Tag: hope

The Righteous and the Wicked (Malachi 3:13-18)

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

“You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the Lord.

“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’

“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”

Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.

“On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. (New International Version)

The righteous and the wicked. Depending upon what sort of faith tradition you grew up in as a child; or by what belief system you currently adhere to, this may likely determine your understanding of those two words.

The terms “righteous” and “wicked” vary amongst differing groups of people. But however you understand those words, I want us to notice how the prophet Malachi understands them.

To be “righteous” means to have a right relationship with both God and others. It is to be close enough to knowing God to carry out what is important to God.

Righteous folk actually listen and talk to one another. They consult and collaborate with each other. They enjoy good relations because the righteous understand that relationships are a high value. They discern that people are important.

And so, God’s justice is very important to the righteous, because God wants everyone’s basic needs met. The Lord desires people to be treated well, with respect and dignity, in order to make a living and enjoy life.

To be “wicked” means to be arrogant, proud, and boastful. It is to have a string of messed up relationships with both God and others because they insist on their own way.

The wicked are far from God, and do whatever they want to do, regardless of how it may affect others. They view justice and righteousness as dispensable, and unnecessary, unless it can be used as leverage for selfish desires. Even though the wicked might be rich and powerful in this life, they will not be spared from God’s judgment.

Wicked persons – those who carry out injustice and seek to care only for themselves – are called to repent, to change, to amend their evil ways. Their negative statements about God, and their mistreatment of others, has not gone unnoticed.

A typical tactic of wicked persons is to blame others. In Malachi’s day, they were blaming God, and ironically, accusing the Lord of injustice. That’s because the wicked person’s understanding of God is that the Lord exists for their personal benefit.

So, if the wicked person is not receiving some benefit from God, then God isn’t being God, and then is accused and blamed as being the problem to any sort of adverse situation.

But in reality, the righteous are God’s treasured possession, because they consistently serve the Lord, no matter the circumstances. The righteous are faithful, and so, they will be spared on the day of God’s judgment.

So far, I have made this all seem quite black and white. But that was only to make clear the contrast between righteousness and wickedness. The truth is that all of us are a bit of both. We are not always completely right, nor are we always wrong.

We are in the middle of things. Most folks have not rejected God through a lack of belief. Yet, they also have not fully accepted God’s intentions for this world and are not fully living into them.

The prophet Malachi calls such persons (which is perhaps all of us?) to a day when trying circumstances will make the distinction between the wicked and the righteous much more clear.

Then, we will be able to change, fully convinced and knowing the difference between right and wrong, truth and error, faith and fear.

Charlatans will eventually be found out and known. And the consistently faithful people will eventually be noticed and held up by God for others to see and know.

If everything presently appears murky, shadowy, and unclear, please know that it will not always be this way for you.

I am assuming that there very few “wicked” persons actually reading or listening to this. Simply because they see no value in doing so. It doesn’t get them anywhere they want to go.

The wicked may seem to know what they’re doing, but they don’t. Life for them is very nebulous and unclear. They’re only spit-balling through life, trying to look out for number one, that is, themselves.

But you who are reading or listening to this likely want nothing to do with wickedness. You want to stay away from evil.

You are looking to make a difference on this earth, and to improve your little corner of the world. You desire good things for yourself and others. You seek to live as justly and rightly as you can.

Good for you! The Lord is noticing your faith and patience.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For,

“In just a little while,
    he who is coming will come
    and will not delay.”

And,

“But my righteous one will live by faith.
    And I take no pleasure
    in the one who shrinks back.”

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. (Hebrews 10:35-39, NIV)

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Build Spiritual Wealth (1 Timothy 6:11-21)

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

But you, man of God, flee from all this [love of money] and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 

In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.

Grace be with you all. (New International Version)

Whether we like it, or not, every one of us is a slave. I don’t mean slavery in the sense of nineteenth century antebellum black chattel slavery; but a slave in the vein of being a bondservant – one who is bound to a particular master by choice, and not by coercion.

Jesus put the matter this way:

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24, NIV)

Both Jesus and Paul had the assumption that we are all in service to something or someone, without exception. So, the question then becomes, “Who is your master?”

Becoming a bondservant to Master Mammon will cause a person to place their ultimate hopes and dreams in wealth and possessing financial resources. However, money will possess them, and not the other way around. Their relationships will suffer, wither, and become disconnected.

Conversely, being a bondservant to the Lord Jesus will lead a person to place their ultimate hope in God. Possessing a godly life, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness will be their way of life. They will give themselves to a spirit of generosity and the pursuit of good deeds. These servants of God will take hold of eternal life, and find themselves possessed by it.

The Apostle Paul, in writing one of his final letters on this earth, reminded his young protégé Timothy to teach his congregation the importance of being bonded in service to the right master, to build spiritual wealth in heaven, and not just financial wealth here on this earth.

The letter of Paul to Timothy is given as a relational gift, reminding the young pastor of the many things taught to him in the apprenticed relationship they enjoyed together. In this sense, it was a personal letter, designed to recall the importance of keeping tethered to Christ their Lord.

Through written language, Paul came alongside Timothy and spoke to him, saying to never become intimidated by riches or rich persons. Financial wealth is merely superficial, and holds no credit or influence in the kingdom of God.

God is far richer, and infinitely more powerful than anyone or anything in this world, Paul insisted. So, keep serving God alone; continue being bonded and united to Christ, which Paul knew was not an easy thing to do.

In a world of looking out for number one, survival of the fittest, and hyper-capitalistic economies, many succumb to the allure of trusting in Master Mammon. Instead, stay focused on the Lord Jesus, his words and his ways, and on living an exemplary life.

What is more, Paul exhorted Timothy to command those who are rich in this world to become rich in good deeds. It is possible to be wealthy and be a bondservant of Christ; yet, it is not at all easy to do so.

Which is why the rich person needs continual encouragement, exhortation, and accountability, in order to remain bound to what is most important. Such persons need the command to put their hope continually in God, and not in money or bit-coins; in Christ, and not in building a strong financial portfolio that will keep one swimming in plenty of financial resources.

Again, none of this teaching of the Apostle means that having an array of financial capital is somehow wrong or ungodly. Rather, it means that we must be quite intentional and careful to build our equity in the kingdom of God, and use our worldly wealth for good and just purposes that reflect a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, and kindness.

Guard the precious treasure given to you, that is, the great spiritual riches entrusted to you. Allow the overwhelming grace of God in Jesus Christ to keep you faithful and loving in this greedy and feckless world.

The Lord Jesus taught us in his Sermon on the Mount:

“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” (Matthew 6:19-21, MSG)

Lord of our lives, teach us how to use our money and our possessions. Deliver us from stinginess and wasteful extravagance; inspire our giving with the spirit of true generosity. Help us always to remember your generous love for us, that we may be wise and faithful stewards of the good gifts you have given us. Amen.

The Most High Shall Lift Up the Needy (Psalm 113)

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

Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord;
    praise the name of the Lord.

Blessed be the name of the Lord
    from this time on and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
    the name of the Lord is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations
    and his glory above the heavens.

Who is like the Lord our God,
    who is seated on high,
who looks far down
    on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes,
    with the princes of his people.
He gives the barren woman a home,
    making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord! (New Revised Standard Version)

The psalmist calls for praise to God, because the Lord is the God both far and near, both transcendent (high above and over) and immanent (close by enough to respond quickly).

God is a dynamic force and presence in this world.

It is God who sees the poor and needy from on high, and comes near to lift them and give them a place alongside those in power and with authority.

It is the Lord God almighty who observes the childless woman from afar and draws near to ensure that she becomes a joyful mother.

Today’s psalm is the first of six psalms (Psalms 113-118) which make up the Jewish Hallel – prayers of thanksgiving added to the morning service of worship on the days of festive Jewish holidays. 

This collection of psalms tells a story of God’s merciful acts in history for the people of Israel. The Israelites express joy and thanksgiving, because the Lord noticed them, and actively worked on their behalf.

Christians, too, make use of Psalm 113 for praise and worship. In the stories of both Hannah in the First Testament, and Mary in the Second Testament, the transcendent God listened to them, and was immanently present in helping them to conceive children.

This is a concerned and engaged God, who hears the humble, and lifts them beyond what they can even ask or imagine. (1 Samuel 2:1-10; Luke 1:39-57)

Yet, some may wonder why their prayers have not been answered.

Some are confused as to why God seems aloof in the midst of their needy circumstance.

There are yet many more who are discouraged by all of the terrible natural disasters which devastate people’s lives, and the existence of war and hatred and injustice around the globe.

And there are plenty of women who want children, but are unable to conceive; while there are women with children who treat them poorly.

Where is this good God when there is so much bad going on?

The psalmist exclaimed that God raises the poor, lifts the needy, and gives the barren woman a home. There is, however, no timetable set on precisely when this will happen.

Many a barren woman in the biblical stories was in that position for year after year. Sarah in the Old Testament, and Elizabeth in the New, were two elderly women who had a child in their old age. Beyond what was biologically possible, God nevertheless gave.

There was also many a person in the Bible who died, while never having had a change in their circumstance. Even in such cases, the humble and godly poor person shall be rich in heaven; and the needy person will experience plenty for eternity.

This isn’t meant to be a pat answer now in the present; rather, it points to the need for hope, the confident expectation that the unwanted and awful circumstance I am experiencing today will not always be true of me.

Just one implication of this is that even the destitute can praise God. Even the needy can give thanks, while they are simultaneously crying out for help.

The Christian will someday have a seat with Christ in the heavenlies. This is a hope built into one’s faith commitment. It is a sure thing in the future, just as much as the present reality I currently face.

No matter whether one is rich or poor, in plenty or in want, in a full house of children or none at all – every person has a reason to praise God and express gratitude for the One who sees from on high, and draws near with what is truly helpful for this present time – whether that help is in the form of tangible resources and assistance, or intangible comfort and encouragement.

Unfortunately, there are people in this old fallen world of ours who create the conditions of poverty for others; manipulate circumstances that opens a large gap of need for the underprivileged; and exclude people who are not in power and have no earthly authority.

God does not want injustice for people; oppression and exclusion is inconsistent with the Lord’s sense of justice and mercy. The psalmist affirms those who languish on the ash heap of life that they will be lifted up. Their present experience of despair will not last forever.

A day is coming when those in need will have their justice, where the malevolent forces of this world will be leveled, and the needy will sit with princes.

Discouragement does not have the last word. The day of praise will break through and overcome the day of despair.

Praise be to God!

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all the poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, O God, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Visible Signs of Invisible Realities (Hebrews 9:15-24)

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

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. (Hebrews 9:15-24)

The Hebrew Christians were tired. They had faced adverse circumstances, unjust imprisonments, persecution, prejudice, confiscation of their property, and public ridicule.

Most of all, they encountered rejection from their Jewish families of origin. There was precious little support for them, outside of their group.

The suffering went on long enough that the Christians began to experience a weakening of faith. In their distress, they started considering whether to return to Judaism, and renege on their commitment to Christ.

The author of Hebrews saw the struggle and spoke up, encouraging and exhorting the believers to keep going, to exercise faith and perseverance in the face of their ongoing troubles.

The author’s overall message to the discouraged believers was that Jesus Christ is superior over everything and everyone. Christ is better than the angels, Moses, and Aaron. Jesus is the ultimate high priest who offered himself as a sacrifice, once for all.

By means of the cross, Jesus became the mediator of a new and better covenant. There is, therefore, no more need of another high priest. Christ now occupies that office permanently.

Jesus Christ Points us to God, by Elizabeth Wang

Christ’s death was efficacious for all. The sacrificial system with all of the officiating Levitical priests was the old order of things, meant to point us to Christ.

Offering sacrifices day after day, and engaging in prescribed liturgical rituals in order to access God, are no longer necessary. Perpetual anxiety exists wherever people keep wondering if they have done enough to satisfy their guilt and/or responsibility.

The answer of Christianity is yes, the work is finished; Jesus completed it, once and for all.

There is no longer anything that can distress us. Sin, death, and hell have been conquered through the death of Christ. His singular sacrifice has achieved victory over the sinful powers, and reconciliation and peace with God.

Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them
    and in whose spirit is no deceit. (Psalm 32:2, NIV)

The covenant code’s sacrificial system was never designed to be a permanent way of doing things. All of the implements used in that system were symbols pointing to the real deal. They were a temporary means of leading people to Christ, who is the once for all sacrifice to end all sacrifices, the one who truly takes away our guilt and shame forever.

The picture is of Christ, as our high priest, who sprinkled us with his own blood and made us clean – not only today or for some temporary period of time – but for all time. We are not only made clean; we are made clean forever by the blood of Christ.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:7, NIV)

The historical person of Jesus – his life, ministry, crucifixion, death, resurrection, ascension and glorification – was a visible image showing us the great importance of invisible realities.

The Ark of the Covenant was a visible sign of God’s invisible presence, and the need for a restoration of the divine/human connection.

The temple, the worship implements, and the whole sacrificial system was a visible sign of God’s invisible holiness, and the need for purity of heart amongst the people.

Jesus was a real person with a real body and real human needs, a visible reality which showed us the invisible God, and what God truly deems as right and good.

It is Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Son of Humanity, in whom we have redemption the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God. (Colossians 1:14-15)

Christ is our Mediator, bridging the gap between heaven and earth.

Christ is our Savior, delivering us from our guilt and shame, our worry and anxiety, and our old enemy, death itself.

Christ is our Advocate, stepping in and acting on our behalf, and sending the Holy Spirit to be his continuing presence on this earth.

Christ is our champion, the pioneer of our salvation, securing redemption for us through his singular death.

Christ is our Intercessor, who even now lives to intercede for us, as we strive and struggle to live in humility, justice, and righteousness, as peacemakers in this world.

What this all means, from the vantage of Christianity, is that we need Jesus.

Without Christ, there is no hope. With Christ, all things are possible.

Jesus is the answer to every question, because Jesus is the center of all things. He is the fertile soil from which all of life sprouts; the first-fruit which provides life; and the continuing sustenance which saves us from a disconnected, fragmented, discouraging existence.

Along with the ancient Hebrew Christians, let us be encouraged with Christ, who is truly our everything.

Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.

Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word, and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.

Grant us the gift of your Spirit; that we may know you and make you known; and through your Spirit, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.