Monday: Psalm 118, 120, 121, 2 Kings 11, Acts 1.15-end

Psalm 118
Psalm 120
Psalm 121
2 Kings 11
Acts 1

from Dave Friedrich

When it came time to replace Judas and choose a new apostle we read that they “drew lots” to make their final decision (Acts 1:26). This was a common practice in the Old Testament for making decisions, but this is the last time this practice is mentioned in the Bible. In the next chapter, Acts 2, we are told that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the people of God. From then on we read about the Holy Spirit “saying,” “sending,” and “prohibiting” certain actions. In chapter 15 it came time to make some big decisions about Gentiles and circumcision. When those involved describe how they came to their decision we read, “it seemed good to us, having become of one mind” (v. 25). Then a few verses later it says, “for it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (v. 28).  It’s not clear how the Holy Spirit spoke to people or sent and guided them. But what is clear is that He was guiding them, even through their discussions and deliberations. So when it comes time to make a big decision let us ask for help from the Holy Spirit, and be open to His leading, whether He chooses to be dramatic or more ordinary.   

Monday: Psalm 108-110, 2 Kings 5, 1 John 3.1-10

Psalm 108-110
2 Kings 5
1 John 3.1-10

from Jessica Patton

Sometimes I read the Old Testament and want to cringe because the stories are so grim. But other times, like today, I find myself encouraged by how God works through individuals and small events to show His love and power. While I long for the day when all things will be made new, and justice will be administered on a grand scale, and peace will reign over all the earth, that day feels very far off. It can be easy to forget that we have that hope in the midst of the struggles of daily life, but stories like the one of Naaman remind me that God cares about the hearts of individual people.

The larger geopolitical realities of the day form the backdrop for the story but aren’t the focus: the actions of individual people are. God gave Naaman, the leprous Syrian military commander, victory in battle and he “carried off a little girl from the land of Israel” who ended up in service to Naaman’s wife. This girl chose to tell Naaman’s wife that an Israeli prophet could heal Naaman’s leprosy. 

The little girl’s faith in the God of Israel and her compassion for Naaman is just amazing to me. We’re told that the negative circumstances she finds herself in are actually something allowed by God and executed by Naaman, and yet she still believes that God has the power to heal and wants Naaman to be well. May God grant us all that level of faith and love!

One other person stands out to me in this story: the Israeli king. The king seems to think that this is all about him. When he receives the letter from the Syrian king saying that Naaman has come to be cured of leprosy, the king of Israel acknowledges that he is not God and thus cannot cure Naaman. But the rest of his thoughts have nothing to do with God and everything to do with himself: he tears his clothes and assumes the Syrian king is “seeking a quarrel” with him. 

How easy it is to look at our circumstances and think only of ourselves! I find it fascinating that the king of Israel doesn’t even take his distress to God, like the Psalmist does in our other readings for today. Cleary the king knows about God, but God seems irrelevant to his life, and thus he misses out on the joy, blessing and comfort offered to those who trust in the Lord. 

I pray that we would be faithful to trust God and heed His call to live a life of love, regardless of our circumstances.

Monday: Psalm 78:1-39, 2 Chronicles 16, James 4

Psalm 78
2 Chronicles 16
James 4

from Natasha Cassamajor

In Psalm 78, the people of Israel are encouraged to listen to and retell the stories of old. These are stories that display “the glorious deeds of the Lord and his might, and the wonders that he has done,” (verse 4). The purpose of these stories is to display the grandeur of God. Only God the maker of heaven and earth could deliver the Israelites like he did. In verse 6 they are told “to teach it to their children, that the next generation might know them.” Why did the next generation need to know all of this? Verse 7 tells us “so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God,” like their forefathers and the generation before them who was “stubborn and rebellious” (v. 8). 

The Psalm goes on to describe how the previous generation turned back on the day of battle, not trusting that God would bring them through. They did not keep God’s covenant and refused to walk in His law (vs11). In spite of God’s faithfulness, “they sinned still more against the Most High in the desert” (vs17). As God’s hand was making a way for the children of Israel, they challenged God, asking God if He can also give bread and provide meat for His people (v. 7). 

When I read this passage a couple of things stand out to me. The most important thing that stands out is that I am just like the children of Israel. How quickly do I forget the amazing things that God has done in my life. The most amazing thing being my free gift of salvation and an abundance of grace and mercy. When the children of Israel ask for bread and meat, they are not simply asking for bread and meat. They are asking God to prove that He can do anything (because bringing water from a rock and parting the Red Sea is not a big deal. I guess even a caveman can do it, lol). I’m tempted to say that Israel is asking for a greater God, when they provoke God this way. A god/thing worthy of their worship. 

There are moments in our lives as followers of Jesus when we are more aware of what we don’t have than what we already do have. This morning while jogging, I was remembering how I turned down the opportunity to be a military chaplain because I wanted to have kids and stay home with my kids. That was 14 years ago when I started seminary. Every year I was told that I would be a great chaplain and every year I gave the same answer. Last year when I turned 40, I remembered that longing to be a mom and it did not feel good. It felt like something was missing. Similar to the children of Israel, I could be tempted to say to God: “Lord I know you have done this amazing thing and that amazing thing in my life and thanks by the way. However Lord if you are truly powerful and good, let me see you do this. Let me see you give me this thing that I have always wanted.”

I don’t really know why God does not give us some of what we long for but I do believe that He is sovereign, faithful and just. Will you pray with me that God would be enough?

I’m a massage therapist and I love to see you on Sundays.