Day 272: Old Testament Summary

Today's Reading: Malachi

Today is the last day in the Old Testament and Malachi reads almost as a summary book of the major themes.

The first thing God says in the book of Malachi is: "I have loved you."

Through creation, flood, wilderness, judges, kings and prophets, exile and rebuilding, God has loved God's people. Even when the people do not recognize God's love, God has been faithful.

After the first couple verses, it seems that God changes the subject by declaring, "I hate divorce." One might think, "God, that came out of the blue!," but isn't interesting to put the attribute of God's faithful love along side the paradigm of divorce? I don't think this is a mistake.

No matter the faithlessness of the human race, God does not file for divorce. Instead, God encourages us with these words in Malachi, "So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith."

It is almost as if it is a foreshadowing of more challenges and more action and more love and more mystery to come.

The Old Testament ends so perfectly, giving us a clue about the sequel coming soon.

"See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."

Just as the heavenly Father has turned his heart to the heart of his children and is unwilling to allow himself to divorce from them, God promises a prophet who will come before the great judge who will encourage fathers to reconsider their priorities. Parents will be encouraged to remember their children before they even consider a split.

God hates when relationships crumble and never reconcile.

Why else, do you think would God risk giving up his Son to save the world?

And the saga continues...

Day 271: Order for worship

Today's Reading: Nehemiah 11-13, Psalm 126

In the church worship wars, do you ever wonder what it would be like to tansport back in time and check out "temple" worship. Nehemiah 12 gives us that opportunity.

First of all, there is a huge staff of priests! Among their duties is singing--a lot of singing. Their singing is not the singing of soloists but two huge choirs singing responsively and antiphonally to one another. Their songs are songs of praise and thanksgiving!

Then there is a big storehouse available to feed the ones participating in worship. So big a storehouse that there are guards in place!

Next there is a band of sorts consisting of the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. To sing with this group, singers from all around are brought in to form two more choirs. (That's a lot of singing!) Trumpets show up, too.

Then it seems that part of worship is a big purifying ceremony with lots of water. And lots of giving of sacrifices and offerings of gratitude. You'll note, the women and children are present, rejoicing along with the best of them.

The worship of all God's people IN ONE PLACE is SO LOUD it can be heard for miles around. No mumbled standing with a hymn book in hand. Loud rejoicing, praise and thanksgiving.

I wonder how the church of today would be changed if this was the new proposed worship order. It sound like a rock concert except with a focus on the ROCK OF SALVATION.

It sounds like a lot of fun!

Imagine that!

Day 270: The joy of the LORD is your strength

Today's Reading: Nehemiah 8-10

Imagine this day...

Everyone in a community who can understand comes to listen to the priest read the Holy Scriptures. They have no chairs. They have no shelter. They all stand all day as all scripture is read. No one glances at the local sundial or hour glass to see if time is up. Instead, they listen.

And while listening, they begin to cry. They are so moved by God's word, they weep. They mourn.

And they stay.

And they stand.

Their mourning soon turns to joy. The story of their God moves them to radical celebration! To feasting! To dancing!

The joy of the LORD strengthens them!

Today, as I went about my work, as my mind filled with the concerns of the day, as I labored in the kingdom of God, I asked myself, "What would your life be without the Word of God?" The thought brought tears to my eyes. I could not imagine the hole, the barrenness, the despair.

Suddenly my heart turned to great praise and gratitude for the gift of Scripture and revelation in my life. Joy filled me as I began to ponder everything God has done, is doing and will do on my behalf.

It does not matter what happens today. The joy of the LORD gives so much strength, my weakness is borne up.

I will not be afraid.

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart!

Day 269: Now strengthen my hands

Today's Reading: Nehemiah 6-7

You work and you work, and then you work some more. And as if the work is not enough, someone comes along to malign you, to gossip against you and to distract you with their lies.

What is it about other people who create havoc? Are they bored with their own lives that they need to stir up trouble? Do they not have enough going on to keep themselves occupied in their own business? Does your success scare them?

Nehemiah speaks truth to the critics, once, twice, three, four, five times and they still come at him. His ability to function in the midst of all the slander is amazing.

It is grounded in his relationship with God.

When many of us grow weary and frustrated, we droop, we withdraw, we begin to give up. The key to reverse this defeat is in Nehemiah's prayer: "Now strengthen my hands!"

Whatever battle you face today, wherever you are growing weary, apply the prayer--Now strengthen my hands--LORD, I'm tired and growing weak, now strengthen my hands.

It speaks to the immediacy of the request--"Now..."
It speaks to the need--"strengthen..."
It is personal--"my..."
And it addresses the main part of the body dealing with labor or warfare--"hands..."

o LORD,
Give me enough strength today
to accomplish what you have set before me
despite all that would try to ensnare me.

Day 268: Good Work

Today's Reading: Nehemiah 1-5

Called out, he was,
from servant's role
of waiting table
and serving wine,
to wait upon
the LORD himself
to tend the vineyard
of souls,
who in the wine press
of sacred stress
built up the temple
which still today
gives poured out wine
to thirsty ones
who come when called
to dinner.

Confessing true,
this man of God
becomes a priest
who intercedes
and speaks the cries
unspoken previously
due to pride
or sorrow
or hopeless veil of doubt.
"I confess
for all of us--
We all have
acted wickedly
and nought obeyed
your precious laws.
Forgive, O LORD, forgive."

Construction now
begins with all
assisting at
their part of wall.
Clearing rubble
mixing clay
stomping mortar
chopping clay
Finding each
within their homes
treasures borne
by shared labor
by eager joy
of hope reborn.
Protection grows
with community.

Courage brave
is needed, for
the mockers storm
upon the doors.
The raiders come
at night to sack
and topple work
of previous day.
So with a sword
in hand called "Left"
and in the "Right"
the mortar's tool
Or by joint venture
one stands erect
with sword while friend
bends back to build.

Commendable this
good work borne
not only of strong
back and hand
but a new strength
of neighbor bonds.
At first, working
only at one's gate,
now band together
in common task,
each one making up
for the other's lack.
Guarding and bending
'til task is done.
A wall is built.
The boundary drawn.

Day 267: How would you explain this?

Today's Reading: Ezra 7-10

There are some stories in the Bible that blow me away! When the Israelites left Egypt, the Egyptians threw gold and jewels at their feet. As the slaves left their captors, the captors did not hold them back but instead gave them riches!

Now, the exiles are leaving Babylon and a similar thing is happening. King Xeres is opening up his treasury and ladening the Israelites with wealth as they leave from being servants to being freed people.

How would you explain this?

It goes counter to everything we would expect. Master do not freely release slaves and then also laden them with treasures! Usually slaves have to sneak away from bondage under the fear of blood hounds on their feet and bounty hunters with guns.

This kind of amazing happening can only be attributed to God who "puts it in the king's heart" to honor God's people.

These kind of stories give me great hope when I get absolutely frustrated with politics. Despite the "powers and principalities" of this world, my God can, in an instant, put it into an arrogant and self-serving ruler's heart to work good for God's people.

Let us pray for this kind of work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of our leaders.

Day 266: Purim and Halloween

Today's Reading: Esther 6-10

Purim is the holiday celebrating the salvation of the Jews from annihilation during the reign of King Xeres and Queen Esther. During the three day celebration, some very interesting customs are allowed for Jews which never occur any other time.

The eve before Purim, massive amounts of drinking are allowed. Cross dressing, usually forbidden for the Jews, is part of the celebration along with beauty pageants.

What is all this about? What is going on?

It is believed Jews were allowed to "hide" on the eve of Purim; to seem as though they were not Jews at all, but common pagans. Thus, the men of Haman could not recognize them in a crowd of people. They were allowed to indulge in practices disavowed at any other time; to be charaded and masked against any suspicion of being of Hebrew origin.

This costuming and wild behavior bled over into the Christian celebration of all saints eve, hallowed eve or what we know now to be Halloween. Satan's demons, like Haman, are out trying to destroy Christians the night before this great day. It is their last chance to snatch souls from heaven's grasp, or so it was believed. Thus, Christians would dress up as goblins and ghosts to confuse the demons so as not to be recognized. They would perform tricks unlike Christian behavior to throw the demons off their trail.

Little did I know, back in the days I went door to door with my mask on, dressed in my mother or dad's old clothing, that I was participating in a tradition borne out of violence and fear. Or when our daughters dress as princesses, did they know they were lifting up Queen Esther's role in the salvation of her people? Or do our boys understand that their gruesome costumes originated as a ploy to trick demons from snatching them into hell's fires?

I think not.

Most love the drama of costume dress up play and the joy of an extra piece of candy in their lunch box from their next door neighbor's gifting!