Tag: god’s love

“I Have Overcome the World” (John 16:25-33)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
All Are Alike Unto God, by Madison Wardle

“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (New International Version)

Imagine you are with Jesus in the Upper Room celebrating Passover. And your Lord tells you he is leaving – going back to the Father. After three years of a difficult, yet incredible ministry, there is palpable grief in the room. It’s as if you got sucker-punched. You want this time with Jesus to never end….

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of Man, Savior of the world, does not forget you. The Lord is concerned and careful to provide wonderful words of assurance: Father God loves you. I give you my peace. I have overcome the world.

My friend, do you hear the words of Jesus? Do you truly understand what the Lord of all the earth has said to you? The love and peace of Christ has overcome the world. That love and that peace is given to you. You, and not just someone else, possesses the love and peace to overcome the world.

Whenever we encounter trouble; in those times when grief seems to be swallowing us whole; and when all is dark and we cannot see our hand in front of our face – it is in these moments the Lord comes alongside us and communicates a loving divine presence which grants us the peace of settled rest, even if, and especially when, our troubling situations do not change.

If you have had a life largely free of struggle, the privilege of knowing where your next meal is coming from, and the assurance of having your most basic needs met, then please understand that many people throughout the world, right this moment, know nothing of that kind of experience.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that needy persons are unhappy, discontent, or bitter. Heavens, no!

Love and peace are neither bound nor limited by adverse circumstances.

In fact, love and peace are known in a much deeper way whenever we have been hated and in conflict. That’s because love thrives and flourishes in an environment of hate; and peace takes root more surely wherever there is disharmony and misunderstanding.

If everything always goes our way, how then would we know the Lord’s great grace to us? How would we ever know God as Provider unless we were in want? How would we know Christ as the Healer unless we were broken? How could we ever know resurrection unless there was a crucifixion?

Jesus specializes in the improbable and the impossible. He comes and lands on the Island of Misfit Toys, and airlifts the discarded ones to be a gift to the world.

You see, this is precisely how we overcome the world: We love and serve, just as our Lord did. Since he overcame, we walk in his footsteps.

The acquisition and presence of peace is anything but passive. Peace has been achieved through a bloody cross and settles within the spirit through an active pursuit of harmony, wholeness, integrity, and love.

Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He has brought us by faith into this experience of God’s grace, in which we now live. And so, we boast of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory! We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God’s approval, and his approval creates hope. (Romans 5:1-4, GNT)

For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (Romans 14:17-19, NRSV)

God’s peace and love is free, but it is not cheap. It is obtained smack in the middle of worldly troubles. So, may the peace of God be with you, my friends, now and always.

Almighty and everlasting God, you are the fountain of all peace, spiritual and temporal. We humbly pray, in your great goodness grant us that peace which the world cannot give, that we may ever live in your fear, obedient to your commandments, to the end that you may deliver us from all our enemies, through your dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Live with Integrity (Psalm 26)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment

Vindicate me, O Lord,
    for I have walked in my integrity,
    and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
    test my heart and mind.
For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
    and I walk in faithfulness to you.

I do not sit with the worthless,
    nor do I consort with hypocrites;
I hate the company of evildoers
    and will not sit with the wicked.

I wash my hands in innocence
    and go around your altar, O Lord,
singing aloud a song of thanksgiving
    and telling all your wondrous deeds.

O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell
    and the place where your glory abides.
Do not sweep me away with sinners
    nor my life with the bloodthirsty,
those in whose hands are evil devices
    and whose right hands are full of bribes.

But as for me, I walk in my integrity;
    redeem me and be gracious to me.
My foot stands on level ground;
    in the great congregation I will bless the Lord. (New Revised Standard Version)

Those with integrity long for, and pray for, justice and righteousness. They despise evil and desire the community of faith to be full of love.

Today’s psalm, as well as all of the psalms, are solid prayers which are meant to be prayed by any individual person, at any time, in any era. Those desiring the right, the just, and the good, will especially gravitate toward the psalter and prayer.

The faithful seek to live a morally upright life of integrity, peace, and wholeness. Yet, the psalm is also for those who find themselves unfaithful. They can pray and ask God to search their hearts and bring them to innocence. So, no matter who you are, this psalm is for anyone who wants to connect with the Lord

We have the ability to come before God because God encourages it, and makes it possible for us to approach. The Lord isn’t looking for perfection; God wants some honesty and vulnerability, and for us to realize how utterly dependent creatures we are.

The steadfast love of God is everywhere, and the psalmist recognized this. No matter the situation or circumstance, no matter the place or time, God’s love is present. The reason why we can wrap our faith and commitment around God is that God is consistently and constantly loving in everything.

And whenever we discern and know that this world spins on the axis of love, then we have no desire whatsoever to hang out with those who practice wickedness; we want nothing to do with worthless conversations and actions.

When one has been touched by divine love, not only is there a desire to avoid all evil, but there is also a longing to remain in that love, and to have love be the dominant operative force in all things on this earth.

Once we receive love, we want to give love. And having given love, we desire for the entire world to know this love, which is the true ballast and support of the world.

Without love, there is nothing. With love, all things are possible.

The one who loves does not consort with liars or hypocrites, because such persons indulge deception and selfishness, not openness and respect for others. The lover of God and of righteousness is not found in the company of evildoers.

The lovers amongst us are much too busy providing justice and goodness. The haters amongst us just sit around and curmudgeon on about everything that is messed up in this world, and make fun of all the do-gooders who are so enamored with love.

Which group of people would you rather be around? The lovers or the curmudgeons? Would you like to be in the group who acts like they have everything together? Or would you instead like to be in the group who knows how much they are dependent on the force of love, and of the originator of love, the one who is Love incarnate?

I, personally, would rather be in the community of the redeemed, who know they have been rescued by grace and could fall into wickedness if not for God’s sustaining grace. I have no desire to be in community with people who talk one way and live another.

I would like to be in the place characterized by integrity and love, the sort of place described by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you….

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:1-3, 9-18, NIV)

The only thing better than blessing the Lord, is blessing the Lord with an entire congregation of redeemed people who possess integrity, righteousness, and sincere love.

The psalmist, along with the Apostle Paul, lets us know that each of us is responsible for our moral and spiritual integrity. We bear the responsibility to give and receive love. Prayer then becomes much easier and desirable whenever we can pray with a longing for God and God’s righteousness. We really can follow God’s ways and serve the common good of all people with some solid integrity.

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13, NKJV)

A Spiritual Wedding (Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment

My thoughts are filled
with beautiful words
    for the king,
and I will use my voice
as a writer would use
    pen and ink.

No one is as handsome as you!
    Your words are always kind.
That is why God
    will always bless you…

You are God, and you will rule
    forever as king.
Your royal power
    brings about justice.
You love justice and hate evil.
    And so, your God chose you
and made you happier
    than any of your friends.
The sweet aroma of the spices
myrrh, aloes, and cassia
    covers your royal robes.
You enjoy the music of harps
in palaces decorated
    with ivory.
Daughters of kings are here,
and your bride stands
    at your right side,
wearing a wedding gown
    trimmed with pure gold. (Contemporary English Version)

A Royal Wedding?

Today’s psalm is a love song meant to be used for a wedding. Whether it was designed only for royal weddings, or for ordinary couples to be a king and queen for a day, the psalm’s overall challenge is for the groom to exercise a right use of power.

Back in biblical times, within a patriarchal society, men held the power and authority within every aspect of the culture, especially in the family.

If the psalm is meant for only royal weddings, it communicates that, in effect, the king has been placed on the throne by God, and acts as God’s extension of justice and righteousness to the people.

And if the psalm is intended for any leader, or anyone who possesses power and authority, then being in such a position requires great responsibility. Power is to be wielded for good, with an eye toward doing what is just and right for all of the people in which the leader exercises authority over.

So, whether one is in a hierarchical or an egalitarian structure, all persons in authority are to give themselves to being faithful.

Symbolism and Allegory

There is a symbolic and allegorical aspect to the psalm. Just as the royal robe or wedding clothes of the groom emit sweet aromatic spices, so the leader who loves justice and acts with integrity is pleasing to all those under their authority.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? (2 Corinthians 2:14-16, NIV)

Those in responsible positions – and those sharing authority with one another – are to do what is life-giving for people; and not do things which are death-dealing. Promoting connection and being encouraging are vital. Causing division and being critical are destroyers of people’s welfare.

The psalmist praises a king who loves righteousness and hates wickedness. Such a ruler defends the cause of truth and upholds justice. These are ideals which have a pertinent message for public servants in every age.

Christ the Bridegroom, and the Church as Bride

For most of church history, Christian interpreters took a committed Christ-centered approach to the psalm. They saw Jesus as the beautiful king who reigns in justice and righteousness, faithfully ruling the people.

Through this view, every psalm, in some way, points to Jesus. In Psalm 45, the wedding poem directs believers to the coming wedding of Christ and the Church. The king is Jesus, who is worthy of praise and adoration. The bride is Christ’s Church.

Whether one discerns the psalm as literal or allegorical, the Christian understands that Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of all God’s promises. So, in that sense, everything in Holy Scripture – including the Old Testament and all of the Psalms – have to do with Christ.

All good earthly kings, rulers, and leaders hold an office which points forward to Christ, who rules over a kingdom to end all kingdoms. In looking at Psalm 45, the author of the New Testament Book of Hebrews takes such a view, since he looks back to this very psalm in speaking about Jesus:

But about the Son he [God] says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
    by anointing you with the oil of joy.” (Hebrews 1:8-9, NIV)

The Reformer John Calvin (1509-1564) stated the reason we know the Psalm is about Jesus, because neither Jew nor Gentile talks this way about any human king – therefore, it is a reference to Messiah.

From St. Augustine to Martin Luther, scholars and interpreters saw in Psalm 45 a praise to Christ, who is the betrothed king.

The psalm’s celebration exalts the union of Christ and the Church. The song of love anticipates the great wedding feast at the end of the age, sung in honor of Jesus the bridegroom and the Church as the bride of Christ.

Weddings Are About Love

The psalmist unabashedly loves the king, and wants everyone to know it. Indeed, it is love which makes life worth living. It’s love that animates our words and actions. Apart from love, we are lost and lonely – languishing without an object of love to orient life around.

An affectionate love for Jesus Christ drives the Christian to live into goodness, justice, and righteousness. And we become what we love – which is why Christianity has the power to change the world for the better (and not in the weird sense of trying to conquer the world through politics and Christendom).

Such love elicits praise and adoration. Love brings about God’s good purposes. And God is determined to bring a spouse for his Son.

“God created the world to provide a spouse and a kingdom for His Son: and the setting up of the kingdom of Christ, and the spiritual marriage of the spouse to Him, is what the whole creation labors and travails in pain to bring to pass.” Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

It is far too easy for one’s love to fade in the Christian life. Living an ethical life, and maintaining doctrinal purity, may be kept up; and yet, it all can be done without love behind it.

Jesus said to the Church at Ephesus:

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. (Revelation 2:2-4, NIV)

Let’s allow today’s Psalm to evoke and stir up our love for God by reminding us of God’s great love for us in Christ, and the love we have, or once had, for Jesus.

Let us see what great lengths God went to love us through Christ. And let us retain and maintain the joyous passion of life with God in Christ, by means of the Spirit.

Amen.

It’s All About Love (Song of Songs 2:1-7)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment

I am a rose of Sharon,
a lily growing in the valleys.

[ GROOM ]

Like a lily among thorns,
so is my true love among the young women.

[ BRIDE ]

Like an apple tree among the trees in the forest,
so is my beloved among the young men.
I want to sit in his shadow.
His fruit tastes sweet to me.
He leads me into a banquet room
and looks at me with love.
Strengthen me with raisins
and refresh me with apples
because I am weak from love.
His left hand is under my head.
His right hand caresses me.

Young women of Jerusalem, swear to me
by the gazelles
or by the does in the field
that you will not awaken love
or arouse love before its proper time. (God’s Word Translation)

Notice how the flowers grow in the field. They never work or spin yarn for clothes. But I say that not even Solomon in all his majesty was dressed like one of these flowers. (Matthew 6:28-29)

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)

As long as I have you, I don’t need anyone else in heaven or on earth.

Psalm 73:25

There is nothing quite like a field of flowers. Along the coastal plain of the Mediterranean Sea, south of Mount Carmel, is Sharon. In the ancient world, there was found crocuses, tulips, and hibiscus.

These days, in the Spring of the year, one can see bindweed and pimpernel, sage and iris, as well as orchids and poppies. In addition, lilies bloom throughout the valleys of the Middle East. In the Spring, flowers are commonplace in the valleys and countryside.

In today’s Old Testament lesson, the bride in this poetic ode to love and beauty, is saying there is nothing special about her. There are many women, and she in no way stands amongst them all.

Love says otherwise. Love picks out the individual. In the Song, the groom views the bride as if a flower among thorns. There is a beauty that attracts him to her. She may be a commoner, yet her beautiful qualities stand out and are attractive. All others pale in comparison to her.

Likewise, the bride basks in the security of the groom, finding all others tasteless compared to him. He is like an apple tree that provides shade, and whose fruit is delicious.

There is a mutual attraction that is life-giving and beautiful. It is more than a fleeting infatuation. They see within each other the qualities which will bind and sustain them when there are rough times and hard roads.

Beauty is much more than outward appearance. It is the endearing inner qualities of a good and right spirit, which is outwardly seen in a visage of compassion and caring, gentleness and humility, purity and peace.

Such beauty, in and out, causes one to swoon with love – hence, making one love-sick. Love is powerful. It is not to be corrupted by the lust which only views another as an object to be gained.

We are to let the beauty and power of love develop, grow, and mature. The flowers of the field may seem to spring up overnight. However, the seeds and the bulbs have been awaiting the right time to take root, break the ground, grow up, and flower.

Love is both endearing and enduring. Love is to be nurtured and cultivated. It cannot be hurried. Love is an attention to the whole person, and seeks to endure for the long haul. It maintains a beautiful commitment into the growing coldness of autumn, and holds vigil through the season of winter. Love isn’t going anywhere.

But I am talking about Christ the groom, and Church the bride. Spiritual commitment is not really measured in doctrinal statements and dogmatic theology. It is shown and known by embracing Love with a capital “L.”

God is Love. Yes, God does loving deeds and actions. Yet, we are told that the very nature and character of God is Love. Jesus is Love incarnate, the embodiment of what Love sees and does in this world.

I am, of course, taking a decidedly Christian approach to the Song, and an allegorical view of it. This is why, if we delight in knowing and enjoying the Song, we discover the way to genuine spirituality, and the key which unlocks the whole of Holy Scripture.

Not everyone, of course, will agree with me or choose to go down this allegorical path. Perhaps this is why we have so much religion nowadays which is devoid of love, and chooses to focus on sterile doctrinal checklists to which we must ascribe.

Please don’t hear what I am not saying. Doctrine is important. Theology is a must. But if our doctrine and theology has no beauty, and has no thoughts of love, and is not basically oriented in the direction of love, then I strongly argue that it isn’t doctrine or theology at all!

“And what is proper love? One should love the Lord with an exceeding great and very strong love so that the soul be tied to the love of the Lord, finding itself totally absorbed in it, as if he were suffering of lovesickness, when his mind is never free because of love for that woman, and he is obsessed with her, whether sitting down, or standing up, even when he is eating and drinking. More than this should the love for the Lord be in the heart of those who love him, meditating on it constantly, even as God has commanded us: ‘With all your heart and with all your soul.’” – Maimonides, Jewish Rabbi and philosopher (1138-1204, C.E.)

We were created by God for love. God longs to love us; and we are to love God with our entire self – heart, soul, mind, and strength. What’s more, our own love for one another is shaped by the love we receive from God.

Indeed, the biblical book, Song of Songs, is not only in the literal middle of the Old Testament; it is also in the very heart of it. It is all about Love.

Bless us with Love, O Merciful God;
That we may Love as you Love!
That we may show patience, tolerance,
Kindness, caring and love to all!
O Compassionate One, grant compassion unto us;
That we may help all fellow souls in need!
Bless us with your Love, O God.
Bless us with your Love. Amen.