Psalm 145:14-21

“The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings…The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.” vss. 17, 20

The psalmist is effusive in his praise of our Lord’s love and constant care. He says that there’s generosity rooted in the nature of God and no adjectives are spared in describing God’s goodness. But then there’s this little disclaimer. Not everyone is included under the umbrella of God’s love, and in fact, God will destroy all the wicked! There are some who breathe a sigh of relief in reading such lines. Such sentiments echo their own, and they’re glad to know that God’s providence is limited. It pleases them to know that the wicked are going to be destroyed. Others have some difficulty in balancing this notion against their own sense that God’s love is truly unconditional and available to all. We have this problem because scripture is a product of human writers, and the picture that they paint of God reflects our human understanding of God. And since there is within many hearts a deep desire for wickedness to be punished, some would like a God who will do just that! So what shall we do to find what God is really like? Our best bet is to go to Jesus! And the one who gave his life for sinners assures us that God is love–and God’s love is not just for some but for all! And that’s the best picture of God anyone could possibly have!

Thought for the Day: What people would I like God to destroy?

Psalm 145:8-9

“The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.” vs. 9

Obviously the bible can be used to support any number of theologies or random ideas–people have been using it as a prooftext for centuries. Sometimes its verses even present opposing or uncomfortable points of view and we have a hard time figuring out which message to take to heart. But there’s no doubt about what the psalmist is telling us today–these words come from his heart and they echo the principle refrain of many biblical writers. God doesn’t have it in for us and God is not out to get us. Rather, the Lord our God is gracious and merciful and abounding in steadfast love. God’s loving kindness endures forever! And it’s not just limited to a few chosen ones! The Lord is good to all, and has compassion for all that has been made. There is no part of God’s creation that does not have a place under God’s umbrella of grace. So does this mean that we will never be sad or unhappy or wonder why stuff is happening the way it does? Of course not! Each of us have feelings, thoughts, and emotions that can pull us in every direction imaginable–that’s how it is to be alive in this crazy world. But all those contradictory ideas, passions, and conflicts take place in the context of abundant love. And that bottom line is the most important line that has ever been written. We are loved! May that thought take root in every hurting heart!

Thought for the Day: How is God’s love made real in my life?

Isaiah 55:1-5

“Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” vs. 1

The prophet is ecstatic about the good news that he has for Israel. The country had virtually ceased to exist–Jerusalem had been destroyed–everything people had held dear was gone. Even the temple lay in ruins! And he’s so overflowing with joy and excitement that he can hardly contain himself. He wants everyone to know that the love God has for them will persist forever, and they don’t have to do a thing to earn it–all of God’s choicest gifts are available to anyone who is hungry or thirsty, and they don’t need any money. This is the overwhelming good news of our scripture–it’s there in the prophets, the gospels, and the epistles of Paul. There is absolutely no point at all in knocking ourselves out and spending the precious days of our lives in accumulation or hoarding. We don’t have to earn God’s favor! And all the stuff the world has to offer can be lost in an instant. One economic downturn can wipe out our portfolios–and there’s no reason to spend one bit of our energy in worrying about it. It’s what happens with all worldly empires. What we need to remember always is that the best things in life are not things! And they’re always free!

Thought for the Day: How much do I worry about the economy?

Matthew 13:44-52

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” vs.44

All the riches that God has for us–the peace and joy, the forgiveness and hope–all those blessings are present for us all the time! But too many of us don’t even sense their nearness. We pass through life, oblivious to the treasure that is hidden right in front of our eyes. The cares of this world, the frenzied pace at which we choose to live, all our material appetites…blind us to the priceless treasure at our fingertips. And then we just stumble upon it–we’re walking through a field and kick a shapeless clod that turns out to be pure gold. In that moment of insight and delight we realize the essence of life and the pure delight that comes from knowing Christ Jesus. And out of joy we gladly turn our backs on the false promises of this world and devote ourselves to the simple pleasures of new life in Christ. And as we live into that newness we wonder why in the world it’s taken us so long to know the truth. We don’t have to earn the relationship with Jesus–it’s total grace–but we gladly give up all our old aspirations to make it our own. Does this happen for everyone? Sadly, no! But it does happen! And those who have discovered the priceless treasure of Christlike living wouldn’t trade it for anything else! 

Thought for the Day: Has this happened for me?

Matthew 13:31-33

“He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’” vs. 33

From time to time we’re blessed to get a glimpse of how other people live in our world. It could happen in the course of travel but most of the time it happens randomly as we navigate between television, social media, movies, and chance encounters in malls and stores. Often those blessed glimpses leave us appalled! It’s hard to believe that there are people in our world who have a total lack of morality, conscience, or kindness. Some of them are just plain cruel! And what’s even more appalling, it seems as though such people make up the majority of human beings! We begin to wonder if the human race will even survive! Jesus’ parable about the yeast gives us hope. He’s telling us that if some in our world, even a tiny minority, show forth his light, there will be an effect on the whole. Think of it! We who bear the Light of Christ have an influence far beyond our numbers. Our presence is like yeast in the world, and because of us there is hope for all. Even when it seems we aren’t making any difference, our kindness, love, and mercy soften hardened hearts and bring light to dark places. And as we are consistent in our behaviours, gradually the goodness gets mixed into every darkened corner and the world is changed.

Thought for the Day: How does my presence affect others?

Romans 8:33-39

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” vss. 38-39

As the days begin to blur together and we continue to be confused and frightened by contradictory reports of how long COVID-19 will impact our lives, it’s easy to slip into an almost constant state of despair. Many are lamenting that future prospects for economic recovery have been irreparably damaged, and that life will never be the same. Because leaders of all stripes have shown such a casual regard for the truth we find it hard to know who we should believe. Some have fallen into the trap of perpetual disbelief…they no longer trust any authority figures and are convinced that everything they see or hear is a hoax. That’s a horrible place to be–it’s no wonder so many are despairing as they look to the future! That’s why Paul’s words to the Romans are so precious for us today. He was convinced that there was absolutely nothing in all creation that could separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. NOT EVEN COVID-19! Would that each one of us could latch on to that kind of conviction, and never let go! If Paul is right, no matter what foolishness our leaders concoct, everything is going to turn out just fine! God’s love trumps all!

Thought for the Day: What keeps me from despair?

Romans 8:26-32

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” vs. 26

There are times when prayer seems easy. We know exactly what is on our minds and find no difficulty in laying out our petitions of joy and thanksgiving, while also letting God know what we’d like to have happen. But on other occasions prayer gets more difficult. We have things that lay heavy on our hearts but it’s hard to find the words to express what we’re feeling. Or it may be that the problems of this world are just too overwhelming. We know there are people suffering all over the globe and we’re aware of the tension and despair that grips the hearts of many, but we can’t even articulate what we’d like to have happen. We can mention the names of family and friends and ask for God’s blessing and support in their lives. We know folks who need healing and comfort. But beyond the litany of names there are deep and profound needs, and our minds draw a blank. Any words that we say seem shallow and inadequate. Our thoughts race as our tongues search for the words. Sometimes the best we can do is breathe deep sighs…and try to hold back the tears. Paul knew that feeling, and he assures his readers that the Spirit connects us with God even in our silent sighs. Our most profound prayers do not require words.

Thought for the Day: When do words fail me in my prayers?

Psalm 119:133-136

“My eyes shed streams of tears because your law is not kept.” vs. 136

As the psalmist surveyed the lives of those around him, at times his heart overflowed with sadness at the mess some folks were making of the precious days that God had given them. We know that feeling! Sometimes it’s members of our own families who continually make wrong choices and who regularly experience brokenness in daily living. Many times, not always those choices have involved a callous disregard for the moral and ethical codes that God has planted in our DNA. By experience we’ve learned that words cannot change them–all we can do is love them and pray–and cry on our beds for them. At other times it’s society as a whole that breaks our hearts. There’s just so much ugliness and pure cruelty in our world. We see the images in our video feeds, and our minds are shocked. How can people treat each other so horribly? Children are being killed, suffering is commonplace…and the world seems helpless or unwilling to effect change. And all because we’re unable for one reason or another to follow the basic rules of conduct that most of us learned in kindergarten. It’s not that any of us have attained perfection. We all have flaws and regularly lapse into sin. But there’s a sadness for humanity that persists in our lives–and that’s why some days our eyes too shed streams of tears.

Thought for the Day: How do I deal with the pain of the world?

Psalm 119:129-132

“With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments.” vs. 132

The psalmist loved the law and was ecstatic as he pored over its commandments and savored its precepts. We who have been raised on a diet of grace and forgiveness might have some difficulty understanding that unabashed, almost amorous, delight in the law of the Lord. Often that’s because we think of law in terms of judgment rather than instruction. Paul in Galatians describes the function of the law as that of a schoolmaster, a set of teachings that ultimately will bring us to the Christ. Seen in those terms we can perhaps understand the delight of the psalmist. For him it was like the finest teacher, a rabbi that could help him how to live in this world in a God-pleasing way. As 21st century Christians we still need that kind of guidance. Some of us get it from our parents, for others it might be a pastor or teacher who has given us direction on the way of truth. We’re living in a world that grows more complex with each passing year. Our children face a myriad of important choices and options every day and they need good guidance. It’s not a matter of “laying down” the law–no one needs that heavy-handed approach. But all of us need to learn wisdom and discernment, and properly presented, the law provides exactly that–and the Ten Commandments are a good place to start.

Thought for the Day: Who taught me the commandments?

1Kings 3:1-12

“Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” vs, 9

Solomon’s biographer described him as the wealthiest king on earth. His armies were undefeated and his building projects unmatched, and he spared no expense in providing for himself and his wives. Even the Queen of Sheba came to see him and he lavished her with gifts. And according to his biographer all this happened because, as a young man, in a dream, he had asked God for wisdom and not riches. It’s an amazing story, one that has made the phrase “Wisdom of Solomon” familiar to all, but it’s also a huge distortion! The opulent life-style that Solomon lived, his wasteful spending and dictatorial rule, his collection of love slaves, his embrace of idolatry, was as far from being wise as we can imagine. By the time his reign ended the country was divided and in a state of rebellion. His practices meant the end of a united Israel! The lesson is plain! The true marks of wisdom in a leader are not revealed in what fawning publicists write, but in the effects of their policies among the people they’ve been called to lead. Extravagant living is never a product of wisdom, but is almost always a combination of manipulation and greed. What a blessing it is to have leaders who are servants and not tyrants, and who can govern with understanding minds. Such persons are truly a gift from God!

Thought for the Day: Some examples of wise leaders.