June 19, 2024 Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32

“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out from their distress; he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.” vss. 28-29

The seas have always held a fascination for those who lived along their shores. Thousands of years ago we discovered that the oceans held a great storehouse of food, fish of every kind, and we built boats and used nets to harvest their riches. Bit by bit we developed trade routes and learned to navigate to distant lands by using the stars as a guide. But sailors quickly learned that waves combined with winds could be treacherous, and those who went to sea in ships were well aware of the danger. This psalmist certainly knew how dangerous the sailing life  could be and even wrote a prayer that vividly described the fear of those caught in a storm far from shore. Their plea is simple, “Oh that the Lord would make the winds to be still!” While not many of us can know what it’s like to be in a sinking ship, at least not literally, nearly all can identify with it metaphorically. We know what it’s like to be buffeted by unseen forces and about to lose control. It happens so fast in daily life. One moment we’re enjoying smooth sailing and in the next we’re struggling to stay afloat. Those are scary times, and often, purely by instinct, we cry out to God for our salvation! And when stillness comes, our hearts are filled with thanks!

Thought for the Day: What’s it like on a “sinking ship”?

Job 38:4-11

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?” vss. 4-5

The Lord takes Job and his companions to task for their presumptive knowledge, and tells them that they don’t know squat! In fact, almost everything is beyond their understanding. We live in a time when many assume that human knowledge knows no bounds, and it’s true, we have made some amazing discoveries about the expanding universe and microscopic wonders. Our telescopes give us pictures of our origins and we’ve unraveled the mysteries of DNA. And still the voice of the Lord reminds us, “You don’t know squat!” And we never will. The truth humans crave lies beyond our grasp and it’s only when we admit defeat and yield to the great Mystery, that we can truly be free to live. For some that’s a sad admission and they’ll resist making it for a lifetime, but for others yielding to the mystery is the beginning of wisdom. Somehow it’s freeing to acknowledge limitations and to know our best efforts will always fall short. Even though we’ve been taught that self-help books are the pathway to perfection, and that if we only work harder at self-improvement we’ll find happiness, real peace comes only when we surrender into the arms of our loving God. And amazingly, it’s in the mystery of that moment that contentment and joy can be restored.

Thought for the Day: What does surrender mean for me?

Job 38:1-3

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?’” vss. 1-2

According to the book bearing his name Job is a righteous man who loses his health, property, and family as the result of an inexplicable test prompted by Satan and approved by God. In spite of his blameless life he endures horrible suffering, and then to top it off, his friends suggest that he has brought all this misfortune on himself. They urge him to confess his failings, which he refuses to do. In the course of their conversations all manner of ideas about God and suffering are suggested by Job and his supposed friends. Finally God is fed up and speaks from the whirlwind, “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” The scene describes an occasion that we continue to experience regularly. Invariably when people are struck with incurable illnesses, horrible suffering, or some other calamity, observers seem compelled to offer advice and direction, much of which is misguided and uninformed, especially that which has been gathered from internet sources! Often there are no reasons for suffering, diseases seem to attack randomly, and we just can’t get our “why” questions answered. The beginning of knowledge is to acknowledge ignorance and focus on compassion and love. Suffering people may not always get answers, but they can always use lots of hugs.

Thought for the Day: What have I needed in my suffering?

Mark 4:30-34

“With what can we compare the kingdom of God…It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs…” vss. 30-32

When Jesus came into Galilee he proclaimed that the kingdom of God was at hand, and he then devoted his teaching to describing the nature of that kingdom and how its power was being unleashed. The kingdom wasn’t a power that you could look at and say “there it is!” The reality of its presence was far more subtle than that. Jesus found that the best descriptions were conveyed through parables, short stories that used metaphor to make their point. Here he likely held up a mustard seed to the crowd and then compared it to the kingdom. It might seem like nothing, he tells them, but when it grows it becomes a mighty shrub, one that is a nesting place for the birds of the air. We’ve seen how those things which seem insignificant can have a huge and beneficial influence. And that’s how God’s rule works. It might be a glance, a touch, or a kind smile, but a tiny gesture can change a person’s day and maybe even their life. One passionate giver can release a tsunami of giving. One believer can infect a congregation and soon thousands join a movement. Some call this “the power of one!” It’s a kingdom principle, and Jesus showed it to be true!

Thought for the Day: How have little things changed my life?

Mark 4:26-29

“He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how.’” vss. 26-27

Jesus frequently talked about the kingdom of God in his teaching. He understood it as a present reality in our world and used parables to describe what it was like. Those parables frequently used metaphors about ordinary things that the people in the crowds could relate to. In this instance he talks about the basic mystery involved in sowing grain. The seed is scattered on the ground, and with no further effort from the sower, begins to sprout and grow. So it is with the kingdom of God Jesus says, and with that simple comparison he opens the way for us to understand how God works in our world. When we think nothing is happening in people’s lives, the Spirit is at work, and the seeds of love and mercy begin to sprout and grow, and to even bear fruit. It’s again a reminder that not everything is up to us, especially those things that have to do with spiritual growth and maturation. And it isn’t accidental–stuff doesn’t just happen! Always there is that indwelling nurturing presence of the Divine working night and day, and ultimately that’s how the kingdom comes, and lives are changed!

Thought for the Day: Why do we pray “Thy kingdom come?”

2 Corinthians 5:14-17

“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” vs. 17

One of the reasons for Paul’s confidence was his belief that Jesus’ resurrection was also his resurrection. His future life in the Lord was his present reality. He already had received what would one day be his. In fact, he says that’s the way it is for all who are in Christ. We are a new creation–everything has become new. That conviction has huge implications for the way we regard our fellow pilgrims on the journey. Believe it or not, we are Christ to them and they are Christ to us, and Christ’s love binds us to one another for better or for worse. We don’t serve an invisible God abiding in the remote reaches of heavenly glory. Our God is as visible as our Christ-filled next door neighbor and as close to us as that friendly usher at church. In fact, everywhere we turn as we live in Christ, we encounter the Christ who lived in the flesh in Nazareth. And together we are God’s fresh start, a new creation that is poised to transform the world. And we are making a difference! In us the broken find healing and the lonely experience love. In us people are getting a taste of the new life that can never be taken away and that will persist for us all into eternity!

Thought for the Day: What does all this mean for daily living?

2 Corinthians 5:6-10

“So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by sight.” vss. 6-7

Paul told the people in the Corinth house church that when he died he would be at home with the Lord. He’s not alone in expressing that sentiment. In fact there are many among us who believe the same thing. Like Paul they have lived in their bodies for a lifetime, and some are quite comfortable with that life. They enjoy it and would prefer that it would last forever. Of course we know that this isn’t possible–there will be an ending to our life in the flesh. Now some people, those who believe only what they see, tell us that beyond this life, there is nothing. They say, “When you are dead, you’re dead, and that’s it!” But those who are in Christ Jesus disagree. Like Paul, because they live by faith and not by sight, they are confident that life in Christ continues, and one day they will have a new home. That type of confidence is amazing, and because it doesn’t depend on sight, it sustains us through every kind of trial and tribulation. Now it’s true that through most of our years we don’t give much thought to what might be coming next. But when our bodies falter, and we lose a step or two, what a blessing it is when confidence comes to visit…and stays.

Thought for the Day: What’s my confidence level?

Psalm 92:11-15

“The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon… In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap…” vss. 12, 14

This psalmist had seen first hand that the righteous flourish in the community of faith. Their obedience and reverence for the Lord brought encouragement to all the believers. In their presence good works were obvious and they never stopped growing, but more than that, and this is what really astounded him, in old age they still produced fruit! In fact, they were always green and full of sap! We still see folks like that hanging around in the house of the Lord–they’re like ageless wonders. Because there is no mandatory retirement in the church, they can keep on serving as long as they are able. They might not move as quickly, but their minds are clear and they’re certainly full of sap! What a blessing it is when men and women hang around our congregations after their children are grown and gone off to other places. Too often when kids finish confirmation, their parents disappear too! But really, that’s just when most of us are coming into our prime. And often we have more than seven decades left to use in the Lord’s service! Week after week we are able to serve and love in the name of Jesus. There is an abundance of things to do! And if we’re full of sap, that’s all the better! 

Thought for the Day: What does it mean to be “full of sap?”

Psalm 92:1-4

“For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.” vs. 4

The word “glad” breathes happiness and pleasure. It’s a word we use when we have nothing but good feelings in our hearts and life is full. Sometimes gladness comes on behalf of others, those moments when a friend shares news with us that has them smiling, and we let them know how happy we are for them. At other times we wake up in the morning and there’s just something about the day that’s special, the way the sun peeks through the cracks of the bedroom curtain, or the cooing of doves in the cool moments before the blast of heat that hits just before 10 in the Arizona desert. It’s absolutely wonderful when gladness visits and goodness and mercy poke their heads in to say “hello”. The psalmist believed that his gladness had come from the Lord’s work, and it’s hard for us to disagree. Even when our minds are worn down by the cares of the world we can’t help but see signs of God’s grace in the wonder of creation. This place in the universe where we make our home is nothing short of spectacular, and the way all things are bound together in an intricate web of perfection makes us sing for joy. Wow, how great it is to be alive in this place at this time! It’s the best that could ever be–and it can’t help but make us glad!

Thought for the Day: What makes me glad?

Ezekiel 17:22-24

“Thus says the Lord God: I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of a cedar; I will set it out. I will break off a tender one from the topmost of its young twigs; I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain.” vs. 22

Ezekiel knew the sorry saga of Babylon’s siege of Jerusalem. He was familiar with the king’s futile attempt to make a treaty with Egypt. He’d likely been part of that long march into captivity, and now had been called to bring the word of the Lord to the exiled Jewish community. In these verses the prophet acknowledges that the nation had been destroyed but that God still had a plan for the people. Their salvation would not come through foreign treaties but by direct restoration through the Lord God. A twig from a cedar will be planted on a high and lofty mountain and it will blossom and flourish. God’s plan would not be subverted by human folly! This and similar metaphors have sustained the faithful through countless regime changes and nationalistic catastrophes through the centuries. We’ve been hearing the voices of doom for many decades now. There are many who fear that cherished institutions are on the verge of destruction. Some even wonder if our own country can survive the pressures of fragmenting forces. Ezekiel promises that when human efforts fail, the Lord will bring restoration and that’s a word of grace to hang on to in every age. The future is not all up to us!

Thought for the Day: What institutions are being threatened?