Psalm 98:1-3

“He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.” vs. 3

The people of Israel gathered regularly to celebrate their covenant with the Lord. They remembered in song the victories of their armies and gave all the credit to God. This psalm was undoubtedly composed for use at one of those celebrations. It reflects the Israelite’s conviction that they could never have achieved unity and independence apart from the hand of God. Sometimes it’s good for us to take a look back in order to appreciate the life that we have now. From a certain perspective it is true that none of us would be in the place we are today apart from the presence of God. Through the centuries our ancestors have survived every kind of natural disaster, numerous wars, and devastating plagues–if they hadn’t, we wouldn’t even exist! That’s just how life works! So we too have much to be thankful for! Unfortunately we sometimes get so caught up in the mechanics and routine of everyday living that we forget just how blessed we are. In truth, our mere existence is miraculous! We’ve beat the odds, and there’s nothing better for us to do than to give all the thanks and praise to God. If so inclined we might even find time today to sing a new song! We are alive. Alleluia!

Thought for the Day: How will I show thanksgiving to God today?

Malachi 4:1-2a

“But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.” vs 2a

Even though he was likely not the last of the Old Testament prophets, because of his message, Malachi does get the last word in the Hebrew scriptures. Deeply critical of temple practices after the exile he has two messages for the Jewish people. First, a day of destruction will come, the long anticipated Day of the Lord, and all evildoers will be burned like stubble after the harvest. But then comes an image of hope. In a description reminiscent of ancient Egyptian thought, he says that the sun of righteousness will rise, with healing in its wings, and God’s people will experience restoration. It’s a powerful poetic image and serves as a wonderful introduction to the New Testament of Jesus Christ, the One who is the Son of Righteousness. In his life and through his message he brought healing to our broken world, a healing that is continuing to this very day. How wonderful that the book of Malachi really wasn’t the last word for believers! Our last Word is Jesus, and he came with good news of great joy for all people. We’re in the process now of making plans for Thanksgiving, and of all the things we have to be thankful for, there is none more precious than the new life that is ours in him!

Thought for the Day: What does a sunrise mean for me?

Luke 20:34-38

“And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” vs. 37

Because the Sadducees were deeply attached to the the Law of Moses, Jesus uses a passage from Exodus to show that even Moses acknowledged resurrection. His argument wouldn’t likely convince us–he says that since Moses spoke of the Lord as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob there must be resurrection, since the Lord is God not of the dead, but of the living. And we don’t know if the argument convinced the Sadducees either. In fact, we know from our own experience that if someone refuses to believe in life after death, there is little we can do to convince them–it’s a matter of faith and not of logic! And some people, because resurrection can’t be proven through argument, choose not to believe. Paul felt this conclusion was a tragedy, and wrote to the Corinthians, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” It really is sad not to believe that our loved ones experience life after death. Sometimes when death comes near, the sadness is overwhelming, and the only consolation we have is that our friend or family member now has peace. Of course this new life will remain mysterious, and we won’t be able to answer every question, but the simple belief in resurrection is enormously satisfying.

Thought for the Day: Where do unbelievers find peace?

Luke 20:27-32

“Finally the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.” vss. 32-33

The Sadducees, who with the Pharisees continually sparred with Jesus about matters of the Law, did not believe in the resurrection. They followed the traditional teaching of the Hebrew scriptures and felt that death was simply the end of life. Those who died went to the place of the dead. It’s what made sense for them. They knew that Jesus, like the Pharisees, did believe in resurrection, so they devised what they thought was a clever question: if a woman had 7 husbands and there were no children, which man would be her husband in the resurrection?  Now in our day, most people tend to believe that there is life after death, but we still have questions. And many of those questions are related to family members who have died. We wonder first of all if they have made it through the pearly gates, and then, assuming that they have, will we be reunited with them? Those are reasonable questions, but they make an assumption about life after death that Jesus does not support. He told the Sadducees that life in the resurrection isn’t anything like life in this world. Everything is changed! And as much as we love life in this world, life in the next will be better. What will it be like? There are no words to describe it, and we’ll just have to be content with that!

Thought for the Day: What do I wonder about life after death?

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.” vs. 15

This second letter to the Thessalonians was Paul’s attempt to call them back to the traditions that he had taught them during his visit a few years before. Evidently controversy about the Second Coming had resulted in confusion, and misunderstandings about the Last Times were rampant. Paul had massive confidence in the truth of what he had taught and urged his readers to trust his words above what others were saying. We don’t know whether the people paid any attention to him or not, but we do know that the shelves of bookstores in our time continue to be filled with competing visions of the future. And as information sources keep on expanding the confusion felt by the Thessalonians has not dissipated. So where do we make our stand about what we shall believe? Will we continue to follow Paul, or is there some contemporary teacher or preacher who has become for us a trusted source of truth? Some say we should just follow Jesus and abandon any attempt to gain certainty about future events! That’s not bad advice. We can trust in the certainty of a new life to come without having to know any of the details, and for most folks that’s enough! Praise God!

Thought for the Day: What future scenario makes most sense to me? 

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5

“As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed…to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here.” vss. 1-2

When Paul first wrote to the Thessalonians he was confident that the Lord would return quickly, and that all believers would be gathered to him. Because this was a common teaching in the early congregations, believers began to actively prepare themselves for that Day. And when the return seemed to be delayed many became concerned. It seems that everyone had an opinion, and many folks had become shaken or alarmed. (If they had been around, even the late night talk show hosts would have been talking about it and doing their best to stir up controversy.) Because a sizable contingent was saying that the Day of the Lord had already arrived, Paul had to write another letter to curb the enthusiasm. He tells them that a few things had to happen first, and since the Lawless One had not yet arrived, it would be a while before Jesus returned. It’s interesting how such speculation has hung on in the Church. Even though 2000 years have passed the subject of the Second Coming still sparks controversy, and even now some people are looking for the Lawless One. While it’s tempting to join the fray, it’s probably best for believers to focus on being the presence of the living Christ and not worry about the future.

Thought for the Day: What is the Second Coming?

Psalm 17:6-9

“Guard me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me.” vss. 8-9

Many of us are very aware of the brokenness of our world, and in these latter days some  have even begun to believe that we’re living in dangerous times. One of the symptoms of that fear has been the increasing sale of guns in our country, with 72 percent of gun owners saying they need their weapons for protection. Evidently they’re anticipating a breakdown in civil society and a corresponding need for personal defense. The psalmist obviously didn’t have access to a Smith & Wesson but instead relied upon God. His words have a poetic quality to them, “Guard me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,” and they sound beautiful to our ears. But we still wonder whether God is a reliable defense when times get really tough. Some doubt that God can protect us from attackers or predators, and even followers of Jesus are thinking of getting their AK-47’s. Such are the times we live in! But there are still those who cast their lot with the psalmist. In their minds guns can never heal the brokenness of humanity or bring in Jesus’ promised Peaceable Kingdom, so they continue to trust God as their refuge and strength. May their number be multiplied!

Thought for the Day: Under what conditions would you shoot someone?

Psalm 17:1-5

“If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;   my mouth does not transgress.” vs. 3

This psalmist is asking God for protection against enemies and prefaces his request with a claim of complete personal righteousness. Evidently he believed that his purity would enhance his chances for vindication and victory. His request reflects his belief in the doctrine of rewards, the conviction that those who live good and decent lives will receive God’s favor and blessings. That’s not only an ancient belief, one that is found throughout our scriptures, it also resonates with our contemporary convictions about justice. Many of us are also convinced that there is a direct relationship between sowing and reaping, and we can certainly find bible verses to back our reasoning. The problem is that life is more complicated than this and doesn’t always reflect what we would like it to be. Sometimes, many times in fact, we do not get what we deserve and our heartfelt prayers go unanswered even when we’ve lived impeccable lives. Because we are broken people living in a broken world, we will very likely experience undeserved pain and suffering. That’s just the way it is! But that does not mean that we have been abandoned or are being punished. God is always with us in our unpredictable world, and we will receive strength and comfort in every circumstance, not because we deserve it, but purely because God is good!

Thought for the Day: What does God find in your heart?

Job 19:23-27a

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God…” vss. 25-26

The major portion of the book of Job consists of a series of dialogues between Job and three “friends.” In these conversations Job steadfastly defends himself against the accusations of his visitors, always insisting that he has done nothing wrong, and challenging what is known as the “doctrine of rewards,” the popular belief that humans always get what they deserve. Periodically Job expresses a desire for an “umpire,” someone who will stand with him in his defense before God. These few verses express that yearning in a way that seems to anticipate Jesus and that offers hope for the future. We know what that desire is like! We live in a world in which the innocent suffer and the wicked prosper. People regularly experience injustice as they put in their time on earth, and many look forward to renewal and restoration. People of faith have come to understand that God is a very present source of hope and healing in times of suffering, and that every day can offer a fresh start, not because we are so good, but because God is good, and Jesus really is our living Redeemer. Our brokenness is not a death sentence and will not endure forever!

Thought for the Day: Why do some people believe that they deserve whatever happens to them?

Luke 6:22-31

“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” vss. 27-28

After proclaiming a series of blessings and woes to the crowd on the plain, Jesus goes on in his role as a wisdom teacher to give some instruction on how his followers should live from day to day. As we might expect his directions depart from what the rabbis usually taught. He doesn’t just spout the usual proverbs about doing good and avoiding foolish behavior. In fact, what he told his disciples has been routinely dismissed as being the height of foolishness. We know very well that he said these things, but we can’t believe that he really meant them. We live in a dualistic culture where we’re encouraged to single out the “bad guys” and do all we can to destroy them. In fact that’s one of the primary messages of those involved in the current “war on crime.” We’re being taught daily to hate those who oppose us and to abuse those who disagree with us. It’s a popular message because it feeds our basest instincts–but it’s certainly not what Jesus lived and taught. He said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” And believe it or not, through the centuries many of his followers have done exactly that. It’s a radical, life-changing way to live, and  its practitioners are changing the world! 

Thought for the Day: How sincere am I as I pray for my enemies?