I took a long walk this morning before church. We went to the late service so I had time. I read three newsletters as I went along. (Yes I am careful.) Two of them had as a theme fear. One was from the current Jews for Jesus newsletter reprinting an older article by founder Moishe Rosen. This is a link to where these newsletter can be found. But the most recent one uploaded is June. The other was by David Wilkerson in his World Challenge Pulpit series. Both of these men are deceased, DW very recently. The WC newsletter is dated August 1. I think he died before this but it was probably already in the process of being published when he died.
If you are feeling fearful you might want to go and read these articles, especially the second one. At this time the first one is not online. Perhaps it will be later. I will summarize but nothing beats reading the real thing.
Is it an accident that fear of the subject of two current newsletters. My first impulse is to think it a happy accident. But no, with the current state of affairs in our economics, both locally and in Europe. And with the state of the federal government deficit spending.... We have Al Qaeda attacks, running two wars, famines in the world, a drought in the south, people are afraid.
Those of us who thought all their scrimping and planning for a carefree retirement was foolproof now see it could all be ruined by economic collapse. We did not predict the low current interest rates. Put you treasure in heaven.
Collapse is an unspoken catastrophe that many leaders are sort of trying to stop. And yet some of the things being tried may actually make it more likely. People cannot control the economy. We need to be on our knees.
I feel helpless. If I understood it better I might feel more helpless.
So truthfully both of these articles make it clear our only hope is in God. God promises to take care of us. But it may not be like we planned.
David Wilkerson contrasts the fear that Satan puts on us with the fear of God that is a good thing. Moishe Rosen prefers to use the word concern, Godly concern for what God calls us to, in faith.
Rosen states that Satanic fear paralyzes us. Godly concern heightens our ability to think and plan. If we have confidence in God we are set free to use our faculties. Rosen uses illustrations from World War II and mentions Franklin Roosevelt's repeated speech that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself".
To overcome that fearful paralysis we can remember, rehearse God's goodness, faithfulness to take care of us, and his ultimate control. Remember Satan's power is limited. His bark is loud, his bite is minimal. God will take care of us and him.
"Take your stand that God is good, that he loves you, an that He will not let any test befall you that He will not give you the strength to overcome. (1 Corinthians 10:13). - Moishe Rosen
David Wilkerson uses examples from the Bible. He makes it clear that to get rid of that fear we must turn our lives over to God. That is probably why I fear, I have not totally turned over my life.
But I was encouraged by forgetting the general statement and thinking of specific instances. Do I give my life to God in specific challenges. I think I do. The fear that I have not given my life to God is a lie from Satan. In specific tests I do submit my will to God. Probably not always but I do consciously try.
Giving my life to God means I can know God will take care of me, despite what happens in the economy. My finances could be ruined but that is OK. God will take care of me.
David Wilkerson has been a prophet of doom for our country. It has not exactly happened yet. If it does finally happen he will not be here. Perhaps that is for the best. He is enjoying his reward.
This time he mentions another prophet of doom, John Owen in 1680 England. Wilkerson believes that Owen's prophesies ultimately did occur. Owen tried to get people to repent and change their ways just as Wilkerson has. Were they both wrong? Was it appropriate to say and write such things?
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Mark 2:18-22
I read this and the first thing I think of is what does it mean to be perfect?
But really the test is wonderful. Jesus says, as long as the disciples have me they will rejoice. It's a party. He calls himself the bridegroom. Several of his parables are about a bridegroom. Jesus is that bridegroom. Later Paul will expand on that image calling the church the bride of Christ. He is the bridegroom. We, the church, are the bride. In Philippians Paul says Jesus will make his bride spotless, perfect. So we rejoice as Jesus is with us too, as the bridegroom.
There is a time for fasting. But I do not think we are required to fast regularly. Perhaps for specific concerns as for repentance or an important prayer request. But we have the bride with us even now. It is inappropriate for us to look gloomy.
Jesus was the master at using everyday experiences of the people to make kingdom points.
1) No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment (v.21).
2) No one puts new wine into old wineskins (v.22).
I guess many do not remember clothes that shrink at the first washing. There was a time when we had to allow for shrinkage in the clothes we bought. From Levis to dress shirts we had to buy them a little big. Clothes do not shrink anymore it doesn't seem. But they did in Jesus time and they did until recently. When a patched cloth was washed the new part would shrink, tearing the cloth or garment.
Every once in a while a piece of clothing shrinks in the dryer. We are mad. How did they make clothes that do not shrink. I think it is amazing really.
I remember as a child how conscience my mother when buying me clothes. She always made a game of it. Try clothes (which I hated) and then go out to eat (which I loved). My mother had to buy clothes with that first shrinking in mind. An sometimes they shrank too much and she would be frustrated. "Oh well, maybe little brother can wear that shirt."
As for new wine in new wineskins this must have been common knowledge in the time Jesus lived. But it is not so much now. We do not put wine in skins any more.
I don't know why they did this but I can guess. New wine is likely to give off gases. Older wine no longer did that. New wineskins must have been able to "breathe" a little. The pressure of the gas would be released because the newer skins would let some of the gas through keeping the skins from bursting. It must have been possible for the gas molecules to seep through without the liquid wine also seeping out.
This passage ends on a somber note. Jesus predicts that the (perfect) bridegroom will be taken from them. He is the perfect sacrifice for all our sins. Jesus was able to be with them, totally in the moment all the while knowing the horrible ordeal he was going to go through. How could he do it? He was perfectly brave.
When something stressful is coming in my life, like a family meeting or a public speaking appointment it is hard for me to concentrate on the present. Jesus had something much more stressful to go through, people hammering nails in his arms and legs. Argghhh!
That is what makes is human the pain we feel when injured. No one enjoys that. Jesus was truly human and he truly felt pain and would like to avoid it at all costs. Is that what made Jesus perfect? That he steadfastly walked to the cross without flinching?
But really the test is wonderful. Jesus says, as long as the disciples have me they will rejoice. It's a party. He calls himself the bridegroom. Several of his parables are about a bridegroom. Jesus is that bridegroom. Later Paul will expand on that image calling the church the bride of Christ. He is the bridegroom. We, the church, are the bride. In Philippians Paul says Jesus will make his bride spotless, perfect. So we rejoice as Jesus is with us too, as the bridegroom.
There is a time for fasting. But I do not think we are required to fast regularly. Perhaps for specific concerns as for repentance or an important prayer request. But we have the bride with us even now. It is inappropriate for us to look gloomy.
Jesus was the master at using everyday experiences of the people to make kingdom points.
1) No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment (v.21).
2) No one puts new wine into old wineskins (v.22).
I guess many do not remember clothes that shrink at the first washing. There was a time when we had to allow for shrinkage in the clothes we bought. From Levis to dress shirts we had to buy them a little big. Clothes do not shrink anymore it doesn't seem. But they did in Jesus time and they did until recently. When a patched cloth was washed the new part would shrink, tearing the cloth or garment.
Every once in a while a piece of clothing shrinks in the dryer. We are mad. How did they make clothes that do not shrink. I think it is amazing really.
I remember as a child how conscience my mother when buying me clothes. She always made a game of it. Try clothes (which I hated) and then go out to eat (which I loved). My mother had to buy clothes with that first shrinking in mind. An sometimes they shrank too much and she would be frustrated. "Oh well, maybe little brother can wear that shirt."
As for new wine in new wineskins this must have been common knowledge in the time Jesus lived. But it is not so much now. We do not put wine in skins any more.
I don't know why they did this but I can guess. New wine is likely to give off gases. Older wine no longer did that. New wineskins must have been able to "breathe" a little. The pressure of the gas would be released because the newer skins would let some of the gas through keeping the skins from bursting. It must have been possible for the gas molecules to seep through without the liquid wine also seeping out.
This passage ends on a somber note. Jesus predicts that the (perfect) bridegroom will be taken from them. He is the perfect sacrifice for all our sins. Jesus was able to be with them, totally in the moment all the while knowing the horrible ordeal he was going to go through. How could he do it? He was perfectly brave.
When something stressful is coming in my life, like a family meeting or a public speaking appointment it is hard for me to concentrate on the present. Jesus had something much more stressful to go through, people hammering nails in his arms and legs. Argghhh!
That is what makes is human the pain we feel when injured. No one enjoys that. Jesus was truly human and he truly felt pain and would like to avoid it at all costs. Is that what made Jesus perfect? That he steadfastly walked to the cross without flinching?
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Mark 2:13-17
Jesus calls Levi, son of Alphaeus. We are pretty sure this is the same man we usually call Matthew. Levi immediately goes.
Then Levi gives a party in celebration of his salvation. How else can one call it? This is a real Lord's Supper. Jesus is the guest of honor. "Come meet my friends and acquaintances", says Levi. This is contrasts and underscored by the Pharisees who understand what a fellowship meal means.
When he broke bread with them Jesus is accepting all the "sinners" into his kingdom. The king gave a banquet and this time all the invited guests came. This reminds us of the parable Jesus told of the invited guests who did not come. Perhaps Jesus was thinking about this very party when he spoke like that.
God's kingdom is for everyone, rich and poor, sinner and righteous. We must put down what we are coming and come.
The church celebrates Jesus' death and resurrection by holding a symbolic meal. It is a fellowship meal in the same way Levi's meal was. We celebrate. We do not create a full three course meal. But we do it together, from all walks of life. We share Jesus together. Jesus is the honored guest. Jesus accepted all kinds, not just overtly religious.
The last verse gives Jesus' response to the Pharisees. "It is not the healthy that need a physician. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."
This statement is ironic for we are all sinners, even those of us who are professional Christians. No matter how hard we try or what external efforts we make, we are all sinners and need to accept God's call to the banquet.
Jesus calls everyone and we all need to accept his call. We need to celebrate God's love for us.
Then Levi gives a party in celebration of his salvation. How else can one call it? This is a real Lord's Supper. Jesus is the guest of honor. "Come meet my friends and acquaintances", says Levi. This is contrasts and underscored by the Pharisees who understand what a fellowship meal means.
When he broke bread with them Jesus is accepting all the "sinners" into his kingdom. The king gave a banquet and this time all the invited guests came. This reminds us of the parable Jesus told of the invited guests who did not come. Perhaps Jesus was thinking about this very party when he spoke like that.
God's kingdom is for everyone, rich and poor, sinner and righteous. We must put down what we are coming and come.
The church celebrates Jesus' death and resurrection by holding a symbolic meal. It is a fellowship meal in the same way Levi's meal was. We celebrate. We do not create a full three course meal. But we do it together, from all walks of life. We share Jesus together. Jesus is the honored guest. Jesus accepted all kinds, not just overtly religious.
The last verse gives Jesus' response to the Pharisees. "It is not the healthy that need a physician. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."
This statement is ironic for we are all sinners, even those of us who are professional Christians. No matter how hard we try or what external efforts we make, we are all sinners and need to accept God's call to the banquet.
Jesus calls everyone and we all need to accept his call. We need to celebrate God's love for us.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Mark 1
My commentator mildly rebukes modern prayer ministry saying Jesus did not "pray for" people. Jesus commanded spirits and fevers (v.31) to leave people.
I admit I certainly do not have faith for such commanding. Most of us do not. If God calls you to command sickness to leave then do it. I have heard people praying for people using the words of Jesus but even as they do it I sense they have doubts.
We are not Jesus. But Jesus told his disciples that "greater things would they do" when he would go away and send the Holy Spirit. I believe it is right to accept that encouragement for us today. Do I not experience it because I do not have enough faith or am not righteous enough? I do not know.
But it may not be all the time. It may happen only on special occasions that God only truly understands. Still I pray and leave the results to God.
Even that attitude seems wrong. That sounds like I am implicitly blaming God for my failures. Is that what I am doing?
There is a man in my office building who I have decided must have a demon. I'm afraid a lot of the men who come for a free lunch an counseling are "twitterpated". Does anyone remember what movie that comes from? Any twitterpated may very well involve demon possession of some kind.
But this one man singles me out for a weird sort of harassment. When he sees me he gets sort of aggressive about being friendly. He says "hi". I say hi back. Then he begins to barrage me with questions. If I start answering it never stops and it comes in a rush. He'll say, "How are you?" Then "How's your wife?" "Are you feeling well?" Then when I disengage and head off he keeps on asking questions an when I am getting out of earshot he'll say, "Have a nice day!" "I hope your day is nice!"
Call me crazy but the whole thing makes me uncomfortable. I have seen him do this with one other person a lot time ago. But I am the only one he singles out for this behavior. There are plenty of other office workers here but he seems to ignore them. Why me? Do I look like his father?
I wonder if I should command the spirit to leave. Isn't that what Paul did? He finally got tired of this man following him around. He got impatient and finally commanded the spirit to leave this man. Now he was Paul and I am nobody. This man was distracting people from listening to Paul's message. I am not proclaiming a message. It's quite different. And yet I think in both cases there is an evil spirit working.
But I am afraid of looking like a fool. And I certainly have no clear word from God that this man has a demon. Perhaps the spirit will beat me as one did the sons of Sceva. Yet I have the Holy Spirit and they did not.
Stay tuned. Maybe something will happen. I will report back if it does.
I admit I certainly do not have faith for such commanding. Most of us do not. If God calls you to command sickness to leave then do it. I have heard people praying for people using the words of Jesus but even as they do it I sense they have doubts.
We are not Jesus. But Jesus told his disciples that "greater things would they do" when he would go away and send the Holy Spirit. I believe it is right to accept that encouragement for us today. Do I not experience it because I do not have enough faith or am not righteous enough? I do not know.
But it may not be all the time. It may happen only on special occasions that God only truly understands. Still I pray and leave the results to God.
Even that attitude seems wrong. That sounds like I am implicitly blaming God for my failures. Is that what I am doing?
There is a man in my office building who I have decided must have a demon. I'm afraid a lot of the men who come for a free lunch an counseling are "twitterpated". Does anyone remember what movie that comes from? Any twitterpated may very well involve demon possession of some kind.
But this one man singles me out for a weird sort of harassment. When he sees me he gets sort of aggressive about being friendly. He says "hi". I say hi back. Then he begins to barrage me with questions. If I start answering it never stops and it comes in a rush. He'll say, "How are you?" Then "How's your wife?" "Are you feeling well?" Then when I disengage and head off he keeps on asking questions an when I am getting out of earshot he'll say, "Have a nice day!" "I hope your day is nice!"
Call me crazy but the whole thing makes me uncomfortable. I have seen him do this with one other person a lot time ago. But I am the only one he singles out for this behavior. There are plenty of other office workers here but he seems to ignore them. Why me? Do I look like his father?
I wonder if I should command the spirit to leave. Isn't that what Paul did? He finally got tired of this man following him around. He got impatient and finally commanded the spirit to leave this man. Now he was Paul and I am nobody. This man was distracting people from listening to Paul's message. I am not proclaiming a message. It's quite different. And yet I think in both cases there is an evil spirit working.
But I am afraid of looking like a fool. And I certainly have no clear word from God that this man has a demon. Perhaps the spirit will beat me as one did the sons of Sceva. Yet I have the Holy Spirit and they did not.
Stay tuned. Maybe something will happen. I will report back if it does.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Mark 1
Mark speaks a lot of shutting up demons. Jesus tells them to be quiet. (v.25, 34 and in other chapters)
Jesus also told the leper to say nothing (v.44). This could be a sort of reverse psychology (but probably not).
Why did Jesus tell the demons to be quiet? He did not care if they were telling he truth. I would not want evil spirits talking about me, would you? The message is somehow going to get twisted.
But why did Jesus not want the leper to speak? Was he evil too? Well, probably not. Certainly not in the same way demons are evil. There is no good in a demon. But perhaps, not being perfect the leper might distort the message too.
I think that is just what happened. The result of the leper's testimony was that Jesus was mobbed (v.45).
The leper did twist the message. He spoke of Jesus as a great healer. He missed the most important reason Jesus came. Jesus told them the kingdom of heaven was at hand. "Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
We too must not lose sight of what is most important.
Jesus also told the leper to say nothing (v.44). This could be a sort of reverse psychology (but probably not).
Why did Jesus tell the demons to be quiet? He did not care if they were telling he truth. I would not want evil spirits talking about me, would you? The message is somehow going to get twisted.
But why did Jesus not want the leper to speak? Was he evil too? Well, probably not. Certainly not in the same way demons are evil. There is no good in a demon. But perhaps, not being perfect the leper might distort the message too.
I think that is just what happened. The result of the leper's testimony was that Jesus was mobbed (v.45).
The leper did twist the message. He spoke of Jesus as a great healer. He missed the most important reason Jesus came. Jesus told them the kingdom of heaven was at hand. "Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
We too must not lose sight of what is most important.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Mark 1
Jesus walked along the Sea of Galilee and chose four fisherman to be his followers. Why did they immediately follow Jesus?
Some say they already knew him. Perhaps this was prearranged. Some say that his special presence attracted them and this was a spur of the moment decision. "They left their nets."
Perhaps the Holy Spirit spoke to them and they obeyed his call.
There are some who claimed that these men were related to Jesus, perhaps by marriage. They already knew him well as a relative. Even the parents may have approved of this arrangement.
When we first read this perhaps as kids we took away that this was a miraculous event. Jesus calls these four strangers who are involved in an unclean profession and they immediately obey unquestioningly. Why? There is perhaps a sense of the Force like in Star Wars.
But a more mature relationship with God shows us God never coerces. He always speaks in his still small voice and often gives us reasons for his will for our lives.
Uusually he prepares us for the things he wants us to do. Yes, he asks us to step out in faith. No amount of preparation that God did in these men's lives would eliminate the step of faith.
They were leaving their families and their livelihoods behind. They knew the sea. Now they would travel on the land. They would be doing new things.
Jesus did what any great leader will do. He chose, prepared, and trained his successors.
Some say they already knew him. Perhaps this was prearranged. Some say that his special presence attracted them and this was a spur of the moment decision. "They left their nets."
Perhaps the Holy Spirit spoke to them and they obeyed his call.
There are some who claimed that these men were related to Jesus, perhaps by marriage. They already knew him well as a relative. Even the parents may have approved of this arrangement.
When we first read this perhaps as kids we took away that this was a miraculous event. Jesus calls these four strangers who are involved in an unclean profession and they immediately obey unquestioningly. Why? There is perhaps a sense of the Force like in Star Wars.
But a more mature relationship with God shows us God never coerces. He always speaks in his still small voice and often gives us reasons for his will for our lives.
Uusually he prepares us for the things he wants us to do. Yes, he asks us to step out in faith. No amount of preparation that God did in these men's lives would eliminate the step of faith.
They were leaving their families and their livelihoods behind. They knew the sea. Now they would travel on the land. They would be doing new things.
Jesus did what any great leader will do. He chose, prepared, and trained his successors.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
sorry
My goal of posting once a day has surely been very lacking. I have missed the mark by a mile.
It's a combination of working and playing.
The last two days I have helped work two scrimmages, Friday night at Dulles and Saturday morning at Chavez in HISD.
I had a lot of fun, ran in the hot sun, learned a lot, got dinged a little. It was great. Officials are generally a nice group of people. Some are very garrulous. I find that funny.
Now I am home with a bit of a glow from exercise and sunburn. Just a little sunburn. I am not a susceptible. Actually the truth is my skin does not "feel" as much as it did when I was younger. That is not altogether a good thing. I have to watch because I no longer feel cuts. This is how diabetes affects me the worst. My blood sugar readings are not particularly high or brittle. But I do have skin and extremity problems.
Anyway it's been a good 18 hours. And I will work chains for a high school game next Friday night. No I will not tell you where.
It's a combination of working and playing.
The last two days I have helped work two scrimmages, Friday night at Dulles and Saturday morning at Chavez in HISD.
I had a lot of fun, ran in the hot sun, learned a lot, got dinged a little. It was great. Officials are generally a nice group of people. Some are very garrulous. I find that funny.
Now I am home with a bit of a glow from exercise and sunburn. Just a little sunburn. I am not a susceptible. Actually the truth is my skin does not "feel" as much as it did when I was younger. That is not altogether a good thing. I have to watch because I no longer feel cuts. This is how diabetes affects me the worst. My blood sugar readings are not particularly high or brittle. But I do have skin and extremity problems.
Anyway it's been a good 18 hours. And I will work chains for a high school game next Friday night. No I will not tell you where.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Exodus 10-11
God is certainly in control. After each plague God tells Moses how pharaoh will react to the next one. Moses may have told the people what God said. I'm not sure we are told one way on another.
How long does it take? All this time the people are still in bondage. They still have their quota of bricks. How is their attitude different? They are still have to work hard. They are still bondage. Do Moses and Aaron make bricks too? Or is this for young people only? They have a group quota, not an individual quota. But I can imagine Moses pitching in and helping.
How many plagues? I remember being told ten. Yet I have trouble counting. Blood, frogs, gnats, pestilence on the cattle, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, first born. That's nine. What have I missed?
God is open with knowledge. In verses 9:14-16 he explains to pharaoh that he does not kill him quickly so he can see his might. We too can see God's might.
God is in control, not pharaoh. God makes that perfectly clear. In this whole narrative, pharaoh, the most powerful man on earth, thinks he is in control. But it is not so. God is in control.
This is still true today. Whether it is the president of the U.S.A. or the premier of China, however powerful they are, however much they think they are in control, God is one truly in control.
We must be before God beseeching his help, as the Israelites did. God may not respond as quickly as we would like. No doubt the Israelites thought he was very slow in responding. But God is our only hope for rain or for economic miracle. Only God can save us.
How long does it take? All this time the people are still in bondage. They still have their quota of bricks. How is their attitude different? They are still have to work hard. They are still bondage. Do Moses and Aaron make bricks too? Or is this for young people only? They have a group quota, not an individual quota. But I can imagine Moses pitching in and helping.
How many plagues? I remember being told ten. Yet I have trouble counting. Blood, frogs, gnats, pestilence on the cattle, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, first born. That's nine. What have I missed?
God is open with knowledge. In verses 9:14-16 he explains to pharaoh that he does not kill him quickly so he can see his might. We too can see God's might.
God is in control, not pharaoh. God makes that perfectly clear. In this whole narrative, pharaoh, the most powerful man on earth, thinks he is in control. But it is not so. God is in control.
This is still true today. Whether it is the president of the U.S.A. or the premier of China, however powerful they are, however much they think they are in control, God is one truly in control.
We must be before God beseeching his help, as the Israelites did. God may not respond as quickly as we would like. No doubt the Israelites thought he was very slow in responding. But God is our only hope for rain or for economic miracle. Only God can save us.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Psalm 102
This is getting personal again.
As I read through this I was most affected by verse 23. The psalmist speaks of his days being shortened, being weakened. "Oh, my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days!"
What does that mean, "in the midst of my days"? It has personal meaning for me. It may mean a different thing to you, or maybe nothing.
It seems like for all of us as we get older our days become shortened. I mean in the sense that we are slower. We also get weaker in the brain perhaps. For me personally I think I am tempted to care less, thinking I won't be here much longer. I feel "weened away" in a reference to Our Town.
This is not a good thing. I want to not think like this. This seems part of finishing well, finishing our lives strong. This seems to use the analogy of running a race. As the race reaches it's end we do not slow down, we run as fast as we did, perhaps even pick up the pace. But perhaps the analogy breaks down when we get older. As the energy gets lower and our bodies get more frail surely God does not expect as much from us. We can rebel against this reality to some degree. But we cannot ignore it.
God is forever. But our time here is limited. What does it mean to be "taken in the midst of my days"? Does it mean taken while I still have a lot of goals not accomplished? I have not seen my grandchildren? I still have lots of friends that I will miss? Perhaps I have not seen my children married or even not gotten married yet and I hoped to?
What would be the opposite of being taken in the midst of my days?
I am reminded of people who did die young. Right now I am thinking specifically of two who were close to DW and I - JO and AR. I think about them from time to time. They are in their reward. Somehow it was their time to go. And yet when they went it seemed so unexpected. It is still hard to realize that they are gone.
Yet I am not sure if I would say they were taken in the midst of life. In certain ways I think their lives had reached an eddy if we are taking the analogy of water flowing down a stream. I would not have said they were in the midst of the current.
Yet both were believers acting on their belief. Their lives were different because of their faith. They were witnesses by their lives. Sure they were not perfect. To me that made their lives and witness even more miraculous. They trusted their savior. They knew they needed one. We all do.
As I read through this I was most affected by verse 23. The psalmist speaks of his days being shortened, being weakened. "Oh, my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days!"
What does that mean, "in the midst of my days"? It has personal meaning for me. It may mean a different thing to you, or maybe nothing.
It seems like for all of us as we get older our days become shortened. I mean in the sense that we are slower. We also get weaker in the brain perhaps. For me personally I think I am tempted to care less, thinking I won't be here much longer. I feel "weened away" in a reference to Our Town.
This is not a good thing. I want to not think like this. This seems part of finishing well, finishing our lives strong. This seems to use the analogy of running a race. As the race reaches it's end we do not slow down, we run as fast as we did, perhaps even pick up the pace. But perhaps the analogy breaks down when we get older. As the energy gets lower and our bodies get more frail surely God does not expect as much from us. We can rebel against this reality to some degree. But we cannot ignore it.
God is forever. But our time here is limited. What does it mean to be "taken in the midst of my days"? Does it mean taken while I still have a lot of goals not accomplished? I have not seen my grandchildren? I still have lots of friends that I will miss? Perhaps I have not seen my children married or even not gotten married yet and I hoped to?
What would be the opposite of being taken in the midst of my days?
I am reminded of people who did die young. Right now I am thinking specifically of two who were close to DW and I - JO and AR. I think about them from time to time. They are in their reward. Somehow it was their time to go. And yet when they went it seemed so unexpected. It is still hard to realize that they are gone.
Yet I am not sure if I would say they were taken in the midst of life. In certain ways I think their lives had reached an eddy if we are taking the analogy of water flowing down a stream. I would not have said they were in the midst of the current.
Yet both were believers acting on their belief. Their lives were different because of their faith. They were witnesses by their lives. Sure they were not perfect. To me that made their lives and witness even more miraculous. They trusted their savior. They knew they needed one. We all do.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Exodus 5
I owe you some blogs. I worked hard at moving the office to a smaller space. I did get some reading done Friday. I also worked on getting our apartments ready for renting, arrrgggh!
Have you ever felt you were following God's leading and things got worse, not better? Were you criticized and even ridiculed for your decision or stance?
This is the fate of Moses and Aaron.
They had spoken to pharaoh and pharaoh tells them to work harder. Perhaps logically pharaoh thinks if they have time to think about taking a holiday they have too much free time. It may be logical but it is sadistic.
I note again Moses was not totally forthright with his plans. He says the people want to travel three days into the desert and worship God. He does not mention that they want to leave permanently.
Is this subterfuge on his part? Or is this really his original intention? If the second is the case then pharaoh's stubbornness works to God's favor. Pharaoh's stubbornness allows God to achieve his original plan - the Israelites' permanent removal from Egypt to the new land He has prepared for them.
I tend to think Moses was not telling the total truth. But I think whether he was or not pharaoh does not believe him and thinks Moses is trying to lead the people out of Egypt.
How far is three days' journey? Is it far enough to get him past the Red Sea?
Have you ever felt you were following God's leading and things got worse, not better? Were you criticized and even ridiculed for your decision or stance?
This is the fate of Moses and Aaron.
They had spoken to pharaoh and pharaoh tells them to work harder. Perhaps logically pharaoh thinks if they have time to think about taking a holiday they have too much free time. It may be logical but it is sadistic.
I note again Moses was not totally forthright with his plans. He says the people want to travel three days into the desert and worship God. He does not mention that they want to leave permanently.
Is this subterfuge on his part? Or is this really his original intention? If the second is the case then pharaoh's stubbornness works to God's favor. Pharaoh's stubbornness allows God to achieve his original plan - the Israelites' permanent removal from Egypt to the new land He has prepared for them.
I tend to think Moses was not telling the total truth. But I think whether he was or not pharaoh does not believe him and thinks Moses is trying to lead the people out of Egypt.
How far is three days' journey? Is it far enough to get him past the Red Sea?
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Exodus 4 - Moses follows the call
The first half of Exodus 4 is the call of Moses. The second half is Moses traveling back to Egypt. There are several questions that come to mind. One big question that I'm sure commentators have opined since this came out. From Jewish and Israeli commentators by sages and priests until today.
v. 18 - Why did Moses lie to Jethro, his father in law? Or did he? Perhaps you think he did not. Moses says he wanted to see his family. That is a natural reason. But it is not the real reason. He never mentioned that he is going back to lead his people, to be their savior. He never mentions the special cane and his leprosy trick.
Then in v. 19 we are given additional information. This looks like a gloss, something inserted later. To me it looks inserted. The flow of the narrative would be just fine without this verse, maybe actually better.
I am sort of surprised that Moses took his family. He is going to wage war. You do not take your family to into a war (v. 20). In verse 20 the writer does mention the staff which is the sign of God's power with him. Moses takes both his family and his weapon of war.
God prophesies that the first born of Egypt will die before they let you go. God says that Israel is his first born.
Then we have the strangest thing of all. I'm know many people have had many opinions about this, from the Talmud to the present. Vs. 24-26 - Why did God (or an angel) try to kill him? What does it even mean? How does Zipporah know what to do? So when the verse says "put him to death" is God referring to Moses' son or to Moses himself?
So anyway after this trial the family makes it to Israel. Moses performs the signs before the Israelites that God told him to use before the Egyptians and they accept him as their leader. Just like that.
v. 18 - Why did Moses lie to Jethro, his father in law? Or did he? Perhaps you think he did not. Moses says he wanted to see his family. That is a natural reason. But it is not the real reason. He never mentioned that he is going back to lead his people, to be their savior. He never mentions the special cane and his leprosy trick.
Then in v. 19 we are given additional information. This looks like a gloss, something inserted later. To me it looks inserted. The flow of the narrative would be just fine without this verse, maybe actually better.
I am sort of surprised that Moses took his family. He is going to wage war. You do not take your family to into a war (v. 20). In verse 20 the writer does mention the staff which is the sign of God's power with him. Moses takes both his family and his weapon of war.
God prophesies that the first born of Egypt will die before they let you go. God says that Israel is his first born.
Then we have the strangest thing of all. I'm know many people have had many opinions about this, from the Talmud to the present. Vs. 24-26 - Why did God (or an angel) try to kill him? What does it even mean? How does Zipporah know what to do? So when the verse says "put him to death" is God referring to Moses' son or to Moses himself?
So anyway after this trial the family makes it to Israel. Moses performs the signs before the Israelites that God told him to use before the Egyptians and they accept him as their leader. Just like that.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Exodus 4 - The Call of Moses
Moses was reluctant to accept God's call. God's call was strong and obvious. But Moses had reservations.
When I read the call of Moses and his hesitancy I think of a time when God called me to share a song that he gave me. It was pretty obvious that God gave it to me. There were two verses and the music which I actually wrote down. I picked the tune out on a piano.
God called me to share it. I refused. I was too proud. I thought I might be laughed at since I have no musical training. I was too shy. Anyway for several weeks God bugged me to share it. And when I didn't finally, after a couple of weeks someone else shared a similar song and I knew I was off the hook.
I wonder if my refusal closed some doors to other things that God had planned for me. But God did not reject me or hate me. I think I felt a lot of guilt, much of which came from Satan not God. I think I still have some feelings after all these years. That's why this story of Moses' call still reminds me of something that happened a long time ago.
It was an ordinary ditty. The version that did get sung a little around Redeemer is now mostly forgotten. The song that the man shared as a song God gave him was not exactly my song. But it was close enough. From that experience I got a great example of how when God gives a gift to someone it comes through the filter of his human servant. He and I were different so the final song was different.
It is interesting to me that most of the songs, and there were very many, that were inspired by the Redeemer revival, the ones that are still sung and are still in songbooks were written by trained musicians. The human servant is important to the process. God needs us to prepare ourselves to be used.
God called Moses and Moses had excuses why he could not do it. He had a heart for this mission, we saw that in Chapter 2. But Moses felt powerless and inadequate even despite the obvious power of God. Finally God lost patience and introduced Aaron into the mix.
It seems after Aaron became involved we hear no more about Moses' reluctance. After that Moses was committed. Why? Was it sibling rivalry? Or did Moses realize the obvious weaknesses of Aaron? Later we will see how little mental strength Aaron has. Moses may have already suspected this. He must have had a great fear in leaving the responsibility with Aaron. So now he was all in. I suspect God knew that bringing Aaron in would change Moses' attitude.
I think God has altered the way he works with me since my refusal to accept that call. Now it seems I see a need and only after I accept some responsibility to help do I find that God was calling me to it after all. It would be nice if I accept direct calls from God but I don't seem to comfortable with that. But God has not given up on me and he uses me when I allow myself to be used.
God wants all of us to accept training. Then God can use us better.
When I read the call of Moses and his hesitancy I think of a time when God called me to share a song that he gave me. It was pretty obvious that God gave it to me. There were two verses and the music which I actually wrote down. I picked the tune out on a piano.
God called me to share it. I refused. I was too proud. I thought I might be laughed at since I have no musical training. I was too shy. Anyway for several weeks God bugged me to share it. And when I didn't finally, after a couple of weeks someone else shared a similar song and I knew I was off the hook.
I wonder if my refusal closed some doors to other things that God had planned for me. But God did not reject me or hate me. I think I felt a lot of guilt, much of which came from Satan not God. I think I still have some feelings after all these years. That's why this story of Moses' call still reminds me of something that happened a long time ago.
It was an ordinary ditty. The version that did get sung a little around Redeemer is now mostly forgotten. The song that the man shared as a song God gave him was not exactly my song. But it was close enough. From that experience I got a great example of how when God gives a gift to someone it comes through the filter of his human servant. He and I were different so the final song was different.
It is interesting to me that most of the songs, and there were very many, that were inspired by the Redeemer revival, the ones that are still sung and are still in songbooks were written by trained musicians. The human servant is important to the process. God needs us to prepare ourselves to be used.
God called Moses and Moses had excuses why he could not do it. He had a heart for this mission, we saw that in Chapter 2. But Moses felt powerless and inadequate even despite the obvious power of God. Finally God lost patience and introduced Aaron into the mix.
It seems after Aaron became involved we hear no more about Moses' reluctance. After that Moses was committed. Why? Was it sibling rivalry? Or did Moses realize the obvious weaknesses of Aaron? Later we will see how little mental strength Aaron has. Moses may have already suspected this. He must have had a great fear in leaving the responsibility with Aaron. So now he was all in. I suspect God knew that bringing Aaron in would change Moses' attitude.
I think God has altered the way he works with me since my refusal to accept that call. Now it seems I see a need and only after I accept some responsibility to help do I find that God was calling me to it after all. It would be nice if I accept direct calls from God but I don't seem to comfortable with that. But God has not given up on me and he uses me when I allow myself to be used.
God wants all of us to accept training. Then God can use us better.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Psalm 90 - Didactic, wisdom psalm
Psalm 90 is the first psalm of book 4 of the psalms. There are five sections (or books) of the 150 psalms. This psalm is attributed to Moses.
The "books" in the psalms usually start with a special opening psalm and often end with a special psalm. This one teaches. It has the tone of wisdom literature. The message is like that of Ecclesiastes.
What is the great enemy of mankind? It is death. Death is the fate of us all. Yet Paul says, "Death where is your victory? Grave, where is your sting?" Yet as we get older we feel death approaching. The frailties of getting old remind us of our final fate. Things hurt. We are slower, weaker, not as confident physically. We do not sleep as soundly.
The psalmist calls it a product of God's wrath (v.7). It is the consequence of Adam's sin. God told him if he ate of the forbidden tree he would die. He did die and we too will die.
God, by contrast, lives forever (v.4). We live 70 years, at best 80 if we are strong (v.10). When we read history (or archaeology) we are thinking about people who lived in another time and now are dead. We too will follow them into death. Just as they did, we get our time on earth. But God was alive before us and will be the same after us.
We have hope in the promise of Jesus.
If you have never considered who Jesus is and the salvation that he offers you should do it now. Jesus came to save us from the curse of sin and death.
Verse 13 begins to show that the psalmist too has hope. He understands that life is a blessing from God. It is a gift. He suggests that we enjoy it and be grateful for the time we have on earth (v.14-15). Yes it can be a vale of tears. We beseech God for his blessing. Also God have given us work to do (v.17). Without a vision we get bored. Let us do the work God has called us to gladly.
The psalmist ends by beseeching God to "confirm the work of our hands". This can have more than one meaning. First, we wish God to confirm our calling. Second, we also wish God to make the work that we do to be successful, to accomplish what we wish it to. We want God to make up for what we lack, to bless the fruits of our labors.
The "books" in the psalms usually start with a special opening psalm and often end with a special psalm. This one teaches. It has the tone of wisdom literature. The message is like that of Ecclesiastes.
What is the great enemy of mankind? It is death. Death is the fate of us all. Yet Paul says, "Death where is your victory? Grave, where is your sting?" Yet as we get older we feel death approaching. The frailties of getting old remind us of our final fate. Things hurt. We are slower, weaker, not as confident physically. We do not sleep as soundly.
The psalmist calls it a product of God's wrath (v.7). It is the consequence of Adam's sin. God told him if he ate of the forbidden tree he would die. He did die and we too will die.
God, by contrast, lives forever (v.4). We live 70 years, at best 80 if we are strong (v.10). When we read history (or archaeology) we are thinking about people who lived in another time and now are dead. We too will follow them into death. Just as they did, we get our time on earth. But God was alive before us and will be the same after us.
We have hope in the promise of Jesus.
If you have never considered who Jesus is and the salvation that he offers you should do it now. Jesus came to save us from the curse of sin and death.
Verse 13 begins to show that the psalmist too has hope. He understands that life is a blessing from God. It is a gift. He suggests that we enjoy it and be grateful for the time we have on earth (v.14-15). Yes it can be a vale of tears. We beseech God for his blessing. Also God have given us work to do (v.17). Without a vision we get bored. Let us do the work God has called us to gladly.
The psalmist ends by beseeching God to "confirm the work of our hands". This can have more than one meaning. First, we wish God to confirm our calling. Second, we also wish God to make the work that we do to be successful, to accomplish what we wish it to. We want God to make up for what we lack, to bless the fruits of our labors.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
