Tag: spiritual life

Telling a Story of Faith (Deuteronomy 26:5-10)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
A 13th century artwork depicting the Apostles writing the Creed

Then, standing there in front of the place of worship, you must pray:

My ancestor was homeless,
an Aramean who went to live
    in Egypt.
There were only a few
    in his family then,
but they became great
and powerful,
    a nation of many people.

The Egyptians were cruel
    and had no pity on us.
They mistreated our people
    and forced us into slavery.
We called out for help
to you, the Lord God
    of our ancestors.
You heard our cries;
you knew we were in trouble
    and abused.
Then you terrified the Egyptians
with your mighty miracles
    and rescued us from Egypt.
You brought us here
and gave us this land
    rich with milk and honey.
Now, Lord, I bring to you
the best of the crops
    that you have given me.

After you say these things, place the basket in front of the Lord’s altar and bow down to worship him. (Contemporary English Version)

Forty years of wandering throughout the desert, in the backside of the wilderness. Having been delivered out of Egypt by the mighty hand of God, the Israelites were on a very circuitous journey to the Promised Land.

The Book of Deuteronomy is a restatement of the people’s history and God’s law for the generation about to enter the land of Canaan. Moses told the people that when they enter the land and have their first harvest of crops, they are to remember and give thanks for all their blessings.

People need to be reminded of important things. Sometimes, in the middle of success and good fortune, we can forget to savor the moment, neglect to appreciate what it took to get to this place, and fail to celebrate with others the God who has made good things happen.

Interestingly, in appreciation for the abundance of a harvest, Moses did not tell the people to give thanks for the weather or the crops themselves. Rather, they were exhorted to recall and retell the story of Israel and their ancestors.

Through historical narrative, the Israelites tethered themselves to their present reality. They located themselves in the past, as contemporary links in a holy chain that stretched generations, all the way back to the patriarch Jacob.

This sort of relational and generational gratitude is in stark contrast to what current cultural appreciation and thanksgiving is, for cars, homes, jobs, resources, and stuff. Although thankfulness is appropriate and necessary for those things, none of it is lasting and sustainable.

Beneath all of the purchased things and electronic devices is a longing for connection, a desire to know who we are, where we came from, and what our true roots are.

Greater emotional health comes from knowing where we came from. Our connections to family, friends, church, and community are a vital and essential piece of living a good life with satisfaction and contentment.

Healthy roots enable us to respond well to the challenges of life with strength and resilience.

One way to recall and remember is to recite a creed. Sadly, many churches today recoil at reciting creeds and confessions, as if this were a bad thing. But there is significance and power to a group of people who stand and recite an ancient creed together.

The Christian ecumenical church creeds, including the Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed, capture the settled convictions of early believers in Jesus as they struggled to express their faith in the church and the world.

Those creeds are a part of us, and of our collective spiritual history as the people of God. There are yet other kinds of creeds, as well. We have an even more ancient creed expressed in today’s Old Testament lesson – the sort of creed that tells a story.

Moses gave the Israelites some parting instructions to follow for their future worship in the Promised Land. When they enter the land a bring in their harvest, they were to bring the first-fruits of their crops to the priest, and then profess a creed, which is really a story, a historical narrative of God’s people.

Every Jewish farmer and worshiper who brought their crop to the priest would recite the creed about their ancestors suffering in Egypt and being redeemed by God through a great deliverance. God granted them the gift of land, a promised place to call their own.

We as the people of God must discern the importance of embracing the story of redemption, of crying out and being delivered from the shackles of sin, death, and hell. We receive this salvation with thanksgiving and joy.

Christians tell their story of deliverance not only through the ancient ecumenical creeds, but also through the sacramental means of communion. The Table proclaims the life and death of Christ, given for us, and for our salvation. It is a story with deep roots in the life of Israel.

Believers in Jesus are invited to participate is something bigger than themselves. The Christian’s story begins not at Pentecost in the New Testament, but in the promise to Abraham way back in the Old Testament.

The blessing given to Abraham was a blessing for all nations, not just Israel (Genesis 12:1-3). Knowing the roots of our spiritual life and Christian faith helps inform us how we are to live out that faith and life in this present time.

Within Christianity, our history and story is much bigger than Europe and Western civilization. The earliest church began in the Middle East. Ancient Christian traditions and churches still exist, and worship today in places like Egypt and Ethiopia. There are presently large numbers of Christians in every part of the world, especially in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

Essentially, we are the lost, the last, the forgotten, the outsiders who cried out to God. And the Lord rescued us, blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ, and gave us the privilege of being ambassadors for Christ in the world.

We belong to God. Along with believers throughout the ages, and across the world, we declare:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

With God In the Dark (Psalm 3)

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

Lord, I have so many enemies!
    So many are standing against me.
So many are talking about me:
    “Even God won’t help him.”
But you, Lord, are my shield!
    You are my glory!
    You are the one who restores me.
I cry out loud to the Lord,
    and he answers me from his holy mountain.
I lie down, sleep, and wake up
    because the Lord helps me.
I won’t be afraid of thousands of people
    surrounding me on all sides.

Stand up, Lord!
    Save me, my God!
In fact, hit all my enemies on the jaw;
    shatter the teeth of the wicked!
Rescue comes from the Lord!
    May your blessing be on your people! (Common English Bible)

I don’t like cockeye arrogant people. It irks me when a person believes that their way is the only way. Such persons within the church tend to think God is always on their side. Their pride leads them to believe that God won’t help anyone who differs from them.

That sort of arrogance causes the proud person to become a self-appointed judge of all things. So, they have no problem believing that they are God’s instrument of judgment toward those who don’t agree with them.

Ironically, in their delusion, enemies of God actually believe they are on God’s side.

These were the sort of persons that opposed the psalmist, King David. They thought they knew better about how to reign over a kingdom than David did. So, David prayed with a lot of flavor for God to disprove the arrogant assertions of his enemies.

David rightly asserted that trust has its foundation in God, and not in the beliefs of humans. He discerned that God is his shield and protection against the foe. David believed that the power of God can repel any attack, as well as restore anyone to any position, as God sees fit.

The contrast in the psalm is between humble David and his proud enemies. David was the sort of person who called on God when he was in trouble. David’s enemies were the kind of people who first formed their own opinions and laid their own plans, then told God to bless what they came up with.

That’s not only the difference between humility and pride; it is also the difference between wisdom and foolishness, intelligence and stupidity.

Whatever David’s opponents would do is no match for the protective encircling presence of God around him. Although proud enemies are like wild animals with powerful jaws, God can snatch anyone out of their teeth.

Even though David’s enemies advanced against him with arrogant self-confidence, God can rescue anyone from any army. No plan formed against the godly person shall succeed. The Lord can deliver one from any and every situation.

With God, one’s fear is mitigated by faith; and sleep eventually comes with a relaxing trust in the Lord. The faithful Christian arises with a prayer in their heart saying:

Almighty God, everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day. Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity. And in all I do today, direct me to the fulfillment of Your purposes, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

The godly understand that the Lord never slumbers nor sleeps. God is ever-present with needed watch-care. And so, we declare along with the psalmist:

I look to the hills!
    Where will I find help?
It will come from the Lord,
    who created heaven and earth.

The Lord is your protector,
and he won’t go to sleep
    or let you stumble.
The protector of Israel
doesn’t doze
    or ever get drowsy.

The Lord is your protector,
there at your right side
    to shade you from the sun.
You won’t be harmed
by the sun during the day
    or by the moon at night.

The Lord will protect you
and keep you safe
    from all dangers.
The Lord will protect you
now and always
    wherever you go. (Psalm 121, CEV)

Even though the believer may become burdened with distress and adversity, without any sign of relief, they never cease to cry out and call upon God. They trust in God’s promises. They support themselves with their knowledge of God. They endure and persevere through all things.

In the end, the faithful will realize blessing and goodness. The unfaithful and arrogant won’t.

Perhaps you have been tossing and turning every night. If you sleep at all, your dreams are nightmares. During the day you might have the wherewithal to resist doubt and distress. But at night, your defenses are down, and waves of anxiety come upon you like a bunch of unwanted thugs.

In your disquieted state, make your repose to God. There is no shame in discouragement and defeat, for all the godly will suffer in some way. You shall ultimately prove victorious over all your fears, because of your reliance upon the Lord.

Whereas the ungodly puffed up person relies upon themselves, they shall be overcome by the smallest of perils. They do not realize that the routines of prayer, mindfulness, self-awareness, and the singing of hymns regulate and regimen the mind, even when unwanted situations persist for days, weeks, months, or even years at a time.

The unfaithful don’t understand that consistent rhythms of faithfulness done day after day, despite one’s circumstances, leads to a good life.

This liturgy of life in communing with God perhaps happens best at night.

On my bed I remember you;
    I think of you through the watches of the night. (Psalm 63:6, NIV)

In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
    that I may keep your law. (Psalm 119:55, NIV)

If you are a night owl, then use the time after everyone is in bed to take advantage of the quiet time with God. Your faith can be and is being forged in those dark hours after sunset. Allow yourself to fall asleep in God’s protective hands.

If you are a morning person, arise before the dawn and let the unhindered time when everyone else is sleeping bring you close to God in prayer and devotion. Let the coming of the day be shaped by the consistent discipline of scripture reading and contemplative prayer.

I rise before dawn and cry for help;
    I have put my hope in your word. (Psalm 119:147, NIV)

May the dark hours be to you blessing and honor. May the glory and power of God be seen, even in the night. For God sees you, and is with you, 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.