Category: Year C

Psalm 11

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            It is part of the human condition that we will eventually take the brunt of someone’s poison darts.  If you have ever received a nasty e-mail based on half-truths and accusations; stood dumbfounded as someone hurled misinformation and criticism at you; and/or experienced the victimization that comes from slanderous and gossiping tongues, then the psalmist knows exactly how you feel.  “Those evil people have put their arrows on their bows, and they are standing in the shadows, aiming at good people.”
 
            To be the target of evil speech or actions is, at the least, unsettling, and, at worst, can bring years of struggle, depression, and inability to serve.  But there is another who sees it all, and he will address the wrong.  “The LORD is sitting in his sacred temple on his throne in heaven.  He knows everything we do because he sees us all….  The LORD always does right and wants justice done.  Everyone who does right will see his face.”  God will act because he “despises those who are cruel and love violence.”
 
            In other words, it is not a good idea to get on God’s bad side.  The way to flare God’s anger is by possessing an acerbic tongue; relishing in the verbal violence; and, having no remorse about any of it.  Because God loves people, he hates wickedness.  The righteous are to take solace in the truth that God really does see the harm done, and is in a position to do something about it.  Like the psalmist, we run to the Lord and trust in his ultimate judgment.
 

 

            God of justice, look at the state of your servant and act on my behalf.  Do not let evil prevail, but bury the ungodly so that they can no longer do any harm.  In Jesus’ Name I pray.  Amen.

Hebrews 11:17-28

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            Christian faith looks ahead and sees as clearly as is right now in front of your face.  Because of taking such a long view of life, the mature believer in Jesus is able to set aside temporary pleasure in order to attain a future hope.  Today’s New Testament lesson says that “after Moses grew up, his faith made him refuse to be called the king’s son.  He chose to be mistreated with God’s people instead of having the good time that sin could bring for a little while.  Moses knew that the treasures of Egypt were not as wonderful as what he would receive from suffering for the Messiah, and he looked forward to his reward.”
 
            It is an understatement to say that our contemporary society assumes practicing instant gratification.  We want to feel good, and we want it now.  Impulse control may just be one of the best life skills that kids (and adults!) need to learn today.  A recent Psychology Today article effectively demonstrates through some classic and current research that “one of the most effective ways to distract ourselves from a tempting pleasure we don’t want to indulge is by focusing on another pleasure.”
 
            For the Christian who desires to follow Jesus in all things, looking ahead to a future heavenly reward which will be shared along with all God’s people needs to be kept at the forefront of our thinking.  If we only think about today, there is very little resource for responding to the temptations and fluctuations of life.  But if we will put some energy into clarifying and embracing our most cherished values, we will then let those values inform everything we do, or not do.  In the light of eternity, suffering a bit now is nothing compared to what Christ has in store for his people.
 

 

            Eternal God, I believe you will be there at the end of the age distributing reward to those who have faithfully served you.  Help me, by means of your Holy Spirit, to resist temptation, live for Jesus, and forsake the cultural values all around me so that I live strong for you.  Amen.

Hebrews 11:1-7

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



            The Mackinac Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the Western hemisphere.  It is 26,372 feet long.  At its highest, the roadway is 200 feet above the strait that separates the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan.  All suspension bridges are designed to move to accommodate wind, change in temperature, and weight. It is possible that the deck at center span could move as much as 35 feet either east or west due under severe wind conditions. It is one thing to learn all the facts about the bridge, and it is quite another thing to actually drive on it and cross the strait.  Some people don’t try it.  I have driven on it several times, and it is a hoot!  In order to cross the bridge, we need to know it will hold us up above the water.  Then, we actually need to use it and drive on it.

 
True biblical faith is neither an existential leap into darkness, nor a simple recognition of certain facts.  Rather, faith is a reliance and commitment to Jesus that results in taking a risk.  Faith is knowledge that God exists.  Faith is stepping out and acting.  It requires both.  One can read all the facts about the Mackinac Bridge, but it isn’t the same thing as crossing it.  Conversely, one can cross the bridge, even daily, and have no real appreciation as to its true magnificence and structural wonder.
 
The author of Hebrews wanted a fickle church to know Jesus, both intellectually and experientially.  He knew that both elements were needed in order to sustain a faith that would endure.  A lack of high level commitment on the part of professing Christians points to the reality that many believers are missing a crucial part of real faith.  There are people who rush into situations half-cocked without a solid base of understanding.  There are others who talk an issue to death and never act.  We are to eschew both by embracing a full-orbed faith that seeks knowledge in order to respond in action.
 

 

            Almighty God, without faith it is impossible to please you.  Help me to be neither cocky, nor timid, but to live wisely in light of Scripture so that I might actively express faith in both words and deeds, through Jesus Christ my Lord.  Amen.

Matthew 6:19-24

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            There is a reason why we now have laws about texting and driving.  Trying to do those two things at once has ended in far too many accidental deaths.  A text is not worth a life.  When it comes to Christianity, pursuing earthly wealth does not compare to the significance of heavenly wealth.  Trying to live in both worlds of amassing two different kinds of wealth at the same time doesn’t work well in the end.  We cannot practice God’s will and at the same time have a moonlighting job with the world.
 
            In order to communicate this principle, Jesus let us know that we must have an unswerving loyalty, a singular commitment, toward the kingdom of God.  The earthly treasures of power, position, pedigree, and professional acumen, not to mention our personal portfolios, are things that do not necessarily advance God’s kingdom.  We will not take them with us.  But using all the things of this world to nurture and build relationships is a good thing because only relationships are permanent.  We will take people with us.
 
            If we are genuinely committed to God’s kingdom, our most cherished values will be established by God.  How we use our possessions and our influence will be informed and determined by those values.  Maintaining a kingdom-orientation to our earthly lives doesn’t just happen – we must aim for it and pursue it.  Choose today which master you will serve:  God, or money.  Don’t be found texting and driving, and don’t be found trying to have ultimate allegiance to two different gods – they both lead to accidental deaths.
 

 

            Lord Jesus, you are the Master of the universe.  My entire life is yours.  Help me to use all that you have given me in this life toward kingdom ethics so that your merciful rule will extend to all kinds of people.  Amen.