September 19: Of Knowing Where to Find the Strength to Finish the Race

Isaiah 30:12-33:9

Galatians 5:1-12

Psalm 63:1-11

Proverbs 23:22

Yesterday we wrote about complacency, and the importance of running the race till the finish.  But if you're like me, you are going to have days where you just don't feel like you have enough to finish.  Where you've given what you know is your best, and it just isn't going to be enough.  What do you do then?  Where do you go for the strength?  On whom do you depend?

In both the OT and NT readings today, Isaiah and Paul talk about looking for help, for security in the wrong places. "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen…" Isaiah decries.  And Paul castigates those who think they can trust works, rather than grace.  

Whom do you trust, and why?  I find I trust those whom I know.  The Israelites knew the Egyptians' strength.  The Judaizers within the Galatian church knew the law.  So that was what they trusted.  David, on the other hand, who wrote Psalm 63 - he knew God.  He had "seen [Him] in the sanctuary and beheld [His] power and glory.  He knew Him because David took time to get to know Him, remembering God as he lay in his bed, thinking of Him through the watches of the night.  

Because of this, David knew that when things seemed helpless - when he was "in a dry and parched land where there is no water", or when he know there were those who wanted to kill him, he could continue to run the race, not just hopeful, but hope-filled and certain of the victory in the end.  Because he took the time and made the effort to get to know the Lord.

Father, give us the same desire David had to get to know You, so that we learn to put our confidence in You when our circumstances seem dire and hopeless.  In Jesus's name we pray.

September 18: Of Complacency, Wottle and Isaiah

Isaiah 28:14-30:11

Galatians 3:23-4:31

Psalm 62:1-12

Proverbs 23:19-21

There is a genre of videos on YouTube dedicated to premature celebrations - in sports, mostly.  People who think they've won the fight and start celebrating, and then are knocked out.  Or runners or cyclists who begin the victory dance before breaking the tape and come in second.   They think they've won, they stop trying, and they lose.  It is a genre dedicated to complacency.

And directly opposite that, there's the video of Dave Wottle, in the 800M run in the 1972 Munich Olympics.  Dead last, by a wide margin, for over half a race, he fought back.  The video is worth watching - it can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86NFrS1RJQc

Isaiah understood the danger of complacency.  He wrote the prophecies of warning in today's Old Testament reading around, or shortly after the time of renewal under Hezekiah.  In everything Hezekiah did, "he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly.  And so he prospered."  (2 Chr 31:21).  It was during this time Judah warned of a complacency, a security founded on the rediscovered prosperity,  not on the Lord. 

Like Dave Wottle, Isaiah understood the Israelites - indeed, all the faithful - are in a battle.  Where Wottle's battle was over 800 meters and a minute forty-five, ours is every step we take over the entire time we have on earth.  And unlike those in the premature celebration videos, Isaiah understood the need to stay focused the entire time we were at war, even when prosperity made it seem like we had an insurmountable lead. 

Father, things aren't all that easy now.  But one day, they may get easier again.  Whether easy or difficult, whether in the lead or behind, remind us that our race isn't over till we have come home to You.  Protect us from complacency; keep us fighting to know You, to love You, to trust You, and to be with You every day of our life.

Thursday, September 17

THURSDAY, SEPTEMEBR 17, 2020

"Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promise of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe." (Galatians 3:21,22)


The style and content of Galatians ties closely to the Book of Romans. Martin Luther, having discovered Galatians in his devotionals, begin formulating his teaching about "by faith alone" and "by grace alone" ("sola fide" and "sola gratia"), which became two of the five tenets of the Protestant Reformation.

In this passage above, we find Paul's wrestling with the place of the Law in God's redemptive history. Verses 15 to 18 articulate that the inheritance of God's people would come by promise, such as that given to Abraham in Genesis 12 and 15, and not by Law.

Yet, the Law existed "because of the transgressions until the Seed to whom the promised referred had come." The Law mediated between God and man. As Paul points out in Romans 3:20, "no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin." The Law brings accountability before a holy God and points us to our desperate need for an external mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The inheritance of God's people are true riches (particularly God's presence), but, in order to experience them, we must first receive Christ (John 1:12). God gives us freedom to welcome or not welcome Him and His Kingdom agenda each day. Our choice makes a difference not just for today, but for eternity. May we embrace both the riches and purpose of our calling as His children.


Lord God, thank You for providing the Law to make us conscious of our sin. Help us to grow in knowledge of how much we need You. We welcome You and Your presence today. Give us strength so that we may obey You, by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus's Name, amen.


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Sept. 16

Galatians 3

By definition, faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something  based on spiritual intuition rather than proof.  Paul reminds us that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. My faith waivers daily but when I take a moment to remember that our faith is based on God breathed scriptures which point us towards Jesus, the Messiah, and I simply believe this truth, it changes the way I look at, and react to what's happening around me. A big part of my faith rests in looking back on situations and remembering how God worked and learning that through each trial, not knowing how they will turn out, I can trust Him. Also, sitting still in God's presence and pressing in to try and sense the direction to take brings peace to my spirit. If God spoke to me once, then He'll speak to me again when I come to Him first thing in the morning asking for daily provision or specific prayer requests. To flow in the spirit that way releases us from the letter of the law and I think that's what the Apostle Paul is trying to show us. Does God work through us because we observe the law, or because we believe what we've seen? Perhaps Paul is trying to get us to remember that God has never failed us when we submit our hearts to Him and trust Him to work. I will be fasting this Friday and praying that by faith our church will sense God's love and allow His spirit to move through us. I look forward to seeing what the move of the Lord's spirit will bring if we allow Him room. If anyone would like to join me, please let me know.

Blessings,

Randi

Bible Blog Post - September 13, 2020

Isaiah 12:1-14:32

2 Corinthians 13:1-14

Psalm 57:1-11

Proverbs 23:9-11

In 2 Corinthians, Paul is writing a warning to the Christians at the young church established there.  Previously, toward the end of chapter 12, Paul highlighted "that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder."  These are not characteristics of what it means to be a Christ-follower.  As Pastor Rich said today when touching on the subject of "WWJD," it is easier to identify what Christ would do, but it is much more difficult to put His teachings into practice because our feelings often get in the way.  

In today's reading in chapter 13, Paul tells the church body in Corinth to examine themselves to see whether they are really in the faith.  Paul was displeased with what he was hearing about them and their behaviors within the church.  Like the members in Corinth, we also need to examine ourselves to see if we are truly in the faith.  Do we simply say that we are for God, or do our actions show that we are for Him?  Thinking back to James 2:17, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."  Faith is a commitment to God.  Faith is an action Word.  Faith requires us to absorb God's Word in the bible and apply it within our lives.  We should see ourselves as ambassadors of Christ.   

This week, be very intentional during your bible study and ask God to reveal to you who you are in Jesus Christ.  Reach out to God in prayer and ask Him to highlight the areas that don't align with His ways.  Pray for His wisdom to help you make the necessary changes.  Let's not be stagnant in our faith; let's be active followers!

Anthony and Amanda 

September 12: Of the Day After

Isaiah 10:1-11:16

2 Corinthians 12:1-21

Psalm 56:1-13

Proverbs 23:6-8

Nineteen years and one day ago, an acquaintance of mine died in the collapse of the South Tower, where he worked on the 98th floor if memory serves.  Today, the day after we remembered the tragedy, I remembered his wife, whom he had recently married.  When he died, she was carrying their first child.  I looked up the September 12 print edition of the Wall Street Journal, and thought every single story on the front page had been written about them.  

Today's OT reading and psalm may have well been written for them as well.  Footnotes in the NIV Study Bible say Psalm 56 was a prayer for help "when the psalmist is attacked by enemies and his very life is threatened."  And it is true - for my friend and his family, the enemies were in hot pursuit and they did not know it; they conspired, they lurked, hoping to take their lives.  My friend's widow had misery to record, tears for the Lord's scroll.  

But more than just despair, there is also hope.  One thing I learned today - in 2007, first the Governor of Arkansas, then President George W Bush recognized September 12 as the National Day of Encouragement.  And in Isaiah we read of how the remnant "will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel".  The psalmist speaks of calling for help from God, whom he trusts and is therefore unafraid of what man might do to him.  

The terrorist attacks of 9/11 occurred over 19 years ago, but today there is still so much we deal with that is cause for despair.  Let's remember that today is the National Day of Encouragement, and let us go out and offer encouragement to all those who need it - not encouragement borne of man, but that which comes from God Who, per Isaiah, promises us of days when beast and prey will lie peacefully together, and even children will have no need to fear. 

Father, in times of fear, may we bring all those we encounter Your hope and peace.  

September 11: Of Thorny, Painful Reminders

Isaiah 8:1-9:21

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Psalm 55:1-23

Proverbs 23:4-5

"Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.'" - 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

In the aftermath of the unexpected horror of 9/11 nineteen years ago, on a cool morning of clearest, bluest sky that foretold little of the impending tragedy, amidst the shock, the horror, the disbelief, and the sadness at the loss of almost three thousand colleagues, friends, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, I think the second most asked question on everyone's minds and lips was "who?" - as in, "who would do this?".  I believe the most asked question was "why?"

Of the 2,606 people who went to work the next day, or the 246 who got on planes, surely there were many who knew the Lord - good people, who strove to live lives pleasing to God.  Of the 343 firefighters and the 60 police officers, surely there many who had risked their lives to save others, all examples of "greater love hath no man"…so why?  Why did they all have to die that way, that day? Why did they, their loved ones, our nation have to suffer such tragedy? 

At least Paul got a straight answer - God let him suffer so Paul would remember he needed God.  No choice - Paul couldn't pull the thorn out.   And Paul didn't choose - wouldn't have chosen - the thorn; God did, for Paul.  

Why, then, the tragedy of 9/11?  I cannot know what God's plans were for everyone affected that day, but it was interesting to read that in its aftermath, US church attendance surged 25%.  In their despair, absent answers that made sense, people turned to God.  God's plan might  have been different than any we would have drawn up, but He had his reasons, among them a reminder of our dependence, and a call to turn back to Him.

Today, we remember 9/11, a commemoration made heavier by the pandemic for which there is no cure, by a surge in crime for which there seems no end and, on the west coast, by wildfires we cannot seem to stop, a heatwave over which we have no control, and power outages we should not be experiencing.  Very little of this makes sense, and none of it is anything we would want for ourselves.  

Lord, when it doesn't make sense, when, as the psalmist prays, "my heart is in anguish within me" and "the terrors of death have fallen on me", listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my please; hear and answer me.  When it seems there is no hope, and You will not take away the reason for our pain, remind us that Your grace - not our strength - is sufficient for us; that it is  when we are weak that You call us most clearly to depend on You.  May we have the good sense to listen, and to do so.