May 14 - Psalm 140:8

Lord, do not let evil people

have their way

Psalm 140:8

 

The question that haunts many people is, 'If there's a good God, why do bad things happen to good people?"

 

When whole books are written on this topic, I won't try to answer the whole question; rather, I'll provide just the hint of the explanation that today's verse affords ...

 

Why do bad things happen? Because sometimes evil people like to have their way. Often it's as precisely as simple as that. Sometimes the wicked scheme. Sometimes terrorists blow. And sometimes dictators crush.

 

But let's not ignore the subtler forms of evil. A landlord who tries to turn a little extra profit, may not install smoke detectors, and children might die in a fire. Greed. One employee is lazy and doesn't double check his piece of the construction, and a bridge collapses. Sloth. Sometimes pain is a cause of a million little corruptions. Ask the child whose father abandoned his mother because of lust. (And those are only three of the deadly sins.)

 

And so we cry -- along with the martyrs pictures in Revelation -- for God to quit being patient and bring about his justice. And yet sometimes God waits. In Revelation, its clear that the waiting is to allow more people to turn to him and live. And yet our voices continue to plead. And while we celebrate that he's gracious and merciful and slow to anger with us, our hearts really do long for justice.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who likes the last refrains of Revelation,

"Amen, [He is] coming soon!"

May 13 - 2 Samuel 19:2

\the joy of that day's victory

was turned into deep sadness.

2 Samuel 19:2

 

"Victory" and "sadness" are usually opposite sides of the same coin.

 

Usually as someone exults ... someone else mourns.

 

In the middle chapters of 2 Samuel, David becomes estranged from one his sons, Absalom. Like many of us parents, David had an absolutely right to be offended by some of his son's actions. And for peace in the family, David attempted a reconciliation. But David's heart wasn't really into the reconciliation. Outwardly, David proclaimed reconciliation; but in private he absolutely shunned Absalom. 

 

And that created a new a deeper distance. Kids sin frequently, and it's the parents privilege -- or not -- to welcome the prodigal home. David deepened the wound, adding shunning to sin. And the result was rebellion -- not a stereotypical teenage rebellion, but a literal rebellion. Absalom aligned with some of David's generals and tried to overthrow the king. David had to flee from his own son. It was exile and heartache and battle ... and eventually death ... 

 

Absalom's death.

 

And "as the troops heard of the king's deep grief for his son, the joy of that day's victory was turned into deep sadness." 

 

Victory and sadness are opposite sides of the same coin. And we can often grow in heart and empathy when we take time to understand the perspective of others.

 

And "the others" include ... our own kids ... and our own family members ... and our own co-workers. They will sin. They will fall short of God's glorious standard -- and they will fall short of your personal standard. The only question is: Will you breed reconciliation ... or more rebellion?Righteousness ... or revenge? Ruthlessness ... or release?

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who prefers resurrection

... sadness turning to victory

May 12 - Psalm 61:2-3

Lead me to the

towering rock of safety,

for you are my safe refuge.

Psalm 61:2-3

History is filled with stories of kings and armies building fortresses on mountain tops.

It's a great strategy. Even if the enemy can climb the torturous trail upward, those on higher ground can simply go bowling, rolling boulders down the hill to topple the invaders and wipe them out.

Therefore, as David calls God his towering rock of safety, it's helpful to reflect on what ways you and I trust in God for our sure protection!

But ...

... there's one big problem, militarily, with mountain top fortresses: What if the enemy surrounds you and tries to starve you out?! That happened plenty in history too. Patient armies just let their enemies hunger and thirst and rot and ... either surrender or die.

The rock of our salvation is different! We need not thirst because from the throne of God flows the river of life. Furthermore, the Lord our Provider calls himself the bread of life. When our desires are met in him, we need never go hungry.

This, therefore, is the true way to survive the trials of live. To run to God for refuge ... and to quit feasting on the things of this world. He's all we'll ever need.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who plays better offense,

in games like chess, than defense.

(I act boldly but leave the back side unprotected.

But God's got my back ... if I let him be my refuge

and feast only on him.)

May 11 - Psalm 42:1-2a

As the deer longs for the waterbrooks,

so longs my soul for you, O God.

My soul is athirst for God,

athirst for the living God.

Psalm 42:1-2a

 

I don't do this often, so maybe you'll try it when I ask you to do this today: Memorize this verse!

 

Let me tell you why ... Every day, I try to spend meaningful time with God. And I don't know about you, but I need discipline in doing that. My schedule is overwhelming. So my human tendency is to charge out headlong into the activities of the day, tackling as much as is humanly possible. And then I fall into bed empty.

 

There's a problem with this method. Charging out in busyness without first charging up my spiritual batteries with God leaves me running on my own power ... which runs out way too quickly.

 

I know that, so I try to focus on God first and foremost. Indeed, I try many methods to do that. I try ... Prayers ... Devotions ... Bible Reading ... Quiet time ... Journaling ... Studies. And each works for a while! Then the habit fades. So when the habit fades -- and I find myself running out of charge -- I go back to my basics. I go back to an old liturgy which I pray religiously until a new pattern emerges.

 

And the first verse I pray is: "As the deer longs for the waterbrooks, so longs my soul for you, O God. My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God."

 

As I pray this, I am reminding myself what I am truly hungry and thirsty for ... God! I am reminding myself of why am I parched and empty and drained ... because I long for God like a deer pants for water.

 

Memorize this verse so you can recall it every time you feel empty.

 

In Christ's Love,

a deer

(a John Deere?)

May 10 - Psalm 37:8, 7

Stop being angry!

Turn from your rage!

Be still in the presence of the Lord,

and wait patiently for him to act.

Psalm 37:8,7

 

I'm slow in sending out today's devotion. Therefore, while "waiting patiently for him [Pastor Ed in this case] to act," a friend started reflecting in advance on today's reading.

 

It led him to reflect on road rage! "Stop being angry! Turn from your rage!"

 

Have you felt that on the roads -- either in you or in others?

 

Recently a different friend was reflecting on his own road rage. His commute was long, the trip kept taking longer, job pressures were mounting, and he was getting angrier and angrier.

 

What he realized -- upon reflection -- was that his anger had nothing to do with driving. It was the growing stress in his life. He was out of control over his schedule ... the stress was bubbling over ... frustration was barely a quarter of an inch below the surface ... and it was spilling out into anger -- usually on the streets because 1) people do act stupidly on the roads, and 2) it's a little anonymous (and better than blowing up at your boss).

 

Tired. Stress. Out of control. Frustrated. Do any of those define your life? Scripture offers an antidote: Be still in the presence of the Lord.

 

It's quiet time. It's prayer. It's filling up our gas tank before the day begins, rather than running on fumes and having our explosions just a quarter of an inch away.

 

Thanks for waiting patiently for me to act today. But the more important key is waiting patiently for God. It is trusting in him to act, instead of us just charge out exhausted, acting on our own.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who was impatient

with someone who interrupted

as I was writing this

(It's hard ... isn't it?

"Be still" ... "be still" ... "be still")

May 9 - Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me all the days of my life

Psalm 23:6

 

In a prayer study I'm reading, T. W. Hunt shared his version of the 23rd Psalm. Saying that he's been in scholarly environments most of his life, he said that generally thinks of God as a teacher and prays: "The Lord is my Professor," he wrote.

 

He then challenged us to write our own version.

 

The first step, he said, is to determine who God is to you.

• Is he a Teacher, and you a Student?
• Is he a Master, and you a Servant?
• Is he is Boss, and you an Employee?
• Is he a King, and you a Subject?
• Is he a Parent, and you a Child?
• Is he a Potter, and you the Clay?
• Is he a Trial Guide, and you a Follower?
• Is he a Craftsman, and you an Apprentice?
• Is he a Friend, and you a Friend too?

When I wrote my version (which is below), I determined that I think of God in three ways -- a teacher, a provider, and one who challenges me and pushes me to grow. A Father does all of these things. Therefore ...

 

The Lord is my shepherd;

The Lord is my Father.

I shall not want.

For my needs, a provider.

 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He tucks me in at night. 

he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He leads me to places of refreshing delight.

He restoreth my soul:

And he always helps my faith grow aright.

 

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Because of my dad's wisdom and guidance,

I bear his name proudly with family reverence.

 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

While this whole world is full of too much darkness and drear.

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;

When I'm with my Pop, I do not fear.

 

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

His discipline is quick and it's certainly real.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

But even that is welcome like a home-cooked meal, 

because evil attacks our weakness with uncommon zeal.

 

thou anointest my head with oil;

I am thankful my Father pours his blessings upon me.

my cup runneth over.

And nurtured, my gifts tend to overflow freely.

 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

His lovingkindness makes me forever secure.

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

I abide in his grace, thankful and pure.

 

Try writing your own!

 

In Christ's Love,

the son of my Father

May 8 - 1 Samuel 24:1, 11-12

Once again, the anger of the Lord burned against Israel ...

[so] the word of the Lord came to the prophet Gad ...

This was the message: "Go and say to David,

'This is what the Lord says: I will give you three choices.

Choose one of these punishments ...'

1 Samuel 24:1,11-12

 

Did the anger of your parents ever burn against you?! (Absolutely.) And did they ever say, "There are going to be consequences?" (I always hated that word.) And did your parents ever offer you a choice when it came to punishments?

 

Which of these would you choose?

• Three weeks of grounding -- no phone, no friends, no TV?
• Three days of of being dropped off in the most violent area of town and having to fend for yourself?
• Or three afternoons of extremely hard labor in the backyard in the middle of summer?

That was essentially David's choice. It was either ...

• Three years of famine -- no phone, no friends, no food!
• Three months of being dropped off in the middle of your most violent enemies and having to fend for yourself.
• Or three days of extremely hard plagues.

I love David's answer! It was an absolutely no-win situation, but there was an absolutely no-hope option that he wanted to avoid!

 

David said, "14 I am in a desperate situation. [But whatever you do, don't give me the second option.] Do not let me fall into human hands. [Rather, give us either option 1 or option 3. Indeed,] let us fall into the hands of the Lord."

 

Think about it. Three weeks of grounding or hard labor -- at the hands of your parents who love you -- is much better than being thrown into the middle of violent enemies who's actions you can't predict. 

 

We need to take spiritual consequences seriously ... but in the end, we must trust that God absolutely loves us and wants the best for us in the long run!

 

In Christ's Love,

a parent, who like the Lord,

punished but also "16 relented"  

May 7 - 2 Samuel 13:1-2

Now David's son Absalom had

a beautiful sister named Tamar.

And Amnon, her half brother,

fell desperately in love with her.

Amnon became so obsessed

with Tamar that he became ill.

2 Samuel 13:1-2

 

King David was a faithful man. He was the man after God's own heart. But David was also a creature of his culture. He made compromises, following the customs of his society. He married more than one wife. Indeed, he sowed seeds of turmoil.

 

And turmoil definitely erupted in King David's family. His son, Amnon, raped his own half-sister Tamar, which led to Tamar's full-brother, Absalom, killing his half-brother, Amnon.

 

Amnon was responsible for his own violence and lust ... and Absalom was responsible for his own violence and murderous revenge ... but David was also responsible for planting seeds of compromise in his own family.

 

What do you know you're compromising with? In what ways do you know that you're following culture rather than Christ? In what ways are you seeing the harvest of your compromised plantings in your own children? Isn't it about time to quit compromising and stake out new territory for God and righteousness in your own life and for your family.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who needs to

memorize Joshua 24:15

(As for me and my house,

we will serve the Lord.)

May 6 - Psalm 8:1-2

O Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens. 

From the lips of children and infants

you have ordained praise ...

to silence the foe and the avenger.

Psalm 8:1-2

 

I've often said that I have never had a question from an adult that I cannot answer ... but ... I get them all the time from kids.

 

With questions from adults, if I need, I can research, use analogies, dance around thorny issues, weave the discussion to a safer topic, and usually just talk long enough that the adult says, "Close enough." Kids, however, cut right to the heart and refuse bluster and fog! They want the truth.

 

Psalm 8 is a power hymn in praise of God's creation.

 

In Romans 1:20-21, Paul testifies to the witness that creation provides, saying, "Ever since the creation of the world God's eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So [we] are without excuse; for though [we] knew God, [we] did not honor him as God or give thanks to him."

 

Children comprehend the wonder of creation naturally. But most of us adults have had pieces of our natural wonder explained away. We take God's power for granted. We look for worldly explanations to life. As Paul says -- concluding his thought in Romans 1:21 -- "we bec[o]me futile in [our] thinking, and [our] senseless minds [a]re darkened.

 

Therefore, in Matthew 18:3, Jesus says, "Unless you turn ... and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of God." Ouch! Maybe it's time to listen to "the lips of children and infants" from them comes "praise" and their simple clarity "silence[s faith's] foe[s]."

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who want to be

more childish

(or at least more child-like)

May 5 - 2 Samuel 7:11-12

"The Lord declares [to you King David]

that he will make a house for you ...

For when you die ... I will raise up

one of your descendents ...

and I will make his kingdom strong."

2 Samuel 7:11-12

 

This is promise of a coming king -- the Messiah -- that Israel anticipated for a thousand years, from almost precisely 1000 BC to almost precisely the year 0 (that mythical intersection between 1 BC and 1 AD).

 

The context is David settling in Jerusalem and saying to the prophet Nathan, "1 Look ... I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God [and thus the presence of the Lord] is out there in a tent."

 

I love the prophet Nathan's response. (It's something we might all have done reflexively.) "[What a great idea!] Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you."

 

The Lord had indeed been with David. Powerfully! But Nathan still should have checked with God first. Therefore, since David and Nathan didn't seek the Lord, God had to seek out both of them.

 

In a dream the Lord said, "Are you[, David,] the one to build me a house?" God -- who went on to say that he'd never complained about "living" in a tent -- eventually would say that David, who'd been given the job of warrior to secure the land, had shed too much blood to build a holy temple.

 

Instead, God said, "Rather you building me a house, David ... I will build a house for you -- a dynasty. David, I will establish your throne and your kingdom forever. Indeed, David, I will establish MY throne and MY kingdom forever."

 

Our tendency -- like David and Nathan -- is to jump to our own conclusions. And they may sound good and faithful. Our heart may be in the right place. But we must always check with God first. His plans are bigger and more glorious than anything we might conceive on our own.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's tempted

to write checks I can't cash

(I'd better check with

the great banker in the sky first)

May 4 - Psalm 108:1

My heart is confident in you, O God;

no wonder I can sing your praises

with all my heart!

Psalm 108:1

 

I had a friend who sat on the front row of church every Sunday. When you asked her why, she said, "I have the worst voice in church, but I want to sing God's praise. Therefore, I sit on the front row so I can sing as loud as I want, and I don't disturb anyone's peace."

 

Her heart is confident in the Lord!

 

Do you have that kind of confidence?! Indeed, what can you -- more loudly, more boldly, more passionately, more publicly -- to display your faith in the Lord?

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wonders

if that's why they assigned me a seat

in the front row

May 3 - 2 Samuel 12:13

Then David confessed to Nathan,

"I have sinned against the Lord."

Nathan replied, "Yes, but

the Lord has forgiven you ..."

2 Samuel 12:13

 

In our Bible in Year readings, we have three days in a row on David's sin Bathsheba. I hope that shows what a big deal this whole event is!

 

David was THE man after God's own heart. Arguably, he was the most faithful human (besides Jesus) who ever lived. And yet he fell ... and fell spectacularly.

 

In fact, notice how David's sin was progressive. His laziness (didn't go out with the armies as he was "supposed" to -- 11:1) ... led to adultery (11:4) ... which led to deceit (11:6-9 and 12-13) ... which led to murder (11:14-17) ... which led to self-justification (David felt justified in marrying the widow, 11:26-27).

 

But today we have the best part of the whole story -- confession and forgiveness. As it says in Romans 3 and 1 John 1, All of us sin and fall short of the glory of God. Fortunately, we are not justified by our works (nor condemned by our failures). Rather, if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and declare us just by his grace.

 

Therefore, as your closing prayer for day, pray with David, Psalm 51. And notice the tiny print that leads into it tells us prayer: A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

 

1 Have mercy on me, O God,

because of your unfailing love.

Because of your great compassion,

blot out the stain of my sins.

2 Wash me clean from my guilt. ...

3 For I recognize my shameful deeds

-- they haunt me day and night.

4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;

I have done what is evil in your sight. ... 

6 But you desire honesty from the heart ...

7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

 

8 Oh, give me back my joy again ...

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.

Renew a right spirit within me.

11 Do not banish me from your presence,

and don't take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me again the joy of your salvation,

and make me willing to obey you.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who needs to be re-created

May 2 - 2 Samuel 12:7

"You are that man!"

2 Samuel 12:7

 

I love telling the story that the prophet, Nathan, told King David. And I embellish just a little!

 

I tell about the sweet little poor family and their wonderful little pet sheep, Fluffy. They bring her into the house, spoil her scraps from the table, let her crawl up onto the furniture, snuggle with her on the couch, and laugh as he rolls on her back when they rub her belly. Whenever they come home from school or work, Fluffy jumps up and down for joy. It is unconditional love. (Do you get it? I'm describing everybody's favorite dog.)

 

And then horror sets in, when the rich man butchers Fluffy rather than using one of thousands of nameless livestock.

 

"[The rich man] deserves to die!" is the immediate response. That was David's response when Nathan told the story, and that's the response of most audiences I tell it to also.

 

The thing that's curious is that telling the story of David and Bathsheba -- and the eventual murder of Bathsheba's husband Uriah -- doesn't provoke quite the same sense of outrage. Everyone agrees that it's a sad and all-too-familiar tale, but apparently we've watched too many TV mysteries to be properly appalled.

 

Kill a dog/sheep/pet and we're horrified. Kill a person and it's just another story on the six o'clock news.

 

Maybe Nathan was even wiser than we usually give him credit for. In telling a story about poor little Fluffy, he got David to finally admit the vileness of his ways.

 

And only then, could David be healed -- through God's forgiveness.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who likes pets

but needs to love humans

May 1 - 2 Samuel 11:1

In the spring of the year,

when kings normally go out to war ...

David stayed behind in Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 11:1

 

This verse begins the darkest chapter in King David's life -- his affair with Bathsheba.

 

But before we get into that, notice how it begins:

• David had somewhere he was "supposed" to be.
• But he was, instead, where he wasn't supposed to be.
• And he got into trouble as a result.

Has that ever been your story?! (Yeah, yeah, I know, it's all of our stories, isn't it?)

 

Where do you know you're supposed to be more frequently right now in life? And where do you know you need to stay away from?

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who needs to

stay away from the

refrigerator

April 30 - Psalm 68:5-6

Father to the fatherless ...

God places the lonely in families;

he sets the prisoners free

and gives them joy.

Psalm 68:5-6

 

On Easter, I shared with the congregation that I believe that too many people -- maybe 90+% of us -- a having a major identity crisis. A handful of us are too proud, self-centered, and arrogant. But more of us are worried, fearful, insecure, beaten-down, discouraged, guilt-ridden, discouraged, depressed, and betrayed. Either way -- too sure or too unsure of ourselves -- too many of us have a major identity crisis. Indeed, what's the phrase that strikes you?

 

My heart is attuned to this again because I've already been working today with a friend who needs the truth of today's verse. Look at the key words. This individual is lonely and imprisoned. Family is a touchy subject -- a source of deep scars. And freedom and joy seem absolutely allusive.

 

The key to our identity is that God is our Father -- indeed, Father to the fatherless. Notice the capitalization. God is the uppercase ideal, while all earthly fathers -- even the good ones -- sin and fall short. God is the one who will never hurt, betray, abandon, or abuse. He loves, guides, forgives, and blesses.

 

And because our heavenly papa is also the king, he also gives us the kingdom and authority and power and privilege. God wants to bless you and me, but when we let the earth ... and our past ... and our shortcomings ... and lies ... and pride ... and depression define us, we'll never achieve the blessings assured in this Psalm -- freedom and joy.

 

To what degree is your heart bound by any of these negative words? The uppercase, always gracious Father wants to unleash your true identity -- child of God -- and give you the kingdom of joy.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wears a big S on his chest 

(my true identity is son of god) 

April 29 - 2 Samuel 6:16

as the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David,

Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window.

When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord,

she was filled with contempt for [her husband]

2 Samuel 6:16

 

I love watching teenagers. 

 

Indeed, I delight in seeing how frequently they are embarrassed by their parents! Their reactions are probably a lot Michal's when her husband David danced into town -- embarrassment, horror, and even "contempt."

 

But what I love more than watching red-faced teens is watching confident parents!

 

They know that their teens are appalled, but they are confident enough in who they are that they joyfully refuse to be cowed by their son or daughter's misplaced coolness. In other words, I love watching parents who are a lot like an exhuberant David!

 

Do you remember the song based on this passage. It sings, "When the Spirit of Lord moves in my heart, I'll dance, like David danced"?

 

"O Lord, may I be so exhuberant about my joy in your presence, that I never care about what others -- including teens -- think about my expressions of faith."

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who needs

a plaid shirt and a bandana

(get it? I'm an old square

who needs to learn to do

a more public dance of faith)

April 28 - 2 Samuel 6:6-7

the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand

and steadied the Ark of God.

Then the Lord's anger was aroused against Uzzah,

and God struck him down because of this

2 Samuel 6:6-7

 

Stange story, huh?

 

The oxen stumbled. The Ark teetered. Most people assume that Uzzah did a noble thing (catch the Ark) and that God did a callous thing (struck Uzzah down). No wonder people think that "the God of the Old Testament" is heartless, huh?

 

But our question should be, Why do we so callously ignore God's holiness?

 

Do you remember the old Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer stop-animation film? Do you remember the Abominable Snow Man? For 95% of the movie, this monster was fierce, fanged, and independent ... but as we are told at the end, the poor fellow just had a toothache. Now "the Bumble" was the friendly giant who put the star on top of the Christmas tree.

 

That's how David and his people (and too many of us) treat God.

 

On top of the Ark of the Covenant was God's mercy seat. God said, until you build a temple, I will meet with you here. When the Ark moved, the blessing was that God and His presence moved with them. Therefore, God made it abundantly clear to Israel how to treat the Ark -- and his presence. But David and his crew, including Uzzah, treated God as if he were the toothless Bumble being paraded into town. Essentially, the humans were the victors, and God was their big furry protector.

 

No! Holiness!

 

God in his grace was pleased to dwell with his people! He showed that grace again when the Son of God came in person to dwell with us in flesh! However, in both stories, humanity treated the presence of God with flagrant irreverence. The message of this story is that we must never forget our place ...

• God is creator. We are clay.
• He is holy. We are human.
• He is awesome. We need to fall down in worship.
• He is eternal. We are mortal.
• He is God. We are not.

As Mr. Beaver said to Lucy about the Lion, Aslan -- the Christ Figure -- in C.S. Lewis' The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, "He is not a tame lion ... but he is good."

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who doesn't want to try

to turn a lion into a house cat

(in the long run, it won't be good for either of us)