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What can people do to me?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118‬:‭5‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Psalm 118 opens with David’s bold declaration of trust – “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” He had decided to center on who God is and what God wanted to accomplish, not the whirlwind of threats, intentions and plans of his enemies.

After the prophet Nathan had blown up David’s life, confronting him for his triple atrocities – rape, murder and coverup. God then deconstructed his faith, judging him and stripping him of the promises God had made to him when he was a younger man. These Psalms are the rebuilding and reconstruction of a whole new life. Yet, even with this fresh start there were consequences that followed David until the end of his life.

Along with this declaration, came the familiar sense of how powerful God’s will is and how weak are the constant veiled threats of people. Why do we listen to people compared to listening to God? It’s a common, flawed theme, in our lives! David writes out his process that is worth emulating. “In my distress I prayed to the Lord.” Again, how many times do I need to be reminded to go to God FIRST? We hear it, we are quick to encourage others to do it. But why do we wallow and wander in our hearts and ruminate in our minds when it looks like bad things may be heading our way?

David’s answer came quickly, “the Lord answered and set me free.” Wait? Did the threats stop? Did his enemies stop mocking? Did his own family situation just suddenly resolve? No, no and no. Circumstances did not change. David’s perspective, conviction and confidence changed! “The Lord is with me, so I will have no fear.” Then David scripts one of the most powerful narratives in the Bible, “what can man do to me?” NIV translates it, “what can mere mortals do to me?” The Hebrew text says, “What can adam (mankind) do?” Yahweh (Yhvh) is on my side! It is better to take refuge in and trust in Yahweh than people or princes.

David in his very natural, normal process of being confronted by his own sin and failures as a man, a husband and a global leader, decided to receive both consequences AND forgiveness. He begins the slow progress of reconstructing his faith and his life. This is extremely hard to do, right? If you don’t think so then maybe you have not blown your life up and watched the shattered pieces of friends and families have to rebuild their trust in you. David didn’t stay down, he didn’t continue to roll around in the gutter of his past. When God offered a hand to pull him out of the pit of despair, discouragement and depression, David took that hand and let God lift him. No, God didn’t not let him off easy for his sins. David paid dearly through massive loss of his sons and family integrity. Yet, God gave him a chance, a do-over. Psalm 118 is a great model of active repentance and rebuilding a life with God.

Prayer

Dad,
Whew. What a rough read. To go from a happy, singing shepherd boy to giant killer to a global leader. Then, with all that power, wealth and opportunity, to see David cave to his long-battled, selfish lust and desires is so gut-wrenching. He knew better, he should have behaved better, but he didn’t and I’m not beyond making those stupid, selfish mistakes myself. Yet, in your mercy and massive long-suffering, you gave him another chance to get it right. Even then, David had to go through the consequences and climb out of his own darkness and depression to let you forgive and help rebuild his life. Thank your for your mercy and patience over me. I never want to take it for granted.

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What’s in your closet?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Apostle Paul pulls language from the OT and threads it into the new context of Godly living. Be the Holy People God chose! As the “eklektos,” chosen out, elect, choice, specially selected, we should look and act like Jesus. FYI, for you Lego fans, the root word of chosen is “légō” (originally, “lay down to sleep,” used later of “laying an argument to rest,” i.e. bringing a message to closure; properly, to say (speak), moving to a conclusion.

When I was a youth I wore whatever was comfortable, definitely not fashionable. But when my relationship with my girlfriend, Robin, got more serious, she encouraged me to dress a little more appropriate for certain occasions, taking into mind the purpose and people who would be at a function. She wanted to help up my choices because I was maturing and needed to dress accordingly.

The Apostle Paul uses the visual object lesson of clothing, as a way to communicate that we can and should begin to wear the style of Jesus as God is changing our hearts on the inside. Using the word, “enduo,” put on, clothe (another), he writes that it’s time to start wearing the qualities of Jesus. Not to fake or fool anyone, but to have our outward behaviors better reflect the inner work of the Holy Spirit. Grab a new top of mercy in our heart, toss on a kindness shirt, put on a new pair of humility pants paired with some gospel peace shoes. These “inner workings” can now be seen and experienced by others.

The most striking reason Paul tells the churches to wear these new clothes, this “holiness” brand of God, is mostly for each other. Paul is talking about how we dress and treat each other, fellow followers of Jesus. It is “church wear,” but not for showing up at a building on Sundays. It’s how we now “dress” to remind each other of the amazing changes the Holy Spirit is making in us and how we should be deliberate and determined to wear all new outward behaviors. Paul’s suggested clothing line is also known as the fruits of the Spirit! Believers should be more interested in wearing Spirit-wear than the old, unfashionable, flesh-wear! Paul’s challenge to us, start dressing like a believer when we’re around each other because it’s likely MORE challenging to do so with each other in comparison to dressing for un-believers. What’s in your closet? What are you wearing today?

Prayer

Dad,
Paul is a genius! Who would have thought about this whole idea of not just WWJD, what would Jesus do, but WWJW, what would Jesus wear? Of course Jesus would be wearing mercy! I’m sure your Shalom Peace looked great on him. Somehow people who had never met him before nor heard of him were drawn to him because of these extraordinarily beautiful outfits tailored by the Holy Spirit! No one could wear gentleness like Jesus. What a challenge this is for me, for us to not only allow you to keep working on our heart to mold us into the image of your Son, but to begin to choose matching outfits for our day reflect the true beauty of that change. When I think about what’s in my spiritual closet, I want to remember to put on the qualities and behaviors of Jesus everyday.

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The priest to represent us all.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses. That is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as theirs. And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was. That is why Christ did not honor himself by assuming he could become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Hebrews tells us that, although the position of a high priest was honorable, it cannot be obtained on their own. The high priest must be called and appointed to such a place. The writer mentions two high priests; one Aaron, the other Melchizedek. Aaron was well known in Israel’s history and his involvement in their journey out of Egypt to the promised land. Melchizedek is another matter.

Melchizedek’s sudden appearance and disappearance in the book of Genesis is somewhat mysterious. Abraham presented Melchizedek with a tithe (a tenth) of all the items he had gathered. By this act Abraham indicated that he recognized Melchizedek as a priest who ranked higher spiritually than he. Note, this is all pre-law, pre ten commandments and pre official sacrificial system of expunging sin. Some propose that Melchizedek was actually a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. To make things even more interesting, the author of Hebrews writes, “Melchizedek was “without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.” The question is whether the author of Hebrews means this actually or figuratively.” Either way, Hebrews tells us that “God said to him [Jesus], “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬.

What does that have to do with Good Friday, the Easter story, or us for that matter? Well, in a wild, one time event, this is the only time that a high priest (the high priest) gave himself as the atoning sacrifice for sin. Since this high priest was perfect and was God himself, his sacrifice was given once for all time and for every human ever to be created. Jesus did not take his own life, but he did give his own life, allowing men to torture and crucify him on a executioner’s cross.

The story of Easter is really two parts: One, the once and for all sacrifice for our sin and two, the proof that He is God and has power over death itself by coming back to life after three days. His death and resurrection is the critical part of believing, confessing and following Jesus. I believe!

Prayer

Dad,
Not growing up in a religious home and having little experience with church, I only have a book knowledge about priests and their role in the Bible. I am sure that my Catholic friends were given a far greater understanding and appreciation for the priesthood. Even so, I can definitely grasp the concept of someone stepping in and being a substitute for my sin. I do understand Jesus taking my place, my sins, my wrongs and making things right with you, my Holy God. For that and so much more, I am thankful for Jesus’ sacrifice. I now know that the life I lead is because of the work on the cross and the power of resurrection from the dead. I am eternally grateful!

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Power to serve.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.” ‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If the gospels were to sum up one thing in the retelling of all the miracles Jesus did, it would be this – Jesus had all authority. Mark’s book consistently highlights, Jesus also had all power. All power and authority over EVERYTHING. What does one do with all that power? To be able to speak and your every command is carried out?

This is what is so shocking in John’s book as Jesus heads into the final moments with his closets friends. Just follow this thought that John lays out. Jesus knew… He knew the Father had given him authority and that He had come from God and would return to God. So then… then what? What does Christ do with that knowledge, that confidence? John says he got up, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist and poured water into a bowl. Are you able to mentally picture this scene as John gives a step by step view of Jesus’ behaviors. Now, Jesus looked like a servant, a slave. Someone you would hire for the night to tend to guests as they came into your home and left their dirty sandals on the stoop then walked in with the dust of the day on their feet. Every person in the room knew what this looked like. Every reader of this story knew what this felt like.

The radical role reversal was that Jesus IS God and he now would take on the persona of a servant. Jesus washed the disciples feet. Is it humiliating to have someone wash your feet? Sure, today it is. Was it humbling to have it done then? No, not by the lowest person of cultural status. But it would be extremely difficult to let the hands that multiplied loaves of bread, touched the blind eyes to make them see or reached out to grab a little girl’s dead hand and raise her to life. Those same hands on my dirty feet? No way! No wonder Peter was aghast saying, “you might as well wash my armpits as well then!” You get the idea.

This is what God looks like in all His might, power and authority? With all justice, judgment and wisdom across the eons of time and space? Yep. Take a selfie quick, God cleans my dirty feet. This gives Jesus the perfect time to tell the disciples (and us) His one final, summary command. Get this, Jesus wrapped up all the laws, all the commands, all the rules of faith and conduct towards others right here in John 13:34, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” Take all the authority that Jesus clearly gives His followers, take all the power of Christ’s name and use it, apply it in this way – love one another! Just like Jesus served them by washing their feet, this is how the body of Christ, the people of God should be treating each other. Do you see the filth of the day caked on your brother or sister in Christ? Don’t judge them as dirty, grab a towel and a bowl of water and serve them.

Prayer

Dad,
In some of my most depressing days, when I have been down and struggling to get a clear view of your grace, I have had friends reach out and figuratively wash my feet. I had so much yuck caked on my soul, but they tenderly reached out and encouraged me, spoke hope into my life. This is the way! This love for you gets transferred into a humble love of serving one another. How beautiful! Help us keep that in mind in the whole body of Christ as we live as examples of how to distribute true power and authority.

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Delayed judgment gratification.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“Please, God, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me. May those who try to kill me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace. Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭70‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David wrote this Psalm while running from his own son, Absalom, who wanted to take the throne by force. Yet, in David’s fear and desperation, he writes a prophetic/messianic Psalm projecting the future moments leading up to Jesus, on trial for blasphemy, and eventual judgment of death on a cross like a common criminal.

The prayer of Jesus, in the garden, asking that this “cup” may pass. Maybe not the cup of suffering alone, but the cup of wrath, the moment God, the Father, would turn away, not able to look at His only son. The one and only time, EVER, the intimate presence of the Father, His full and complete love, would not be felt on the cross. Yes, this Psalm was most likely on the lips of Jesus in the garden and in his thoughts while hanging on the cross. “Please God, rescue me!” The rest of David’s Psalm though, would not be uttered by Jesus on the cross. All the judgment, shame and disgrace that you and I deserve would be stored up and poured upon Jesus that one very dark afternoon around 3:00 pm. The cursing of shame and disgrace would not be wished upon the crowd that jeered. All the hatred of humanity being shouted at Jesus, masking their own culpability of lies and murder, would be quietly confronted by a different prayer, a whole different ending to David’s desire for justice and revenge.

Jesus’ prayer was, “Father forgive them,” they just don’t know any better. Jesus’ rewriting Psalm 70 asked that all the retribution of judgment be redirected on him and He asked that they (all of humanity) be forgiven. Are you mad at God? He’s forgiven you. Do you hate God for something that happened to you, something you blame Him for? He’s forgiven you. Why? Because the perfection and blamelessness of Jesus, took your gripes and grief and paid the price for you to even hold those feelings of ill-will towards God and others. This Easter, drop your charges against God! He’s not who you think He is. He loves and forgives you.

Prayer

Dad,
Even with all the crummy things that happened in my life as a child and through youth, I never held you responsible for it. I didn’t carry a grudge, thinking you had cursed my family and that I was just stuck with it. I knew my moms and dads were broken. I knew the way they chose to live out their lives was not healthy nor helpful to me. But I also knew that without some kind of massive miracle and change in my own ways, I would end up just like them! You were that miracle. You reaching out to me and offering life would be my one chance to get out of generational cycles of pain, addictions and dysfunction. Yet still, I knew that I needed forgiveness for my own decisions that could never be blamed on my origin story. Thank you for permanently not just delaying judgment that I deserved, but removing it completely through Jesus death on the cross.

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Not easy, but possible.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The apostle Paul bluntly delivers the gospel message to the Corinthians who pride themselves in all things philosophical and metaphysical. The message of the cross looks like it is for morons. Paul uses the Greek word, mória – absurd. It’s exactly where we get the English word moron. Of course it makes no senses to human wisdom.

Human wisdom is thought to be the winner’s circle, it’s the best, brightest, strongest and triumphant. No self respecting human wants to be least, last or seen as a loser. Ah, but God’s way is not only through humility and suffering, but even more – humiliation in the worst form of judgment and execution. Cursed is the one who hangs on a tree (Deut 21:23)! So that the most innocent and perfect person would serve as a sacrifice for all.

Paul challenges the Corinthians with a question. Where does this foolishness leave the philosophers, scholars and brilliant debaters? It leaves them scratching their heads pondering their own theories and solutions on how to fix their own sin. How can we rid ourselves of evil? It’s in us, around us and permeates every part of our world.

Paul says that God chose our foolish preaching, the kérugma, heralding and proclamation of truth. Paul admitted that Jews seek signs or miracles (sémeion) and that Gentiles seek wisdom (sophia), but God would give them neither. God requires the simplest form of acceptance geared for the most common person in the world. Simple enough for a child. Simple enough for the frail, marginalized, weak and completely disadvantaged by any number of circumstances. For those who come from chaotic family origins or those who come from wealth and privilege. God requires faith. God reaches down from heaven, with that Michelangelo picture in mind, extending His hand and says, “grab it, and I’ll lift you out of your sin!” This is all possible because of the cross. And the proof you need is in the emptiness of the tomb. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved! Boom! I love the cross and the resurrection.

Prayer

Dad,
For me, and for millions of others, I am so thankful that it requires the simplicity of faith. Because, that’s the only thing I had. I was seriously lacking in wisdom, human or otherwise. I did not have any experience in philosophy, advanced theology or debating. I only had a messy, broken life. That, and my believing you at your word, was all I could give. Thank you for saving me in my simple faith. Thank you for the permanent standard that all humans have to come to you with that simple requirement. They must believe.

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Liberty and justice for all.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭42‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Isaiah describes the future Messiah who comes to liberate and bring justice to the nations, to ALL who have been wronged. And this revolutionary will do so not by war cries or violently crushing those who are weak and unable to rise up to fight or follow. The conqueror and promised savior will come to restore bruised reeds, to fan the flickering flames of oil light that are struggling to remain lit. The coming messiah sounds more like a red cross volunteer than he does a tank commander.

It is with this drive to both bring true justice for all and this extremely delicate care of mercy that allows him to continue to move through the war torn battlefields of humanity never leaving the wounded, disenfranchised or hopeless behind.

The Messiah will accomplish the mission of saving all who wish to be saved. The NIV translation gives us the tiny little Hebrew word for coastlands or island (אִי ) and tell us in that in his teachings, instructions or law that “even the Coastlands will put their hope.” Isaiah saw the prophetic picture not only of the future results of the Messiah’s justice, but somehow he saw how that tender message of hope would reach the furthest points on our globe. Places like Cuba, Fiji, Ireland, Jamaica, Philippines, Japan or Hawaii. There are some who believe that includes all cities on the coast of their countries. This would mean states like New York, California, Florida and Washington!

Isaiah foresaw the Messiah finishing his work of justice until it is set up or established throughout the earth! Christ’s death was payment for the price of freedom, and it was His resurrection that guaranteed that He and He alone had the power to bring about justice for all. Here’s the hard part, there is no true justice without sound and thorough judgment. No qualified judge let’s wrongdoers escape accountability. There is no justice for those who will not submit to God’s judgment. And since the judgment of God, His wrath towards eradicating sin, is accomplished through Jesus, His only and perfect son. The only way to justice is through Jesus himself. It just so happens that the only real liberty and justice for all is not in a pledge of allegiance to a country’s flag, it’s in Christ and Christ alone.

Prayer

Dad,
I feel the ache of those who seek justice through so many causes, campaigns, slogans and celebrities. They will never find true justice in any of them. Not only do I believe Jesus to be the one and only promised Messiah, I believe Him to be the only one capable of bringing real judgement and justice, real liberty and freedom for all. I have experienced that freedom in my own life. And, I have grown to only trust you more, not less. I have decided to pursue your way and not my own. I just want all those who ache for justice to see the day it is fulfilled in you, through Jesus. Pour out your Spirit once again. Breath on us once again. Let the people of the coastlands put their hope in you!

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Roommates

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭8‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The New Living Translation says that wisdom and good judgment are roommates. In Hebrew, the wisdom writer actually list three roomies with wisdom: ormah: craftiness, daath: knowledge and mezimmah: discretion. The root word of daath is yada, or know. Who knew, when George’s new girlfriend Marcy, from the Seinfeld show, kept saying yada, yada, yada, she was speaking some Hebraic slang… “ya know, ya know, ya know.”

As the personified Jesus in the Old Testament, wisdom loves hanging out with three character traits of witty, smart and socially intelligent people. What a group of friends that makes, right? However, the writer also seem to make the point that, not only does that God hate evil, but there is a reason for doing so. Evil erodes good. Evil sucks the vibrant, authentic life out of the soul and leaves these hollowed out expressions behind. Shocker! Look at what’s left when evil has its way with us – pride, arrogance, corruption and perverse speech!

Wow. Pride is a false puffer, the rising of our fake self. Arrogance is our “self-made” projection, like we made it all on our own, everyone else is our pawn. And our perverse speech is a mastery of speaking in a way that “turns” or twists our words to hide the fact that we are a fraud. Whew. Evil guts us and leaves our soul with ugly, selfish qualities.

Turning from evil to wisdom means we choose to hangout with these amazing roommates listed in this Proverb. The Apostle Paul wrote, “bad company corrupts good morals.” 1 Cor. 15:33. Having wisdom as a friend means that one has access to her advice. Because Wisdom is really that good, her advice is sound, solid and successful! Wisdom owns these qualities and shares them freely to those who walk with her.

Prayer

Dad,
If we just learned from mistakes and missteps, things would be a whole lot easier to do right. We would benefit and so would everyone around us. The problem is I love doing things my own way and I come to think of myself as so independently smart. And, I also love taking shortcuts! What a mess I make of things. The ways of wisdom, which is the way of Jesus, not only requires humility but also submission. And it’s a slow process, nothing like my quick-fix shortcuts that fail every time. I want wisdom as a friend. I want to hangout with her friends, witty, smart and socially intelligent. I could use all the help I can get. Thank You!

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I promise on my mother’s grave.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭33‬-‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This section in Matthew where Jesus digs into some deep Jewish history and culture is fascinating. Matthew really loves bringing out the rich, but controversial nuances of Jesus’ teachings on Old Testament values and behaviors. This one goes into the loose but socially accepted use of promises or vows.

There was a hierarchy of worthiness when one would attach a vow to a physical or conceptual object. A few are mentioned specifically in this teaching, heaven, earth, the beloved city of Jerusalem and one’s own head. At first I thought the whole “promises backed by – whatever” was kinda silly. The closer to personhood, for example my own head (hair or lack thereof), would be the least trustworthy. Moving on to the city or the earth would promise a more robust, reliable promise. Oh, but heaven, ah that was very serious, very dependable. Funny, right? You may have heard this phrase and ask why the Jewish people would never “swear to G*d?” Remember, a few years back, when that was super common to flippantly profane God’s name with such disrespect! I think the atheists and agnostics finally realized the hypocrisy in swearing to a God they didn’t believe in. The Jewish people would NEVER have gone that far. Using God’s name like that would mean instant and total judgment, you would be stoned on the spot. And if the crowd didn’t kill you for it, God would likely strike you with lightning himself – so it was thought. Even as a non believing, non church kid, I would have been smacked in the mouth if I said those words.

Years past we had similar, weird, promise-keeping associations as well, “Cross my heart and hope to die.” Or, “on my mother’s grave.” Or, “on all that is holy.” So, yes, our modern culture has done similar when trying to beef up a promise to make it sound ominously secure. All of these attachments are just begging the listener to just trust us at our word.

Jesus cut through years and layers of nonsense and silly wordplay to help us understand a couple things: let your word and your behavior BE your bond! If you say you’re going to do it – then DO it. If you vow or promise you won’t do it… uh… then DON’T do it. Stacking well respected places, things or people (heaven, Mom or our own death demise) just WEAKENS our word, our promise. Keeping it simple, keeps it effective – if you follow through with it. Is it yes? – then do it. Is it no? – then don’t do it. Jesus caps the conversation with a critical reminder. Anything beyond our simple “yes” or “no” is ponéros: evil or malicious. So quit stepping on the crack and breaking your mother’s back – or using her grave to boisterously boost your credibility!

Prayer

Dad,
How did we get so weird? We were created in perfection and I completely understand that our own sin, not just broken DNA from Adam & Eve, has really messed us up. But, we are such a strange bunch! And why is it that we are so socially susceptible to each other’s absurd proclivities that we willingly adopt them and start using them in our own life. I believe that much of our bizarre beliefs and behaviors are spread to each other in some kind of social virus! I see, I hear, I do and repeat. I see one person’s behavior or strange choice and I may be shocked or offended. I may even loath the sight of it. Then I see two and I am less put off, but still bewildered. Oh, but three, four or more and suddenly I’m intrigued, curious and feel the pull of peer pressure – even if they are not my peers! Next thing you know I’ve got a piercing or pair of retro bell bottom pants. How is this even possible? Are we, as humans, bound to each other by mimicking good and bad? Is this how thought and behavior is transmitted to take over my own self will? I don’t like it. Not at all. I just want to be a cultural contrarian. Help us Jesus. Help us see and model your ways above and beyond our culture, our influences of friends or strangers.

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Family frustrations and fate.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die. Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress. In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies and destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭143‬:‭7‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

All of us, at some point in life, have family issues that tear at us. Family disagreements, conflicts and explosive physical violence rock our peace and safety to the core. I mean, where do you go when your home is not safe? How do you sleep, eat and live? A disruptive home rattles everyone and everything.

This Psalm was written while David’s son, Absalom, was not only laying claim to the throne, he also put out the order to kill David! This caused David to run for his own life – again. In this gritty prayer David shows us by example of what and how to pray. Read the whole Psalm. This is recorded for all of Israel and all of us today to know that things can go awry even in a king’s household.

David’s family was no where near perfect, unless you’re describing a perfectly dysfunctional family. David let’s it all out. He’s desperate. He’s depressed. He’s trapped with nowhere to go. He tells God, “you’re all I’ve got!” Ever feel like that? We read the pleas for daily connection with God, “let me hear of your unfailing love each morning.” And he is asking God where to go, what to do next. “Show me. Teach me. Lead me.” Ah, in the abandonment of all hope is the beautiful cry seeking the right way out. What does rock bottom, the floor, eating humble-pie look like? It looks like there is no where left but up and out with God.

Soon after this prayer, Samuel tells us that things very quickly turned around. “When David arrived at Mahanaim, he was warmly greeted by Shobi son of Nahash, who came from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and by Makir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and by Barzillai of Gilead from Rogelim. They brought sleeping mats, cooking pots, serving bowls, wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, butter, sheep, goats, and cheese for David and those who were with him. For they said, “You must all be very hungry and tired and thirsty after your long march through the wilderness.” ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭27‬-‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sadly, but necessary Absalom was killed by Joab, David’s general. ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭18‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬. And when David finally received word that his son was dead, he wept and wished he had been killed instead. “The king was overcome with emotion. He went up to the room over the gateway and burst into tears. And as he went, he cried, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son.” ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭18‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬.

Prayer

Dad,
Reading these stories about David, from the humble beginnings to his eventual rise to power and the throne, fascinated me. From the giant-killer moment, to victory in battle, and running from Saul. Then sitting on the throne as king and peace in the land. Either boredom, pride or greed then drives David to becoming a rapist and murderer. I read all about the family dynamics inside the beloved house of David. I did not want to be like him! Sure, I wanted to be a giant killer, but never a king. All that came with being hunted down several times, having multiple wives and the entire mess of his own sons, I didn’t want that at all. David’s whole life was such a paradox! He went down in history as being the most beloved king of Israel but also had the most dysfunctional family ever. And still, through his lineage, through his legacy came the messiah! What a wonderful, messy heritage. Thank you for the recorded insights of what went on in David’s life through the Psalms. It is a gift to anyone who comes from nothing, has a horrible, chaotic path, and still experiences your mercy, your forgiveness. And still becomes a big part in your grand story of saving humanity. Great job God!