Tag: perseverance

Jesus Is Better (Hebrews 7:1-10)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
Abraham meets Melchizedek, 13th century mosaic, Basilica di San Marco, Venice, Italy

This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness;” then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor. (New International Version)

We all become discouraged at various times in our lives; it’s part of being human. Chronic discouragement, however, can turn into a resignation to one’s apparent fate. It can cause us to give up.

That is where the Jewish Christians were, both spiritually and emotionally, in the New Testament Book of Hebrews. As Jews, they were living in a pagan Gentile world which did not appreciate their religious and cultural differences. As Christians, they lived with isolation from their Jewish families who did not understand their faith commitment to Christ and the Church.

It’s one thing to become discouraged. It’s another thing altogether to never have your situation change. Day after day, the Jewish Christians faced hardship, even persecution. So, over time, their faith and resolve to serve Jesus began weakening. They were in danger of reneging on their cherished beliefs and way of life.

This is why the author of Hebrews stepped in to address the situation. He wanted to encourage the struggling believers to not give up, to persevere in their faith. In order to do that, the Christians would need to fix their eyes on Jesus.

Instead of returning to Judaism, the Jewish Christians were encouraged to see how Jesus is superior to every important person in history, and better than the legal and sacrificial systems that they came from.

In chapter 7 of Hebrews, the author is continuing an argument that Jesus is better than the high priest Aaron (Hebrews 4:14-10:18). Part of that argument was to highlight the significance of an ancient king, Melchizedek, who was both a king and a priest of the Most High God.

The line of reasoning goes like this:

  • Melchizedek was a king and a priest in the time of Abraham.
  • Abraham acknowledged Melchizedek as such, and recognized his greatness and authority.
  • Therefore, Melchizedek is superior to the founder and patriarch of Jewish faith, Abraham.
  • Jesus is both a king and a priest, like Melchizedek.
  • Aaron is a priest, not a king.
  • Jesus is superior to Aaron; Aaron’s ministry was temporary, and Christ’s reign is permanent.

Specifically, regarding the lesson today, the argument is this:

  • Descendants of Levi were priests in Israel.
  • Levi was the ancestor of Aaron, the original Levitical high priest.
  • Abraham was the great grandfather of Levi.
  • Abraham was patriarch, and therefore, greater than Levi.
  • Melchizedek is greater than Abraham.

And so, the author of Hebrews was making this argument:

Jesus is a priest and king, like Melchizedek. Therefore, Jesus is superior to Abraham, Levi, Aaron, and all of the Levitical priests.

The Book of Hebrews insists that Jesus is greater than all other Jewish persons in history; and is superior to the old Levitical sacrificial system. Every Levitical priest lived and died. Jesus lived and died and rose from death. Therefore, Christ’s priesthood is still in existence. It is permanent.

From the New Testament perspective, Christ’s death and resurrection has replaced the Levitical priesthood as a new and better system of order. It’s new and better because, whereas the Levitical priests offered sacrifices day after day, Christ offered himself, once for all. The Cross of Christ was the sacrifice to end all sacrifices.

This spiritual reality, presented to the Jewish Christians in the ancient world, was meant to encourage them to hold fast in their commitment to Jesus.

We now have the privilege of coming to God without any spiritual hurdles to jump or obstacles to overcome, because Jesus made it possible.

God is available to us at all times, without having to offer a sacrifice in order to enter God’s presence, because the curtain of the temple has been torn in two.

Christ Jesus has finished the sacrificial work, and made it possible for every believer to come to God by faith alone.

So, don’t give up. Be encouraged with Jesus, the Savior and Sovereign of the universe, the Sustainer and Helper in a time of need, and the great King and High Priest who lives even now to intercede for us.

Hebrews is a somewhat long book in the New Testament of the Bible, encompassing thirteen chapters in all. It’s contents may sometimes seem dense and/or confusing. Yet, if you read through it, in one sitting, I believe you will come away encouraged and motivated to persevere and keep going.

Be patient, my friend. The situations which are now discouraging you will not last. And there is a King and High Priest who will last forever, and who has your back through all of the icky sticky circumstances of your life.

Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.

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.

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.

Hold Onto Faith (Job 26:1-14)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
Job, by Gonzalo Carrasco (1860-1936)

Then Job replied:

“How you have helped the powerless!
    How you have saved the arm that is feeble!
What advice you have offered to one without wisdom!
    And what great insight you have displayed!
Who has helped you utter these words?
    And whose spirit spoke from your mouth?

“The dead are in deep anguish,
    those beneath the waters and all that live in them.
The realm of the dead is naked before God;
    Destruction lies uncovered.
He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;
    he suspends the earth over nothing.
He wraps up the waters in his clouds,
    yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.
He covers the face of the full moon,
    spreading his clouds over it.
He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters
    for a boundary between light and darkness.
The pillars of the heavens quake,
    aghast at his rebuke.
By his power he churned up the sea;
    by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.
By his breath the skies became fair;
    his hand pierced the gliding serpent.
And these are but the outer fringe of his works;
    how faint the whisper we hear of him!
    Who then can understand the thunder of his power?” (New International Version)

Sarcasm is a form of criticism. Criticism is a form of anger. Job was angry at his “friends.” Namely, because they had proved themselves to be not very good companions.

Job needed comfort and consolation, not hellfire sermons about his being sinful. Because, in fact, he had not sinned. His intense pain and suffering were not a punishment from God, as the prologue to the story of Job makes clear. (Job 1:1-22)

But neither Job nor his friends knew what was going on behind the scenes in the cosmic court of heaven.

Job only knew he was getting a lot of undeserved tragedy. And Job’s friends only knew that he was suffering terribly.

Job didn’t know how to interpret his situation. Job’s friends misinterpreted his situation as condemnation from the Lord.

Thus, Job became exasperated and angry. Job’s friends became the ignoramuses of ancient history.

Job was certainly no ignoramus. He knew what it meant to be right with God – which was why he was so doggone confused and confounded as to why he felt abandoned by God. Job knew his suffering wasn’t a result of unfaithfulness.

The biblical character Job came face to face with the reality that good people suffer, too.

The friends of Job kept reiterating how unworthy and sinful people are; and that Job must be especially sinful to be experiencing such trouble. And, of course, Job found this line of reasoning asinine.

The majesty of God, as Job understood it, is much greater and higher than his supposed friends could ever imagine. The dead know this better than anyone. Job himself was nearly dead, and so, he seems to see some things more clearly from his perspective of abject suffering.

Job’s observations of creation are profound reflections of God’s greatness and sovereignty in the world. His faith rested firmly with God alone, as Creator and Sustainer of the universe. So, he looked beyond the water and the clouds to heaven above.

Even in the realms we humans cannot see, God has authority and power over angelic beings. We cannot fathom the breadth and depth and extent of God’s reach and knowledge of all things. Indeed, humanity only observes a mere fraction of God’s rule and reign. And we barely know anything in comparison to God’s wisdom and knowledge.

In other words, our incredible God is so mighty and wondrous that it is incomprehensible to us.

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
    How unsearchable his judgments,
    and his paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33, NIV)

God is big, to the point that only the fringes of God’s robe can fit inside the temple:

I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. (Isaiah 6:1, NIV)

Although Job was flummoxed as to why God was silent and allowed suffering to happen, Job nevertheless had a majestic view of God which remained intact.

And, what’s more, Job seems to have gained an even more expansive view of God through his awful experience of suffering in both body and soul. In other words, Job got to know God better, and not for worse, because of his terrible situation.

Satan certainly meant to upend Job and cause him to renounce his faith; but God meant it all, ironically, for good.

Even though Job’s words about God appear similar to the words of his friends, they come from a very different place.

It’s one thing to talk of God’s majesty, sovereignty, and power when everything is going okay for you in your life. But it is an altogether different thing whenever your life has unraveled and distress is what you eat for breakfast.

To affirm God’s inherent power and goodness, smack in the middle of grinding hardship and ill health – and truly mean it – is the genuine article of faith.

Authentic faith is resilient and gains strength when tested and tried. Bogus faith crumbles like burnt toast when it is put through the fire.

True faith is always connected to hope and love. False faith evaporates and becomes nihilistic and hateful in the face of hellish circumstances.

Real faith perseveres through suffering, knowing that God is good, no matter what. Skin deep faith is herky-jerky, vacillating between confidence and doubt.

The only way for faith to be shown as real or fake is in the crucible of suffering. How we handle the adverse situations of life demonstrates where our faith is truly placed.

Satan’s statement to God was that Job’s faith would be shown to be a mere façade because God had blessed him with health, wealth, and family.

Satan was wrong. God was right. However, we may wonder about what Job thought of all this, once the suffering subsided.

I don’t know about Job. I can only speak for myself. I won’t list the long litany of trials and tribulations I have personally encountered in my life, and those I am facing presently. Yet, I will say that each of my experiences have taught me something important about God; and those hard experiences have changed and strengthened my faith in ways I could not have imagined.

Although I would never want to go through all of the past adversity again, I would not change a thing in my life. Because each of my experiences were formative in making me the person I am today – full of robust faith in God and confident in the Lord, no matter the circumstances.

Strengthen us, O Lord, by your grace, so that through your mighty power we may overcome all spiritual enemies, and with pure hearts serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Keep Hold of Wisdom (Proverbs 4:10-27)

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

Hear, my child, and accept my words,
    that the years of your life may be many.
I have taught you the way of wisdom;
    I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
    and if you run, you will not stumble.
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
    guard her, for she is your life.
Do not enter the path of the wicked,
    and do not walk in the way of evildoers.
Avoid it; do not go on it;
    turn away from it and pass on.
For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
    they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
For they eat the bread of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence.
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
    which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know what they stumble over.
My child, be attentive to my words;
    incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them escape from your sight;
    keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them
    and healing to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you crooked speech,
    and put devious talk far from you.
Let your eyes look directly forward
    and your gaze be straight before you.
Keep straight the path of your feet,
    and all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
    turn your foot away from evil. (New Revised Standard Version)

Life is not a sprint; it is a marathon. Only those who persevere, and have patience over the course of their lives, will know what wisdom is, and how to live a good life.

We never get to a point in life in which we can simply rest on our laurels and slide effortlessly into end of life, and beyond to eternal life. The wisdom of endurance and humility is needed all the time, because decision-making is continually required.

The Book of Proverbs brings up some constant themes for us to keep in mind with our choices in life: There is always a choice of contrasting ways between wisdom and foolishness. That choice typically involves either a quick solution, or waiting for a good outcome.

In some ways, wisdom is the teacher who keeps giving us remedial instruction. The sage advice of the biblical proverbs continues to remind us of the connection between righteousness, justice, and the good life. Over and over we are instructed to remember the consequences to foolish decisions.

Four times in today’s lesson is the repeated exhortation to “keep:” keep hold of instruction; keep it close to your heart; keep your heart; and keep straight the path of your feet. This has the idea of valuing and treasuring the wise sayings given. To have a hold of the heart is to have hold of the life. For we do what we love.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:20-21, NIV)

The orientation of one’s heart happens from the bottom up, through the formation of habits of desire. Learning to love God takes practice. Walking in the way of wisdom takes time.

The best way to avoid the path of evil, and not throw in your lot with the wicked, is to love righteousness, goodness, and justice. Our love for what is right, good, and just shall win out in the competing voices around us and within us. Peer pressure is no pressure at all, whenever our love is oriented toward wisdom.

You will see evil for the sheer foolishness it is, and will steer clear of it, at all costs. Love brings meaning and connection to life. Love, in the path of wisdom, clarifies one’s own spiritual sense, that there is a moral order to this universe; such a person is determined to not violate that good order.

To reach anyone, the heart must be moved to right thinking and right action. Fear of punishment is a poor means of swaying any person. A parent who threatens a child is being foolish. But a parent who gives wise instruction, along with why it’s important, with a heavy dose of love, is building a relationship which will strengthen the child’s resolve to live justly.

Rules without relationship leads to rebellion. However, the time and attention given to a loving relationship with a child helps them understand the rules, so that they have no intention of stoking a rebellious spirit.

When parents, teachers, faith leaders, mentors, and even corporate bosses aptly communicate a real love and concern, with humility and gentleness, then they are learning the way of wisdom. And this sort of leadership is needed medicine to a sick soul. It makes life good; and work, family, and church a blessing, not a burden.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7, NRSV)

The wise person guards their heart and protects it as the precious possession that it is. They keep to a right and good path of life. Wisdom is their food and drink, their eyes and ears, their thoughts and intentions.

Wise persons refuse to let bitterness and grudge-bearing enter their hearts. Instead, they pay attention to what wisdom teaches them:

Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

Psalm 90:12, NLT

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11, NIV)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1, NIV)

In a sense, we are all curators of our own hearts. That is, we decide what goes into it, and what goes out. We choose what others will experience of us, and what they won’t. Through curating our hearts, we display what is truly valuable and important to us.

It’s up to you and me to decide whether we will keep on the sure, yet narrow, road of wisdom. Or whether we will take an exit onto another road that leads to the graveyard of souls.

Choose wisely, my friends. Choose wisely.

All-wise and good God: I will trust You for generous wisdom straight paths, and a peaceful heart. I praise you for being a great decision-making God. For it is Your right choices which make all the difference. And I will trust You to order my steps according to the way of justice and righteousness. Amen.

How To Live When Things Are Bad (Isaiah 33:10-16)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
Mural depicting the wars of Israel and Judah with the surrounding nations, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Los Angles

But the Lord says: “Now I will stand up.
    Now I will show my power and might.
You Assyrians produce nothing but dry grass and stubble.
    Your own breath will turn to fire and consume you.
Your people will be burned up completely,
    like thornbushes cut down and tossed in a fire.
Listen to what I have done, you nations far away!
    And you that are near, acknowledge my might!”

The sinners in Jerusalem shake with fear.
    Terror seizes the godless.
“Who can live with this devouring fire?” they cry.
    “Who can survive this all-consuming fire?”
Those who are honest and fair,
    who refuse to profit by fraud,
    who stay far away from bribes,
who refuse to listen to those who plot murder,
    who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong—
these are the ones who will dwell on high.
    The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress.
Food will be supplied to them,
    and they will have water in abundance. (New Living Translation)

The Assyrians were a nasty bunch. So were the people of Jerusalem, at the time of Isaiah’s prophecy. Maybe the folks in Judah played the comparison game and thought they were better than their foe. After all, the Assyrians were experts in war and torture.

Jerusalem was understandably terrified of the Assyrian army. And they trusted God, that is, to a degree. There’s a difference between looking to the Lord because you’re between a rock and a hard place, and placing faith in God because that is the default response of your life.

Easy for me to say. I’ve never stood on a city wall watching a powerful army surrounding me like a bunch of bullies on the playground.

Jerusalem was intimidated to the point of letting the Assyrian ruffians take their gold and silver. Well, actually, it wasn’t their gold; it was God’s. And when the army left, the city was still intact. But for how long?

It was humiliating. Being the victim of a bully always is. And because they’re bullies, it’s never enough. Like feeding the neighbor’s cat, the Assyrians end up going nowhere. They want more. In fact, they never really intended on leaving anyway. It was all a double-cross.

Judah, out of their fear and anxiety, made a bargain with the devil. A bully is a bully because they can be. Give in to them, and it only enables them to keep bullying. The Assyrians were ready for battle. It’s what they always did: fight and conquer.

It was at this point that Jerusalem finally got the clue that they’d been living with God in the background, not the foreground. They did their own thing, much like the hated and dreaded Assyrians.

So, the only recourse the people of Judah had was the mercy of their God. Yet, even though they ought to have petitioned the Lord from the get-go, at least they noticed the Lord is still there.

Assyrian king, British Museum

Unfortunately, most of our repentant overtures are way overdue. And yet, because of divine grace, the crazy mess we make of our lives is the very same place where a merciful God meets us.

Any sort of help is surely undeserved. It always is. The Lord, however, avoids making us grovel in our own vomit. God accepts us where we are, and not where we ought to be.

In truth, we all need to make a change, and not just the bullies. The sheer reality of God demands that we pay attention to what is right, just, and good. And the prophet Isaiah informed the people exactly how we must live in a world full of bullies and busted dreams.

We are to have an awareness of ethics and morality, a concern for humanity, and an orientation to help everyone thrive and flourish in this life.

The answer to life’s question of how to exist in this world and do more than just survive comes down to human morality:

  • Live right
  • Speak the truth
  • Despise exploitation
  • Refuse bribes
  • Reject violence
  • Avoid evil pleasures

The safe and stable way to live is to participate in the rhythms of mercy and justice that are woven into the fabric of the universe. The path to a contented and satisfying life is through goodness, not hatred.

Security and satisfaction don’t come through control of all circumstances; it comes by discerning that God has ultimate control, and that this God is good, not evil; just, not unjust; and righteous, not capricious.

According to the prophet, God will determine when the suitable time for assistance will come for us. And the Lord will deal with the ungodly according to the divine timetable, and not when we believe judgments should be rendered.

None of this is in our purview. Sometimes, talking about this sort of theology is a way of taking the focus off of our own need for an ethical and moral life. Sometimes, it is a helpful way of coming to grips with what is happening. Discernment is needed with oneself in these matters.

Trusting God means to exercise patience and perseverance, to focus on faith, to discipline ourselves in prayer, and to express confidence in hope.

We are not necessarily ruined whenever our circumstances are dire. The worse things become, the greater the display of divine power that can come.

By orienting ourselves around God and God’s strength and will, we grow in courage and develop in faith. We learn to trust in the worst of situations. We discover that the Lord knows the score of things, that God understands what’s going on.

And God laughs at the ungodly who believe they can bully the godly around. The most brilliant of military commanders is like a little toddler before the sovereign Lord of the universe. The fiery words they blow will blow back on them and consume their arrogance.

So, let us not harden our own hearts, but exercise a change of heart to let God be God, and to want for nothing but the courts of the Lord.

Let us not be like the bullies of Assyria who lived without a thought to the divine reality in front of them. Let us not become tormented, as if a fire were devouring us with inward anguish of soul, but instead:

  • Walk in right relations with others and with the Lord
  • Maintain truth and integrity in everything
  • Be free from corruption and offending others and God
  • Act with love toward your neighbor and your God
  • Refuse to accept a bribe
  • Restrain evil impulses
  • Open wide the spigot of goodness and justice

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Safety and abundance of good things is provided by the Lord. God protects. And God supplies. Rely upon God’s promises, and not the empty bellowing of others.

Be safe. Be strong. Be spiritual. We are all in this life together.

O God, my refuge and strength: In this place of unrelenting light and noise, enfold me in your holy darkness and silence, so that I may rest secure under the shadow of your wings. Amen.