Trying to lock up the wind
Ecclesiastes 8: No one can control the wind or lock it in a box…as long as men and women have the power to hurt each other, this is the way it is.
I’m not sure that the writer intends for me to associate these two statements but they tie together for me. Iāve seen people make bad choices. If I ask them about it, theyāll most often have someone or something to blame for what theyāre doing. I’m not saying that everyone else is always innocent in some of these things but the bottom line is that people pretty much do what they want to do. Sadly, even when I see whatās going on I can’t force people to do the right thing. As Ecclesiastes says, “no one can control the wind.” Well, neither can one control the hearts of others. The very fact that I love people, encourage them, and help them through their darkest hour means that I also give them the power to hurt me. At some level I have to just let things go and protect my own heart. As the writer says, “This is the way it is.” When Iāve done all Iāve been allowed to do, and when my heart has been broken, I come to the place where I have to let go and entrust those I “can’t control” to the hands of a gracious God. Heās able to work through issues if heās given an opportunity, even after Iāve been removed from the situation.
Take Away: Sometimes we just have to walk away knowing that the more we try to help the worse weāre making things. Happily, the Lord never has to just walk away.
Tag: decisions
Devotional on Luke
Crossroads in time
Luke 19: All this because you didnāt recognize and welcome Godās personal visit.
Itās the Triumphal Entry. As many cheer, giving Jesus a royal welcome into Jerusalem others harden in their opposition to him. In less than a week Jesus will be dead. Our Lord weeps, not for himself but for Jerusalem. This city is at a crossroads in time. This day could have been much more than the Triumphal Entry. It could have ushered in a new, transformed age of peace on Earth, good will to men. This week could have been a week without a cross. Instead, the results of these days for Jerusalem will be horror, pain, suffering, and destruction. Itās a moment in time. Listen, I donāt claim to grasp the theology of all this but Jesus says it didnāt have to be the way it was. He wept as he considered how different things might have been. As I deal with this passage from a devotional perspective I wonder how often people come to such pivotal moments. I wonder how aware they are that theyāre about to walk into a trip wire that will change their lives forever. My consolation is that in the case of the passage before us Jerusalem has had hundreds of years of opportunities to prepare for this moment. Itās not in ignorance that theyāre about to step off this cliff. I have to believe that in smaller, personal ways that itās the same for us as we arrive at our crossroads in time.
Take Away: I may not always recognize the significance of life events so I must rely on the help of the Holy Spirit as I negotiate life.
Devotional on Acts
Itās out of our hands
Acts 21: āItās in Godās hands now,ā we said. āMaster, you handle it.ā
In spite of repeated warnings from Godās people that this trip to Jerusalem will end with him in chains Paul remains convinced that this is what the Lord wants. He believes that the gospel will be advanced in entirely new ways as a result of his facing whatever it is that he must face there. Frankly, Iām not clear as to whether or not this is the Lordās express will for Paul. It may be that this is mostly Paulās idea and that the Lord has warned him but also assured him that he can get good out of what is coming. On the other hand, this may be exactly Godās plan. I just donāt know. Paulās friends, though, know what they want. They want Paul to stay out of Jerusalem and away from the trouble that awaits him there. The great Apostle, though, is having none of it. Heās bound for Jerusalem and nothing they say is going to change his mind. At this point they do the only reasonable thing: they hand it all off to the Lord. Why try to press the debate with Paul? Why lay awake at night and worry about it? Sooner or later we find ourselves right where they are. We donāt agree with the course of action a respected brother or sister in Christ is taking, but they’re convinced that itās the right thing to do. At that point, we need to decide to take our hands off and trust the Lord with it. From then on, we can go on loving and supporting our friend without trying to change their mind or even holding an āI told you soā in reserve. Know what? The Master really can handle it.
Take Away: Thereās a time for letting others work out their own lives; for letting the Lord and them handle things without our help.
Devotional on Ephesians
Wandering in the wilderness
Ephesians 2: Youāre no longer wandering exiles.
We know the story of how under the leadership of Moses the children of Israel refuse to enter the Promised Land and end up wandering in the wilderness for 40 long years. In this passage, Paul describes the Gentiles as also wandering out in the wilderness, separated from God. Now, thanks to Jesus, the way into the Promised Land, the ākingdom of faith,ā has been provided. Everyone is invited, both Jews and Gentiles, to make the crossing into that place of peace, at home with God. The reason, of course, that the children of Israel even make that long detour in the first place is that they didnāt trust God. Having rejected him, they turned away to the misery of the desert. For the Gentiles, the situation’s a bit different. Because of Jesus theyāre experiencing their first opportunity to come to God and theyāre taking full advantage of it, coming in by the thousands and tens of thousands. For those who respond, the wandering days are ended and the days of spiritual abundance have begun. On a personal level Iāve seen more than one respond to what Jesus has done. Theyāre rewarded with new, everlasting life for their decision. Sad to say, Iāve seen a few who have opted for the wilderness instead. Decisions have been made, priorities have been set, and theyāve followed the road out into the desert. Happily, God is the God of Second Chances. At some point, I hope and pray that theyāll find themselves once again at the point of decision. I sincerely pray that at that time their wandering days will end.
Take Away: Jesus provides us all the way to God.
Devotional on Genesis
Road to ruin
Genesis 19: God was so merciful to them!
I really dislike the story of the destruction of the wicked cities, Sodom and Gomorrah. Thereās almost nothing uplifting in it. Years earlier, Lot and his family had taken up residence in the vicinity of Sodom. Now, in spite of its reputation for sexual wickedness, we find him at home there. When the messengers of God warn him to take his family and flee he doesnāt want to go. His wife canāt bear leaving and his daughters have a warped view of morality. Even when heās convinced to run he canāt bring himself to leave the area and, even though he later changes his mind about it, strikes a bargain to move to a smaller town in the area. I squirm a bit as I read all this and then, even though Iāve read the story many times, I want to turn my head as the fire and brimstone falls in judgment. I come away from this passage thinking Iād better be careful about the choices I make…that they may have more impact on me and those I love than I realize. Iām also reminded that I must never underestimate the seriousness of sin. As does Abraham, once in a while I need to glance out over the plain and see the smoke rising from the destruction and remember that Judgment is real and sure and serious. And, as I see Lot and his family being ushered away prior to that Judgment, I had better be reminded of Godās mercy. That was their only hope and itās also my only hope.
Take away: Iād better be careful about the choices I make.
Devotional on Genesis
Seeking Godās direction
Genesis 46: Iāll go with you down to Egypt.
The news that not only is his son Joseph alive but that heās running the entire country of Egypt is almost more than Jacob can absorb. For over 20 years heās thought his son was dead, killed by a wild animal. Now, heās to leave the land promised to his grandfather, Abraham, and join Joseph in Egypt. With a region-wide famine ravishing the land and Joseph calling him to Egypt Jacob is ready to go; well, almost. As he begins the relocation of his family, Jacob stops at Beersheba. This is the site of a well that was dug by his ancestor Abraham. It was also a favorite location of his father, Isaac. Jacob comes to Beersheba to seek the face of God and the Lord doesnāt disappoint. The promise is a wonderful one. God will go with Jacob to Egypt and heāll prosper him there. When the time is right, Canaan will be given to his family, just as the Lord promised Abraham. With this promise ringing in his ears, Jacob leads his family to Egypt. I really like all I see here. Jacobās returning to holy ground to seek Godās direction makes perfect sense and the response of the Lord proves the wisdom of this action. I need to remember to seek God before making big decisions. Actually, come to think of it, I need to practice for the big decisions by seeking his face in the minor ones too.
Take away: It makes good sense to seek the wisdom of God as I make decisions in my life.
Devotional on Exodus
Identity crisis
Exodus 1: He killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand.
Moses is thought of as the grandson of the king, but heās raised by the woman whoās secretly his own mother. On one hand, heās an Egyptian and a member of the ruling class at that. On the other hand, heās a Hebrew, condemned at birth, a member of a nation of slaves. Sooner or later he has to decide who he is. That day comes, even though his expression of solidarity with Godās people is quite flawed. First, he kills an Egyptian who mistreats a fellow Hebrew. He then tries to be a peacemaker between two Hebrews who are having a fight. Thereās no question in his mind or in the mind of Pharaoh which side heās on and soon Moses finds himself fleeing for his life. Iāve heard some sermons about how Moses should have waited for God to call him to be the liberator of his people and that, had he done that, it would have saved him four decades of leading sheep. For all I know, those sermons are right on. Still, Iām taken today with the need to decide early on which side one is on. Moses is likely mistaken when he kills the Egyptian, but his decision to cast his lot with a nation of slaves rather than be a member of the Egyptian royal household is courageous and ought to be appreciated by all who read the story. Iām glad that early on in my life the Lord spoke to my heart and that, right then, I decided to say āyesā to him without over thinking what such a response might mean. Today, I wonāt give Moses a āthumbs upā on what he did but Iāll certainly give him credit for why he did it.
Take Away: Sooner or later we need to decide what side weāre onā¦and the sooner the better.
Devotional on Joshua
A practical conversion
Joshua 2: They left and arrived at the house of a harlot named Rahab and stayed there.
As the Israelites prepare to cross the Jordan two spies are sent to learn about their first target, Jericho. They slip into the walled city and take up residence in what was likely a common place of lodging. The commentators tell me that Rahabās house was likely a tavern and inn. While some squirm around Rahabās being called a āharlotā itās likely that the scriptures are simply telling it as it is. Weāre talking about a Canaanite women living in a Canaanite town here. When she acts to protect the spies it isnāt because sheās gotten saved in a revival meeting! Sheās acting out of self-preservation. Still, her actions carry real weight. In spite of her questionable past and her lack of knowledge about the God of the Israelites sheās concluded that this God of theirs is powerful and will deliver Canaan to his people. She may not know the Ten Commandments or the Shema or the story of Abraham and Isaac, but sheās heard enough about this God that sheād rather be on his side than on the side of the people and gods of Canaan. In what might be considered a āpractical conversionā she picks that God over all others. Hopefully, in the years to come her theology will mature and her relationship with God and his people will deepen. However, for all of us, our faith journey has to start somewhere. Deciding one would rather be on Godās side in the battle isnāt a bad place to start.
Take Away: All spiritual life begins with a simple decision concerning oneās relationship to the Lord.
Devotional on Joshua
Oops
Joshua 9: The men of Israel looked them over and accepted the evidence. But they didnāt ask God about it.
Word of the impressive victories of the Israelite army has spread far and wide. Waves of fear sweep across Canaan when the powerful armies of the kings west of the Jordan fall. Now, with Jericho and Ai both destroyed the region is in the grip of dismay. Some are gearing up for war but one group desperately tries a different approach. The people of Gibeon send emissaries to the Israelites. Theyāre made up to look as though theyāve been on a long journey but actually theyāre local. They tell Joshuaās people that theyāve heard of the might of God and their exploits and that, from a distance, they want to make a peace treaty with them. Apparently, the Israelites are somewhat flattered that their fame has spread far and wide, so, without giving it much thought, they seal the deal with Gibeon. To the surprise of the Israelites, they find that theyāve made a deal with one of the groups theyāre supposed to purge from Canaan! What a blunder on the side of the Israelites and what resourcefulness on the side of Gibeon! The problem, of course, for Israel is that, while they were examining the dried, moldy bread from the saddlebags of the emissaries they forgot to āask God about it.ā They relied on their own wisdom rather than on the guidance of the Lord. Iād like to be very critical of the Israelites at this point, but Iād better tread carefully here. How many times have I, in my so called wisdom, checked out all the facts, made up a āpros and consā list, researched the issue and moved on it. Only after the fact I may have tossed an āand, by the way Lord, please bless what Iām about to doā prayer. As I see Israel making an un-prayed over deal with Gibeon Iām sorry to say I see myself all too often doing the same sort of thing.
Take Away: Youāll never be sorry you prayed first.
Devotional on 1 Samuel
The good, the bad, and the ugly
1 Samuel 27: The best thing I can do is escape to Philistine country.
One thing about the narrative of the Bible is that weāre told the whole story, both good and bad. I think that David’s time in Philistine country is, for him personally, what the book of Judges is for the Israelite people as a whole. David does it and weāre told about it, but none of itās to his credit. Right off, David says that he thinks sooner or later that Saul’s going to capture him, so he needs to escape the country. Whereās his faith in God who’s proven faithful to him across the years? Has he forgotten the incidents at the cave in En Gedi and at Hakilah Hill? Then we see him go to the enemies of Israel and of God, the Philistines, for refuge. King Achish foolishly thinks to himself that, “An enemy of Saul is a friend of mine.” Thatās a major mistake on his part but David’s decision stinks to high heaven. Itās unworthy of one anointed of God. Once he settles in Ziklag, David starts raiding small towns. When Achish asks him where heās been he lies and says heās been raiding his own people, Judah. Instead, he raids Philistine towns and hides it by killing everyone living in them. When I read of mass killing during the occupation of Canaan Iām uncomfortable, but at least that they felt they were doing God’s will. In David’s case, heās just making a living off of raiding villages and killing people. The writer of the Scripture just tells us what happened, but I come away from this passage thinking that this isnāt of David’s proudest moment. Later on, when David wants to build the Temple heās told he has too much blood on his hands. I think this incident is an example of that. I understand that David was living in different times and that beyond that Iām not David’s judge. I also remember here that even biblical heroes (not to mention me) stand in great need of God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
Take Away: Even heroes of the Bible need Godās mercy.
Devotional on 1 Samuel
Hopefully, David wasnāt trustworthy
1 Samuel 29: He’s not going into battle with us.
How about that, wisdom from the Philistines! Fleeing from Saul (maybe said better: “getting away from Saul so he won’t have to kill him”) David’s living in Philistine territory, the town of Ziklag. Now the Philistines are uniting to take on Saul and the army of Israel in a major, decisive battle. Amazingly, Davidās with the Philistines! King Achish, who mistakenly thinks that David has already been attacking his fellow countrymen in Judah, is confident that David has completely betrayed Israel. However, the other warlords of the Philistines arenāt convinced. They don’t know David, but they know his reputation. They think that in the heat of the battle heāll turn on them. Achish reluctantly sends David and his men home. Are the other warlords right? I hope so. David has no business living in the land of the Philistines in the first place much less fighting on their side. I think this event is crucial to David’s future as king of Israel. In the story of Abraham and Lot, itās Lot who mistakenly decides to live in the wicked city of Sodom. That decision changes his life. Had he not made this crucial mistake he might have gone down in history as a great man who walked in faith with his uncle, Abraham. Instead, his story is a mere footnote in the history of God’s people. In this incident, Davidās at a similar crossroads. If he joins the Philistines in this battle heāll never lead Israel. Instead, heāll only be a minor player in the story of redemption. I hope these warlords are right and that David would have turned on them. If not that, I wish that it had been David, himself who decided to leave the battlefield. Instead, itās the enemies of God and his people who wisely send him away. Is it possible that we can see the hand of God in this decision of the Philistine warlords?
Take Away: The Lord is sovereign and can use whoever he wants to accomplish his will.
Devotional on 2 Chronicles
The funeral service was poorly attended
2 Chronicles 21: There were no tears shed when he died ā it was good riddance!
Jehoshaphat fathers five sons and he leaves them each an inheritance of wealth. Additionally each one is given a fortified city to rule, basically setting them up for life. His oldest son, Jehoram, gets the throne. This could work out as the most successful handoff of power since Solomon took the throne from his father, David. Instead, thereās murder and abandonment of God. This wicked man murders all his brothers and leads his subjects away from God. The Lord, in turn, is disgusted with him. There are rebellions and then a humiliating and destroying illness. After eight years of failure Jehoram is dead. And no one cares. What a pitiful life story. How sobering it is to think that the untimely death of a person is considered a favor of God to those under his influence and authority. What an important reminder to realize it all started when he turned his back on God. Each life journey arrives at key forks in the road. When I arrive at such a place I make a fresh decision concerning the type of person I will be. That decision will impact not only me, but those who are closest to me, and in some cases, even people Iāll never know. Because of the importance of how I handle those big moments in my life, I want to practice for them by dealing with the little stuff in the right way. Little things lead to big things. Big things lead to eternity.
Take Away: We become the people we are by the decisions we make along the way.
Devotional on Nehemiah
Spiritually deciding things in practical ways
Nehemiah 11: The people drew lots to get one out of ten to move to Jerusalem.
When the Jews return to the vicinity of Jerusalem to rebuild the city and reestablish worship there they find a city in ruins. They also find small settlements of the descendants of the remnant of Jews who had been left behind a generation earlier. Many, apparently, opt to live in those settlements rather than in the rubble of Jerusalem. That makes good sense; after all, this is an agrarian society in need of open land for their livestock and for growing food. Now, though, the wall project is complete and worship has been reestablished in their holy city. Iām impressed that the leaders have already led the way back by making their homes in Jerusalem. Now, the decision is made to draw lots to decide who else will join them. Itās an interesting mixture of spiritual and practical decision making. As Godās people they want to have a real presence in this City of David. However, theyāre practical about it too. Not everyone can immediately relocate to this broken city. Instead, one tenth of them will, and to be fair, itās decided by drawing lots. To me, this all embodies the balance the Lord wants us to have in our lives. Some would have us live mystical lives in which God opens parking spaces at the mall for us and in which we just flip our Bibles open to a random passage to find āGodās willā for us in big decisions. Others want us to keep our feet planted firmly on planet earth. āIf itās to be itās up to meā is their motto. They plan their lives and operate the Church as though theyāre putting on a performance for God, who sits off at a distance being impressed by it all. In the middle is the balanced life. Living with an eye toward God, seeking his direction and relying on his strength while at the same time using the brains he gave us, applying our experiences, intelligence, and gifts to all we do. As I watch these Jews lining up to draw lots, Iām impressed by their desire to walk with God even if it means the inconvenience of moving to the destroyed city. Iām also impressed by their practical way of working through who will do what.
Take Away: The people of the Lord are to live between the extremes; both trusting God and, at the same time, using all the capability he has given us.