Psalm 50:1-6

“The mighty one, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.” vs. 1

At their best, the people of Israel believed that they had a covenant relationship with the Lord, that God had chosen them to be a blessing to the world. Periodically their priestly leaders would use psalms like this one as a type of covenant renewal. God was invoked as the Mighty One, the ruler and judge of all the earth, and the people were reminded of their call to worship and obey. For many of us the closest equivalent would be an affirmation of baptism, a time in which we remember the gracious acts of God, and our own promises to live and worship among God’s faithful people, to proclaim the gospel, to serve according the example of Jesus, and to work for peace and justice throughout the world. Those are significant promises, ones that are important to review and remember. And even if we don’t imagine God as a fierce and condemning judge, vows made before God are not to be taken lightly. When we swear before God to live in a particular way it means something, and breaking our baptismal promises is at least as consequential as breaking our marriage vows. Even if the relationship with God isn’t broken, it will certainly be damaged, and its repair will usually mean significant repentance. Fortunately God is always faithful, and when there is honest confession, forgiveness and cleansing will always follow, and the relationship will be restored.

Thought for the Day: When do I affirm my baptism?

2 Kings 2:9-12

“As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven.” vs. 11

Some have suggested that this little story from the Hebrew scriptures is an ancient account of an alien abduction, that the chariot of fire was a spacecraft of some sort, and that Elijah was carried off to some unknown planet in a faraway galaxy. While that claim is unlikely to be true, it is true that this story had an enormous influence on messianic expectations. By the time of Jesus it was widely believed that Elijah would return to prepare the way for the coming of the messiah. During his ministry some were convinced that Jesus was Elijah but many more pointed to John the Baptist. During the Passover meal five cups of wine would often be prepared, but only four would be drunk. The fifth was the Elijah Cup and it was poured in anticipation of Elijah’s coming. Some believe that this is the cup Jesus shared with his disciples at the Last Supper. This means that for many Christians there is an Elijah connection each time they participate in Holy Communion. As they drink from the cup they are offering a toast to Elijah, and remembering the strong sense of anticipation that is a part of daily living for followers of Jesus. Life is good now, but the best is yet to come.

Thought for the Day: What is yet to come for me?

2 Kings 2:1-8

 “The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he answered, ‘Yes, I know; be silent.’” vs. 5

Elijah was remembered as the first of the great prophets of Israel, one who vigorously defended the Lord against the prophets of Baal. As he grew older he was given an associate, Elisha, who became his partner in the ongoing battle against idolatry. Eventually it became time for Elisha to take over the ministry entirely, and as the day drew near, Elijah visited his followers in several towns along the Jordan. At each place the company of prophets ask Elisha, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And each time Elisha replies, “Yes, I know; be silent.” While we don’t know the precise meaning of that response, the simplest explanation is that Elisha just didn’t want to be left alone! For one thing it would be hard to replace a prophet like Elijah, and it’s doubtful that Elisha felt prepared. We see that sort of thing regularly in the succession of pastors in our congregations. It can be a scary prospect to stand in the shoes of a much-loved and respected leader. And secondly, Elisha would miss Elijah! We know that feeling too, if we’ve ever faced the departure of a dear and trusted friend. It’s the sort of thing that, like Elisha, we might not want to talk about!

Thought for the Day: What can happen when a beloved pastor leaves?

Mark 1:35-39

“In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him.” vss. 35-36

Mark tells his readers that the morning after being besieged by the crowds in Capernaum, Jesus got up early, and went in the dark to a deserted place for prayer. Because the geography of Galilee has changed little in 2000 years we know that he must have gone up onto one of the rocky hills just outside of town. And as he prayed there in the darkness he would have seen the first light of dawn over the mountains of Syria on the eastern shore of the sea. And as the sky came alive with color, flocks of birds would have been silently making their way from north to south. When the sun finally peeked over the hills, a golden pathway stretched across the water from the sun directly to where Jesus sat. In that transcendent setting, one that Jesus experienced often in the course of his Galilean years, the Spirit revisited Jesus as he prayed. It was an energy boost, and he heard the voice of God. He had come seeking direction! His ministry had had a remarkable beginning, but the  question remained, “Now what?” By the time his searching disciples had disturbed his reverie, his answer had come. “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” 

Thought for the Day: Where do I recharge my spiritual batteries?

Mark 1:29-34

“That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door.” vss. 32-33

As soon as the sabbath was over people flocked to see Jesus, bringing with them all who were sick or demon-possessed. Capernaum isn’t that large, and soon, Mark tells us, the whole city was gathered around the door of the house where he was staying. He may have been a great teacher, but it was his ability as a healer that drew the crowds. That connection between teaching and healing has continued to be at the core of the church’s growth as medical missionaries have led the way in spreading the good news around the world. Almost all hospitals have been started by faith-based organizations with a passion for the needs of the whole person. Many congregations now have parish nurses on their staff, and people appreciate having skilled persons who can help them with the myriad of health issues that plague us as we age. Healing services are held regularly as a part of worship and people are glad for the opportunity to receive prayers, the laying on of hands, and be anointed with oil. Of course times have changed. In Jesus’ day traveling healers were the only show in town. Now we have whole networks of urgent care centers and hospitals where people go for health care. But care for the sick and the possessed will always be a part of our gospel imperative, and prayer for the sick are always in order.

Thought for the Day: What part does prayer play in healing?

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

“To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.” vs. 22

There’s something appealing about Paul’s testimony here, and many like hearing that there’s value in being all things to all people. Since we have a natural propensity to fit it with the crowd we’re with, Paul’s words give us permission. We can be anything that anyone else is, and there’s no skin off our backs. We can be vegetarians, meat-eaters, profane, pious, lecherous, conservative, liberal; it’s a great way to avoid arguments and confrontation. But is that what Paul really meant? Of course not! Paul was fitting in so that he would have the opportunity to proclaim the gospel. We fit in just to fit in! Everytime Paul became like those he was with he made sure that, from that inside position, folks heard a message of grace and forgiveness from his lips. What would that be like for us? Undoubtedly we’d learn to be strategic in our presentation, and pick the best time and place, but nearly every encounter will eventually provide the opportunity for testimony. It can happen anywhere, on the golf course or in a supermarket check-out line, in the park or at a bar, it can even happen on Sunday morning at church! But as we connect with strangers and friends in an atmosphere of humility and kindness, with a spirit of boldness we can share life-shaping words.

Thought for the Day: How do I try to fit in?

1 Corinthians 9:16-18

“What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.” vs. 18

Paul had a passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and he proclaimed it boldly wherever he went and to whomever he met. He didn’t get paid for what he did but supported himself with his work as a leather-worker, though he likely also received some help from congregations. His goal wasn’t to become wealthy! As he wrote to the Corinthians his reward came in making the good news free of charge. For the most part as the centuries have passed, preachers have followed Paul’s example, with some even leaving good-paying jobs to pursue their passion for pastoral ministry. But not all have followed that path. Some have discovered that religion can bring enormous material benefits and have amassed fortunes from their evangelistic enterprises. They proclaim variations of the prosperity gospel, the notion that God wants us rich, and are proud of the private jets, luxury cars, and gated mansions they have managed to acquire. And that is their reward! Their wealth gives them access to those in power, and some argue that in order to reach the wealthy, one has to become wealthy. Others remain skeptical. Simply hanging out with rich folks doesn’t mean we are reaching them with the gospel. Jesus ate with Zaccheus, but when the meal was over, Zaccheus gave away half his wealth. And that’s not what we’re seeing today!

Thought for the Day: How do people make money from religion?

Psalm 147:1-4, 20c

“He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.”   vs. 3

Probably everyone has dealt with deep pain in their lives. We have love relationships that begin well and end with despair and anger. Death seems always to be lurking in the wings and periodically reaches out to snatch a loved one away. Dreams are dashed with the loss of a job or the failure of choice investments. Circumstances vary but the feelings are the same, and the anguish is deep and profound. We feel as though our lives have been irrevocably changed and we’ll never know joy again. And then, as we live with the pain and days pass, a miracle happens. Memories fade, old wounds are healed, and we discover laughter anew. This happens! We’ve experienced it! And it isn’t just that things have gotten better with time. Not at all! This healing, all healing in fact, is from God! This is one of the signs of the Divine Presence. We may not be able to know God, but we do experience God’s healing. The Lord heals the brokenhearted, even unbelievers, and binds up their wounds. Most of the time we don’t even connect our healing with God and almost take it for granted. We’ll say thanks to our physicians and nurses, and maybe even the pharmacist, but the source of all healing is God. The psalmist knew that and regularly joined with others in worship to offer thanks and praise. We can do the same. And it can happen every day!

Thought for the Day: For which healing have I been most grateful?

Isaiah 40:27-31

“Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” vss. 30-31

Isaiah was exhorting his people to make a long term investment in the Lord, and his carefully chosen words have given hope to every struggling generation. As their early aspirations fall by the wayside, people grow weary of the ongoing struggle that begins to identify their daily lives. Some have had lofty goals for material success and often speak of early retirement as the fulfillment of their dreams. But there are so many stumbling blocks along the way, many of our own making, and we can despair of achieving those societal marks of success. The prophet advises waiting for the Lord, but often we don’t have a clue of what he means. We wonder how waiting can possibly help us reach our goals. And that’s precisely the problem! This promise has nothing to do with achievement or material success, but it has everything to do with how we run the race! Waiting for the Lord is to recognize that not everything is up to us, and that in the Lord, we can live victoriously. Instead of inching our way along like worms, we can soar with the eagles, and find joy and refreshment in each day, even when material goals elude us.

Thought for the Day: What’s it like to soar like an eagle?

Isaiah 40:21-26

“To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these?” vss, 25-26a

Isaiah couldn’t understand why the people of Israel were so quick to abandon their trust in God. They got all roiled up with their worries about kings and rulers, and acted as though everything depended on them. We see the same thing in our own world. Elections are happening this year in dozens of countries. Everywhere people are taking to the streets and the airways, praising favorites and heaping contempt on their rivals. It’s a veritable political circus! Obviously our choices will be important, but if Isaiah is right, none of our politicians are going to be around for long. They’re like the weeds of the field. They sprout, grow, dry up, and blow away! Isaiah urged folks to lift up their eyes to the Lord, our creator God who brought all things into existence. His image of God is perhaps different from ours, but his exhortation is right on. All we see and hold dear is transient and fleeting. Even the longest lived empires are but a blink of the eye when compared to the age of the universe. That does not mean we should disdain the years that we have. Every day is precious and a gift, but life will go on. Because we want the best for our grandchildren we will vote and be concerned about elections, But trusting in politicians is not to be compared with trusting in God!

Thought for the Day: What worries people in my city?