Many people shall come and say, "Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths."
This is a deceptive verse. It looks straightforward, but the writer, known as "1st Isaiah," is taking Judah to task for their rebellion and religious superficiality against God. He is telling them they are ignoring the consequences of past rebellious behavior. Judah can, of course, repent and return; however, should they not, the consequences will be destruction [and, since we have the good fortune of hindsight, this is what occurred]. Jerusalem, toward which we are walking, is lamented for its sin.
What this section is saying is, even with all this, God will not give up. Out of the destruction will come a time, a "new age" [before this became a trite catchword] wherein God's reign will be recognized by all and there will be peace.
God will not give up. There will be peace. That's good news.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Proverbs 3.23-24
Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble. If you sit down [or lie down] you will not be afraid; when you lie down your sleep will be sweet.
This is part of a section which contains an admonition followed by six prohibitions. The admonition is not to let God's wisdom, knowledge and understanding escape from our sight and for us to keep sound wisdom and prudence. If we do that, the Writer tells us, ... the Lord will be [our] confidence ...
This is part of a section which contains an admonition followed by six prohibitions. The admonition is not to let God's wisdom, knowledge and understanding escape from our sight and for us to keep sound wisdom and prudence. If we do that, the Writer tells us, ... the Lord will be [our] confidence ...
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Proverbs 2.20
Therefore walk in the way of the good, and keep to the paths of the just.
The word "therefore" is one of the most important words in the Bible, oddly enough, and appears a lot, particularly in the writings of St. Paul. It is a word which keep us grounded, keeps our spirituality from just being "within" and helps us to take it "without."
The word "therefore" is usually in a formula something as this:
God has done X; therefore we should do Y.
That is certainly the formula here - the writer is saying: God has given us the benefit of wonderful wisdom, protection, and understanding; therefore our response on our walk to Jerusalem should be right behavior in thought and deed.
God is always the actor; therefore, we are always the reactor. That is actually Good News.
The word "therefore" is one of the most important words in the Bible, oddly enough, and appears a lot, particularly in the writings of St. Paul. It is a word which keep us grounded, keeps our spirituality from just being "within" and helps us to take it "without."
The word "therefore" is usually in a formula something as this:
God has done X; therefore we should do Y.
That is certainly the formula here - the writer is saying: God has given us the benefit of wonderful wisdom, protection, and understanding; therefore our response on our walk to Jerusalem should be right behavior in thought and deed.
God is always the actor; therefore, we are always the reactor. That is actually Good News.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Proverbs 2.6-8
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk blamelessly, guarding the paths of justice and preserving the way of his faithful ones.
Any who complain Religion is nothing but "pie in the sky by and by" has never read Proverbs, with its practical, down-to-earth advice on daily living. This can be seen in this short selection. The wisdom God gives to those who walk to Jerusalem is not for its own sake [what my grandfather would call "book learning"], or even for the sake of the individual alone [though the individual is certainly included], but for justice and preservation for all.
Any who complain Religion is nothing but "pie in the sky by and by" has never read Proverbs, with its practical, down-to-earth advice on daily living. This can be seen in this short selection. The wisdom God gives to those who walk to Jerusalem is not for its own sake [what my grandfather would call "book learning"], or even for the sake of the individual alone [though the individual is certainly included], but for justice and preservation for all.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Psalm 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me.
This is a thanksgiving for deliverance from enemies. The Psalmist has gone to the Temple courts to offer thanks.
When we think of deliverance, it might be easy to want God to rid us of our enemies. God, being God, could do this, but it would violate one of God's great gifts to us - our free will. Humans would be robots programmed by God.
Our deliverance on our walk to Jerusalem is far better than a no-peace, forced upon us by taking away our freedom [however badly we use it]. Our deliverance is God's steadfast love and faithfulness, knowing God answers when we call, God increases the strength of our soul, and God regards the lowly but is distant from the haughty.
And, mostly, our deliverance is knowing we are not left to ourselves:
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever ...
This is a thanksgiving for deliverance from enemies. The Psalmist has gone to the Temple courts to offer thanks.
When we think of deliverance, it might be easy to want God to rid us of our enemies. God, being God, could do this, but it would violate one of God's great gifts to us - our free will. Humans would be robots programmed by God.
Our deliverance on our walk to Jerusalem is far better than a no-peace, forced upon us by taking away our freedom [however badly we use it]. Our deliverance is God's steadfast love and faithfulness, knowing God answers when we call, God increases the strength of our soul, and God regards the lowly but is distant from the haughty.
And, mostly, our deliverance is knowing we are not left to ourselves:
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever ...
Monday, February 4, 2008
If I am God's Beloved .....
then what are we looking for?
I was talking to someone today, telling them about walking through the bookstore the other day and perusing the "New Age" spirituality aisle -- one of my favorites for years. There in front of me, between wicca, astrology, "new age thought", buddhism, sufi, hindu, philosophy, etc. are ever guru's answers on how to have "it" -- whatever 'it' is. I had to kinda laugh when, the last few times I've stood there looking for a new book to read, I've heard this voice in my head telling me to go home and write my own.
I take this a couple different ways:
first, maybe it's time I wrote my own spiritual journey down....or updated the one I started twenty years ago. Twenty years ago, after reading one of Shirley MacLaine's books, I decided that all she was doing was writing her random musings and travels for others to relate to ... how was my journey any different than hers? Okay, well, mine takes place in the midwest and in various spots on this continent, not experiencing Masai warriors and adventures in Tibet. But how is that any different spiritually?
second, why do I keep looking outside myself for answers? What can Sylvia Brown, John Edward, The Secret, or Blavatsky tell me that I don't already have deep in my core? All I'm doing is helping them buy their next BMW, and I'm going into debt to buy bookshelves to house all these books! (LOL)
But if I can only go within and embrace the fact that to God, I am beloved, perfect in my imperfection; just fine the way I am... I can quit worrying about the next "it" book, the next outfit, or my kitchen for that matter. I know that I am exactly where the Universe thinks I should be ... on my path to connect to the Infinite.
I was talking to someone today, telling them about walking through the bookstore the other day and perusing the "New Age" spirituality aisle -- one of my favorites for years. There in front of me, between wicca, astrology, "new age thought", buddhism, sufi, hindu, philosophy, etc. are ever guru's answers on how to have "it" -- whatever 'it' is. I had to kinda laugh when, the last few times I've stood there looking for a new book to read, I've heard this voice in my head telling me to go home and write my own.
I take this a couple different ways:
first, maybe it's time I wrote my own spiritual journey down....or updated the one I started twenty years ago. Twenty years ago, after reading one of Shirley MacLaine's books, I decided that all she was doing was writing her random musings and travels for others to relate to ... how was my journey any different than hers? Okay, well, mine takes place in the midwest and in various spots on this continent, not experiencing Masai warriors and adventures in Tibet. But how is that any different spiritually?
second, why do I keep looking outside myself for answers? What can Sylvia Brown, John Edward, The Secret, or Blavatsky tell me that I don't already have deep in my core? All I'm doing is helping them buy their next BMW, and I'm going into debt to buy bookshelves to house all these books! (LOL)
But if I can only go within and embrace the fact that to God, I am beloved, perfect in my imperfection; just fine the way I am... I can quit worrying about the next "it" book, the next outfit, or my kitchen for that matter. I know that I am exactly where the Universe thinks I should be ... on my path to connect to the Infinite.
Psalm 119.45
I shall walk at liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
Some might find the precepts of God limiting; it is just the opposite. Just as children long for structure and guidelines in order to understand their freedom, so do we, as Children of God. Having a framework for life allows us to walk at liberty.
Some might find the precepts of God limiting; it is just the opposite. Just as children long for structure and guidelines in order to understand their freedom, so do we, as Children of God. Having a framework for life allows us to walk at liberty.
A Walking Song for the Next Week
TRUST AND OBEY
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Refrain
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
Refrain
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Refrain
Words: John H. Sam mis, 1887.
Music: Daniel B. Towner
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Refrain
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
Refrain
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Refrain
Words: John H. Sam mis, 1887.
Music: Daniel B. Towner
Sunday, February 3, 2008
This Week's Meditation
Matthew 17:1-5
Six days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!"
A few weeks ago, in Matthew 3:17, God spoke from the heavens at Jesus’ baptism saying the same thing, “This is my Son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” For this week’s meditation, you might try sitting quietly and hearing God saying this to you, “You are my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” How does your outlook change when you think, “I am God’s beloved, with whom He is well pleased.”
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