But You Trusted in Your Beauty | Ezekiel 16

bride walking away with the words of Ezekiel 16:8, 15 (NIV) -"I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the sovereign Lord, and you became mine...But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute."

Daily Bible Readings

*Ezekiel 16-17

Psalm 140

Luke 22

Today’s Devotion by Jeremy Martin

   Ho!*  I suppose I should start out by quoting Job 33:6, “Behold, I belong to God like you; I too have been formed out of the clay. ” (LSB) That’s my favorite translation**, because it shows in one statement who owns us, and where we stand (under God). 

That can make some people either angry or uncomfortable, but it’s just the truth.  Psalms 24:1 reiterates this in the clearest way possible, “The earth is Yahweh’s, and all it contains; the world, and those who dwell in it. ” (REV) Since it is Yahweh God who formed us from the clay, who formed the earth and all that is in it; like every piece of pottery that the potter creates, we belong to Him.  He has seen fit to give us free will in deciding many things in our lives and how we interact with the rest of creation, but that in no way diminishes the act of ownership of the earth and everything in it.  Everything that is, was, or will be, on this earth is God’s. 

Ezekiel 16:1-14 graphically describe how God claimed the freshly born and scorned infant Israel, cleaned it, nurtured it, loved it, and gave it fine things.  Ezekiel 16:15-34 (and continuing on with examples through roughly verse 59) is essentially God explaining how the nation took all the blessings that God gave them and became a prostitute.  This is done in some pretty graphic and scathing language.  Over and over and over.

Nobody likes to be called a whore.  It’s just not nice language to use to a person.  God calls His people this word (or a derivative thereof) about 21 times during a 20 verse stretch (Ezek 16:15-34).  I think it’s fair to say that God is “miffed” (to put it extremely politely) at the people.  It should be noted that this was not just a hurtful word, but accurately described the actions of the people.

Now before you go shaking your head and “tsk”ing the unfaithful Israelites, let me stop you right there.  We’re no better; in fact, it could be argued that we are significantly worse, as a people. Just as Israel forgot she was rescued from nothing and began to trust in God’s blessings instead of God Himself, we (who have been given so much) must guard against pride in our gifts and remember that everything good we have is undeserved, and remain faithful to our covenant God. 

Here is where I’m probably going to offend a few folks, and I’m sorry (that you’re offended).  Let’s hone in on Ezekiel 16:20-21 (reading from the ESV this time***): “And you took your sons and your daughters, whom you had borne to me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Were your whorings so small a matter that you slaughtered my children and delivered them up as an offering by fire to them? ”  Ouch.  I suppose we should touch upon a couple things here that are pertinent.

Firstly, there was a false deity in the canaanite pantheon of the Ammonites (M—ch, see Ex 23:13) who is infamous in the Hebrew Bible for requiring the child sacrifice of infants by fire. Since the medieval period, this has been depicted as a bull-headed idol with outstretched hands over fire***.  This was an abominable practice, and is mentioned about 31 times across scripture, always with an extremely negative connotation, and always involving human child sacrifice by immolation.

Secondly, and most importantly, God claims children as His.  In Ezekiel 16:21 specifically, God questions: ” Were your whorings so small a matter that you slaughtered my children…?” (ESV)  Your children are not yours, they belong to God.

It’s become very popular, and a polarizing political tool, to boldly proclaim “It’s my body, it’s my choice!” about abortion.  That is a lie, according to scripture.  It’s not only not your body, it’s not your choice.  Everything on this earth belongs to God, and while He allows you the freedom of choice to make decisions (and to make bad decisions), that choice does not extend to killing children who belong to God.  Even unborn ones, because everything on this earth belongs to God.  Again, I’m sorry (if you’re offended), but that’s what the scriptures say****.  Hold up though.

Right now, some “pro-choice” people are offended, and some “pro-life” people are nodding along self righteously, but let’s not forget the entirety of the message in it’s context: this isn’t just about children, it’s about faithfulness to God.  Regardless of which “camp” you fall into on that issue, can you honestly say that you’re 100% faithful, 100% of the time?  Scripture says we have all fallen short (Romans 3:23)  Before you go shaking your head and “tsk”ing, remember the following.

As a people, we have all prostituted ourselves.  We give more attention to the “things” of creation than to the Creator who made them.  We are regularly more concerned with promoting our financial or social standing than we are with kneeling before our God.  We are more worried about our “stuff” than the very God who gave all that stuff to us, more worried about our comfort than the Comforter.  We have done nothing to deserve the magnificent favor that God has shown us.  Every single one of us has sinned.  Before you judge another, examine and judge your own heart in the ways which you have been unfaithful to your creator.  Judgment of our fellow vessels of clay isn’t our job, being faithful is.

There is still hope though: in Ezekiel 16:60, God says “Nevertheless, I myself will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. ” (REV)  Remember that there is no sin which you may have committed that is bigger than the love of our God. Use it to grow; that was then, this is now.  We are being called back to God.   Stop, and repent.  Restore your faithfulness.  From the time of man’s separation from God, He has stood with outstretched arms wanting His creation to be reconciled with Him.  Return to God.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. In what ways have you remained faithful to God?
  2. In what ways have you failed to remain faithful to God? (Be Honest)
  3. How can we restore that relationship?

PRAYER

Father God, please forgive me when I am unfaithful to you.  Please help me see clearly, and to hear your whisper to guide me.  Create a new heart in me, and help me to be utterly devoted to loving and obeying you.  Help me to be loyal, and to be a servant who pleases their master.  In Jesus name, Amen.

notes

*To be very clear, this a double entendre.  “Ho” by the classical definition is an interjection that means “Hallooo! Attend!”, but it has another less polite definition in the Urban Dictionary as a slang term.  Both are quite applicable to this devotion.

** Anoher translation states equally accurately and more amusingly: “I am just like you before God; I was also pinched off from a piece of clay. ” (CSB).  I like this one too, but this shows the value of comparing multiple translations: we don’t always get the full flavor of the original text in it’s original tongue, nor understand some of the idioms, but reading multiple translations from different theological camps helps us understand the concepts better when dissecting scripture.

***Rashi (12th c.), in his commentary on Jeremiah 7:31, gives the most detailed and widely known version: a bronze idol with the head of a calf and outstretched, open hands was heated from below until the hands glowed red. The child was placed in the idol’s hands, burned, and the priests beat drums (tophim, the root of “Tophet”) to drown the child’s cries so the father would not be moved to mercy.

**** Additionally, Ps 139:13-14, Jer 1:5, Ex 21:22-25 are frequently cited (among others) to argue for the sanctity of unborn life,  describing God’s active role in fetal formation and the moral weight of killing.

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What Meal Did They Eat? | Luke 22

bread and cup with the words of Luke 22:19 (NIV) - And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

Daily Bible Reading

Ezekiel 14-15          

Psalm 140

Luke 22

Today’s Devotion by Tom Siderius (MI)

Luke 22:14-20(ESV) And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

We celebrated communion last Sunday at Blanchard church, which is the habit there to do it on the first Sunday of the month.  The thoughts that go with communion include that remembrance of this event with Jesus and the apostles, and then the thankfulness that we have for the sacrifice of body and blood that Jesus is willing to make for us. 

He said “I desire to eat the Passover with you but will not”.  Many believe that the meal eaten was the Passover meal but that is not correct.  For Jesus to be the Passover lamb on the 15th day of Nissan month, this night is the celebration that the Jews did on the day before that on the 14th.  This meal together was in anticipation of the Passover meal and day to come and help get them ready for it.  The name of the meal is “seudah maphsehket” which is the meal that would be eaten before the Passover day coming the next day.  It means concluding meal” or “separating meal” in Jewish tradition.  They would fast on the Passover day until the evening meal which would break the fast with the “seder” Passover meal on that evening after sunset which started the new day the 15th.

Luke 22:16(ESV) For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

The other thing that Jesus says about this meal is that he will not eat the true Passover again until the fulfillment of time in the age to come.  In it’s place Jesus tells us to do the remembrance of what he starts here in the time until the age to come happens.  He institutes a new covenant going forward that is because of his own shed blood and broken body.  He is the Passover lamb and he fulfills the requirements of the Old Testament lamb. 

What do we have to be thankful for specifically?

Why is the Passover not fulfilled until the age to come?

The answer to our questions may be found in Ephesians where God gives us an understanding of the mystery that has been revealed after Christ’s resurrection.

Ephesians 1:4-10(ESV)  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

God chose us in Christ because He desired to do it.  God gave the agency of salvation in the broken body and shed blood of Jesus.  God has redeemed us from the law of sin and death and made us part of His family in Christ.  When God looks at you, He sees Christ in you and all that means.  The new heaven and earth to come is the time and place when the Passover lamb payment and sacrifice will be completed .  It is finished with the resurrection of those that are raised again to life eternal and included in the age to come.  God shows Jesus this coming glory and that is the focus that keeps Jesus faithful to do the hard things to come after this point in time.

The passage points us to the idea that the communion meal that we share is the preparation for the final “seder” meal to be eaten and drank with the Savior in the age to come.  The new heavens and earth are filled only with God’s righteousness and presence. 

Why does it take a new heaven and earth for these things to be completed?

Our thankfulness of heart should be towards the God who has given us newness of life because He our God has desired to do it for us.  Our thankfulness should also go to the Christ who was faithful even unto death on the cross so that God is able to resurrect him from dead, giving us the way to God.  We celebrate the communion event in remembrance of Jesus’ great love for us as he is faithful in all the events that happen.  Our hearts should overflow with love for God and His Son when we see all that God has done for us.

Prayer:

Our God Our Father, we thank you for the redemption from sin and death that You have given us.  We look to You this day with hearts of gratitude for Your Son and all that is accomplished by his faithful service.  We look with grateful hearts for the coming of the Kingdom of God and for Your love that includes us in it.  Father help to have grateful hearts every minute and hour as we walk with You and Your Son.  In Jesus name we pray.

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Hemmed In | Psalm 139

Psalm 139 reveals that God’s complete knowledge and constant presence are not traps but loving protection. As our Creator, He knows every part of us and values us as His wonderfully made children. Trusting His shelter and hand brings peace, freedom from hiding, and willingness to invite Him to search, guide, and transform us.

path through hedges with Psalm 139:5-6a ESV overlaid "You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me..."

Daily Bible Readings

Ezekiel 12-13

Psalm 139

Luke 22

Today’s Devotion by Telva Elwell (SC) on …

Psalms 139: 5,6, 13-24

“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.” (vs 5-6)

“I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”  (vs. 14)

Yes, we are hemmed in by God, just as David has said in this psalm.  David agrees with us. He gets us. He says that God has hemmed him in also. He can relate. He tells God, “You hem me in, behind and before…” There is no escape. David must feel our fear, our shame, our desperation. Or does he?  We feel like trapped animals behind a wall that cannot be penetrated.

But something does not make sense.  Why does David go on to declare that this knowledge is too wonderful for him?  What is so wonderful about being trapped behind a wall where our every move, thought, and word is heard and seen by God?  That is what we have been trying to escape.  Yet David said it.  We are hemmed in by God, and it is wonderful! He must be kidding?  Somehow these theological terms of omnipresence and omniscient have become less threatening to David? But why?

I dare say, that David now seems to have an intimate and personal relationship with God.  Everything seems to have changed.  Because of four letters.

Tsur/Tsar. A little word that changed everything for David, for us.  A word so profound to David that he said he was without words to even express it!  That little word, tsur or tsar, in Hebrew, is our English word hem or hedge.  That word that we so objected to a few minutes ago now may hold the key to opening the door to something wonderful!

So, what does this little word hemmed, or tsur/tsar mean?  Tsar means to hem, where God creates a refuge or unshakeable shelter to protect a valued treasure.  That treasure is us!  The purpose was to keep harm away.  But it does not end there because “You lay your hand upon me.” (vs 5).  Not only does God build a protective shelter for us, but He also lays his hand upon us, to demonstrate his protection, grace, and love for us.  Yes, God is with us always, He sees the messiness of our sins, but He still creates an unshakable protective shelter for us because He loves us. We finally realize that being hemmed in by Him does not mean we are trapped, but instead we are protected by Him, and His loving hand is upon us.  We are hemmed in by God, and it is wonderful!  No longer must we run and hide from Him, because our ultimate need of His presence in our life is fulfilled.  We know that God sees us as we are, with all our sins, misspoken words, and actions and impure thoughts laid out in the open. The games have ended.  No longer do we need to run and hide, hoping that You will not find us.  No longer are our days filled with pain, embarrassment and despair. One little word changed everything.

But, why?  Why does God love us so deeply.  Why does He desire to have a personal relationship with us? 

As if anticipating our question, David writes the most beautiful psalm recounting our creation.  “For You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb; my frame was not hidden from you…intricately woven in the depths of the earth; your eyes saw my unformed substance; How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!” (vs 13-18)  The simple answer to our question is that God is our Father, our Creator.  We belong to Him.

“I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”  (vs 14)

Since we are fearfully and wondrously made by God, our worth is not determined by our good deeds or sinfulness, but because we are God’s handiwork and a product of his loving creation.

No longer running and hiding, or feeling trapped, we now know we are protected and loved.  Deeply loved by You because You have created us, every nook and cranny of our being. You know every inch of us, every thought and action even before those thoughts and actions are spoken or seen by You.  And because You are a good, good Father, You want to protect us.  We are at peace.  We are safe.  We are at home. 

Oh, the bliss of sweet surrender.  Now, we can freely and earnestly pray, “Search me, O God, and know my heart!  Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!”  Psalms 139:23-24

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing you are fearfully and wonderfully made impact your value and your sense of worthiness?
  2. How does understanding God’s intimate knowledge of you influence what you do?
  3. David invites God to search and test Him.  Would you feel comfortable having God test and search you?  Why?
  4. Why do you believe David was comfortable with God knowing him completely?  Do you feel comfortable with this as well?

Prayer

Dear Omniscient and Omnipresent Creator and Father – You know everything there is to know about me – and You still love me! Help me learn more and more about You. Thank You for Your Word where You reveal Yourself. Thank You, also, for loving me enough to hem/hedge me in. Help me see more clearly Your beautiful borders of protection and safety, that I may willingly and joyfully stay within them. Thank You for Your hand upon me. Guide me, Lord, ONLY where You want me to go, speaking what You want me to speak, being Your child You made me to be. Search me, Lord, and show me how to live today better than yesterday, until Your Son returns. In his name I pray, amen.

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You Can Run but You Cannot Hide | Psalm 139

candlelights with text of Psalm 139:1 - You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.

Daily Bible Readings

Ezekiel 10-11

Psalm 139

Luke 21

Today’s Devotion by Telva Elwell (SC)

Psalms 139:1-4, 7-12

“Oh LORD, you have searched me and known me!” (vs 1)

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? You are there!” (vs 7,8)

Oh, the useless extremes we go to so that we can hide our sins from God!  Like David, we cannot escape. But oh, how we try!  We duck behind our good works, we keep our sins hidden in our pocket of secret thoughts, we cling to the hope that we won’t be found out, we say all the right things at the right time in front of the right people, and sometimes we even try to hide our sins on a battlefield. (2 Samuel 11) Somehow, we think that God won’t see the real us through the façade.  As we live out our lives, we pretend we can hide in the darkness and find comfort in being hidden in it, even though it is God who created the darkness (Isa 45:7) and to God, darkness shines as brightly as the light. (vs 11) If we were to ascend to the heavens it is not to pray, but to escape God’s presence.  If we were to descend to the depths of Sheol, it would be to escape embarrassment, pain, and despair, and find relief in deep sleep.  Even if we take the wings of morning and dwell in the deepest parts of the seas to escape God, He is still there. (vs 7-9) We cannot hide.  God knows us and sees us. (vs 1-4)

And then that moment comes when we tire of the useless games of hide and seek, of running, hiding, being found by Him, only to run away again. Slowly we are learning that God is omniscient and omnipresent and that we can never win. But those frustrating deep theological words only make us more fearful of Him. We feel as though we are under surveillance.  We often look over our shoulder hoping no one, especially God, can see us or hear us. But God knows and sees everything, and He is always there.  We cannot escape His ears or eyes. We feel hopeless, caught and forever trapped like a stray dog who has wandered away from home, hemmed in by God.

We get tangled up in our web of sin and we grow weary.  Deep inside we know those games, facades and deceit are not going to bring us the peace we desire.  All the battle fields where we buried our sins are still there and they haunt us.  What will cause us to stop running and hiding, and finally realize that the peace and solace we sorely desire is found only in God?  When will we realize that the games we play are useless, but that we are not useless or unworthy—just like David, who despite his sin was a man after God’s own heart? (Acts 13:22) What will it take?

Reflection Questions:

  • Think of your closest family member or best friend.  Do you believe that you are truly and completely known by them?  Why is it difficult to allow even those closest to you to know you completely?
  • Can you know yourself completely?  Why or why not?  What causes you to distort how you view yourself?
  • David says that God knows when you sit, get up, travel, or when you sleep.  Why do you believe that God cares or even notices the simple things in your daily life?  How does that make you feel about God?
  • If God knows what you are going to say before you even say it, how does that make you feel? Why? Does it make you think twice before you speak?
  • Do you feel comfort or fear in knowing that God is always with you?
  • Do you at times try to hide from God?  Why?  What are some of the ways that you try to hide from God?

Prayer

Dear Almighty Lord God – You are the amazing Creator who knows me fully – and yet does not run away from me! It says so much about You, that You still want a relationship with me. You know all my quirks, all my thoughts, all my sins, all the times I have failed you and You still see my potential and what You have made me to be. Help me see what You see, Father. And then help me seek You, Your Word and Your Way Always. In Your precious son’s name, Amen.

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Forged in Fire | Luke 21

Stand firm, and you will win life. Luke 21:19

Daily Bible Readings

*Ezekiel 8-9

Psalm 138

*Luke 21

Today’s Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)

The passage in Luke 21 has a number of prophecies, and one of these prophecies is the destruction of the (2nd) Temple (see the devotion for March 28 from earlier this year).  The reading in Ezekiel 8-9 has an interesting parallel to that future event with the first temple and the shekinah glory leaving it, and I thought the visual image of the prophet getting snatched up by the hair and carried around was pretty cool, but I won’t dwell too long on that (although it’s absolutely fantastic reading).

I think it’s important to note that even in his extreme anger at the idolatrous atrocities that were going on in Jerusalem among his people, he cared enough for those who resisted that wickedness to have them all marked, and then gave instructions to his heavenly servants to “not touch those who were marked” when they went out to implement God’s wrath (Ezek 9:4-6).

In Luke 21:19 it says “By your endurance you will gain your lives.”  Let’s talk about that for a minute. (All scriptures quoted today will be using the REV translation)

Endurance isn’t a word we talk a lot about in the Christian community: we hear a lot about love, a lot about hope, and faith, and blessings, but just sticking it out to the bitter end isn’t something we focus on.  Why though?  It’s a common scriptural admonition, but I think we tend to avoid it as a discussion point because it usually entails enduring something unpleasant.   Probably not as unpleasant as getting nailed to a tree for something you didn’t do, but then again, maybe so.  Either way, particularly in our society, we would prefer to talk about happier things, such as love, peace, hope, joy… you know, all the things you might find in a cheerful hallmark card of encouragement.  Unpleasant things tend to be avoided, even as a topic of discussion.

Have you ever seen the movie “Rocky”?  It’s a classic from 1976 and even people who haven’t seen it have an idea of the plot because it’s become ingrained so deeply in American culture.  For those of you who haven’t seen it (or who saw it so long ago that you’ve forgotten the basic plot) Rocky Balboa (played by Sylvester Stallone) is a nobody boxer who’s trying to make it big, and gets the opportunity for the fight of a lifetime against a champion (“Apollo Creed”, played by the late Carl Weathers).  The fight lasts for a full 15 rounds, and it’s brutal.  Both fighters are barely standing at the end of the fight, horribly disfigured by blows, bleeding heavily, and gasping for breath. 

One of the final scenes as the boxing ring is flooded with reporters and excited fans has a brutally ravaged Rocky calling out (barely understandably, due to a mouth deformed and busted up from fist blows) repeatedly for Adrian (his romantic interest), who makes her way into the ring. The guy is barely recognizable as human, he actually lost the fight (by decision, most people forgot that little tidbit), but he endured to the end.  It’s not a movie about victory, but about endurance, even through overwhelming odds and despite inhuman levels of punishment.  It’s the picture I see in my head when I think about endurance.  Adrian!

Patience can also be translated as “longsuffering” and patience (makrothumia) and endurance (hupomonē) occur together in Colossians 1:11; 2 Corinthians 6:4, 6; 2 Timothy 3:10; James 5:10-11 as 2 sides of the same coin, so endurance can be counted among the fruits of the spirit when they are listed in Galatians 5.  Here’s the thing: when you are done enduring, you might not be pretty.  You might be barely standing up, disfigured and bleeding, and with a mouthful of missing teeth.  You might barely be alive.  The process of actually having to endure something is, by it’s very nature, unpleasant.  Sometimes extremely unpleasant.

Which is why it’s so weird that in James 1:2-4  it says: “My brothers and sisters, count it all joy when you encounter trials of various kinds, knowing that the testing of your trust produces endurance. Now let endurance have its full effect, so that you become fully mature and whole, lacking in nothing.”  Joy?!  I’m supposed to count it as joy when I’m getting my teeth knocked in?!  Yes.  The answer is yes.

Not because you’re not a beautiful and unique little snowflake, you are; but because the hardest steel is forged in the hottest fire.  That may require some reshaping.  You can’t be as strong as God is going to need you to be if you don’t go through some of the heat of adversity, and come out without cracking.  More to the point, Jesus told us that by our endurance we will gain our life: if we never have to endure anything, if nothing is ever required of us, if we do not go through the hottest part of the fire to become stronger, we may not live.  That’s even less pleasant than any potential adversity, isn’t it?  That’s why we should count it as joy.

I don’t know anyone who has had an actual “trial free” life.  We’re all tested, constantly, and in a myriad of different ways.  I think we need to start talking about endurance as a church, and as a people.  If you’ve ever watched the TV show “Forged in Fire” and seen the process by which metal items are created, you’ll get a nice visual example of what I’m talking about.  The best weapons formed are subjected to extreme heat, pounded repeatedly, formed and shaped into the desired configuration, and then hardened.  It’s not an easy process, but the end result is beautiful.

Luke 21:34-35 says “But watch yourselves so that your hearts do not become weighed down with drunken hangovers, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and then that day come on you suddenly like a snare, for it will come on all those who live on the face of all the earth.”  I no longer am concerned about drunken hangovers and drunkenness, but it concerns me deeply that one of the trials that I will need to overcome are “the cares of this life”, because believe me, those abound.  I’m worried about providing the best that I can for my family, want to do good at my job, want to make sure that my house and car are in good and operable working condition, want to make sure I’m not late for work, want to make sure my wife is happy, that I take good care of my remaining dog (Bo remains, Luke died from cancer: it was painful), there are a thousand and one things I think about almost constantly: and it’s a snare.

Trust in God.  To do that, we need to let a lot of that other stuff go, just release it.  Consider these ongoing and upcoming trials as joy, a furnace with which to strengthen you.  The God who formed you has a better plan for you than you have for yourself.  It may not be the same as your plan, but it will be a better plan.  Let go, relax, trust in God…and get ready, because you might need to go the full 15 rounds.  Unpleasant or not, whatever trials that you may have coming up may be, nothing. NOTHING will compare to the glories that will be yours in the Kingdom of God,  if you just endure.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. Why do you think we tend to avoid the unpleasant things?
  2. Did this understanding change your perceptions about some of these trials? Why, or why not?
  3. How can we test ourselves, daily, to strengthen ourselves so we can pass these endurance trials when they come?

PRAYER

Father God, grant me strength.  Give me focus, and wisdom, and the endurance that I’ll need to not only survive but grow into the servant that you want me to be.  Thank you for helping me get this far, please help me to finish the race strong, to your glory.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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By Whose Authority? | Luke 20

Sunset over vineyard rows with a Bible verse from Luke 20:13 overlaid

Daily Bible Readings

Ezekiel 6-7

Psalm 138

Luke 20

Today’s Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)

Luke 20 is a literal gold mine of theological doctrine and understanding.  Pretty much any time Jesus speaks we should be dropping whatever we’re doing and paying attention, but there are some very critical understandings that he gives us here that have been “a little confused” (to put it politely) by the modern church.  Starting out in Luke 20:1-2, “And it came to pass on one of the days he was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the experts in the law, along with the elders, approached him, and they spoke, saying to him, “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things. Who is the one who gave you this authority?” ” 

That right there, that last question, is extremely deep and it’s a very easy question to answer if you are going by scripture alone because almost every prophecy of the Old Testament and every gospel in the New Testament is predicated at and dedicated to the explanation that Yeshua (Jesus) is Ha’Messhiach, the Messiah, the Christ: the man anointed by God to be King and Heir, a Jewish man descended from the line of David, granted a large portion of the holy spirit by God which allowed him to perform miracles, sent by God and also subservient and obedient to the God who sent him*.  So is Jesus doing this on his own authority?  Is Jesus equal to God?  Not according to Jesus**.  God has granted him this authority.

Jesus himself reiterates and explains this in today’s reading of Luke 20.  In this evil age, many have confused who “The Christ” is, and what it means to be the Christ, but it simply means “the anointed one”: that’s it.  To be an anointed one (an anointee) it’s simple logic that there must also be a higher authority who initiates that anointing (an anointer).  It’s all over scripture, and especially in today’s reading of Luke 20.

In the “Parable of the Greedy Farmers” that takes place in Luke 20:9-19, we see Jesus telling us who he is and why he’s come.  He also tells us who he is not.  Just listen to the story.

 A man buys a vineyard, rented it out to some farmers, and went away (God made the earth, placed humans on it, and left them to their devices).  Harvest time came and the man sent his servants, over and over, to collect his portion and the greedy farmers beat them up and sent them away empty handed (God sent us the prophets repeatedly to get his deserved portion, our devotion and love, and we ignored and beat them).  The man sent his own beloved son next, and instead of honoring the agreement, the greedy farmers killed the son, the heir, thinking that then they could claim the vineyard. (God sent Jesus to reconcile mankind to himself, and he was killed).  Jesus says in the parable, “Now, what then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?”.

Jesus never claims to be the owner of the vineyard, but does rightfully claim to be the son, the Christ, the anointed one, the Messiah that God (the owner of the vineyard) sent.  How can that in any way be confused?  That is dramatically different than what is taught in most churches.  “Oh, but that’s just a parable”…ok, granted.  Let’s read on.

In Luke 20:41-44 Jesus asks these “religious authorities” of the time “And he said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is David’s son? For David himself says in the scroll of Psalms, The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.’ David therefore calls him Lord, and so how is he his son?”.   Well, Jesus, that’s a great question: how can the Christ be David’s son?  How can one who came later have preeminence?

To the testimony, and to the law! (Isaiah 8:20).   When we look at the original verse in Hebrew that Jesus is quoting here, it’s a little easier to understand, and removes some of the confusion that later scribal bias*** has placed there by no longer writing the holy name of God.  Flipping back over to Psalms 110 we see (in v1): “Yahweh’s declaration to my lord, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”  That’s  YHWH God, the Father and creator of the universe, who is stating to David’s lord (authority, ruler, King) “sit at my right hand”.  David’s descendant will be the Christ, the Messiah, granting him preeminence over his ancestor David…but still placing him under the authority of Yahweh, who grants him permission and authority to come and sit at His right hand.

When we read just a tiny bit further down in Psalm 110:4-5, we see “Yahweh has sworn and he will not change his mind; ‘You are a priest forever in the pattern of Melchizedek.’ O Lord, at your right hand is he who will shatter kings in the day of his wrath.”  It’s pretty clear that God is the authority who has invited the Christ to sit at his right hand.  Can we be sure that it is Jesus who is the Christ though?  Absolutely, the entirety of the New Testament confirms this and makes a point to show repeatedly that all of the prophecies of the Old Testament about the Messiah have been fulfilled by the man Jesus, God’s anointed.

Is that really important though?  Isn’t that something that the preacher should worry about, and not me?  Well, if you are calling yourself a Christian, then you should probably listen to the person we’re supposed to be following, Jesus, the Christ.  When asked in Mark 12:29 and following what the greatest commandment is, he quotes the Shema (Deut 6:4-5): “Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh alone! Therefore you are to love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”  Jesus tells us that most importantly: Yahweh alone is our God, and that we should love God.  Secondly,  that we should love our neighbor as much as we do ourselves.  So, how are we doing?

Are we loving YHWH God (who is God alone) more than anything else, more than our desires, our greed, our lusts?  Are we loving our neighbor as much as we do ourselves, and thinking of them as equal to or greater than ourselves?  Do you fall short on these as often as I do?

Isn’t it a little ironic that within the world’s largest current religion, the majority of it’s adherents to a large degree disregard the words of it’s founder?  Even if you have understanding, even if you have faith and believe, we know from James that faith without works is dead.  With that in mind, consider the following reflection questions:

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

What are some physical steps that we could take to show our love for God?

What are some actions we could perform to exhibit that we love our neighbor as much as ourself?

Do you think doing these physical actions above will help your inner spiritual love as well?  Why or why not?

PRAYER

Father God, thank you.  Thank you for sending your servants over and over, and then for sending us your son.  Please grant us understanding and wisdom when we are studying your word, plant your spirit within our hearts and give us the strength to listen and obey your will instead of our own, like Jesus did.  Have mercy on us and reconcile us to you.  In Jesus name, Amen.

* Acts 2:22-36, 10:38, Matt 26:39, John 3:34, to name just a very, very few.

** John 5:30, 7:16, 12:49, 14:28, 20:17, to name just a very, very few.

*** It should be stated that everyone has some form of bias, to be fair.  I pray that my own personal biases are based more upon scripture than tradition.

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Lying Down on the Job | Ezekiel 4

Then lie down on your left side, and place the punishment of the house of Israel upon it. For the number of the days that you lie on it, you shall bear their punishment. Ezekiel 4:4 ESV

Daily Bible Readings

Ezekiel 4-5

Psalm 137

Luke 20

Today’s Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)

Today’s devotion is another interesting one, and bares (pun intended) a striking resemblance to the devotion on Sep 12, since they’re both dealing with some of the major “Prophetic Signs*” (or symbolic actions) that God had some of the prophets enact (although this one is a bit less…cheeky).  This could also have been titled “So You Want to be a Prophet…”.  Today’s reading shows pretty clearly that being a prophet was incredibly difficult at times.  The thing is, as a prophet, you don’t get to do the things you want to do, you do what you’re told to do (by God).  The one who is sent by God can only say (and do) the things God tells them (per Jesus, John 12:49).

Most of the time when people think about the prophets, they think of long bearded wild-eyed unkempt men, haggard and lean, and booming out with a loud baritone voice “Thus says Yahweh…!”.  That may or may not be the case eventually, but most of the prophets started out just as normal guys: just like anyone else.  Ezekiel was probably just a nice Jewish guy like all the other Jewish guys who had been taken in the capture of Jerusalem during the process of The Exile, but if you imagine his appearance after these events listed here in Chapter 4, you can kind of see where the stereotyped impression may have come from.

In Ezekiel 4:1-3, God has Ezekiel set up a display that is reminiscent to me of playing with army men as a kid: using a brick as the city of Jerusalem and then building little siegeworks against it.  Then, in Ezek 4:4-6 we get to the prophetic sign that is central to our study this morning.  Again, just like Isaiah, it’s such a short bit that if you read quickly you’ll skip past it, but remember: sometimes the nutrients we get from scripture are incredibly dense, and a verse or two of scripture can encompass years or an entire lifetime and have deep lying ramifications.  There are stories within the stories, if you look hard enough, and this is definitely one of those instances.  It’s so quick that you can easily miss it if you’re not paying attention.

Ezek 4:4-6 says: “Moreover lie on your left side and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel on it; according to the number of the days that you will lie on it, you will bear their iniquity. For I have appointed the years of their iniquity to be to you a number of days, even 390 days; so you will bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. Again, when you have accomplished these, you will lie on your right side, and will bear the iniquity of the house of Judah: 40 days, each day for a year, have I appointed it to you.” (REV translation used throughout this devotion).  Did you catch that?  Ezekiel’s job is to lie down on his side for 430 days and prophesy against Jerusalem (using his set up army man camp, see v7).

Oh, and if you were thinking about doing that part time, and maybe getting up every now and then to do a little shopping, think again: Ezek 4:8 goes on to say, “And behold, I will put cords on you so you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have completed the days of your siege. ”   Ready to be a prophet yet?

But wait, there’s more: “Take for yourself also wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and spelt, and put them in one vessel, and make bread out of it; according to the number of the days that you will lie on your side, even 390 days, you are to eat of it.  Your food that you will eat will be by weight, 20 shekels a day; from time to time you will eat it.  You are to drink water by measure, the sixth part of a hin; from time to time you are to drink “.  So for over a year, this is what you get to eat and drink every day.  I was curious about this and did a little digging: 20 shekels weight is right at about 8 ounces, and the sixth part of a hin is about 2/3 of a quart (for comparison, 1 qt= @1.06 liters).  Oh yes, and that bread? Cook it over poop (see Ezek 4:12).

That is significantly less than is recommended for an adult male to eat and drink, that is not a lot of food or water.  Imagine eating about half a pound of food and drinking about 2/3 of a liter of water, every day, for well over a year.  Now we’re probably starting to more closely resemble the long bearded wild-eyed unkempt men, haggard and lean, that we generally imagine when we think of the prophets.

Jeremiah and Ezekiel were contemporaries, but Jeremiah spoke primarily to the people in Judah and Ezekiel spoke to the Jews who were in exile.  Throughout the books of both you’ll see some very striking parallels, which makes sense given that they were both speaking what they were told (by God) at the time.  Jeremiah presents the new covenant as a restructured legal relationship (new terms, new medium, new knowledge), while Ezekiel presents it as a restructured human capacity (new heart, new spirit, new power to obey) that makes the covenant relationship possible again.  Both speak of a transforming of the heart, and an internalizing of God’s commands.  Both speak of a restoration, after a rebuke.

In Ezekiel 5, it clearly lays out the reasons for this punishment (in v6, 7, 9, 11), but it also offers hope once again in v13: “Thus my anger will have an end, and I will cause my wrath toward them to rest, and I will be appeased; and they will know that I, Yahweh, have spoken...”. 

Ezekiel laid down on his side for over a year, basically starving himself because God told him to do so as an example to the Israelites in exile.  Comparatively and to my shame, I complain sometimes when I have to get up just a little bit earlier than I’d like to make it to church on time.  It’s not just me though, this attitude is endemic in our culture and society. We have become so distracted and disobedient in this evil age that many of us are lying down on the job without being told to: maybe it’s time to stand back up and get to work not only by purifying ourselves, but also gathering others in to the kingdom…to the glory of God.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. Do you ever exaggerate your own struggles or problems? If so, is it rarely or often?
  2. Why? What is the reinforcement for that behavior that makes it recur? Is that a good reason?
  3. What can we do to stand up and get back to work?  (Try to think of 3 things you can do for yourself, and then also 3 things you can do for others- we’re not in this alone!)

PRAYER

Father God, please forgive me for being stubborn, stiff-necked, and complaining.  You have given me gifts beyond measure, and it’s still hard for me sometimes to appreciate the amazing generosity which you’ve shown me.  I’m sorry, God.  Please help me to remember the too high price that was already paid for me, and to be appreciative of every small thing that you have given to me: life, breath, and all things.  Your son.  The way out which you have provided me.  Thank you.  In Jesus name, Amen.

* the Prophetic Signs (or symbolic actions) that God had the prophets do are very interesting, and some more intense than others.  These include Ezekiel’s siege and exile Simulations (today’s devotion), Jeremiah’s yoke and property, also linen and broken flask (Jer 13, 19, 27, 32).          Isaiah’s nakedness and naming (Is 8, naming his son**, and Is 20 for the nakedness), and Hosea’s marriage to a prostitute and subsequent naming of his children by her (Hos 1), among a few others that were less intense.

** He named his kid Mahershalalhashbaz.  Say that 5 times fast.  Now imagine having to call him in to dinner: “Hey, Mahershalalhashbaz , time for supper!  Mahershalalhashbaz, time to come home!” etc, etc.

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I Have Made You a Watchman

Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and gove them warning from me. Ezekiel 3:17 NIV

Daily Bible Readings

*Ezekiel 1-3

Psalm 137

Luke 19

Today’s Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)

Ezekiel 1* gives an awe inspiring account of the vision of the throne of God.  If you are interested, there is a devotion from Aug 5th of this year that has a number of corresponding scriptures that describe the courts of heaven in greater detail.  In every account, though, the description of the throne of heaven is both complex and awe inspiring, something beyond the human ability to comprehend, and surrounded by myriads of the (incomprehensibly powerful) heavenly host offering obeisance to the God Most High (YHWH, who is even more incomprehensibly powerful than all of them).   

I like how right off the bat, in Ezekie 1:1-3, this tells us the exact time and the almost exact place that Ezekiel initially saw God**: this is roughly @593 BC, since Jehoiachin went into exile @597 BC.  The Land of the Chaldeans refers to ancient Babylonia, specifically the southern region of Mesopotamia where the Chebar Canal (also known as the Grand Canal or nāru kabari) was located. This area, situated southeast of Babylon near the city of Nippur, served as the primary settlement for Jewish exiles deported by the Neo-Babylonian Empire.

Ezk 2:1-“He said to me, ‘Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.‘”.  It’s very interesting, and could be it’s own in-depth study, that the way which God addresses humans is “Son of man.”.  What is a son of man?  A man, of course.  A human.  It’s equally interesting to me that this is Jesus’ primary self designation in all of his ministry on the earth.  This is an important distinction, because in scripture (our measuring ruler) there are at least 30 verses*** that state unequivocally that Jesus was born a man, and 0 verses that state directly that he became a man.  Interesting, no?

In Ezk 2:8-10, when I read those verses, I can’t help but think of the phrase “take your medicine”.  In this instance, it doesn’t sound as if the medicine is pleasant (although it is indeed later described as tasting sweet as honey).  He is ingesting lamentations, mourning, and woe, and then told to go and speak to his people, the Jews in exile.

Ezk 3:10-11:  “Moreover he said to me, ‘Son of man, all my words that I speak to you, receive in your heart and hear with your ears. And go to the exiles, to the children of your people, and speak to them. And whether they will hear or whether they will refuse to hear, say to them, “This is what the Lord Yahweh says.’” This is one of the key things to take away from this, a core principle.  God knows that we’re a stubborn people, just like ancient Israel.  He still attempts to reach out to us, to speak to us in a variety of different ways: whether we will hear or whether we refuse to hear is up to us, but God is trying to say something.

Ezk 3:15-17 “Then I came to the exiles…and I sat there…overwhelmed for seven days. And at the end of seven days the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Son of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel, so hear the word from my mouth and give them warning from me.”  This small blurb in v15 lets us know that this vision took it’s toll on Ezekiel.  He sat overwhelmed for 7 days, then the word of God came to him and appointed him as a watchman for his people.  A watchman is defined as “One set to watch; a person who keeps guard; a guard; a sentinel “.  Someone to keep people safe.

Ezekiel 3:18- 21 are some of my favorite verses in the entire book of Ezekiel, I’ve got them highlighted in my bible.   This is the original “if you see something, say something” statement, by God to Ezekiel, with the caveat that if they chose not to listen then it wasn’t his fault, but if he chose not to say something he would be accountable.  What about us though?

That’s a little bit scary, when you carry it over into our modern lives.  How many times have you seen someone engaging in destructive or even self-destructive behavior, and chosen to keep silent for whatever reason?  I think of some very specific examples in my own life, and the times when I’ve kept silent when I should have spoken, and most of the times I think of are just because I didn’t want to be socially awkward. 

Now listen, it is absolutely not our job (nor our privilege) to hound and harass someone who believes or acts different than we do.  HOWEVER, in this present evil age, it seems as if it has become more of an “every man for himself!” and that is directly contrary to scripture.  The second greatest commandment (according to Jesus) is: love your neighbor as yourself.

A gentle word of correction, a loving nudge in the right direction, perhaps an inspiring and applicable bible verse, or even a simple “Hey man, God loves you.” can alter someone’s course.  Be a good servant, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick or imprisoned, help the widows and orphans, and take no personal credit.  Love and glorify God.  Take criticism lovingly, be unoffendable, and live the love that Jesus exemplified.  I am absolutely not endorsing slamming someone over the head with scripture until they comply, but  shouldn’t we be taking care of each other, in love?  I suppose what I’m really saying here is, “Hey man, God loves you.”.  Pass it along.

The Kingdom is ready: gather them in****.  Is everyone going to listen?  Is everyone going to care?  Is everyone going to immediately correct course by seeing your example and submit themselves to the will and authority of God?  Nope, probably not, but you will have done your job.  Ezk 3:27 “But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you will tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Yahweh says.’ The one who hears, let him hear, and the one who refuses, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.”

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. How many times have you seen a friend or family member doing something contrary to God’s word?  Think of 1-3 examples.
  2. Did you say or do anything to correct that?  Why or why not?
  3. What are 3 ways you can think of that we could, non-judgmentally, offer a better course of action when we see our brothers (or sisters) going astray? (Be specific)

PRAYER

Father God, please forgive me for all of the times when I was too timid to speak your word when I should have.  Give me the words, and open my mouth when it is needed, to tell others of how very much you love us.  Use me as you see fit, to your glory.  In Jesus name, Amen.

* All scripture quotations will be from the REV translation today.

** It should be noted that since it says in scripture that no man has seen God directly (John 1:18,  1 John 4:12, 1 Timothy 6:16 ), that the instances where this is described in scripture are most likely through an agent (as in Ex 3:2-4 when the angel of YHWH in v2 is then referred to as YHWH in v4, among many other examples), a vision (such as this one in Eze 1, among many others), or a dream (Job 33:14-15, among many others).  This one is clearly stated as a vision, in Eze 1:1.  Agent, Vision, Dream: remember, these are the ways in which man can see God (and live).

*** Luke 2:7, Matt 1:21, Gal 4:4, Heb 2:14, Heb 2:17, Acts 2:22, Acts 17:31, 1 Tim 2:5, Rom 5:15, John 8:40, etc. There are at least 30 verses in the NT that reiterate that Jesus was a human being who was born a man,  appointed by God and empowered by the spirit of God.  This is not counting the @80 times “son of man” was used (primarily as a self identification by Jesus), and in addition to the myriad of verses from the OT describing the requirements of the Messiah as being a human Israelite male descended from David (Gen 3:15, Deut 18:18, 2 Sam 7,Psalms 89, etc).  Pretty solid evidence, particularly when weighed against later “became a man” theories with 0 verses confirming them directly.

**** A message given to my blind father, in a vision.  The one who hears, let him hear.

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Lamentations: When Words Fail

You, Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. Lamentations 5:19 NIV

Daily Bible Readings

Lamentations 4-5

Psalm 136

Luke 19

Today’s Devotion by Jake Ballard (IN)

Once, a young boy watched helplessly as his world fell apart around him. For a year, he watched as his vibrant, loving, passionate mother succumbed to the power of cancer and chemotherapy. Three days after Christmas, she breathed her last. His heartbroken father grieved; his beloved aunts and uncles and grandparents supported as best they could. 

But in the next month, January, his grandmother (his mom’s mom) who had been suffering a disease that destroyed her muscles, finally had all her muscles completely fail, and she too died.

Then the boy’s father left to play basketball in February…

He walked out the door… and never was able to come home…

And the boy

had no

words

How could he?

His world had shattered so agonizingly slowly, and just when the reality had hit home, a new wave of despair…

How could his dad be gone?

Lamentations has a structure in chapters 1-4. Each chapter is a self-contained acrostic, and chapter 3 is an interesting play on that.

Chapter 5 is what happens when devastation and despair overwhelm to the point where words fail.

The pattern breaks.

There is no acrostic.

The only order in the midst of the grief of the Lamenter breaks down.

Words begin to fail.

Often in songs of Lament, there is the turn-around, the recognition of God’s loving, providing care that the Lamenter feels and sees. We’ve seen the hope of that in chapter 3. The final couplet (5:21-22), demands, asks, begs for God’s intervention, but also voices the horror “unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry beyond measure.”

The Lamenter has not left the lamentation by the end of the book.

I want you to know that God doesn’t demand a bright and happy smile as you come into the end of this year.

The holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year) can be especially difficult if you have lost people in the previous year, and you might still be grieving. There are times when all words are broken and the order of our lives is stripped away and we simply are, merely exist…

God is there.

Listening to you yell and rage and cry and weep.

And he loves you through it all.

He will make all things new… but we might not see it now.

The boy who lost so much did not see a clear “end” to his lament, nor did he piece his life together on his own.

He was lovingly, carefully, powerfully held by God, embraced by the church, trained by faithful men and women, and grew up to be a pastor, hoping to share with those who read his words this day that hope exists on the other side. Even when you cannot see it, God is with you in the lament.

Have your words failed? God hears the Spirit in you groan with something deeper than words

Have you not seen restoration yet? One day it will come.

My brothers and sisters, may you express your heart to the Lord in your lament, in whatever way your heart is broken.

May you feel his touch upon your life even when everything has lost all sense.

And if, when, your words fail, may you trust that God is there, listening to the beating of your broken heart, and loving you in your lament.

May he restore you, in this life or in the age to come, because his wrath was taken by Christ on the cross.

Amen.

Reflection Questions

  1. In the midst of your dark days what has given you comfort and hope for the future?
  2. How can you work as God’s agent in spreading comfort and hope, perhaps even at a time when there are no words.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank You for being the God of all comfort, even when we are in such distress that we can not fathom being comforted. I need you, God. Teach my heart how to cling to You, in all ways and on all days. Thank You for making things new. In Your Son’s name who gives us hope, amen.

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Lamentations: Despair and Hope

A sunset scene with birds flying in the sky, alongside text that reads, 'Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.' Lamentations 3:40 NIV.

Daily Bible Reading

Lamentations 3

Psalm 136

Luke 18

Today’s Devotion by Jake Ballard (IN)

Yesterday, we focused on getting ourselves situated in Lamentations, a book of sorrow that shows us how to speak to God in our anger, sorrow, and loss.

Today, we see that when we take the time to open up to God and work through our suffering we can see it from various angles. In chapter one, the author (probably Jeremiah) gives Jerusalem herself a voice so that she speaks to God. She cries out to God in the midst of the judgement that she is suffering (1:15) and asks him to forgive her and vindicate her (1:20-22). Chapter two continues in much of the same way. The anger of God covers Jerusalem and that is why she is being destroyed (2:1). The people have sought false prophets and false visions (2:14). The people recognize that they have turned away from God, but they ask the Lord to look and see their distress (2:20). Essentially they recognize they deserve what they are receiving, and still ask the good God they know for mercy.

In chapter three, it isn’t about the pain of the city, or the voice of Jerusalem. The author begins to write from the first person perspective: I, me, and my. “I have seen affliction” (3:1) and “God turns his hand against me” (3:3). More than ever before, we could wear the shoes of the author and walk in them. We can understand the pain when we read about it in the first person. Maybe we have felt that the chains of our life are heavy (3:7-9) or that God has gone to war against our bodies (3:4-6). We have felt like we are being hunted down by wild animals, or that we are the wild animal fleeing a hunter (3:10-15). For Jeremiah, this was being attacked by armies, but for us anxieties, depression, gossip, relationships breaking; they feel like we are being hunted down and destroyed. That is why Lamentations 2:11a can hit so close to home “My eyes fail because of tears, My spirit is greatly troubled; My heart is poured out on the earth …” We suffer a different situation than Jeremiah, but the despair of the heart is the same.

Which is why portions of chapter three are so wonderful. After all this despair, all this heart break, some deserved, so much senseless, the author can remind us that the love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never end, they are new every morning. In the midst of suffering, reading about terror and destruction, it is good to be reminded that “Great is your faithfulness” (3:22-23). The Lord is good (3:25) and we will not be cast away from his goodness forever (3:31).

Let me give you some bad news. You and everyone you know will, at some point, suffer.

Let me give you some good news. You and everyone you know is able to rest in the strength and power of God. You are able to give him your suffering, even when if feels like too much, and he is willing and able to hold it.

If you are not currently suffering, chances are you know someone who is. Give them grace, and remind them that God loves them. Do this gently, finding the right moment. Allow God to control your words and the timing. Allow them to feel the goodness of the Lord and to feel his mercies that are new every morning.

If you are currently suffering, let me be the first to remind you that God has not abandoned you forever. As Lamentations 3:31-32 says “For the Lord will not reject forever, for if He causes grief, then He will have compassion according to His abundant lovingkindness.” [NASB] For those who place their hope in Jesus Christ, the suffering of this life is swallowed up forever in eternal joy and life and peace.

For all of us, let me ask you a difficult question: what sins do you need to repent of and renounce? The author of Lamentations believed, deeply, that it was the sin of Jerusalem and Judah that led to God’s judgement, sins that were greater than Sodom. (4:6). I say this next sentence with sorrow and fear: If you are living in a way that is against the life of God, you might be causing your own suffering and are living without hope. Not every suffering we experience is judgement from God. Yet Lamentations shows that some suffering is. I ask you to consider your ways, to repent, and to turn back to God so that his blessings may be on your life.

Reflection Questions

  1. As Jake asked, “What sins do you need to repent of and renounce?” What are even natural consequences of these sins?
  2. What is your current “suffering level”? Are you at a place where you feel you need to hear these words right now, or is there someone you need to share these words with?
  3. Having the proper mindset before a suffering phase begins is also helpful. What are words of wisdom that you can build into your mindset (and into your children) when the sun is shining?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father – You are a good God. And all Your ways are just and right. Thank You for giving us Your Son to show us how to live, and also to offer us the only way to live with You through forgiveness of our sins. Thank You for being with me on sunny days and dark days. May I learn from Your discipline and draw closer to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

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