Psalm 80: 17-19

“Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name. Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.” vss. 18-19

As we look over the shoulder of the psalmist we see the prayer that he put in the mouths of worshipers for a time of crisis. It’s not much different from the kind of prayer that many of us might use regularly in the course of a lifetime. In this instance there’s a plea for restoration, a profound desire that the nation might return to a position of power and stability. It’s the sort of thing that we would like for our country. But more often our prayers are for our families and friends, that they might return to health, that strength might be restored. We really do want that for others, and oftentimes too for ourselves. And generally we also make a promise, that if our prayers are heard and answered, if restoration does take place, then we will never again turn away from the Lord. That promise seems to be a natural part of our human interactions with God. Now it’s fine to make such pledges–provided that they come from the heart and aren’t an attempt at manipulation. Because we are called to respond to God’s gifts with changed lives and willing spirits. And when our intentions match what we actually end up doing, the asked for restoration will be made complete, and God’s face is radiant.

Thought for the Day: What promises have I made to God?

Psalm 80:1-7

“You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.” vs. 5

Occasionally we can get some pretty bad cases of the “blues” during this time of year. Even though holiday music is on the air all through the day and neighborhood decorations lighten the darkness, a kind of malaise comes to visit, and it’s hard to maintain the requisite seasonal cheery smile. Sometimes we just feel like crying! Often it’s triggered by thoughts of those who have died or the apparent dysfunction of our family, and sometimes it seems as though God has stopped paying any attention to our prayers. Those feelings are especially true if we’ve been raised in a religious environment where sadness, pain, and suffering are seen to be signs of doubt. There’s a message in such communities that if we are truly close to Jesus we will be in a perpetual state of joy and praise. Of course that’s simply not true. Those who are in Christ will experience the full range of human emotions, sometimes all in the course of a single day. And tears should be welcomed, even those that come in full measure and require a whole box of tissues. And when everyone else is out shouting “Merry Christmas” with fake smiles on their faces, our real sadness can be magnified. Be assured, we are not deserted by God in our pain–the Jesus who wept at the death of his friend weeps now with us!

Thought for the Day: When does blueness hit me?

Isaiah 7:10-16

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” vs. 14

During the years Isaiah was an advisor to King Ahaz of Judah, Israel and Syria had joined forces and launched an attack against Jerusalem, hoping to overthrow Ahaz. In the midst of the siege Isaiah goes to Ahaz, and when Ahaz refuses to ask God for a sign, gives him one of his own devising. A young woman will have a son and call him Immanuel, a symbolic name meaning “With us is God.” God was with Judah and Jerusalem was spared, at least for the time being. The name is familiar–believers from the beginning have attached it to Jesus–and it fits! If we’re wondering if God has abandoned us, or if there really is a God, we need look no further than Jesus. In him God is with us! It’s the most wonderful sign that humanity has ever been given. That’s why believers get so excited as we get ready for our annual celebration of Jesus’ birth. There are many things to be concerned about in our messed up world. Wars continue unabated, climate change is happening faster than we ever imagined, and refugees abound. And in the middle of all that we gather to sing out our favorite Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come Immanuel.” We don’t have to find God–God is already among us–unseen and powerful! Our future is secure!

Thought for the Day: What are signs that God is with us?

Matthew 11:7-11

“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” vs. 11

Jesus had to be careful in talking about John the Baptist. He was a well-known radical preacher who had gained enormous popularity by speaking truth to power. Large numbers of people had become his disciples and they had been deeply upset by his arrest and imprisonment. In fact, Jesus had come from Nazareth to the Jordan River in order to hear John speak and be baptized by him. That moment turned out to be the turning point in Jesus’ life. Guided by the Spirit he went back to Galilee and began proclaiming a similar yet radically different message, one based not on what we can do for God, but on what God does for us. This distinction continues to be what sets the gospel apart from all the legalistic messages so common in our culture. That’s why waiting is so important for believers, not only in Advent, but all through the year. We’re not only remembering the unconditional love of God that was made flesh in Jesus, we’re actively anticipating signs of that same love in our daily lives. Oh what an exciting life we have! God has come and is coming–and even we who think ourselves the least in the kingdom have a ringside seat to the action.

Thought for the Day: What has God done for me?

Matthew 11:2-5

“When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’” vss. 2-3

John had been waiting all of his life. Religion had let him down. The massive corruption of the temple leaders had driven him into the wilderness where he waited in stillness until he perceived signs that God had acted, and that the messiah was about to come. And now, having been arrested, he wondered if he was going to have to wait some more. Waiting for God is hard! What is it that we should be looking for? A new religion? A new prophet? Jesus told the disciples to pay attention to what they saw and heard. They should look for signs of healing and hope. And it’s not that much different for us! God is breaking into our world and we see God where there is healing, love, and restoration. We hear God where the good news of forgiveness and new life are proclaimed. God doesn’t show up in religion or new doctrines, God explodes into our lives where the hungry are being fed and the homeless housed–God is where good stuff is happening. Sometimes God shows up on Sunday mornings in a church, more often it’s in our interactions and relationships with the people around us–and it can happen any day of the week!

Thought for the Day: What are you waiting for?

James 5:9-10

“Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors!” vs 9

When people are in a waiting mode it’s not unusual for them to become irritated with one another. Even when there are no overt expressions of hostility there is likely to be an undercurrent of grumbling, and that’s what James was facing in his little community. He wanted it to stop, and not surprisingly used a tactic familiar to any parent trying to settle down unruly children during the weeks before Christmas. “You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town.” Oh, he doesn’t use those words, but the idea is the same. “You better not grumble so you won’t be judged, ‘cause the Judge is standing at the doors.” Unfortunately, James’s words have been taken to heart by countless people through the years. Again and again preachers and others have used this tactic as a way to control the behavior of believers. At best it’s manipulative, and at worst it destroys the gospel, turning it into good news for the righteous, but bad news for sinners, and that wasn’t the message of Jesus. James was right to comment on the behavior of his flock. Their grumbling was horribly destructive. But his choice of words was unfortunate and seems to undermine grace. No wonder Martin Luther considered this letter to be an “epistle of straw.”

Thought for the Day: How should people “get ready to meet their Maker”?

James 5:7-8

“Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient.” vss. 7-8a

Waiting for Christmas during Advent is not particularly difficult. Neighborhoods signal its nearness when the ladders come out and decorations go up. Even the smells around the household, cookies coming out of the oven and lefse hot off the grill, are clear signs that the 25th is fast approaching. It’s a calendar thing, a matter of crossing off days one by one, and as we mark time, Sundays pass, and before we know it, Christmas Day has arrived. Anyone can do it, and everyone does it! But at its core Advent isn’t about waiting for Christmas, it’s about waiting for the Lord, and that’s not a calendar event! James told his readers that such waiting would require patience, and he’s right. God is coming, and will change our lives, but we don’t have a clue about times of arrival. What’s worse, we don’t even quite know what to look for. James says it will be like waiting for a precious crop from the earth. It could even be like patiently waiting for the fruits of the Spirit—others have them–we can see the love, joy, and peace in their lives. And we want them too. If only they were available on demand–but they’re not! So it’s good when our very first fruit is patience. Because when we have that, the others will quickly follow.

Thought for the Day: When is patience most difficult?

Psalm 146:5-10

“Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.” vss. 5-7a

It is true that we can’t know God–our little minds are limited when it comes to the divine. But that doesn’t mean we have to remain speechless! Like the psalmist we find value in connecting with the God of our ancestors, the Creator God who continues to sustain and replenish all things. It is this God to whom we pray and whose Spirit enriches and guides our lives. This God is not morally neutral but has a decided preference for the oppressed and the broken. It is this God who comes to us and who defines our purpose and mission in the world, which is why people all around the world have dedicated their lives to causes that reach out to the poor and the hungry. This is why even hardened hearts are opened in this season of sharing. Somehow in all the glitz and glamor, people sense that there is a higher purpose for life and give generously to provide food for the hungry. Our mission is not complicated, and even if our minds can’t comprehend God, we are blessed when we join Jesus in living for others. He “got” God and, even when we can’t, joy comes our way when we become involved with him in serving and loving.

Thought for the Day: Who is my God?

Isaiah 35:5-10

“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” vs. 10

When the people of Judah were in exile in Babylon, some adapted and established roots there, but most longed to return to their homeland. These were encouraged in their hope by their prophets, faithful leaders who continued to believe that God would come and rescue them from their captivity. Isaiah painted a picture of a superhighway through the wilderness, a Holy Way that even fools could travel on in safety. His language is fitting for us too; many long for a Way to live in these confusing times. We feel the captivity of our culture and long for a path on which the footing is secure. Early followers of Jesus were not called Christians, but according to the Book of Acts they were known as the People of the Way. That’s a wonderful image, one that is a perfect description for our life in the world. There is a highway for us, one that we don’t even have to use GPS to negotiate. It’s the way of Jesus and it leads us straight to Truth and Life while avoiding every detour and pothole. And there’s even more. This is a joyful highway, and those who travel it will obtain joy and gladness, while all sorrows and sighing will flee away. And where are we going? In a word, we’re going home! Praise God!

Thought for the Day: Where am I going?

Isaiah 35:1-4

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.” vss. 1-2a

Isaiah lived in a semi-arid land, right on the edge of the Judean desert, and he annually observed the effects of the rainy season. When the winter rains came in January or February the desert blooms. Areas that appeared to be barren much of the year suddenly are covered with blankets of colorful flowers. Isaiah was right. It really does appear as though the hills have come alive and are now rejoicing with joy and singing. People who live in the Sonoran Desert region of the Southwest know exactly what he experienced. For Isaiah this annual transformation was a sign of the glory and the power of God, a reminder to Israel that they had not been abandoned and God would come to them soon. When we wait attentively we will see those signs of God too. These days we are experiencing the transformation of neighborhoods with the advent of holiday decorations. Some are gaudy and inappropriate but they do make our dark streets sparkle. It seems that even our secular culture yearns for signs of light in the midst of darkness. For eyes of faith those blow-up Santas and larger-than-life Frosty’s are a sign that God is. Christmas is coming. Jesus has already come–there is hope for us all!

Thought for the Day: Where am I seeing reminders of God’s glory?