Recently on a drive to the airport a line of traffic stopped us cold. I quickly pulled off on a side road to shoot around the jam. Bad decision. The alternate route stacked up even worse and led to another twenty minutes of delay. Fortunately, my wife made her flight but I drove home frustrated. Why didn’t I just glance at the GPS on my phone before leaving the highway?

An invading army once paused at a crossroads and consulted their ancient GPS system. The king of Babylon will stop at the fork in the road to seek an omen: He will cast lots with arrows, his will consult his idols, he will examine the liver.

While is sounds ridiculous to our ears, ancient experts examined the liver of a sheep for clues into important decisions. They looked at the shape of the liver, and for blemishes on different aspects of the liver. These priests developed into liver experts and guided kings by this superstitious practice.

Proverbs tells us, the king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He pleases. In the case of the Babylonian king, God massaged a sheep’s organ to accomplish his will. The slimy liver sent the invaders straight on to Jerusalem.

I like to think I possess better tools for decision-making than sheep’s liver. A pro-con list, wise words from trusted friends, impressions in prayer, and teachings from scripture make more sense, and are certainly less messy.

However, none of my decision-making techniques serve me unless I also seek the Lord. I may still be in doubt, but I can rest in the hope that the Lord directs my path, even when that path lies shrouded up ahead.

But next time I’m facing a big decision, and feel unsure of my next step, perhaps I’ll take a trip to the butcher shop and examine the livers. Who knows what inspiration might strike me?

Ezekiel 21 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by tommao wang

I am the bread of life — Jesus.

To give context to the quote, Jesus spoke to a crowd of people who the day before stuffed themselves with loaves and fishes. Jesus encouraged them not to work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life. He added, whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Go to Jesus and gain life. It’s not complicated (although Jesus might complicate your life at first). Commit to Jesus in humility and deference, and the filling will commence.

Contrary to all I hear, the bread of life does not consist of money, or possessions, or fame, or strength, or power, or followers, or pleasures, or health, or ease, or respect, or recognition, or degrees, or any of the thousand other ideas sold to me daily. Instead, the bread of life is found only in Jesus, offered freely, available openly, within my grasp.

Why not step forward and eat?

John 6 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Wesual Click

Last week my wife and I traveled to New York City to celebrate our granddaughter’s first birthday. We enjoyed several meals out on the town—New York lays out the welcome mat for food lovers.

We feasted on Italian food at Carmine’s in Manhattan and slurped down soup dumplings in Chinatown. Next we crossed the street for a scoop of ice cream (where I cautiously tasted the Durian). Bagels and crullers and smash burgers all found their way onto our menu. Fortunately, walking everywhere in New York helps with digestion.

The psalmist reminds us that the Lord gives food to every creature. Part of the enduring love of God evidences itself in the food we eat. Not merely sustenance, but the Lord fills our plates both for our pleasure and to enjoy the company of others.

Before a meal I like to give thanks. It may only be a quick prayer with a slight bow, but it helps me remember who butters my bread. Thank you Lord.

Bon Appétit!

Psalm 136 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Dan Gold

Ever wonder, what is God like? I mean, what does God look like, how does he appear in the cosmos? Is he always invisible? Does he manifest himself in certain ways? God took physical form and came to earth in the person of Jesus, but what exists beyond?

Ezekiel the prophet saw visions of heaven, strange and glorious. Describing one he wrote:

I looked, and I saw a figure like that of a man. From what appeared to be his waist down he was like fire, and from there up his appearance was as bright a glowing metal. He stretched our what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. The Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and in visions of God he took me to Jerusalem…

Perhaps this man was an angel, or an appearance of Jesus Christ. Then, like carrying a puppy by the loose skin of its neck, the fiery man picked Ezekiel up by his hair. I imagine a towering inferno gazing at the dangling Ezekiel from arm’s length.

The man from heaven appeared as blazing fire and glowing metal. Daniel saw similar visions of heavenly beings, as did John in the book of Revelation. Moses watched a bush burn but not be consumed. We’re told by Timothy that God dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.

Finally, the author of Revelation wrote that the city of God does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

So what is God like? So bright we cannot look upon him. Like staring at the sun until going blind, or experiencing the inner core of a nuclear explosion. Too much for me or you to handle.

But also just exactly what we need. Those who follow Jesus will bask in the light of the Lord for eternity, and there’s no reason not to believe that day will come.

Ezekiel 8 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Mark Harpur