Tag: Justice

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The Powerful Messiah.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭110‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This Psalm, written by David, sometime after his fall from grace, speaks of the future where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father and is given the power to rule, reign and crush the enemies of God.

Jesus himself picks up this Psalm in a discussion with the religious leaders in Matthew 22:41-46. Jesus stumps the Pharisees by asking them who they thought the Messiah might be, “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They replied, “He is the son of David.” They agreed that the Messiah would come through the bloodline of David, but Jesus pressed them further when he quoted this Psalm. ”Jesus responded, “Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, call the Messiah ‘my Lord’?” How can a father refer to his son as “Lord?” ”Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?” So what’s the mystery, what’s the point?

One, David is prophesying about the Messiah, who will come and judge all things on the earth.

Two, it is clear that no one could figure out exactly what or who this Messiah would be. The war-language of enemies and footstool only lends itself to the idea that the Messiah would be a mighty warrior, a conquerer. The only problem with that is, as humans, we only interpret that as a world leader, bringing peace and prosperity to the people in the Messiah’s kingdom. But, do you remember Jesus saying, “My kingdom is not of this world,” in John 18:36? I wouldn’t be so hard on the Pharisees for being confused. The war-language, the battle over good and evil is far more than just bringing justice to bad actors of this world. It’s not like the warmongering doesn’t deserve judgement, because it does. And, it’s not like we don’t deserve death for our individual and collective selfish choices, because we do. What is far more powerful is that the Messiah, Jesus has conquered and made sin and evil itself his footstool – which is totally a reference to the earth itself as well (Isaiah 66:1). The Messiah has the power to create the new heaven and new earth, setting justice and God’s ways back to order.

Three, the Messiah has come to free the earth and its inhabitants from the ruler who had taken over the planet – Satan! We read the word, “enemy” as if it’s the people Jesus died for! We see the word “judgement” as though God wanted to rid the earth of people. Jesus has come to free people from sin, rescuing and redeeming our lives destined to destruction by our own choices of joining with Satan.

When Jesus returns, to fulfill the finality of all things, He brings justice and judgment to end evil and end the reign of terror on the planet from its ruler – Satan. When David wrote this Psalm, he had real enemies and Israel had real enemies as well. Those enemies were countries, tribes and people under the curse of sin as well as the spell of Satan. These groups were led and driven by ambition, gain and lust for more. Most of these countries and tribes had committed themselves to very real demonic influences, all of which God classified as idols. Behind the wooden and stone poles and statues of Ashtoreth, Baal, Chemosh, Dagon and multiple Egyptian gods there were very real demons desiring to lash out at God and destroy humanity. Even then, the enemies behind the maniacal, narcissistic men were all variations of Satan and the angels who rebelled against God. The Messiah would conquer the issue of human sin and death first. Then He will bring all evil to justice, starting with the prince of the power of the air, as Paul makes reference in Ephesians 2:2. I look forward to that day!

Prayer

Dad,
I know that evil permeates every part of the world. Evil is not an isolated, “American” problem, it’s global – every country, tribe or town has bad actors, making evil decisions. However, behind our human choices and behaviors, I also know there is a very real enemy that works to seduce and enslave us! It is that entity, that liar which is laying the foundation of enmity between us and you. Thank you for the Messiah that did not just come to save us, but will return to finally put evil, injustice, hate and destruction under His feet. Thank you that a new heaven and a new earth is coming. Your Kingdom come and thankfully your will be done! Amen.

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May we all have peace!

Reading Time: 2 minutes

”Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever. The wicked will not rule the land of the godly, for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong. O Lord, do good to those who are good, whose hearts are in tune with you. But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O Lord. Take them away with those who do evil. May Israel have peace!“ ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭125‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This Psalm, written by Ezra the scribe, as the people return to Jerusalem after being exiled in Babylon for 70 years. There are quite a few psalms dedicated to this “returning.” What stands out is that the city is a permanent archetype for all times, a perfect example of God’s presence in His most beloved place on earth. The people returning, are returning to God’s hometown.

How are we to interpret and integrate this in modern times? Is God still surrounding His people as the mountains surround Jerusalem? I believe the answer is yes. The book of endings/beginnings says “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.” Rev. 21:1. The chapter just before the last chapter is all about this new city, where “”I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I see these writings in Psalms, written thousands of years ago. Then I see the writings in Revelation, also written a couple thousand years ago, and immediately understand God’s beloved city is a major character in God’s story! Except that Revelation isn’t history itself the FUTURE! Ezra, declaring that Israel, the people of God, in the city of God should have peace and seeing that God brings it full circle, in the very end of time itself – Israel will have peace. The city of Jerusalem will eventually be the perfect picturesque city of peace!

This gives me hope in 2023 as we wrap up the year. This year has certainly come with enormous global conflict and wars, men forcefully, violently taking land and spilling innocent blood, killing human beings to advance their cause, their dominance. This has been a bloody year, and Israel as well as the beloved city of God has been the front page news and headline for 73 days. We are watching history and the future happen simultaneously. May Israel have peace. May the world have peace. Peace on earth, and goodwill towards humanity!

Prayer

Dad,
The waves of violence and wars seem unending. There seems to be a desperate need for justice and peace to replace the insolent deeds of men. Our hope is in you! Our peace, Oh God is knowing that you will make all things right in the end. The final words in Revelation echo our world’s desire for an end of wars, the end of evil perpetrating on innocence. I understand these words so much better now. Jesus said, ”Surely I am coming soon.” And, I agree wholeheartedly with John in saying, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!“

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Waiting for final justice.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them. Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name. In the night I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek you. For only when you come to judge the earth will people learn what is right.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Isaiah, in telling the true tale of two cities, one of Babylon and the other of Jerusalem, describes the citizens of each. Even though the walk up the hill to Jerusalem is steep – from the valley below to the top of the mount is 2,500ft. Yet, Isaiah writes, “for the righteous, it’s not steep and rough.” Most of the stories of people coming to Jerusalem, or even returning to Jerusalem after years of captivity, write about it being a joyous journey. They come up to the city with excitement.

Isaiah tells us, yet another reason, this is true. Of course, it has always been depicted as the “city of God,” but in this passage he writes about its citizens. The citizens of God’s city, who are righteous, will not even break a sweat because it is God who smooths out their path. Imagine for a moment the true wonder of a city that is known for doing right, filled with justice and held accountable by God himself. Think of the cities we have now! We’ve got cities that are not safe and are filled with poverty, violence, and powerful gangs (in the streets and in the government 😳). Have you noticed our driving habits on the freeways lately? High speed, reckless drivers, racing as though there were no CHP to stop them. Businesses have practically given up trying to stop shoplifting and smash-n-grab mobs. Many have just closed stores rather than deal with the massive financial loss. There is a certain brazen behavior when there are no apparent consequences. The laws are there, but there is no enforcement. Isaiah challenges me when he writes, “we show our trust in you by obeying your laws.” It is both God’s laws and His justice that make this future, great city safe! The final word is hopeful and disturbing at the same time, it is “only when you come to judge the earth will people learn what is right.” That finality of accountability to what is right, will for many, be too late. Our behaviors testify that people do not believe God exists nor will He be perfect in His justice and judgment.

Prayer

Dad,
I thought everyone wanted to live and possibly raise a family in a safe city. Apparently, this is not true for all. The wicked, those who race to do wrong, preying on the weak and innocent; disregarding the law and peace, they just want the freedom to do whatever they want, to whomever they want to do it to! It’s no wonder our cities are full of pain and brokenness. Those who want to just live their lives and enjoy their neighborhoods will have to wait until you bring justice to the whole earth. Even though Isaiah was Your spokesperson, it did not protect him from the violence in his own time and from his own people. May your peace and mercy go before us as we wait for the fulfillment of your promises.

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When nothing seems to go right.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves. The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads. I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.” Psalms‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As we read the Psalms, they are often used for comfort, encouragement or even sung as expressive praise to God. Each one of these Psalms were written by individuals for specific circumstances that they were going through at the time.

David writes this Psalm as he is running from his own son, Absalom. David and his men happen to run into a village that was “pro Saul.” The backstory of this Psalm is called “the reproaches of Shimei.” Who is Shimei? ‭‭

2 Samuel‬ ‭16‬ captures the drama. “As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, from the same clan as Saul’s family. He threw stones at the king and the king’s officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded him. “Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!” he shouted at David. “The Lord is paying you back for all the bloodshed in Saul’s clan. You stole his throne, and now the Lord has given it to your son Absalom. At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer!””

Abishai offers to cut off the heckler’s head, but David turns and corrects his own general, ““No!” the king said. “Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah! If the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?” Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “My own son is trying to kill me. Doesn’t this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to do it. And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.”” These verses in Samuel capture David’s humility, but the Psalm captures his true feelings of being hunted by wicked men, both Saul and Absalom. Of course Saul was dead, but David was not the one who took his life. Neither would he take his own son’s life.

Samuel captures the situation, but Psalms captures the turmoil of being constantly pursued by evil. Have you ever felt like David? You’re trying to do everything right and it seems like nothing works. And worse, you are being attacked or harassed by people or circumstances that just continue to hurl rocks and curses at you! David’s behaviors are a good example of what to do in this case! Be humble. Don’t retaliate. Pour out your heart to God and let him deal with evil plans and people. Let God judge correctly and be your justice. And, thank God for He is just! Oh, by the way, Shimei continued to chase David and his men all the way out of town – “So David and his men continued down the road, and Shimei kept pace with them on a nearby hillside, cursing and throwing stones and dirt at David.”

Prayer

Dad,
It’s wild when we try to do right, live right, and things just keep going wrong! It seems incredibly unfair. It makes it so much harder to do what is right while people critique and criticize every decision, every action. Apparently doing right does not mean we are given a public parade filled with poseys! Evil people be evil. Ol’ Shimei had been cheering for a wicked King and didn’t even know it. And he was hurling rocks and insults at the guy you chose to be on Israel’s throne! What a mixed up world when right and wrong are entwined with people’s opinions. I trust that truth and justice are best applied by your hand!

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May your cause be true.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting, “Praise the Lord! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God. His judgments are true and just. He has punished the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the murder of his servants.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The voices of those who have seen, known, maybe experienced the bait, the traps, the allurement of this great prostitute are now shouting the praises of God for His judgements. Who, or what is this great prostitute? Interesting that the word, porné, for prostitute, is also the word used for an idolatrous community. That’s the true nature of porné, a person or thing that pulls us away from God. When we leave the covenant with God to turn to an idol. We find try to find fulfillment in ANOTHER. John says this porné, is the corrupter, the moral deterioration – i.e. decomposition (break-down), due to the corrupting influence of sin.

The cheer rising from the crowd is the great relief, the rejoicing of pure accountability for the one who lies, steals and kills the lives of those he has lured away. The shout is for justice and judgment to be served!

This generation aches for justice. This generation wants judgment so badly that it looks for any opportunity to rise, riot and celebrate what it deems to be worthy of violence to achieve justice. The passion is real, their hearts desire for wrongs to be made right. The difference between the many false causes that manufacture and manipulate the crowd and this gathering in heaven is God Himself.

God is the only one whose judgements are true and just. Crowds have always found their voice in violence throughout history. And crowds are easily swayed by salacious lies that appear to be based in truth, their truth, group-think, mob truth. In my mind, I can still hear the crowd screaming, begging for the death of an innocent man. The hate-filled rage that drove the lie that would lead to the torture, beating and horrendous death on a cross for Jesus. The crowd screamed, “crucify him,” and took a paradoxical pledge to prove their commitment, “may his blood be on us and our children!” Their just cause seemed real, seemed true, but it was all based on subterfuge and lies. It was but a plot from this same great prostitute to poison the truth and an attempt to silence the judge and justice over all humanity.

No wonder the crowd in heaven shouted and cheered, giving God glory. There will be no force great enough to silence these final moments of God’s judgment. It will be final and it will forever end the deceiver’s reign of terror. This will happen. The book of revelation is the book of truth of humanity’s future and the end of the war against our souls.

Prayer

Dad,
The greatest relief in knowing that you are in control and will judge rightly and rightfully are found in this book of endings. I know and I have settled the issues, questions and doubts of my youth. My course is set and I believe! You are always just, right and true. Your Word is truth, it is the light that illuminates my path. Your cause is the redemption of humans. Anything or anyone that detracts from that is of the lie, of the deceiver. I will join with that crowd that cheers for Your judgment. For all things to be laid out bare before you. Nothing hidden, nothing silenced or spun for further discussion. Even when my life, along with every life will be fully exposed and disclosed, we will all rejoice for the war to be over. Praise to You for your salvation, glory and power!

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Living right side up in an upside down world.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“But the Lord reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne. He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness. The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David writes this Psalm after the victory over Goliath. The Psalm was a song, sung to the tune of “death of a son.” WHAT? A Bible commentary mentions this odd detail about this Psalm, “Upon Muthlabben, or, after the manner according to “death to the Son,” by which some song was known, to whose air or melody the musician is directed to perform this Psalm.” Another admits to the mystery of who this person or what this musical notation is, “To the chief musician upon Muth-labben” which has given rise to infinite conjecture. It may be either upon the death (muth ) of the fool (labben ), as an anagram on Nabal or as Gesenius, “to be chanted by boys with virgins voices,” i.e. in the soprano. Who is Muthlabben, and why did David borrow the tune to give praise to God over the triumph over the Philistines? Apparently, we just don’t know!

Yet, the content of the Psalm is clear, God reigns over all things, all nations and all people. I find it comforting and odd. Comforting that God is completely and totally perfect in judgment and justice. Odd, because that is NOT what many people believe about God! And, clearly God is maligned and misunderstood in modern culture today. God, and “religion,” is blamed for the majority of offenses and pain including slavery, oppression, colonialism, and social inequalities. It matters not that these massive atrocities are because of human sin and selfishness. Who cries and protests of the secular, darwinian, godless barbarity?

Folks proudly declare lies about God as truth and post them as yard signs and bumper stickers. My prayer, similar to David’s is, “Oh Lord, do not let the lies of Satan and humankind obscure or obstruct your goodness from those who seek you!” It’s frustrating to see or hear people call out God to be something He is not. They are 100% wrong about Him. This is further proof of the lies that Satan has permeated and perverted our understanding of God. It becomes difficult to believe and live upright in an upside down worldview. This is the contrarian, revolutionary message of Christ indeed. Jesus’ declaration of truth of who God is, clashes with culture (then and now), but it does so because it bristles against our own self determination and will to be our own god. I want everyone to see God as David saw Him – as a shelter, a refuge, a secure place and safe relationship to run to, not run from.

Prayer

Dad,
I have always found these words David wrote, thousands of years ago, to be true! No matter what I’ve done, what I feel or how desperate things look around me – you have always been my safe place. When I am sad, angry, wrong, happy, or fulfilled I can run towards you. My sin, my past, my stinky attitudes are always before me, yet I can still come to you. Thank you for that place of comfort under the shadow of your wings, that cleft in the rock.

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Who moved the truth?

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Justice, like truth, seems to be a matter of opinion, a perspective. The wisdom writers didn’t have an “open source,” public opinion, social media slant on justice. Wrong was wrong, right was right. Cheating the poor – wrong. Lying for gain – wrong. Bullying and beating the oppressed – wrong. Murder, theft, rape – wrong, wrong, wrong.

The only reason that justice and truth have been blurred or distorted are because some in our culture refuse to acknowledge the God behind such realities. No God – anything goes. No God – no one is right and no one is wrong. There’s only noise, violence and protests. Loud and proud do not equate to justice or truth.

Justice is joy to the godly because there is a judge, an arbitrator who is perfect – always, right, true and yes, JUST. It is terrifying to evil because it strips away the thin veneer of selfishness and ill-gotten gain. Of course, every human wants what we want and do not want anyone or anything to tell us NO, or cross us with the reality that we are wrong!

There is that one creepy story in 1 Kings 3, where Solomon has to judge a difficult decision. Two women, one living child and one dead child. Two stories, both claiming the living child is theirs. No other witnesses, no DNA test – just two plausible stories of what happened on the night in question. Truth seemed to favor BOTH stories, both women. How can that be? Both women are yelling – the living child is mine! Are both telling the truth? The woman whose child died in the night certainly is in pain and now her truth becomes a boldfaced lie. If the living child is going to be raised by one or the other, should it be the real mother or the liar? You know the story. Solomon asks for a sword and tells both women, he will equally give them half a dead child! Done, settled. Both lose a life, but it’s fair, right? Of course the real mother wants her child to live over the other mother’s perceived truth. The real mother speaks first, “please don’t kill my son, give him to her!” The other mother then speaks, “go ahead cut the child in half, that way we both lose.” Solomon gives the child to the real mother and justice is served. Along with it, the godly, those who do right, want to live right rejoice at the decision. Evil would probably rather have seen the child divided to satisfy the “fairness” of the situation. Life is cheap and worthless to evil! If I want to see who believes in justice all I have to do is see who is loud about ideals not caring about the loss of life. True justice should terrify evildoers, because it exposes their lies.

Prayer

Dad,
It is difficult to discuss right and wrong and justice in a world where people have decided that truth is an opinion, a perspective. I ache for your final judgment only for the sake of seeing absolute justice and for all our lies to be exposed. There will be joy and terror in those days. Help us O’ Lord, pour out your Spirit of Truth and give us the chance to make things right with you before that day comes.

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Slavery and infanticide as a population control plan?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Eventually, a new king came to power in Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done. He said to his people, “Look, the people of Israel now outnumber us and are stronger than we are. We must make a plan to keep them from growing even more. If we don’t, and if war breaks out, they will join our enemies and fight against us. Then they will escape from the country.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

History can be most creepy when one sees it repeat! Ancient kingdoms, ancient leaders and people circle and recycle over time; but what has really changed? Technology? Modern adaptation and advancement? Sure. The human heart… not so much. We believe ourselves to be so advanced, so much more humane and good. Ah, but “the human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” Jeremiah 17:9. God knows it. And, if we’re honest we know it!

This new Pharaoh in Egypt simply saw a problem brewing on the horizon. And, not knowing that God had a plan for the Israelites, he assumed their multiplication had evil intent. Have you ever known a leader or social group who saw population growth in a specific ethnicity as a threat? Yeah – many times over, right? God was building a people group for a purpose, but it wasn’t to take over Egypt or to conquer the pharaoh, it was a long story of redemption itself.

This Egyptian leader, like many other leaders, took this population explosion as a threat to his own plans. Pharaoh’s plan to control was diabolical and pure evil. His answer, enslavement and infanticide. Make the Jews slaves through force and murder all the males to try to stop Jewish people from reproducing. You may remember these two deplorable actions have been repeated multiple times through our human history. And, in modern times, some still blatantly use this methodology.

Of course, with America’s sophistication, education and wealth, we don’t come right out and enslave other ethnic groups, right? And, course, we wouldn’t stand for murdering infants just because they may stand in the way of OUR plans? No, never! Oh Pharaoh, what lessons have we learned from your grand social experiment? How did it go? Did it work out like you planned? Pharaoh was wrong. And every world leader, every political, social leader has been wrong in thinking that they could just enslave and murder other human beings to keep them from “taking over!”

Pharaoh, Pharaoh, Pharaoh – you did get exactly what you didn’t want. A war. A war, not fought from the mistreated slaves in your care. No, a war from God himself. You invited the judgment and justice of God! Your selfish, hubris power became your own downfall. God came against Pharaoh and God caused Pharaoh to give the Israelites all the treasures they could carry, as they escaped from the county they helped build and helped prosper! We should heed history’s warning. Our own country, our own leaders, should be aware that God’s judgment and justice is not something to mocked nor to foster some social experiment. Power and wealth has blinded our social sense of right and wrong. It has twisted justice to suit the advantaged, not the poor, not the widow or orphan. It’s a grand lie, not new but always fashionable. A new king came to power in Egypt and God used him to bring about the exodus of His people and the architecture of what freedom costs, the death of the firstborn son. We will discover exactly what Pharaoh discovered, his coming to power and nefarious plans are all subject to God’s will. My prayer is that those who have believed the lie, that big lie of doing whatever we want, whenever we want to do it is not new, but very, very old and dark. Living that lie has horrible consequences, both in our lives and the lives of our children. But God will also have the last word! He will supernaturally pour out His Spirit and truth that will opens the eyes of the blind, depressed and enslaved. God’s mercy will flow in abundance in the last days, and many will turn and be rescued.

Prayer

Dad,
Help us. Have mercy on our souls. Forgive us of selfish pursuits that wreck personal and communal havoc on ourselves. Bring down the modern-day pharaohs that desire to steal your glory and desire to become gods. Protect the innocent. Bring justice to the poor and weak who have no time nor money to rescue themselves. We ache for truth and life to be known. Amen.

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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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Solving human dilemmas.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Some time later two prostitutes came to the king to have an argument settled. “Please, my Lord,” one of them began, “this woman and I live in the same house. I gave birth to a baby while she was with me in the house. Three days later this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there were only two of us in the house. “But her baby died during the night when she rolled over on it. Then she got up in the night and took my son from beside me while I was asleep. She laid her dead child in my arms and took mine to sleep beside her. And in the morning when I tried to nurse my son, he was dead! But when I looked more closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t my son at all.” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Most often, when I think about wisdom, I imagine the problems and situations regarding finances, major life decisions and discerning God’s purpose for my life. You’ll notice that all of those are self focused. Of course we need wisdom to make decisions on who we might marry or stepping up to rent a more accommodating and expensive living situation. Or, even major health decisions over us or our children. These decisions alone are hard and we feel a sense of desperation. I recently spoke with a couple facing a major medical decision. The doctor only presented two options: stop taking these life saving medications or lose a major organ! Both were horrible options. They needed wisdom!

Here in Kings, this story follows the supernatural interaction between God and Solomon. Kings records that Solomon loved the Lord and kept all his father’s (David’s) decrees – plus Solomon gave offerings to the Lord… 1,000 of them! God was pleased with Solomon and offered him anything he wanted. Fame, riches, long life or death to his enemies – just name it and God would give it to him. Solomon asked for wisdom. Can I pause and tell you, every parent wants their child to do better, be better than themselves. Great parents want their child to seek good things, not selfish pursuits. God gave Solomon what he asked for PLUS all the things he didn’t ask for.

This story here is the first recorded story of the results of that wisdom. I see two amazing things in these verses. One: the first cases Solomon would hear as a judge would be from a woman (really both) who was an outlier, a sex worker in ancient times! This tells me that everyone rich or poor, good or bad reputations, had access to justice in this new court. Two: the case tells me that wisdom is not only for personal insight, but can and should be applied when helping others solve their most difficult decisions or resolve their conflicts.

Only one woman was telling the truth, but with no other witnesses available, it would be impossible to know which one. The point that leaps out at me, as a leader and dealing with people problems.; I need Godly wisdom to help resolve human dilemmas! This sad and messy issue would not resolve itself, it required someone outside of the two women’s lives and situation to bring a judgment and allow justice to be served. One child has died and the two mothers are fighting to keep the living one! I also notice there is no mention of a father in this child’s life! So, whatever happens, one woman will be raising the child alone.

As a pastor, I come across these kinds of modern human dilemmas all the time. People asking for prayer, asking for outside help on making difficult decisions. We all need wisdom, but oftentimes the situation calls for the necessity of Godly wisdom. The New Testament is helpful when James writes in 1:5, “If anyone lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously!”

Prayer

Dad,
We get ourselves into such a mess! And, yes, sometimes messes, conflicts and issues just come our way. We find ourselves so desperate to want to make the right decision, even if we have caused our own pain. That’s when we call out to you to ask for wisdom. I have total confidence that you will answer because you have done so in my life many times over. It becomes a really tricky part of faith! Faith to ask, faith to listen and faith to be patience and still while you work things out on our behalf. I am so very grateful for your wisdom. And, that you give it freely to those who ask.