I enjoy driving across Missouri and Kansas and Colorado in the summer. Field after field of crops line the road. Corn and soybeans pass in orderly rows. Sunflowers turn their faces as they follow the light. Cattle graze on hill after hill.

The Lord speaks of cattle when he reminds us that every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. There may well be a thousand hills across these states, and every cow belongs first to a rancher, and then ultimately to God.

I love this image, and it describes God’s blessings in my life. But the psalmist uses the picture to describe how God has all he needs, and does not depend on our sacrifices to him. In a blow to my ego, apparently God does not need me. Not one bit. But I need him.

From the rising of the sun to its setting…God shines forth. God controls the universe. He sets worlds in motion. He pulls the levers. He owns it all. Despite certain philosophical leanings, man did not create God out of our existential angst. God created us so that we might know him.

How do I respond? The psalm ends, The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!

God doesn’t need my cows or my talents. Instead, he asks me to turn toward him with a spirit of thankfulness, to acknowledge from whom the gifts in my life spring, and to honor the Giver. Then, by ordering my ways by his ways, I might discover the salvation of God. Which is even better than the cattle on a thousand hills.

Psalm 50

Photo by todd kent

I love discovering stories of past generations. My cousin studies our family’s history, and I enjoy hearing the ways people lived, their connections to each other and to the happenings of their day. One great-great-great grandfather (my cousin can correct me if I have the wrong number of “greats”) fought on both sides of the Civil War—Union and Confederate. Not many two-way players in that conflict. He lived in the violent border region of the Ozarks filled with vigilantes and outlaws who burned homes and murdered innocents. He switched back and forth to best protect farm and family.

Matthew laid out the genealogy of Jesus and added several women, an unusual choice (Luke also shares a genealogy, but without the women). In the patriarchal society of Israel usually only men made the list. Matthew’s account stands out, both for including women and for the specific women he chose to highlight.

Four women are referenced, three of whom suffered sexual exploitation. Tamar was ignored by her father-in-law (Judah), who legally was to provide her with a husband. Taking matters into her own hand, she disguised herself as a prostitute and tricked Judah into sleeping with her. The resulting son, Perez, continued the line to Jesus.

Rahab, or Rahab the Harlot as she’s sometimes known, was a prostitute in Jericho. She embraced the Lord, sheltered Israelite spies and saved her family. After the destruction of Jericho one of the spies, recognizing her character and tenacity, proposed on the spot. Their son became King David’s grandfather.

David shamefully took Bathsheba, the third woman referenced. She gave birth to Solomon, the greatest king of Israel. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is also on the list. While she did not suffer violence, she still experienced the startling visitation of an angel and a pregnancy by the Holy Spirit.

Matthew the tax collector knew the seamier side of life. He understood the darkness that accompanies families, and revealed how Jesus was born among sinful people—those he came to save. Matthew brings to light strong women whose blood flowed through the veins of Jesus. I love that he chose to add these details.

Sinners haunt the branches of all of our family trees, and we’re not necessarily any better. The good news is that Jesus arrived among us, not above us. Despite our background and history and actions, in him we find life and grace and hope, for us and for generations still to come.

Matthew 1

Photo by Chris Curry

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. To read it all in one setting takes a good chunk of time. The psalm focuses on the value of God’s Word, the truth of Scripture, and the benefits of spending time within its pages.

Some scholars believe that Ezra the priest wrote Psalm 119, while others attribute the work to King David. Regardless, the author left us with a myriad of reasons underscoring the immense value of our Bible. Here’s a few verses that stood out to me from my reading this morning:

I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

I look at worthless things all day, my news feed and social media and advertising and entertainment among them. All slowly rotting my brain. Better to read or listen to my Bible and reap the benefits of peacefulness, an expanding soul, deeper understanding, and true life.

I can either enfuse my life with the slithery ideas of our modern moment, or the timeless truths bound in this glorious work. It’s my choice, and Psalm 119 gives me reason after reason after reason to choose the Good Book.

Psalm 119:32, 37, 105, 130, 165

Photo by Vladimir Fedotov

Sometimes I wonder if God sees me, and other times I hope God is distracted elsewhere. Hanani, the prophet in old Israel, reminded his king of the Lord’s-eye view: 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.

I’m curious how many people the Lord discovers whose hearts are blameless? The word in Hebrew means fully committed, whole, or integrated. God scans the earth for centered people engaged with and attached to him. I fear I don’t I fit the bill, understanding the vagaries of my heart. But I know others I suspect of blamelessness.

A blameless heart presents in humility and service. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control—remain evident during difficult situations. When you find people like this make them your friend.

It’s comforting to realize that the Lord notices and undergirds those devoted to him. Even if I don’t measure up, I’m happy to know the Lord supports those who do.

2 Chronicles 16:9

Photo by Neil Thomas