Tag: hope

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Generational memory loss.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors— stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭78‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Asaph’s plea to remember. This psalm, inserted in the book of Psalms, late in David’s life, has a certain reminiscence, a way of not forgetting. And, most importantly, telling the story of God to each generation.

Generational stories, both how and when they are told, is an interesting phenomenon. I can’t speak for my entire generation, being born at the outset of the sixties turmoil and revolution – the results of the fifties not so subtlety questioning all authority. I was raised around senior retirees, spending my summers with my grandparents. I grew to love their stories, their connections with neighbors who became friends. Time passed very, very slowly for me while they talked about life and current events. They not only taught me about the senior pace of life but also the senior patience, learning to listen and build deep and meaningful connections. Was I just an “old soul,” as they say? I don’t think so. My grandparents taught me to love people’s life stories, a mix of triumph and tragedy. They were not followers of Jesus either!

When I read Asaph’s words and the passion for God and His commands, I think about the stories I tell my own children and grandchildren. Do I have the time, patience and courage to teach my progeny to listen well? Sometimes, I feel that stories are all I have to offer! My words, ways and cultural differences are glaringly “old school,” “OG,” as they say. “Oh Dad and his classic, retro thoughts and stories,” they aren’t current or progressive. They are certainly not meme or reels worthy! I find myself pushing through the blowback comments, common among those trying to tell their story – “Dad, we’ve heard it before.” Sadly, I find myself repeating a similar response to my own aging father-in-law – “Dad, I’ve heard that one before.” Much of content containing the overused, “dad-jokes” category.

Asaph had a good point to make, a godly point to remind us of. The stories help each generation set its hope anew on God! Was it just about remembering all the rules? No, it was far more than that. It was all about remembering God’s glorious miracles too! All of this was a way to help future generations to NOT be stubborn, rebellious and unfaithful. God help us if one generation produces a stubborn, rebellious, unfaithful group of children, teens, young adults and possibly parents themselves! A future generation that refuses to give their hearts to God.

Generational cycles happen. We clearly see this in the leadership lineage of Israel. One godly king may produce an ungodly or godly son and future king. It seems like an unpredictable pattern. Yet, through all of that zigzag, rollercoaster-ride heritage, eventually came the Savior, Jesus came out of similar generational milieu that we face today. This gives me hope. This inspires me to tell the big God stories, to hold on His truth and obey His commands. I will not forget to tell of God’s miracles!

Prayer

Dad,
I could never forget! I will never forget where I came from, nor who I was when you found me, received me, adopted me and changed EVERYTHING in my life. I will tell of your miracles. I will tell of your mercy and patience to father me. I will tell of your Word that is perfect, true, reliable and beautiful!

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Dabblers in darkness

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Oh, you can bet the enemy, the liar, seducer, the diabolos, is coming for our children! Mark’s gospel does a better job giving the context of this explosive story. There’s a high moment on the mountain and there’s the devil waiting when you come down the hill! It happens almost every time God is working in us at high moments, when we are winning.

A crowd had already gathered and there was a lot of commotion because a father had brought his child to the disciples for help and the demon inside this boy was manifesting – that’s what they call it today. The demon was acting out what its intentions are for every human who would fall prey to its seduction – pain, suffering and a complete lack of control over our minds and bodies. But how did it get into an innocent child, this young boy? I believe that someone allowed it or even invited in!

The father seems most likely because, in Mark, he’s willing to admit his boy was his responsibility and he didn’t protect him. In fact, it maybe possible that the community let this young man down by intentionally inviting evil to be a part of their town. Jesus, perceiving there was much more going on said, “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy.” (Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭21‬). I believe there were adults that failed to protect the child and likely explored dark and evil practices that opened a door to a very nasty spiritual realm. No matter how it happened or who was responsible, there was a young boy now suffering.

Jesus was irritated by evil perpetrating the innocent and the lack of adult faith to deal with it. Jesus was looking for the tiniest bit of faith, and couldn’t find it. Had evil consumed all hope? Had fear vanquished all belief? The town was stunned and the disciples were stumped. Jesus’ righteous indignation rose in anger as his time on earth was coming to an end, He said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? The word Matthew uses for corrupt is interesting. The word is diastrephó: thoroughly turned. Jesus called out their distorted, twisted, perverted practices. There was definitely something else going on behind this seemingly “random” act of possession! The town may have been filled with dabblers in darkness.

Also, when Jesus says he “puts up with,” the word is anechó: to hold up, bear with. Jesus tells them I won’t be here long to “suffer with you” in these kind of attacks on humanity. The community was in pain, the boy’s dad was in pain and the child was definitely in pain – but Jesus was also in pain! If you’ve ever had a friend continue to invite evil into their life, if you’ve ever seen parents invite or allow evil into their home, you begin to understand how Jesus felt. It is crushingly painful. You feel helpless to fix or change the situation.

I believe the father had a change of heart when he asked Jesus to help him in his own unbelief. It wasn’t just a lack of faith to exorcise a demon, he needed a new faith to reconstruct his entire life! Jesus, please help those in unbelief! Help us to quit inviting evil into our homes, our schools and our cities.

Prayer

Dad,
Help us Oh Lord in our unbelief, our impatience, our impertinence, our corrupt, perverted attempts of reaching for evil to solve our sinfulness. We cry mercy! We repent and ask for forgiveness. For the sake of our children and the young among us – save us, rescue us from ourselves. Amen.

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Satisfying the cravings.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭63‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David writes this psalm while running and hiding from the Mad King Saul, in the wilderness of Engedi. The scene in Samuel 24 is right out of Junior High textbook on funny things that happen in life. David and his men are using the caves as a hiding place, and they are deep into the protection of the mountain when Saul just happens to have his troops right outside. But then it turns into a dark comedy because Saul has to relieve himself and it’s not #1, it’s 💩 time. Where better to do your business than in a nice dark and quiet cave, right? And it’s perceived as SAFE.

Unbeknownst to Saul, his son-in-law/successor to the throne is already inside, probably whispering and giggling with the irony of the situation. David has the complete advantage to kill Saul, but refuses to do so. Instead he sneaks up and cuts off a piece of the king’s robe. I don’t know if the cave scene influenced this psalm, but it had to have boosted David’s faith in the middle of a dark season for him.

Instead of David writing about his hopes and dreams for a future as king and all the advantages that come with ruling a nation, he writes about a different longing. He writes about craving God’s presence. And he beautifully writes, “you satisfy me – MORE…” More than a feast. More than finding water in the desert. More than life itself! Can God satisfy the deepest desires of our human heart? We crave a lot of things! Our heart directs us to want things that are not good. Our heart is willing to accept fake knockoffs of experiences and substances to temporarily satisfy or to fill the holes of loneliness, love and loss. And, in those cheap exchanges, which never last, we find only guilt and shame. Shame because we know we reached for a substitute instead of searching for what’s real.

David in his deepest moments of trouble and an overwhelming sense of his lack of control reached for God! His soul reached out and found that God fills the holes, the gaps, the angst with His own presence. It is interesting that David discovered this overwhelming joy in the midst of uncertainty. Contrast that to his future decision when he had need of nothing – but sadly reached for something else, someone else. He saw Bathsheba and he took her. Strong in weakness and weak in strength, what a conundrum. God can satisfy our search in desperation, but can He can also satisfy when our search, our craving, is out of our sin?

Prayer

​Dad,
Searching for you when everything is dark and uncertain is one thing. And I know you are there to satisfy those fears, those agonizing moments of the unknown future. Those desperate times when our brains fill in the blanks with the worst possible outcomes. I know you satisfy, you calm, you center when I am filled with overwhelming emotions and fighting against the waves of a storm that continue to crash upon the shore of my soul.

However, just as critical, are the moments where my heart and mind drift and start seeking elsewhere, looking for something to fill my sin-cravings. Can I depend on you to fill and satisfy me then? I need you just as much when I turn from my disordered desires, and look to you for my deliverance, my rescue. In those moments I want to thirst for you and find joy in you. Thank you for your presence in both moments when I am lacking or distracted by lacking nothing.

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A diplomat of hope

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As humans we have the unfortunate gift of breaking things, especially when it comes to relationships. We hold a grudge, drift away or decide to be bored with friendships that are hard or seemingly unfulfilling. The Apostle Paul’s admonition on this topic of relationship, begins with the massive change that Christ has made in a person’s life. ANYONE, everyone, who belongs to Christ, who is in a relationship with Jesus has been made new.

Congratulations, you have a brand new lease on life! The old life is gone. Good riddance. And although this new life is completely a gift from God, reuniting and restoring a right relationship with Him, it is just the beginning of a brand new purpose. It’s kind of a side gig for every believer. Paul tells us that once we’ve been restored, we now have a new job, the responsibility to carry the message of reunion to others. To deliver hope to those who do not know that Christ has forgiven them and wants to restore them as well. This whole idea that Paul calls all who have been restored, to be Christ’s diplomat!

We are spokespersons to the point that we get to herald the message of hope to others – “as though God makes His appeal through us,” Paul writes. What’s our message? What am I supposed to do or say? It’s an odd campaign when you think about it. Paul says, just start telling folks to COME BACK! Come back to God! This is where it gets a little complicated to figure out on our end. It’s a deep, spiritual message reminding us that God has been speaking, shouting, wooing and whispering to every single human – “I Am here, I see you – come home.” Through circumstances and individuals, signs and reminders everywhere. God has planted eternity into every heart and it beckons to them. When we come along, as one of Christ’s ambassadors, we are simply picking up a very long and consistent message that God has been speaking to them since they were born – “come back to God.” People can try to drown out that voice, that message, they can run from it. They can build defensive walls of anger, lust, power, wealth or pain, but God still speaks to their soul, “come back home.”

Where is home? Home is that safe place of recognizing who God is, that place of forgiveness, and that place of rest and peace, wholeness and best of all HOPE. Who knows how people will respond when we just give the message. Some will rant and rage, blame and deny. Some may take it out on us! Just tell them, “Hey, don’t shoot the messenger, I’m just doing my job.” It’s good to remember Paul’s words, “we speak for Christ when we plead.” Whoa.

No wonder it’s not really that complicated to disciple others. Especially if we can remember that God has done all the work, that God is actively getting their attention – all the time! Our simple restorative message to “come back to God,” makes it a whole lot easier. If you are reading this and feel far from God, then take this message to heart – “come back,” He’s waiting.

Prayer

Dad,
I knew you were there. And when I really understood you were calling me back to you, I got it. Help me to SEE those who are ready to hear these words to come back. Give me the boldness to do my job and be your ambassador of hope.

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Spiritual Superstition?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭34‬-‭36‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Matthew and Mark have this story in their gospel accounts. These miracles were one of 37 miracles of Jesus written. In chronological order, these come in at number 21.

What is interesting is Matthew and Mark both mention the immediate recognition of Jesus and this fascinating idea that people were clamoring to touch the “fringe” of Jesus robe. The touching of the fringe was first mentioned earlier in the gospels when a woman was seeking healing for her issue of blood. She had been suffering for 12 years. She had heard about Jesus’ healing ability as well, and thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭28‬.

The timeline Jesus’ miracles means that the gospels connect Jesus first visit to the shoreline of Galilee (healing of the mad naked man) and Jesus return to the other side of the shore of Galilee where he healed the woman’s physical condition. Jesus’ popularity had risen dramatically along with this idea that folks could touch his robe and be healed.

Here’s the shocker. Touching Jesus’ robe came out of a very old story, almost a “wives’ tale,” about the future Messiah. It wasn’t Jesus robe they were reaching for, it was wasn’t even the fringe of his garment. What they were reaching for was Jesus prayer tassels!

The tassels (Greek:kraspedon) of Jesus’ garments, which is mentioned in Numbers 15:38. A Jewish male wore these on each of the four extremities of his cloak. How did touching anyone’s prayer tassels lead people to believe they could be healed? Most likely that came from Malachi 4:2 where it says, “the Sun of justice shall arise, and health in his wings.” Malachi was speaking about the future, coming Messiah! Since no one really knew exactly how to interpret the word “wings,” in Hebrew it’s kanaph: wing, extremity. It can also be interpreted as “corner, edge, edges, ends, fold, or garment!” Thus, the belief began – the Messiah would have supernatural healing abilities in his “wings.” Mothers believed that their son one day, might actually be the Messiah, began making their young men these prayer tassels (which were a physical object lesson to remember to pray) These tassels were then made a little longer and over time a more vibrant blue. By the time of Christ, Mary would have made her son his own prayer tassels, and also made them a little longer and the blue a little more vibrant.

The woman with a desperate physical need wholeheartedly believed that the true Messiah would carry this healing with him and by touching his prayer tassels, would be healed. Veronica made her way through the crowd, violating the social health laws (she wasn’t allowed to be around anyone because of her bleeding), and snuck up behind Jesus. Jesus wasn’t even aware that she was there, nor did he feel her touch his tassel. He did, however feel power go out of him! Jesus declared her healed because of her faith and did not mention that the story, the superstition of the Messiah’s prayer tassel, had special properties on its own. It wasn’t Veronica’s faith in the tassel, it was her faith that Jesus was THE Messiah. He’s the one all the stories of God’s redemption were about. Her faith was in Christ!

The point, the story of being healed by touching Jesus robe, went out far and wide. By the time Jesus arrived on the shores of Gennesaret, months later, people were clamoring to touch his tassels! Here’s the surprise… “and all who touched him were healed.” Do I believe in superstitions and stories that may appear to have magical powers of healing? Not particularly. However, I am fully aware of God’s grace and mercy towards us. God can do what He wants. I’m not so quick to put down the wild ways God works to capture the hearts of humans.

Prayer

Dad,
Whether it’s Jesus’ pictures on toast, trees or clouds or prayer tassels, I believe you will do some crazy things to convince our stubborn, unbelieving hearts that you are real and that you love us. I am happy to serve a mysterious and supernatural God!

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The New City

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“On the holy mountain stands the city founded by the Lord. He loves the city of Jerusalem more than any other city in Israel. O city of God, what glorious things are said of you! Interlude” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭87‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

On the return from the Babylonish captivity, Ezra inserts this Psalm written by the sons of Korah. The Psalmist writes about God’s affection for the mountain and the city of Jerusalem. A translation note says, “He loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.” What makes this more poignant is that Ezra puts this into the book of Psalms as Israel is returning home. Home from 70 years of captivity. Oddly enough, Babylon was a rather kind enslavement. We know from Daniel, Esther and Nehemiah that some Jewish people were chosen to serve in very high ranking positions. The Jewish population grew while in the service of several Nebuchadnezzars.

But as the people were walking up the road to the elevation of 2,500 feet, the mountains above at over 4,000 feet, they saw the total destruction of their beloved city. Their beautiful, world-renowned temple was reduced to ruble. Their gigantic walls and protective gates, toppled and burned. Solomon’s palace, stripped and in shambles. It was good to be home, but home didn’t look the same. The sons of Korah wrote this when the place, the palace in all its grandeur, were in tact. But it was put here in Psalms as the refugees returned to chaos.

It is a reminder of all the things we hold dear, in all the beauty and wonder that went with the memories, that God is still in control and even better – nothing is beyond God’s ability to rebuild and restore. God, the creator of all things. God who made everything from nothing, an impossibility in our physical laws of science. God, who loved that mountain, that city, would see to it that it would return to greatness once again. And, as we know from the New Testament, God has even better plans in store for his most beloved city. There will be a new heaven and new earth. There will be a new Jerusalem, bigger, brighter and more glorious than even Solomon’s city.

Ezekiel lays down the prophetic hints that is would be coming in the future. The Jewish people thought that they would be building it, seeing it come to glory. Ah, but this city, this new build, would happen far into the future, when all things come to an end and all things are made new. This new Jerusalem is referred to in the Bible in several places ( Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 11:10; 12:22-24; and 13:14 ), but it is most fully described in Revelation 21. The city is a physical object lesson of our community, where the people of God will live in the presence of God. No matter how our earthly cities look now, whether grungy or grand. No matter our affections for the New Yorks’, Los Angeles’, Paris’, or Vaticans’ of this world. God’s city, the New Jerusalem will always be his favorite, because this will be the community of heaven!

Prayer

Dad,
Like with most spiritual things, I only see glimpses and momentary glances of such a wonder as this great city. And oddly, I only think about it when someone dies and we talk about their move to heaven. Either reading about this great city or thinking about it does inspire hope and an abundance of curiosity! I believe it’s real – all of it is real. It will not only feel like everything we’ve ever known as “home,” but it will probably feel like the finality of where we’ve always belonged, always lived. As a place, as a community, that is our hope; that this indescribable existence will be ours. However, the truth is, it will pale in comparison to your presence! Where your glory, your light and love will permeate every facet of our existence.

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Where determinism leads.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong. I am determined not to sin in what I say. I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people. My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭17‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Whoa. The context of this Psalm is deeply disturbing. It was written concerning the story recorded in 1 Samuel 22:11-21. What a awful story of injustice and the power of a mad king – Saul. Saul ranted and raged against Ahimelech, because he had fed and housed David. Saul was so filled with anger and hatred towards David that he couldn’t see anything but subterfuge and betrayal. Saul ordered his men to kill Ahimelech and all the priests who served with him. Saul’s men refused the order, so Saul ordered Doeg to do the deed. What an horrific deed to slaughter the innocent! “Then the king said to Doeg, “You do it.” So Doeg the Edomite turned on them and killed them that day, eighty-five priests in all, still wearing their priestly garments. Then he went to Nob, the town of the priests, and killed the priests’ families—men and women, children and babies—and all the cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats.” Hundreds of people were butchered, having nothing to do with Saul’s private feud with David.

This Psalm was recorded by David in response to him receiving the news, “Only Abiathar, one of the sons of Ahimelech, escaped and fled to David. When he told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord…” David felt responsible for their deaths! He carried the weight of responsibility when he had simply asked the priest for food and shelter. This Psalm doesn’t catch David’s arrogance of perfection, it lets us see his broken heart while trying to follow God and do what is right!

So often people blame God for the wackadoodle behaviors of crazed, rage-filled humans who enact unspeakable acts on others. It’s a fair question to ask, “why did God allow Saul (or Doeg) to do such a thing?” God didn’t ALLOW this brutal act. God gave us the gift of free will! These are the latent behaviors that exist in all human beings who strive to distance themselves from God, disobeying God and choosing to do their own thing, making up their own rules. One might say, “well I would never…” What? Kill? Become a maniac? It’s quite the discussion on social media platforms. The general consensus is, “Everyone is capable of murder.” Do we really know what we would be like if we truly followed our own will, desires and passions? Throwing off all constraints with a healthy dose of power and authority mixed with hate, anger or revenge, I think we would have to admit – we are all capable.

David’s prayer is all about following God and NOT his own bent, destructive will! David’s intent is to KEEP God’s commands so that he does not become a Saul or a Doeg! Sounds like a good confession to me.

Folks are willing to wander off God’s path with the curiosity of wondering, “what’s out there?” Be careful of what paths we choose and what doors we open! Not all paths lead to God. Not all doors of experimental experiences should be opened. Could God have stopped Saul, or Doeg? Absolutely. Shouldn’t God stop ALL OF US in our free will and decisions to pursue whatever we want. We are all capable of good and evil. And that choice is ours to make. We get to live in a world where we have the results of good and the consequences of evil among us. David was not perfect, not in the least bit! But neither are we, not yet. God will judge all things perfectly in the end. I am determined to follow God and believe His plans, His ways. Certainly not my own.

Prayer

Dad,
Not only have I come this far by faith, I am determined to go all the way. Nothing will stop me. Not my sin. Not my questions. Not offenses towards me. Not the evils all around me. I have set my course and I will not change my decision nor my destination. Heaven will be my home and you will forever be my God!

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Hope’s anticipation.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“How miserable I am! I feel like the fruit picker after the harvest who can find nothing to eat. Not a cluster of grapes or a single early fig can be found to satisfy my hunger. The godly people have all disappeared; not one honest person is left on the earth. They are all murderers, setting traps even for their own brothers.” ‭‭Micah‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Certainly anyone who has read through the books of the prophets (spokespersons) in the Old Testament get a huge dose of reality.

Just a thought; there seems to be a constant comparison in modern days with the idea that one is either an extrovert or an introvert. But, there is another comparison not talked about yet is very apparent in our conversations. Am I an optimist or a pessimist? Do I live in a world that is awful getting worse, or a world that is good getting better.

The ancient prophetic series of authors are both – but the darkness, wickedness and harsh outlook always goes first.

This section title in most Bibles is labeled to reflect that truth. This chapter is titled, “Misery Turned to Hope.” I personally like a true assessment of the situation before even thinking about how God will show up and make everything right. Micah lets us know exactly how he feels! His illustration, his comparison, is like a field worker after the field has been picked over! There are no leftovers, not even the godly expectation of something being left on the edges for the poor.

Micah even tells us about a specific fruit that Jesus himself mentioned in a story about the cursing of a certain fig tree. Micah reveals the key to the fig tree curse. He mentions the “first ripe” or “early fig.” There is a fig that will produce a small “pre-fig” bud that is eatable but not that tasty. In Micah’s illustration it means that there is absolutely nothing left on the field, not even these pre-fig buds that the poor were sadly satisfied to pick and eat so they didn’t starve! In Jesus’ story, the fig tree was cursed because it was a complete fake, never able to produce ANYTHING useful, not even these pre-buds.

Micah’s illustration tells us that, in his opinion, his outlook – there was nothing left that looked like the people belonging to God. They ALL disappeared! He lost sight of what God calls, “the remnant,” or the “root of Jesse.” Even though Micah can’t see them, there are just a few who were still there, who were godly. Those who acted with justice and mercy.

Isn’t it interesting that the bar of spirituality came down to the level of how the Israelites treated one another and their neighbors? When looking for any signs of hope, the small threads of a remnant, God looked at their behavior towards each other and not to their behaviors towards Himself. Some were still bringing sacrifices, but God told them to stop because they were meaningless when even their acts of holiness betrayed them by poor behavior towards others.

If you want to see the hope at the end of Micah’s brutal assessment, then read the few verses at the end of this chapter. “Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.” Micah‬ ‭7‬:‭18‬ ‭The only hope is that God forgives and restores – which even today, God is willing and able to do. Hope is not in anticipation that WE get better, it’s in the reality that God keeps His promise and gives us many opportunities to turn towards Him. Our hope is in our ability to really trust that God is as good as He says He is.

Prayer

Dad,
As I look over the state of our country’s spiritual health and your Church’s ability to be fruitful, making disciples, I also feel like Micah. What’s left? Where’s the harvest? Is it still coming? Will there be willing workers to bring it in? Our American fields look desolate. Yet, there is still something stirring. There is a sense of desperation and need. Not to return to former outpourings and glory days of big church attendance and some kind of political power in numbers. No, there is a growing hunger just for your presence. A desire to know that you would move on us, our cities, our brokenness. How desperate are we? I’m not sure, but I feel it coming.

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One of these days, Chicken Little will be right.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It seems that every generation feels that things have gotten so bad, the end MUST be soon. I wonder if Noah thought the same thing – because, in his case, it was true! I don’t see a lot of apocalyptic references throughout the Old Testament, but there are a few. Isaiah, Daniel and Ezekiel have some visions of what the future held, and they were strange and mysterious.

For Peter to write the church and say this, he must have taken Jesus word’s seriously – he was coming back soon. John, the revelator writes, “behold I come quickly” Rev 22:12. But, what is quickly, especially to God, who is outside of time itself? FYI, I absolutely believe Jesus is returning and that God will wrap everything up according to his will and plan.

For us earth-bounders, we only see history and human behavior in cycles. Looking backward from these days, all the way to Peter’s days, we know that some behaviors have been atrociously worse. There have been so many global episodes of bad actors perpetuating on the masses in their respective domains of control. I have a friend who believes that earth is looking more like heaven than ever before! I don’t.

When Peter encourages the Church to be earnest in prayer, I wonder what that could have meant? In prayer for one another? It seems likely. Especially because he drops the famous line that “love covers a multitude of sins.” More sin, needs more prayer and more love, right? Then he backs up the idea of us needing MORE support while watching and waiting for the world to end with this – hospitality!

If you haven’t noticed even the entertainment industry has really ramped up the futuristic, syfi, apocalyptic shows and movies over the past few decades. Even non-believers in God are trying to figure out what the future holds. Of course, many of the future-casters are just trying to force behavioral change surrounding the hot topic of global climate change. In almost every one of their future scenarios, humans are the enemy that needs to be destroyed. Feels like they are just lashing out at God like petulant toddlers.

Peter reminds us that when everything gets bad, we should share goodness, like meals and shelter. If the global pandemic was a test run for an “end of the world” scenario, believers did NOT pass. I don’t think most of us were in a sharing and caring mood – we treated our own family members like the infected on The Walking Dead! There seems to be a particular idea from Peter that when the going gets tough, the tough should get together – not separate, and hunker down in isolation. I have a feeling we’ll get another chance when the next rotation of the “world ending” comes into view. We can do better then, right? One day, the sky will fall and this world will end. Chicken Little will be right.

Prayer

Dad,
I agree, things do look bleak. There is a lot going on in our country and in our world that makes us all nervous about the future. Yet, I know you hold the future! And, I know you are bringing about the most amazing plan of your Kingdom coming and your will being done! In that I find peace, comfort and even an excitement in the finality of waiting. I want to be ready. I want to stay alert and aware of what you are doing. This is not an escape prayer, but it is a “let it be done” prayer – Come quickly Lord Jesus!

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Powers that pound the throne.

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“Your throne, O Lord, has stood from time immemorial. You yourself are from the everlasting past. The floods have risen up, O Lord. The floods have roared like thunder; the floods have lifted their pounding waves. But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore— the Lord above is mightier than these! Your royal laws cannot be changed. Your reign, O Lord, is holy forever and ever.” Psalms‬ ‭93‬:‭2‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I first wrote about this Psalm, I did not know it’s author was Daniel and it was written while he and the majority of Jewish people were captives in a foreign land. One of the best, quick resources I came across was a Bible resource link to describe the probable date each Psalm was written and who wrote it. https://bit.ly/psalmsdates.

Psalms is a collection of writings. This Psalm describes the hope of God’s power and ability to stay in control while everything else feels like a destructive storm. Daniel describes how powerful these pounding waves can be. Babylon was the biggest and strongest force on the planet at the time and it looked as if the nation, that king would destroy the throne of God himself.

We have the benefit of knowing the before and after! Babylon was used as a disciplinary entity to put Israel in a 70 yr timeout. Yet, this massive kingdom would not overtake God’s throne. Think about this. There is no kingdom past, present or future that has storm-waves big enough to destroy God’s eternal throne. NOTHING can stop nor thwart the will of God! Not then, not now, not ever.

Daniel’s hope in God paints the picture of one of the most powerful forces on the earth – the seas. Untamable and unstoppable itself. As the sea, depicted as God’s enemies, roars, pounds and breaks on the steps below the throne of God, it will never overtake it. Daniel states this majestic truth, God’s royal laws cannot be changed and will never be subverted! This Psalm is a reminder of hope. No matter the size and relentlessness of the storms we face here on this planet, may they be attacks or even directed disciplines, they will never diminish God’s power or his throne! I take comfort in that. The darkness, the chaos may be great, but our God is GREATER.

Prayer

Dad,
I do not find fear in your power, I find comfort in it. I find hope in this; no matter what I see going on around me – you are on the throne that will never be overcome. No matter what I feel, my trust, my faith is steady in your power. “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.”