Category: Year C

Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            “From east to west, the powerful LORD God has been calling together everyone on earth.”  This is not a minor theme in the whole of Scripture; it is a major aim of God to reach all kinds of people throughout the entire world.  A healthy way of looking at the entirety of the Bible is that it is an unfolding drama of redemption in which God does whatever it takes to restore a fundamentally broken world.
 
            For the psalmist, this meant that Israel, although a distinctive people with a divine purpose, did not have the corner on God’s redeeming ways.  It has always been God’s will to bring Gentiles as well as Jews to himself.  In other words, no one group of people has the corner on God.
 
            If Christians want to participate with God in his redemption of the earth, the psalmist says, “The sacrifice that honors me is a thankful heart.  Obey me, and I, your God, will show my power to save.”  Gratitude and obedience are the sacred paths that open up God to others.  These two attitudinal activities please the Lord and provide a means for Him to call others to faith.  May it be so in your life and mine.
 

 

            Saving God, you have been powerfully calling people from emptiness to real life since the fall of humanity.  Thank you for work of deliverance.  I give myself to you for your continued pursuit of others, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Luke 12:22-31

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            Let’s be as real and honest as we possibly can before God, because there is no way we are ever going to fool him, anyway.  We all worry.  Some folks might worry more than others, but worry is endemic to the human condition.  Telling someone not to worry (which we are in the obnoxious habit of doing with each other) is about as helpful as barking at another person about having hemorrhoids – it just isn’t going to do much good.  So, what do we do about worry?  We change the conversation and put the priority not on ourselves, but on God.  Jesus told a group of worry-warts to “put on God’s work first” (verse 31, CEV).
 
            We inevitably worry because we do not put the context of our concern in the realm of how really big God is in the world.  Here is some Jesus logic:  Birds and flowers don’t worry much, and are well cared for.  Birds and flowers aren’t as important as people.  Therefore God will take care of you.  So, then, our emphasis is to shift toward the ability of God, rather than our inability.  And this is right where Jesus wants us – recognizing that we are not self-sufficient independent automatons who are meant to function by themselves without ever needing help.
 
            Now we are the nub of the issue:  We don’t like being dependent.  We’ll do most anything other than admit we need help.  Sound familiar?  Here is some more Bible logic:  We need Jesus.  The church is the Body of Christ.  Therefore we need the church.  Some of us are more than ready to cry out to God, but have no intention of admitting any need to a group of people who might misunderstand or judge us.  We would rather worry.
 
            It’s time to get off the roller coaster and put our feet on the ground of God’s work, which is the church in the world.  We can run all we want, but we’ll never outrun worry or the reality that Jesus is tied forever to his church.  So, turn around, face them both squarely, and see what that kind of faith does in your life.
 

 

            Compassionate God, I believe I can trust you for everything, including my nagging worries.  Today I choose to take steps of faith in the understanding I have of you and the Body of Christ, and confront my worry in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Colossians 4:2-6

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            “Never give up praying,” said Paul to the church at Colossae.  Keep in mind that the Colossians had fallen into the wrongheaded thinking that Christianity could be reduced to a formula.  Do the right things.  Say the right things.  Keep away from the list of the terrible ten or the nasty nine, or whatever checklist you are using to live by your form of “Christianity.”  Ditch it.  Instead, persevere in prayer without knowing the outcome.  Pray relying on God and the mystery of Christ.  Pray with uncertainty instead of continually believing you need sure answers to everything for everyone.
 
            God is not some algebra equation to figure out.  He is not a gumball machine to put a quarter in and get exactly what you want.  He is not Santa God.  Christianity requires living in the tension of not knowing everything and yet having cogent answers for others who inquire about our faith.  It is a dynamic relationship in which we must continually and constantly interact in prayer to God as we largely improvise our lives, spontaneously applying what understanding we have for each situation we face.
 
            “Never give up praying” was Paul exhorting the church to keep up a vigilant and ongoing dialogue with the God who answers in his own good time, according to his own good will.  We are to make good use of the time God gives us, being gracious and pleasant around unbelievers, choosing our words carefully as we carry on a silent prayer conversation with God in the midst of our human conversations.  This is Christianity above rules and laws and checklists.  It is Christianity as it is meant to be lived, depending on Jesus and the Spirit.
 

 

            Mysterious God, forgive me for any attempts at reducing faith to a few spiritual rules to keep.  Help me to speak in ways which are gracious, loving, and redemptive.  May the person and work of Jesus come tumbling out of my mouth out of the overflow of my heart.  Amen.

Hosea 11:12-12:14

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            So, what will it take for someone to return to the Lord?  Ancient Israel and Judah were likened to adulterers straying from their one true love, the one true God.  They would go off and do their own thing, making excuses, as if they had done nothing wrong.  God’s message to them was simple and straightforward through the prophet Hosea:  “God’s name is the LORD, the LORD God All-Powerful.  So return to your God.  Patiently trust him, and show love and justice.”
 
            Times may have changed, but people basically have not changed much.  God still grows weary of people taking credit for their own success, making their jobs and vocations a priority over him, stepping on others to get what they want, and finding their security in money, position, and prestige.  If you have found yourself today giving reasons why you cannot meet with God in extended prayer; cannot go to that bible study or attend that small group; cannot fit worship of God into your schedule; have to do this, and do that, and go here and there; have to compromise on that decision; then, it could be that what is most needed is not being seriously considered.
 
            God isn’t into guilt trips, as much as the prophets might sound like it.  Rather, God goes out of his way to invite us into close relation with him.  He looks at us longingly, like a new husband enamored with his beautiful wife.  He wants to be with us.  But if we keep giving him the stiff-arm with all of our other priorities, then we are truly missing out.  Eventually it will bear the fruit of disappointment.  Taking time today to read the message of Hosea carefully might just be a good place to begin coming back to God and finding in him the true desire of our hearts.
 

 

            Almighty God, you are the Creator and Sustainer of all people.  Without you there is nothing strong and nothing holy.  So, increase and multiply the faithful people of this earth with your mercy in order that your gracious rule and reign will permeate the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.