Tag: god’s presence

Isaiah 43:1-7

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            There are times when our souls can become parched and dry, times when it seems no one quite understands, and as if circumstances might overwhelm the spirit.  The best remedy to such times is to fill oneself full of God, his grace and love.  Today’s Old Testament lesson is the perfect prescription for those passing through difficulty and/or wondering what lies ahead, fearful of the future.  As I do often, here is my translation and interpretation of this encouraging passage of Holy Scripture; may it fortify your soul today and lead you through the sticking points of life:
 
Now listen up to what the LORD says, the One who created you and formed you:
“Don’t be afraid, because I’m the God who has bought you from the auction block with the ultimate price;
            I have called you by name, and you are now mine.
When you are in water over your head, I want you to know that I will be with you;
            and when it seems like you are drowning, please understand that I’ve got you;
when you walk through fiery trials, I want you to know that you will not be burned,
            and the circumstance will not consume you and burn you out.
This will all be true because I am the LORD your God,
            the Holy One, your Savior.
I put everyone around you in their place,
            and there is no one who is in a position to buy you back from me.
Because you are infinitely precious in my eyes,
            and honored, and I love you,
there is nothing I would not give for you,
            nothing I would not do to keep you with me.
Don’t be afraid, because I am with you always;
            I will gather all my children from the east and from the west,
            so that you will never be alone on this earth.
In fact, I will command all the ends of this planet of yours
            to not withhold, to bring together every son and daughter from the farthest reaches,
everyone who is called by my name,
            whom I created for my glory,
            whom I formed and made.
You are all in this life together,
            and I, the LORD, am watching over each and every one of you. 

 

Bank on it.”

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.

Psalm 125

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
             Psalms 120-134 comprise a collection of short songs of ascent meant to guide Jewish pilgrims in their communal trek up to the city of Jerusalem, and ultimately to the temple mount.  The rhythm of the pious ancient Israelites centered round particular festivals, seasons, and Sabbath.  Taking the annual pilgrimage to the Holy City was an especially anticipated time of year.  This yearly cycle brought both increased faith and needed spiritual stability to the people.  It reminded them of the sound theology that God cannot be moved, and he will always be there.
 
            “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.”  One of the most fundamental of all truths about God is that he is consistent and constant in his basic nature, that he is forever present with his people.  If God seems or feels as though he is not there or is not listening, it is not that he is aloof or not paying any attention.  It simply means that he chooses to reveal himself when he chooses to reveal himself, and that our responsibility in the entire affair is to engage in consistent rhythms of spirituality that place us in a position to receive grace when God decides to give it.
 
            Therefore we must not despair but anticipate meeting with God, just as the Israelites of old looked forward and upward to their annual worship at the top of the mountain.  The truth is that God surrounds his people, even when we do not always perceive it to be so. 
            Ever-present God, there is no place where I can go where you are not.  Help me to so intuit your presence that it bolsters my faith and resilience for daily life in Jesus Christ.  Amen.

On the Need to Recognize God’s Presence

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Exploring Church Ministry BlogLeave a comment
 
 
The Old Testament prophetic tradition minced nothing and cut to the heart of a matter.  For example, the prophet Amos sarcastically lamented over people who went through the motions of worship without a pure heart:  “Bring your tithes every three years.  Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill offerings – boast about them, you Israelites, for this is what you love to do” (Amos 4:4-5).  The prophet Hosea responded to impure and disingenuous worship:  “When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, they will not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them.”  Hosea lays out what God really wants:  “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 5:6, 6:6). 
 
            The New Testament book of Hebrews continues this practice of going after the heart of an issue.  The author plainly tells us that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.  Quoting Psalm 40:  “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.  Then I said, ‘Here I am – it is written about me in the scroll – I have come to do your will, O God’” (Hebrews 10:4-7).  Jesus is the superior presence above all else.
 
            Our trouble in the church is the age old predicament of caring more about the presence of other things rather than the presence of God.  When Jesus entered the temple courts and went after the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice, he was not speaking to pagan kings or Gentile sinners; he was speaking to people who professed the name of God and worshiped him (John 2:13-22).  But they did not seek the presence of God with all their hearts as their primary allegiance, and it ticked off Jesus.
 
            We must all desire the presence of God more than anything else in the whole world.  We must love Jesus more than we love anything or anyone else.  We must desire the presence of God in the church building more than the building itself.  We must desire the presence of God in the ministries of the church more than just having the programs themselves.  We must desire pastors who have the presence of God with them at all times more than we desire pastors who are present everywhere.  We must desire the presence of God in our families more than we desire the presence of kids, or order in the house, or that everything lives up to our standards.
 
            Jesus wants our hearts where they belong:  desiring the presence of God more than anything; and, loving him more than anyone.  Many of the Jews of Jesus’ time lost their true sense of purpose as God’s people.  They neither perceived nor focused on God’s presence, but cared more about the presence of animals and sacrifices, making money, and keeping their social positions secure. 
 
            If we are not pursuing nor looking for God’s presence, we are likely not to find it when it stares us in the face.  Last year the Washington Post orchestrated an interesting experiment.  They had arguably the best violinist in the world, Joshua Bell, play in the train station as a regular looking street musician complete with open violin case to catch monetary offerings.  Not only did Bell play some of the most difficult pieces of music for the violin, he played them on a Stradivarius worth $3.5 million dollars.  His earnings for a few hours of work:  exactly $32.17, less than the $100 for one ticket at a Boston concert hall he played just three weeks before.  No one noticed the extreme talent right in front of their faces, much like those who only saw Jesus as a regular guy instead of the incarnate Son of God.
 

 

            James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”  God is present, whether we recognize him or not.  He longs for you to pursue him more than you pursue money, other relationships, or other things.  The path to church renewal and revitalization is not through clever ideas or more tech savvy services; it is through Jesus.  You know, the guy always present, hanging around on the street corner.