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God’s Judgment; Song of the Vineyard

Isaiah 3-5 and Psalm 97

Today’s word from Isaiah is hard, difficult to read, extremely sad when I think about the population that is affected. He has no choice but to tell it like it is–God has provided a vision, the story must be told.

Jerusalem staggers,
Judah is falling;
their words and deeds are against the Lord,
defying his glorious presence.
The look on their faces testifies against them;
they parade their sin like Sodom;
they do not hide it.
Woe to them!
They have brought disaster upon themselves.
Isaiah 3:8-9

This horrible picture of Jerusalem is described in vivid imagery:

Instead of fragrance there will be a stench;
instead of a sash, a rope;
instead of well-dressed hair, baldness;
instead of fine clothing, sackcloth;
instead of beauty, branding.
Your men will fall by the sword,
your warriors in battle.
The gates of Zion will lament and mourn;
destitute, she will sit on the ground.
Isaiah 3:24-26

The once beautiful city, the pride of Israel, years in the making, will lay in ruin. Pick your finest example of opulence and write the owner a letter with these words–it would not be received well (to say the least). I cannot imagine how the leaders in Judah reacted when they heard Isaiah’s outrageous words. I can imagine those in power scoffed at his vision, completely shut him down. Still, somewhere out there there were those who heard the painful words and were moved. Somewhere. Someone. The Remnant.

In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious,
and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.
Those who are left in Zion,
who remain in Jerusalem,
will be called holy,
all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem.
Isaiah 4:2-3

One day the Lord will cleanse all the earth and the holy city will be restored. Isaiah tells of the future, but the present state of the Chosen people will result in exile, banishment from that which they were given.

Therefore my people will go into exile
for lack of understanding;
those of high rank will die of hunger
and the common people will be parched with thirst.
Isaiah 5:13

I can’t wrap my mind around the concept, it’s an ancient story of a distant past, right? It’s easy to sit back and take that position, but reading the news (the real news) reveals oppression still exists today. Men, filled with personal agendas and great egos apply their vision of the perfect world on others in North Korea and Syria (to name a few). There are many other areas in the world where the idea of forced exile is very real. These people don’t wake up and decide if it’s a latte or cappuccino, they wake up from a nightmare and wonder if their family will survive the day.

This is a horrible message to deliver to the people who were once the pride of Judah, the wisest, most affluent. People whose reverence for the Lord was so strong that peace was palpable. The very mention of Yahweh brought to mind wonder and delight. Isaiah reveals the pending exile with strong words. That which was once most valued will be discarded as rubbish.

The very things that were fought for will be laid to waste because of selfish pride and complete loss of focus on that which is eternal.

Lord help us to keep you in the center of all we do. We look forward to that glorious day when all will be made new, but don’t let us look so forward that we forget about today and the people who need to feel your presence.

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God’s Response to a Nation’s Sin

Isaiah 1-2 and Psalm 96

Over the next few weeks or so we’ll read Isaiah, the first of the major prophets, “the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.” Isaiah 1:1

Isaiah begins by setting the stage:

Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!
For the Lord has spoken:
“I reared children and brought them up,
but they have rebelled against me.
The ox knows its master,
the donkey its owner’s manger,
but Israel does not know,
my people do not understand.”
Isaiah 1:2-3

The prophetic words are for the ears of Israel, especially the kings who are trying to follow the Lord, but they sound contemporary in many ways. The Creator speaks through Isaiah with harsh words:

Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
Isaiah 1:13

Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop doing wrong.
Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.
Isaiah 1:16-17

Historically, this is an awful time for God’s chosen people. Around 1,400 BC Moses is sent to deliver God’s people from Egypt. Amos, Jonah and Hosea prophesy to the northern kingdom in an attempt to warn them about the pending exile around 750 BC. Isaiah’s ministry begins around the same time for those in the southern kingdom. Nearly 700 years have past since Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land. Now our ancestors, our forefathers, have been greatly reduced and to a large extent, lost again in the Promised Land with great and wonderful memories of God’s provision.

We read through 700 years of history in a matter of hours and perhaps we shake our heads and point our fingers at their deplorable actions. God speaks through his prophets to warn, to rebuke, to chastise because he loves his people! Again and again, he attempts to bring about reconciliation:

“Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the good things of the land;
but if you resist and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 1:18-20

If we are willing and obedient. A big “if” some days. Certainly not something we like to preach about! I prefer to highlight the positive statements. I keep looking through the Old Testament for the remnant, the few who heard and listened to the warnings. I know there were some, perhaps many, who were unnamed, they simply went about their lives in complete loyalty and devotion. Their sphere of influence small, but committed. I’m grateful for their legacy that seeped into the DNA of the first disciples and apostles.

Deep inside, there we so many just waiting for Jesus to come, for the One who would provide answers to Isaiah’s words, he who would fill in the blanks. Mere humans could not do this!

Stop trusting in mere humans,
who have but a breath in their nostrils.
Why hold them in esteem?
Isaiah 2:22

Though many would promote themselves, no mere mortal could provide the solution. When we collectively turn our eyes on Jesus, the solution begins to come in focus. I can’t fully wrap my mind around the concept of fully human and fully divine–I’ll just have to wait until I’m on the other side of eternity–but here is the answer to all questions for those who are willing to listen. May we have childlike innocence with the wisdom of Isaiah, a crazy request perhaps, just my earnest desire for the day.

Open our hearts, Lord. Help us to hear your words through your prophets of old as we live in this crazy world today.

Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
Psalm 96:1-3

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Easter Monday

The problem is not belief in the resurrection,
but whether we live lives that would make no sense
if in fact Jesus has not been raised from the dead.
~ Stanley Hauerwas (Matthew)

I’m a bit distracted this morning by thoughts of Easter. I did my part in the production of Easter Sunday, but has my life changed? As Hauerwas entreats, do I live a life that reveals my knowledge and complete belief in the resurrection of Jesus? I wonder. Josh Dew, a friend who wants to create a coffee shop missional church plant, got me thinking about the concept this morning with his Facebook post. He’s kinda artsy and edgy and loves Jesus like crazy. Here’s part of his envious perspective from coffee shop conversations with those far from Christ:

I heard a lot of grumbling and complaining by people who don’t believe in God or the Bible. These people believe that hypocritical Christians try to mix Christ with pagan culture and lie to their children about what’s real and what’s not.

How does the world see Easter? As the festivities quiet down, has anything changed? How can we break from the mold that society casts on us?

Whew! A lot to consider. Perhaps I’ll read Lamentations over and over!!

Before getting too far down on myself for my outward behavior, I hope to remember the words of scripture that help lift me:

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Psalm 96:11-13

I will join in creation, I will rejoice and be jubilant with all my heart.

It’s no surprise to Jesus when we deny him, times when our actions betray him; our humanity will show up at the worst of times. Just after Peter’s proclamation and Jesus’ declaration that Peter will deny him three times, our Lord pauses to provide this reassurance:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You believe in God;
believe also in me.
My Father’s house has many rooms;
if that were not so,
would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back and take you to be with me
that you also may be where I am.
You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John 14:1-5

One of Rich Mullins’ last songs on earth, That where I am, there you may also be, fills my mind and captures the moment.

Pentecost is coming, June 4, 2017 this time around the sun. Lord, may I live a life that is different because of Easter.

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Easter: Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Read: John 20-21

Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

Tradition that reminds us to remind ourselves of this spectacular, pivotal event in history. I was raised with such rich tradition, with Easter Egg hunts and candy treats, with early Son Rise services as we sang hymns on cool Easter Sundays. The Easter Lilies that adorned the sanctuaries bloom to remind us that the Lord of Creation is the Lord of the Resurrection.

A lot of these traditions are old now, but I’m thankful for the heritage, the fond memories of watching our girls run around with Easter baskets finding treats around the house. One of my favorites was in Colorado where we “hid” Easter eggs on top of the snow! We sectioned off the area by age groups and watched the girls and their friend find eggs on top of the Spring snow. They didn’t miss a beat. The joy with which they collected eggs and the celebration that followed is heart-warming even today. I miss those days, but I’m thankful for the memories.

It’s a different world and a new time, but the course of history was changed by this single moment. All four Gospels cover the most significant event in history: the Resurrection of Jesus! Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21

Each provide a different perspective of the account of eyewitnesses that attest to this miracle above all miracles. John provides some details, a wonderful record of events from the early discovery through appearances to the disciples (the eleven).

I want to read more about the event, but John simple states:

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31

But he couldn’t stop writing! Chapter 21 adds more details:

Finally, he put the quill and ink to rest:

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. John 21:25

Brett Andrews sent an email to the New Life Christian Church staff asking for prayer in many specific ways. He ended the email with verse three from an old hymn some one hundred years ago that captures the moment:

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
The Love of God, Frederick Lehman, 1917

Many of my friends are busy this morning as they serve local churches in various parts of the country. I pray that our commitment to serving the church doesn’t make us so busy that we miss the splendor of the day.

Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

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Somber Saturday

Read: Isaiah 53:10-54:17

Two thousand plus years ago, this was the worst Saturday conceivable. Did the disciples begin to hear dismissive thoughts from those who called them out time and time again: “Didn’t we tell you? He was just a man.”

10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
11 After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 53:10-12

Did they gather together and compare stories? Just a few days earlier, they were having supper with Jesus and Passover was upon them, another grim reminder of the great and mighty God they serve. In my imagination, I hear them going over everything Jesus said, how he changed the progressive Passover meal to end differently than Jewish custom. He washed all of their feat, even the feet of Judas, and told them clearly:

“I am telling you now before it happens,
so that when it does happen
you will believe that
I am who I am.
John 13:19

I wonder if one of them thought about Isaiah 54. I don’t know how they kept the scrolls back in those days, but I’m confident they knew the words of the prophets better than I do. I can see them scrambling for the parchment, “here, read this…”

“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
Isaiah 54:4

Don’t listen to the voices of the naysayers that never heard the wisdom of Christ nor witnessed the love and compassion for those hurting, the lame, the blind and the lost. They weren’t with you over the course of three years. Jesus walked with them more than 1,000 days on earth, we get just a glimpse in the Gospel records. “You will not be humiliated,” affirms Isaiah — 700 years before the crucifixion, even before death on a Roman cross was invented.

I hope someone remembered Isaiah’s words:

9 “To me this is like the days of Noah,
when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,
never to rebuke you again.
10 Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:9-10

Yes! The unfailing love of God will not be shaken!

This is a somber Saturday, the time between the cross and resurrection, a time to reflect. Lord, help me to feel the pain the disciples felt that day. I can’t imagine the grief anymore than I can understand the pain a mother feels in childbirth, but I know the joy far outweighs the momentary hurt.

My prayer is to remember this pain as a way to understand the harsh reality for those who don’t know Christ; those who have abandoned beliefs they were taught from childhood or perhaps never understood in the first place. Help me, Lord, to grieve for those who don’t know you, to have a heart for the lost, those far from Christ, that don’t even know what Good Friday or Easter means.

 

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Good Friday

Read: Isaiah 53

Good Friday. Horrible Friday. Necessary Friday. I’ve always had trouble with the name we labeled for this day as we stop to remember that our savior was brutally tortured on a cross. Last night, Hope Fellowship provided a somber reminder of the process through The Way of the Cross, an expanded version of Stations of the Cross, that invites us to walk with Jesus from condemnation to the cross and beyond. At Hope Fellowship, the journey ends with an image of the resurrected Jesus, communion and an opportunity to pray. If it weren’t for resurrection of Jesus, all of this would be in vain as the Apostle Paul reminds us, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” (1 Corinthians 15:14) The Way of the Cross reminds of the resurrection and gives us images to ponder today, Good Friday.

I simply can’t begin to think about Good Friday without knowing we will soon celebrate Great Easter!

Beginning next week we’ll read Isaiah’s vision, rich prophecies that spoke to people in the southern kingdom (Judah) as the northern kingdom was swept away into Assyrian exile. Isaiah’s words were incredibly important to the kings who listened in his day, but for our benefit he was given visions of the future that speak to us today. The timeless nature of his words provide an overwhelming assurance that God has a plan, has always been in control and will bring the story of humanity to a close at some point according to his word.

1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
4 Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Isaiah 53:1-9

We have the great advantage of knowing the rest of the story when we read this incredible text. Jesus grew up like a root out of the ground, ordinary, unremarkable. As Brett Andrews alluded to in his sermon last week, Jesus’ entrance was anything but spectacular. If we would have written the story we would have had music, lights, parades, etc.–the world would know this is the king! But this is not God’s way of wooing back his people.

We held him in low esteem, we are the ones who had lost our way; sheep who have no clue. Who protested? No one could undo what was about to be done. Roman oppression was absolute. Once the process started, there was no undo.  Some realization along the way was far too late. The Roman strategy of publicly humiliating those they punished served their earthly rule well. Those that might have been on the fence would immediately turn away from this man who is apparently a criminal.

Some were still convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. Somewhere in the crowd Bartimaeus was watching with eyes renewed by this man Jesus (Mark 10:46-52). Others who were lame, lost, lonely–all could do nothing but let the spectacle of their savior unfold. Confused. Sad. Despondent.

Despite our inability to grasp what was happening, Jesus went to the cross. Whipped and beaten, unable to even carry the wooden device that would serve to hang him naked in front of everyone, Jesus accepted the journey.

For us.

Darkness.

Not the end.

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Lovers Revel in Each Other

Song of Songs 5-8 and Psalm 95

As we read through the second half of Song of Songs, we should take a diversion and consider how the poem should be interpreted. Is this a story of two lovers? Or is this a love story of Christ and his church? Or God and Israel? In other words, is this an allegory that depicts God’s great love for his people and therefore the church or is this a book that simply honors sexual relations within the bounds of holy matrimony?

There are lots of resources available, this one appealed to me most: link. I especially like the concept of this being an ancient musical in which the beauty of intimacy in marriage is both honored and used to teach young couples. It’s impossible for me to understand a woman’s perspective, but it is reasonable for me to know that hers is different than my own.

I was surprised to see such an array of interpretations as I searched for answers. One one extreme, the appeal of the allegory is rather safe. By taking this approach I don’t have to talk about sexual intimacy and I can safely discuss Song of Songs 5:2-8.

I slept but my heart was awake.
Listen! My beloved is knocking:
“Open to me, my sister, my darling,
my dove, my flawless one.
My head is drenched with dew,
my hair with the dampness of the night.”
I have taken off my robe—
must I put it on again?
I have washed my feet—
must I soil them again?
Song of Songs 5:2-3

As an allegory, this would be interpreted as Christ stands at the door knocking and by disregarding the knock, the subsequent withdrawal is painful:

I opened for my beloved,
but my beloved had left; he was gone.
My heart sank at his departure.
I looked for him but did not find him.
I called him but he did not answer.
Song of Songs 5:6

Interesting, yes? While this might be the right approach, it seems to me that a more literal view is in order. There are many lessons to be learned about intimacy in marriage. No matter how I want to approach the subject it’s awkward. Do I sit down with my daughters and exposit this text? For pre-marital counseling, do we ask the man and woman to write their interpretation and guide them along? Can we use this text to explain the copulation of virgin bride and groom?

We would do well to learn when and how to properly address the subject in a safe environment, but not to shy away from a more literal perspective. Young couples who are committed to honor a marriage covenant, seeking to maintain their virginity for their marriage, would benefit from mature and wise counsel.

They would learn that it’s ok to be excited about their spouse and find comfort in expressing their love in words:

You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling,
as lovely as Jerusalem,
as majestic as troops with banners.
Turn your eyes from me;
they overwhelm me.
Song of Songs 6:4-5

While I might not say my wife’s hair is like a flock of goats, or teeth like sheep, the words here provide a prompt: say something man! Somehow we have to erase the Hollywood version of lust and sex and enter into a place of love and intimacy. In our culture, this is a stretch, but the reward of a lifetime of love between one man and one woman is worth the struggle.

I belong to my beloved,
and his desire is for me.
Song of Songs 7:10

Simply said, these words are incorporated in our marital vows in one way or another.

Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot sweep it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of one’s house for love,
it would be utterly scorned.
Song of Songs 8:7

Perhaps we need to be reminded that love is truly precious, we can’t buy love. We may know this intellectually, but love is not an cerebral commodity. The very nature of love is emotional and these emotions are a gift from God, deeply wired in our DNA. We were meant to love and the pleasure that is found in marriage should not be understated.

How amazing is our God that he would wire us this way. How wonderful and glorious is our Lord:

Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Psalm 95:6-7

I prefer to read Song of Songs as a literal love song between husband and wife. It reminds me to show my wife affection and encourages me to enjoy our time together. When we’re apart for days or weeks, the anticipation of reuniting is better by reading these words.

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Lovers’ Anticipation

Song of Songs 1-4

Today and tomorrow we quickly read through the Song of Songs, the best of all songs — a celebration of true love and intimacy found in marriage, the wonderful union of one man and one woman in the eyes of God. This beautiful poem uses words to describe that which is rather indescribable. The writer wastes no time in setting the theme:

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
for your love is more delightful than wine.
Song of Songs 1:2

Have no doubt, these are words designed to describe perfect love, an amazing relationship between husband and wife, two lovers that hold nothing back; complete devotion to each other.

He: How beautiful you are, my darling!
Oh, how beautiful!
Your eyes are doves.
She: How handsome you are, my beloved!
Oh, how charming!
And our bed is verdant.
He: The beams of our house are cedars;
our rafters are firs.
She: I am a rose of Sharon,
a lily of the valleys.
He: Like a lily among thorns
is my darling among the young women.
Song of Songs 1:15-2:2

Genuine love, intimacy found within the bonds of marriage is based in mutual desire. Images of our wedding album come to mind as I read these words. It’s so good to look back, to discard the issues of today long enough to remember that which transcends time and space. I’m convinced that marriages would be saved if we could stop and soak in these words more often.

Until it so desires:

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.
Song of Songs 2:7, 3:5, 8:4

Three times this refrain is repeated in Song of Songs. Intimacy is not fabricated or rushed. Our current society portrays love in a different light more graphically than the ancient text here, but the words are timeless and reveal a treasure for those who will be patient.

These words seem to describe a dream, a place where pressures of the world are gone and there are only two people in the world:

My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.
Look! There he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattice.
My beloved spoke and said to me,
“Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, come with me.
Song of Songs 2:9-10

I hear the swell of the orchestra play as the lovers dance in the fields without a care in the world. Complete joy and full of love. A time to remember, a day to long for. Really, it’s ok to daydream for a bit. Let the sweetness of the words fill your mind and delight in what our Creator, the Lord of the universe has wired us to enjoy.

Finding this kind of love is an adventure, I’m sure we all have a story to tell, but it is worth the struggle, a prize worthy of searching for. She searched the city and when she found him:

I held him and would not let him go
till I had brought him to my mother’s house,
to the room of the one who conceived me.
Song of Songs 3:4

What else can I say? Linger again and let your thoughts fill in the space.

My sister, my bride.

You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride;
you have stolen my heart
with one glance of your eyes,
with one jewel of your necklace.
How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride!
How much more pleasing is your love than wine,
and the fragrance of your perfume
more than any spice!
Song of Songs 4:9-10

True love is so full when we are both found in Christ, children of God, brothers and sisters indeed. My heart belongs completely to my bride. Delightful, pleasing, precious. Complete.

This is our God. He wired us to love as He loves. His unrelenting desire to reconcile us to himself is amazing and unearned, yet He continues, even to the point of death on a wooden cross. That’s how much he loves us, how much he wants us to love.

 

 

 

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Remember Your Creator; Conclusion

Ecclesiastes 12

The last chapter in Ecclesiastes begins with a beautiful poem, an allegory that paints a vivid portrait of growing old and eventually leaving this mortal frame behind. Memories of my mom’s last days return and the mirror doesn’t lie, we all have a limited number of days on earth. Though mixed with sadness, my preference is to find inspiration in this reminder.

Remember your Creator
in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them”
Ecclesiastes 12:1

Time is waning. We have a story to tell, a song to sing, people who are far from Christ to invite. The poem continues to describe the loss of sight, strength, hearing, even teeth are gone. Gray hair announces old age.

Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel broken at the well,
and the dust returns to the ground it came from,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 12:6-7

We are eternal beings caught up in flesh and bone for a time. Our world entices us to be far too concerned about outward appearance when it is our soul, our spirit that separates humankind from all others. Psalm 139 comes to mind again,

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

Lead me in the way everlasting, Lead me in the way of the cross as David Moore puts it in his song based on this psalm.

It’s so quiet in the early hours of the morning, the primary reason why I get up early to let scripture wash over me. I hope you have space in your day to let the words of Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 wash over you. I pray that you would be motivated to reach out to that one person who is far from Christ that comes to mind as you read the words, as images come to mind. Don’t delay.

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Lord, help us to share the great news of the Gospel, especially this Holy Week! Put opportunities in our path, in our daily walk and open our eyes to see those who are willing to listen if we would but utter the words. You have chosen us as your ambassadors, inspire us to act.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:22-25

Hope. We have hope. Share the news!

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Wisdom and Joy

Ecclesiastes 9-11

This is Holy Week, Palm Sunday to Easter, the week that separates Jesus Christ from all others, Christ-followers from every other religious group. As we share the Gospel with those we love, friends and family that we desperately want to see in the arms of Christ, I pray they will cheat death and enjoy eternity with those who accept Jesus:

For the living know that they will die,
but the dead know nothing;
they have no further reward,
and even their name is forgotten.
Their love, their hate
and their jealousy have long since vanished;
never again will they have a part
in anything that happens under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6

These particular verses, and the ones that follow, are rather blunt, unfiltered, even difficult to read. Verse 12 reminds us that “no one knows when their hour will come,” so we pray, earnest and with great haste. Yesterday was a full day of music, praise and worship for the one who defeated death once and for all. The lyrics washed over me again and again, tears seeping out as wave after wave of thoughts of those who I know have not accepted Christ, have not embraced grace so freely offered. I was reminded to pray for the lost, the ones who don’t even know they are lost, for loved ones and others I have yet to meet.

Wisdom, it seems, is at our fingertips, waiting to be grasped if we would but let go of vanity and selfish pride.

Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise,
and he saved the city by his wisdom.
But nobody remembered that poor man.
Ecclesiastes 9:15

No one remembered his name because, in my view, he was merely doing what he was called to do, his name was unimportant. Mother Teresa once said, “I’m a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.” This from a servant of God that gave her all for the least, the lost and the lonely. Amazing.

Perhaps too many times I think this should be my life verse:

If the ax is dull
and its edge unsharpened,
more strength is needed,
but skill will bring success.
Ecclesiastes 10:10

The way I read this is simple: I’m not very smart, but I will work harder than most until I succeed. It’s encouraging to read this proverb, especially with the work that is before me this week. Lord, I know my axe isn’t the sharpest, but give me strength and skill to pound through that which needs to be done for your glory!

Here’s a proverb I didn’t want to include, would just as soon erase it from my Bible and look the other way:

A feast is made for laughter,
wine makes life merry,
and money is the answer for everything.
Ecclesiastes 10:19

Really? Money is the answer for everything? Solomon’s words throughout Ecclesiastes are completely polar: good vs bad, right vs wrong, black or white, no in between. The wisdom of such is to stay out of the gray-zone, the land of indecisiveness. Just yesterday I said to Zoë, “I hate money,” and today I read this verse. Sigh.  Money is just a tool, love of money for the fool. It’s easy to think I have nothing when I look at bills and debt, but I know better. Forget the pity-party! This is just a season. It will pass. There are so many with so little and we have been blessed beyond comprehension. Lord, help me to be a better steward of the incredible wealth you have given me.

So we end with this benediction:

However many years anyone may live,
let them enjoy them all.
But let them remember the days of darkness,
for there will be many.
Everything to come is meaningless.
You who are young, be happy while you are young,
and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart
and whatever your eyes see,
but know that for all these things
God will bring you into judgment.
So then, banish anxiety from your heart
and cast off the troubles of your body,
for youth and vigor are meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 11:8-10

Enjoy, be happy, banish anxiety, cast off the troubles for as the Message version puts it: “Youth lasts about as long as smoke.” This isn’t a call to be frivolous, but it is a reminder that we don’t know the number of our days and we should not be so self-absorbed that we miss the joy that God has in mind for us. Satan wins if we buy into the opposite argument. Three times we see the word heart in this paragraph. My earnest prayer is that God would change hearts, make them more attuned to His ways. Then we can fully live with joy.  Lord, change my heart and help me to enjoy the limited number of days you have given me. May I lift up those around me who are sad, whose face is downcast.

The Road to Emmaus

I can’t help but append this post with an epilogue, I guess it’s just the season that reminds me of this amazing story:

As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
Luke 24:15-18

The risen Jesus Christ walked with them seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus…seven miles. The sad faces, the broken hearts of many are seen in these two as they cannot comprehend the impossibility that Jesus walks with them, that He is their resurrected savior. I completely understand them; I’m sure I would have done the same thing. I wish I had time this morning to unpack the whole Emmaus experience–powerful stuff!

Here’s the truth to be spoken over and over again:

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Do not let your faces be downcast! Let the joy of He that is far greater show in our faces this Easter season!

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