The Meditations of my Heart

Ps 19:14

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in thy sight,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

RSV

If you had the capacity to hear the thoughts of others would that be desirable? I think it would be hellish if you could not help but hear the thoughts of others. Can you imagine sitting in a large arena and hearing the thoughts of 50,000 people? It is distracting and sometimes annoying enough to overhear, with our ears, what some folks say in public.

If I could hear your thoughts how might my view of you change? If you knew my thoughts, I might feel closer to you and, perhaps, at least at first, feel a bit threatened by you. I suppose it all depends on what you do with that information and insight.

Can you control what you think? To a degree, of course, we can choose to think about something. I am presently choosing to think about, well, thinking. I could choose to think about something else. After I finish this devotional I will give some thought to what I will have for lunch. Choosing not to think about something is more difficult.

It is, however, important to realize that we are not slaves to our thoughts. Sometimes a thought will enter my mind and it will be ugly and cause me some distress. These are thoughts of lust or doubt or fear or rage or sadness (sometimes grief). I can choose to linger on such thoughts or I can just as easily turn my thoughts to things of beauty and splendor. I can dwell on thanksgiving and praise. I can think of all the wonderful gifts God has given me. I can think of the power of the Cross and the certainty of Heaven.

Scripture tells us to think on things that are pure and lovely.

When an ugly or hurtful thought enters my mind, I will not be unduly threatened by it. After all, it is me and my mind that thinks it. I must first face it and know that it is born of my insecurity and my sin. I will eventually gently replace it with that which is pure and lovely.

Lord, let the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you.

There are few emotions so satisfying as the joy that comes from the act of recognition when we see and identify our own thoughts.

A. W. Tozer (1897–1963)

As nothing is more easy than to think, so nothing is more difficult than to think well.

Thomas Traherne (c. 1637–1674)

Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bear bad fruit—and man is his own gardener.

James Allen

Man is obviously made for thinking. Therein lies all his dignity and his merit.

Blaise Pascal (1623–1662)

The free man is he who does not fear to go to the end of his thought.

Léon Blum (1872–1950)

 The man who idly sits and thinks,

May sow a nobler crop than corn,

For thoughts are seeds of future deeds,

And when God thought—the world was born!

Harry Romaine

There’s something so beautiful in coming on one’s very own inmost thoughts in another. In one way it’s one of the greatest pleasures one has.

Olive Schreiner (1855–1920)

The Bond of Peace

Ephesians 4:1 - 3 (RSV) ¹I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,  ²with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love,  ³eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

Once I was having a heated conversation with a man who seemed to me to be rude and disrespectful. I lost my cool. I bark a little and growled a little more. His comment was something like, “What you just said to me is not worthy of a man who holds the position you do?” Naturally, I took his words to heart and repeated them in my mind for about a week. I would especially ruminate on the notion of something being worthy of a minister. Paul’s admonition haunted me; “I beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”

If we knew nothing of the “calling” Paul speaks of we could surmise that it corresponds to the qualities of lowliness, meekness, patience, forbearance, and peace. If you wrote a poem about Jesus, these might be the words you would use. These qualities are like Jesus.

When I blew my top and answer a rude man rudely, I did not demonstrate a life worthy of my status as a follower to Jesus. How can I claim to follow a man and act in a manner so unlike him? My life just doesn’t correspond to my confession of faith.

’Tis a great confidence in a friend to tell him your faults; greater to tell him his.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)

A person’s defect may also serve as a source of strength for the total personality, just as metallurgists deliberately build defects into their crystals to improve their strength. (Indeed, by sticking defects into perfect crystals, solid-state physics has given us the semiconductor, which revolutionized modern technology.)

Sydney J. Harris (1917–1986)

Forgiveness is a funny thing—it warms the heart and cools the sting.

William Arthur Ward (1812–1882)

Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a permanent attitude.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–1968)

I have seen gross intolerance shown in support of tolerance.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834)

Because Christ Jesus came to the world clothed in humility, he will always be found among those who are clothed with humility. He will be found among the humble people.

A. W. Tozer (1897–1963)

The Hell You Say!

Josh 7:16 - 21 (RSV) ¹⁶So Joshua rose early in the morning, and brought Israel near tribe by tribe, and the tribe of Judah was taken; ¹⁷and he brought near the families of Judah, and the family of the Zerahites was taken; and he brought near the family of the Zerahites man by man, and Zabdi was taken; ¹⁸and he brought near his household man by man, and Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken. ¹⁹Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD God of Israel, and render praise to him; and tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.” ²⁰And Achan answered Joshua, “Of a truth I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and this is what I did: ²¹when I saw among the spoil a beautiful mantle from Shinar, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, then I coveted them, and took them; and behold, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”

John Milton, in Paradise Lost, describes Hell as

A dungeon horrible, on all sides round

As one great furnace flamed, yet from those flames

No light, but rather darkness visible

Served only to discover sights of woe,

Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace

And rest can never dwell, hope never comes

That comes to all; but torture without end

Still urges, and a fiery deluge, fed

With ever-burning sulfur unconsumed:

Such place of eternal justice had prepared

For those rebellious, here their prison ordained

In utter darkness, and their portion set

As far removed from God and light of heaven

As from the center thrice to utmost pole.

O how unlike the place from whence they fell!

Jesus speaks more of Hell than he does of Heaven. It is clear from the Scriptures that everyone deserves punishment of Hell but no one deserves the glories of Heaven. The greatest things about Heaven is that it means you are saved from the eternal pains and sorrows of Hell.

Achan (see the passage above) is a marked man. He is hiding his rebellion from his neighbors. His evil places the whole community in jeopardy. God knows who is guilty of the crime in question and gives the means to Joshua to find out who it is. Every nation is brought before Joshua, who cast lots to see if the nation is guilty. Once the nation is discovered he cast lots over each tribe, then each family, then each person in that family. Achan stands guilt as sin and waits for the lot to fall on him. When it does he confesses his sin.

When I first read how Achan confessed his wrongdoing I half expected God to show His mercy. God rightfully cast a judgment on Achan and his family.  It is a death sentence. That seems so harsh! Was God wrong to have Achan killed for the crime of theft? “The judgments of God are right and true all together.” So, by God’s nature, Achan was justly killed with his whole family.

It is possible that people you love will go to Hell and suffer its torments forever. That seems harsh. Is God just in His judgments? Yes, I believe, he is. I know that I deserve to go to Hell. I stand there as the lots are cast to find the sinners. I am sure, that I am the one they are looking for. It is only because of God grace that I am saved from Hell’s torments. God gave me the grace to, through faith, repent of my sins and ask for mercy. “O to grace how great a debtor.” It is Hell that I am saved from. It is also the state of being lost that I am spared from. God has taken me from the darkness of Hell and placed me into His glorious light. I shutter at the prospect of going to Hell.

No one who is lost believes they are going to Hell. (If they did, I would think they would turn to God for mercy.) Everyone who is saved appreciates the grave nature of their salvation. 

Is It Good or Bad?

Romans 14:10 through Romans 14:13 (RSV) ¹⁰Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; ¹¹for it is written,

            “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,

            and every tongue shall give praise to God.”

¹²So each of us shall give account of himself to God.

¹³Then let us no more pass judgment on one another, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

We live a consumer oriented society. That is, we live in a market. We buy products and services, but first we evaluate those products and those services. We judge their worth. We go to a doctor and decide if we like him or her or if they are competent. We go to our banks and decided if the teller was helpful or not helpful. We decide if the services a waitress were worth a 20% tip or a 5% percent tip. We judge the quality of the food served to us. We judge a new television show, a new head coach of our favorite team, or the new pitcher or quarterback. We judge our child’s new teacher, our dentist, even our next door neighbors. Are they good or are they bad? “Better this way or better that way.” A day of shopping is a judgment day.

There are two kinds of judgments. One is an assessment of a thing or a person. “It is grey and heavy.” “This is wise or unwise.” “This is right thing to do.” “He or she is the right person for the job.” Then there are moral judgments or judgments of worth. “What a crummy human being he is!” “He calls himself a Christian!” It is the later of these that is condemned by Paul. We remember that Paul decided not to take John Mark with him on his second missionary journey. Paul made a judgment of John Mark’s capabilities and decided he was too immature to make the trip. This was the first kind of judgment. It is not only allowed, it is necessary for good leadership.

Judgments per se are not forbidden. What is condemned are harsh judgments, unfair judgments, and judgments that humiliate and shame a Christian. Such judgments discourage the progress of a brother or sister. Even our judgments will be judged that Great Day of Judgment.

We are always being judged and we are always judging others. Much of it needs to simply stop. If an assessment is made and judgment voiced, it must always be for the purpose of building up another and never tearing another down.

A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury.

John Stuart Mill (1806–1873)

Life is like a cash register in that every account, every thought, every deed, like every sale, is registered and recorded.

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895–1979)

What difference does it make to you what someone else becomes, or says, or does? You do not need to answer for others, only for yourself.

Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380–1471)

Accidentally on Purpose

Phil 2:12 - Phil 2:13 (RSV)

¹²Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Once I was late for a meeting because I ran out of gas while on my way there. When I joined the meeting I apologized for being late and explained why I was delayed. One fellow there said, “I have read that no one runs out of gas on accident.” The comment confused me, so at the coffee break I asked him what he meant by it. I thought maybe he questioned by truthfulness. He assured me that he had no doubt that I ran out of gas and pointed out that I smelled of gasoline. What he meant was that running out of gas is most likely caused by neglect. At some point I chose to ignore the clear indication that I need to put more gasoline in the tank. My first response was mild irritation but as I mulled over his point I became painfully aware that he was right.

After this confrontation I almost never run out of gas. This morning I ran out of gas. I purchased my Explorer used, with nearly 50,000 miles on it and a bit over priced because I have always wanted to drive a vehicle that was loaded with gadgets. This one has an outdoor thermometer, a compass, fog lights, and a very sophisticated device to tell you, to the gal and to the mile, how much gasoline you have in your tank. Did I fail to look at the gauges? No. I watched my gas drain from my tank as I drove. I check it the first thing in the morining and it read “zero.” The closest gas station to my house is about a mile and half away. I made it about a half mile when the engine died.

I am of the belief that there are no such things as accidents. It is wrong to suggest the cause of anything is "it was an accident."  Every effect has a cause. An accident is not a cause. Sometimes the cause is multiple and so complicated that it is unknown to us, but a cause does exists. There are events in our lives that are caused by things that are out of our control. For example: I have little to say about how gasoline in consumed by my engine. I can keep it well tuned and my tires properly inflated. (both of which I usually neglect). I can check my gas gauge regularly and be attentive to fill my tank.So what caused me to run out of gas – It was those darn Arabs. I was too cheap to pay over $5.00 times 20 for a tank of gas and hold on till the prices dropped. I just waited too long.

Running out of gas is easily remedied, today it is cold and rainy. Terri brought me some gas (she has to it in our marriage contract) and I stood in the rain to deposit it into my empty tank. Bingo, I was on the road again. Problem solved. Some happenings in my life were caused by me and were not so easy to remedy. I live with those mistakes and they have scared my soul permanently. This is why Paul tells us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Biblical Family Values

2 Sam 3:2 - 2 Sam 3:5 (RSV)

¹There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; and David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.

²And sons were born to David at Hebron: his first-born was Amnon, of Ahino-am of Jezreel; ³and his second, Chile-ab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; ⁴and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; ⁵and the sixth, Ithre-am, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

Biblical Family Values

David’s third son was Absalom. He was the son of Maacah and, through her line, the grandson of a king. He was handsome, intelligent, and ruthless. His charm and wealth attracted a following of young wealthy men. His life took on sadness and seriousness after his sister, Tamar, was raped by her brother, David’s first born, Amnon. Absalom was cool and waited. David failed to punish Amnon, even after he judged him guilty of rape. Absalom threw one of his famous parties and made his brother Amnon and the rest of his brothers guests of honor. After Amnon was good and drunk, Absalom gave the word and Amnon was dead. The public sympathies were with Absalom. Who could blame him for killing his sister’s rapist?

Three years Absalom was in exile. He flees to his mother’s home land, where his cousin is king. David sends for him and he returns to the court of his father and to his own enterprises. Absalom begins a political campaign to win over the people. He positions himself outside the city and talks with folks who are petitioning the king in various legal disputes. He tells them, “If I were king, I would get you a more favorable judgment.”

Little by little, Absalom gathers and organizes his supporters. He makes friends with David’s detractors and courts the favor of key military officers. More and more, he presents himself as the king. He parades through town and in the countryside with a large force of men and a grand appearance. In Second Samuel 15:6 we read that Absalom “stole the hearts of the people.”

Absalom takes 200 armed men and travels to his birth city, Hebron, there he wins over David’s chief military advisor, Ahithophel. This man proved to be the genius behind Absalom’s military and political ambition. Victory is swift; David is forced to run for his life and leaves Jerusalem in the hands of his charming but ruthless son. Absalom show his first sign of weakness when he fails to listen to Ahithophel and listens, instead, to a man who is still loyal to David but in pretending to be on Absalom’s side.

David returns to reclaim his throne from Absalom. He tells his general to spare his son’s life. His general, for the good of the kingdom, disobeys the king and kills Absalom. Absalom, ever the pretty boy, is caught in a tree by his beautiful hair. David deeply grieves the death of his enemy and his son Absalom.

Absalom shows know signs of loving or trusting God. He is, in fact, a practical atheist. He uses his personal charm and connections with powerful and intelligent men to gain the power and the position that is not his. God does not anoint Absalom.

There are folks in this world, in all walks of life, which have gain positions of power through personal charisma and a glib tongue but lack the integrity and righteousness required to please God. We would like to think they are eventually discovered for what they are and punished. 

2 Chronicles 12:1-5 (NIV) ¹After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD. ²Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam. ³With twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen and the innumerable troops of Libyans, Sukkites and Cushites^£ that came with him from Egypt, ⁴he captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.

⁵Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had assembled in Jerusalem for fear of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what the LORD says, ‘You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.’”

Rehoboam was the son of the world’s wisest man, Solomon. As seemed to happen often in monarchies, there were ambitious men, who could never be on the throne but wanted to be the power behind the throne. They pushed Rehoboam into the position of power. More often than not, those who succeed abandon God. There is nothing that bring spiritual defeat faster than material success.

This passage is so stark and so plain that one shutters over it. Rehoboam abandoned God! Is it possible? Surely it must be, he did it. What is entailed in such abandonment? Do we curse God to His face? Do we send up a prayer of resignation? “Dear God, its been great but its over between us. Its not you, God, its me. We have simply grown apart. I think its best for both of us that I seek out another god.”

I suspect that abandoning God is more subtle than resigning as a Christian. It is more like we grow apart and, little by little, we transfer our loyalty to lesser gods. Some folks face a crisis in life and suffer a great loss. They grow angry with God and curse Him. This, I think, is relatively rare. Most of us abandon God just the way Rehoboam did. We outgrow God.  At least we think we are bigger than God.

Here is the remedy. Lean not our your own understanding, but in all ways acknowledge God and He will direct your life. You can, by faith through prayer, give your whole life back to God. You can confess, “Lord, I have abandoned you without realizing it. I desire for you to become again, the Lord of my life.”

Be content to be a child, and let the Father proportion out daily to thee what light, what power, what exercises, what straits, what fears, what troubles he sees fit for thee.

Isaac Penington (1616–1679)

Our heavenly Father never takes anything from his children unless he means to give them something better.

George Mueller

At first laying down, as a fact fundamental,

That nothing with God can be accidental.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882)

Gen 43:30 - Gen 43:34 RSV ³⁰Then Joseph made haste, for his heart yearned for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there. ³¹Then he washed his face and came out; and controlling himself he said, “Let food be served.” ³²They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. ³³And they sat before him, the first-born according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked at one another in amazement. ³⁴Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.

I once heard a young man as he recalled his childhood. His home life was punctuated by physical and psychological abuse. His father would come home from work and demand that everyone sit down to a meal together. It was then, at what might have been the most enjoyable part of a day that his father would work himself into a rage and, as his voice raised and became more and more threatening, this young man reported that his stomach would “be tied up in knots.” Mealtime, to him, was a frightening time – it was a dangerous time. He truly sat “in the presence of his enemies.”

I have a friend who has spent many years in sales and marketing. I would often see him in various restaurants with a client. He once said to me, “I go to lunch for a living.” I said, “That is good work if you can get it.” He relied, thoughtfully, “Some lunches are better than others.” Then, with a sigh, “Some are just plain dreadful.” I thought, but chose not to say it, “He has lunch with an agenda.”

Joseph has just revealed his true identity to his brothers. Benjamin is his one full-brother, the rest are half-brothers. Benjamin must have been a young child when Joseph was taken away. No doubt, Joseph remembered his little brother fondly and longed to renew their relationship. Joseph uses food to communicate his feelings for Benjamin. I suppose we can do the same.

A meal is a time of intimacy. It can be a very mild intimacy or a one of profound significance. You will often hear congregation’s say about themselves. “One thing about us, we like to eat.” A shared meal is where Jesus reveals his sacred destiny to his disciples. Jesus says plainly, “I really wanted to eat this meal with you all.” The Lord’s Supper is nothing less than a shared meal.

What will be your next meal? Tonight, I’ll enjoy a meal with many members of the congregation I serve. Several of those who read this will be there. At lunch, I likely grab a quick bite at a drive through and eat alone. Maybe I’ll skip lunch.

Before thee in humility, with thee in faith, in thee in peace.

Dag Hammarskjöld (1905–1961)

For the early Christians, koinonia was not the frilly “fellowship” of church-sponsored, biweekly bowling parties. It was not tea, cookies, and sophisticated small talk in Fellowship Hall after the sermon. It was an almost unconditional sharing of their lives with the other members of Christ’s body.

Ronald J. Sider

In a dream I walked with God through the deep places of creation; past walls that receded and gates that opened, through hall after hall of silence, darkness, and refreshment—the dwelling place of souls acquainted with light and warmth—until, around me, was an infinity into which we all flowed together and lived anew, like the rings made by raindrops falling upon wide expanses of calm dark waters.

Dag Hammarskjöld (1905–1961)

The only basis for real fellowship with God and man is to live out in the open with both.

Roy Hession

Signs of Character

1 Chronicles 28:9 (NIV) ⁹“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

If you watch children play, you can see signs of character at a very early age. While my daughters were in their early formative years, that is, from one to four years, I would watch them solve problems. Unless the problem was entirely too difficult or the circumstance unsafe, I wouldn’t interfere. If the goal was important enough, they would find a way to achieve it. Often they gave up or turned to someone for help. Even asking for help is better than just giving up.

We enrolled them in gymnastics and they had a great coach. We watch as little girls strived to excel. They would try, fail, and try again to master a difficult task. The students either decided to pursue gymnastics with “wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind” or they lost interest and quit.

I have become a fan of our softball teams here at Minden Presbyterian. There is on those teams displayed that same “wholehearted devotion” to excellence that I witnessed in my daughters and from many other such persons. To try with all your might to do a thing is always inspiring.

David wants his son to become such a person. While we are not all meant to be athletes, we are each meant to follow God in Jesus Christ. To be a child of God is so easy – it requires only the surrender of our selves to God and the acceptance of the finished work of Christ on the cross, who died for our sins. We sing, “Jesus paid it all,” because he did. Yet to become a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ requires “wholehearted devotion and a willing mind.”

God wishes each of us to work as hard as we can, holding nothing back but giving ourselves to the utmost, and when we can do no more, that is the moment when the hand of divine providence is stretched out to us and takes over.

Don Orione (1872–1940)

If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say: “Here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–1968)

"Won't Do it and you can't Make Me."

Genesis 11:4 (RSV) Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.”

As members of God’s human creation we are the children of our first parents. We bear the marks of their nature. When our egos were first developing, before we learned to hide our rebellion and mask our narcissism, we were like little clowns who did the opposite of whatever we were told. “Come over here and sit beside me.” “No!” “Please eat your peas for Daddy.” “No!” This is rebellion in its most innocent form.

While the outward signs of this innate stubbornness has taken on sophistication, it is still just as strong as it ever was. Do we consider the biblical prohibitions; that is, the laws of God to be “sweeter than honey” or do they leave a bad taste in our mouths?

The story of the tower in Genesis Eleven is a tale of pride and rebellion. It is the social flower of that which was planted by our first parents. It is the fruit of their superciliousness. The Fall is not just a story about “once upon a time” but once upon every time. Pride has broken many a heart and ruined many a relationship.

We are to build a life, but not as the residents of that wicked city did. We are to build as Jesus did. We are to build a life, a day at a time, in submission to God’s will and in accordance to God’s ways. We must, however, never lose sight of that raging two-year-old in each of us. How will you build you life this day?

         A heart in every thought renewed

   And full of love divine,

Perfect and right and pure and good,

A copy, Lord, of thine.

Charles Wesley (1707–1788)

Divine Supremacy

Joshua 24:14 through Joshua 24:15 (NCV) ¹⁴Then Joshua said to the people, “Now respect the LORD and serve him fully and sincerely. Throw away the gods that your ancestors worshiped on the other side of the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD. ¹⁵But if you don’t want to serve the LORD, you must choose for yourselves today whom you will serve. You may serve the gods that your ancestors worshiped when they lived on the other side of the Euphrates River, or you may serve the gods of the Amorites who lived in this land. As for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.”

 Christianity is criticized for being too narrow. Christians may be tempted to counter this charge, but, in so doing we may give away things that do not belong to us. We may, with all good intentions, give away that which belongs to God alone.

The exclusive nature of this passage is central of the biblical message of both testaments. Loving God is like giving love to our spouses. Married couples understand that there is a level of devotion and intimacy given only to one’s husband or wife. This does not mean we disrespect all other men or women in our lives. We may respect the views other religions but would stop short of giving that religion what belongs only to our God – the God of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Just as we must not commit adultery in our marriages, we must never commit adultery with other gods.

I first learned the notion of Divine supremacy as a very young Christian. I was asked, “Who or what sits on the throne of your life?” There is room for only one Person to sit on the throne I keep in my heart. That One is Jesus Christ.

       The dearest idol I have known,

Whate’er that idol be,

Help me to tear it from thy throne,

And worship only thee.

William Cowper (1731–1800)

How would this day be lived differently if we kept Jesus Christ on the throne all day long? Let’s strive today to be conscious of pleasing our Lord.

In our striving, may I remind you that Christ’s “way is easy” so be gentle with yourself. “Be of good cheer” our Lord says, “I have overcome the world.”

Rebels One and All

Genesis 11:4 (RSV) Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.”

As members of God’s human creation we are the children of our first parents. We bear the marks of their nature. When our egos were first developing; before we learned to hide our rebellion and mask our narcissism, we were like little clowns who did the opposite of whatever we were told. “Come over here and sit beside me.” “No!” “Please eat your peas for Daddy.” “No!” This is rebellion in its most innocent form.

While the outward signs of this innate stubbornness have taken on higher sophistication, they are still just as strong as ever. Do we consider the biblical prohibitions; that is, the laws of God to be “sweeter than honey” or do they leave a bad taste in our mouths?

The story of the tower in Genesis Eleven is a tale of pride and rebellion. It is the social flower of that which was planted by our first parents. It is the fruit of their superciliousness. The Fall is not just a story about “once upon a time” but once upon every time. Pride has broken many a heart and ruined many a relationship.

We are to build a life, but not as the residents of that wicked city did. We are to build as Jesus did. We are to build a life, a day at a time, in submission to God’s will and in accordance to God’s ways. We must, however, never lose sight of that raging two-year-old in each of us. How will you build you life this day?

         A heart in every thought renewed

   And full of love divine,Perfect and right and pure and good,A copy, Lord, of thine.

Charles Wesley (1707–1788

At The Right Time

Luke 3:23

23 Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age

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Rom 5:6-7

6 While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

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2 Peter 3:9-10

9 The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up.

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There is a story about Mick Jaguar of the Rolling Stones. Apparently, he failed to arrive at a scheduled concert until an hour after his was expected. One of the organizers yelled about him complaining that he was late. Jaguar says, “I can’t be late for one of my concerts because the concert can’t begin without me.” I’m sure Mick’s reasoning, as sound as it was, proved little comfort to his anxious fans and worried concert promoters.

We are only late when we fail to arrive at a time we were expected. If you invite me to your home with “why don’t drop by tomorrow evening,” what time do you have in mind? Perhaps seven o’clock? When does “evening” begin and when is it over? If I come at eleven o’clock would have arrived later than you expected?

Jesus was not born too late or too early. Jesus did not begin his public ministry too late or too early. Jesus died “at the right time.” Jesus will end this created order and create a new order (universe) precisely at the right time.

If God fails to act according to our expected time table, it is we who are wrong. God cannot be late. Are you prepared to adjust your expectations to God’s timing? Are you ready, today, to “wait on the Lord?”

God engineers our circumstances as he did those of his Son; all we have to do is to follow where he places us. The majority of us are busy trying to place ourselves. God alters things while we wait for him.

Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)

“Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by.” Life is like that; one stitch at a time taken patiently, and the pattern will come out all right like embroidery.

Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809–1894)

All comes at the proper time to him who knows how to wait.

Saint Vincent de Paul (1581–1660)

Don’t jump to conclusions too quickly; many things lie unsolved, and the biggest test of all is that God looks as if he were totally indifferent.

Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)

Never think that God’s delays are God’s denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius.

Comte Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon (1707–1788)

Teach us, O Lord, the disciplines of patience, for to wait is often harder than to work.

Peter Marshall (1902–1949)

"Thats Why They Call it the Blues"

Ps 42:5-8

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my help 6 and my God.

My soul is cast down within me,

therefore I remember thee

from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,

from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep calls to deep

at the thunder of thy cataracts;

all thy waves and thy billows

have gone over me.

8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love;

and at night his song is with me,

a prayer to the God of my life.

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“What I have the used to call the blues.”

The Psalmist (David) here speaks of the condition of his soul, which he describes as “cast down” and “disquieted.” We might call it “depression” or, perhaps “sadness.”

It seems that we have developed a body of understanding about the causes and treatments for the cast down and disquieted soul. While biological science can observe a decrease in the levels of two hormones that function in the brain in a way that stabilizes a certain “mood.” It is not clear if being depressed lowers the level of this hormones or if the lower level of the hormones causes one to feel depressed. (Chicken and egg stuff)

Some connect depression with the level of stress in our lives. This stress is caused by our failure to satisfy our own expectations and/or the expectations of others. We learn to adapt to stress by shutting down. This is not something we do consciously. It is a maladaptive behavior we learn from our parents who learned it from their parents. If they adapted poorly to stress, we will turn in on ourselves and, bingo, feel tired and sad – with unwanted thoughts of despair or hopelessness.

Depression is not one thing. It varies in its severity, its duration and the frequency in which it comes. Some are always depressed, while for others depression comes, stays for a while, then leaves. There is one theory that certain seasons of the year, winter blues, and climate patterns will trigger a low mood. It is called a fancy name “seasonal affective disorder.”

There are many other theories concerning what triggers or causes depression - too many to deal with in a devotional. Suffice it to say, these unpleasant feelings and moods visit most of us from time to time. Many of us are seriously affected by depression – that is, it significantly impacts our relationship with God, ourselves and others.

David models a healthy approach to his depression by first naming it in prayer. He speaks first to his own soul and gives it a “good talking to.” Then he reminds himself of God’s past faithfulness in delivering him in times of trouble. It is as though he is saying – “If God is the same today as he was in my past, there is surely hope for me.”

There are many reasonable and wise things one can do while depressed. It might include seeking medical and psychological advice and treatment. It might include an increase in physical exercise and forcing yourself to move through your day – one minute after another. It might include seeking the support of others (like your family, friends, and pastor).

Abide with me—fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens: Lord, with me abide;

When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Henry Francis Lyte (1793–1847)

Winter is a disease.

Alfred de Musset (1810–1857)

If a person at the time of these darknesses observes closely, he will see clearly how little the appetites and faculties are distracted with useless and harmful things and how secure he is from vainglory, from pride and presumption, from an empty and false joy, and from many other evils. By walking in darkness the soul not only avoids going astray but advances rapidly, because it thus gains the virtues.

Saint John of the Cross (1542–1591)

 Into each life some rain must fall,

Some days must be dark and dreary.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882)

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’ encircling gloom;

Lead thou me on.

The night is dark, and I am far from home;

Lead thou me on.

Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene—one step enough for me.

Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801–1890)

Reconcile yourself to wait in this darkness as long as is necessary, but still go on longing after him whom you love. For if you are to feel him in this life, it must always be in this cloud in this darkness.

The Cloud of Unknowing (1370)

Those who are the happiest are not necessarily those for whom life has been easiest. Emotional stability is an attitude. It is refusing to yield to depression and fear, even when black clouds float overhead. It is improving that which can be improved and accepting that which is inevitable.

James C. Dobson (1936– )

When you see your appetites darkened, your inclinations dry and constrained, your faculties incapacitated for any interior exercise, do not be afflicted; think of this as a grace . . . God takes you by the hand and guides you in darkness, as though you were blind, along a way and to a place you know not. You would never have succeeded in reaching this place no matter how good your eyes and your feet.

Saint John of the Cross (1542–1591)