Psalm 85:8-10

“Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.” vs. 10

The psalmist had a vision of the future that continues to touch our heart 2500 years later. This is indeed the hope and the dream of every age: that steadfast love and faithfulness would be merged, and that righteousness and peace would give each other a big kiss. In times like ours that vision seems to erode with every demonstration, protest, and act of ugly violence. Opposing viewpoints have hardened and there seems little possibility of reconciliation. In some quarters there’s even talk of revolution and a total overthrow of the system. But followers of Jesus continue to hang on to his promise of an ever-growing peaceable kingdom that will one day find fulfillment in him. In his eyes this is a blip on the screen, a temporary moment of insanity that will be healed by the steadfast love of God and the growing faithfulness of the peoples. In our hearts we crave the peace promised by God, and the Christ in us can make it happen in spite of our foolish political posturing. Our task is to put aside the differences and embrace the unity that is the last commandment of Jesus. Of course there will be conflicting ideas among us–but they’re easily contained by extravagant hugs and heartfelt kisses–and peace will be the order of the day.

Thought for the Day: How do I treat those who think differently from me?

1 Kings 19:9-18

“and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.” vss. 11b-12

Elijah had fled for his life and was hiding in a cave when the word came to him that the Lord was about to pay a visit. He leaves his shelter and endures in turn a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire, traditional signs of God’s presence, but nothing happened. But then came the sound of sheer silence–and in the silence the Lord came. It’s a familiar story, one that has resonated with countless readers through the centuries. Thousands have borne testimony that this is indeed the way that God continues to make contact with those who crave divine intimacy. There is so much noise in our world! Clamoring voices come at us from every direction, disturbing our thoughts and fueling our fears. Like a constant buzzing in our ears those sounds besiege us through the day, and can even keep at us in our dreams. Many have found that relief comes in the pure silence of meditation, a time when we can relax into the presence of the Divine Mystery. It’s not an easy discipline! Our minds have grown so accustomed to sounds that we grow uncomfortable when we’re left with only our thoughts and feelings. Some can’t even endure even a minute without acoustic stimulation. But eventually, with practice, the time will stop dragging and cease altogether–and in the sheer silence God is!

Thought for the Day: What keeps me from meditating?

Matthew 14:17-21

“Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.” vs. 19

The story of the feeding of the multitudes was a favorite among early Christians and shows up in all of the gospels at least once. It reminded them of the miraculous provision of manna in the wilderness from early Hebrew writings, but even more than that, they believed it had been a foretaste of the meal they were celebrating together in their communities. Even the words of the story were the same: Jesus took the loaves, looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the bread, and the distribution began. This ritual has continued to be at the center of Christian worship, and is for many, a critical part of their faith practice. And this is precisely what so many of us have been missing in these last weeks. We’ve tried to make do with our Zoom Bread and Wine Gatherings and moments of clergy led Spiritual Communion, but we’re longing for the day when we can enjoy the real presence of our brothers and sisters in Christ as we eat and drink together. The five loaves and the two fish didn’t seem like much for a crowd of thousands–but they were enough. And so it is for the little bit of bread and wine in Holy Communion–it doesn’t seem like much, but it is enough!

Thought for the Day: What part of worship am I missing most?

Matthew 14:13-16

“Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’” vs. 16

As followers of Jesus, when we hear about a need our first impulse is to respond. We want the hungry to be fed and the sick to be cared for–surely there must be an agency that can help or a government program to be applied for–we’re glad to make recommendations. In fact, the disciples’ suggestion that the people in the deserted place go find food for themselves makes a lot of sense for us. But Jesus doesn’t buy it! He says, “They don’t need to go away; you give them something to eat.” One of the blessings that has come out of the COVID-19 crisis is that many folks have taken Jesus’ words to heart. We’ve heard the stories many times, and maybe we’ve even been involved. Over and over again people have decided to do something about the problems that have come to their attention. They’ve dusted off sewing machines and made hundreds of thousands of face masks. They’ve prepared meals for overworked medical personnel in the hospitals. Some have organized snack deliveries for nurses in the ICU and Emergency departments. Others have taken it upon themselves to check up on isolated friends and make sure they’re well. Many have given their stimulus checks to people who really need the money. Following Jesus is no grandstand operation; it means getting in the game and making a difference.

Thought for the Day: How have I gotten involved during these months?

Romans 9:3-5

“For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh.” vs. 3

When Paul was encountered by the Risen Christ he spent a number of years in meditation and study. He pored over the scriptures in earnest, revisiting his old convictions and commitments. He emerged fully convinced that God, in Christ Jesus, had done a new thing and, moved by the Holy Spirit, he dedicated his life to articulating the gospel of grace and bringing it to the Gentiles. Even though he did not feel he was abandoning Judaism, most of his fellow Jews turned on him. Nothing that Paul could say in his defense was adequate, and ultimately a huge gulf emerged between followers of Christ and the Jews. This broke Paul’s heart–and here he tells his readers that if he could keep his people in the family, he’d forfeit his relationship with Christ. Sometimes we say those kinds of things too. We say that we’d do anything if only our dear ones would open their hearts to the gospel. In truth, it’s an exaggeration! Paul couldn’t abandon Jesus–the good news was the core of his being. And so it remains for many of us. We know that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, and we make that truth our central value. And we won’t give up the gospel for any reason or any person, no matter how much we love them!

Thought for the Day: Have I ever given up my convictions for the sake of another?

Romans 9:1-2

“I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” vss. 1-2

Paul has just told his readers that there is absolutely nothing in all of creation, not even death, that can separate us from the love of God. It is without a doubt one of the most reassuring and grace-filled passages in all of scripture–most of us count it as one of our favorites. But then he follows that up by telling his Roman readers that he has great orrow and unceasing anguish in his heart. As we read further we discover the cause of his sadness. Paul is broken-hearted because his people, the Jews, have rejected the gospel of grace that has been proclaimed through Jesus the Christ. The good news was for them too, but they had chosen to go another way! Some of us know how Paul felt. We have family and friends who have a place under the umbrella of unconditional love that God has for all people. Many of them have heard the story of grace–they’ve learned it in Sunday School and confirmation–but it hasn’t touched their lives! It isn’t that we’re afraid they will go to hell–we know that they too will never be separated from the love of God. But their decision or lack of decision saddens us! We have the sense that life now could be so much better for them if they put aside the works of darkness and allowed their inner lights to shine. Some days it makes us want to cry!

Thought for the Day: Someone whose life choices saddens my heart!

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?