"Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king's son. May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice . . . May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor." (Psalm 72.1-2, 4)
This prayer for the king of Israel is very interesting. Notice what the intercessor asks for: that the king, the leader of the nation, would care for the poor, "give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor." This is a unique prayer for the leader of a nation! That the psalmist would single out concern for the poor and needy and judgment for those who oppress the poor is significant.
It was a strong expectation in the life of Israel that the king (the leader of the nation) would care for the poor and needy and would enact justice for them. In fact, it was commanded by God in many places in the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). The Torah was the framework on which the nation of Israel was built. It was the rule, the standard, the boundaries for the abundant life God had promised Israel. Some of these laws included leaving food in your fields so the poor, the alien, the widow, the orphan could glean from it. Don't take someone's coat as a pledge on money owed to you. And one of the most radical: Every 50 years, land was supposed to be returned to its original family owners to insure that there would not be rampant homelessness in Israel.
Of course, Jesus picked up these same themes in his life and ministry: concern for the poor, the sick, the needy, the outcast.
Now, we aren't kings, but we do have the same call to reach out to the poor and needy. How might we do that today? Here's some ideas:
1. Bring canned meat to church this month. This goes to the Stanly Community Food Bank
2. Volunteer at a soup kitchen.
3. Sponsor a child through World Vision, Compassion International.
4. Look around you for those who may need your help. Your classmates, co-workers, neighbors, even your own family members may need assistance.
5. Support a missionary. (Want to know how, call me!)
6. Pay for the person behind you in the drive-through.
7. Go on a mission trip.
These are just a few ideas. What others can you think of?
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
a place of springs
"As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools." (Psalm 84.6)
Psalm 84 is an "ascent psalm." This means it was most likely one of the psalms (think praise song or hymn) that pilgrims sang on the way up to the Temple of God in Jerusalem. In this particular psalm, imagine that the pilgrims are passing through an arid stretch of land. Their water jugs are getting low. The word "Baca" means "weeping." Perhaps they have faced a host of terrible hardships along their pilgrimage. Perhaps it is a time of national disaster. Or perhaps the territory they are passing through has been through some serious trials. What happens next is the key to the verse.
As the pilgrims pass through the area of "weeping," they make it a place of springs. (Water was always at a premium in a region where deserts, droughts, and famines were common.) The springs represent the fullness of God's blessings and provisions for his creatures.
Maybe you are going through a season or time of "Baca/weeping." If so, be encouraged this day that Baca will not last forever. "Though weeping may tarry for the night, joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30.5) When we are in the midst of Baca, it is good for us to be with the people of God. Notice that in this Scripture, relief came in the form of community. We all need the community of faith, the Church. In our individual and corporate times of trial, it is good to borrow each others' faith. It is good to hear our sisters and brothers in the faith "sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs." (Ephesians 5.19) In times of Baca, it is good to feel the presence of the Church and hear our brothers and sisters pray the Lord's Prayer with us.
In your time of Baca, remember that you are not alone!
Psalm 84 is an "ascent psalm." This means it was most likely one of the psalms (think praise song or hymn) that pilgrims sang on the way up to the Temple of God in Jerusalem. In this particular psalm, imagine that the pilgrims are passing through an arid stretch of land. Their water jugs are getting low. The word "Baca" means "weeping." Perhaps they have faced a host of terrible hardships along their pilgrimage. Perhaps it is a time of national disaster. Or perhaps the territory they are passing through has been through some serious trials. What happens next is the key to the verse.
As the pilgrims pass through the area of "weeping," they make it a place of springs. (Water was always at a premium in a region where deserts, droughts, and famines were common.) The springs represent the fullness of God's blessings and provisions for his creatures.
Maybe you are going through a season or time of "Baca/weeping." If so, be encouraged this day that Baca will not last forever. "Though weeping may tarry for the night, joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30.5) When we are in the midst of Baca, it is good for us to be with the people of God. Notice that in this Scripture, relief came in the form of community. We all need the community of faith, the Church. In our individual and corporate times of trial, it is good to borrow each others' faith. It is good to hear our sisters and brothers in the faith "sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs." (Ephesians 5.19) In times of Baca, it is good to feel the presence of the Church and hear our brothers and sisters pray the Lord's Prayer with us.
In your time of Baca, remember that you are not alone!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
status
Psalm 84:10: "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." (NIV)
The humility of this Psalm 84 always strikes me. The writer of this Psalm would rather be a doorkeeper, a lowly servant, than to enjoy all the fruits of sin and wrongdoing. I am sometimes reminded that there is a profit to be made from participating in things that God's Word clearly says are wrong. The lucrativeness of the pornography industry is an example of this. Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy, lives in a mansion. Drug cartels in some parts of the world possess all the expensive toys money can buy.
Now, most of us are probably not tempted to found pornographic entertainment industries or to become drug lords. But we are subtly tempted each day to "sell out" to the world and its value (or lack of values) system. Will we "fudge" the details at work to get ahead? Will we cheat on that school test to move up in class standings? Will we participate in hurtful gossip about another person that somehow seems to make us popular?
These are questions that are worth our consideration. Will we trust what we can gain from honest work and truthful conversation? Are we satisfied with the gifts that God gives to us or do we always want more?
I'm reminded of a great prayer that makes this point: "Lord, let me have just enough. Do not let me have too little lest I be tempted to steal. Do not let me have too much lest I be tempted to trust in riches. But let me have just enough."
The humility of this Psalm 84 always strikes me. The writer of this Psalm would rather be a doorkeeper, a lowly servant, than to enjoy all the fruits of sin and wrongdoing. I am sometimes reminded that there is a profit to be made from participating in things that God's Word clearly says are wrong. The lucrativeness of the pornography industry is an example of this. Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy, lives in a mansion. Drug cartels in some parts of the world possess all the expensive toys money can buy.
Now, most of us are probably not tempted to found pornographic entertainment industries or to become drug lords. But we are subtly tempted each day to "sell out" to the world and its value (or lack of values) system. Will we "fudge" the details at work to get ahead? Will we cheat on that school test to move up in class standings? Will we participate in hurtful gossip about another person that somehow seems to make us popular?
These are questions that are worth our consideration. Will we trust what we can gain from honest work and truthful conversation? Are we satisfied with the gifts that God gives to us or do we always want more?
I'm reminded of a great prayer that makes this point: "Lord, let me have just enough. Do not let me have too little lest I be tempted to steal. Do not let me have too much lest I be tempted to trust in riches. But let me have just enough."
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Eating Flesh-Drinking Blood???
"Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them." (John 6.56)
Eating flesh and drinking blood? Is this Jesus' words or a line out of a horror movie? These words are indeed Jesus' words. And it has nothing to do with gory scenes.
Jesus is talking about Holy Communion, the meal of the Church. As we receive Holy Communion (or the Lord's Supper) we receive a spiritual blessing. As Christians, we believe that once ordinary items like bread and juice are blessed with the Communion Prayer, they come to represent Jesus' body and blood. It is a sign and symbol of Jesus abiding (or living, dwelling, making his residence) in us. And what a powerful reminder it is! God created us as material/physical beings. He knew that we would need physical reminders of the spiritual presence of Jesus. That's what Holy Communion is all about. In this humble "meal" of bread and juice: 1. We remember that Jesus gave it all on the cross for us an for our salvation 2. We come together as sisters and brothers in the family of God 3. We are strengthened for the spiritual journey we call life 4. We look forward to the heavenly banquet we will eat with all the saints in perfect communion with God the Father/Son/Holy Spirit. What a privilege and blessing it is!
Eating flesh and drinking blood? Is this Jesus' words or a line out of a horror movie? These words are indeed Jesus' words. And it has nothing to do with gory scenes.
Jesus is talking about Holy Communion, the meal of the Church. As we receive Holy Communion (or the Lord's Supper) we receive a spiritual blessing. As Christians, we believe that once ordinary items like bread and juice are blessed with the Communion Prayer, they come to represent Jesus' body and blood. It is a sign and symbol of Jesus abiding (or living, dwelling, making his residence) in us. And what a powerful reminder it is! God created us as material/physical beings. He knew that we would need physical reminders of the spiritual presence of Jesus. That's what Holy Communion is all about. In this humble "meal" of bread and juice: 1. We remember that Jesus gave it all on the cross for us an for our salvation 2. We come together as sisters and brothers in the family of God 3. We are strengthened for the spiritual journey we call life 4. We look forward to the heavenly banquet we will eat with all the saints in perfect communion with God the Father/Son/Holy Spirit. What a privilege and blessing it is!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Fear?
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Psalm 111.10a)
Fear? Is that really the word the writer of this Psalm meant to use? It seems so negative. It seems so old-fashioned. It seems so punitive.
The word in the original Hebrew of this Psalm is "Yur'ah." It means "fear, terror, awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear), fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety revered."
So, any attempt to soften the meaning to only "admire, look up to, etc." is misplaced. God is the all-powerful God of the Universe. Fear is appropriate for One who can create the whole Universe with one Word. It seems in our society today that there are many who seem to fear nothing. I still see that bumper sticker around: "NO FEAR." True fear of the Lord of the Universe might not be a bad thing.
But the interesting thing is that we are not only to "fear" the Lord. We are to love the Lord too! And the kind of love that the Lord shows us is evidence that God doesn't just want to be feared. He actually wants to have a relationship with us. Scripture shows us that God does not just want us to fear him like we would a prison guard or oppressive dictator. God wants us to know him and for us to let him know us. So, the fear is in the context of a God who loves us.
Fear God as the One who commands us to be obedient and holds our lives in his hands. Love God as the One who chose to come in the flesh of Jesus Christ and extend grace and mercy to us. Fear God as the One who expects us to actually follow his commands. Love God as the One who gave those commands not so we would miss all the fun, but so we would be protected from a lifestyle that leads to sorrow and death.
Fear? Is that really the word the writer of this Psalm meant to use? It seems so negative. It seems so old-fashioned. It seems so punitive.
The word in the original Hebrew of this Psalm is "Yur'ah." It means "fear, terror, awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear), fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety revered."
So, any attempt to soften the meaning to only "admire, look up to, etc." is misplaced. God is the all-powerful God of the Universe. Fear is appropriate for One who can create the whole Universe with one Word. It seems in our society today that there are many who seem to fear nothing. I still see that bumper sticker around: "NO FEAR." True fear of the Lord of the Universe might not be a bad thing.
But the interesting thing is that we are not only to "fear" the Lord. We are to love the Lord too! And the kind of love that the Lord shows us is evidence that God doesn't just want to be feared. He actually wants to have a relationship with us. Scripture shows us that God does not just want us to fear him like we would a prison guard or oppressive dictator. God wants us to know him and for us to let him know us. So, the fear is in the context of a God who loves us.
Fear God as the One who commands us to be obedient and holds our lives in his hands. Love God as the One who chose to come in the flesh of Jesus Christ and extend grace and mercy to us. Fear God as the One who expects us to actually follow his commands. Love God as the One who gave those commands not so we would miss all the fun, but so we would be protected from a lifestyle that leads to sorrow and death.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Rejection
"'Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?' And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, 'Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.'" (Mark 6.3-4)
Jesus was preaching one day in his hometown synagogue (the Jewish place of worship) and he experienced what we all experience sometimes: rejection by your own people.
Unfortunately, it is the human condition to be rejected sometimes. And since most of us circulate in the same human circles with the same people most of the time, it is inevitable that we will sometimes feel rejection from those closest to us: friends, classmates, co-workers, neighbors, etc.
Jesus' response is instructional to us: the rejection did not deter his mission. Oh, the people in his hometown did not receive the blessing of the fullness of his ministry because they rejected Jesus, but it did not stop his mission. He simply "shook the dust off his feet" and took his mission elsewhere.
Have you experienced rejection recently? If so, remember that God does NOT reject you. No one's rejection of you can change your God-given purpose. In the journey of faith, we will face rejection sometimes. But God never rejects us. God gives us purpose and mission to share his love wherever we go. YOU ARE LOVED AND ACCEPTED BY GOD!
Jesus was preaching one day in his hometown synagogue (the Jewish place of worship) and he experienced what we all experience sometimes: rejection by your own people.
Unfortunately, it is the human condition to be rejected sometimes. And since most of us circulate in the same human circles with the same people most of the time, it is inevitable that we will sometimes feel rejection from those closest to us: friends, classmates, co-workers, neighbors, etc.
Jesus' response is instructional to us: the rejection did not deter his mission. Oh, the people in his hometown did not receive the blessing of the fullness of his ministry because they rejected Jesus, but it did not stop his mission. He simply "shook the dust off his feet" and took his mission elsewhere.
Have you experienced rejection recently? If so, remember that God does NOT reject you. No one's rejection of you can change your God-given purpose. In the journey of faith, we will face rejection sometimes. But God never rejects us. God gives us purpose and mission to share his love wherever we go. YOU ARE LOVED AND ACCEPTED BY GOD!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Poor
"For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever." (Psalm 9.18)
There is no escaping God's injunction to reach out to the poor and needy. We see it over and over in the Bible from the beginning to the end. We need that challenge! It is the human condition to forget about the poor. Throughout church history, we always seem to be tempted to build beautiful buildings, establish great programs and groups, and then lock ourselves away in those edifices. Now, of course, there's nothing wrong with building a great facility to house worship, Sunday school, youth, etc. But, Jesus is always calling us to GO! To GO out into the hurting world and make a difference. To GO out into the lost world and bring the light of Christ. To GO out and make disciples out of those who need to know the Good News of Jesus.
It is human nature to want to establish a "COMFORT ZONE," and then never venture outside of it. In contrast, it is God's Nature to continually call us into mission, mission to reach out to those who are hunger or hurting with the Love of Jesus Christ. In what small way might you reach out today?
There is no escaping God's injunction to reach out to the poor and needy. We see it over and over in the Bible from the beginning to the end. We need that challenge! It is the human condition to forget about the poor. Throughout church history, we always seem to be tempted to build beautiful buildings, establish great programs and groups, and then lock ourselves away in those edifices. Now, of course, there's nothing wrong with building a great facility to house worship, Sunday school, youth, etc. But, Jesus is always calling us to GO! To GO out into the hurting world and make a difference. To GO out into the lost world and bring the light of Christ. To GO out and make disciples out of those who need to know the Good News of Jesus.
It is human nature to want to establish a "COMFORT ZONE," and then never venture outside of it. In contrast, it is God's Nature to continually call us into mission, mission to reach out to those who are hunger or hurting with the Love of Jesus Christ. In what small way might you reach out today?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)