Devotional Thoughts – Page 2

A Reflection on Psalm 4

How can you find peace and safety in the middle of conflict?

The 4^th Psalm is often paired with the 3^rd Psalm and categorized as parallel prayers of trust in God; one for the morning and one for the evening. Since David was running for his life from his son, Absalom, this Psalm has a lot of credibility.

David’s quest for peace and safety involves three steps in this portion of Scripture. First, he calls out to God and asks for help. He talks to God about the people who want to do him in. He anticipates a good night’s sleep in spite of his troubles.

Next, he seems to call out to his adversaries in verse 6. These are the ones who “love what is worthless” and “aim at deception” (v. 2). David’s previous prayer allows him to stand up to their pressure.

Finally, he crawls into bed in peace. After all is said and done, David renews his trust in God. He finds his gladness and security in God, not in what others are scheming or saying about Him.

This Psalm is an invitation to join David on his quest for peace and safety. We have to same opportunity to call out to God before calling out to our adversaries. Speaking of this dynamic, Charles Spurgeon said, “He who dares to face his Maker will not tremble before the sons of men.” If we approach our own quest in this order, we have a good chance of arriving at our destination, safe and sound.

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A Reflection on Psalm 3

David literally ran for his life on more than one occasion. In 1 Samuel 19, he ran from Saul after the unhinged king tried to kill him four times. David stayed in hiding from Saul for the next 10 chapters. Later on, in 2 Samuel 15, David ran away from Jerusalem to as his son, Absalom, made a claim to the throne.

The inscription given to Psalm 3 explains that it was written around the time David fled from his son, Absalom. Even though the inscription is not inspired by the Holy Spirit, it gives modern readers a starting place to evaluate the king’s comments. David had the right to speak about these issues because he has seen the worst kinds of battles.

This Psalm is sometimes described as a morning prayer of trust in God. In four short stanzas, David ran from his enemies and ran to God for help. Instead of focusing on threat that rose up all around him, David focused on the protection that God would provide. His faith in God drove Him to trust in the One who is a “shield” around His people.

A Reflection on Psalm 1

The first Psalm is a vivid call to live with Biblical insight according to the way of righteousness.

C. S. Lewis wrote a book titled Reflections on the Psalms. In it, he hoped that his words might interest and help other “inexpert readers” of the Bible’s most poetic book. This reflection on the first Psalm is offered with the same spirit.

The first Psalm is a vivid call to live with Biblical insight according to the way of righteousness. The way of righteousness is set in sharp contrast with the way of wicked. The righteous person finds his or her wisdom in the Scriptures and the fool finds his or her wisdom in other self-absorbed fools.

The picture of success could not be more attractive. The person who values God’s wisdom is described as a healthy tree with access to an endless supply of water. The tree is a joy to the landowner because it gives off a continual supply of fruit. The person who despises God’s wisdom is a tumble weed that rolls around in the wind, swept aside without a thought.

This description of the righteous way of life is a warning and an encouragement. It’s a warning to those who would discount the Psalms that follow it; and an encouragement to those who take them to heart.

Should I Say Something?

How do you know when you should speak up and when you should stay silent? Here are five questions to consider as you “one another.”

The book of James says a lot about the words we speak. Readers are encouraged to listen before they speak in James 1:19. They are also warned against paying lip-service to religious conviction in James 2:15-16. Chapter 3 contains an extended lesson about the destructive power of the tongue and danger of false teaching (James 3:1-12). Students of the Bible are cautioned several times against quarreling and conflicts (James 3:14, 4:1).

With all this seriousness, it may seem like silence is best choice. Just keep quiet and avoid all the problems. But silence isn’t always an option.

The other books of the New Testament contain a slew of verses on how believers should view and treat one another (the term “one another” is used 100 times in 94 verses). The second greatest commandment is based on love that longs to do what is best for the other person, which has to including loving interaction as some point (Matthew 22:36-40).

So how do you know when to speak up and when to say silent?

Here is a list of questions to consider before tacking a tough situation with your tongue:

Can you speak constructively? James 4:11 warns against “attack” speech, which can include slander, gossip, and false or unfair accusations. The goal is to build the other person up, not to tear them down. Constructive criticism is very different from criticism for the sake of criticism.
Do you have a relationship with this person? The majority of these passages are set in the context of a personal relationship between fellow believers in the fellowship of a local church. A tough truth is received easier if it given by a friend. Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.”
Are you living by the same standard? It can be easy to magnify someone else’s problems or weakness while ignoring our own. James says the standard for all our behavior is God’s law – a standard we all fall short of. Be very careful about addressing an issue with someone that you know every little about.
Are you able to speak directly? Talking about someone is not as effective as talking to them. You may have a concern, but you don’t have the ability or the access to speak to them directly.
Are you motived by love? The background for these instructions in the New Testament is love. Avoid speaking to others about their problems because you want to get something off your chest or because you want to prove that you are right about something. Tough conversations can’t be about you, they need to be about the other person.

Should I say something? That’s a complex question that deserves a thoughtful response. These questions can help as you as you build live-giving relationship in today’s world.

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Three Takeaways from Preaching Through the Gospel of John

My resent sermon series in the Gospel of John has had a personal impact on my life. Here’s what I took away from it.

Preaching through a book of the Bible is a milestone for any preacher. It takes planning and perseverance to work through sequential passages from the same context in an engaging way. It’s a good and rewarding challenge for a pastor on any level.

I just finished presenting the Gospel of John to the church I have the privilege of serving and I wanted to share three takeaways from my time in the text. This wasn’t my first time preaching through the Gospel of John, but it was the most meaningful.

Takeaway #1: The Gospel of John is memorable. It contains quotable verses like John 1:1-4, 1:12, 2:15, 3:16, 4:34, 12;16, 14:6, 15:13-15, 19:26-27, 20:30-31, and 21:15-17, just to list a few. It also contains the seven visually striking “I Am” Statements. It’s hard to forget the images of Jesus as “the bread of life,” or “the true vine.” The book is also memorable because John uses such consistent vocabulary, using and reusing the same terms and concepts throughout the whole book. The English terms, “believe” “world,” and “know” all appear close to or more than 100 times. These factors make it easier to hold on to the teaching of this Gospel.

Takeaway #2: The Gospel of John is personal. The writer refers to himself several times as “The disciple whom Jesus loved” (19:26, 20:2, 21;7, 21:20). This wasn’t a prideful label. It was a subtle way of including himself in the story, without overshadowing Jesus. John was an eyewitness to everything that happened, but he was also profoundly impacted by his interactions with Jesus Christ. In addition, John includes Christ’s touching interactions with Nicodemus, the woman at the well, and Lazarus and his sisters, plus many more. In my view, John does a wonderful job of developing the theme found in chapter 1, verse 14: “And the Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us” (NASB).

Takeaway #3: The Gospel of John is powerful. Jesus is presented as the most powerful force mankind has ever known. He turns water into wine, heals a long list of people including bringing Lazarus back from the dead, and walks on water. John inserts an editorial note in chapter 20:30 that states that Jesus did even more miraculous things than he has room to record. But the power of John’s gospel extends beyond the document’s portrayal of Jesus. The message of the Gospel is powerful too. Readers are pushed to consider their own faith and relationship with God in a powerful and undeniable way. It’s hard to walk away from the Gospel of John without thinking about how you should respond for yourself.

A seasoned preacher will experience many sermon series in their ministry. But this sermon series in the Gospel of John has been very meaningful for me. I encourage you to spend as much time as you can reading and studying it for yourself.

Two Disciples, One Savior

What do the examples of Peter and John teach us about following Jesus?

In John 13: 24-25, Peter asked John to ask Jesus who it was that was going to betray Him. These verses don’t name John outright, they only refer to him as “the disciple Jesus loved.” John isn’t named until the last chapter of the gospel, and even then it’s as “one of the sons of Zebedee” (21:2).

The close connection between Peter and John in chapter 13 is sustained throughout the rest of the Gospel. When Christ was arrested, Peter was left out in the cold until “the other disciple” spoke to the doorkeeper at the high priest’s house to let him in (John 18:15-16). In chapter 20, verses 4 and 8, John outran Peter to the tomb and believed in the resurrection first. Peter jumped into the Sea of Galilee to join Jesus on the shore, but it was John who was the first to recognize him (John 21:). “The disciple who Jesus loved” was already following Jesus when Peter asked about his place in Christ’s post-resurrection plans (John 21:20-22).

Gerald Borchert makes a fascinating point in his commentary on the Gospel of John. Borchert states, “One cannot avoid the observation that in all of these cases, the beloved disciple is shown to be superior to Peter in some way.” John and Peter are lifted up as models of discipleship. John is described as an ideal model of what it looks like to follow Christ, and Peter is depicted as the more realistic model of a Christ-follower.

This two-model approach to discipleship is encouraging for followers of Jesus in the real world. Sometimes we live up to our best intentions and follow Jesus with a responsive and fast-paced faith. There are other times, however, when our best intentions end in failure. These portraits of discipleship are helpful, but ultimately, they should remind us to keep our attention on Christ. Instead of comparing ourselves to someone else, we should follow Jesus and the path He has laid out for us.

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Jesus was Rejected – Failure or Success?

Jesus was rejected by many of His peers. Does that weaken or strengthen His claims?

One of the best ways to persuade others with an argument is to answer their strongest objections. If you can provide a reasonable explanation for someone’s biggest challenge, you can “take the wind out of their sails” and maybe win the day. This approach follows the logic of the familar parable: “The best offense is a good defense.”

John seems to take the same approach at times in His Gospel, which is aimed at converting unbelievers into believers (John 20:30-31). In John 12:37-50, He tackles the potentially embarrassing issue of Christ’s rejection. Why believe in Jesus Christ as the Jewish Messiah and Savior of the World if so many of His own people rejected Him during His earthly ministry? Doesn’t that prove or at least weaken His claim of being sent by God?

Instead of shying away from this objection, John leans into it in the closing verses of John chapter 12. He uses Isaiah 5:31 and 6:10 to point out that God’s messengers haven’t always been well received. Moses, Elijah, Ezekial, and Isaiah all faced signifcant opposition in their day and Jesus experienced the same.

In addition, John reveals the motivation behind much of Israel’s rejection of Jesus. The “rulers” would have been members of the Sanherin, the Jewish “Supreme Court” of its time. Many of these rulers had a private respect and admiration for Jesus, but they refused that share it publically for fear that they would loose the respect of their peers. The problem wasn’t with Jesus and His teaching or miracles, it was with the hard-heartedness of His audience.

John helps us to see that Christ’s rejection was a sign of His failure, but instead, it was a sign of His success. Jesus was faithful to His mission, even if He wasn’t hailed as hero by all of His peers. Popularity can be a poor measure of success and it’s an even worse measure of the truth.

Developing a Biblical Worldview with “The Light of the World”

Jesus declared that He is “the Light the World” in John 8:12. Like the Pillar of Fire in Exodus 13, Jesus appeared before His people, led them to their destination, and protected them from their enemies. In numerous ways, Jesus proved that He was and is the same God the Jews worshipped in Old Testament times.

Christ’s announcement in John 8 prompted a strong response from His listeners. Essentially, they said, “We don’t believe you.” Instead of defending Himself, Jesus pointed them back to the basic character of light – it’s self-authenticating. Light is elemental and it does not need to be defined. It exists and automatically pushes back the darkness that surrounds it. Light reveals things as they truly are.

One of the implications to this “I Am” statement, is that Jesus is the ultimate source of truth. As the “Living Word,” His words and His actions were always consistent with the “Written Word,” the Bible. His declaration in John 8 is true and it rings true for everyone who is willing to listen in faith.

If the Savior and the Scriptures are trustwothy, then we would all do well to pursue a Biblical view of the world. We should seek out God’s anwers to the most important questions in life, like “Where did we come from?” “Who are we?” And “Where is history headed?” The answer to these kind of questions help us to define reality and they drive our everyday decision making.

The question then becomes, “How do I puruse a Biblical view of myself and world around me?” The answer to this question is complex, but it’s not a mystery. You can construct a God-centered view of the world in three ways. First, by reading your Bible with these questions in mind. Instead of reading just to finish your reading plan, ask yourself, “What does this passage say about who God is or what He might want from me?” “What does this passage teach me about myself or my destiny?” This kind of questioning might stretch you, but it will help you interact with some of the basic tenets of a Biblical view of th world.

Secondly, you can test your findings according to your personal experience. If you feel like God made us to engage in supportive relationships based on Genesis 1:26-27, 2:18; Exodus 20:12; John 15:12-13; and Hebrews 10:23-25; then you can observe that principle in action all around you. Do the people that you know benefit from living in commuity, or do they seem to do better living in isolation? There are surely exceptions, but does this principle seem to hold true in the vast majority of circumstances? Is there a plausible explanation for the times that it doesn’t appear to hold true? One of the way that a Biblical worldview is built is by testing it under the normal presures of real life.

Third, you can strengthen your view of the world by interacting with those who have a different perspective. Ideally, this is done with a spirit of curiousity, not as way to pick a fight. Ask those with a more naturalistic view of the world to explain their answers to the questions above. See if you can find the strengths and weaknesses to their point of view. Light is an improvement over darkness because it shows us where our perception differs from reality.

These three steps can help you pursue and build a Biblical view of yourself and the world around you. They rest on the presuppostion that God’s Word is true and trustworthy. Everyone who engages in this kind of activity will be rewared with a sharper view of Jesus Christ as “the Light of the Word.”

Easter Matters

This Easter, I had the privilege of preaching about the resurrection from John 20. Since Sunday, I’ve been reflecting on the ongoing significance of Christ’s resurrection and glorification as I reread the passage. Here are two things that stand out to me.

1. We can trust Jesus because He did what He said He would do. The mysterious Messiah predicted his death and resurrection on more than one occasion. Speaking of laying down His life in John 10:18, he said, “I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.” In John 12:7, Jesus defended Mary’s extravagant anointing because it was “for the day of My (His) burial.” Jesus also hinted about His upcoming death in John 13:33 and 14:25.

Easter puts an exclamation point on Christ’s authority – He delivered on His promise. In turn, this puts a renewed emphasis on Christ’s other promises. He did what He said He would do and delivered on His promises. He promised eternal life to those who trust Him (John 4:14). He also promised that genuine eternal life would not be lost (John 10:28). One of His most comforting promises was the promise to return for His followers one day (John 14:2-3).

2. We have a mission as the baton of ministry has been passed from Jesus Christ to His followers. The resurrected Jesus couldn’t have been clearer when He visited His surprised followers. He was about to ascend to heaven, so He wouldn’t be on earth very long (v. 17). He was about to send out His followers in the same way the Heavenly Father had sent Him out (v. 21). There would be many others who would believe in Jesus Christ based on their words and witness rather than their own sight (v. 29, v. 30-31).

Easter is source of celebration, but it’s also commissioning service. It’s a reminder that we have a job to do. The torch of gospel ministry has been passed down through every generation since the first generation of believers, and we don’t want to drop it.

The significance of Easter extends well beyond one day a year. It’s a yearly reminder that Jesus can be trusted and we’ve been trusted with a very important task.

A Hostile Takeover

Jesus recieved an enormous amount of attention for His miracles, but He wouldn’t allow His mission to redirected. In John 6:1-14, Jesus fed a crowd of thousands with a little boy’s lunch. The people who ate the miraculous meal were so thrilled that some in the crowd wanted to make Him king (v.15). They wanted to ride the wave of Christ’s power and popularity to a new political reality, independent from foreign control.

Jesus avoided this hostile take over by slipping away into the country side. He didn’t want His life’s work to be associated with one particular political agenda. Jesus clearly cared about morality, social issues, and the truth, but He didn’t take sides in the ongoing struggle between Jerusalem and Rome. He is referred to as a king at numerous points in the Gospel of John, but he wouldn’t accept the crown from a bunch of activists (John 1:49, 12:13, 18:37).

Christians on “both sides of today’s aisle” should be careful about baptizing their passion project, social issue, or political agenda in Jesus’s name. When we do, we run the risk of obscuring the gospel and redirecting Christ’s mission. At the very least, this approach takes away from our ability to discuss and debate issues in the public square. At it’s worst, this approach puts us the place of making moral declarations beyond what God has said in His Word. Where God has been clear, we should be clear and where God has been silent, we should be much more tentative.

Jesus recieved an enourmous amount of attention for what He said and did in John 6, but we should also pay attention to what He didn’t do. He woudn’t accept a cheap and easy crown. He didn’t get behind the powerstruggle of an restless crowd. He gave Himself as as sacrfice for our sins so that whoever believes in Him might have eternal life.