Category: Daily Bible Reading Blog

A blog following the daily readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.

Psalm 73:21-28

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            We have all had the experience of saying rash words that we later regret; and, of being dumped on by another who had some choice words for us.  In Psalm 73, the psalmist, Asaph, records an encounter with God in which he had some rather upset musings for the Sovereign of the universe.  Later, after some reflection, Asaph said:  “When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.”
 
            As human beings, we process information in different parts of our brains.  The neo-cortex, the rational part allows us to engage in logical analysis and complex decision making.  Another part, the limbic system, is sometimes known as the “reptilian brain” because it processes information very quickly, largely by instinct.  When we become scared, surprised, upset, or angry, adrenaline gets pumped into our limbic system so that we can react to the perceived threat, danger, or injustice.
 
             Having our brains flooded with adrenaline when there is real danger is a necessary thing.  But when we are continually fearful and upset, even when there is no real problem, our brains never calm down and the result is less than stellar behavior.  So, what is the answer to this situation?  Asaph said that God holds his right hand and guides him with wise counsel.  Being near to God is what brings the levels down so that we can relax and trust.
 
            God is with us always in the person of the Holy Spirit.  There is never a time, place, or situation where God is absent.  As we learn to rely on God’s presence, and remind ourselves of it on a daily basis, we can restore more rational thoughts to our lives so that we can live knowing God is in control.
            Gracious God, I have no one in my life like you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, my brain might become overwhelmed with irrational fears, but you are my strength and the Rock of my salvation.  Thank you for your continual provision and help each and every day through Jesus Christ, my Lord.  Amen.

Proverbs 22:1-21

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            As a pastor, I have seen my share of parents broken over their particular son’s or daughter’s lifestyle and/or behavior.  In some cases, the parents have a great deal of work to do in their own lives in order to deal with shortcomings.  But in many other scenarios there are godly Moms and Dads who have experienced the heartache of a wayward child through no real fault of their own.  Yet, some of them feel tremendously guilty because of a famous (or infamous) verse tucked away in our Old Testament lesson for today:  “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
 
            It must be borne in mind that there are many different literary genres in Scripture.  Narratives, parables, gospel, epistles, poetry, and even apocalyptic literature all occur in the Bible.  The book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom sayings.  A proverb is a short pity statement of experiential truth.  In other words, a proverb expresses a general truth in which, all things considered, a particular outcome will likely occur.  Proverbs were never designed to be ironclad promises of how things always are; they were meant to teach wisdom.
 
            So, when we come to the verse about training children, it cannot be claimed that if a parent does a certain set of practices and disciplines that the child will always come out living a certain sort of way.  Neither people, nor Scripture, operates in that manner.  What the proverb is designed to do is place the emphasis on the necessity of training children, and instructing them with intentional focus in the ways of God.  And, more than likely, that training will kick in when the child is an adult and living on their own.  But it is not a guarantee.
 
            Even God had rebellious children, and he was the perfect parent.  What Proverbs wants us to do is encourage us to put significant effort into developing children to be responsible people.  Like God, we teach, train, exhort, live by example, and discipline our kids.  We do it all because we seek to be faithful, and we live with the hope that our efforts are not in vain.  So, it is good for parents, teachers, and all who work with kids to have a plan for training those children.  As we do so, we trust God who is the One who ultimately does the needed renovations of the heart, and transformation of the mind.
            Gracious God, you are the Lord who alone can change lives.  Give me wisdom so that I might always pray intelligently, live circumspectly, and speak lovingly to all the children in my life for Jesus’ sake.  Amen.

Hebrews 11:17-22

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            I have always thought that kids are collectively closer to God than most adults.  The older one gets it is far too easy to become cynical, having had a bevy of expectations and/or dreams squished in the press of life.  But kids tend to not have that kind of history.  They simply believe. 
 
            Maybe Abraham was a kid at heart.  When God gave him a promise that it would be through his son Isaac and not anyone else that the great spiritual inheritance would be passed on, Abraham simply believed.  In fact, he was so thoroughly convinced that God was good for his word that even when the most contradictory of circumstances seemed to warrant that it was not going to come to pass, he still believed.
 
            At the heart of genuine authentic biblical faith is the simple unshakable conviction that one can completely bank his/her life on the promises of God.  So, even when God came along and told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, child-like Abram just reasoned that even if his son were dead, God would just do the most impossible thing of all by resurrecting his lifeless body.
 
            Abraham is the father of all who believe not because he always did the right thing and never stumbled.  He is our spiritual ancestor because of his simple faith placed firmly in the God whom he believed could do the impossible.  It is faith that ought to dictate how we pray and how we go about living.  It is faith that really should determine how we make decisions and how churches should lay plans.  And it is faith in the promises of God which ought to cause us to respond to him like a little child.
            God of the impossible, you are the one who fulfills every good word in and through Jesus Christ.  I trust you, that as I proclaim the good news you will continue to do your work of raising others from spiritual death through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Matthew 17:14-21

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            I have a grandson with epilepsy.  So, when I read an account like we have today in our Gospel lesson, I especially take notice.  Jesus had been up on the mountain with Peter, James, and John.  Meanwhile, the other disciples were in charge of taking care of things below.  They dealt with a man whose son would have seizures so badly that he would hurt himself when they occurred.  Although the disciples had experienced healing people before, they could not do it in this instance.  Jesus, of course, comes down and takes the seizures completely away from the epileptic boy.  The disciples, understandably, want to know why they were not able to heal the boy.
 
            I’m not sure they were prepared for Jesus’ answer.  He bluntly told them that the reason for their ministry inability was because of their little faith….  Ouch!  What is more, Jesus said to them that even if they had a faith as small as a mustard seed that they could move mountains….  Double ouch!  Jesus was teaching a couple of very important lessons.
 
            First, ministry cannot be reduced to a technique.  Perhaps the disciples thought they could do exactly what they had done before, say the right words and do the right gesticulations, and the healing would come.   But it didn’t because God does not bow to formulas; he responds to faith.  So, then, the second lesson is that the issue is not the amount of faith but where the faith is placed.  If we put stock in our proven methods for healing or doing ministry or living a certain way, then God is put outside the equation.  Faith, when placed even in the smallest way in Jesus, can result in some very big results.
 
            Maybe we all need to completely re-evaluate the way we pray and do ministry.  Do we depend upon particular phrases or words, or do we throw ourselves upon the sheer mercy of God in Christ?  Have we had success before, and now rely on the proven process, or do we persevere in prayer knowing that only Jesus can bring the needed healing to our lives and our loved ones?  Realizing the impossible can only happen when we divest ourselves of the possible.
            Merciful God, I believe in Jesus; help me in my unbelief!  Without your grace I cannot take another breath or one more step.  I desperately need you or I will be completely undone!  Have mercy upon me so that what arises from my life is all your doing, and not mine.  Amen.