Tag: listening to god

The Grace of Redemption and Gratitude (Exodus 37:1-16)

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

Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. And he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.

He made the atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. Then he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover. The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover.

They made the table of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high. Then they overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it. They also made around it a rim a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim. They cast four gold rings for the table and fastened them to the four corners, where the four legs were. The rings were put close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table. The poles for carrying the table were made of acacia wood and were overlaid with gold. And they made from pure gold the articles for the table—its plates and dishes and bowls and its pitchers for the pouring out of drink offerings. (New International Version)

This section is, for the most part, a mirror image of Exodus 25:23-40 – which provides meticulous instructions from God on how to build the Ark of the Covenant and the Table that goes with it.

The purpose of this section in Holy Scripture is to give a detailed report that everything the Lord instructed Moses to do, was obediently done, down to every last detail.

This was of upmost importance to the biblical writer, because half-obedience is really not obedience, at all. And there needs to be obedience in order to realize blessing.

God had a purpose with ancient Israel to establish them as God’s people, with God dwelling amongst them. The way this would happen was by means of all the specific prescriptions for the Tabernacle with its worship implements.

Foremost amongst those worship implements was the Ark and the Table, simply because that was the place of meeting with God – and even more specifically – the place of redemption.

The Tabernacle was built, then erected and put into place, just as it was described by God to Moses. And that is the point. The Lord does not change. There was no Plan B or altering the agenda as things went along, because human sin and people’s foibles mucked up everything. No, that’s not how it went down.

Nothing detracts or sidelines God from accomplishing divine purposes – especially when it comes to redeeming people and coming alongside them.

Just because the Israelites disastrously made an idol in the form of a golden calf, and worshiped it as if it were God, did not mean God’s plan failed.

In fact, the Lord made the plan even better by showing exceeding grace in not wiping out the entire lot of them – but instead used the situation to demonstrate steadfast love and accomplish the divine purpose of redemption.

No matter how you slice or dice it, it always comes out as grace.

My hope is that you can see that through all of the details of worship implements and Tabernacle protocol, God bent over backwards to be with the people.

God is holy. God is absolute purity and light. That holiness and purity would incinerate us in a nanosecond if we didn’t have things in place to help us be with God. That was what the Ark and the Table helped to do for Israel.

There are times in Holy Scripture when things get repeated. Repetition, according to many scholars, communicates emphasis. The repeated details of the Ark and the Table, as well as all the other articles associated with worship, communicate the heart of God in wanting us to have access to the divine. In other words, its repeated because it’s important.

Access, redemption, worship, and mercy are all important for the believer. We learn from today’s seemingly mundane verses that:

  • Sin must be addressed in order to have access to God
  • A way has been made for us to be with God
  • We are enabled and empowered to approach God
  • We have received the mercy of redemption from God
  • We are to therefore give mercy to others through table fellowship and forgiveness
  • And we are to give thanks and have gratitude in our hearts to God

Listening to the instructions of God, obeying them, and enjoying them is at the heart of good religion. May it be so, to the glory of God.

Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have
done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole
creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life,
and for the mystery of love.

We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for
the loving care which surrounds us on every side.

We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best
efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy
and delight us.

We thank you also for those 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 him and
make him known; and through him, at all times and in all
places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.

Listen Carefully (Mark 4:21-25)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading BlogLeave a comment

Jesus went on: “Does anyone bring a lamp home and put it under a bucket or beneath the bed? Don’t you put it up on a table or on the mantel? We’re not keeping secrets, we’re telling them; we’re not hiding things, we’re bringing them out into the open.

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?

“Listen carefully to what I am saying—and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.” (The Message)

Karma is a word from Hinduism which refers to the sum of a person’s actions in this life and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in the future. Contemporary Western society has picked up on this and uses the word in reference to a more universal reality.

The proverbial wisdom is that we typically get what we deserve by receiving exactly from others what we give to them in this life.

Jesus let us know that the way we treat others is the way we ourselves will be treated. A generosity of spirit toward one’s fellow humanity will come back in a similar way; and a stingy or miserly spirit will also be returned in kind. It’s a basic reality that we tend to receive what we give.

Every person has the capacity to elevate humanity, because people tend to live up to how they are being treated. What’s more, the initiator of basic human kindness and benevolence will find themselves receiving back much more than they put into it.

Now please understand that this is not some sort of ironclad law of the universe. If I give a dollar to someone, I won’t automatically get two dollars back later. If someone scratches your back, you may not be able to scratch theirs. The idea is rather that – all things being equal – if we live a wise and good life, full of giving and generosity – we will most likely not become destitute and in want.

That’s why classic movies, such as A Wonderful Life, resonate deeply with us. George Bailey went through a very trying time in his life when his business was in a pinch. But his way of living was above board and he freely lent to others, even when things were tough.

In the end, George experienced a rich encounter of his neighbors coming together to help, in the family’s time of need. George had been making a huge difference all along, and he never really knew how impactful it all was, until an angel imaginatively revealed it to him.

There is nothing that is truly hidden; all things shall be disclosed. Nor is anything really a secret; everything will come to light.

Jesus gave to his disciples (and to us) the secret of God’s rule and reign on this earth. Therefore, no one is to be complacent, rest on their laurels, or go about life with a “meh” sort of attitude. We must pay attention to the insight we’ve been given; and act on it.

God’s benevolent kingdom will be successful and have its way in this world. Although the Lord’s ethical agenda shall ultimately win out, there yet remains dark forces which temporarily oppose this good divine plan.

It’s important to be patient, and to persevere in doing good. We will see a harvest of righteousness if we don’t give up. So, keep on having a generous spirit of merciful giving. Keep going with living a humble and pure life. Continue on the path of justice and righteousness.

Whenever we encounter opposition, even persecution, or when evil appears to be having the day, don’t be discouraged. This is all part of the life and ministry to which we are called. We get up in the morning, keep planting gospel seeds of grace, and understand that it is God who gives the growth and the harvest.

Road to Emmaus, by Robert Zünd, 1877

Freely give, as freely as you have received. With the mercy and love shown to you, pass it on to others. As you become filled to the full, with the life of Christ, allow this to spill over onto others who are in need of comfort, encouragement, forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope.

Specifically, Jesus is the revealer of mysteries. In Christ, that which was hidden is now revealed; the secret things of God are on full display in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is hope and life. Folks place faith in him, and are shown how to love and navigate this world according to the divine agenda. The magnanimous and generous spirit of Jesus Christ changes the world. The waves and ripples of his life and work are still filling the world.

In this present evil age, we have everything we need for life and godliness – because of Jesus.

I am wondering about us, about you and me. We are relational creatures, created by a good God in God’s very own image. The Lord has gone out of the way to create a divine/human connection that is supremely good, life-giving, and enjoyable.

Yet, all of us, in one way or another, have searched in all sorts of places, in vain, for the love which has been right there in front of us the entire time.

Jesus is the Light of the world, the Bread of life, the Good Shepherd, Living Water, and Savior of the world. And he is waiting patiently – to be the light at the end of the tunnel, the spiritual sustainer, the loving guide, and the deliverer from anything and everything that hinders your ability to be truly alive.

The Lord longs to be generous to us. Yet, you and I must be willing to receive, to hold out our open hands and take what God gives us. Our ears need to be open for listening to what the Lord is saying.

If our ears, hands, and hearts are open to others, there is a very good chance that God will be open to us. It isn’t necessarily karma; it’s just the way things are in the gracious and benevolent kingdom of God.

Oh God, our loving Creator and Giver of all good gifts, bless all churches and communities of faith; strengthen our faith and grant us the spirit of Christian stewardship so that we may give generously of our time, talent and treasure to spread your benevolent kingdom here and throughout the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Restorative Powers of Grace (Jeremiah 31:10-14)

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

Listen to the Lord’s word, you nations,
    and announce it to the distant islands:
The one who scattered Israel will gather them
    and keep them safe, as a shepherd his flock.
The Lord will rescue the people of Jacob
    and deliver them from the power of those stronger than they are.
They will come shouting for joy on the hills of Zion,
    jubilant over the Lord’s gifts:
        grain, wine, oil, flocks, and herds.
Their lives will be like a lush garden;
    they will grieve no more.
Then the young women will dance for joy;
    the young and old men will join in.
I will turn their mourning into laughter
    and their sadness into joy;
        I will comfort them.
I will lavish the priests with abundance
    and shower my people with my gifts,
        declares the Lord. (Common English Bible)

In the seasons of our lives, when we go through those times of difficulty, it feels like a hard slog uphill that never seems to end. But it will not always be this way. Suffering will eventually give way to rejoicing; sickness will turn to health; estranged relationships will reconcile; and broken spirits will be made whole again.

God is the expert in restoration. Dilapidated communities, broken individuals, and peoples in diaspora can find fresh hope amid challenging circumstances. The initiative, interventions, and actions of God are what make the difference in turning sorrow to joy.

The Lord gathers scattered people together, as well as making the disparate parts of people into a unified whole again. And in this gathering action of God, no one is left behind. Attention is given to the stragglers, to those unable on their own strength or ability to journey on the road back to the Lord.

With the Lord’s movements of mercy, those with unfortunate circumstances are turned into the fortunate ones. The underprivileged become privileged. Grief, lament, and mourning give way to joy and a new lease on life. A great reversal occurs with God’s intervention. Sorrow is transformed into praise. Goodness is found in abundance because the Lord is a good God.

God calls people to action, to a response of experiencing the restorative powers of grace. The Lord encourages such behavior because it helps us never forget that no one and no circumstance is ever beyond the renewing grace of God. The effect of God’s merciful activity in the lives of people is singing, shouting, listening, and proclaiming.

With spiritual renewal, there is no mumbling of words, no timidity about being off tune when lifting a song of praise and thanksgiving. The lonely person, fragmented group, depressed community, polarized neighborhood, or scattered nation who becomes restored by God’s merciful grace is a newly minted exuberant people. Singing organically arises from them.

God’s restorative work causes shouts of joy to emanate deep within the soul. In fact, the Lord’s activity is so wonderful that even the rocks will cry out if the people don’t. A last second win in the sports stadium amongst thousands of fans doesn’t even hold a candle to the celebrative shouts of believers gathered and restored.

Whenever a people hear God’s voice and respond, it results in restoration. The desire to listen is then heightened, and obedience to God’s will becomes the norm, instead of the exception. Increased proclamation of good news happens, as a joyous and privileged response to God’s amazing grace. More and more people are included within the community, and hope rises beyond what anyone thought was possible.

Rescue and redemption are at the heart of God toward lost and wayward humanity. Divine intervention leads to restoration of individuals, neighborhoods, faith communities, even nations. Like a faithful shepherd over a flock of sheep, the Lord actively seeks the lost, brings them home, and continues to stand watch over them as a compassionate guardian.

And just as God redeemed the people out of Egyptian slavery and took them to a good land of abundance, so the Lord shall return those persons exiled from that abundant place and restore them to the peace of settled rest. The restoring action of God gathers the scattered. The lost are found. That which is fragmented is made whole. Those previously disabled become able. The weak become strong, the sick healed, the hungry fed, and the prisoner freed.

In times of famine, disease, poverty, hardship, confusion, and scant resources, there is hope. The Lord knows how to restore fortunes and bring untold abundance amid the most difficult of situations.

True joy comes through hard suffering. The pains of childbirth give way to unspeakable joy.

Christians are about to enter the season of Advent, after the long months of ordinary time. God, in Jesus Christ, is about to enter the world through a woman, in the flesh. The gracious work is about to begin, of ransoming, redeeming, and restoring a sinful world that had exiled itself from peace and abundance. In Christ, our lives are about to become full of blessing.

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! (Ephesians 1:3, CEV)

“I am the gate. Those who come in by me will be saved; they will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness. I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep.” (John 10:9-11, GNT)

May you know and experience the restorative grace of God in Christ today and every day. And may this upcoming season bring you fresh hope and a renewed faith. Amen.

Family Dynamics (Matthew 12:46-50)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year ALeave a comment
En la Cena ecológica del Reino (At the Ecological Kingdom Dinner) by Spanish artist Cerezo Barredo

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers stood outside trying to speak with him.Someone said to him, “Look, your mother and brothers are outside wanting to speak with you.”

Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” He stretched out his hand toward his disciples and said, “Look, here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven is my brother, sister, and mother.” (Common English Bible)

Jesus obviously did not get the cultural memo that blood is thicker than water.

When his own blood family were waiting outside for him, Jesus used the occasion to speak of what makes up a true follower of God. Christ boldly asserted that his true family is made up of people who do God’s will. By saying this, Jesus brought the point home that the kingdom of God turns on obedience.

Rather than merely confessing a belief, or appealing to a family heritage of faith, Jesus said that a genuine believer in God is one who listens to God’s words and then promptly obeys them. Therefore:

A Christian is defined by allegiance to Jesus, and not by having a certain bloodline. 

Identity determines activity. For example, if I identify myself primarily as…

  • a worker at my job, my activity will show it – I will spend long hours at my labor, and will do whatever it takes to please my boss and gain promotions.
  • an athlete, I will spend long hours honing my skills, and do whatever it takes to please the coach and to win.
  • a spouse and a parent, I will focus most of my attention on my family and seek to please them in all things. 

But if my identity is first and foremost as a Christian, I will seek to please Jesus. With my identity in Christ:

  • I will view my job as an opportunity to express the ethics of God’s kingdom, as a calling from God, and as a means for God to transform me for his glory.
  • I will view athletics as means to glorify God, and not as an end in and of itself but as a special gift for God to teach me about the importance of community and working together. 
  • I will view my kids as belonging to God and I will steward the trust of children given me by doing whatever it takes to teach and train them in the way of Jesus. I will thank God for my family and not confuse them with being God by idolizing them.

Jesus was inside a house, with his family on the outside. So, why were the family members of Jesus not inside the house sitting at his feet, taking the posture of a disciple?

The disciple Matthew wanted to communicate more than physical distance between Jesus and his physical family – being “outside” was meant to convey the posture of Christ’s family as spiritually distant, skeptical of him, and indecisive about who he was and what he was up to. The disciple Mark made this spiritual and emotional distance clear:

Jesus entered a house. A crowd gathered again so that it was impossible for him and his followers even to eat. When his family heard what was happening, they came to take control of him. They were saying, “He’s out of his mind!” (Mark 3:20-21, CEB)

Christ’s earthly family were not looking for Jesus to give them warm-fuzzies and have a big family hug. They were there to essentially say to him, “Cut it out, Jesus, because you’re acting like a nut-cake and embarrassing us all!”

Jesus was saying that identifying only with a biological family leads to only pleasing that family. However, identifying with Jesus leads to a radical form of following God that seeks to please him instead of submitting to family practices, mores, and beliefs which are inconsistent with the kingdom of God. 

Ethiopian Orthodox Church depiction of Christ and his disciples

For the Christian, the church is the family of God, and we are to act consistent with being in such a family.  We are to pursue God’s will, serve one another, and adopt outsiders into our family. The church is a family, not a restaurant. When we go to a restaurant, we either like the food and the service, or not. If the experience was unpleasant, we might complain to the waitress and may or may not come back. Try doing that with your mother and see where it gets you! 

As a biological family, we are committed to each other. There is no complaining about mom because of dad’s wrath. Instead, we are expected to clear our plates and put them in the dishwasher, to sweep the floor and clean the table, and to work together for the benefit of the entire family. In the same way, following Jesus means being committed to his family, the church.

Priority is to be given in doing God’s will, regardless of blood, because obedience to Christ identifies us as being in the family of God. Our actions and the way we live points to what we honestly believe and where our commitments truly lie. 

The first step of God’s desire for us is quality focused time in sitting at Christ’s feet and listening to him, because this is at the heart of all Christian discipleship. We can only do God’s will if we have clearly heard it; and we can only hear God’s will by taking the time to be at the feet of Jesus. 

Both listening and doing are necessary. Listening without engaging the world is a failure of mission; and doing without first listening leads to misguided acts and eventual burn-out. Allow Jesus to call the shots and let him instruct us so that we can live wisely and obediently. 

Jesus did not devalue blood relatives as irrelevant. Rather, the kingdom of God seeks to restore and redeem all things, including family. Both church and family are important. The relationships within each are to be nurtured.

The family of Jesus, the church, is important because Christ suffered and died for her. So, we are to be committed to the church, love the church, and serve the church because we are family. If we have a good grasp of this, we will make decisions based in what we believe God’s will is, instead of whether a relative will get upset, or not. 

We need to persistently pray for spiritually lost family members, and those whom we are estranged from. Most families have at least a few toxic persons in their orbit. Here is how we might pray for them:

  • That God will arrange divine appointments between them and others who love Jesus.
  • That God will draw them to the mercy of Christ.
  • That God will hinder the devil’s schemes against them.
  • That they will understand and respond to the good news of God’s grace.

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.