Restraint

April 16, 2024

In 1 Samuel 25 is a story with multiple layers to it. David and his 600 followers, discontents to the last man, are acting as a guerrilla paramilitary operation, offering protection to the locals…for a price. In this story, they are providing protection for a wealthy man named Nabal, who doesn’t appreciate what he considers to be extortion for their uninvited service. He refuses to provide anything for their efforts, prompting David to mount a retaliatory raid upon him and his possessions. 

Nabal’s wife, the beautiful Abigail, learns of David’s intentions, and intervenes, preventing by her bold and wise actions the carnage David had planned. David’s response:

“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand.“ —I Samuel 25:32-33 

I’ve often wondered at the mystery of God’s intervention in my life. I’ve watched too many times as people have destroyed in a moment of rage or passion what took years to build. Marriages destroyed, families torn apart, ministries gutted, businesses destroyed…all because someone chased after the latest shiny thing that caused their undoing.

I’m no smarter nor better than any of the people I know who have tossed away a lifetime of hard work in a fit of jealousy, envy, or lust, and known how close to the edge I’ve come at times through my own foolishness. Why God pulled me back and didn’t do the same for someone else is beyond my understanding, but I’m grateful that he has done so. 

Jesus often opened the eyes of the blind, which is a picture of his work in us. Sin blinds us to it’s consequences (we sin when we think we can get away with it), but those consequences are always there. I am so grateful that at those times when I was stumbling along in the dark, God opened my eyes just in time to keep me from taking that one step that would have spelled disaster. Why me and not others I don’t know, but I am so very grateful, as was David, for God’s restraining hand. 

Praise

4/15/24

Today’s Scripture reading came from the stories of Saul and David in 1 Samuel. Saul’s jealousy and insecurity have him coming completely unglued when it comes to David. David is on the run, an outlaw much like Robin Hood, chased and hounded from place to place. He has some narrow escapes, and it is in these circumstances that he pens Psalms 52, 57, and 142, where he cries out for help.

”Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually. You love evil more than good, Lying rather than speaking righteousness…But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, Because You have done it; And in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good.“ —Psalm 52:1, 3, 8-9 

”My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations.“

—Psalm 57:7, 9 

”When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk They have secretly set a snare for me. Look on my right hand and see, For there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul. Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me.” —Psalm 142:3-4, 7 

David’s words of praise weren’t uttered in beautiful palaces, temples with stained glass and exquisite architecture. They didn’t spring from places of security and peace, but came from times of anxiety and danger, of fear and worry. We often imagine that once things in our lives get straightened out, when we have more time or money or better health, then we’ll be able to praise the Lord, but not now; not in the middle of raising kids, taking tests, a failing economy and broken relationships. 

One of the messages of these psalms is that no matter what our circumstances, today—right now—is the time to worship and praise God. Anyone can do it when all is well. But you aren’t just anyone; you are a believer in Jesus, a follower of the Way, a child of God, and one in whom the Holy Spirit dwells. If these words describe you, praise God even in the storm.

My Favorite

 April 14, 2024

I’m home from this season’s Footsteps Weekend, a spiritual retreat for youth by youth. I was there by invitation, serving as one of two Spiritual Directors. Most of the time, I sat and listened as different teenagers led the sessions, talking about various issues they face and how their relationship with Christ has made a difference. It was an amazing experience; one I hope to have again.

I must say, I’ve never felt completely comfortable working with teenagers. I’m not particularly garrulous; I’m about as big a contrast between Steve Martin’s “Wild and Crazy Guy” as you can get. So for most of the weekend, I observed as the kids interacted with each other, engaging when I could, but letting the youth leaders do their work without interference. 

All of this is prelude to what to me is the most amazing and touching experience of the weekend. Every time I walked past one particular young lady, she smiled and said, “You’re my favorite!” I have no idea how this came about. If she were one of my granddaughters, I wouldn’t be surprised, but she’s not. I’ve not had any more contact with her than with any of the others, yet she was relentless; a smile and “You are my favorite.” 

If such a word of affirmation can touch an old man’s heart, can you imagine what your word of affirmation could mean to someone who is rarely blessed with kindness and mercy? The one in need might not be your favorite, but she is God’s. The clerk at the supermarket, the waitress at the restaurant, the annoying kid who gets under your skin, the student or co-worker who is always baiting you; I’ll bet hearing words like this could turn a bad day into a good day, and might even give you the opportunity to speak the name of Jesus. 

“You are my favorite.” I didn’t ask “Favorite what?” I was too busy basking in the warmth of the moment. Give that moment to someone this week. It might change both of your lives.

Footsteps

 April 12, 2024

I’m at Footsteps Weekend, a spiritual retreat for teenagers designed to bring them closer to Jesus. These times are always challenging, and this weekend is no different, with some unique difficulties we’ve not had to navigate before. Pray for the leadership team, that we will be unobstructed avenues of God’s love and grace, and for the participants, that they will be able to open up and receive all God has for them in Jesus.

Abhorrent

 April 11, 2024

Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas were quite different than their father. All three were priests, but where Eli was faithful, his sons were profane and perverse. They stole the offerings of the people, slept with young woman who came to worship, and generally despised the counsel of God. God’s judgment on them was clear: ”Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.“ (I Samuel 2:17)

The problem wasn’t just that they were doing such things, but that because of their behavior others rejected the offering of the Lord. Today, we would say that people saw their behavior and wanted nothing to do with God. It is a sad testament for that to be said of any of God’s people, but I’ve felt the weight of this judgment even heavier for having been a pastor for over 50 years. 

I remember once when I officiated at a funeral of a man who was a good, faithful worker, a back-slapping kind of friend. It was a different story at home. He was alcoholic and abusive. I dealt with the situation as compassionately as I could, but later received some pretty vitriolic letters from co-workers who thought I had besmirched his reputation. When I asked his widow if I had said anything offensive to her, she affirmed that I had not, that my words were comforting to her. Turned out the letters came from his drinking buddies.

Even so, I don’t want to be the reason someone rejects Christ. I’m OK If they reject him because of who he is, but not if they reject him because of who I am. The Bible says Jesus is a stumbling stone to unbelievers. That’s fine. But not if I am the stumbling stone.

Word

 April 10, 2024

“The word of the Lord came to Samuel” (1 Samuel 3:21). “The word of Samuel came to Israel” (1 Samuel 4:1). These verses follow one right after the other. That’s the way it should be. If God speaks a word to me, his intent is that I speak that word to others. Peter tells us that there is no private interpretation of the Word of God. It is given to be shared, and in a way that can be verified. 

Years ago, a woman came to my wife, telling her that God told her that Linda had a word for her. Linda’s response was, “I wish he had told me, too.” Too often, God’s word gets twisted by people with hidden agendas. God doesn’t intend for us to hide his revelation and hoard it for ourselves. When we speak it out, we open ourselves to correction, which is a good thing. Never assume you have the final word. God reserves that for himself. But when he gives us a word, he expects we share it with others.

God Sees

 April 9, 2024

When the John the Baptist was asked if he were the prophet Elijah who had been foretold would precede the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 3:1), he denied it (John 1:21), but in Matthew 11:14, Jesus said of him, “If you are ready to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.”

At first glance, this seems like a contradiction, but I don’t think that’s the case. Sunday night in our discipleship group, our leader encouraged us to ask God how he sees us. Everyone else had words of grace, forgiveness, encouragement. When it was my turn, I said, “I’m not hearing anything.” I modified that comment, “If anything, all I hear are words like, “Well, you messed that up again,” or “I’d think you know better by now.” Not particularly kind to the ego.

Yesterday I got to thinking about that question again, but this time the answer came back a bit differently. “Yes, you messed that up, but you didn’t quit. You got right back up after you fell down.” I could envision God picking me up, dusting me off, and saying, “Let’s give it another try.”

I suspect that’s what’s happening in these Scriptures. John’s evaluation of himself was far less than Jesus’ evaluation of him. John saw himself merely as a voice crying out in the wilderness. Jesus saw him as a modern-day Elijah. It’s a lesson we don’t want to miss. Our self-evaluation is often considerably more critical and judgmental than God’s evaluation of us. One of the hardest lessons in life is to learn to see ourselves as God sees us: forgiven, holy, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, full of wisdom and power.

It’s a good question to ask God: “How do you see me?” Be sure to lay aside your own opinion and listen carefully to God’s words of grace and encouragement. Even if there is major work to be done; sins to confess, forgiveness to seek, wisdom to be found, God sees you far differently than you see yourself.