Author: Tim Ehrhardt

I'm just a common ordinary pastor, chaplain, father, grandfather, and dog owner who loves the smell of a genuine leather Bible and the aroma of its message. I'm on a quest to track down the best Bibles, how to best read and use them, and to discover the encouragement inside.

Psalm 67

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment


            One of the beauties of daily sustained reading and reflection upon the lectionary Scriptures is that a psalm is read each day.  Over time the reader becomes quite familiar with the range of emotions, life situations, and theology of the psalter.  This is a very good thing.  In an era when so many believers are “too busy” for daily prayer and connection with God, the psalms are the church’s prayer book.  That means the psalms are accessible for many Christians via their smart phones, tablets, and computers.  Add the voice function to the mix and the believer could pray along with particular psalms.
             An advantage to becoming conversant in the psalms is the ability to use them for all kinds of situations.  Today’s psalm meets a particular need for prayer in the American election cycle.  Just say the word “politics” and many people get a visceral response before there is even a discussion about it.  Feelings and opinions run high.  Negativity is rampant.  But Psalm 67 offers a path of blessing the nations and inviting God to work his grace among us.  Rather than become mucked in worry or despair over present circumstances and the unknown future, the psalmist orients our minds, hearts, and voices toward the sovereign God.
             The psalms are meant to be used – repeatedly.  One cannot overuse them.  Try this:  today set your phone, watch, or other device to alarm at two or three hour intervals.  Whatever you are doing (if you are able), stop and pray Psalm 67.  It will take less than a minute.  Let the positive approach to blessing others and seeing God’s control shape how you go about the rest of your day.  Who knows?  Maybe the psalter will eventually alter how you view the world.
             Loving God, be gracious to us and bless us and make your face to shine upon us so that your way may be known upon earth, and your saving power among all nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Proverbs 2:1-5

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            It doesn’t take a genius to know that we are in something of a common sense crisis within our Western culture.  Suspicion, gullibility, and extreme vitriol now characterize vast quarters of America.  And we Christians even brazenly splash our ignorance across vast swaths of social media so that more and more people want nothing to do with neither the church nor Christianity.  What shall we do?
 
            “My child, you must follow and treasure my teachings and my instructions.  Keep in tune with wisdom and think what it means to have common sense.  Beg as loud as you can for good common sense.  Search for wisdom as you would search for silver or hidden treasure.  Then you will understand what it means to respect and to know the LORD God” (CEV).
 
            If we are going to raise our voices about something, then let us shout loudly in prayer for some basic wisdom and common sense from God.  Any fool can buy into a podcast rant or get sucked into a blogger damning all who are against his views.  But the wise believer will humbly cry out to God for the wisdom to live well and make good decisions with both mind and mouth.
 

 

            Wise God, you know all things and give grace to the humble.  I beg to see all things from your perspective so that I will speak as one who knows and loves Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray.  Amen.

2 Samuel 1:4-27

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year C2 Comments
            In the evangelical church today it is sometimes looked down upon to grieve since we know the reality of heaven.  This is both wrongheaded and unbiblical.  Bereavement in Scripture is a reality and recognized as an important part of coming to grips with death.  Far from stuffing his feelings, David personally expressed his grief and agony over the death of his best friend.
 
            Here are a few observations about David’s lament:  it was not only personal, but was voiced publically, meaning that others were invited to grieve along with him; it affirmed the tragedy of death and its deep impact upon us; it focused on remembering the positive characteristics of the deceased; and, it was verbalized with heartfelt thoughts and emotions.
 
            Grief and lament is as individual as a fingerprint; there is not fixed process to a person’s bereavement.  Therefore we cannot pigeon-hole ourselves or someone else to fit a certain way of grieving.  But no matter how we grieve, we must do it so that we come to a point of making sense how to live without the person’s presence and relationship.  David was close to the Lord, and God’s presence was the most decisive factor in helping him move on to the demands of serving others as their new king.
 

 

            Compassionate God, you are present with all who grieve and lament this day.  Let your Holy Spirit come alongside and encourage those in bereavement, and enable me to be a conduit of blessing to them.  May your grace be sufficient for us all; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

1 Samuel 20:1-23, 35-42

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            Sometimes you think you know somebody, and you find out you really didn’t know them well at all.  It even happens within families, not to mention churches.  Jonathan, the warrior son of King Saul, had to come to grips with the fact that his father was going down the path to the dark side and becoming Darth Saul.  Jonathan had to hear some hard truth from his best friend, David.  David confronted Jonathan with the reality that Saul was trying to kill him.
 
            Relationships must be based upon truth.  A true friend is willing to tell you your faults; will listen to the truth; and, is not concerned with trying to manipulate or take advantage of the relationship.  Jonathan, much to his credit, was willing to find out the truth about his Dad.  Once he determined the terrible realization of his father’s true intentions, Jonathan was willing to adjust his life to fit new information.
 
            There is some high level relational work going on in this Old Testament lesson for today.  It is truly tragic when people are willing to settle for superficial relationships.  Building relational intimacy takes time and effort, the kind of work that both Jonathan and David were willing to put into their friendship.  They found themselves in turbulent times, but the friends found their ultimate security in the Lord and continually reminded each other of God’s ability to sustain them.  Their relationship is a model for us all to emulate.
 

 

            Sovereign God, you are supreme over all your creation.  May the glue of truth hold all of my relationships together.  May they be centered fully and completely around the Lord Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.