Good Morning Friends,
Today we revisit a recent lectionary selection about disappointed and disillusioned people who accuse God of being unfair. If you go to an institutional church, you most likely have seen the problem firsthand. But today let us interpret this issue through a passage from Romans. So, in review, we got a sense of the problem in the story of Jonah and an echo of this problem from the book of Malachi. People are bitterly frustrated and begin to speak against God. Sounds a lot like our murky culture. But what is clear is that God is still in control and still loves people that follow the way of righteousness. God says that we are like children and belong to God as treasured possessions. We may even feel special and realize that there are rewards in our character in living a Christian life and the persistent calling of Jesus to be part of our lives. The hope is that we are like Christ, and become the word made flesh as a way of hearing the will of God for us. But realizing even the religious will have doubts and can become cynical I ask on their behalf: What Is The Good Of Trying To Serve God If We Are Unsure Of Divine Will?
Scripture: You have spoken harsh words against me, says the Lord. Yet you say, “How have we spoken against you?” You have said, “It is vain to serve God. What do we profit by keeping his command or by going about as mourners before the Lord of hosts? Now we count the arrogant happy; evildoers not only prosper, but when they put God to the test they escape.” Then those who revered the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord took note and listened, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who revered the Lord and thought on his name. They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as parents spare their children who serve them. Then once more you shall see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
Malachi 3:13-20b (NRSV
And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:5-13 (NRSV)
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified
Romans 8:28-30 (NRSV)
Message: Growing up as children we learn that there are rewards and punishments in life. I learned a sense of what was right and wrong when it came to people but when it came to the big picture, and God I was reduced to small acts in the same general direction over a long period of time. God joined in what I was doing until I figured out that I was supposed to join God. That is why I do this devotional. But people will have doubts about becoming righteous and wonder if the effort is worth it simply because some people are blessed with the benefits of the world without following the Way of God. Thankfully God considers us as jewels and of great value to be gathered together when Jesus comes again. But until then we are to believe that God has our best interests at heart. We are to believe that God wants us to live in the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of a moral and spiritual order. We get the sense of this benefit of the Christian life in a passage from Luke. But its validation is in our passage from Romans for it brings clarity to the issue of God’s will. Friends, if the righteous children of God ask God, the benefits of God’s love will become clear and so will God’s will for us to trust Jesus.
And So, if our minds feel worn out, we are probably not trusting God nearly enough. Sometimes knowing everything can be uncomfortable and can even hurt us. Where is our faith then? Regardless, it is difficult to exercise discernment if we are always trying to figure everything out. But when one is willing to trust God even when one cannot figure it all out, we have the opportunity for a peace that sets us free. There is a revelation of peace that comforts us despite not knowing if we do indeed trust God. You see, trusting God, often if not always, requires not knowing how God is going to accomplish what needs to be done and not knowing when it will be done. We often say God is never late, but generally God is not early either. Why? Because God uses times of waiting to stretch our faith and to bring about change and growth in our lives.
Pray we take what the world sees as worthless and pour love into it. Pray we value the gift of Jesus and the love we are to give back by loving others as God loves us. Pray we treat others in the same fair way that we want them to treat us and in the same fair way God treats us. Pray we have compassion for others just as God has compassion for us. Pray we trust God and have hope in belonging to God. Pray our requests are not deceptive, perverse, unkind, or abusive but reflect a righteousness that is also empowered by God’s goodwill for us in our calling. Pray therefore we respond to God with reverence and grace and persistence and purpose. Pray we serve God with courage and righteousness. Pray we are remembered as the faithful treasure of God forever.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 