Psalm 27:6-9

“Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!” vs. 9

People of faith find it hard to remain steadfast through tough times. Even the psalmist’s fine words turned accusatory when the light of the Lord seemed to dim. When there was no response to his prayers for help he immediately assumed that the Lord was angry and had forsaken him. We can’t really blame him; it’s hard to stay upbeat and positive about our spiritual connections when pleas for intervention and help go unheeded. And of course our first reaction is to assume that we’ve done something wrong, and if we actually have done some shameful act, we’ll have little doubt that we’ve fallen out of grace. The truth is that our sin is no surprise to God. All of us are sinners all the time and if God really abandoned people who sin, there’d never be a sign of God anywhere. So if we’re feeling alone in our journey, guess who has wandered away? The key to a restored relationship continues to be prayer. As we keep on praying the connection is restored, and even if things don’t suddenly turn our way, we begin to notice the signs of God’s presence. There’s a little more light and a little more love and a lot more forgiveness and grace. And the joy of life returns.

Thought for the Day: Why is it hard to pray when we’re depressed?

Psalm 27:1, 4-5

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” vs. 1

The psalmist was in one of those periods in his life when the Lord seemed very near and he had supreme confidence in the direction of his days. He knew that all was right in his world and that he had nothing to fear. The Lord was the stronghold of his life! That’s a great feeling and some folks can identify with the psalmist’s convictions at many times in their lives. It’s wonderful to have our ducks in a row and to be confident that we’re on the right track. In those moments we are content in our congregations, finding comfort in our prayers, and daily walking in the light of God’s palpable presence. We have no fear about the future and simply know that no matter what happens we are going to be okay, both in this life and the next. Sometimes that confidence hangs on for a long time–occasionally for a lifetime. Some people with that depth and strength of faith live among us and are an inspiration for our own journeys. But for most folks the confidence ebbs and flows. It’ll be there for a season and then will dissipate among the vagaries and challenges that life brings. Such feelings are frustrating, but nothing to worry about–they’re part of a natural rhythm. God’s presence is not dependent on our feelings, and we are blessed when we take that knowledge to heart.

Thought for the Day: How’s my faith doing these days?

Isaiah 9:1-4

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.” vs. 2

In August of 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a speech in front of a quarter million civil right marchers in which he laid out his dream of an end to racism and the beginning of freedom and equality in the United States. Today, on the day set aside to honor King, portions of that “I Have a Dream” speech will be heard again as people take time to remember his prophetic vision. His words of hope remind us of passages from Isaiah, one of his sources of inspiration, and describe the deep desire of captive peoples to be free. We can be grateful for his passionate oratory and his commitment to nonviolent resistance. Because of his leadership and of others in his mold we’ve made progress in dealing with every kind of racial injustice–the people who walked in darkness have indeed seen a great light. But there’s still work to be done! Laws have been passed, inequities have been addressed, but people’s hearts can’t be changed by legislation. There’s systemic racism that is difficult for people to acknowledge or confess–the demons of the past continue to make themselves known–sometimes at the most unexpected and embarrassing times. Thank God for prophets like Dr. King and Isaiah who are willing to speak truth to power even at the risk of their lives.

Thought for the Day: What are signs of systemic racism?

John 1:37-42

“When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’” vs. 38

The question Andrew was asked is one that searchers of every age have been hard-pressed to answer. Certainly that’s true in our time. People are looking for something, but they often have no idea what it is. Some think they want material prosperity, but are disappointed when they achieve it. Others are looking for meaning or purpose, or more commonly just plain happiness, and find it ever so elusive. People will try hobbies or sports or travel, and occasionally check out a new religion. Some try meditation! Evidently Andrew found the question difficult too, and responded with a question of his own. At first “where are you staying?” seems a strange thing to say, but Andrew is no fool. He seems to intuit that whatever he’s looking for is connected to the person of Jesus, and if he can find his way to Jesus his search will be at an end. Though it’s easier said than done, Andrew’s insight still works well. Countless persons have found peace and serenity in a prayer-filled living relationship with Jesus. And when that happens it seems their search is over, and contentment fills their souls. They don’t seem to crave or need anything else. Hanging out with Jesus is enough!

Thought for the Day: What am I looking for?

John 1:29-36

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” vs. 29

The gospel writer John indicates that John the Baptist also had a moment of insight and inspiration on the day that Jesus came for baptism. Though he didn’t know Jesus, the appearance of the dove convinced him that the Holy Spirit had designated Jesus as God’s Chosen One. So the very next day, when John sees Jesus mingling among his disciples he points him out as the Lamb of God, thereby becoming the very first Christian evangelist! Ironically, John did not become a follower of Jesus but continued his baptismal ministry until he was arrested and thrown into prison. But his testimony was not forgotten. Some heard what he said and became followers of Jesus, the first among billions who have acknowledged him as the Word of God. In our small ways we can continue to point the way to Jesus as the Light of the World. It might be a phrase or two in the course of an ordinary conversation, but our words of witness can spark a whole chain of events in a person’s life. Sometimes we won’t even realize what we’ve done but the Spirit works in remarkable ways, and through our words lives can be changed. And when it’s our habit to point to Jesus as the Lamb, we never know who might be listening, or how they might be affected.

Thought for the Day: How has someone’s testimony changed me?

1 Corinthians 1:4-9

“God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” vs.9

Paul showers the Corinthian congregation with generous affirmations in his salutation. They have able and gifted leaders, men and women who can speak with eloquence and knowledge, and on top of that they have been enriched with a multitude of spiritual gifts. They are an exemplary congregation. But that’s not what gives Paul reason for thanksgiving! He knows full well that these fine people are prone to deep divisions and that their unity is in jeopardy because of their foolish pride and competitive nature. Those problems are the reason for his letter. Paul gives thanks because God is faithful! Ultimately that’s what it comes down to for every single one of us. We servants of Christ are a varied lot and we do possess a multitude of gifts. Some are knowledgeable and eloquent. But we are also possessed by a multitude of flaws and deficiencies. In a word, we are also sinners! And we’re going to stay that way. But we’ve got one big thing going for us: God is faithful! God is going to continue to be God no matter how we behave, and that is our hope and our salvation. Because God is who God is, we sinners are capable of extravagant love and bountiful goodness, and that’s why peace and joy can fill our hearts in spite of who we are. Of course we’re sinners, but we are also the redeemed of God!

Thought for the Day: How can one feel joy and guilt at the same time?

1 Corinthians 1:1-4

“Paul…..to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…” vss. 1-2a

Paul had lived in Corinth for some time in the course of his first missionary journey and had founded the congregation there. Mostly Gentile, they had continued to be faithful to the gospel and had kept in contact with Paul after he had gone on to Ephesus. Not only had they written him a letter with some questions, but he had been getting other reports too, some of which had disturbed him. While he would have liked to have visited in person he contented himself with offering guidance and direction through letters. From his salutation we can see that he believed that the Corinthian believers were part of the one universal church of God in Christ, and that they had already been sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints. His choice of words is important and reminds us that sanctification is a journey and not a destination. Being a saint is not something that we aspire to be, it’s something that we already are! And we do not need to continually monitor our behavior and be mortified by our sinful condition. That’s just our nature! And we are never going to fall from grace no matter how twisted our lives become. Of course that doesn’t mean our behaviors are inconsequential–Paul let the Corinthians know clearly that they had gone astray. But they never stopped being saints, and neither will we!

Thought for the Day: Why are we reluctant to think of ourselves as saints?

Psalm 40:1-11

“I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.” vs. 10

People of faith are sometimes reluctant to talk about the ways God has been active in their lives. It could be that they’ve known people who wear their faith on their sleeves and talk of little else–admittedly such experiences with the zealous can be wearisome. Or maybe they just don’t like to talk about themselves and are afraid of being perceived as braggarts. The psalmist had no such compunctions and in fact trumpeted before his entire community the many ways he had experienced the steadfast love of the Lord. He believed that this was the best way available for him to express his thanksgiving to God for all the saving graces he had received. Certainly it was better than any number of sacrifices or burnt offerings. As we now move into Epiphany, the season of light, it would be good for us to find inspiration from this psalmist. In our baptisms we were enjoined to “Let our lights so shine before others that they might see our good works and give glory to God.” That means becoming vocal about the happiness and joy that have come our way through living as servants of the Lord. There’s really no better way to evangelize that to let others get a glimpse of our faith life.

Thought for the Day: What could I share that might inspire others?

Isaiah 49:5-7

“he says, ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’” vs. 6

When the prophet uses the word “servant” in this section of Isaiah he’s almost always referring to the people of Israel. They are God’s chosen ones, and together they are his servant. They had been set aside, not only as a nation, but as a light to the nations. Their mission was global! After Jesus’ death and resurrection, as early believers reflected on his life and mission, they believed that what had happened in him was the fulfillment of the prophet’s vision. Isaiah had been talking about Israel. They applied his words to Jesus, and so do we! Jesus was given, not only to the Jews, but to the whole world. What happened in him was for all people! He was and is the light of the world! And now, we who call ourselves his servants can also see ourselves in Isaiah’s words. We do not exist in this time and place solely for our own benefit, we have been called and set aside by the Spirit to continue the mission. There are many who have not heard the good news of salvation, and just as God gave Israel and Jesus to be lights to the nations, it’s now our turn. We are the Servant of Isaiah’s vision!

Thought for the Day: How does it feel to be the Servant of God?

Isaiah 49:1-4

“He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, ‘You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’” vss. 2-3

In spite of external appearances like the destruction of Jerusalem and the ensuing captivity in Babylon, the prophet continued to believe that Israel would one day bring glory to God. The nation was like a hidden weapon that would one day be used to bring light to the entire earth. That same metaphor could well be used to describe how the servants of Jesus will one day be used to reshape and reform the world. Sometimes it doesn’t appear as though the church has much significance or relevance–political and economic forces seem to be dictating the trends and directions of modern times. Different nations spend trillions of dollars as they vie for global domination. Cultural icons from the entertainment and sports establishment are the trend-setters and people of faith are seldom seen or heard. But we know the church is real; the body of Christ is no figment of our imagination. Places of worship are seen in every land, a hidden force in plain sight, and one day the servants of God will be unleashed to bring justice and peace to all peoples. In spite of appearances we are a potent force, and through us God will be glorified. 

Thought for the Day: Why does the church appear to be impotent?