Posts from 2020 (Page 13)
Daily Devotions
Romans 11:1-2a … “God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.” vs. 2a In those all-too-frequent times when Christians have embraced an anti-Semitic stance and done all kinds of horrendous things to Jews, they have excused their own behavior by saying, “Well, they rejected Jesus,” implying that Jews deserve to be persecuted. Of course, that’s despicable logic and it does nothing to excuse the centuries of torment and abuse. What such positions do reveal is the abysmal ignorance of…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 67:4-7 … “The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us. May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.” vss. 6-7 Demographers estimate that there are now 7.8 billion people in the world, a marked increase from the 1 billion who populated our planet just 200 years ago. One reason for the rapid growth has been agricultural development. At one time it was believed that the world would run…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 67:1-3 … “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.” vss. 1-2 The psalmist makes reference to the Aaronic benediction in his hymn of praise. That brief blessing has been a favorite of God’s people from the beginning, and it continues to bring joy as we hear it in worship now. It comes at the end…
Daily Devotions
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 … “Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.” vs. 8 As the religion of Judaism developed through the centuries, the rabbis debated at length about Israel’s place in the world. Some wanted a closed system, but others, inspired by the prophet Isaiah, understood that ultimately the house of God would become a house for all nations. What had happened for the people of…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 14:28-33 … “But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” vs. 30 Our liberal, literal minds are often challenged by the miracle stories in the gospels and we struggle to find satisfactory explanations. Most days we have an easier time with the healings–after all that’s one of the things Jesus did, and many people through history have been known as healers. But walking on water is a…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 14:22-27 … “And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone…” vs. 23 Those who are more introverted in their relationship to the external world are likely to identify with Jesus as they read in scripture of his desire to be alone. The world was changing. John the Baptist had been brutally murdered. Decisions about continuing his ministry needed to be made. Some people love…
Daily Devotions
Romans 10:12-15 … “And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” vs. 15 Paul knew that salvation was for all without distinction. Both Jews and Gentiles were loved by God and lived under the umbrella of grace. For him this was incredible good news, and his biggest lament was that so many simply didn’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior. He believed…
Daily Devotions: August 6, 2020
August 6, 2020 Romans 10:5-11 … “For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.” vs. 10 Paul contrasts the righteousness that comes from the law with the righteousness that comes from faith in his treatise to the Romans. For him it was an important distinction. He wanted the people to know that justification, being made right with God, was a gift, and not something that was earned through…
Daily Devotions: August 5, 2020
August 5, 2020 Psalm 85:11-13 … “The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.” vss. 12-13 Some days it feels good to engage with “relentless optimism” like that exhibited by the psalmist as he surveyed the scene in Jerusalem so many years ago. There was really no historical basis for what he said, and the geo-politics of his time was anything…
Daily Devotions: August 4, 2020
August 4, 2020 Psalm 85:8-10“Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.” vs. 10 The Psalmist had a vision of the future that continues to touch our heart 2500 years later. This is indeed the hope and the dream of every age: that steadfast love and faithfulness would be merged, and that righteousness and peace would give each other a big kiss. In times like ours that vision seems to erode with every demonstration, protest,…
Daily Devotions: August 3, 2020
August 3, 2020 1 Kings 19:9-18 … “and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.” vss. 11b-12 Elijah had fled for his life and was hiding in a cave when the word came to him that the Lord was about to pay a visit. He leaves his shelter and endures in…
Daily Devotions: August 2, 2020
August 2, 2020 Matthew 14:17-21 … “Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.” vs. 19 The story of the feeding of the multitudes was a favorite among early Christians and shows up in all of the gospels at least once. It reminded them…