Jody’s Devotionals

Take the Time

For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. Therefore he who rejects this doesn’t reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.

But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more; and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you; hat you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.        1 Thessalonians 4:7-12 (WEB)

Sanctification is one of those church words that means ‘to be made holy’. It is not about being religious but to be Godly. It is taking on the very nature of God. It is more than believing in God. It is choosing to be holy – because He is holy. I become less so God becomes more in my life. (John 3:30)

It is in this passage that Paul exhorts me to mind my life. I hear the echo of Jesus’ words to take care of the plank in my eye and quit fussing with the speck of dust in everyone around me. (Luke 6:41) It is daily time with God. There are no short cuts. I know that God has told me this over and over. I keep looking for a loophole! (Just keeping it real here!)

Each day, it is taking the time to be quiet in the morning and just listen. It is so easy to talk and talk to God about what is on my mind. It is easy to turn on praise music and sing and sing about God. It is much harder for me to be quiet and wait for God to speak. It is a discipline to pull in my wandering mind and choose to focus – to be still and know. (Psalm 46:10)

And then again at the end of the day, taking time again to be quiet and just listen. This is the time to hear God’s correction. It is not condemnation. If I fall asleep feeling depressed and guilty, then I have not allowed God to finish what He had to say. Jesus wants to make me better not beat me up. Jesus wants me to become more holy so that we can be closer. He does not want me to move away and carry my sins in a tote bag that gets heavier and heavier. If I am feeling weighed down, then I am holding on with my own strength to ‘stuff’ that is not mine to carry. If my sleep is not characterized with peace, then my time with Jesus is not on His schedule. Jesus wants to leave me with His peace no matter what is going on in my life. (John 14:27)

The days come and go. Weeks turn into months. Years fly by. And yet no matter the season of my life, Jesus is still there; has always been there. His comfort, His strength, His peace, His unconditional and never-ending love is still there. Whatever this day brings, I can count on God. Before I turn my mind to Him and call out to Him, He is already there. (Isaiah 65:24)

Take the time.

The Way

19Now then, brethren, we have boldness to go into the holiest place through the blood of Jesus, 20which he placed as a living way through the curtain, not previously available, which is his flesh. 21Jesus is also a great priest over the household of God. 22So let’s come with true hearts and full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from bad conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.         Hebrews 10:19-22 (TFBV)

– Henry Neufeld

Sometimes we miss one of the most obvious facts about salvation, because it is something we live with all the time. No, I’m not talking about sin, though that is a critical point. I’m talking about the fact that we are so limited and ignorant. We could know nothing about God unless he chose to reveal it to us. There is no way that we could reach God, unless he chose to make a way.

You may recall something about infinity from math classes. Infinity minus any finite number equals what? Infinity. Infinity plus any finite number equals what? Yep, infinity again! Basically there is the widest gap possible between us and God, and we have no way of getting to God.

People often look at the tabernacle and later the temple as symbols of God’s presence with his people. And that’s not entirely wrong. But there is another set of symbolism involved. The structure of the tabernacle showed the separation between the holiness of God and the people. First we have the outer courtyard. There only priests and people coming to offer sacrifice could come. Then there is a veil, and another chamber. Here only the priests could enter. Then there is another veil, and the most holy place. There only the high priest entered one time each year.

Each veil served to illustrate how far God’s people were separated from their God, while at the same time pointing toward the possibility of coming in closer.

What Jesus did in becoming one of us was to empty himself of that infinity (Phil. 2:5-11) and show us the way. He bridged the greatest gap that can possibly exist. He made it possible for us to approach God. And he didn’t do it half way. He made it possible for us to approach boldly.

In our families, our communities, and our churches, we regularly face gaps. People are different. Some of us are annoying! Some of us are so perfect we can’t imagine how annoying we are! Often we think that reconciliation and forgiveness is not possible. The gap is just too big.

But always remember this: The biggest possible gap has already been crossed. When God emptied himself and became a human being, he showed us that there is no difference too great, no depth too low, no height so unreachable, no distance too great, that God’s grace wasn’t sufficient to manage to open a way. The grace may not be easy—it cost Jesus his life. But it is sufficiently powerful.

Remember: We worship a God who opens the way, no matter how impossible it looks to us.

19God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not counting their transgressions against them, and he has given to us the ministry of reconciliation.       2 Corinthians 5:19 (HN)

Kindness: Power in Forgiveness

8YHWH our God, you answered them.
You were a forgiving God to them, But one who punished their misdeeds.      Psalm 99:8 (HN)

– Henry Neufeld

One of the tough things about learning to forgive is the feeling that we’re letting someone off the hook. Deep down we feel that they should get what’s coming to them for what they did to us. For many of us, we also feel that we should get what’s coming to us. That’s one of the very difficult things about grace—it feels unfair. We get angry at the injustice when grace is shown to someone when we don’t think they deserve it. Indeed, they can’t deserve it, but we still feel that some are less deserving than others!

Now let’s be clear. Grace isn’t fair. If God was fair, none of us would make it. So let’s be thankful for a God who isn’t fair at all, and gives lots of good things to people who don’t deserve them.

But at the same time, God is also trying to make us grow up. We think of growing up as a child’s problem. But in following God’s pathway, we will always be growing up. Even though we get our perfect, spiritual bodies, I think even in heaven we will continue to learn and grow. In order to grow up we have to learn new lessons, and there’s nothing like consequences for learning lessons!

That’s the subject of our text today. God worked with Israel using grace and forgiveness along with consequences. He made the consequences very clear in Deuteronomy 30:15-18:

15Look! I’m setting before you today life and well-being, death and disaster. 16The things that I command you today, to love YHWH your God and to follow his ways, to keep his commands, statutes, and judgments—if you do these things you will live and become great and YHWH your God will bless you in the land where you’re going to take possession. 17But if your heart turns aside, and you don’t obey, and if you are drawn away and worship other gods, and to serve them, 18I tell you today that I will certainly destroy you. Your days won’t be extended on the land which you’re crossing the Jordan to go and possess.          Deuteronomy 30:15-18 (HN)

You see, forgiveness is powerful. Grace is powerful. One of the things it does is give us a choice, where none existed before. Because of grace we do have the choice of life and death. Without grace we have only the choice of death.

But grace is also an invitation. It invites us to follow God’s pathway. Isn’t that a contradiction? In fact, doesn’t Psalm 99:8 look like a contradiction? God forgives and punishes. There is forgiveness, but there are also consequences.

No, it’s not a contradiction. Our problem is that we look at things from too narrow a perspective. God wants to forgive you, but he also wants to transform you. Both of these things are gifts, but transformation only occurs when you get on board.

Think of it this way. Supposing I see you walking down a path which is going to end in a cleverly concealed drop-off. I can come warn you about the drop-off ahead. That would be nice of me, wouldn’t it? Supposing, however, that I leave you to think that because you have been warned, you are now safe, and you continue following the path.

God’s grace and forgiveness let us know that we’re on the wrong path. They let us know that we serve a God who will forgive our getting on the wrong path. At the same time, we serve a God who wants us on the right path, and is going to do everything possible to see that we change from the wrong to the right path.

Seen in that light, the punishment, and the consequences, are themselves part of grace.

Jody Note: As I have been thinking about the extraordinary kindness of our Lord, I am brought again through Henry’s devotional to see the power of God’s kindness. If I am to be His ambassador, His disciple, I, too, must use the power of God’s kindness. First, to accept God’s desire to correct me but always remember that in that discipline there is His great love. And second, to extend that same power to others. It is so easy to judge and shake my head when I see the ‘sin’ in others, especially if it is in an area that I have not felt temptation. Oh, my brothers and sisters, it is truly because of the grace of God that I have not! Through Jesus’ kindness to remove my own ‘plank’ of sin, I can be an instrument to kindly remove the saw dust of sin from another.    (Luke 6:41-42)

Kindness: Wait for It

And YHWH said to Moses, “Go up into the mountain and wait [lit. be there] . . . — Exodus 24:12 (HN)

– Henry Neufeld

When I was in the Air Force we frequently heard the saying “Hurry up and wait.” You see, the powers that be, however little more power they had than I had, wanted people to be ready to receive commands. They weren’t too worried if you had to sit around and wait for them. When they should up, the key thing was that they wouldn’t have to wait for you.

Today I took a scripture fragment that is smaller than I usually use for a devotional. As I read this passage today in the New Revised Standard Version, the word “wait” struck me. It’s literally “be there.” Moses was ordered into the mountain to “be there” for God. Down in the camp the people were ordered to wait.

After Moses waited, God came a spoke to him.

In our modern world we’re always in a hurry. We schedule everything. I’m as guilty of this as anyone else, or even more. I like things to start on time. I like them to end on time. When we’ve taken up the scheduled time, you’ll catch me glancing at the clock, thinking about what I’m going to do next.

But sometimes you have to spend time with God. Sometimes you have to wait. That’s not easy for us to do.

We’re not waiting because God doesn’t have time. He has all the time in the world-literally! So why doesn’t he just hurry up and bring stuff to us? Why doesn’t he answer my questions now? I’d certainly like that!

Unlike my Air Force superiors, God is not impatient. God doesn’t need you to be sitting there on a mountain somewhere so he doesn’t have to wait for you when he gets there. The fact is that no matter how much we like to avoid the issue waiting can be good for us.

So think about your life. Is there a time when you can go before the Lord, whether in your prayer closet, at your desk, on the beach, in the mountains, at your church, or anywhere God might call you to be, and just be there? Can you wait for God without a schedule? For many of us that’s hard, very hard, but we need to look for those times.

It’s likely you’re really waiting to be ready to hear what God says, and when you’re ready – there he’ll be, right where he was all the time. But if you’re watching the clock, instead of waiting for God, it will be very hard for you to be ready for Him.

Kindness: It is Right

But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn’t forsake them.       Nehemiah 9:17 (WEB)

I love the criminal investigation TV shows. I love the forensics and am “old school” when it comes to stories. I like the good guys to wear white hats and the bad guys to wear black hats. In other words, I like the story to be clear on who is “good” and who is “bad”. I want the criminal to end up in jail.

“But I have rights!”

Yes, criminals do have rights and usually get more than the victims do (or did).

God calls me to a higher standard. Not “what are my rights?” but “what is more loving?”

Do I have the right to snap back at the sarcastic clerk in the store? Yes, but is it loving?

Do I have the right to pretend I do not hear you? Yes, but is it loving?

As I have been studying the kindness of Jesus this week, I did not think how being polite also goes with kindness. It does and Jesus is polite.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.        Revelation 3:20 (WEB)

Remember Jesus with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus? Our resurrected Lord and King did not presume that He was welcome to join the disciples for their evening meal and rest. Only when they urged Him did He agree and enter in. Jesus had just died for them and yet waited for an invitation to spend more time with them. (Luke 24)

Jesus waits to be invited into my heart. Jesus calls me by name. (John 10:3) Before I call Him, He answers. (Isaiah 65:24) I am given a seat right next to Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6) When was the last time someone pulled out a chair for you? My son asked me once why he should pull out a chair for a woman or stand when she comes in the room. “Respect” is what I told him. Jesus must have respect for me. Do I deserve it? No. But Jesus is my Groom. He wants me to be His Bride and He wants me to feel like His Bride. Too often at this point in my personal, internal ‘discussion’ I rush on by but today I am stopping and just sitting quietly as I receive Jesus’ love; feel His arms around me. Quiet.

It is only when I have accepted and received Jesus’ love that I am able to give that love to others. Jesus wants me to give His love. I am showing who He is primarily by how I act with others. Paul said in Colossians that I should make the most of the opportunities I am given to be kind to others and so to show them who Jesus is. (Colossians 4:5-6) When I am kind to someone (even if they are not), I honor Jesus. It is not about my payback. It is about my love and desire to love Jesus. I am right when I am kind…just like Jesus.

Note: Today I am pleased to announce the first edition of the webzine, Bible Study Paths.

The purpose of the Bible Study Paths webzine is to promote enthusiastic Bible study in the individual, small groups, and the Church at large.

There will be articles written by evangelicals, charismatics, pentecostals, liberals, conservatives, and those who cannot (and will not) be put in any of those categories. The views will not always reflect my personal views but I hope they will make us all think and consider why we believe what we do. And I hope they will always “leave us loving God and each other more” (Alden Thompson, Walla Walla, WA, professor and friend).

I hope you find some blessings there.  — Jody

Kindness: All the Way to the End

- Henry Neufeld

6As for me, I am already being poured out on the altar, and the time of my death has come upon me. 7I have completed the great race. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. 8The crown of righteousness is now waiting for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me in that day, and not to me only, but to all who love (and value) his appearing.        2 Timothy 4:6-8

It’s easy to read this passage with sadness, and a sense of melancholy. Paul has worked tirelessly and suffered as he worked for Jesus. He has helped so many people. Yet here he is almost alone at the end of his life waiting for the end that is coming soon. He has remained faithful to the end, finished what God called him to do, and now he awaits the crown. It’s easy to skip past that last point. While there is sorrow, there is also joy.

Those who know me may be surprised to know that I used to run fairly long distances. I never ran a marathon, but I would run between 10 and 20 miles in a week, sometimes 3 ½ miles, frequently 5, and even up to 10 miles on rare occasions. Now it will surprise nobody to know that I was never very fast. No speed records were in any danger. But what I could do was finish the course that I had set out for myself. There would be a time during any run that I might feel like turning back. I was too tired. Perhaps I should make today one of my 3 ½ mile days rather than the longer distance I had planned. In order to keep going I would give myself a certain distance to complete before I decided. Another half mile, I’d think, and then I’ll make the call.

As long as I resisted that temptation, things would settle in, and soon I would get into that groove where I was just running along and the particular distance didn’t matter so much. Toward the end I would need some particular will power again. Then I would tell myself that it would be silly to end a five mile run at 4.8 or 4.9 miles. If I intended five miles, I should complete it. Especially if it was one of those rare days, and I was going for 10 miles, I would be very anxious to truly complete every inch of those ten miles, and to make sure that my speed could still be distinguished from a walk!

There was joy and satisfaction in coming to the end of that course. Doing a little bit of running has helped me understand Paul here. Certainly there is sorrow in this passage that so few have stood by him. Yet at the same time there is that “final stretch” energy and joy that says, “I’m practically there.” Paul loved Christ’s appearing. He was anxious for it.

We all have a race of this life, and sometimes it seems long and difficult. But there are two things that can move us forward, and get us to the joy of finishing the race. First is the appearing of Jesus Christ our Savior. That is the final goal, and it is a joyful one. Second, we can remember to look for those moments of joy when we have completed a significant part of the race. “Lord, help me to keep looking up and keep moving forward until I complete my work of the day.” It may be days, weeks, or months at a time, or it may be minutes sometimes.

But in each case there is a goal that you can reach, and there is a reward that you can earn, and there is a Savior who will be right with you.

13Temptation has not grabbed you, except the common human kind. But God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will make with the temptation a way out, so that you will be able to endure it.       1 Corinthians 10:13

If you’re feeling that joy of the successful runner today, share it with someone else. Let them know who is with them in their race. If you’re having trouble yourself, look up and ask.

Kindness: The Power

Do you think about the kindness of Jesus? Some might think that ‘kindness’ is a wimpy or weak word that does not fit with Jesus. I think that kindness is a strong, powerful word because it takes a deliberate choice and extra effort to be kind. An act of kindness does not usually happen in an off-hand, accidental way.

When I read about Jesus and how He interacted with people, He went beyond the minimum and really connected with a person, showing the kindness of His heart and, in turn, the kindness of the Father’s heart. Jesus broke down walls of pain, bitterness, and despair with the power of His loving kindness.

In Matthew 9 (beginning with verse 20), we are told of a woman who has suffered for twelve years. Maybe she had a diseased like AIDS. She was ostracized by society. She had spent all she could with the medicine known and still was weak, even dying. We don’t know why she turned to Jesus. Desperation probably played a part in it. Do you see the kindness? Jesus stopped in mid-stride what He was doing and where He was going and turned to this woman. He could have kept walking, after all she was healed without ‘interfering’ in His current plan. But Jesus stopped. He wanted to identify the one who had received the healing. There was something more to be done. Jesus had a message to give. He called the woman … daughter. No where else in Scripture does Jesus call someone … daughter. For the rest of her life, she would know her name, given to her with extravagant kindness. More than her body was healed on that day.

In Luke 19, we are told the story of Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was the IRS agent who had turned against his own neighborhood and made money off his neighbors by ‘cooking the books’ to collect more taxes. He was hated. Jesus could have glanced at Zacchaeus up in that tree, nodded to him, and went on His way. Jesus didn’t. Jesus called Zacchaeus out, in front of all the neighbors, and then chose to eat, break bread, with him. Jesus let it be known that He was about second chances. Zacchaeus recognized that and responded to that kindness by making a change, repenting, and receiving more than he imagined. More than his neighbors loved him that day.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.         Titus 3:3-7 (NIV)

I can see the kindness of Jesus every day if I am looking. An email from a friend who says she is praying for me especially that day. How did she know that I needed the prayer and needed to know that God knew I needed the prayer? A peace in my heart in a difficult situation as my mind, miraculously, turns to God and I know that He was there waiting. He was not surprised in the situation and present in the lives of those involved before I even knew there was a need. That is such loving kindness. In the weakness of my day, it is the strength of Jesus’ kindness that sustains me and holds me securely in the assurance that He has turned His eyes on me and done more than I could imagine. Jesus: Savior, King, Lord, and, yet, gently kind.

Hope: Redemptive Reality

– Henry Neufeld

12I am thankful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, because he has considered me faithful and appointed me to serve. 13In the past I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent, but I received mercy, because I did these things ignorantly as an unbeliever. 14But our Lord’s grace flowed over me lavishly, with faith and love that are ours when we are part of Christ Jesus. 15This word can be trusted and should be accepted: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the primary example. 16But I received mercy so that in me Christ Jesus might first show his inexhaustible patience as an example of who are going to come to faith in him for eternal life. 17To the eternal king, incorruptible, invisible, only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.       1 Timothy 1:12-17 (HN)

Sometimes it’s hard to tell by the way we talk and behave, but Christianity is really a very optimistic religion. All that sin stuff seems to be such a downer. Why can’t we just talk about all the wonderful things we’re going to do through God’s power?

Paul is telling us who he is now in Jesus Christ. He has been given strength, called to service, and made an example for other believers. But he is constantly aware of where he was before, and how he was redeemed. When grace makes us part of Christ’s body, then his grace can flow through us to the world. If we disconnect from the source, we’re going to find that things don’t work so well.

When I was separated from the church for a number of years after seminary, I was quite properly called a skeptic. A friend who knew me during those years asked me once what had changed. “Did you suddenly become more gullible? Did your doubts go away?” he asked. “No,” I said. “I still doubt just as many things as ever. I’m simply a skeptic saved by grace.”

In fact, I am constantly aware of the weaknesses of many arguments for the existence of God, for why one should trust what one learns from scripture, and the failures of the church as Christ’s body. I could spend all my time on those issues, and I would still be a skeptic in the more classic sense of the word. But I am a skeptic saved by grace. Christ’s grace flows over me, and I hope through me to others. I have to confess to being the truest of true believers—no matter how hard I try to doubt God’s grace, I still feel it flowing over me.

I think that’s the state Paul is talking about. He’s ever conscious of “Paul without Christ.” But he lives as “Paul with Christ.” He never gets to the point where “Paul without Christ” is a good guy, worthy of eternal life, and capable of living on his own. For all those things he needs to be “Paul with Christ.”

Now we frequently take mundane things from the physical world and use them as metaphors for spiritual things. But I want to do the reverse. Let’s take this redemptive core of Christianity and apply it to our daily lives.

Each of us is both a loser and a winner. We’re losers on our own. We’re winners by God’s power.

Today many will be saying “thank God it’s Friday” and talking about it. What is “it?” I’m talking about the moments of regret for things that haven’t gone right during the week. I find that even in a very good week, I can find a list of items that I wish I had done differently. Jody is used to hearing it. “It was a good week, but . . .”

So the question is how are you going to look at yourself. Will you be defined by your failures? Will you be a sinner, or will you be a saint? The difference is going to be in the way you look at it. You can wallow in those failures, or you can live your daily life in a state of redemption, always going back and applying grace to the errors and the failures, but not being afraid to thank God (and pat yourself gently on the back!) for the successes. As long as you have that attitude, you will be able to go forward.

You’re an imperfect person in an imperfect world. Live in redemptive hope!

Hope: Daily Nutrition

[If you received this devotional from Wednesday, January 27, 2010 twice, please accept my apologies.  This (and the similar copy from the 28th) are the result of a server change.  The change is now complete.]

[God said to Joshua,]“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”                                       Joshua 1:6-9 (NIV, my emphasis)

I pray that everyone reading this devotion is a part of a fellowship that has leadership that will teach/preach God’s Word with His Truth that encourages us and yet, challenges us that there is ALWAYS more! There are NO shortcuts to being a disciple of Jesus Christ.  It is a personal choice every day to prioritize my day so that I will spend time with Lord, meditating on His word, and serve the Lord that day in the way HE directs.

God speaks to Joshua as he takes up the mantle that Moses has worn as the leader of God’s people.  I would imagine that Joshua is scared and overwhelmed.  I would be.  Wouldn’t you?  And so what does God say to His leader?  What ‘secret to success’ does God reveal to Joshua?

1) Be careful to obey.  Do not be ‘clever’ or ‘smart’ in your own mind but follow the rules that God has laid down.  Remember how God told Joshua to win at Jericho?  How they were to march around the well-fortified city in silence for days?  I think they received some humiliating yells and taunts from the ones on the wall when all they did was march in silence and then leave!  Each one had to make a choice to be obedient and not “turn to the right or left” by responding to the taunts and thus be disobedient.  God keeps repeating to Joshua to “Be strong and courageous” as we must be when God tells us to DO something that will displease the crowd.  Yes, we must be careful – to obey God!

2) Meditate on God’s Words.  This ‘secret to success’ no easier than the first.  Taking time – taking the priority time of my day to sit and be quiet and allow God to teach me is difficult.  My family, My work, My responsibilities push their way in and pull me in six different directions.  Am I willing to admit that I really AM nothing and AM weak without God to direct me and show me His wisdom?  Am I willing to admit that without God’s grace and mercy that I would give up?  I MUST SPEND TIME WITH GOD EVERY DAY! And I will say to you today that I believe that must be at the beginning of each day!  Yes, this is Jody who is NOT a morning person. I am get up in the morning and choose to give God the FIRST part of my day.  And I am being blessed with more joy and strength for the day than I can describe!  God is faithful!  God’s Words are more precious than gold and more fortifying than the best whole grains!  Every day I receive something new from God’s Word.  Everyday God faithfully gives me the ‘nutrients’ I need for the day.  “Give me this day my daily bread…” and God does. How great is that?!

3) Turn to God first. Whatever comes in your day, give God praise for the blessings and let Him be the first on your lips when you need to call for help. There is nothing in the day that He cannot handle and will not walk before you into the storm. He is good in calming storms!

Therefore, I plead with you my brothers and sisters, keeping in your mind the great mercy God has extended to you, offer Him your whole self as a living sacrifice that is holy just as He is holy and pleasing to Him. This is the best way to worship your Lord.  Do not be like the world but choose to make a change as you renew your mind in the mind of Christ. Then you will be able to assess and agree with the will of God – His excellent, satisfying, and perfect will.  Romans 12:1-2 (my paraphrase and emphasis)

Hope: Given or Taken?

[If you receive this twice, please accept my apologies.  This site was moved to a new physical server overnight.]

- Henry Neufeld

You have walked in your sister’s path,
And I will put her cup in your hand. Ezekiel 23:31 (HN)

What do you do when you see someone else fail? Perhaps it’s a coworker who doesn’t complete a project on schedule. Perhaps someone in your church has made a serious mistake or has fallen into sin. Perhaps it’s another church that has split up. Someone has fallen, and you hear about it. What do you do now?

Our verse speaks of just such a situation. If you need something encouraging and uplifting this morning, don’t read Ezekiel 23. It’s one of those judgment chapters. God is speaking to Judah through the prophet Ezekiel. Nearly a century and a half before, the northern kingdom of Israel had fallen to the Assyrians. Now Judah was under attack. During the intervening time, Judah had behaved very much like Israel, and now while the Babylonians attacked, they were continuing that behavior.

There had not been universal mourning in Judah over the fall of the northern kingdom either. Israel and Judah were rivals, and unfortunately spent a good deal of their resources fighting one another. But the main issue of Ezekiel 23 is faithfulness to God, and in that, both kingdoms behaved in much the same way.

So what do you do when someone else fails? I can think of four major responses.

First, we treat it as a topic of gossip. A juicy rumor is passed around the workplace. We talk to one another, find as many people as we can, and collect more details. “Do you know what so-and-so did?” “No, what?” The chatter goes through the office. Nobody benefits from it, because everyone is too busy enjoying the failure of another.

Unfortunately, churches and families often work in the same way. Rumors are passed on and grow without anyone stopping to pray for the person in trouble, or to ask themselves, “Could that be me?”

Second, we treat it as a time for judgment. “That wicked person, ______! People like that shouldn’t be allowed in the workplace/church/community. I hope he gets fired! I hope he goes to jail!” Again, we learn nothing from the event at all.

Third, we treat the downfall of others as an opportunity. “The First Self-Righteous Church split!” says the pastor of a rival church. “I hope we can pick up some of the members that fall by the wayside!” And don’t think this is limited to churches. If your coworker fails, does that open up an opportunity for advancement to you? If your sister falls out with your parents, does that mean more attention and approval for you?

Fourth, let’s consider what our verse would suggest. God tells the people of Judah that because they have followed their sister’s path (the northern kingdom of Israel), they are coming to the same destination. The same thing is going to happen to them.

And that’s what we often fail to consider in our own lives. When somebody else falls, that fall is the result of a course of action, of a path they followed. Their destination was the place that path was headed. Now I’m not encouraging gossip here. Let’s endeavor not to hear any more bad about other people than we absolutely have to. But when the consequences are laid bare for all to see, instead of gossiping, judging, or gloating, we need to do a foot check—check carefully where our feet are, and where we’re going.

I try to do this when I hear of a church leader who has fallen into sexual sin or engaged in financial improprieties. Can I be tempted to the same sin? I would be very foolish to assume that I was immune from temptation! Am I doing anything that opens me to such temptation? If not, I can praise God for that, and pray for the person who is in trouble. If there is any weakness, any opening for sin in my current path, it’s time for a correction.

The same path will lead to the same destination every time. If you follow it, you’ll get to the destination. Check your path!