Category: Thoughts and Meditations

“The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
– Psalm 46:6-7

It’s easy to get swept up in the news of the world. Global politics, matters of war and peace, the rise and fall of leaders and nations. These matters can transfix us, confuse us, or upset us in times like the present. However, God is clear: He is greater and mightier than earthly kings and kingdoms!

Whether you’re exhilarated, exhausted, exasperated, or frightened by the news, always remember that there’s good news that transcends political and military crises. God is with us. The Lord of heavenly armies is our fortress, our protection, our shield, and our strength.

Governments may hate those who follow Jesus. They may hate their neighbors or their own citizens. Governments may fall and nations might collapse, but God Almighty is with His people! All of His people. All of the time. At God’s command the earth quakes, shifts, and melts. At His command, all things eventually bow down.

Our strength and hope aren’t found in political leaders or military power. Our confidence isn’t based on earthly stability. Our strength and hope, even amidst chaos and disaster, is in our God Who loves us and will never leave us.

“And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.” – Matthew 20:34

As Jesus was about to enter Jerusalem, knowing He would soon be crucified, dead, and raised from death, He encountered two blind men. Though physically blind, they clearly see that He’s “the Son of David”, the Messiah, the Christ. Knowing who He is, they ask Him to heal their physical blindness, which He instantly does. In response, they follow Him.

Their ability to see the truth about Jesus despite being blind is in sharp contrast with those Jesus encounters in the city. Though physically able to see, Jesus repeatedly confronts religious elites who are spiritually blind to the presence and work of God. In their blindness, they condemn, arrest, and kill Jesus the Christ. Fortunately, He doesn’t stay dead for long!

Christ’s healing and invitation to follow Him continues to be freely offered to everyone who will see Him as He is – Messiah, Christ, the Son of God. Unfortunately, we live in an age of profound spiritual blindness. For many, their vision is completely filled with self, sex, power, politics, wealth, amusement, status, or fame. Many can see those things while remaining utterly blind to what is ultimately important and eternal. Don’t live that way! If you haven’t yet trusted in Jesus, open your eyes! See Him as He is. Study Him. Believe in Him and make Him Lord of your life. Follow Him. Then, you will truly see!

“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” – Leviticus 19:18

The command to love our neighbor as we love ourselves is rooted in the very nature of God. God is love. God is just. God is kind. God is gracious. God is merciful. Because He is those things toward us, we must be those things toward others. All others.

God created those around us in His image. Therefore we’re called to love them as He does and to love them every bit as much as we love ourselves. There shouldn’t be a keeping of score or carrying of grudges amongst God’s people. As those loved and forgiven by God through faith in Jesus Christ, we must be quick to let go of our anger and reject all bitterness.

Leviticus 19 more generally paints a picture of what’s expected of us in our relationships with all our neighbors. That includes intentional and costly concern and provision for the poor. It includes honesty and integrity in every situation, public and private. It includes the pursuit of justice for all in our society, regardless of social standing. It includes fair and generous treatment of employees. It includes care for and inclusion of those from other nations living among us.

The command to love our neighbors is comprehensive. We truly are to love them as we care for ourselves in every regard. Likewise, as Jesus made clear, we don’t get to pick and choose our neighbors. They are anyone in need whom we encounter and all those who surround us, whether they’re like us or quite different.

“And Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.’” – Matthew 19:23

As you begin to reflect on this verse, first realize that by the historical and global norms of the earth, you’re probably a rich person. If you have reliable shelter from the outdoors, adequate clothing for the season, access to transportation, some amount of education, reliable communication, and you know where your next couple of meals are coming from, then you’re vastly richer than the overwhelming majority of all people who’ve ever lived!

So, why would Jesus say that it’s so difficult for us to enter the kingdom of heaven??? There are several reasons. One is that the more stuff (money, possessions, toys) we have, the more our stuff tends to have us. We tend to grow strongly attached to our wealth, whether it be large or small. We become emotional about it, defend it, rationalize it, define ourselves by it, and let it guide and direct our time, energy, and emotion. Without realizing it, we ground our identity, well-being, and emotional state in our possessions. The correct word for such grounding is worship, though we hate to admit that we easily worship the false gods of wealth.

Another reason is that the more stuff we have, the more stuff we want or believe we need. We tend to develop an insatiable desire for “just a little more.” We often believe that true security, comfort, and satisfaction will be ours if we just had a bit more than we currently have. That’s a mirage that leaves us more focused on stuff than on pursuing God’s will.

Finally, of course, is that nobody (rich or poor) can enter God’s Kingdom on their own. We can’t ever earn or buy our way there, though the more we have, the more we tend to try. As imperfect people, we can never work our way into the perfect kingdom of our perfect God. We can only enter God’s Kingdom through humble faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who died as a sacrifice on our behalf and victoriously rose from death. Do we have the humility to admit our need for a Savior and trust in Jesus? Or will our worldly accomplishments, credentials, comforts, and possessions keep us from submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

“Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation”
– Psalm 42:5

It’s certainly possible to experience seasons of despair and yet live in faith. The psalms teach us how to navigate such times, if we’re willing to learn the lesson. In this psalm, the writer is desperate to feel God’s presence. He’s open and honest about his struggle. However, he also knows that God IS present, even when he doesn’t feel Him. He’s desperate for God to change his present situation, but remains confident that God will do so when it’s time.

This is how we navigate our despair in faith. We speak honestly and passionately to God in prayer. We cry out. We acknowledge that we don’t feel His closeness or sense His activity as we have in better times. We confess that we don’t understand His plan. Yet, we also remind ourselves of the truth we already know. God is still present. He is always good. He knows more than we ever will. He is working. Firmly maintain your confidence in God, knowing that at some point you’ll be able to look back and recognize both His presence and His good activity in your life.

Why are you cast down, O my soul? There may well be good reasons to be downcast, to be in inner turmoil. Nonetheless, place your hope, trust, and confidence in God. He is present. He understands your situation and your suffering. He is listening and He is your salvation, not just from your present situation, but forever!