similar process in our country?

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 15-17, Psalms 105 (No devotionals on Sundays)

Biblical Justice

Readings for today: 2 Kings 8-11, Psalms 103

Today’s reading raises an incredibly important point when it comes to reading the Bible. There is such a thing as Biblical justice but it always gets mediated through a particular cultural context. What I mean by that is that justice is an “objective” reality but how it gets meted out is “subjective.” For better or for worse, God has chosen to bring His will to pass through sinful human beings. He always speaks to them in ways they can understand and He works through the cultural norms of the day. In the ancient near east, justice often looked like what Jehu does to Ahab’s entire family. The goal in these situations is to eliminate any possibility of a blood relative seeking vengeance on behalf of their family who was killed. This is why Jehu doesn’t just kill Ahab but his wife and children and anyone connected to him by marriage such as Ahaziah. He kills all the prophets of Baal and destroys their centers of worship in an effort to wipe out any possibility of future insurrection. Yes, it is done in the name of the Lord. Yes, it is done at the command of the Lord. Yes, it is done to purify and sanctify Israel and it doesn’t make much sense to us in the 21st century. Then again, our forms of justice wouldn’t make much sense to the people living in ancient times either.

So what do we learn from such events? What’s our takeaway when the cultural distance is so great and the chasm that exists between us so broad? Well, first and foremost, we learn God is serious about sin. He is holy and awesome and just and fully within His rights to do what He did to Ahab and his family. The sins of Ahab’s family were legion. Idolatry. Murder. Sexual immorality. Greed. Oppression. Extortion. Exploitation. Ahab was the most evil king in Israel’s history, a despot who deserved what he got. The same is true for his wife Jezebel and all their family. They sealed their own fates. Second, we learn God is merciful. He doesn’t wipe out Israel for her sin. He gives them a chance to repent under the leadership of a new king. A king who cleanses the land of idolatry and Baal-worship, at least partially. A king who, though not perfect, at least restores some semblance of true faith to the region. Finally, we learn God is consistent. Jehu doesn’t follow God with his whole heart so God begins to whittle away at Israel’s territory. He raises up enemies to come against her as yet another sign of His righteous judgment. The goal in all of this is to get them to turn away from sin and back to Him.

What about you? What about your life? God is still speaking to us through His Word in ways we can understand. God is still at work in our world through the cultural norms of our day. I am currently in northern Ethiopia where the culture is vastly different than our own and yet God is moving powerfully. I spend time with many of my Indian friends who share their experiences of God with me from a cultural context that is very foreign to me. And I see God at work in my own community and country and culture, always bringing about His justice and His righteousness and His salvation. Thanks be to God!

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 12-14, Psalms 104

Loving our Enemies

Readings for today: 2 Kings 4-7, Psalms 102

The kingdom of Aram in the Bible was essentially a collection of city-states, the most prominent of which was Damascus. Though they never became an empire per se, their influence dominated the region. In fact, Aramaic will become the lingua franca of the area for centuries, extending even to the time of Jesus. Israel had a contentious relationship with Aram as we see in our passage today. There was conflict. There was war. The Aramaeans were their enemies. And yet the great prophet Elisha seems to have as much love for them as he does for his own people.

When the great general of Aram, who surely had led armies against Israel came to him for help, Elisha healed him of his disease. When the armies of Aram surrounded Dothan in an attempt to capture and kill Elisha, he asked God to strike them blind and then led them to Samaria where he encouraged the king to throw a feast for them. When the king of Assyria fell sick, it was Elisha who went to visit him. These are strange acts for a holy man of God. Why in the world would he extend such love and grace to Israel’s enemies? To pagan idolators? To a nation who caused so much suffering for his own people?

Friends, God loves the nations. God’s desire is for the nations of the earth to come to saving faith in Him. The vision we get from the closing pages of Revelation is of the nations bringing their gifts to the New Jerusalem to offer them before the Lord. The leaves of the trees in the eternal city are for the healing of the nations. This has always been God’s heart. It’s why He sends the nations prophets like Elisha and Jonah in the Old Testament and it’s why He sends the nations His church in the New Testament. God looks forward to a time when all wars will cease. All weapons will be beaten into instruments of peace. All enemies will dwell in peace together. Listen to how the prophet Isaiah puts it, “The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat. The calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf will be together, and a child will lead them. The cow and the bear will graze, their young ones will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like cattle. An infant will play beside the cobra’s pit, and a toddler will put his hand into a snake’s den. They will not harm or destroy each other on my entire holy mountain, for the land will be as full of the knowledge of the Lord as the sea is filled with water.” (Isaiah‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

It’s a beautiful picture and one I get the chance to see face to face today. I am currently training church planters in a region where they recently had a civil war. Tribal conflict in this part of the world has been going on for centuries and yet these brave men and women have set aside their historic enmity and thirst for revenge and instead dedicated themselves to reaching even their enemies with the good news of the gospel. Friends, this is what it means to pray “God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.” When we pray such prayers, we are asking God to bring about His will and His vision for the world in our time.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 8-11, Psalms 103

The Spirit of Elijah

Readings for today: 2 Kings 1-3, Psalms 101

A double portion of Elijah’s spirit. I have often wondered what that might look like. Then I started coming over here to Ethiopia. I started meeting men and women who had little to no education, very few resources at their disposal, and seemingly no opportunities to change their station in life. I met men and women who have “nothing” by the world’s standards and yet they have “everything” by God’s standards. Why? They have the spirit of Elijah. They have double and triple portions of his spirit. They perform miracle after miracle on a daily basis. People are healed. Fields become fertile. Water flows in dry and thirsty places. Even the dead are raised. It’s powerful and yet they would tell you the miracles are beside the point. All the signs and wonders are not the main event. The main event is Jesus.

In our reading today, both Elijah and Elisha perform miracle after miracle. Future telling. Pools of water suddenly appearing in the desert. Water purification. Incredible military victories. To the skeptical, stories like these make the Bible seem primitive and superstitious. To the doubter, stories like these can be confusing and frustrating as they wrestle with why they don’t seem to happen much anymore. To the faithful, stories like these encourage belief and deeper trust in God. However, the question still remains...why does God perform miracles?Why does God break through the time/space continuum? Why does He suspend the laws of nature and the universe? Why does He intervene in certain situations but not others? Reach down and touch certain lives and not others? These are important questions that must be faced and thankfully, the Bible provides a clear answer.

First and foremost, miracles are given for the purpose of pointing God’s people to faith. They are not ends in and of themselves. They are signposts. Pointing beyond themselves. They are given to direct our attention heavenward to the Lord of all creation. The Author of all life. They are stark reminders that we are not at the mercy of our circumstances. This world and all the natural laws that govern it - from gravity to thermodynamics to photosynthesis - is not all there is. There is a God who stands above and beyond such laws, who is able to set them aside for reasons only He Himself knows and understands.  

Secondly, miracles are given so that God’s people might always cling to hope. Even when circumstances seem their most dire. When evil seems to be on the march. Injustice and oppression winning the day. Persecution at its fiercest. Rage and violence burning white hot. Disease ravaging the body. Famine and poverty threatening our well-being. Even in the darkest of times, we still have hope. Hope in a God who can and does intervene. Hope in a God who draws near the broken-hearted and crushed in spirit. Hope in a God who fights on behalf of the poor and oppressed and outcast and stranger. 

Third, miracles are given to remind us how limited and finite we are as creatures. Power. Wealth. Influence. Control. We like to live with the illusion that we are the masters of our own destinies especially in the West. We like to believe we are the captains of our fate. We like to think we are in charge. We like to act like we’ve got everything under control. But miracles remind us who truly holds the power. Miracles remind us of our relative insignificance in the grand scheme of things. Miracles bring us face to face with the power of God and, like Job, we shut our mouths and fall on our faces before Him. 

Ultimately, miracles force us to look beyond ourselves. Beyond our needs. Beyond our circumstances. Beyond our wisdom. Beyond our strength. Miracles force us to trust in God. To trust in His purposes and His design. We cannot bend God to our will. There is no magic formula to get God to do our bidding. Miracles happen on His time and in accordance with His will. Our job is to believe. To have faith. To place our lives in His hands and trust Him for the outcome.  

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 4-7, Psalms 102

Signs of Self-Centeredness

Readings for today: 1 Kings 20-22, Psalms 100

What happens when you don’t get your way? What do you feel when your plan comes up short? How do you respond when things don’t quite go the way you want them to? When we are children, our parents did their best to teach us about the dangers of selfishness. When we would get angry or resentful or throw a fit, they would correct us. Teach us to share. Teach us to think about others. Teach us to consider the needs of those around us. For some reason, so many seem to forget these lessons when they become adults.

Ahab was a selfish man. Despite the incredible miracles God worked on his behalf, he became resentful and angry the moment things don’t go his way. The Syrian army comes against him and it looks like he is doomed. The numbers are not on his side. He doesn’t have the resources to succeed. But God intervenes and delivers the Syrians into his hands not once but twice! But rather than fully obey God by killing the Syrian king, Ahab makes a treaty with him and lets him go. When God confronts him, he doesn’t repent but instead goes home and pouts. It’s frankly embarrassing. The next chapter gets even worse. He looks out his palace window and sees a vineyard he likes. Despite the fact that he knows the ancestral laws of the nation of Israel regarding the inheritance God gave each tribe and each family, he tries to buy the vineyard from the owner. When Naboth refuses in an effort to remain faithful, Ahab once again grows resentful and angry. He actually goes into his room and pulls the covers over his head, refusing to eat. Again, his behavior is shameful and unworthy of the king. It also opens the door for his wife - a pagan woman named Jezebel - who shows no qualms in making sure Ahab gets what he wants. This, of course, leads to God’s judgment on Ahab and his family.

The opposite of the “God-centered” life is a “Self-centered” life. And the signs we have lapsed into a self-centered life are pretty clear. Anger. Resentment. Bitterness. Constant frustration. Anxiety. Fear. Worry. You name it. These feelings make it clear we are struggling to let go and walk with open hands before the Lord. The signs we are pursuing a God-centered life are equally clear. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Grace. Forgiveness. Flexibility. Humility. When these things become evident in our lives, we can be sure we are living for God and not for Self. So where do you find yourself today?

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 1-3, Psalms 101

God’s Love for Widows

Readings for today: 1 Kings 17-19, Psalms 99

For most of my life, when I’ve read the story of Elijah, I tended to focus on his confrontation with King Ahab or his showdown with the prophets of Baal or his flight from Jezebel or perhaps most of all, his encounter with God on the mountain. However, in recent years, I’ve spent more time focusing on the widow of Zarephath. Reading her story reminds me of so many of the women I’ve met in places like Uganda and Ethiopia and Rwanda. Widows who spend their days gathering sticks into large bundles and carrying them on their backs to market. Day in and day out they do this work. Week after week. Month after month. Year after year until their bodies give out. They trade their labor for food or for a little cash. They barely make enough to eat much less save. They never take a day off. They never take a vacation. This is the kind of woman Elijah meets when he arrives in Zarephath. She takes time out from her back-breaking labor to bring him a drink. She willingly sacrifices her last bit of flour and oil - what was going to be her final meal with her son before they died - and gives it to Elijah to eat. Despite her suffering, she never wavers in showing hospitality to this man of God. It’s awe-inspiring.

As I said, I’ve met this widow many times before and as I head over to Ethiopia this week, I imagine I will meet many more. I’ve spent time in their homes. I’ve shared meals with them. I’ve watched them prepare what little they have to entertain strangers from afar. I’ve been touched by their gracious hospitality. Despite the fact that they work all day, make two or three long trips to the local watering hole, finish their chores, feed their children and put them to bed; they still find time to serve. They still find time to love. I am convinced this is why God answers their prayers. I am convinced this is why God works miracles on their behalf. These widows have a simple, yet profound faith. They don’t complain. They don’t question. They don’t have a bad attitude. They never make it about them. They are faithful. They are obedient. They trust the Lord and they are blessed.

How I wish I could be like these widows! How I wish I could live with such simple faith! They have become my teachers in so many ways. They have taught me to pray. They have taught me to worship. They have taught me to sing. They have taught me to dance. They have taught me how to serve and love and sacrifice for Jesus. When I follow their example, I find my eyes being lifted above the hills. My gaze fixes on Jesus as I realize I am in the presence of one of His very special, beloved children. The widows I’ve met are like “advance scouts” for the Kingdom of God. They are much further along in the journey than I am and Jesus is faithful to send them back to encourage me along the way. They are not just bit players in some other person’s story…even if that person is Elijah himself! They are numbered among God’s greatest saints in glory!

Readings for today: 1 Kings 20-22, Psalms 100

Finishing Strong

Readings for today: 1 Kings 11-13, Psalms 97

“When Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away to follow other gods. He was not wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord his God, as his father David had been.” (1 Kings‬ ‭11‬:‭4‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

A long obedience in the same direction. That’s how the late pastor and author and scholar, Eugene Peterson, once described the Christian life. It’s a path we choose to walk in this life under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It doesn’t translate into perfection. It doesn’t mean we will stop sinning. It doesn’t mean we will never put a foot out of line or wander down some rabbit trail. It simply means that on balance, we set the course of our lives towards one goal. One destination. One finish line and that is the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

As we read the Bible, we see so many start well but eventually fall. We see them raised up by God only to fall into sin later in their lives. We’ve seen it over and over again in the lives of Aaron and Miriam and Gideon and Samson and David and many others. We see it in Rehoboam and Jeroboam who both come after Solomon. We’ll see it in the lives of several kings over the next few weeks. The message is clear. It’s hard to finish strong. It’s hard to remain faithful. It’s hard to keep walking in obedience over the long haul in the same direction.

Solomon became distracted. He married hundreds of women in an attempt to build alliances with the nations around him and pacify the region. He was largely successful but he also became distracted from his most important calling as a king. He was to remain faithful to God and serve God’s people. Rehoboam grew up watching his father. He saw his dad enslave entire people groups. Build incredible cities. Amass great wealth and power. He wanted to do the same. In fact, like any spoiled child, he felt he was entitled to it. So he decided to become even more of a tyrant than his father. He too forgot his most important calling which was to remain faithful to God and serve God‘s people. Jeroboam was anointed by God to be king after Solomon. He was literally given the vast majority of the nation of Israel. Ten tribes would go with him when he split the kingdom. But he became afraid. What would happen when they went back to the Temple in Jerusalem? Would they abandon him? Would they return to the line of David? Out of fear, he commits idolatry and sets up his own priestly system complete with its own sacrifices and shrines and temples and idols. He forgot his most calling which was to remain faithful to God and serve God’s people.

One of my most frequent prayers is to finish strong. I want to finish my life and my ministry in faithfulness. I don’t want there to be even a hint of scandal. I don’t want anyone to ever say Doug fell at the end. Started serving himself. Started drifting from his most important calling. Started loving other things more than he loved God. I’ve been blessed in my life with tremendous opportunities and tremendous resources and an incredible family and an amazing church to serve but I don’t ever want to take these things for granted. So I ask God with regularity to keep me humble. Keep me in my place. Help me to always have a heart to serve rather than be served and seek first His Kingdom above all. What about you?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 14-16, Psalms 98 (No devotionals on Sundays)

Learning to Pray

Readings for today: 1 Kings 8-10, Psalms 96

The prayer of King Solomon at the dedication of the Temple is one of my favorites. It’s serves as a great model for us as we think about our own prayer life or prayers during times of great cultural upheaval like the one we’re currently living in. It begins with an ascription of praise for who God is and a recognition that He is utterly transcendent. 

“Lord God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below, who keeps the gracious covenant with your servants who walk before you with all their heart.” (1 Kings‬ ‭8‬:‭23‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬) Solomon acknowledges the greatness of God. His majesty. His glory. His splendor. He is not just one among many gods. He 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 places us in a humble position before the Lord. This is the only posture one can take when we come before God in prayer. 

“But will God indeed live on earth? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain you, much less this temple I have built. Listen to your servant’s prayer and his petition, Lord my God, so that you may hear the cry and the prayer that your servant prays before you today.” (1 Kings‬ ‭8‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬) 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 epidemic. 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. When viral pandemics rage, economies fail, racial tensions rise, and shelter-in-place orders are laid down. In those moments, if we will humble ourselves and pray and seek God’s face, God promises to “hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know...” (1 Kings‬ ‭8:39 CSB‬)

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. "Even for the foreigner who is not of your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name — for they will hear of your great name, strong hand, and outstretched arm, and will come and pray toward this temple — may you hear in heaven, your dwelling place, and do according to all the foreigner asks. Then all peoples of earth will know your name, to fear you as your people Israel do and to know that this temple I have built bears your name.” (1 Kings‬ ‭8‬:‭41‬-‭43‬ ‭CSB‬‬) 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 the challenges we face individually and collectively. Passages like this invite us to bring our requests before the Lord and trust Him with the results. 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 for yourself or the world in which we live, pray with this eternal promise firmly fixed in your mind and heart. 

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 11-13, Psalms 97

Whose House are you Building?

Readings for today: 1 Kings 4-7, Psalms 95

Whose house are you building? Are you seeking to build God’s house or your own? Where do you spend most of your time, attention, and resources? Today’s reading challenges us. It presents a comparison between God’s house and Solomon’s house and forces us to come to ask some tough questions about our own lives as well.

No doubt, Solomon fulfilled his father’s dream and built a magnificent Temple for the Lord. The project took seven years and took up a great deal of Solomon’s time, energy, and resources. Several chapters are dedicated in the books of Kings and Chronicles to the Temple construction and the general consensus is that Solomon completed his task with excellence, building a house worthy of the Lord. At the same time, Scripture draws some important comparisons between the house built for the Lord and the house Solomon built for himself by laying these chapters side by side. Yes, Solomon took seven years to build God’s house but he took thirteen to build his own. Yes, God’s house was large, measuring some 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet high. However, Solomon’s house was even bigger and more grand, measuring 150 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Each house was built of costly trimmed and dressed stone and covered in cedar beams. We know each building contained all kinds of gold and precious stones but once again, it seems Solomon used the bulk of his wealth on his own home. This suggests that for all of Solomon’s devotion to the work of temple building, he was more devoted to his own glory than he was to the glory of the Lord.

Like Solomon, we too can become distracted and focus more on our own concerns than that of the Lord and His will for our lives. We can put more energy and time into our own pursuits than into worshipping and serving God. We can treat God as one priority among many rather than the first and most important priority of our lives. So, again, let me press the question. As you think about where you spend your time, energy, wealth, and resources…whose house are you building? Who is getting the bulk of your attention? Are you seeking first the Kingdom of God for your life or are you seeking your own kingdom?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 8-10, Psalms 96

Wisdom

Readings for today: 1 Kings 1-3, Psalms 94

“So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” ‭‭(1 Kings‬ ‭3:9 CSB‬)

We suffer today from a lack of discernment. We live in a post-truth world. Right and wrong are personally defined. There is no such thing as objectivity anymore. People do what is right in their own eyes. We call good “evil” and evil “good.” We have lost our way as a culture, as a society, and as a nation. And it isn’t just Christians who have come to this conclusion. In one of the strangest videos I’ve ever seen, noted atheist Richard Dawkins actually calls himself a “cultural Christian” and argues for a return to Christian values in the UK! Craziness! Sadly, events of recent years like the COVID pandemic have only accelerated our downward spiral. Political and cultural leaders from all sides of the aisle seem far more interested in leveraging the multiple crises we face to further their own ends. We no longer seem to have many adults in the room. People who will honestly and transparently and humbly lead us through what is an extremely challenging time. The results are deadly. Would that God would raise up a leader for us like Solomon!

Sadly, in a democratic system, you often get the leadership you deserve. If we are honest, our leaders are an extension of us. They are the embodiment of our basest desires and primal instincts. They are ruthless, calculating, greedy, corrupt…just like us but on a larger scale. You say, but I’m not that way! Are you so sure? Perhaps it’s a matter of scale. It was Lord Acton who once wrote, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” I imagine many of us - given the right circumstances and opportunities and resources and influence - might find ourselves justifying all kinds of choices we might not otherwise make. This is the impact of sin in our lives and it is hard to resist. This is why the character of a leader matters. It’s why the heart of a leader is so important. Leaders who are humble and seek God, who are willing to acknowledge their mistakes and ask for forgiveness, will seek to serve rather than be served. They will seek to unite rather than divide. They will lead with honesty and integrity and the nation will be blessed. Leaders who are proud and arrogant, selfish and greedy, prone to violence and rage, will seek to serve themselves rather than others. They will use division to accumulate more and more power for themselves. They will lie and deceive routinely if it serves their ends and the nation will be cursed.

One of the things we will see as we read through the Kings is how the character of a leader shapes the nation. The fortunes of Israel rise or fall largely on the godliness of the kings who serve her. When godly kings are in power. Kings who are wise. Discerning. Those who know right from wrong and good from evil. Israel flourishes. When ungodly kings are in power. Kings who are corrupt. Foolish. Narcissistic. Those who could care less about right or wrong as long as they acquire more power. Israel falls. America is no different. Now, more than ever, we need godly leadership at the helm of our nation. Now, more than ever, the character of our leaders matters. May God raise up for us leaders like Solomon who know good from evil and can lead us with wisdom.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 4-7, Psalms 95

Real Salvation

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 22-24, Psalms 93

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

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

The question I often posed to my fellow students and professors when we would debate is how we could honestly talk about God as “Savior” if He never actually saved anyone? Why would we call Him names like “Deliverer”, “Rescuer”, “Liberator”, etc. if He wasn’t actually engaged in the business of deliverance, rescue, and liberation? It’s baffling to me that people would worship a god who never actually does anything. I am honestly stumped why anyone would seek to follow such a god? Why would we believe or trust anything this supposed god actually said? How is this not just wishful thinking? How is this not just blind hope? No, I worship a God who saves. I worship a God who delivers. I worship a God who parted the Red Sea, saved David from all his enemies, and raised Jesus Christ from the dead. I worship a God who still intervenes miraculously to save His people even today.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 1-3, Psalms 94

The Futility of Revenge

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 13-15, Psalms 90

“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” - Gandhi

“Fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Whatever injury he inflicted on the person, the same is to be inflicted on him.” (Leviticus‬ ‭24‬:‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The principle of proportional justice cited by Gandhi comes straight out of the Old Testament from passages like the one in Leviticus. It’s specifically designed by God to bring an end to the perpetual cycles of violence and revenge that plagued the ancient world. Insults were met with assault. Assaults met with murders. Murder met with the elimination of entire families. The elimination of families led to open warfare between tribes. These are generational cycles in honor/shame cultures. The next generation shouldering the responsibility to restore the honor of their family by taking revenge on those who wounded their fathers and mothers.

We see a similar dynamic play out in the stories we read today. David led a highly dysfunctional family. He played favorites. Indulged the children he liked and ignored the children he despised. Mostly he appears to be an absentee father who seems consumed with running the Kingdom of Israel rather than securing his succession and teaching his children to fear the Lord. The results are tragic. Amnon rapes his sister. Absalom assassinates Amnon. David effectively exiles Absalom. Absalom leads a rebellion to overthrow his father, dragging the entire country into war. At every point, there are opportunities to choose a different path. Amnon could have asked David for Tamar’s hand in marriage. David could have brought Amnon to justice for the rape of his sister. David could have chosen reconciliation after Absalom’s exile had ended. Absalom could have chosen the path of peace rather than war against his father. Sadly, the desire for revenge got the best of them which led to all kinds of horrific consequences for them, their families, their communities, and the nation.

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” (Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬) The path Jesus offers is the path of non-violent resistance. He challenges his followers to break the cycles of revenge that so often enslave us and instead claim the moral high ground. He challenges them to overcome evil with good. Violence with peace. Hatred with love. There may not be a more radical teaching in all of Scripture! It would almost be too much except for the fact that Jesus Himself models this ethic in his suffering and death. Refusing to lift a hand against his oppressors. Refusing to call down legions of angels to fight on his behalf. Asking for forgiveness for us rather than revenge from the cross all because He trusted in His Father’s higher, greater plan. Do we trust God in this same way in our own lives?

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 16-18, Psalms 91 (No devotionals on Sundays)

Promises

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 9-12, Psalms 89

David was a promise keeper. He promised his friend Jonathan that he would show kindness to his descendants. He took a vow that he would bless his children should he be given the opportunity. After years of being hunted by Jonathan’s father, David now rules over a united Israel. The temptation so many face in his position is the potential threats posed by the family members of the former king who might lay claim to the throne. Many in David’s position would either kill or banish potential rivals. We see it happen all the time around the world even today. David, however, operated by a different set of values. When given the chance, he sought out anyone left in Saul’s family in order to show them kindness. This included a lowly, orphaned, crippled, almost forgotten young man named Mephibosheth. Unable to go to war with his father and grandfather, he had to rely on the generosity of others in order to survive. David lifts him up and treats him like a prince. He gives him all the property of King Saul and invites him into the royal court. Even welcomes him at the king’s table! This act of kindness fulfilled his vow to his dear friend and I’m sure brought joy to David’s heart.

David had so many reasons NOT to keep his promise. Circumstances had changed. His responsibilities had grown exponentially. The decisions he made impacted not just himself but an entire kingdom. Political expediency suggested he secure his kingdom by eliminating any potential threats both internally and externally. I am sure David received counsel to kill every one of Saul’s remaining family members. But David trusted God. He knew God was the source of his power and authority. He knew God had raised him up to the throne. He knew God would protect him and keep him. And because he had full confidence that God would keep His promises, he was set free to keep his promises as well no matter the potential cost.

This is the key to keeping our promises. If we trust God is in control, we don’t need to be anxious. We don’t need to be afraid. We don’t need to worry or fret over “what if.” If we believe God is faithful, we are set free to make promises and keep promises. We are set free to honor our word even if it costs us something. We are set free to walk with integrity no matter how difficult it may be. With God at our right hand, we will not fall. He will not let our foot be moved nor will He let us slip. He is our strength. He is our wisdom. He is our guide. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5)

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 13-15, Psalms 90

Worship

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 4-8, Psalms 88

What is worship? According to the dictionary, it is an act, feeling, or expression of reverence or awe for a deity. A divine being of infinite worthiness who has a right to demand our total allegiance and obedience. Worship is typically accompanied by sacred rituals and rites designed to humble the human being. The goal being to highlight the vast gulf that exists between the human and divine or heaven and earth. Anyone profaning these rituals or making a mockery of worship places themselves at significant risk of angering God. And before we protest that God has no right to be angry with us when we make mistakes, we have to remember who God is and who He has revealed Himself to be. God is perfectly holy and righteous and just. He is infinite in power and majesty. His splendor fills the heavens. His glory fills the earth. He is not to be trifled with or taken for granted. He is not to be dismissed or ignored or set aside. He is not to be treated with anything less than total respect and honor.

Think about what you felt when you read through 2 Samuel 6 today. It’s not an easy passage for us because we cannot begin to fathom the Lord’s anger burning against someone enough that it would cost them their life. Sure, we might understand God getting mad at us in the abstract. We can grasp the concept. But to strike someone dead on the spot? For putting a hand out to steady the Ark of the Covenant? What is with God? We are in good company. David didn’t understand it either. It’s why he refused to bring the Ark into Jerusalem at first. He was afraid of God. He was afraid of what God might do. He didn’t have the proper respect for who God is and what God is all about. But then David hears that God has blessed the household of Obed-Edom. The same God who struck Uzzah down now blesses an entire family over the course of three months. What gives? Maybe it’s now safe to bring the Ark to Jerusalem? Actually, what David has learned is the proper reverence and awe of God. Look at the difference between verses one through five and twelve through nineteen. David’s first attempt was more of a military parade with the Ark of the Covenant at the center like a pagan talisman of sorts. David does what is convenient rather than what is required by putting the Ark on a new cart. It’s more a celebration of David and his mighty men than it is a worship event. Contrast that with the second attempt. Sacrifices are made every six steps. David is dancing in a linen robe with all his might before the Lord. The blow the ram’s horn and gather all the people of Israel. When they arrive at the tent, David offers up all kinds of burnt offerings and blesses the people in the Name of the Lord. Clearly, he’s learned something.

What about you? How do you engage in worship? When you worship, is it about God or about you? Do you approach worship with a critical eye? Always on the lookout for worship music you don’t like or preaching you don’t agree with? Is your heart open or is it guarded? Do you find yourself judging those around you? You need to be careful lest you arouse the anger of God. Much better to follow David’s latter example. Much better to give God the worship He deserves and demands. Much better to abandon yourself in the presence of God and let go of your need to be right or your need to be entertained or your need to agree theologically with everything that is said. I love how David puts it at the end of chapter six when his wife critiques him, “I will dance before the Lord and I will dishonor myself and humble myself even more.” That’s a man with a heart after God. May we have that same heart as well.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 9-12, Psalms 89

Lament

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 1-3, Psalms 87

Lament is a powerful spiritual practice. It breaks down the barriers that exist between us and our enemies. It tears down the dividing walls of hostility that separate us from our opponents. It creates common ground for us and those with whom we disagree. For example, imagine how different things might be if our political leaders could all step back and lament the many things going wrong in our country rather than spend so much energy casting blame? Imagine what could happen if families or neighbors or co-workers would lament together rather than so quickly rush to judgment or act on false assumptions? Imagine what would happen if social media became a space for common lament rather than act as a catalyst for outrage?

Lament is not weakness. It is not an implicit acknowledgement of guilt. It is not passive. It is an active, strong, gracious way to deal with hardship and suffering and the pain that results from the power of sin in our world. David laments over the death of Saul not because Saul was godly or deserving or had earned it. David weeps over him because Saul’s failure breaks the heart of God and tragically impacts the people of God. David weeps over Jonathan because of the death of a dear friend who was also a rival for the throne. David weeps over Abner because of the injustice of his death due to the ravenous violence of his subordinates. David weeps because the divisions and fractures and fights among God’s covenant people are the consequences of generations of sinful choices. He weeps because they are reaping what they’ve sown through the time of the Judges where each person did what was right in their own eyes. David sees all of this and more and longs to set a different tone. He longs to take Israel in a new direction. It’s why he stayed his hand over and over again when he could easily have struck Saul down. It’s why he made peace with Abner rather than fighting to the bitter end. David understands God’s heart and how God laments over the violence and divisions among his people.

Lament is a challenge for us. We struggle to step back and weep together over the state of things. Instead, we seem far more focused on blaming others. Far more focused on attacking others. Far more focused on absolving ourselves and protecting ourselves from any sense that we have contributed to the brokenness of our world. I think about some of the business that will come before our denomination this summer. One of the major issues will be the presentation of a “lament” over the history of racial strife in our nation. A group of pastors and elders have been working hard to put it together and already there are some who are rising against it. Before they’ve even seen it! They are afraid it will serve as an implicit acknowledgement of guilt. They are afraid it will stir up even more strife and dissension. They are afraid it will cast blame. Why we cannot simply sit in the dust and ashes of our sinful condition and lament the brokenness of our history and our world is beyond me. It is yet another sign of how far we have to go to really understand the heart of God. How can you begin to practice lament in your life today?

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 4-8, Psalms 88