Song of the Wailing Wall

 

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Revive us so we can call on your name once more.  Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.  Make your face shine down upon us.  Only then will we be saved.  Psalm 80:18-19

In the last two months there have been many prayers offered to accompany the grief and agony of loss in both Israel and Palestine.  It is the prayer heard from those who are in the path of destruction; it is the song of the wailing wall. 

The October 7^th attack[1] by Hamas in Jerusalem and surrounding communities, and Israel’s counter-attack on Gaza, is the latest in the conflict between Arabs and Jews, stemming-back to the womb of Rebekah, where there was a battle going on between her unborn twins, Esau and Jacob.  Esau was born first, with Jacob “hot on his heels” (literally) grabbing his brother’s ankle.[2]  Esau’s descendants are the Arab nations, while the Jews trace their lineage back to Jacob.  Their conflict has been the focus of heartache and struggle for dominance.  The modern-day location of this quarrel’s violence is the Gaza-Israel barrier, the land commonly called the Gaza Strip, which separates the Western Bank of the Mediterranean Sea from southern-most Israel.  

The right to this land has been in dispute for many years, but is originally-documented as part of God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:18-31.

As it is with any war, it is hard to be precise about who is right and who is wrong.  Generally the motives that trigger wars are muddy, messy, and inevitably dark.  In the end it’s difficult to conclusively justify any war; God alone knows. 

 Thirteenth-century venerated priest Thomas Aquinas said:  For a war to be just, three things are necessary – public authority, just cause, right motive.^[3]  These are difficult issues.  I’m not against doing the hard-thinking about such things; it’s in my nature to do so.  A bigger problem is not being consumed by that process, or our own prejudice.  I therefore usually default to what I’m believe is God’s call for grim times – prayer.  We pray for Jerusalem…and for Esau’s descendants. 

Many people say you must take a side.  Well, I do…I choose the side of all humanity in the way God says He does…love everyone, and despise the real enemy, the destroyer, the purveyor of death, the lover of all that sin embraces.  This stand does not come easily, or without real consequences, and I attempt to keep from judging other peoples’ stand…sometimes with success.

Israel has had its share of wailing at the wall for the atrocities they have suffered, and I weep with them in their loss, and the pain they must endure.  I also take the Palestinians to that weeping wall; they are also part of my tribe.  That tribe is the oldest of earth…begun by a couple in a pristine garden called Eden.

In following the events from afar (mostly media reports), I find I must work very hard to keep in mind the only “winners” in any war are those who can go forward without malice, deeply humble, and committed to putting an end to such madness.

For You Today 

Thinking about these things always makes me want to answer everybody’s questions and I can’t do that, because I’m not God.  The second-best thing I want to do is go home, pull the covers over my head, and not think about it.  That also fails, merely closing the darkness on me as I hide from the truth.  All I can offer is to tell us we must raise our hearts and voices in prayer.  And in doing so, we will find answers…when God desires to reveal them.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

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There are about 2,600 devotional posts and 400 sermons in the Rocky Road library.

Today’s title Image from Pixabay.com  

Images without citation are in public domain or cited via weblinks.  

Unless noted, Scripture quoted from NLT^©  

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[1] Read more about the background and history of Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Wikimedia.com

[2] See Genesis 25:19-34

[3] Bob Phillips, Book of Great Thoughts…, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1993), 326

The NEXT Time

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there.  Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.  His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns.  A name was written on him that no one understood except himself.  He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God.  The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses.  From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations.  He will rule them with an iron rod.  He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress.  On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.  Revelation 19:11-16

In the Christian calendar this past Sunday was the celebration of Christ the King.  It is a time to acknowledge with joy the Sovereignty of our Lord.

Jim Henry was the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church in Orlando, Florida.  He was also a friend and mentor, who helped me get started in ministry.  He tells of an incident from his youth.  He was saved at Hopewell Baptist near Nashville, Tennessee.  Just as he entered his teens there was going to be a special service at Hopewell.  Jim lived nearly 30 miles from the church by then.  Wanting to attend, he convinced his mother to allow him and his cousin to hitch-hike out to the service.  As they were walking along, a big black Oldsmobile came down the road, going in the same direction.  Jim Henry stuck out a thumb.  As the car got near, it began to screech to a halt, and Henry noticed a State Trooper sitting behind the wheel.  He was afraid the Trooper would arrest him.  The window rolled down:  Wher'ya goin' boys? he asked.  Jim explained, and he and his cousin were invited to hop in.  When he got in the back seat there was another man in a suit.  The man stuck out his hand and said, Hello, Jimmy, I'm Frank G. Clement, governor of Tennessee.  I am going up to the Hopewell Church to speak, and I will be glad to give you and your friend a lift.  They took off and the patrolman got them there in a flash.  When they pulled up there was a welcoming crowd.  The whole county was there.  Who was the first one out?  Jimmy Henry!  He tipped his hand in the direction of Mr. Clement, and said, Thanks for the ride, Governor – and God bless you.  Ol' Jimmy Henry was somebody!^[1]   The fact is Jimmy Henry was next to somebody.  He was still little thirteen-year-old Jimmy; Governor Clement was the somebody. 

Who is somebody to you?  The last time Jesus came, He had a manger, and farm animals for admirers.  He told us plainly who he was, teacher and Lord. ^{(John 13:13)} But he was still a nobody to us all, he was despised and rejected.  ^{(Isaiah 1:14)} 

The Next Time He Comes

The next time Jesus comes, the only animal in sight will be the white horse underneath him – a stallion ridden by a victorious, conquering King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. 

The next time He will not be a gentle baby, with Mary singing lullabies in some feeding trough.  He will be a mighty warrior with an avenging righteousness.

The next time He will not wear a simple shepherd's robe.  He will have a garment dipped in blood, with which he will cover, cleanse and purge the entire earth. 

The next time He will not hold a shepherd's staff.  He will have a conquering sword that will smash the world systems into oblivion. 

The next time He will not pass out broken bread and grape juice.  He will be marching on the grapes of wrath, and squeezing every-last-drop of the fierceness of a holy God who has been scorned.

The next time no one will put Him on a cross.  The next time He will hold up the cross and every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father. ^{(Philippians 2:10-11)}  Amen!

For You Today 

Are you ready for the NEXT time?

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

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There are about 2,600 devotional posts and 400 sermons in the Rocky Road library.

Today’s title Image from Pixabay.com  

Images without citation are in public domain or cited via weblinks.  

Unless noted, Scripture quoted from NLT^©  

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[1]Jim Henry, Heartwarmers, (Nashville, Broadman Press, 1977), 15

Semper Fidelis

Monday, November 27, 2023

Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead.  This is the Good News I preach.  And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal.  But the word of God cannot be chained.  So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.  This is a trustworthy saying:  If we die with him, we will also live with him.  If we endure hardship, we will reign with him.  If we deny him, he will deny us.  If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.  

2 Timothy 2:8-13

United States Marines greet each other with the motto, Semper Fi, a shortened version of semper fidelis.[1]  The phrase means always faithful, and is indicative of the character of those who serve a higher guiding principle than self-interest.[2] 

Long before the assembling of U.S. fighting forces, the Apostle Paul wrote to his protégé, Timothy, an aspiring preacher of the Gospel, to encourage and admonish him to serve Christ’s Kingdom with an unswerving loyalty.  Paul described the resurrected Jesus as “faithful.”  Dying with Him, we are raised to newness of life by Him.  Enduring hardship, we will reign with him.  Denying Him, we will be judged by Him.  And, in His supreme compassion, when we are less than semper fi He is still faithful.  This could be summed-up in one short verse:

“I am the Lord, and I do not change.  Malachi 3:6a

By comparison, human beings can be remarkably un-loyal.  Our lives typically begin in one direction and, influenced by any of the seven deadly sins,[3] we change our employment, spouse, promises, gender, and a host of all other possibilities.  Despite the call to be faithful, human allegiance is usually sold to the highest bidder.  

I’m reminded of an elder statesman in the Southern Baptist tribe I met in 1981, Vance Havner, who said:  Faith that Fizzles at the Finish was Fickle from the First.  

It’s true!  Most mottos sound wonderful, even noble; most human attempts to live-up to those mottos have holes like Swiss cheese.

So what is the Rx for our Fickle Faith?

I’m glad you asked…and let me point us back to the Apostle’s opening line to Timothy: 

Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead.  This is the Good News I preach.  2 Timothy 2:8

If there is anything that can keep us close to Jesus it is the resurrection of God’s perfect lamb, crucified for our sins, raised to conquer death and the grave.  In staying faithful to proclaim that, we also preach Good News to our own souls.

For You Today 

Find a way to proclaim His resurrection every day, in every circumstance, and, as many have said…always preach the Gospel…even use words if necessary.  What that means for each of us is:  nothing will help keep you faithful like engaging in the work of He Who is Semper Fi.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

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For another post on this text read here:  Gospel Unchained

There are about 2,600 devotional posts and 400 sermons in the Rocky Road library.

Today’s title Image from Pixabay.com  

Images without citation are in public domain or cited via weblinks.  

Unless noted, Scripture quoted from NLT^©  

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[1] Wikipedia

[2] See Merriam-Webster Dictionary

[3]  pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, anger or wrath, and sloth – see The Seven Deadly Sins - LIst

Three Angels

Friday, November 24, 2023

And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.  “Fear God,” he shouted.  “Give glory to him.  For the time has come when he will sit as judge.  Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all the springs of water.”  Then another angel followed him through the sky, shouting, “Babylon is fallen—that great city is fallen—because she made all the nations of the world drink the wine of her passionate immorality.”  Then a third angel followed them, shouting, “Anyone who worships the beast and his statue or who accepts his mark on the forehead or on the hand must drink the wine of God’s anger.  It has been poured full strength into God’s cup of wrath.  And they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. The smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night, for they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name.”  Revelation 14:6-11

Understanding human behavior isn’t simple.  Long ago I learned that the arts reflect humanity, and humanity is influenced by the arts.  An artistically-gifted young man sees a violent act and he reacts to his shock and fear by painting a violent scene in dark mode on the side of some building.  The young artist hopes all who pass-by will be shocked by his four-color screaming.  The shadow lurking behind that hope is to move others to action, to prevent more violence.  Unfortunately the artist’s work isn’t always understood, particularly by the naïve, or those ill-equipped to grasp the art’s intended response.  The art unintentionally  influences human behavior, and creates more violence.

Anyone who has looked at a baby child’s face knows we are born with a hopeful sense of wonder and optimism.  Then comes hunger and diaper-rash, followed by crankiness and sleepless parents.  Those difficult things we experience mold us into the characters we become, entirely different from our Creator’s perfect design.  We have been created to appreciate beauty, warmth, and pleasure; our world, steeped in the ugly darkness of cold hearts, selfishness, and death paints a very different picture.  And the contrast is frightening.  But it’s complicated further when the darkness parades itself as light.  Drugs give pleasure…for a season, but we know how that turns out; the same with alcohol, lust, greed, anger, and on through the seven deadly sins.

In a way, we humans in our sinful behavior, have created a humanity in darkness on the canvas of history…our own screaming fear.  As today’s text so graphically-illustrates, God reacts with judgment to our collective darkness.  Judgment comes via God’s servants, angels who pour-out justice in God’s name.

I do not want to make this canvass any darker than Scripture has painted; indeed, I couldn’t.  This burning with fire and sulfur, night and day, for eternity, without let-up, is darkness of the ultimate kind, absent of any hope.  It is so dark many people won’t believe it could happen.  You’ve known them; perhaps you’ve even said it yourself – a good God wouldn’t send people to a place like that to suffer.  But the evidence is contrary – if God is good, there must be judgment like that.  Otherwise the suffering of those who humbly worship God would be a farce.  The cross would be murder, and resurrection a fairy tale.  There are only two possible choices – God is either true, and Jesus died for sin, rose from the grave, and will come again to judge those who do not believe – or God is a lie, and doesn’t exist.

For You Today 

The challenge for every human of every era in history, present, or future, is to believe or reject.  How say you?

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

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There are about 2,600 devotional posts and 400 sermons in the Rocky Road library.

Today’s title Image from Wikimedia Commons  

Images without citation are in public domain or cited via weblinks.  

Unless noted, Scripture quoted from NLT^©   

Thanks - Living

Thanksgiving Day 

Thursday, November 23, 2023

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

At one time the English poet Rudyard Kipling's writings were so in demand that he was paid 10 shillings (about $1) per word for his efforts.  A group of students thought that was outrageous, and sent him a letter with 10 shillings enclosed.  They asked him (since his words were so expensive) to send them his best word.  He replied, of course, "Thanks!"  

In all of life and human existence our best word is "grace."  Today as we once again celebrate Thanksgiving, we could talk about the many ways God’s loving grace provides for our needs:

·       of food and a roof over our heads 

·       healing and miracles

·       family and friends

·       freedom

But the best word is still grace, and no scripture says it better than John 3:16:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." 

I'm thankful for grace.

His grace is enough!

His grace is enough to forgive my sin, and make me clean.  That means I will not perish because I'm forgiven. 

A man was considering the purchase of a Rolls Royce.  He asked the dealer some questions about the luxury car, and all were answered, until the man asked how much horsepower the engine had.  The dealer didn't know, and since there was no manual for this hand-crafted vehicle, he sent a telegram to England for the answer, "How much horsepower does a Rolls have?"  Shortly a return message came; there was only one word:  "Enough!"  As much, and as bad as my sins are, Jesus' grace is enough to wash me white as snow.  

His grace is eternal. 

Eternal life is as much quality as quantity.  None of us would care to live forever if it meant the current human condition.  As a child it seemed that I would just go on forever.  I know better now.

·       Bodies wear out, and relationships falter. 

·       There is much suffering and pain in the human family. 

Anything that will last forever has to be the best.  I'm grateful that I will live forever and "for better!"  I have the greatest gift for which to be thankful.  

HOW SHALL I RESPOND?

We are taught from a very young age that, when someone gives you something, you say Thank You.  And, as we also find out, words can be cheapened if we do not back them up with actions that match those words.  To say “thank you” for all God has done is best said by living it out.  So I'm going to live thankfully!  For me, today and every day is "Thanks-living” Day!

For You Today 

I have no great homework assignment to lay on your shoulder today…only a prayer for your day, and your life, that you may find joy, peace, and eternal rest as you live thankfully in our Lord’s presence.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

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There are about 2,600 devotional posts and 400 sermons in the Rocky Road library.

Today’s title Image from Pixabay.com  

Images without citation are in public domain or cited via weblinks.  

Unless noted, Scripture quoted from NLT^©   

Have You Considered Job?

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Then Job spoke again:  “I have heard all this before.  What miserable comforters you are!  Won’t you ever stop blowing hot air?  What makes you keep on talking?  I could say the same things if you were in my place.  I could spout off criticism and shake my head at you.  But if it were me, I would encourage you.  I would try to take away your grief.  Instead, I suffer if I defend myself, and I suffer no less if I refuse to speak.  “O God, you have ground me down and devastated my family.  As if to prove I have sinned, you’ve reduced me to skin and bones.  My gaunt flesh testifies against me.  God hates me and angrily tears me apart.  He snaps his teeth at me and pierces me with his eyes.  People jeer and laugh at me.  They slap my cheek in contempt.  A mob gathers against me.  God has handed me over to sinners.  He has tossed me into the hands of the wicked.  “I was living quietly until he shattered me.  He took me by the neck and broke me in pieces.  He set me up as his target, and now his archers surround me.  His arrows pierce me without mercy.  The ground is wet with my blood.  Again and again he smashes against me, charging at me like a warrior.  I wear burlap to show my grief.  My pride lies in the dust.  My eyes are red with weeping; dark shadows circle my eyes.  Yet I have done no wrong, and my prayer is pure.  “O earth, do not conceal my blood.  Let it cry out on my behalf.  Even now my witness is in heaven.  My advocate is there on high.  My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God.  I need someone to mediate between God and me, as a person mediates between friends.  Job 16:1-21

There is so much pathos and meaning of life in the Book of Job, it could hardly be exhausted in months of study; perhaps years; maybe only when, in Heaven, we have One who can unveil for us the depth of Job’s sorrow, confusion, and grief. 

This chapter is the fifth time Job answers his friends.  They have been trying to get their suffering friend to see how he must have sinned really-big, and really-dark to get God that ticked-off.  Job’s children were all dead, his riches gone, his livestock and goods carried off by robbers and thieves.  The icing on the cake is painful boils covering Job’s body, and his wife has suggested suicide would be better. 

Most studies of Job focus on this calamity of a good man suffering utter loss.  And there’s nothing wrong with picking it apart in the search for meaning, purpose, and order in human existence.  God created us with a brain to figure these things out!  But there is one connection we must never miss.  Given the total unravelling of a good man’s life, what can we say about God’s purpose in allowing all that?  Simply put, all of what happened to Job helps us understand life’s rain, good or horrible, falls on the just and the unjust, and is an example, which Paul writes in   1 Corinthians 10[1] that leads to Job’s conclusion:

I need someone to mediate between God and me, as a person mediates between friends.  Job 16:1-21

Job was hurting, and he knew God permitted everything that happened to him.  He knew, as good a life as he’d led, and as holy as he tried to be, his efforts just weren’t enough.  Whatever troubles anyone on earth could experience, Job was not exempt; he needed a mediator, an advocate to plead his case before God.

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.  1 John 2:1

For You Today 

You may be on the verge of following Mrs. Job’s advice to her husband, or maybe you’ve suffered little in life…yet!  Whether you are there now, and down to your last shred of hope, or leading a joy-filled, even carefree life, remember this, and count on it…you do have someone who will love you.  His name is Jesus.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

Go to VIDEO

There are about 2,600 devotional posts and 400 sermons in the Rocky Road library.

Today’s title Image from Pixabay.com  

Images without citation are in public domain or cited via weblinks.  

Unless noted, Scripture quoted from NLT^©  

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[1] Read 1 Corinthians 10

Dealing With the Tough Stuff

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy.  Encourage those who are timid.  Take tender care of those who are weak.  Be patient with everyone.  See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.  Always be joyful.  Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

Lazy, timid, and weak – It seems Paul has begun the work of caring for the kindergarten of Christianity.  And yet, who hasn’t been lazy, timid, or weak?  These are common ailments of character, and we humans are subject to character flaws.  But notice how Paul then modulates to patience.  That is the needed ingredient in caring for the weak links in character or community.

One of the privileges of being a pastor to a congregation is the holy ground of trust, where church members commit their problems and trials to your keeping in prayer.  A pastor is told heart secrets that would scorch the paint off nursery walls, and depress the most positive people. 

In 2005 I moved from being a Baptist pastor to the Methodist tribe.  Part of that process was in cooperation with a committee charged with overseeing and encouraging me during the shift.  They were kind, helpful, and encouraging to a nearly 60-year-old who had already served 25 years in pastoral ministry.  However, after one session their assessment was that I needed to wait another year before being confirmed in the process of elder-status, because you have too much sadness in your life.  I tried to accept their guidance graciously, but this was one time I had a tough time following Paul’s admonition to be patient!  Inside I was steaming…too much sadness???  Too much sadness?  I’m a pastor; people tell me all the sadness of their lives…OF COURSE I’ve got TOO MUCH SADNESS!

In retrospect, I’m repentant of that inner response.  I needed Paul’s warnings at that point.  Their assessment may have fallen short, but instead of humbly considering their earnest care for my inner peace, I bristled; I had no patience.  I missed the mark by a wider margin than their assessment.  In my impatience and anger I was not (as Paul advised) thankful in ALL circumstances.

Sometimes I think I have not grown much in the patience department.  This week I was walking in the parking lot from the gas pump to the store when a young man almost backed over me.  My Mother would have bristled to see the dance her youngest boy did to escape being flattened…and Dad would’ve had a great laugh and story to tell his buddies.  I quickly (and loudly) told the young driver what a four-thousand-pound SUV can do to an unprotected human body, and how he should look before he backs-up.  The young man humbly apologized to the irate old preacher.  I was immediately convicted of my inappropriate anger and impatience.  As a pastor I have taught, counselled, and (at times) prided myself on being patient.  In truth, I need to sit in dust and ashes more often.

After reflecting and praying about my impatience, I’ve decided to change my way of viewing my circumstances from reacting…to pro-acting.  Reacting is acting in response to how you’re treated, or how the circumstances affect you.  Proactive is deciding beforehand to act in love and joyful thankfulness, no-matter what happens.  I will look-for, and hopefully find, God’s hand of lovingkindness, however the circumstances unfold before me.  I know this will be difficult (at first), but I’m also certain the long view will see the benefit of inner peace for me, and opportunities to serve God’s Kingdom.

For You Today 

We live in a hurried, pressure-driven, and often angry world.  Pray for the calming, joyful influence of patience to take the temperature down a bit; that is something we can all use.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

Go to VIDEO

There are about 2,600 devotional posts and 400 sermons in the Rocky Road library.

Today’s title Image from Pixabay.com  

Images without citation are in public domain or cited via weblinks.  

Unless noted, Scripture quoted from NLT^©