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DELIGHT! Psalm 37

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Do yourself a favor–read Psalm 37 this week.  Slowly and deliberately, like molasses in January.  You won’t be sorry.  Verses 3 and 4 put icing on the cake–‘Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.  Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.’

Verse 4 puzzles me.  About myself.  That business of God giving me blessings.  My heart’s desires.  Sometimes I wonder if I’m only on God’s team for the goodies.  What I can wangle out of Him.  Twist His arm.  Somehow trick the Almighty.  Like that old beastly book entitled, ‘Prayer–How to Get Things From God’.  Yuck!

On better days, I want to delight in the Lord.  Love Him for being who He is.  Like I do with our grandchildren.  We have the best.  Love them whole bunches.  Yours too, if you have them.  If not, you delight in your spouse.  Friends and family.  Work.  Hobbies.  Sports teams.  Whatever and whoever.  You know–Delight!

A big question comes to mind.  How can I delight in God?  How?  Any ideas?  Probably similar to other delights.  With our grandkids, it’s being with them.   Hanging out, enjoying whatever they want to do.

One example is playing board games.  Fun, competitive tribe we have!  It’s a delight to see the joy on their faces, especially when Silly Papa pretends to shed big crocodile tears over being the biggest loser!  Delight!

Another is proudly displaying their pictures wherever there’s room.  And cherishing anything, and I mean anything, that they make for me, putting them all around my office.  I can barely squeeze in myself!  Delight!

This week think about delighting in the Lord.  As in what gives Him pleasure.  Ideas?  Can’t be too difficult.  If I can think of a bunch, so can you.  Delight!

By the way, never forget what a delight you are to Him!  Zephaniah 3:17–‘The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you…’  And Isaiah 62: 4–‘…but you shall be called My Delight…’  See?

Happy, Healthy, Delightful New Year!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for you.  Amen.

AFTER CHRISTMAS Luke 2: 8-21

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Now that Christmas day has come and gone, we have lots to do.  Tossing out torn and shredded wrapping paper.  Tidying up the kitchen from stem to stern.  Sighing a whisper of relief that all went fairly well this time ’round!  Know what I mean?  No, you don’t.  Neither do we.  Not with blasted pandemic lockdowns shelving and nixing all our family gatherings!

Normally when holidays end, it’s off to the next one as far as planning and preparation goes.  Rarely look back.  When it’s over, it’s over.  Until I announce that it’s only 364 more days ’til Christmas.  All groan, hoping I’ll shut my big mouth.  Enough already!

But for Jesus’ mother, reflection time begins.  After all, Mary’s life becomes jam-packed.  Begins early, getting word that she’s pregnant when…well, you know.  Hoping that Joseph will stand by her.  He does, given time, good godly man that he is.

Mary then nests with older relatives, Elizabeth and Zechariah.  Near her term’s completion, it’s off to Bethlehem, an overcrowded town, offering only a back stable in which to bear and cradle her newborn son.

From there they journey to Jerusalem’s Temple to dedicate Jesus, where two elderly people speak one-for-the-book prophetic news.  Then, as if out-of-the-blue, they’re visited by curious characters from the East, who bring unexpected and precious gifts.

It’s after Christmas with activity still buzzing.  ‘But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart’ (Luke 2:19).  She doesn’t jump ahead, planning for the next whatever.  No, she stops, turning it all over in her mind.  Putting on her spiritual thinking cap.  Mulling it over.

That’s something for me.  To reflect on His birth a tad longer.  Reading Luke and Matthew’s birth accounts…at a snail’s pace.  Putting on the brakes.  Slowing down.  Not skipping ahead.  Letting this good news of Jesus percolate and seep through.  Even for an extra day or two.  I can do that.

Join me?  Would love the company!

 

Thank you, Lord God, for the gift of Jesus.  Amen.

HIM Numbers 17

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My first ministry call is to a suburban New York City church with over 1500 members, including corporate executives and television actors on its roster, making this both a stirring and terrifying place.  Most of the time, I’m shakin’ in my boots as a lowly assistant pastor.

The senior minister possesses poise and personality, the likes of which I’ve never experienced before or since.  Charming and intimidating, all wrapped up in him.  Could sense him in a room long before you see him.  A true presence.  Him.

For the contingent of 4 ordained clergy, we have weekly staff meetings in my office at the far end of the church education building.  The senior pastor names them ‘rump sessions’, as if we’re reporting to the king.  Him.  We three (not kings!) give in-depth ministry updates, warned expressly to ‘never surprise the boss’.  Him.  After this gathering, we adjourn to the administration building where over 26 of us–myriad secretaries, financial officer, business manager, organist, choir director, a slew of custodians, and some I forget–all report to the head of staff.  Him.

So what does this have to do with Numbers 17, let alone Christmas?  Good question.  Numbers 17 shows us that Aaron is the only priest chosen by God whose wooden staff buds, blossoms and bears fruit overnight.  Next day, all Israel’s family leaders reclaim their own staff.  Just a stick.  Nothing more.  Only Aaron’s staff is unique.

Jesus is God’s chosen One to save us from our sin.  Him alone.  Society doesn’t want to hear this.  They posit many paths, all leading somewhere; but, unfortunately, unbeknownst to them, never to redemption.  All for naught, except the one staff that buds, blossoms and bears fruit.  At Christmas, we know who that staff symbolizes– Jesus, God’s only Son.  Him.

John 3:16–‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son…’  No fearsome and forbidding, shivery and quivery staff meetings.  No salvation by committee.  All we’ll ever need is found wrapped up in swaddling cloths in a manger in Bethlehem all those years ago.  He’s the one and only Him.  Jesus!

Merry Christmas!

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for being our best gift ever.  Amen.

GOOD AND GENEROUS Matthew 20: 1-28

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We know that God is good, don’t we?  This Christmas season I’d like to remember exactly that.  Plus, that He’s generous.  He lives to give.  Not based on our merit, but all because of His love and mercy.  Jesus said–‘…the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Matt. 20:28).

Jesus gives, not only to a few, but to many then and there, here and now.  Christmas models the call to serve rather than be served, giving little thought of what comes back to us for a change.

Jesus’ parable of the vineyard workers exhibits God’s goodness and generosity.  The vineyard needs harvesting.  Breadwinners hang around looking for work.  Some sweat and slave all day long.  More eager beavers are required. They’re hired but plug away for only part of the day.  Finally, even more are brought on board for only an hour or so.

Do they receive proportional wages as I would give?  An hour’s wage for an hour’s work?  And no more?  Can’t count on my generosity!  Shockingly, the vineyard owner pays all the workers the same amount, regardless of time and toil.

Those who plug away and knock themselves out from dawn ’til sunset blow a gasket.  Seems most unfair.  A raw deal.  But the vineyard owner says this–‘Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?  Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ (Matt. 20:15).  That zinger hits home.  My hardhearted teflon fails.  For God is both good and generous.

How about being some of both this Christmas?  I don’t mean only with money and things.  How about good and generous words of encouragement?  Listening to someone?  Reading the Christmas stories in your Bible?  Telling someone about the gift of Jesus?  Wishing some sour soul a ‘Merry Christmas’?

I’m sure you can think of lots more, can’t you?  Whatever they are, do them.  How generous of you…and me!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for being so good and generous to me.  Amen.

 

JOY! Ecclesiastes 9: 7-10

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We attended a church for a few months that had friendly members and meaningful worship.  When holidays roll around, we notice that something’s missing.  As in nothing observed!  No Veteran’s Day.  No Easter.  No Thanksgiving.  And, to cap it all off, no Christmas!

I understand the reluctance to embrace a materialistic and pagan Christmas.  I agree.  But no carols, no Christmas Eve candlelight service, and no ‘Merry Christmas’ greetings to one another in church?   Joy seems somewhat banned and barred.  Whatever happened to ‘Keep Christ in Christmas’?

And why use a text from Ecclesiastes for this Christmas devotional?  Crazy me?  No comments, please!  After all, these Ecclesiastes’ verses speak of joy and relishing all of God’s gifts.  Simply reveling in everything.  Your spouse and family.  Friends and church family.  Vocation and avocations.

Not to win God’s approval.  No.  For that’s been given, which is the Christmas story, isn’t it?  ‘For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son…’ (John 3:16).  And Ecclesiastes 9:7–‘Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.’

Cease buttering up God.  He doesn’t need it.  He’s given us His all when Jesus came to seek and save the lost.  The lost who become found in Him.  That’s you and me, by the way!  Heartfelt, ecstatic thanks most appreciated by the Lord.

This Christmas season, let’s have no end of joy.  Don’t let naysayers throw cold water on what’s obviously wonderful.  As in God giving us His only Son, approving of us, forgiving and loving us, all because of what Jesus did on the cross.  See what I mean?  Have joy?  Uncontained?  Of course!

 

For all the joy you bring to this world, we thank you, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

PARCHED! Psalm 23

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How amazing is that ancient Jordanian city of Petra.  Can’t put into words the magnitude of this long-abandoned metropolis.  We weren’t petrified by its enormity.  More like Petra-fried by its blistering heat!  120 degrees!  Yes, dry heat.  But so’s an oven, and I don’t plan on hanging around there too long either!

Dry, all-consuming, thirst clutches our throats.  We tote lots of water.  Sufficient for the first hour or two of our all-day tour.  Cardboard soon inhabits our lips, mouths and throats.  Never have we felt such cotton-mouthed thirst.  When later we arrive back at a nearby restaurant, and then to our cruise ship, we drink and drink and drink even more.  Water that is, wise guy!

Psalm 23 pictures a similar desert locale.  I love how the shepherd cares for his sheep, making sure they’re led to suitable pasture, where also fresh water flows.  Psalm 23: 2–‘He makes me to lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.’  King David, this psalm’s poet, identifies the Lord as the shepherd.

Thirsty, hungry sheep have nothing to fear as they follow their shepherd.  If they balk at something or get wedged in, he has a way of moving them along.  He won’t let the flock be decimated or wander off lost and forgotten.

To follow the shepherd is all for our own good.  After all, he knows where food and drink can be found.  He’ll do all in his power to get us there, even when unknown valleys feel like death lurks right around the corner.  But it doesn’t.  We don’t know that.  But he does.  All we need to do is trust and shadow him.  Move out…behind him.  His follower.

Good idea?  To follow Jesus, who calls Himself the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)?  No doubt about it.  There’s much goodness ahead.  Even bucket-loads of water to quench the thirst of Petra-fried folk!

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being our Good Shepherd.  Amen.

 

 

THANKS TO THE YANKEE CLIPPER Psalm 100

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After a nice visit with my parents, my boys and I arrive at Newark airport to fly home.  We walk around to pass the time before boarding our flight.  It’s then that I notice a man sitting all by himself, waiting to get on a jumbo jet leaving for San Francisco.  A solitary figure whom I recognize immediately.

It’s the ‘Yankee Clipper’!  Who?  A bygone Yankee Stadium announcer names him this because he seems to run as fast as the new airplane, the Pan Am Clipper.  Now I’m gazing at Hall of Famer Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio!

Let me say that I first met him years ago when I’m 2 years old.  He visits the polio ward I’m confined to where he gives out autographed baseballs to each of us.  Mine gets stolen.  Oh well.

At Newark airport a thought crosses my mind.  Knowing that Joe D is a shy man, I’m nevertheless impelled to go over and say the following–‘Mr. DiMaggio, sorry to bother you.  But you visited me at the Sister Kenny ward in Jersey City while I was being treated for polio in 1949, and I just wanted to thank you.’  What I’m determined not to do is ask for his autograph, which is almost beyond my control!  All I want is to thank him.  That’s it.  He graciously says ‘your welcome’ and shakes my hand.  Then, as the intended last passenger, he’s ushered onto that jumbo jet.

This Thanksgiving, let’s praise and thank the Lord for being with us as our God, who loves us beyond measure.  Psalm 100:4–‘Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!  Give thanks to him; bless his name!’

Put personal requests on the back burner.  Just for a moment.  Not for long.  I know–we have so many needs this year.  Been such a difficult and scary one.  For us personally, Thanksgiving Day has been blown out of the water.  All family plans scrapped and gutted due to a nasty, unseen bug.

But I’m not going to allow it to put the kibosh on my thanks to Jesus.  No way.  And you?  Time to rise above it.  After all, the Lord loves to hear our thanks and praise.  Means so much to Him.  Remember, He’s not on some jumbo jet, winging His way to parts unknown.  He’s right here.  With us.  Never to leave.  Thank you, Lord!

And a Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Thank you for being our God.  We love you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

MOTEBECANE MOPED 1 Thessalonians 5

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I moped around for months after unsavory thieves did their dirty work on my French Motebecane Moped.  I loved that 2-wheeled wonder.  You could pedal it or move the tiny gasoline motor over the front tire and off you’d go!  I even traversed the George Washington Bridge, chugging through Manhattan, visiting church members in hospital.

This was during the gasoline crisis, when scarce petrol could be pumped only on certain days for so many gallons.  My moped got over 75 miles on a third of a gallon.  Can you imagine?  The gas tank held that tiny amount, meaning I could travel most everywhere, not worrying about running out or declaring bankruptcy !

Until I go downtown to buy a newspaper, carefully watching my moped parked outside the newsstand, but having my vision blocked by what turned out to be some rather shady characters.  Coming out of the store, anxious to get home to read that rag sheet, it hits me.  No moped!   I’ve been robbed!!

The Bible talks about being prepared for Jesus’ soon return.  Soon being a relative term.  Relative to His timeframe and not yours, mine or some know-it-all prophecy, chart-thumping prognosticator.  Whenever it is, it will come just as the Bible says–‘For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night’ (1Thess. 5:2).

Thieves don’t usually send an announcement including their nefarious details.  They didn’t phone me in advance–‘You’ll be robbed Tuesday morning at 9 am at the corner newsstand.  Be there.  Don’t be late.  We’ll be waiting and you’ll be walking home!’

So, get your spiritual house in order.  On highest alert.  Lock up your moped as I didn’t!  Guard your mind and heart by spending time in your Bible.  No speed-reading.  Find out more about Jesus and His ways.  Less about politics (!), money, and time-wasting diversions.  Much less.  Install a security system with spiritual preparedness.

Jesus is coming again.  When?  Whenever.  Don’t be caught off guard.  That’s too easy.  I can tell you.  I just did!

 

Lord Jesus, help us to prepare for your return.  Amen.

 

A TASTY MORSEL Psalm 34

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Maybe you’ve heard this expression–‘Faith tastes the goodness of God’.  Hmm.  Really?  Wonder what that means? Sounds like a mixed spiritual and gastronomic metaphor.  Maybe.  Maybe not.

Speaking of food, my wife cooks marvelous meals, using spices that add depth of flavor.  The air fills with tantalizing aromas.  And left-overs never tossed out.  Never.  Anticipating dinner is pure joy!

How about your hunger, your taste for the things of God?  Wanting to know Jesus better?  Your Bible an eager daily habit?  Praying more than worrying?  Giving money, bringing God’s Kingdom a step closer?  Sharing Jesus with someone else?  Is that your tummy growling?!

Faith that tastes exhibits a personal experience.  Not some erudite, academic prowess but something from deep within.  Passionate and heartfelt.

Does trusting the Lord leave a bland taste in your mouth?  As when fear nudges out faith?  Or that yummy sweet taste, knowing that our Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd taking care of everything?  Which one?

Frankly, I’m a mishmash of a mixed bag!  Some this, some that.  Hands folded in prayer while biting my fingernails all at the same time!  Didn’t know I was so acrobatic, did you?  But don’t be too hard on me or yourself, for the Lord gets it that we’re dust and clay.  Friable stuff.  Easily crumbled under pressure.

Guess what?  Right!  He still loves us, warts and all.  So imagine the super-sized mercy and compassion, kindness and patience of our Lord for His own.  For who?  Yes!  You and me!  Chew on that this week.  Your faith will taste God’s goodness!  Yum!

Psalm 34:8–‘Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!’

Bon Appetite!

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me so much.  Amen.

HARMONY Psalm 15

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Will this week’s election bring harmony to our country?  Have I gone whacko, loco with a screw loose?  No comment from Howdy Doody’s Peanut Gallery, please!  Getting together and cooperating, a thing of the past.  Or was it a phantom which never really existed?  One political comment–the Lord will still be Lord after the election.  God Almighty!  Worry not…as best you can.

Years ago I sang lead in a Gospel quartet called ‘Livin’ Harmony’.  We had four parts all trying to produce one sound.  Practice every week, having a vocal coach pointing out where we need help and improvement.  A full-time job!

Singing in sync not easy.  Our individual volumes have to mesh.  None overpowering.  Phrasing must connect.  Memorization required.  Humor not too corny.  This is heavy sledding.

Psalm 15 begins with a question and ends with a promise.  The question?  Who is welcome to dwell with the Lord? Who are those harmonizing with the King of Kings?

The answer?  Three positives and three negatives.  The positives, found in Psalm 15:2, are Hebrew participles; which, in English, end in ‘ing’.  Those closest to God are walking blamelessly, doing what’s right, and speaking truthfully.  Walking…doing…speaking.  Harmony.

The negatives are found in verse 3.  Not mouthing off as a backbiting mudslinger.  Not plotting something rotten against your neighbor.  Not being green-eyed jealous of friends.  I’ve done some of these.  And you know what?  None did me one bit of good.  Not one.  All groaned and moaned in total disharmony.  Notes way off key.

So, exit the negative.  Cut it out.  Harmony travels Jesus’ way.  Tipping my behavior toward what He wants.  More positive.  Less, well, you know.  Jesus helps us get up when flattened and floored.  Back on track after going around in circles.  Head held high when thrown for a loop.

And that promise at the end of Psalm 15?  ‘He who does these things shall never be moved’ (v.5).  When we’re in tune with the Master, we’ll be singing His praises right on key, tunefully with perfect pitch, and sweet-sounding!  Ah, now that’s harmony!

 

Lord Jesus, what a privilege to be with you.  Amen.