A Life of Praise

Readings for today: 2 Chronicles 1-4, Psalms 71

God wants us to live a life of praise. A life of continual thanksgiving for all He has done for us. A life of faith with our eyes continually focused on our Savior. God wants us to understand all of life is in His hands. All our days are numbered according to His sovereign will. All our resources counted out in advance by His plan. All our experiences - good, bad, and otherwise - are sovereignty used by God to shape us into the image of His Son. When we see life from this perspective, we cannot help but praise the Lord. We cannot help but fall to our knees in awe and wonder. We are humbled and honored and blessed and life takes on a glory we could never create for ourselves.

I find myself sitting in a cafe in Uganda reflecting on God’s goodness to me. Who could have known He would send me to the ends of the earth over and over again to proclaim his gospel to the nations? Who could have planned for my life to work out the way that it has? Since the day God delivered me on the campus of the University of Colorado in Boulder, He has used me to advance His Kingdom on the earth. Who am I that God would choose me? Who am I that God would use me in such a way? Who am I that God would honor me? I am nothing. My life is but a breath. My days pass so quickly. And yet God has favored me. Perhaps this is why the Psalm we read this morning hits so differently today.

“Lord, I seek refuge in you; let me never be disgraced. In your justice, rescue and deliver me; listen closely to me and save me. Be a rock of refuge for me, where I can always go. Give the command to save me, for you are my rock and fortress. Deliver me, my God, from the power of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and oppressive.” I can look back and see where God has answered this prayer in my life. He has been a refuge for me in times of trouble. He has never let me be disgraced. He has rescued and delivered me in so many situations. He has remained close to me and protected me. He has not allowed the wicked to triumph over me. My life is a testimony to His goodness and grace.

“For you are my hope, Lord God, my confidence from my youth. I have leaned on you from birth; you took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always about you. I am like a miraculous sign to many, and you are my strong refuge. My mouth is full of praise and honor to you all day long.” From the day I said “yes” to Jesus, God has been my confidence. He has been my stronghold. He has filled me with His Spirit and anointed my days. He has made my life a miraculous sign to many. What can I do in response to all He has done for me? I can praise God. I can praise Him with my lips. I can praise Him with my heart. I can praise Him from the depths of my soul.

“Don’t discard me in my old age. As my strength fails, do not abandon me. For my enemies talk about me, and those who spy on me plot together, saying, “God has abandoned him; chase him and catch him, for there is no one to rescue him.” God, do not be far from me; my God, hurry to help me. May my adversaries be disgraced and destroyed; may those who intend to harm me be covered with disgrace and humiliation. But I will hope continually and will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell about your righteousness and your salvation all day long, though I cannot sum them up. I come because of the mighty acts of the Lord God; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.” Now I am growing older. And as I age, I fully expect my outer body to waste away even as my inner body is renewed day by day. The days will fly by more quickly. My strength and energy will diminish over time. My wisdom and knowledge will eventually fail. But God will remain my hope and I will praise Him more and more. I will use every breath to tell the world of your righteousness and your mighty works.

“God, you have taught me from my youth, and I still proclaim your wondrous works. Even while I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me, while I proclaim your power to another generation, your strength to all who are to come. Your righteousness reaches the heights, God, you who have done great things; God, who is like you? You caused me to experience many troubles and misfortunes, but you will revive me again. You will bring me up again, even from the depths of the earth. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. Therefore, I will praise you with a harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing to you with a lyre, Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you because you have redeemed me. Therefore, my tongue will proclaim your righteousness all day long, for those who intend to harm me will be disgraced and confounded.” (Psalms‬ ‭71‬:‭1‬-‭24‬ ‭CSB‬‬) What an incredible privilege it is to proclaim God’s power and works to yet another generation. To remind everyone yet again of the glory and honor and power and splendor and majesty of God. To teach everyone to number the days they’ve been given and count the hours God has blessed them with and use all the time they have to tell others about Christ. God has taught us from our youth…so we proclaim His good works. God has blessed us in our old age…so we proclaim His power to another generation. God has caused us to go through trials and temptations, good times and bad…so we tell of His deliverance and salvation. God has brought us up over and over again from the depths of the earth to increase us in honor and comfort…so we praise Him yet again. Praise Him with all that we are and all that we have and all the energy we have left. We proclaim His praise all the day long!

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Chronicles 5-8, Psalms 72

Godly Generosity

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 25-29, Psalms 70

How does one become a generous person? The kind of giver God loves? King David shows us the way. First and foremost, one must love God supremely. We must love God more than our wealth. More than our lifestyles. More than our safety. More than our comfort. We must love God with our whole hearts. Listen to what David tells his son Solomon. “As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will reject you forever.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭28‬:‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Essentially, the key to Solomon’s success, the key to his successful kingship, will be his love for God. 

Second, we must recognize God as the giver of all good gifts. "May you be blessed, Lord God of our father Israel, from eternity to eternity. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all. Riches and honor come from you, and you are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all. Now therefore, our God, we give you thanks and praise your glorious name.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭10‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬) We don’t own a single thing. Everything we have comes from God’s own hands. He chose the place of our birth. He endows us with gifts and talents and abilities. He sovereignly orchestrates the opportunities we’ve been given. All these things were outside our control and yet they are the secret to our success. Of course we work hard. Of course we do our best. We are not passive in this process. But the foundation of whatever success we’ve achieved in this life was not laid by our own hands but by God Himself. 

Third, we must acknowledge we are unworthy of such divine attention. “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your own hand. For we are aliens and temporary residents in your presence as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭CSB‬‬) The world is constantly telling us we “deserve” all we have. We’ve “earned” all we’ve received. We are “good” and “righteous” and “worth” every penny of our wealth. The Bible calls this a lie. We are unworthy sinners. Unworthy of God’s attention. Unworthy to come into His presence. We are sinners in desperate need of grace. Our days are like a shadow. There is no abiding. In a generation or two, all we have accomplished will be dust and no one will even remember our names. But God loves us. He has dealt bountifully with us. He has secured for us an eternal home in the heavens if we will receive His greatest gift, Jesus.

Fourth, once we’ve set our hearts on Christ. Once we’ve acknowledged God as the “sole proprietor” of this world and all that is in it. Once we’ve humbled ourselves in our unworthiness before Him. Our hearts and hands quite naturally open. Our fists unclench. Our fears and doubts fade. And we give. Give generously. Freely. Cheerfully. “I know, my God, that you test the heart and that you are pleased with what is right. I have willingly given all these things with an upright heart, and now I have seen your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to you. Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors, keep this desire forever in the thoughts of the hearts of your people, and confirm their hearts toward you.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Chronicles 1-4, Psalms 71

The One Job of a Leader

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 18-21, Psalms 68

Leaders have one job. To lead with righteousness and justice. This is especially true the higher up in leadership one ascends. It’s true in every facet of life. Parents are to lead their families with righteousness and justice. Pastors and elders are to lead their churches with righteousness and justice. Business leaders are to lead their employees and organizations with righteousness and justice. Civic and political leaders are to lead with righteousness and justice. Why? Because righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne. (Psalms 97:2) When we lead or rule or exercise whatever authority we’ve been given with righteousness and justice, the people and organizations we serve are blessed because we are patterning our leadership after God. When we lead or rule or exercise whatever authority we’ve been given with pride and selfishness and greed, the people and organizations we serve suffer and are cursed as a result. We see this on display in David’s life in our passage today.

David begins well. He is given victory after victory by God. He triumphs over his enemies. Whoever raises an army against him is defeated. As a result, David consolidates his power. He solidifies his reign over the Promised Land. The people of Israel become a nation under his banner and leadership and are blessed. Why? 1 Chronicles 18:14 CSB gives us the answer. “So David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people.” However, David’s reign of blessing soon comes to an end as he falls prey to pride. He calls for a census. He wants to count the soldiers serving in his army. He wants to quantify his military might. He wants to demonstrate his power to the nations around him. Let’s pause and reflect a moment. God has given David all kinds of victories over armies that vastly outnumbered his own. He has given David victory over giants and mighty warriors. He has expanded David’s territory and delivered entire nations into his hands. It’s still not enough. David has begun to believe his own hype. He’s reading his press clippings. He’s starting to believe he has accomplished these things by his own strength and military genius. These are unrighteous and unjust goals and it triggers a plague that kills seventy thousand of his men.

We are no different. Think about the impact of righteous and unrighteous political leaders in our nation. Think about righteous and unrighteous civic leaders in our communities. Think about the impact of righteous and unrighteous parents in the home or teachers in the schools or pastors in churches. Now think about yourself. Where do you lead righteously in your life? Where do you lead unrighteously? What would those under your leadership say? How do they experience you? Do you seek to be a blessing to others or are you seeking to serve yourself?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 22-24, Psalms 69 (No devotionals on Sundays)

A Model Prayer

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 15-17, Psalms 67

I love the heart of David. To be sure, the guy’s a mess. The successes of his life are massive but so are his failures. His devotion to the Lord is convicting, his unfaithfulness deeply troubling. Despite the problems he creates for himself through his penchant for violence and greed and selfishness and a lust for power, David does have his moments. Moments when his deep love for God shines through. Today’s prayer (1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭8‬-‭36‬ ‭CSB‬‬) is a great example. There is praise, thankfulness, gratitude, and joy. There is awe and reverence for who God is and revealed Himself to be as well as humility as David acknowledges his need for salvation. David’s prayer provides a model for the believer to help guide our own prayers as we seek to build a deeper, more intimate relationship with God.

“Give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; proclaim his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him; sing praise to him; tell about all his wondrous works! Boast in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” David begins with an ascription of praise. He looks at the world around him and sees the handiwork of God. He looks back throughout history and sees the hand of God at work. He knows God is faithfully ordering things according to His sovereign will and purpose and he calls on God’s people to give Him praise. Take a moment and look at the world around you. No matter where you live, creation itself is singing the praises of God. The mountains. Oceans. Fields full of wheat and corn. Mighty rivers like the Nile. Lakes like Victoria in Uganda where I will be going tonight. The birds. The fish. The animals. All of it designed to bring us to our knees in awe and wonder.

“Remember the wondrous works he has done, his wonders, and the judgments he has pronounced, you offspring of Israel his servant, Jacob’s descendants — his chosen ones. He is the Lord our God; his judgments govern the whole earth. Remember his covenant forever — the promise he ordained for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, swore to Isaac, and confirmed to Jacob as a decree, and to Israel as a permanent covenant: “I will give the land of Canaan to you as your inherited portion.” When they were few in number, very few indeed, and resident aliens in Canaan wandering from nation to nation and from one kingdom to another, he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their behalf: “Do not touch my anointed ones or harm my prophets.” David remembers not just the miraculous works of creation but the specific acts of God for His people. The faithfulness of God in choosing His people and setting them apart for His holy purpose. The eternal covenant He made to give them a land and an identity. The protection God provided as He guided them from Egypt to the Promised Land. This is where prayer becomes personal. We reflect not just on what God has done generally but what He has done for us personally and we give Him praise.

“Let the whole earth sing to the Lord. Proclaim his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples. For the Lord is great and highly praised; he is feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. Ascribe to the Lord, families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him.” David next turns to the character and nature of God. God is worthy of our worship simply because He is God. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing else. We don’t worship God for His blessings. We don’t worship God because of His benefits. We worship God for His greatness and holiness and glory and strength. Reflecting on the nature and character of God naturally brings us to our knees in humility. It serves as a good reminder to us of how fleeting and finite we are as human beings. Our lives come and go but God endures forever. And because God endures forever, we can trust Him.

“The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” Let the sea and all that fills it resound; let the fields and everything in them exult. Then the trees of the forest will shout for joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever. And say, “Save us, God of our salvation; gather us and rescue us from the nations so that we may give thanks to your holy name and rejoice in your praise. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting.” Then all the people said, “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.” Finally, David calls on the Lord, the judge and ruler of the earth, to save him and his people. He calls on God to deliver and rescue His people from the nations that seek to enslave, oppress, and terrorize. He calls on God to do what He’s always done which is protect and guide His people so they may be free to worship Him in spirit and in truth. God sets us free not just to do what we want. He sets us free so we might bring Him the worship He deserves. Take time today to thank God for His freedom and ask His Spirit to guide you in how you use that freedom to worship and serve the Lord.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 18-21, Psalms 68

Mighty Men and Women

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 11-14, Psalms 66

No person is an island. No one accomplishes anything in life on their own. I remember years ago speaking to a man who was a significant benefactor to Princeton Theological Seminary. He had made his millions in real estate in New York City. He had endowed academic chairs at Ohio State and Princeton as well as created fellowships for the training of pastors. He was incredibly generous and I asked him one time why he gave so much of his wealth away. He replied, “Doug, I have benefited from the generosity of so many over the course of my life. So many people who invested in me, taught me, helped me network, and used their resources to get me where I am today. I didn’t do any of this on my own and I simply want to create similar opportunities for others.” He’s just one example of a “mighty man.” Someone who seeks not his own good but the good of others. Someone who understands his role to build others up. Someone who celebrates the success of others.

David had his mighty men. They are named in our passage for today. David would never have become king without these men. He would have never captured Jerusalem without these men. He would never become the greatest leader Israel had ever known without these men. They invested in David. They served David. They gave their lives for David. Everything David accomplished in his life was due in large measure to the efforts of these men. It’s a great reminder to us all of how much we need “our people.” People who will invest in us, bless us, create opportunities for us, and even give their lives for us. I naturally think of my wife and children here. I do my best to serve them, invest in them, and give my life for them. I think of my church family. I would do the same for them. I think of the pastors I serve overseas. I would do the same for them. I have reached a place in my life where serving others and investing in others and celebrating others brings me the greatest joy.

I would not be where I am today without so many mighty men and women over the years. The list is endless. My mom. My wife. My children. My in-laws. Mentors. Professors. Fellow pastors. Men and women in the church who have supported me, encouraged me, and blessed me in so many ways. I am a product of their intentional effort and prayer. Take a few moments and make a list of the people who have invested in you over the years. People who helped shape you into the person you are today. People who opened doors for you. People who gave you opportunity. People who mentored you along the way. Thank God for each of them. Pray for them and their families. Find a way to reach out to them to thank them if you can. Find ways to cultivate relationships with even more mighty men and women. And perhaps most importantly, be a mighty man or woman yourself!

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 15-17, Psalms 67

Chronological Snobbery

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 1-10, Psalms 65

One of the major obstacles C.S. Lewis had to overcome when he came to faith was what he dubbed, “Chronological snobbery.” He defined it as “the uncritical acceptance of the intellectual climate of our own age and the assumption that whatever has gone out of date is on that count discredited.” Essentially, it is the false belief that we have it right and those who came before us had it wrong. We’ve figured things out and those who preceded us were operating from superstition, ignorance, and foolishness. We ask all kinds of critical questions of the past but are unwilling to subject our present to those same questions. Eventually, Lewis was challenged to think more deeply by his friend, Owen Barfield, who forced him to confront a series of questions like why did an idea go out of date? Was it ever refuted? If so, by whom, where, and how conclusively? In other words, which things are false—and why—and which things remain true?

I thought about Lewis as I read through today’s genealogies. It’s so easy to pass them over. Treat them as a series of names with which we have no connection. But if we will slow down, we will recognize quite a few of them. And if we have been keeping up on our reading, we will realize we do know their stories. We get to see God and the world and human life through their eyes. We get to learn some things from their example. Foundational beliefs that undergird how we understand the world even to this day. For example, we learn from the story of Adam and Eve that creation is ordered and regulated by God’s Word. This idea is what eventually will give birth to modern science. We learn that human beings are made in the image of God which is the fundamental underpinning to universal human rights. We learn from Abraham that God is personal and desires a relationship with us. We learn from Moses that God has a particular plan for our lives, to set us apart as holy and pure. Taking a step back and looking at the big picture, we learn about God’s faithful, covenantal love for His people. A love that endures despite our many failures and sin. It’s incredible when you stop to think about it.

Every generation naturally assumes they know what’s best. Every generation naturally assumes they are more enlightened than the ones who came before them. Every generation naturally engages in chronological snobbery. The challenge for the people of God is to humble themselves, recognizing we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. We are challenged to be thankful of the sacrifices they have made and be appreciative of the things they have to teach us. The old cliches that those who don’t know their history are doomed to repeat it certainly rings true. If we forget the lessons of our past, we will repeat them in the present. If we forget what God has taught us about Himself and the world and the life He longs for us to live, we will have to re-learn it the hard way. It is much better to treat those who have gone before us with respect, learn from them what it means to follow God in their cultural context, and then seek to apply it to our own lives.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 11-14, Psalms 66

Purification

Readings for today: Malachi 3-4, Psalms 64

As I write, there are several wildfires burning in my part of the country. They threaten homes and other buildings. Tragically, there is at least one person who lost their life. This isn’t uncommon for us. In the heat of summer, the fire danger rises. Hundreds of thousands of acres have burned over the last twenty or so years. Their names are etched in our memories. Hayman. Pine Gulch. Cameron Peak. Waldo Canyon. Marshall. The list goes on. Fire can be devastating and destructive. However, it can also be cleansing and purifying. Some of those fires have been fueled by brush and deadwood that has built up over decades. It creates unhealthy and dangerous conditions in our forest systems that lead to larger and more uncontrollable burns once they start. Fire is a necessary part of the cycle of renewal because of how it clears out the old to usher in the new.

Perhaps this is why the prophet Malachi picks up on this image in our reading today. “For look, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and everyone who commits wickedness will become stubble. The coming day will consume them,” says the Lord of Armies, “not leaving them root or branches. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and playfully jump like calves from the stall. You will trample the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day I am preparing,” says the Lord of Armies.” (Malachi‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬) God looks down on the earth and can see the wickedness of humanity stacking up over the centuries. He sees the injustice. He sees the oppression. He sees the greed. He sees the selfishness. He sees the lust for power. He sees the deceit and violence and hatred. He sees all of it and He knows humanity must be cleansed and purified in order for righteousness to spring up. So He likens His coming to that of a cleansing fire that burns throughout the earth, consuming the wicked. But those who fear the Lord will find refuge from the flames and healing underneath His wings. We will go out in the wake of the fire to renew the land and reign in righteousness over all God has made.

So what then does it mean to be righteous? It means worshipping God in the way He deserves and demands. God doesn’t grade on a curve. He will never be satisfied with leftovers. Never be content to take second place. He will not allow us to take Him for granted or treat Him with disdain. God is a refining fire. A purifying fire. A cleansing fire. Malachi testifies to the fact that when the great Day of the Lord comes and Jesus returns in all His glory, all that is evil and arrogant and corrupt in this world will be burned by fire. All that is sinful and impure and ungodly in our lives will be set ablaze. The gold will be refined. The silver purified. Only that which is of the Lord will endure. It’s a sobering vision. One that should challenge and convict us as it did the people of Israel. We who have been saved by Jesus Christ have seen His glory. The glory of the One and Only Son come from the Father. As such, more is demanded from us. More is expected from us. It doesn’t matter what’s happening in the world around us. It doesn’t matter how difficult life’s circumstance may be. It doesn’t matter what barriers may exist or what trials we have to endure. God wants our heart. God wants our full devotion. He will never rest until He has the highest place in our lives.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 1-10, Psalms 65

Perspective

Readings for today: Malachi 1-2, Psalms 63

So much depends on our perspective. The more narrow our perspective, the more difficult it is to see the world or our lives clearly. The wider our perspective, the more we are able to take in and understand. I think about how important it is, for example, to put oneself in another’s shoes. To try and see things from another person’s vantage point or truly listen to them share their experiences. When we do that, we develop empathy and our view of the world around us expands. However, it seems clear from the debates raging in our nation today or the divisions that exist around the world that our perspectives are only growing more narrow. We retreat further and further into echo chambers of our own making. We place ideological litmus tests on those we are in relationship with and we cut off those who do not pass. We aren’t interested in assuming the best of another person or giving them the benefit of the doubt, instead we are quick to pounce on anything and everything that doesn’t fit our narrow worldview. It’s tragic and heartbreaking and a significant source of violence and hatred in our society.

Now apply that same concept to our relationship with God. Think about how demanding we have become as human beings. We demand evidence of God’s existence. We want Him to prove His love for us over and over again. We refuse to take Him at His word and even deny the miracles He performs day after day. We want a relationship with Him…but we want it on our terms. We want Him to fit into our narrow perspective rather than trust His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We try to squeeze Him into our theological systems or remake Him in our own image or project on Him our own feelings, values, and ideologies. The same thing was happening in Israel in Malachi’s day. “You say you love us but how have you loved us?” “Where have you been all these years?” “Why do we find ourselves in the same mess over and over again?” “You say we have despised your name but how have we done so?” “Don’t you understand how hard it is for us to give up the best of our flock?” “Do you really need all these sacrifices from us?” “Don’t we at least get partial credit for going through the motions?”

Friends, God’s perspective is much bigger and much wider than our own. He sees the past, present, and future laid out before Him all at once. He knows what’s best for us and what He has in store for us. He knows the plans He has for us to give us hope and a bright future. A covenant of love and peace and joy and abundance. He is faithful even when we are not. He remains true even when we fall away. He will never relent until we accept life on His terms, walk in His ways, and rest in His love.

Readings for tomorrow: Malachi 3-4, Psalms 64

Be the Blessing

Readings for today: Zechariah 5-8, Psalms 61

I love these words from Zechariah today, “The Lord of Armies says this: “In those days, ten men from nations of every language will grab the robe of a Jewish man tightly, urging: Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” (Zechariah‬ ‭8‬:‭23‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Can you imagine? Can you imagine a day where God’s people are so marked by His grace and peace and steadfast love and righteousness and holiness that people from every tribe, tongue, and nation on the earth would lay hold of them just to be in God’s presence? Can you imagine a day when the culture wars cease and the perpetual outrage cycle ends and people turn in exhaustion to those who walk humbly before their God? Can you imagine a day when we lay aside all our selfishness, greed, lust for power, and love of deception and instead cling to those who follow Jesus?

The Apostle Paul says, “All creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God.” (Romans 8:19) The whole world is looking forward to a day when the people of God, filled with the Spirit of God, will answer the call of God and walk in the ways of God to fulfill the mission of God. Read that sentence again to yourself. Read it slowly. Read it carefully. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, the message is clear. The world is waiting for you! The world is waiting for me! The world is groaning under the weight of sin, longing for release! Longing for freedom! Longing for the day when the people of God will take up their mandate once again to care for and steward all God has made, especially the creatures made in His image.

This is God’s plan. He reveals it clearly to His prophet. Over and over again, Zechariah declares the truth of God. Over and over again, Zechariah proclaims the promises of God. The Lord is jealous for Zion. (Zech. 8:2) The Lord will return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. (Zech. 8:3) The Lord will save His people and gather them from the east and the west to live with Him in Jerusalem. (Zech. 8:7-8) I will save you and you will be a blessing. (Zech. 8:13) You will sow in peace and the vine will yield its fruit, the land its produce, and the skies their rain. I will give the remnant of My people all these things as an inheritance. (Zech. 8:12) Friends, the message to us could not be more clear. We are to live as citizens of heaven here on earth. The church is created to be a community of life in the midst of a culture of death. We are called to be salt and light in the world. We must live and love and serve and speak in such a way that those around us who do not yet know God will sense His Spirit within us.

Readings for tomorrow: Zechariah 9-14, Psalms 62 (No devotionals on Sundays)

Eternal Security

Readings for today: Zechariah 1-4, Psalms 60

Walls were incredibly important in the ancient world. They marked out the boundaries of a particular city. They provided security for those living within them. They protected the water supply and food stores. In fact, your community didn’t qualify as a “city” unless it was surrounded by a wall. If you were to set out to build a city in the ancient world, the very first thing you would do is build your wall. Often made of sun-dried mud and brick, you would try to build it as high and as deep as possible. Jericho, among the oldest cities in the world, has the oldest defensive wall in existence and it was a monster. Thirteen feet high and six feet wide, backed by a twenty-eight foot watchtower. They were sloped in order to make it difficult to scale if you were an opposing army. A few years ago, I stood on those walls and looked out over the modern day city of Jericho. Truly amazing.

Perhaps that’s why a line in today’s reading stuck out to me. Zechariah 2:4-5. “The angel said to him, “Run and tell this young man: Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls because of the number of people and animals in it.” The declaration of the Lord: “I myself will be a wall of fire around it, and I will be the glory within it.” At first blush, this is not a message Zechariah wants to hear. A city without walls? A city laid vulnerable before her enemies? A city without protection? No thanks! It wouldn’t matter how large it was or how many people lived within it, if she didn’t have a wall, they would be an easy target for their enemies. But the Lord isn’t done. He will be their wall. He will be their protection. He will be their security. They have nothing to fear for He will keep out their enemies. Not only that but He will be their glory. This image will be echoed later on the final Book of Revelation where the Apostle John talks about there not being a need for a sun or a moon for the glory of the Lord will be the light of the heavenly Jerusalem.

What does God want us to learn here? He wants us to lean on Him for our security. Lean on Him for protection. Lean on Him when we are anxious or afraid. As powerful as they were, the walls of Jericho were destroyed and rebuilt many times over. The same was true for every single city in the ancient near east. No matter how big your army or how technologically advanced your weaponry or how wealthy your nation might be, all of them fell into ruin. All of them are eventually overcome by an enemy more powerful and more advanced. The same is true for us. We can do all we can to keep ourselves safe. Protect our health and wealth and those we love. We can store up millions in retirement accounts. Exercise every single day. Get enough sleep. Eat well. Take supplements. Utilize our access to the best doctors and medical care in the world. None of it will extend our lives a single day longer than what God has already ordained. Much better to trust the Lord. To let God take care of our lives. To let Him be the wall of fire that surrounds us and the glory that lives inside us. With God providing our eternal security, we are set free to live completely and fully for Him.

Readings for tomorrow: Zechariah 5-8, Psalms 61

Be Strong

Readings for today: Haggai 1-2, Psalms 59

Be strong. In the face of all the challenges this world can bring. Be strong. When you’re disappointed and let down. Be strong. When you are anxious and afraid. Be strong. When life doesn’t go your way. Be strong. When you feel overwhelmed. Be strong. I love today’s words from Haggai. They are words for every generation. Words for every community of believers in every culture and place around the world. Words for those who are old and young, rich and poor, educated and lacking education, powerful and powerless, influential and marginalized, black, brown, or white. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’ve come from or your background or life experience, God says, “I am with you.” I am with you in the midst of life. I am with you in the midst of all the challenges you face. I am with you in success and failure. I am with you in plenty and in want. I am with you in sickness and in health. I am with you to the end.

And what is the faithful response to God’s amazing promise? Work. Keep pressing in. Keep pushing forward. Keep working until the job is finished. And what is the job? For Zerubbabel and Joshua, it was the rebuilding of the Temple. For us, it is the work of evangelism and discipleship. Proclaiming the good news of the gospel to the whole world and teaching those who believe all God has commanded. This is a work that never ends. It is a work that demands our best effort and our best resources. It is a work that is worth doing because eternity is literally at stake. It is a work that will endure. A work that will last. A work that will become a monument in the heavens for all to see just as the work of the ancient Israelites would result in a Temple that would stand as a monument to God’s greatness and glory for all the nations to see.

Listen to Haggai’s words again and think about how they apply to your own life. Insert your name where it mentions Zerubbabel and Joshua. Don’t be afraid to claim these promises as your own. “Even so, be strong,____________— this is the Lord’s declaration. Be strong, ____________, high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land — this is the Lord’s declaration. Work! For I am with you, __________  — the declaration of the Lord of Armies. This is the promise I made to you, _____________, when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit is present among you; don’t be afraid.’” For the Lord of Armies says this: “Once more, in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all the nations so that the treasures of all the nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,” says the Lord of Armies. “The silver and gold belong to me” — this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies. “The final glory of this house will be greater than the first,” says the Lord of Armies. “I will provide peace in this place”  — this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies.” (Haggai‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬) It’s amazing to think about. God shaking the heavens and the earth, the sea and dry land. God shaking the nations to fill His house with His glory. God promising that the final glory of His house will far eclipse the former glory of His house. This is the glory we are working towards as His people. This is the glory we will one day worship and dwell in when we stand before the Lord at the end of days.

Readings for tomorrow: Zechariah 1-4, Psalms 60

Fear and Trembling

Readings for today: Daniel 10-12, Psalms 58

In my line of work, I get sent all kinds of things. YouTube videos of so-called prophets predicting the end. Chain emails suggesting I need to focus more on the end times. Free books by obscure authors telling me they’ve cracked the code and know the time and date of Jesus’ return. One of the things that strikes me most about all of this is the utter lack of fear and trembling and humility. These modern-day prophets claim to have seen all kinds of divine visions and dreams but don’t fall on their faces in fear. Rather than grieve, they seemingly take delight in calling for the destruction of the world. They arrogantly proclaim their “interpretation” and refuse to acknowledge when they get things wrong…which they always do. It’s nuts to me.

When God gave visions and dreams to His prophets in the Old Testament, they all fall on their faces in awe before the Lord. They tremble in fear at His coming. They are overwhelmed by what they see and cannot comprehend what God is telling them until an angel of the Lord reveals it to them. They are humble. They grieve over the judgment they know is coming. They fast and pray until their bodies are weak from hunger. Listen again to Daniel’s experience as he receives his final visions from God, “Only I, Daniel, saw the vision. The men who were with me did not see it, but a great terror fell on them, and they ran and hid. I was left alone, looking at this great vision. No strength was left in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless. I heard the words he said, and when I heard them I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me shaking on my hands and knees.” (Daniel‬ ‭10‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭CSB) Now contrast his example with what we hear from those who claim to be prophets in our day and age. It could not be more different.

It’s a fearful thing to receive a vision of the future from God. Such knowledge is far too wonderful and complex for our minds to comprehend. It overwhelms the senses. It forces us to our knees. It leaves us gasping for breath. Human beings simply aren’t designed for such things which is why every single one of the Old Testament prophets is driven to the point of death by the experience. Even Jesus Himself claimed He couldn’t know the timing of the end. He had to trust His Father for that knowledge.

Every human being worries about the future. We worry about tomorrow or the next day or the next month or the next year. We worry about our jobs. We worry about our livelihoods. We worry about our children and grandchildren. For many around the world, they worry about what they will eat or where they will find water. Many believers worry about the end. They look around the world today with all its suffering, violence, hatred, anger, injustice, and oppression and they wonder when God will return to bring these things to an end. Rather than focusing so much on trying to predict it all or figure it out, I think the final words of the Book of Daniel point us in the right direction. “But as for you, go on your way to the end; you will rest, and then you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance at the end of the days.” (Daniel‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Readings for tomorrow: Haggai 1-2, Psalms 59

Hope

Readings for today: Daniel 7-9, Psalms 57

Today we read one of my favorite passages in the Old Testament about the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man. A prophetic vision of the end times when God Himself will set up His throne on earth to bring judgment and an end to all injustice, fear, and violence. He will give His kingdom to the Son of Man who has been prepared from eternity to rule a kingdom that will last forever. No matter how strong and fearsome the principalities and powers of this world may seem, they are no match for the Son of Man. The great “beasts” of this world with all their arrogant, corrupt, oppressive, and abusive ways will be killed and thrown into the eternal fire. They will be no more. It’s a day I long for with all my heart. It’s a day I pray for with all my soul. I long for the day when the Son of Man will come again, bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth, reign and rule over all creation.

Listen again to the words of the vision of Daniel, “As I kept watching, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was white like snow, and the hair of his head like whitest wool. His throne was flaming fire; its wheels were blazing fire. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from his presence. Thousands upon thousands served him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was removed, but an extension of life was granted to them for a certain period of time. I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.” (‭‭Daniel‬ ‭7‬:‭9‬-‭14‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Our world is on fire. Beasts of all kinds rise up and create all kinds of chaos and destruction. None of us are immune. No one can escape. We live in so much fear, so much anger, so much hate. Things are so bad even the “holy ones” of God, believers in Jesus Christ, are led astray. We turn on the news and see the violence. We scroll through social media and drown in disinformation designed to incite all kinds of outrage. We listen to our leaders lie with impunity and without shame. Perhaps worst of all, we become numb to the suffering we see. It’s heartbreaking. Thankfully, we are not at the mercy of the evil in the world. Sin will not have the last word. God Himself is coming to judge. He will take His seat on the throne of this world. And though the nations of the earth rage against Him, they resist in vain. God will remove their dominion and give it to His Son. He will reign forever and ever with glory and power. Every tribe, tongue, and nation will serve Him. His Kingdom will have no end. This is our only hope.

Readings for tomorrow: Daniel 10-12, Psalms 58

Testimony

Readings for today: Daniel 4-6, Psalms 56

Every single Christian has a testimony. The story of how they received Christ and trusted Him as Lord and Savior. For some, the testimony is of faithful parents who raised them in the faith from birth. For others, the testimony is how Christ saved them in the midst of great hardship and suffering. For still others, the testimony is how God confronted them in their sin and humbled them before His throne. No matter how you came to faith, each testimony is the story of God’s great faithfulness to reach those He loves with the gospel. Every Christian is a living, breathing example of God’s great desire to reach every tribe, tongue, and nation on the earth. No one is beyond His reach. No one is unworthy of His grace. No sin is so great that it cannot be forgiven. If you had any doubt about that, consider the testimony we read today from King Nebuchadnezzar.

King Nebuchadnezzar is one of the great tyrants in human history. The number of people he killed as his armies swept through the Middle East is astronomical. He brutally suppressed the nations he conquered. He drug hundreds of thousands into exile. He razed homes and temples and cities. He used terror and fear and torture and death as instruments to hold his growing empire together. He was prideful and arrogant, believing himself to be one of the gods. At the height of his power, God confronted him. He drove Nebuchadnezzar insane and he lost his kingdom. For seven years, he was lost, wandering in the labyrinth of his own crazed mind. He ate grass like cattle. He was exposed to the elements. He never cut his hair or nails. Finally, he looked up to heaven. He humbled himself before God. And his heart was changed. His mind was healed. His position and authority restored. Listen to how he describes it in his own words, “But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity returned to me. Then I praised the Most High and honored and glorified him who lives forever: For his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing, and he does what he wants with the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can block his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” At that time my sanity returned to me, and my majesty and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and my nobles sought me out, I was reestablished over my kingdom, and even more greatness came to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of the heavens, because all his works are true and his ways are just. He is able to humble those who walk in pride.” (Daniel‬ ‭4‬:‭34‬-‭37‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

It’s an incredible story. One that gives all of us hope. If God can save a man like Nebuchadnezzar, He can save anyone. If God can confront and change the heart of one of the most brutal tyrants in human history, He can change the hearts of all those who look to heaven and turn to Him. The story of Nebuchadnezzar reinforces the unconditional nature of God’s love and amazing grace. Grace is God’s free gift to all who humble themselves before Him.

Readings for tomorrow: Daniel 7-9, Psalms 57

The Power of One

Readings for today: Esther 6-10, Psalms 54

One of my favorite movies is titled, “The Power of One.” It details one young man and one young woman’s fight against the evils of apartheid in South Africa. It addresses all kinds of different issues but the main message is the significant power each individual has to stand up for justice and make a difference in the world. Esther is such a person.

Perhaps the most famous line in the book comes in chapter four when Mordecai encourages Esther to take action by saying, “Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.” (Esther‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬ ‭CSB‬) It’s an incredibly humbling thought. Esther’s entire life had led her to this moment. God using every decision. God shaping her through every experience. God honoring her courage and faithfulness by placing her in a unique position of influence and power so that she might prevent the genocide of her people. Esther had no idea any of this was happening along the way. She was just living her life. Making daily choices that seemed best to her at the time. She wasn’t born into a life of privilege. She was not part of the royal household growing up. She was just another nameless, faceless Jewish woman until a unique opportunity presented itself and God sovereignly acted on her behalf. Now she is the queen. The most powerful woman in the empire and the second most powerful person. She has overcome Haman, the enemy of her people. She has raised her uncle up to a position of power alongside her. She has influenced the king over and over again and proven to be the power behind the throne. It’s incredible.

And it begs an important question for each and every one of us. What are we doing to follow Esther’s example? What are we doing to stand up for justice in our own time? What are we doing to fight evil on personal as well as systemic levels? Where is God calling us to make a difference in the world? For me, it means working hard to influence those I serve to align their lives with the life of Jesus. It means modeling compassion and kindness and sacrifice for those who are marginalized or less fortunate or suffering or struggling in their life. It could be in the town where I live or on the other side of the world. Over the years, I have fought a running battle against poverty and addiction and abuse and neglect and greed and selfishness. I have fought these battles in coffee shops or at local bars as I encourage and challenge the people I know and love to follow Jesus and I have worked hard to change systems and structures in society so they might become more reflective of God’s Kingdom. It’s not easy but I’ve not even approached the sacrifices of a person like Esther. Her example continues to inspire me to this day and hopefully, she inspires you as well!

Readings for tomorrow: Daniel 1-3, Psalms 55 (No devotionals on Sundays)

Strong Women

Readings for today: Esther 1-5, Psalms 53

I love the women of the Bible. They live in incredibly difficult times. They live in cultures where they are treated more as property than people. They are subject to all kinds of abuse and neglect. They have no rights and no legal recourse. They are prized for their physical beauty and cast aside when it fades. Their worth is determined by the number of male children they bear and they are shamed if they cannot produce. It’s a brutal, harsh existence and it would be easy for the women to throw up their hands in despair. It would be easy for them to feel helpless and hopeless. Resign themselves to their lot in life and try to make the best of things. But then you read stories about women like Vashti and Esther. Women who are powerful. Fierce. Courageous. Bold. They dare to stand up to the men in their lives. They dare to be different. They refuse to accept the social and cultural restraints placed upon them.

One of the common mistakes we make when we read the Bible is to assume that because every word is “inspired” it must mean every word has God’s endorsement. For example, I’ve seen our passage from today used to support all sorts of misogynist thinking. Rather than celebrate Queen Vashti’s courage for refusing to bow down to the drunken wishes of an abusive king, they take the king’s side. They worry that Vashti’s example will cause all women to “look on their husbands with contempt” or they use Esther 1:22 where it talks about “every man being master in his own household” as a proof text for hierarchical notions of spiritual leadership. Such thinking is toxic and betrays a lack of understanding on how to appropriately interpret Scripture. Nowhere in the text does the king’s behavior receive God’s endorsement. In fact, God isn’t mentioned a single time in the entire book! The reason this book is included in the Bible is to teach us how God often works behind the scenes through the courage of His people. People He strategically places in pagan culture to carry out His sovereign will. People like Esther for example. “The king loved Esther more than all the other women. She won more favor and approval from him than did any of the other virgins. He placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti. The king held a great banquet for all his officials and staff. It was Esther’s banquet. He freed his provinces from tax payments and gave gifts worthy of the king’s bounty.” (Esther‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭CSB‬‬) It’s important to note the king’s lecherous behavior never seems to change. He is a man driven by his unrestrained passions. As such, he is vulnerable to all sorts of manipulation. Left on his own, he would have killed all the Jews in his empire. But thankfully God was at work! Behind the scenes. Under the radar. Hidden from view. He orchestrates things in such a way that Esther is placed on the throne. And though she presumably has to endure some of the same abuse her predecessor Vashti did, she leverages her position to save her people.

We still live in a world full of abuse. A world where women are often dismissed, neglected, or ignored. A world where women are not treated as equals. They often do not receive equal pay or equal access or equal opportunity. Their rights are now being further eroded as more and more men identify as women. I know many men who are intimidated by strong women. I know many men who are afraid of strong women. I know many men who weaponize Scripture in order to subjugate women. Thankfully, Scripture itself attests to the truth that women are made in the image of God. Women are co-heirs to the Kingdom of God. Women are co-equals in the eyes of God. Furthermore, Scripture gives us example after example of women of deep faith who courageously buck their traditional cultural roles as they seek to serve and honor God. Jesus Himself affirmed the women who sacrificed everything to follow Him. They were among His first and most faithful disciples. I myself have been incredibly blessed to be married to a strong, godly woman and to be raising three strong, godly daughters.

Readings for tomorrow: Esther 6-10, Psalms 54

The Danger of Compromise

Readings for today: Nehemiah 12-13, Psalms 52

It usually starts small. A tiny step. A shift of one degree. One little compromise. We justify it in all sorts of ways. Surely God will understand. Surely God will make an exception this one time. Surely God knows we aren’t perfect. But then the compromises keep coming. A tiny step turns into several larger steps. One degree turns into two degrees then three. One little compromise opens the door to other, more significant compromises and the next thing we know, we are in full rebellion against God’s commands.

The last chapter of Nehemiah details a list of reforms he instituted for the people of Israel. It’s a startling way to end a book. No “happily ever after.” No “riding off into the sunset” for Nehemiah. His story ends in conflict. His story ends in confrontation. He even loses his temper and starts beating people and tearing out their hair! All this coming after an amazing time of worship where the entire population of Jerusalem gathered to sing the praises of God.

It is so easy for us to compromise. So easy for us to slide back into old habits. Someone once told me that humanity’s ability to sin is only surpassed by her ability to justify her sin. I believe it. I see it in my own life. The people of God compromised in all sorts of ways. They allowed people of foreign descent, people who worshipped other gods, to join them in worship at the Temple. For the sake of political expediency, they gave Tobiah - one of their sworn enemies - his own room in the Temple. They neglected to care for the Levites and other Temple servants by refusing to tithe, forcing them to fend for themselves. They refused to honor the Sabbath. They married foreign women. Their spiritual leaders desecrated their priestly office by intermarrying with those who did not worship Yahweh. In each case, I can almost hear the justifications. I can imagine the rationale. Our wives promised to put away their foreign gods! We’re trying to rebuild our lives and local economy and have to work on the Sabbath! If we give Tobiah a place of honor, perhaps he’ll leave us alone. From a human perspective, it all makes sense.

If I am honest, I too fall into these same traps. It’s easy for me to justify neglecting my time with God. It’s easy for me to attend worship on Sunday mornings and make it all about me and what I get out of it. It’s easy for me to justify working 24/7 without ever taking a break. It’s easy for me to give in to certain people in my life simply to avoid conflict. It’s easy for me to compromise my convictions for the sake of those I love. Frankly, it never ends well. Eventually all the little compromises I make start to stack up along the way, creating a burden far too heavy for me to bear. Eventually, the house of cards I build comes crashing down around me, leaving me far worse off than I could have imagined. God demands my obedience. Jesus Himself says, “If you love Me, you will obey My commands.” Following Christ is not easy. Following Christ requires great sacrifice. Following Christ means dying to “Self” with all its disordered desires and unrestrained passions.

Readings for tomorrow: Esther 1-5, Psalms 53

Step of Faith

Readings for today: Nehemiah 10-11, Psalms 51

There’s a little story in today’s reading that’s often overlooked. It’s lost in the middle of the mess of Israel’s national sin and their massive celebration at the dedication of the wall. It’s just two lines but the significance is huge. “Now the leaders of the people stayed in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots for one out of ten to come and live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine-tenths remained in their towns. The people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.” (Nehemiah‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Why is this a big deal? Well, when you think about it, living in Jerusalem at this particular time, under these particular conditions, meant placing yourself in significant danger. The city was well-known to be a threat in the region. The different tribal groups surrounding Israel had already tried to stop the city from being rebuilt. Even with a new wall, it would take a while for the city to regain her fighting strength. Furthermore, basic services were non-existent and the entire local economy would have to be rebuilt. It wasn’t going to be easy work. It would be much more comfortable to live out in the villages where you could cultivate your own land. Those living in Jerusalem would have to be dependent on food supplies coming in from the countryside, all of which could easily be disrupted by their enemies. So the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem were risking their very lives. It must have been a huge step of faith.

God doesn’t call us to be comfortable. The life He calls us to live requires self-denial, picking up a cross, and intentionally walking by faith, not by sight. Jesus himself says that anyone who would come after Him would have to lose their life in order to gain it. The people in the Bible face all kinds of challenges. Temptation is everywhere. Life is incredibly hard. They were subject to the same fears and anxieties that we struggle with as well. But they learned to trust God. Not perfectly. Not always faithfully. But on balance, their lives reflected a long obedience in the same direction. I love how one author - I think it was either Tolstoy or Dostoevsky - described the Christian life. “It’s like a drunk man stumbling from one side of the road to the other.” As crazy as it can get and as often as we fail, at least we are on the right road.

When was the last time you took a great risk for God? When was the last time God called you to do something uncomfortable, something challenging, something beyond you? When was the last time following Christ cost you something? Time? Opportunity? Some of your hard earned treasure? When was the last time you took a step of faith?

Readings for tomorrow: Nehemiah 12-13, Psalms 52

The Power of Corporate Worship

Readings for today: Nehemiah 7-9, Psalms 50

I remember attending a men’s conference when I first became a Christian. Tens of thousands of men gathered together to sing and pray and hear some of the best preachers in the world at the time. They came from every tribe, tongue, and nation. They come from every ethnicity and socio-economic class. They came from every denominational background and church experience. Worshipping in that environment was one of the most powerful experiences of my life and I will never forget it.

Human beings are worshipping creatures. Our earliest records from the prehistoric cave paintings in places like Spain and France to the depictions on walls of temples and palaces to the written accounts we have from the ancient world show how important worship has been to the human race. There is something deep inside that seeks transcendence. Something within that is drawn to contemplate eternity. One of my favorite professors at Princeton, a leading intellectual in the science and religion debate, believed this was one of the features that made Homo Sapiens unique. We seem to be hardwired for worship.

We see this on display in our reading today. All of the families who have returned from exile in Babylon gather in Jerusalem, within the safety of her newly rebuilt walls, to worship. And what is at the center of their worship experience? The reading and preaching of the Word of God. What we read today is one of the main reasons the church still centers her worshipping life largely around preaching. We believe the “foolishness of preaching” is the primary vehicle God has ordained to advance His Kingdom here on earth. For days, the people of Israel listened to Ezra read the Law. They celebrated as it was interpreted by their leaders for their understanding. They feasted and prayed and sang together. It must have been Woodstock on steroids!

Now reflect on your own worshipping experience. How do you feel when you gather with God’s people? How much do you participate or do you find yourself holding back? When the songs are sung and the prayers are prayed, are you part of it? Or do you consider yourself to be more of a spectator? And what about when the Word of God is read and proclaimed? Do you find yourself hungering and thirsting for more? Or does it barely make a mark? The most important thing you can do as a Christian is come to worship fully prepared to engage. The more you give yourself to the experience, the more you will get out of it. Furthermore, you will find yourself influencing those around you to join in as well. And the more God’s people get engaged, the more the Spirit moves, transforming and changing hearts, and lifting us up into the Lord’s very presence where there is an abundance of joy.

Readings for tomorrow: Nehemiah 10-11, Psalms 51

Social Justice

Readings for today: Nehemiah 4-6, Psalms 49

God clearly cares about justice. Justice for the fatherless. Justice for the widow. Justice for the poor and marginalized in human society. These themes show up over and over again throughout the Scriptures. God cares about how we treat each other. He cares about the systems we use to set up our communities. God cares about the laws we pass to govern our towns, cities, states, and nations. If you had any doubt about that before today, our reading from Nehemiah should settle it for you.

Nehemiah was the governor of Judea. He was charged not only with rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem but also rebuilding Jewish society in an area that was overrun with people from all sorts of different tribal backgrounds. These people did not share the same convictions as the Jews. They did not have access to God’s Law. They were not part of God’s covenantal people. But the problem Nehemiah ran into was not with the pagan people already living in the land. The problem was with God’s people who had returned. They quickly built a society where it was every person for themselves. Those who were rich got richer. Those who were poor got poorer. They were charging interest, something expressly forbidden by God’s Law, and even selling their fellow countrymen into slavery. Considering their history of slavery in Egypt, Nehemiah must have felt like he was living in the Twilight Zone.

Thankfully, Nehemiah was a bold and godly leader. He understood sin must be confronted on both a personal as well as systemic level. Listen again to how he handled the situation. “There was a widespread outcry from the people and their wives against their Jewish countrymen. Some were saying, “We, our sons, and our daughters are numerous. Let us get grain so that we can eat and live.” Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain during the famine.” Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless because our fields and vineyards belong to others.” I became extremely angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints. After seriously considering the matter, I accused the nobles and officials, saying to them, “Each of you is charging his countrymen interest.” So I called a large assembly against them and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish countrymen who were sold to foreigners, but now you sell your own countrymen, and we have to buy them back.” They remained silent and could not say a word. Then I said, “What you are doing isn’t right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God and not invite the reproach of our foreign enemies? Even I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending them money and grain. Please, let’s stop charging this interest. Return their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses to them immediately, along with the percentage of the money, grain, new wine, and fresh oil that you have been assessing them.” They responded, “We will return these things and require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” (Nehemiah‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬) It’s important to note Nehemiah not only confronts those who are perpetrating the sin, he sets up systems that will govern the region far into the future. God’s people will not be sold into slavery. God’s people will not charge each other interest. God’s people will re-distribute their wealth to care for the poor.

It’s a challenging read for us. The cultural gap between an ancient near east empire and a 21st century, capitalist democracy is massive and yet the principles remain the same. We too need to grapple with our personal responsibility for the sinful choices we make. We need to own where we have failed. Where we have allowed greed and selfishness and envy and jealousy to cause us sin against our brothers and sisters. We also need to grapple with the systems we’ve created that perpetuate injustice. Systems that may privilege the rich over the poor. Privilege the strong over the weak. Privilege those with influence over those who are shut out of the system for whatever reason. It’s a “both/and” and not an “either/or.” Most of all, we need to follow Nehemiah’s example and confront sin wherever it may be found so we root it out and live as God has called us to live.

Readings for tomorrow: Nehemiah 7-9, Psalms 50