Category: Year B

Psalm 102:12-28

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            I grew up on an Iowa farm.  In the winter, after a big snow, my Dad would get out the tractor and plow the long driveway.  At the end of the snow push would always be a huge snow pile.  That was my brother’s and my cue to spend the twenty minutes bundling up to go outside and play King of the Hill.  Since I was the little brother, I rarely was king.  But when cousins were around I had my chance to be king for a day, or at least a few minutes.
 
            The theological truth and comfort of this psalm is that God is enthroned forever; the LORD is the same and his years have no end.  God is permanently ensconced as Sovereign over all creation and nothing or no one is ever going to knock him off the high hill.
 
            In a world profoundly touched by evil, to know the God who does not change is an important reality.  The preface to the psalm says, “A prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the LORD.”  Indeed, he does this for the first eleven verses.  But then the psalm turns in verse twelve on looking up to the God who is always in control.  No matter where we go, God is there, and he forever sits on the throne of the universe. 
 
Therefore, we can put all our trust and hope in the LORD because he will never cease to be in charge.  Our perspective on the ground is puny and limited.  But God’s view from the top sees the big picture and knows all.  Rather than trying to be King of the Hill and spend the enormous energy of worry, let’s acknowledge the kingdom of God and pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
            Mighty God, you are sovereign over all your creation.  I place my faith in you completely, that your purposes and plans will be fleshed-out in my life to the glory of King Jesus.  Amen.

Matthew 12:9-13

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            “Ostensible” is a word that needs our familiarity.  It means to approach a person with an issue that is not the real reason for the conversation.  That is, the outward presentation does not reflect the true inward purpose for the talk.  In today’s Gospel lesson, the Pharisees act out the classic definition of the word.  They ostensibly come to Jesus and ask him a question that would lead everyone to think that they care about the law.  But the text makes it clear that the real reason for asking the question is to try and trap Jesus and make him look as if he does not revere God’s commands.  And the wise response of Jesus turns the tables on the Pharisees.  Not only does Jesus justify the healing on the Sabbath, but unmasks their pretense and exposes the Pharisees’ truly uncaring disposition.  The result is twofold:  the man with the withered hand is restored; and, the Pharisees come away from the encounter determined to do away with Jesus, their hatred inflamed.
             Basic human nature has not changed much over the centuries.  There are people in the church and “believers” everywhere who ostensibly uphold the Bible and appear to care about the things of God, but inwardly harbor the pretense of looking godly and/or seeking to undo another person who threatens their image.  These types of people are outwardly polite, caring, and concerned; they are not obnoxious.  But behind the scenes they undermine others and form secret alliances to topple those who stand in the way of their personal agendas.
             The lectionary readings for the past few weeks have focused on the healing ministry of Jesus.  While restoring broken people, Christ exposes evil and brings the demonic realm out of the shadows.  If a person ostensibly operates one way for people to see but inwardly is another person, then that individual has more in common with the devil than with Jesus.  We must be savvy to such persons so that we are not intimidated to bind up the brokenhearted and have a genuine ministry of healing others in Jesus’ name.  Let the inspiration of Jesus, the love of God the Father and the courage of the Holy Spirit keep you vigilant and strong to truly serve others.
             Mighty God, who has broken the power of sin and brought victory through Jesus, enable me to live my life in such a way as to help others so that the kingdom of God draws near to the people around me.  Strengthen my faith so that I walk in confidence, reflecting my Lord in all things.  Amen.

Jeremiah 29:1-14

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            Jeremiah 29:11 is a familiar verse to many Christians for whom their life assurance and confidence is built:  “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  Yet, less well known is the command of verse 7 which frames and gives the meaning to the assurance:  “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
 
            The ancient Jews had experienced the heart-wrenching experience of having the Babylonians come and destroy Jerusalem and carry them into exile to Babylon.  They grieved and they lamented, and rightly so.  But there came a time for the Jews to cease their disappointment and despondency and turn their inward focus to the outward focus of prayer for their captors.
 
            It is human nature to fold our arms and be sullen when things do not go our way.  Put yourselves in the shoes (or sandals) of the Jews.  They lost their home and their lives were completely turned upside-down.  Perhaps you can relate to them.  Maybe there are times when you feel like you are in exile, far from where you want to be.  God is calling us all as his people to be concerned for the communities where we live and work, and to pray for their welfare, even if they have caused us harm.  When we do this, we participate with Jesus in loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us.  Our welfare is inextricably bound up with the community around us.
            Gracious God, you have called me to a ministry of prayer.  Give me a heart of concern for my community and my nation.  I pray for them, that they might prosper in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and come to faith in him.  Amen.

Psalm 35:1-10

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            The psalms are the church’s prayer book.  Many of the psalms are laments and many of them are worshipful and full of praise.  But then there are the imprecatory (pronounced im-PRECK-a-tory)psalms.  To imprecate means to invoke evil upon someone; it is to pronounce a curse.  The reason for the imprecatory psalm is that it is not any person’s place to engage in revenge or retaliation.  Instead, for people who are genuinely caught in the crosshairs of evil and have sinful persons dogging them, prayer is their most effective recourse.
 
            “Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me….  Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life!”  David was a man whose prayers and life were aligned together.  He did not raise his hand to do away with Saul, who was trying to kill him.  Although David had at least two solid opportunities to kill Saul and be done with the guy seeking his life, he did not do it; he was not about to take matters into his own hands.  Instead, David understood that it was God’s business to mete out wrath and punishment.
 
            We need not be shy about being real with God, even with praying imprecatory prayers.  There really are people in this world, maybe even in your own life, that actually have an evil agenda against you.  Our job is not personal revenge, but to entrust ourselves to the God who fights for the poor, the oppressed, and the needy against the arrogant and the powerful.  Let your prayers reflect your life.
            Mighty God, let those who speak and act against me contend with you.  Let your arrows pierce their hearts so that the needy will not be crushed, but will flourish and thrive under your divine care, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.