Psalm 145:8-10

“The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” vs. 8

Occasionally we hear voices being raised against the Old Testament, with some saying that a divorce needs to take place, that followers of Jesus should distance themselves from the patriarchal and genocidal legalisms of the Hebrew scriptures. It’s as though our modern sensibilities need protection from the teachings of our ancestors. Such thinking is not only misguided, it’s horribly misleading. What we call the Old Testament is the scripture that molded Jesus’ thinking about his own call and mission…it’s the only scripture that he had! Indeed it was the only scripture available to the early church through the first centuries of its existence. It’s here that we first discover the powerful strains of the song of grace that we continue to sing out as the central hymn of faith. It’s here that we see revealed everything that we need to know about God, a message affirmed by Jesus, and hopefully stamped on our hearts. Over and over we see this basic truth repeated in the psalms and the prophets, “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Today we’re taking time to celebrate our country and the unique blessings it is in position to offer the world. It’s a particularly good day to also honor our God, the Lord who promises good to all and who has compassion for every created being.

Thought for the Day: In what ways does our country reflect God’s nature?

Zechariah 9:9-12

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” vs. 9

We’re familiar with this little verse from Zechariah because we associate it with Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and its numerous Palm Sunday reenactments. Because of its familiarity it’s possible to miss the prophet’s radical message. This isn’t an image of leadership likely to catch on in our world. Among us leaders love to flaunt their positions by lording it over their constituents. They portray themselves as mighty and powerful and would consider an act of humility to be a sign of weakness. They flit to and fro in their helicopters, limousines, and jetliners, always with an entourage at their beck and call. What a contrast with the prophet’s ideal king! What a contrast with Jesus! What’s even more disconcerting is that many of these leaders consider themselves followers of Jesus! If it weren’t so tragic, their narcissistic  behaviors would be a joke. The world is longing for humble leaders, men and women motivated by service and ministry, and it’s sad that so few rise to the surface through the political process. The few that emerge most often are overwhelmed by their ruthless adversaries. What a blessing it is to have the model established by Jesus and know that there is a kingdom among us where humility means strength and gentleness abounds.

Thought for the Day: Why don’t we demand humility of our leaders?

Matthew 10:40-42

“and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” vs. 42

Sometimes we get the idea that being a follower of Jesus requires amazing heroism, doing really big things that have an impact on millions of people. But that’s not what Jesus says. In fact we might easily summarize his teachings with the words, “it’s the little things that count!” We get a sense of that in the summer time in parts of our country when temperatures are at their highest. In recent years, particularly in our larger cities, it’s been important for bottled water to be made available to the homeless. It may not seem like a big deal, but it really is. Providing water can mean the difference between living and dying for those who live on the streets. So it’s good to see the pallets being delivered and stored…and life-giving cups of cold water being shared. In a similar way it’s good to see the hugs and smiles that mark our daily interactions. A kind word can lift a sagging spirit…caring eyes can touch a hurting heart. Most of the things we’re called to do as disciples are the little things…and they make the biggest difference. Indeed, there are days when a hug or a smile can literally be the difference between life and death. And no little thing we do ever escapes the notice of God…there will always be a reward.

Thought for the Day: What “little things” can I do today?

Romans 6:16-23

“But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted,” vs. 17

Those who wish to live as free men and women quickly discover that it’s not as easy as they might think. It’s not a matter of declaring ourselves free from bondage to sin and then doing whatever we please. That kind of thinking quickly leads back into slavery. The only freedom that allows us to reach our full potential comes with acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty. It’s as we submit to the power of God that the Spirit brings recreation and self-realization. And submission means obedience, something we typically don’t associate with freedom. Those who pledge allegiance to the teachings that have come from Jesus are released from the bondage of sin. By attaching ourselves to behavioral standards that have stood the test of time we bear fruit and enrich the entire world. And where do we find those standards? Followers of Jesus look to his teachings. It’s here, in his injunctions to love and serve that we can find our bearings through the twists and turns of daily life. And we can’t just pay them lip service…these aren’t just words for Sundays. Paul advised the Romans to obey them from the heart, to make these teachings the center of their beings. Indeed, as these words are established as our core, we begin to discover the only freedom worth having…and we are engulfed by holiness.

Thought for the Day: What might it be like to be “engulfed by holiness”?

Romans 6:12-16

“Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions.” vs. 12

As humans we have enormous potential for good as we live and work in our world. We have been created to have compassion for others and to engage in wonderfully fruitful loving relationships. But it doesn’t just happen! In fact, too often our desires and passions get the best of us and we end up living for self and engaging in behaviors that bring nothing but pain and disharmony. We start out thinking that we are in charge and quickly discover that sin is more powerful than we ever imagined. On our own, we don’t stand a chance against the insidious temptations that stalk us day after day. It’s like being washed out to sea and trying to swim back to shore against a powerful tide. Even though we want to be righteous we continually fall short. We simply can’t overcome the power of sin by the force of our own will. Those who try only end up doing the same destructive things over and over again. Some give up and allow their passions free rein. “After all,” they may say, “God’s grace gives daily forgiveness and I’m free to do as I please.” But there is another way…and that is to submit to the power of God and allow the Holy Spirit to make new persons of us. We can be different. We don’t have to continue in sin. By grace we not only receive forgiveness, we receive the power to live as children of goodness.

Thought for the Day: How can I submit to the power of God?

Psalm 89:15-18

“Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance;” vs. 15

After proclaiming his confidence in God’s faithful, steadfast love the psalmist goes on to describe what a blessing it is for the people to walk in the light of that love. “Happy are the people,” he says, “who know the festal shout.” Now that’s not familiar language for us, and we might wonder what he’s getting at. A festal shout could be something like the blowing of trumpets or war cries in battle, but here it refers to the deep and profound joy that explodes from the mouths of those who know the depth of God’s love. It’s important to know that this happens primarily as a communal experience…which may explain why worship can so often lift our spirits. Often we may not even feel like making the effort to get to worship…there are all sorts of things that can work to depress us or keep us away. But once we get to the sanctuary and join in the festal shout, our hearts begin to warm in the light of God’s loving smile, and we are transformed. In a word, we are blessed. Of course it doesn’t happen every week and experiencing the festal shout can’t be guaranteed. Still, communal worship at its best at least brings a regular opportunity to bask in the wonder of God’s never-failing, never-ending love…and it often brings a blessing.

Thought for the Day: A time when worship has lifted my spirits.

Psalm 89:1-4

“I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.” vs. 1

No matter what the psalmist was thinking about life. No matter what the challenges and obstacles, he was always glad to sing of the Lord’s steadfast love and never-ending faithfulness. This was love unlike any other and was certainly different from the fickle romantic love that brings such pain to human relationships. God’s love is inextricably bound to God’s faithfulness and is present from the beginning to the end of our days. We tend to separate love from faithfulness and treat them as different entities. Among us there is talk of falling in love…which sounds nice. But if we can fall into love it’s only logical that we can fall out of love, an all-too-common experience in too many marriages. What a blessing it is to know that the Creator God, the One who brought us into existence will be faithful forever…even when we are faithless. An even greater blessing comes when we are able to incorporate God’s love into our own love relationships and demonstrate unfailing faithfulness to one another. When that happens it’s obviously a time for songs of thanksgiving, not only for our human partners, but for the One who is the source of all true and lasting love. What’s too rare among humans is always present with God.

Thought for the Day: Where do I experience God’s love?

Jeremiah 28:6-7

“As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.” vs. 9

It would be nice if we could listen to a prophet and immediately know if that prophet is speaking the truth or only blowing smoke. That would make it a lot easier to make a decision about getting on the bandwagon or not. That was the problem folks had with Jeremiah…and he knew it. The only way we know if a prophecy is from the Lord is to wait and see if it comes true. But sometimes waiting isn’t an option. The prophecy demands an immediate response…and we can’t afford to wait. We have a perfect example of that in the current conversation about climate change. Some modern prophets are saying that action needs to be taken immediately to avoid future catastrophes. Many folks are agreeing and taking up the cause. Others are saying that we don’t know if the predictions are true and we would be better advised to wait and see. Both sides quote prophecies from scientists that bolster their positions. So how are we supposed to decide? Since none of us can actually know what God’s future holds all we can do is study the issue and make the most reasoned decision possible, knowing that it could be the wrong choice. For persons conscious of their God-given stewardship role the question could then become, “Which wrong choice would be best for the earth?”  

Thought for the Day: What might Jeremiah say about climate change?

Jeremiah 28:5-6

“And the prophet Jeremiah said, ‘Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord fulfill the words that you have prophesied, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord, and all the exiles.’” vs 6

The country of Judah had been invaded by Babylon and had become a vassal state. Jeremiah, who loved his people dearly was a prophet of peace, and had advised against foreign entanglements even before the invasion. But his was a lonely voice. Other prophets were advising the new king to rebel and saying that the Lord would surely destroy Babylon and bring back the treasure of the temple and the exiles. Jeremiah was not against the destruction of Babylon but he believed that at this particular time Judah should accept its vassalage and do all it could not to provoke the Babylonians. That was not a popular message. Prophets who advocate for peace never have an easy time. Those who promote rebellion and violence speak to our baser instincts and can easily rally the masses to join battle with the enemy. In all the great conflicts millions of men and women have listened to the voices of political leaders and marched off to engage in the “war to end all wars.” And tens of millions have found an early grave. As could be expected, the leaders of Judah did not pay attention to Jeremiah…for them he was only an irritant. But that didn’t silence him! That’s how it is for true prophets. They keep on working for peace even when no one is listening.

Thought for the Day: Why is it impossible for a war to end wars?

Matthew 10:32-39

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” vs. 34

Religious warmongers delight in this little verse from Matthew. “See,” they chortle in the face of those who devote their lives to the peace effort, “even Jesus advises his followers to take up the sword against their enemies.” They then go on to support increased military spending and the development of even more destructive weapons. In their estimation violence is the only way to deal with those who oppose us. Are such interpreters correct? Is Jesus telling his disciples to make the move from peace-making to warmongering? The answer is a resounding “no”. Even a cursory look at the context of this saying shows that Jesus is talking about the divisions that his followers will face in their families and communities. And in many instances the divisions came precisely because those followers chose to work for peace instead of war. In the early years of the church there were zero efforts by Christians to take up the sword against their enemies. It was only in later centuries, when the church had been thoroughly infiltrated by the dominating powers, that some Christians turned to violence in their efforts to overcome opposition. Jesus did want his disciples to know they would face conflict as they continued his mission. There would be plenty of divisions. But he likely never fathomed that someday those calling themselves his followers would actually become advocates of war.

Thought for the Day: What do we mean when we call a war “just”?