Dave Dishman

Have you ever worked for a lousy boss? One who treats their employees poorly and makes weird decisions? You can’t wait to get out from under their thumb, and everyone breathes a sigh of relief when they move on.

Thankfully, in all my years of working I’ve only experienced a couple of lousy bosses. I took my first job at age 14 (I lived in a tourist town with lots of work for teenagers). I loved those bosses, worked for them off and on for several years, and we’re still friends. Now fifty-plus years of employment with only a couple of blips. But those blips stand out.

A lousy leader leaves a mark. Jehoram, king of Judah, shines as an especially awful leader. Upon taking the throne his killed all his brothers, thus eliminating any rivals. He led his people to worship others gods and failed to hold off an invasion that ended in the looting of his country. The Lord eventually afflicted Jehoram with a bowel disease followed by a horrific death after two years of suffering. The Bible tells us he departed with no one’s regret. 

Of all the ways to exit, that’s gotta be the worst. You’re gone and no one cares. In fact, people breathe a sigh of relief. When I leave this world I hope someone mourns, or is glad they knew me, or lives better thanks to something I said or did. It’s actually not that hard to create goodwill. Love the Lord, care for neighbors, and avoid the lousy fate of Jehoram.

2 Chronicles 21

Photo by Pablo Varela

I walked with a friend for several years and often the conversation turned to spiritual issues. One day he said, I probably shouldn’t bring this up since you know way more about the Bible than I do, but I don’t believe in the Old Testament anymore. From now on I’m only giving credence to the words of Jesus. I replied, You’re right, I do know why more about the Bible than you do.

Then I mentioned this particular teaching from Jesus: Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Jesus specifically spoke to those who sought to extinguish the influence of the Law and the Prophets (our Old Testament today). Rather than push them aside, he upheld their authority. Not even the least bit of punctuation should be ignored. Instead, those who follow Jesus are to engage with the Old Testament scriptures, wrestle with the difficult passages and rest in the promises found within. What a loss if we choose to ignore some of the most powerful writings in all of human history.

My friend, to his credit, said I haven’t seen that before. I guess I’ll have to rethink my position. Beware the words of Jesus—they are not easily dismissed. Taking the stance of a red-letter Christian, believing only what Jesus spoke, might just lead you to the glorious depths of the rest of your Bible.

Matthew 5:17-19

Photo by Susan Holt Simpson

In a rather gross metaphor, the psalmist refers to those who are contemptuous of God like a lump of grease: The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law.

The phrase unfeeling like fat describes a an attitude of callousness and spiritual dullness. Arrogance and self-sufficiency numb the impertinent to the ways of God. In contrast, the writer chooses to follow God’s law. He reads the Scriptures and lives by their direction. His inner being grows healthier as pride melts away in the light of God’s Word.

Spiritual health is similar to physical health. If I allow fatty tissue to invade my heart, my body suffers and the build-up prematurely ends my life. Lard oozing through my arteries is the last thing I want, so I exercise and eat right in order to counteract the situation.

I hope to keep such catastrophe from my spiritual heart as well. Taking in God’s word and putting it into practice burns off the fat and creates a heathy soul in its place, one responsive to God and to the people around me.

Psalm 119:69-70

A long obedience in the same direction describes attempts to stay true to the Lord until our final days. Some folks start strong, then fade toward the end. This was the case with King Asa of Judah. After years of consulting the Lord before making decisions, the king initiated a treaty with one enemy to defeat another without bothering to seek God’s wisdom. Hanani the Seer confronted the king with these words:

Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you…For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly.

Asa raged at this message. He threw Hanani in prison and mistreated his own people. A disease soon developed in Asa’s feet (likely some sort of vascular issue) which grew severe. Even in his pain he turned to his physicians rather than the Lord. Asa died a bitter old man.

What turned Asa? What led him to ignore the Lord after years of faithful allegiance? Perhaps his previous successes went to his head. His kingdom grew strong and wealthy under his leadership. Maybe he believed this abundance emerged from his skills rather than from the hand of the Lord? Regardless, Asa finished poorly. He faded at the end of his life.

What’s to keep me from doing the same? The Lord has been good to me. As I enjoy family and friends and success I’m tempted to believe I made it on my own. But that’s false. The Lord’s blessings surround me. I’m better off staying connected with the One who got me here, and hopefully avoid a repeat of Asa’s dismal end-of-life story.

2 Chronicles 16:7-14

Photo by Crawford Jolly