Wide Open Doors

Like a lot of people, Anne and I had grown up in “the church.” We’d both been through the rituals and the rites. We’d both been through variations of “Confirmation.”

We met at a strict evangelical Bible college in 1989 and our experience there was less than satisfactory. To be honest, much of that is our own fault. But that’s another post for another time.

We left that college, were married, and had kids almost immediately (well, 9 months later). We went to church because we were supposed to. Our kids were sprinkled. We tried. Really. We tried.

A move to Savannah Georgia with Best Buy put tremendous weight on what was both a solid (because, Jesus) and a very shaky (because Anne and I were sinfully selfish) foundation. We’d each had enough church to know that the actual fix was Jesus, but had no clue who He was. After a year (-ish) we began looking for Jesus. We visited a few churches, with mixed results.

Then, we moved to Ohio (O-H!). We were looking for someone to watch our children, and Anne called Teresa (This was 1995 and I truthfully cannot remember how this worked pre-internet). She told Anne that her daycare was full, and that was that.

The way Teresa tells it, as soon as she hung up the phone, “God told her” that she had to take our kids. She called Anne back, told her the story, and off our kids went.

Then, Teresa did something outrageous.

She invited us to church.

Because I was living the best retail life ever, this meant Anne went way more than me.

Teresa met Anne in the parking lot.

Teresa carried our kids into the building at MCC.

Teresa carried bags filled with all the stuff that goes with kids into MCC.

Teresa took Anne and the kids to the nursery and children’s ministry area.

Teresa sat with Anne.

Teresa answered Anne’s questions.

Teresa introduced us to her imperfect family. She never once appeared to be better than us. She never “put on airs.”

And, as we met the pastors and others within the church, neither did they.

They were real and regular people. They were redeemed by Jesus to be sure. They were works in progress.

They invited us into their study groups and homes. We ate meals together.

They preached and taught the Bible, and we were confused.

They let me ask “Why should I be immersed?” 82 million different ways and never got mad. Not even once.

Now, it wasn’t perfect and I’m sure there were fakers and frauds.

Of course there was…because I was there.

One of Teresa’s sons, Phil, became a Christian and became my best friend (another post, for another time).

I began serving in the church. Our marriage was healed, rescued from the very edge of divorce.

That church was a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints. It was filled with sick people in need of a doctor. They didn’t forget this.

That church was all about the mission of Jesus- proclaiming the good news, freedom for the prisoner, recovery of sight for the blind, setting the oppressed free, and proclaiming the Lord’s favor.

That church welcomed people. Broken and messed up people. They let us ask questions. We were in crisis and they simply loved us.

That church was made up of people who’d been welcoming by Jesus, so they responded by welcoming others.

That church was compelled by the spirit of Christ. They set aside their own preferences, power, place and position and were obedient.

That church, lovingly obedient, merciful, and gracious, is the reason I’m in ministry today.

And here’s the deal…there are millions of “me’s” out there, waiting to be invited, waiting to be loved, served, and taken seriously.

God’s telling us to take them in.

Let’s do it.

Get Well

“Do you want to be well?”

What a dumb question! Why would Jesus ask it?

For 38 years, the man was lame. Day after day he’d be by the pool at Bethesda waiting for the water to stir, indicating the presence of the healing angel, an angel who would heal the first person in.

But he was never able to get in first.

Jesus walks up and simply asks the question, “Do you want to be well?”

The man pushes back about how no one moves him to the water when it moves, how someone else always beats him in.

Then, Jesus tells the man, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.”

Interestingly, Jesus does not allow the man’s self-pity to get in the way of his own work. In fact, the man is healed despite it.

How? Jesus places the ownership of his “being well” on the man.

“Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.”

What comes next is the usual interaction with the Pharisees who are bent out of shape because this happened on the Sabbath, and because the man was “working” on the Sabbath

A little later, Jesus again sees the man in the temple, “You are well. Stop sinning because something worse may happen to you.”

There’s a way to “be well” and still be deeply missing the mark.

While Jesus does all of the work necessary to heal us and for our salvation, we must take responsibility for responding properly to that salvation by living in accordance with it.

Sidebar:

I was once accused of being a semi-Pelagian heretic for this (I had to google it; I’ll save you the trouble…just click here).

The only way salvation “works” is through our acceptance of the finished work of Jesus as indicated and demonstrated by living our lives through the power of the indwelt Spirit of God.

We can, indeed, “be well” physically, mentally, and emotionally…and if we continue in our sinfulness, if the root of our problems is not dealt with through and because of the power of Jesus, then we are not well.

And what I often see people do, and I am guilty of it, is live in this space where once the immediate issue we deal with is gone- a financial concern, a relational strain, an illness- we still have, well, our inner sin to deal with.

We’re still “us” because wherever we go, there we are.

Today, I just want to encourage you to not settle for a “being well” that only deals with a temporal problem.

While I indeed hope that you are not suffering, and that your real challenges would be dealt with, more than anything I hope that you’ll truly want to be well in the way Jesus offers, by having your sin dealt with and by walking in the light of that reality.

Who, Then, Should We Welcome?

I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.

This is my covenant with you: I will make you the farther of a multitude of nations!

These promises are found in Genesis 12:2-3 and Genesis 17:4. This covenant was never “only” about the Jewish people; God is making an astounding claim: God’s people would be made up of anyone and everyone who might acknowledge the reality of God.

As we read through the balance of the Old Testament, we see this begin to come to fruition as various Gentiles are “slipped” in…Tamar, Rahab, Ruth (these are found in the genealogy of Jesus as found in Matthew 1).

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.

When we flip to the New Testament, we see Jesus include Gentiles in his ministry, and in the book of Acts we see a massive shift and transition as Gentiles become followers of Jesus.

The Church Welcomed All Ethnicities. It’s important to note that this was a process. As we read through the book of Acts, we see resistance to the inclusion of Gentiles. And, we see lots of conversations about what it looks like for Gentiles to become Christians: What laws and rules should they be held to? Should they be circumcised? What about food laws? As we read through Paul’s letters, we see this topic discussed often, sometimes explicitly and other times through implication.

And, Acts is a book that details clearly the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. The book itself is constructed that way; literally beginning in Jerusalem on Pentecost (where the gift of languages is manifested upon the disciples) and ending with Paul imprisoned in Rome, with the final words of Acts reading,

For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.

The Church Welcomed All Classes. Again, a read through the book of Acts reveals the proclamation of the gospel to anyone and everyone, from a crippled since birth beggar in Acts 3 to leaders like Felix, Festus, and Agrippa in Acts 24-26. Poor and wealthy alike responded to this proclamation by becoming followers of Jesus.

The Church Welcomed Women and Children. So much to say here. In the ancient world, neither women nor children had much value culturally. And as we read through the entire Bible, we see women demonstrate courage in the face of their time (again look at the genealogy mentioned above- they’re all women). We see a judge like Deborah, we see wives and mothers change the course of history. In the New Testament, we see Jesus elevate women beyond their cultural norms. We watch as Jesus reprimands his disciples over the treatment of children and their parents. Romans 16 is filled with the names of females, many of whom hosted church gathering in their homes. At the end of Acts 16, Luke lists Priscilla’s name ahead of her husband, and this is not inconsequential.

The Church was a Porch Light in a Dark World. It was the church who rescued babies (often female) abandoned by the Romans. It was the church who cared for the sick. In fact, Emperor Julian (an apostate Christian) in an effort to revive paganism in the Roman Empire wrote,

We ought then to share our money with all people, but more generously with the good, and with the helpless and poor so as to suffice for their need.
And I will assert, even though it be paradoxical to say so, that it would be a pious act to share our clothes and food even with the wicked. For it is to the humanity in a person that we give, and not to their moral character. Hence I think that even those who are shut up in prison  have a right to the same sort of care, since this kind of philanthropy will not hinder justice.…
For it is disgraceful that, when no Jew ever has to beg, and the impious Galileans support not only their own poor but ours as well, all men see our people lack aid from us.

In her book, Oshman suggests a few action steps:

• Ponder the past growth and current size of the Christian family across the globe.
• Visit the census website for your county. Does your church “look” like your community? Click here for Scotts Bluff county.
• Reflect on the role and value of women (and children!) in your church community. Are we serving women and children who are outside of our church community?
• Search your heart for any hint of ethnocentrism or racism, classism, sexism, or any other ungodly way in which you may subconsciously view people who are not like you.
• Speak to someone different this Sunday.
• Pray for gospel unity in your local church, as well as gospel unity across the global Christian family.

We have a tremendous opportunity to be this same church today.

There are two resources I recommend for further reading: Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World by Tom Holland and The Patient Ferment of the Early Church: The Improbable Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire by Alan Kreider.

Look to Jesus

“Look to Jesus.” It sounds so simple, so cliche, so Sunday School. And in Philippians 2:5-11, it’s exactly what we’re called to.

If we want to welcome people as Jesus did, (and Christians, we do) looking to his example is key.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God,
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
    he took the humble position of a slave
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Oshman writes,

We follow Jesus by forsaking our status, becoming servants, and fully humbling ourselves.

We forsake our status. As an “insider” to the church, we’re familiar with the lingo. We know the liturgy (when to sit, when to stand, when to sing, our “order of service”, where to park, when to arrive, where our kids go, what small groups meet, etc). This puts us into a privileged status. We know who we are comfortable around. As followers of Christ, we’re “in the family” with Jesus. And, when we’re not careful, this limits our vision and our “eyes” for others.

We must forsake this status. Forsaking this status and privilege means we deliberately walk away from our comfort zones and talk with people we don’t know and seek out new people. We want everyone to feel welcomed.

We must serve. I don’t remember where I heard this but, “Everyone thinks they are a servant until they’re treated like one.” Jesus was (and is) God and he willingly became a human being. John 1 tells us that the universe was created through him. And Jesus, THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, allowed people to wipe his poopy butt. He allowed people to put baby food into his mouth. He learned to walk.

It’s easy for us to walk into a building on Sunday and think, “This has all been done for me.” In winter, there is someone who clears our lot of snow. In summer, we’ll pick you up at your car in a golf cart. The doors are opened for us, the coffee is always hot, the lights are always on, the temperature is 99.9999% of the time comfortable, and I could go on and on.

Week in and week out we talk about the needs of the church, and let’s get real: if you’re not serving the body, we’re literally talking to you. You are not too good to serve, no matter what you tell yourself. And to continue the honesty, if you truly believe you are too good to serve, it’s because you don’t understand the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Humble yourself unto death. Yikes. We must remember that our purpose for living as Christians is to proclaim Jesus as Lord. This mission and purpose will get in the way of everything. It must take priority over everything.

Oshman makes a few recommendations:

• Imagine all that Jesus left behind when he came to rescue us and welcome us. Maybe you’re uncomfortable when I mentioned Jesus’ poopy butt. He didnt have to have one but he did.
• Study the many ways Jesus poured himself out in the Gospels. Read through the gospels and take note of every time Jesus gave of himself.
• Reflect on how others have embodied a Philippians 2 attitude when welcoming you. At WestWay, people begin arriving before 8am on a Sunday morning so. This is at great personal cost to each and every one of them. People give up vacation time to be with students at CIY. People demonstrate financial generosity to ensure the AC works in Summer and heat works in the Winter. I could add about 82 million more things to this list.
• Take stock of your own spiritual status. Worship and praise God for welcoming you.
• Pray for God to help you. You will not be obedient to God unless he changes your heart. Maybe you don’t WANT to be obedient to God in this matter. Start there; ask God to change your heart and give you the desire to be like Jesus.

Next up: we can look to the examples set by the early church and follow their example.

“The only reason we’re all here is because of Jesus”

Many years ago, I was part of a group of youth ministers, pastors and workers who were assembled together to shape the lives of other youth leaders in a Jesus-Centered way in the hopes that we’d all faithfully make disciples of the next generation.

We all came from different backgrounds across the spectrum of Christianity- many denominations were represented, some came from large churches, others from small, there were men and women included. There were various educational levels, from high school, graduates to those with undergrad and graduate degrees, maybe even a Dr or two. There were people of different races, and there were people of different political views.

There was literally no reason we would all be in the same room together except for Jesus. In fact, one night as we were getting ready to host, lead, and serve at a national youth ministry training event, my friend Andy got up in front of the group and said as much.

“The only reason we’re all here is because of Jesus”

This truth puts Christians into an interesting space.

There were people in that room with whom i strongly disagreed on lots of things, yet, we had Jesus. This sounds a lot like family. And, we don’t get to pick our family.

The Apostle Paul wrote this to a group of people who forgot why they were all together

“But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it”

Let’s allow the weight of that to sink in for a moment.

God assembles the body. And, it’ll be made up of lots of parts- people who like coffee, and those who don’t. People who are politically conservative, and those who are politically liberal, and everywhere in between. There will be be big people and small people, those who shower daily and those who’ve not showered for days. There will be close-talkers and people with bad breath. There will be people who sing off-key. There will be people whose lives are about 2 seconds from coming apart at the seams, and people who are liars, fakers and pretenders who will tell you, “Life is wonderful.”

The church will be made up of sinners, redeemed to be sure, but sinners nonetheless.

Another way of saying what Paul wrote is, “God has accepted and welcomed us as we once were, in the midst of our very worst” (see Ephesians 2:1-10).

Se we want to do the same thing.

Over the past few years, we’ve had all kinds of people show up on a Sunday morning. Some thought the building was going to collapse on them as they entered. Some didn’t know when to sit, or when to stand. Some haven’t known how to use a Bible. Some were afraid they’d be judged.

And each of them showed courage.

Jen Oshman writes

“For those who are not yet Christians, exploring the Christian faith and way of life requires a certain desperation, or at least a determination, to make it through the church front door. The question, then, for those of us on the inside is: How might we cross the wide divide to meet those who are on the outside? How might we become a people of welcome–a people who can make complete strangers feel that they can come in and be right at home? How can we create an atmosphere that invites our neighbors who are strangers to become our brothers and sisters in Christ, as they repent and believe the good news?”

Oshman’s answer? Look to Jesus.

Love Your Church

I recently discovered this three-part (soon to be 4) book series on social media. In 2021, author Tony Merida wrote a book entitled Love Your Church. This series of books written to further elaborate on how to best demonstrate love within their church family. The publisher is The Good Book Family.

I’m going to begin with “Welcome” by Jen Oshman. According to her bio, Jen is, a wife, mom, and writer, and has served as a missionary and pastor’s wife for over two decades on three continents. She currently resides in Colorado, where her family planted Redemption Parker, an Acts 29 church plant.”

My plan is to slowly work through each book, and post some thoughts- most likely a few chapters at a time.

If you’d like to enjoy them with me, just click the links: Welcome Gather Belong

Unity

“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one–as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me”- Jesus, praying for his disciples that they would be unified, in John 17:21.

Recently, a post from a local restaurant hit my Facebook feed. They’ve been in town for a long, long time, and a new restaurant had recently opened. The long-term restaurant’s post talked about this “newbie” business, and expressed frustration over the fact that the “newbie” already had more Facebook “likes” than they, and they pleaded with their customers to “show those newbies” that this long-term business was still a force to be reckoned with (maybe that was a bit of embellishment).

Now, I don’t want to ascribe motive here, and, I just don’t get it. I sent my wife a screenshot with the following comment:

Or…what if you welcomed the new business in town because it’s good for our economy and the downtown?

These two businesses are in no way, shape, or form competition with one another. In fact, they couldn’t be more opposite.

But, I’m not expert in marketing. I took one economics class (in high school) and my takeaways were, There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch, and “Remember, it’s not what you know or who you know, it’s what you know about who you know” (literally what Mr Humphrey wrote in my year book).

Here’s what I do know; at least, here’s what I’ve experienced in Scotts Bluff County over (the almost) 6 years of being here: there is a culture of critique, suspicion, competition, and disunity in the area. And, I believe that at the root of this is…the local church, specifically, the ways in which local churches have dealt with one another for decades.

Over those (almost) 6 years, I have heard every 5-6 weeks:

WestWay believes (blank) about salvation…

WestWay belives (blank) about baptism…

WestWay believes (blank) about elders…

These statements are almost always second or third hand. They are almost always from someone I’ve never seen in our building. And when someone actually talks to me about this first hand, and I ask, “From where/whom did you hear this?” the answer ALWAYS sounds like the line from Ferris Bueller’s day off when Simone tells the Economics Teacher (wait a minute! I’m detecting a trend!):

My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night.

Question: Why would “we” expect a local business to demonstrate unity, comaraderie, and excitement for the good things happening in the community when churches (I’m speaking here of the PEOPLE- individuals and as a group) talk poorly about one another when they are asked about a church?

Answer: We shouldn’t.

Question: Whose kingdom do we think we are building when a new person asks us about a church, or says, “I’m going to check out ‘x'” and our response is,

“Them? That pastor takes his shoes off when he preaches!”

“Them? I read their website and instead of a 367-page white paper on the nature of the Trinity, they just have a few sentences!”

“Them? They have a woman pastor!”

Answer: It’s not God’s Kingdom.

There are literally thousands of un-churched and de-churched people in the Scottsbluff area. There are thousands upon thousands of people who are not Christians in the Scottsbluff area.

And, every single time we badmouth another church, another pastor, and act in ignorance of what “we think” another church teaches, those un-churched, de-churched, non-believers will stay that way.

Jesus’ words in John 17 are amazing, and we should look at them again.

“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one–as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me”

People are literally going to make a decision about whether or not Jesus was sent by God based upon the way we display unity. And unity begins with the way we talk about one another as Christians.

I love Scottsbluff. There are so many amazing things happening here, and we, the Church, have a tremendous opportunity to be a part of it. Not everyone in Scottsbluff is going to go to “your” church. And, not everyone is coming to “my” church. Those things ought not be our goal.

What if our goal was to get everyone to engage with HIS church?

“How can I know my gift?”

That question came last Thursday night in Small Group. We had been talking about the previous Sundays’ sermon, the of which was, “Generous Giving & Humble Service.”

We had began our small group time by talking about all of the different ways that the generous giving and humble service of others had an impact on our own discipleship. Each person shared from their own experience how others had made it possible for us to grow in our own discipleship. And then the question…”How can I know what my gift is?”

For the next 15-20 minutes we spent time discussing the question, and here’s what we came up with as a group.

1- Recognize that God has gifted all believers with a gift. 1 Corinthians 12:7 is the foundation for this. The word there is “all.” No many, not some, not most believers…it’s ALL believers. And the purpose of this gift is so that we can help each other. The gift isn’t for us; it’s for others. This is the foundation for all that follows.

2- I ought to spend time in prayer asking God what that gift is. It may be something I like. It may be something I enjoy. It may be both, and it may be neither. The fact is, it’s the gift God has given me. It’s not my place to ask, “Why have you made me like this” (Romans 9:20)? Specifically, pray, “God, what gifts/talents/skills have you given me? How have you ‘wired’ to glorify Yo? How will you use me to build up the church?” Maybe these seem presumptuous. They’re not. You’re taking God at his word that he’s given you a gift for those express reasons, and you’re asking him to simply reveal them to you.

3- I ought to surround myself with Christians I trust and ask them to take some time and join me in praying about this. Specifically, “I know God has given me a gift and purpose within the church body, and I’m uncertain of what it is. I’ve been praying about this; would you consider praying with and for me?” Share with them the specific ways you’re praying (from step 2) and ask them to pray those exact things with you. As you do this, ask other believers, “What gifts/talents/skills do you see in my life that God is using currently? How do you see me ‘wired’ In ways that glorify God? How are you seeing God be glorified and the church body being built up in me?”

4- I ought to demonstrate humility. I’m asking someone for feedback into my life, and they might see something I don’t. They might tell me something that in my mind is minor or seemingly unimportant. They might see something that seems impossible. In either case, these are great opportunities to begin to “try things out.” They are opportunities to serve.

5- I ought to say, “Yes” when asked. This is the opportunity to remember that serving is not about me; it’s not about what I “get” out of it. The gifts God has given me, the serving opportunities available are about serving God and building up his body, the church.

There are a whole host of ways that this can go sideways.

I can say, “Because I don’t have gift ‘x’ I’m not important.” Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 12:14-17. The body is made up of many parts, not just one. And, we already (most likely) have an (or many) ‘x’. We may not need you being an ‘x’; we’ve got one (or many).

I can say, “I have ‘x’ and I don’t need ‘y’. Paul addresses this as well, in 1 Corinthians 12:18-25. God knows what the body needs. And He’s assembled the body as he sees fit. The things that seem the least important are actually more important.

I can refuse to ask the input of others. I can pridefully and arrogantly claim gifts that are not mine. I can refuse what appear to be lower tasks. I can refuse to participate at all.

As you think through all of this, I’d recommend a read through chapters 3&4 of Numbers. In those chapters, you’ll see how various roles and responsibilities of the Levites were divided up between the various clans. It would be good to see how the general roles and responsibilities are listed in chapter 3 are given more detail in chapter 4. I suggest you grab a pen and paper, then write down what you see, all of those little details.

Some people, the family line of Aaron and Moses, had the “priestly” tasks. Their tasks were what we might consider “up front” tasks.

Others, the Kohathitws, were responsible for the elements in the Tabernacle. For some of those items, there was only 1- the Ark, Table, Lampstand, etc. But there were also meat forks and shovels.

The Gershonites provided general service and carrying loads; once they packed up all of the items listed above, someone had to carry it all; this was the task of the Gershonites.

Then, the Merarites. They simply carried things, frames, crossbars, bases, ropes and tent pegs.

Here’s reality. Everybody wants to carry the Ark. But there was only one of those.

When someone asks you to carry tent pegs, do it. Because without them, the Tabernacle cannot stand.

Psalm 119:81-88

Kaph

⁸¹ I am worn out waiting for your rescue,
    but I have put my hope in your word.
⁸² My eyes are straining to see your promises come true.
    When will you comfort me?
⁸³ I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke,
    but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees.
⁸⁴ How long must I wait?
    When will you punish those who persecute me?
⁸⁵ These arrogant people who hate your instructions
    have dug deep pits to trap me.
⁸⁶ All your commands are trustworthy.
    Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.
⁸⁷ They almost finished me off,
    but I refused to abandon your commandments.
⁸⁸ In your unfailing love, spare my life;
    then I can continue to obey your laws.

Here’s what I like about this portion of Psalm 119 (and many of the psalms, for that matter)…the honesty and the differentiation of the author.

First the honesty. The pain, exhaustion, and disappointment of the author clear. It’s acknowledged and stated. It’s not hidden or covered up with super-spiritual fairy dust.

“I am worn out waiting for your rescue…My eyes are straining to see your promises comes true. When will you comfort me? I’m shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke…How long must I wait?”

For some Christians, this revelation of reality is a sign of weakness, or faithlessness. It sounds hopeless and something a “good Christian” wouldn’t say. Which is really weird because…it is written by a faithful person. Texts like this are encouragements to us to go to God and be bold, be honest…express reality. God’s not bothered by it. If Jesus in the garden, then on on the cross, can cry out to God in anguish, well…we can, too,

And second…the differentiation. In the midst of these expressions of reality, the author writes:

…but I have my hope in your word…When will you comfort me? (the implication is that comfort is coming)…but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees…When will you punish those who persecute me?…All your commands are trustworthy, protect me…They almost finished me off, but I refused to abandon your commandments. In your unfailing love, spare my life; then I can continue to obey your laws.

Something amazing is happening here…life is really really sucky. And…the author of this psalm trusts and rests and hopes in the reality of God, in his goodness. The author never loses sight of God. While many Christians deny the realities of their pain because of their fears of being seen as unfaithful, there are many Christians who only live in their realities and hardships, their situations and circumstances. The have the first parts of these verse down pat, on repeat, telling anyone and everyone about how hard and difficult their lives are…and the never make the transition to remembering the hope they have in God. It’s not because this hope isn’t real, it’s because we live in an age of perpetual victimhood, pity, and navel-gazing that attracts attention.

While it may be true that life is really, really hard, it is equally true, if not MORE true, that God is good. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul writes…

Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Do you see how this text from Paul plays itself out in Psalm 119:81-88? Acknowledge reality, talk to God (praying and thanking), then you’ll experience peace. Merely acknowledging reality does not lead to peace. And, denying reality while talking to God will also NOT lead to the peace of God.

My hope and my prayer for you today, is that you would live in the tension of life- acknowledging its realities while trusting in the hope and goodness of God.

Psalm 119:73-80

Yodh

⁷³ You made me; you created me.
    Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

Just because we have been created BY God, we do not have the capacities to fully KNOW God or obey God. This ability (let’s call it “revelation”) only comes from Him. We can ask Him for this sense.

⁷⁴ May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,
    for I have put my hope in your word.

The Bible Reading Plan WestWay is using this week has been about being a light. When people experience us, it ought to be the desire of each Christian that people would experience God and his love for them through us; we are to be living and active demonstrations of God’s love to all we meet.

⁷⁵ I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair;
    you disciplined me because I needed it.
⁷⁶ Now let your unfailing love comfort me,
    just as you promised me, your servant.
⁷⁷ Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,
    for your instructions are my delight.
⁷⁸ Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me;
    meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.
⁷⁹ Let me be united with all who fear you,
    with those who know your laws.

Christians find this space in “the church.”

⁸⁰ May I be blameless in keeping your decrees;
    then I will never be ashamed.

Keeping God’s word through humble, loving, obedience does not lead to shame