Monthly Archives: April 2013

April 10

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Judges 6:23-31, I Samuel 2:22-5:12

Every once in a while God allows us to see that he has a sense of humor. I think the story of the Philistine god Dagon is funny.

I always loved playing with my sisters’ children and now am enjoying my great-nieces and nephews. How many block towers have I built, then pretended to look away so the little ones can knock them down and I act surprised by it? That’s the picture I have here. God, when everyone is asleep, nudges Dagon with his index finger and the idol tumbles down. The people are surprised by it and put Dagon back up again. But God’s not done with this game. The next night, down Dagon goes!

I know God wanted the Philistines to recognize that the God of Israel is the God of the entire world. We read they didn’t and things got worse for them. Had they accepted the truth of their fallen god and the power of God, we would be reading a different story.

I am reminded that, as the creator, God invented fun. It’s not wrong to laugh or find humor in the day-to-day. I challenge us all today to try and find an example of God’s holy humor. And remember, he wants us to enjoy our journey as we walk with him.

Father, I thank you for laughter. Help us to recognize that you created everything about us, including a sense of humor. But may we honor you in our fun, always remembering that you are holy. 

April 9

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I Samuel 1:1-2:21, Psalm 113, Judges 14:1-16:22

Those of us who grew up going to Sunday School are probably very familiar with these stories. Hannah and Samuel taught us about faith and the power of prayer. Samson taught us about God’s strength. But as an adult I read these same stories and see other things.

I see Hannah’s deep pain from having no children. I see faith in her agonizing prayer. I see Hannah express her love for God and thankfulness to him as she takes her young son to another city to be raised by the priest there. I see her missing Samuel, making robes for him through her tears. And I see her home filled with the laughter of other children, too.

I see a very foolish Samson. Physically strong but morally weak. Has anyone ever had worse taste in women? I see a man so “in love” he is blind to Delilah’s real character. He just sees what he wants to see. I see in Samson’s story the devastating result of seeking revenge.

Isn’t the Bible amazing? God wants little children to know him so he included the accounts of people like Hannah, Samuel, and Samson to tell them about his power, his love and faithfulness, and that he answers prayer. 

But if you look deeper, God reveals more of Himself. What a privilege we have of opening these pages each day, of getting a glimpse into the heart of God.

God, I thank you for your Word again this morning. Thank you that the lives of people like Hannah and Samson are recorded here to show us more about you. May we have faith like Hannah. And may we be examples of your strength like Samson.  May we not be satisfied with just knowing about you, but may we dig deeper and know you personally.

 

April 8

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Ruth 3&4, I Chronicles 2:3-16

Aren’t ancient customs funny? Ruth couldn’t tweet Boaz what was on her mind so, while he was sleeping, she uncovered his feet and slept there. A business transaction consisted of taking off your sandal in front of a few people. That was it? No contract to sign? No down payment?

I guess things have changed a bit since then. Except for the fact we still need a kinsman redeemer. And his name is Jesus. From the cross and in front of the world Jesus proclaimed… “I’ll redeem Connie. I’ll take her to myself and care for her.” All I had to do was go to him.

Blessed Redeemer, Jesus is mine!

I know that my Redeemer lives.

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

Lots of good old hymns speak about the fact that once I was lost. But Jesus paid whatever it took to make me his own. 

Redeemed! Redeemed! His child and forever I am.

April 7

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Judges 21, I Chronicles 6:4-15, Ruth 1&2

Ruth and Orpah loved their mother-in-law. Both young women had lost their husbands yet continued to stay with Naomi. When Naomi decided to go back to her people, Orpah left and went home to her own. Ruth begged to go with Naomi.

Orpah did nothing wrong. There were no legal or moral ties between the women any more. And it wasn’t that Orpah didn’t love Naomi. It sounds like it hadn’t been an easy decision for her to leave her mother-in-law.

I love how Ruth expressed her love for Naomi, though. Her beautiful words are often quoted at weddings. But beyond her words, Ruth expressed love in action. When they got to Bethlehem Ruth went to work to provide for herself and her mother-in-law. When she was given a good lunch, she thought of Naomi and took her the left-overs.

What I see in Ruth’s story is that love is something you do. It’s a verb. So many people think it’s just a feeling. But feelings change. 

I don’t believe in “love” at first sight. I believe in attraction, in interest at first sight. But those things are not love. I don’t believe in “falling” in love, either. Or the mistaken idea you can’t help who you love. As thinking humans who make choices, love is a choice. I see those other ideas as Satan’s attempts to corrupt God’s provision of marriage between a man and a woman.

Ruth loved Naomi. She demonstrated that by what she did. God loves us. And he demonstrated that by what he did, too. He died for us while we were yet sinners.

Ruth’s and Jesus’ examples of love speak loudly to me today. May I demonstrate the love I have for my family, for my friends, for my Lord, by what I do and say today.

 

April6

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Judges 19&20

It’s hard to read these two chapters. The violence and cruelty are unspeakable. Men lusting after other men, abusing women, and civil war show the nation of Israel is no better than the other nations around them. In fact, they are worse because they know the Truth. They know God. And they live like they don’t.

Beware, dear Christian. Just because we live in the twenty-first century doesn’t mean the rules have changed. It doesn’t mean the God of the Old Testament is different than the God of 2013. Truth is still Truth and holiness means the same today as it did back then.

I’m sad to think the lines between God’s people and the world are becoming so blurred we might not be any better than those who don’t know the Truth. We should be more moral, more kind, more honest, more joyful, more eager to help a neighbor than anyone else. And we should love our neighbors with God’s love.

Can we offer them something better than what they have right now? We should. And if we offer it, would they even recognize the Truth in us?

Father, may your people set themselves apart from the world in our speech and actions. May others see something in us that is better than what they have without you. May we determine today to be holy and stand for the Truth as revealed to us in your Word.

April 5

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Judges 10:1-13:25

I will admit Jephthah’s story upsets me. He made a stupid statement, a ridiculous vow and God held him to it. As the result of a hastily spoken vow, Jephthah sacrificed his own daughter as a burnt offering. I’m kinda mad God didn’t let Jephthah off the hook.

But wait a minute. What does that say to me this morning? Maybe God’s not the jolly old buddy we’ve made him out to be. Maybe he is holy. Maybe we need to honor his name. 

How many times have I heard, “I swear to God…” or how many times have I said, “God, if you… then I’ll…”

Is Jephthah’s story telling me there is no such thing as a casual vow? When before God a man and woman vow to love and honor each other does God really intend to hold them to that? When I promise God I’ll change, or stop doing something, does he really take me seriously?

Breaking a vow to God is a sin. And God is in the business of forgiving sin. I wonder if Jephthah had confessed his vow as a sin if things would have turned out differently for his daughter? I don’t know. But I do know God is faithful to forgive sin when we confess it.

Dear ones, we need to weigh our words carefully. Promising God – making a vow – is not something to take lightly. God is honest with us and demands we be honest with him.

Remember what he didn’t say to Jephthah. He didn’t say, “Oh, that’s ok, don’t worry about it”. He didn’t say, “Your heart was in the right place so just forget it.” What God didn’t say to Jephthah he is not saying to us today.

Holy God, may I not make promises I can’t keep. Help me to live up to the promises I’ve already made, knowing you take me seriously. And help me to confess the sin of broken vows. May my thoughts and the words of my mouth be acceptable to you today. 

April 4

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Judges 8&9

The things Jotham told the Israelites reminded me of our political scene in the USA. The olive tree and fig tree, good trees that yield rich produce, turn down the chance to become king over all the trees. So they went to the thorn bush, a worthless weed, and made it king. I wonder if we haven’t elected some thorn bushes ourselves at all levels of government.

We are commanded to pray for those in authority and I hope we are all doing that. I hope we are praying for salvation for our leaders, that God would grant wisdom and the courage to stand for truth. God can absolutely do his work in spite of people when we pray. But I hope we are also praying that God will raise up honest men and women who love him and feel called to serve him in our government. I pray we will once again be a nation under God. I am convicted as I consider my own prayer life today.

Let’s not give up because we feel there is nothing we can do. We can pray. We can hold our leaders accountable. We can make phone calls and write letters. We are still free to voice our opinions. And if God directs, we can get involved.

This is still the best nation on earth and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I pray for olive trees and fig trees!

April 3

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Judges 5-7

It always puzzles me why people like Gideon, who spoke face to face with the angel of God (which many believe was Jesus Himself) still needed a sign or two or three before they believed God. The offering was burned up, the fleece was wet, the fleece was dry. Then Gideon believed and did what God had asked him to do.

I need to be careful before I judge old Gideon. I may not be able to speak to the angel of God face to face, but I have several copies of God’s written word in my home. I can open those pages any time of any day and read God’s words to me.

So why, if he says “I will never leave or forsake you” do I wonder at times if he’s here. If he says he forgives sins and remembers them no more, why do I continue to carry guilt as though I’m not forgiven? If he promises to go with me why don’t I obey the call to share him with others?

God is not a mystery. He has laid it all out there for us to read in the Bible. How many signs do I need before I believe him?

April 2

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Judges 18:1-31, 3:7-4:24

Where did Micah get the idea it was ok to worship God and still have household gods and idols in his home? He even hired himself his own live-in priest. He must have been feeling pretty holy.

Another question I have is why did the Danites think Micah had a good thing going? They convinced Micah’s priest to go with them and stole Micah’s idols. When they moved into their new city they set up the idols and hired priests. But 18:30 says… until the time of captivity of the land.

Yes, eventually God will allow another nation to defeat the Israelites. This is the beginning of decades of the Jews obeying God, drifting away from God, disobeying God, suffering because of it, then repenting. And every time they repent we’ll see that God is going to come to their rescue.

It’s no different with us. As I look at my own life I remember times much like what I described with Israel. And yes, God is faithful to forgive every time I go to him. But if I shake my head at Israel and ask, why didn’t they learn… I have to ask the same about myself.

God is very plain to say that we cannot have him and household gods and idols, too. We can’t serve two masters. He is a jealous God who demands all of our worship. Period.

When walking with the Lord, living in the Promised Land is so wonderful. Why would I settle for anything less… especially knowing there are consequences for disobedience.

Father, help me to recognize any household gods or idols that are creeping up in my life. May I be quick to eliminate anything that would come between me and you. Help me put into perspective relationships, entertainment, commitment, or anything else that would compete with my focus on you. And may I walk with you today as you deserve.

April 1

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Judges 1:1-3:6, 17:1-13

Here’s something that made me sad. 2:10 tells us that after Joshua and his peers had died, another generation grew up who “knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.”

How was that even possible so soon after God had miraculously rescued them from slavery? How could they not talk about manna from heaven, shoes that didn’t wear out, water from rocks, crossing seas and rivers on dry ground, 24 hours of daylight, not to mention the pillar of fire and cloud? I know these people hadn’t witnessed many of these things first hand, but those things are what made them who they were in the sight of the nations. How could their children not know?

My dad loved history. He read about it, watched programs about it, talked about it. But I have to say I didn’t inherit his love of learning about the past.

Maybe that’s what happened to Israel. Maybe when parents talked about their grandparent’s journey, their teenagers rolled their eyes and thought, what does that have to do with me? Boring!

It’s our responsibility… and our privilege… to pass on to our children the good news of Jesus Christ. Not as some historical figure who lived an interesting life 2,000 years ago. But someone who is alive today, who radically changed our lives when we let him into our hearts, someone with whom we have a vital relationship today. And someone who wants to be as real to our children as we are.

Do your children know about how your life was changed when you met Jesus? Have you shared with your children how he is working in your daily life? Do they know what you are learning from your time in the Word? Can your children see in you that Jesus is more than an historical figure? Don’t assume they know without you intentionally sharing it with them.

If we don’t, we run the danger of raising a generation who neither knows the Lord nor what he has done for his people throughout the ages. Let’s determine to make Jesus real in their lives so that they will do the same for the next generation, too.

Father, again today I pray for parents. May they be intentional about sharing you with their children on a day to day basis. And I pray for grandparents, aunts, and uncles. We who love children not our own. May we be faithful as well, as we show our loved ones that Jesus is alive and relevant in 2013, that following you is the coolest, most exciting, and most blessed way to live.