Luke 9

In Luke 9:28-36 Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a mountain to pray. Jesus prayed into the night. While Jesus was praying the 3 apostles were battling sleep. The light must have brought them back to consciousness. Jesus' physical presence was transformed. God's shekinah glory was radiating out from him. Though we don't know the subject he and the father addressed in prayer but since Moses and Elijah both spoke to him about the suffering he was preparing to face in Jerusalem that must have been part of the prayer. Peter, James, and John witnessed some of the conversation and Peter spoke up about building shelters for the three. But the cloud of God's presence enveloped them and the Father spoke of the pre-eminence of Jesus over Moses and Elijah. When the cloud dissipated there were only four men left on the mountain top. Though it might have been mid way into the night I wonder what they did the rest of the night. Surely Jesus slept. But what about the apostles? Were they so overwhelmed with awe that they were not wide awake? It was after day break before they came down the mountain. What did they do with those few hours of night?

We know that Jesus was prepared for the push to Jerusalem but were the three aware of what was approaching? It seems not. Would I be aware?

 

Stuart

Luke 7 - 8

Who defines the worthiness of man before God? According to Luke 7 there was a  centurion who lived in Capernaum. He was a God fearer, though apparently he would not convert to Judaism. He demonstrated his devotion to the Jewish people, if not their God, by funding the building of their synagogue. There may have been other generous acts towards the Jews but Luke only recounts this one. To the leaders of the congregation such acts of sacrifice established his worthiness before this prophet from Nazareth. His sacrifices made him worthy to receive God's attention (v 4).
I find it interesting that Jesus said nothing to the Jewish leaders. He joined them as they walked toward the centurion's house. The officer sent another message to stop Jesus. We have no idea what the Roman officer knew about the sinfulness of man and the holiness of God. But what we see from his words is his recognition of something divine in Jesus. He understood that there was no sacrifice that he could make that would justify him before God.
In verse 9 Luke states the Jesus was amazed with this one man's faith. And his commendation carried a veiled message; it is through our faith that God works justification in our lives.
Stuart

Psalm 91

The final verses of psalm 91 speak of the covenant God has with those who devote themselves to him. It is a seven fold covenant. In response to the faith of one person God has promised these seven returns for tha faith; delivery, protection, answers, presence, rescue, satisfaction, and salvation.
Stuart

Luke 1-3

Luke introduces John the Baptist’s ministry in Luke 3. John’s one word sermon was “Repent.” To a population of people who were familiar with the same message they knew when a prophet was around. The people came in droves. Was it the persistent occupation that drove them to the prophet or was it a sense that God was preparing to do something. Unlike their forefathers who were taken to Babylon these believers wanted to act. In Luke 3:8 John told them “Therefore, produce fruit that proves your repentance.” In 3:10 Luke presents a picture very similar to the scene he describes on the day of Pentecost (Act 2:37-ff) Three groups of people as the same basic question: “What then should we do?” John offers all three groups examples of how they can demonstrate repentance in their lives.

Common people (3:11) – Give what you have. Perhaps he saw somebody in the crowd very well dressed standing next to someone who had very little. Or maybe it was the matter of food. John’s command to show that they were living pentetant lives; share what you have with those in need. This may be the first example of Christian fellowship mentioned in Luke’s Gospel. Repentance is demonstrated by grace toward others.

Tax collectors (3:13) – Take advantage of no one. John makes it clear that just because you CAN do something without the government complaining doesn’t mean that God is OK with such actions. Taxes are needed to support the government, but a corrupt self-serving government does not justify God’s people demonstrating the same actions. Repentance is demonstrated by integrity toward others.

Soldiers (3:14) – Be content with what you’ve been given. Bribery blinds people to injustice. Extortion is a appetite that cannot be satisfied or easily sated. Repentance is demonstrated by contentment.

 

Stuart

 

2 Kings 22-25

Josiah was the last good king in Judah. At the age of 26 he had ruled over God's kingdom for 18 years. Something within him motivated his command to make repairs on the temple. in the process of temple's repair and cleaning the high priest reported that he had found the scroll of the Law (2 Kings 22:8). The king's scribe took the scroll back to Josiah and read it to him. Imagine not hearing God's word until the age of 26. Josiah's response to hearing the words let us know that he revered the LORD. But I wonder how he had been worshiping God before that time? What had instructed their worship?
Scripture is silent on what the people had done to worship. We find out later that the people had forgotten about Passover (2 Kings 23:22). Had they given up on all of the feasts? Did they even do any of the rituals that the Law instructed? The answer seems to be that they were led by tradition. The fact that the temple stood and the people were still bringing monetary gifts (2 Kings 22:4) are indicators that the people knew something about the LORD. But apparently he had become one of many gods in the pantheon of the kingdom of Judah. Traditions did not keep the people in line with God's will; only his scripture can do that. Traditions do not help believers fellowship with God;  only his scripture can do that. Traditions did not challenge them to reform their sin-filled lives;  only his scripture can do that. Traditions may be helpful, they did keep Judah from completely forgetting God, but they are no substitute for God's word.
Stuart

Psalm 87

There is a theme of inheritance  in psalm 87. Three times God proclaims the birth of one in his holy city (vv 4, 5, 6). It may not be clear if God's focus is on the location of birth.  But the traits that demonstrate a connection to the Holy One of Israel is definitely prominent in the lives of those who submit to God.
Stuart

Psalm 84

This is the prayer of thanksgiving and supplication for the church from Psalm 84:1.
Oh Lord, I thank you for choosing the church as your habitation in these days. For the beginning of your promise to dwell eternally among your people is initially realized with the church. And it is your dwelling among us; the redeemed, the justified, the holy ones that makes the church a thing of beauty. How lovely is your dwelling place.
I pray that you will continue to open the eyes and hearts of your church that they would see the ways which you are in dwelling your church. Because it is your presence that will encourage us. It is your active involvement in our lives, individually and collectively, that will lead us beyond out limited self to carry the message of the Kingdom to the world.
Display your beauty in the lives that make up the church. Not just in the singers and music but also in the arts; drawing, painting, dancing, sculpture, speech, poetry, and chanting. Father open our eyes to the other displays of your beauty that you have instilled in each believer. And may we embrace them in our corporate gathers for your glory.
Stuart

Psalm 83

The first verse of psalm 83 asks God to avoid the negative of three actions. This means that in the past God had acted in the positive of these traits, and it is the plea of the psalmist that he would resume to act similarly. Instead of being silent God would fill creation with his words. Words of wisdom, judgment, and love. Instead of ignoring his people God would lavish on them his full attention. Overflowing with mercy, grace, justice, forgiveness, blessings, hope, and love. Instead of being inactive towards his followers God would engage himself in the actions of the people. He will strengthen them. He will lead them. He will encourage them. He will guide them. And in everything he will love them.
Stuart

Psalm 81

I give thanks to the One, the only one, who can satisfy my appetites. My greatest appetites are not for food, drink, and comfort. But they are purpose, hope, and contribution to others. God has given me these provisions in abundance.
Stuart

1 Kings 13-15

In 1 Kings 12 we see God give Jeroboam the son of Nebat the northern portion of Israel as a kingdom of God not ruled by the sons of Solomon. Yet Jeoboam, like Adam and Eve sought to elevate himself rather than God. While Solomon violated the first and second commandments Jeroboam rejected the first four commandments: he created his own gods, he cast idols to worship, he devised a plan to empty the LORD's name of all meaning, and he rejected God's Sabbath by establishing his own holy days. When God confronted him in a manner similar to Nathan's confrontation of David Jeroboam reacted to order to silence the naysayer (1 Kings 13:4). It wasn't God's message of rejection that got his attention it was God's protection of his prophet. But the king didn't focus on his sins; all he saw was the consequences. He had been living in his sin for so long it had become normal to him. The prophets words seeking to correct his rebellion were ignored. It took God's intervention in his body to wake him up; but only part way. After his command to seize the prophet the king's accusing arm was frozen in place. I imagine that Jeroboam's realization of a divinely immobilized arm was accompanied by a scream that halted the idol worship ceremony. I wonder if Jeroboam immobilized the rest of his body to match his frozen arm? What did he say and do and he begged the prophet to do something? Finally, the words fell out of his mouth; the name of the one who he was trying to erase from Israel. "Beseech him on my behalf was the kings request. The prophet did and God restored the arm. But the only thing changed that day was the altar table; it was broken while Jerosboam's heart was untouched by God's power and mercy.
How often am I like Jeroboam?
Stuart

1 Kings 7-9

In 1 Kings 8 we read what happened upon the completion of Solomon's temple. All the furniture, new and old, was brought into the building, and set in their places. Last of all the priests carried the ark of the covenant into the most holy place. As they were walking out the door of the temple a cloud was passing in, through the same doorway. I imagine that the cloud rushed in. The cloud, the shekiah of God, filled the two inner rooms of the temple. Verse 8:11 notes that the priests were unable to carry out their responsibilities because of the cloud. Did you ever consider why? Did God tell them to stay out? Did he put up a "keep out" sign when the cloud went in?
Did they decide to stay out? Was it their reverence that dictated that people should not walk where God's presence hovered? Or were they fearful of what might happen if they entered that place? That they would see God or the cloud would suffocate them.
Was it because the cloud was so thick that they just couldn't see to do what they had been assigned?
A second question I have, which scripture doesn't answer is; did God desire for them to be in the temple with his cloudly presence? Or did he want them outside so that he could clean the inside of the sanctuary?
God frequently used a cloud as an interface between himself and his people. Beginning when Israel left Egypt the weather was the same everyday; it was 40  year of partly cloudly. Imagine the Israeli daily forecast; mostly sunny except for one glowing cloud. Rainy today and one cloud that is closer and dry. On the mountain with Moses there was a cloud. And when the Tabernacle was finished the cloud rushed into the tent (Exodus 40:34-35). Moses didn't go into the cloud either. Even though he had walked into the cloud on the mountain top (twice). 
I wonder if the cloud was to be a visible reminder of God's desire to interact with people? If it is should they have stayed outside the cloud or walked in?
Stuart

1 Kings 4-6

During the description of Solomon's temple construction in 1 Kings 6 there is a passage that breaks up the narratives flow. Verses 11-13 make up a clumsy transition between the details of the temple structure, ending in verse 10, and the beginning of the summary in verse 14. In these three verses God offers the young king reassurances of his promises to David and Israel. God repeats the condition of his promise - obedience. The same condition he has set forth since the Garden of Eden.
But I think there may also be a heavenly picture in his promise; especially in verse 13. God will dwell among the faithful, never abandoning them. Isn't that what God desired in the Garden. But Adam abandoned him. God is not responding according to what we do, he is setting forth his promises of rewards, for obedience, and punishments, for disobedience. Nothing has changed.
Stuart

Psalm 77

There are a number of questions regarding God's nature that are brought up in psalm 77. These are questions that arise in times when God doesn't make sense (v 6).
Will the LORD reject his faithful followers? (v 7)
Has God's love disappeared? (v 8)
Have his promises failed? (v 8)
Does his anger overcome his compassion? (v 9)
Has God abandoned his work?  (v 10)
Did God only work in history?  (v 11)
Can anyone, or anything, be compared to our great God?  (v 13)
The answer to all of these questions is; No!
Stuart

2 Samuel 23-24

The book of 2 Samuel ends with a note on God responding to prayers. The context makes it clear that prior to this event God was NOT accepting the prayers of his people. Chapter 24 begins with the explanation that the LORD sought to punish Israel. Yet there is no reason given for this conflict.
David led the people into sin, a path they willingly followed. So God laid out the punishment choices and David chose to fall into the hand of the living God. Through this process of punishment God revealed the future location of his ark's permanent home. (I wonder if that is a similar picture of the cross?) Once David build an altar on Araunah's threshing floor God began to accept the prayers being offered for the land.
Why would one act of worship make such and impression so as to change God's responses to the prayers of his people?
Stuart

Psalm 76

From psalm 76:1 I have this request to make of God:
Lord, you have revealed yourself to the church so that your reputations will be great among your people and throughout the world. Lead me, guide your church, in demonstrating your love to every person encountered.
Stuart

2 Samuel 21-22

2 Samuel 21 jumps to an unspecified time period during the reign of David. Whether or not it followed the rebellions of Absalom and Sheba or preceded it doesn't matter. The matter begins by identifying God's response to problem within Israel. God sent a famine on the community. For three years there was a lack. I wonder when David began to question why Israel was encountering these problems? It may have been El Nino or some other similar meteorological situation. But the people of faith attributed the situation to God's hand. Sometime in the third year David inquired of the LORD for a reason. God was quick to respond: Saul violated a covenant and Israel did nothing to challenge it. The ruler of the land issued an edict that violated a promise Joshua had made to the deceitful Gibeonites. It was an executive order that repealed a vow taken in God's name. God had not forgotten that covenant between Israel and Gibeon. Saul allowed his desire for a greater Israel to break the covenant promise. Saul rebelled by killing Gibeonites in direct violation of the Joshua's word. So God withheld his blessings. How many Gibeonites died at Saul's command? We don't know. But David sought to make restitution. The execution of seven descendants from Saul seems extreme to me. But what if 7,000 Gibeonites had been killed? What if the seven men killed had led the raiding parties? Or what if the seven executed had only obeyed orders?
Once the restitution was made God finally responded to the people's prayers.
I see some important lessons for the modern church.
1 - God will punish his community if they rebel against him and if they see rebellion and don't act to stop it.
2 - God always hears our prayers but sometimes he limits his response because of our persistent sins.
3 - Repentance for the acts of others is sometimes necessary.
Stuart

Psalm 75

This is my prayer prompted by psalm 75:
Thanks be to the God who does not stay hidden. That which can be revealed is being revealed to his children. My God is timely and fair in all his judgments. And I give thanks for his provisions.
My God is the one who secures the foundations of my life. And he defines that which defines me.
Thanks be to the God who gives me songs of praise for his name. He gives every victory.
Stuart

2 Samuel 18-20

After Absalom was killed the story teller of 2 Samuel recounts a significant event from Absalom's life. In 2 Samuel 18:18 we hear about a monument that Absalom built for himself. This prince of Israel did not follow the practices of his father. Everything David did was for God's glory. Absalom followed the practices of King Saul (1 Samuel 15:12) in seeking to honor himself. What a contrast in faith. David sought to honor God while Saul and Absalom hoped to honor themselves. Even though David sinned he did not take honor as king as a wage. He was always willing to set aside his kingly glory so that God would receive all the attention.
Stuart