Category: Bible (Page 51 of 423)

I keep my ear open to shifts around the world dealing with issues of belief and religion. While I cannot point to a definitive study, it appears that younger people (those ages 16-25) are turning to the historic Christian faith in ever-increasing numbers. As one 24-year old pilgrim in France recently said, Tradition is the only safe future we have. What are you going to build your life on, if not God?

Indeed, what will you and I build our lives upon, if not God?

In this hopeful situation I’m motived by the psalmist: O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

I’m certainly in the gray hairs stage of life. But I can still proclaim the wondrous deeds of our Lord. Younger generations need to know of the might and power of God. Indeed, they yearn for it. True life in not found in social media or pursuing self-fulfillment. These lead instead to dead-ends of loss and despair. Discerning young people awaken to this reality and call for something greater.

And what is greater than God?

If you’re young and hip, I encourage you to pursue the Lord above all else. You will never regret that decision. If you’re old and gray and not so hip (like myself), I encourage you to join me in unapologetically proclaiming the Lord’s might and power. We cannot leave a better inheritance to those who come after us.

Psalm 71:17-18

Photo by Etienne Girardet

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

I’m tempted to take this verse as permission to live life to the fullest, enjoy the gifts of the table and feast under the benevolent hand of God. Indeed, part of the meaning includes thoughts along these lines. But Paul wrote in the midst of a discussion on whether Christians should eat meat previously sacrificed to idols, then sold in the marketplace or served as a meal.

Paul declared all foods clean, but added the injunction for believers to guard the consciences of those new or weak in the faith. We are indeed our brothers keepers, and Paul urged each of us to avoid needless offense, so that no one stumbles on their way to the kingdom.

Whether I’m eating or drinking, or whatever activity I’m enjoying, the glory of God shines nearby. I cannot live without abandon until I give thought to those with a different set of views on a wide variety of issues. Better to defer to that voice in my head reminding me to slow down than charge ahead.

Amazingly, as a follower of Jesus I can do most anything I want. The Christian life is incredibly open and free. But I’m not at liberty to shade the glory of God. Live in freedom, but only in a manner allowing God’s love to shine into our world. The glory of God exists so that all may know Him. The least I can do is get out of His way.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Photo by Kristine Weilert

I thirst for instant results. I love searching for random facts now that we have the internet. Who holds the major league record for RBIs? To what internal temperature should I cook bone-in chicken thighs on the grill? Does an American need a visa to enter El Salvador? Super fulfilling to ask a question and have it answered in milliseconds.*

Not so much when it comes to prayer. I prayed for a friend to come to faith for years, but never saw any movement. Everyone I know who believes in prayer experiences the same frustration. Sometimes God moves slowly, or other times not at all. This feels like the norm rather than the exception.

Same was true for the people of ancient Israel as they prayed and waited, and waited and prayed. But occasionally God moved without hesitation. In dire straits, surrounded by enemies, King Hezekiah laid face down in the house of the Lord and desperately begged God to intervene.

God quickly sent word by Isaiah the prophet that his prayer was heard. Later that evening God acted: And the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.

An immediate bloodbath. An immediate solution to Hezekiah’s problem. An immediate act of salvation for the nation. In my experience God moves slowly, like molasses on a cold morning. But every now and then God acts immediately and I get a glimpse of just what He can do. The Lord reminds me there’s a God in heaven who does what he wishes at his pace and his desire.

Isaiah 37

* Hack Wilson, 191 runs batted in, during his 1930 season with the Chicago Cubs; 175° – 185° F; U.S. citizens traveling for tourism or business do not need a visa for El Salvador.

Photo by Jean Gerber

An enormous army swarmed around Jerusalem, preparing to sack the city and carry off its inhabitants as slaves. No way could they survive this force decimating nation after nation. Desperate, King Hezekiah led his people in prayer, begging the Lord to intercede:

O Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made the heavens and the earth. Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God…O Lord our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.

Sennacherib, the invading king of Assyria, mocked God—always a bad move. Judah’s king prayed for the Lord to save, and in so doing reveal his power to the ends of the earth. That evening an angel of the Lord went out and massacred 185,000 Assyrian soldiers (I wonder what that looked like, and who did the body count?). The survivors melted away, and Sennacherib returned home only to be assassinated by his sons.

What to learn from this story? No matter how bleak my circumstances, or how huge the obstacle, the Lord can intervene and make things right. He may not, but he can do whatever he wishes with whomever he pleases. Ask for help from the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim. Cause it ain’t over til it’s over.

2 Kings 19

Photo by Ray Shrewsberry