Sunday, January 29, 2012

Justified Anger

Read Nehemiah 5:1-13

If we're honest, probably all of us at one time or another has had the experience where we've been angered by something or someone and we've felt that our anger was justified. Now truthfully while we may think our anger is more often than not justified - let's be honest, many times we are biased so we work hard at trying to justify our anger but the truth is our anger is wrong. But then there are times when we are absolutely right in our anger and it is justified. Nehemiah provides a fine example of justified anger.

He is helping lead the project to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem after years of disgrace as the walls and gates had been burned and were lying in rubble. Here in Nehemiah 5 we find the people in Juday facing opposition to this rebuilding project but at the same time they were being opposed by their own countrymen. Read Nehemiah 5:1-13 and you'll see what I'm talking about. Since there was a famine going on the people needed grain, but they couldn't afford it so they had to borrow money to pay the king's tax on their fields and vineyards. Verse 6 tells us Nehemiah was angered by this. So he calls them out saying "You are exacting usury from your own countrymen!"

Listen we are so accustomed in our culture to paying taxes and interest that many times we don't give it a second thought but here Nehemiah says this is wrong. In Exodus 22:25 and Leviticus 25:36 Israel is told if you lend money to someone in need do not charge interest and not to take interest of any kind. Now this throws a monkey wrench into our culture today doesn't it? What do we, today, do with this?

Honestly I don't know. But it appears Nehemiah got through to his countrymen and they agreed to give back (v. 12) what they had taken. What seems to be the point is when we borrow money we are slave to the one who lends us the money. Now people are within their legal rights to charge interest. But that doesn't mean we have to borrow from them. While many of us would not own our homes, cars or be able to afford college without interst bearing loans there is a warning in scripture to be wise. And it appears what was originally by God's design was that assisting a brother or sister in need meant lending money with the intent that what they pay back was the amount they borrowed.

So where does this leave us? With this thought - Nehemiah shows anger against the nobles and officials who were taking advantage of their countrymen. Let's not do this. But at the same time, let's be wise with what we ourselves are willing to borrow because we too must pay back what we have taken. Justified anger is based on what God says so listen to His word and know that we are to walk with our brothers and sisters in life helping and holding and not harming each other.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Let Faith Arise

Read Lamentations 3:22-24

If we spent any time thinking about it, Jeremiah isn't the type of guy most of us would want to be around. He was a man whose responsibility as a prophet was to share God's word and more often than not people disliked him because his words brought conviction in their hearts. Not only was Jeremiah as a prophet often a downer to people but he wrote the book of Lamentations. This book is filled with laments. Now a lament is a song, poem, or piece of music that expresses grief, regret or mourning. So reading Lamentations isn't likely to pick up your spirits. Unless you realize within this work of literature includes Jermiah's faith and trust in God alone. When all else fails, just like Jeremiah says - Let Faith Arise.

We all know what it's like to know something but feel something totally opposite. When it comes to our faith - let's consider just because we know what is true, doesn't make it any easier when our hearts are heavy. And our hearts can be heavy for a lot of reasons. Personal pain is present in everyone's life. May we all be reminded the connection between head and heart comes when we refuse to lose God's perspective. Listen to this song we sang at Hope this past Sunday and may God strengthen and encourage you to Let Faith Arise one moment, one day at a time no matter what your personal pain may be.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Turning Distress Over

Read Nehemiah 1

What an amazing example we have in the book of Nehemiah. This exiled prophet turns the distress of Israel over to God. Eleven times in this book it's recorded that Nehemiah prayed. What should we do when distress comes our way? Turn it over to God just like Nehemiah.

Nehemiah 1 begins the story. The Jewish remnant, those who had survived the exile, were back in Jerusalem but not all Israel was regathered at this time. Nehemiah was in the citadel of Susa, away from his home when some brothers came from Judah. So he questions them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile and asked about Jerusalem. The report was not good. He learned the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and its gates were burned with fire. And the people were in great trouble and were disgraced.

Now when Nehemiah heard these things he was deeply moved. His heart ached for his brothers and his homeland as he sat down and wept. Then he turned it over to God. After days of mourning, fasting and praying he prays to God. Reminds God of His covenant with His people. How God had promised that if His people would love and obey Him how blessed they would be. But if they turned away from Him and followed another way how they would be scattered. Nehemiah is encouraged by this covenant because He knew God also said if you return to me and obey my commands, then I will gather my people back to Myself.

Listen, many of us have been disobedient like these Israelites and we've faced some of the consequences of our choices. Yet God promises to accept us once we return to Him. Now what does it mean to return to God? Simply that we agree with God. Agree with Him that we have gone our own way instead of His way and ask Him to receive us. Remember God is loving and forgiving - all He wants is people whose hearts are turned over to Him.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Consequences

Read 1 Kings 2:13-34

Their names were Adonijah, Joab and Abiathar and they are best known in scripture for their choices that led to terrible consequences. First Kings 1:5-7 tells us they conspired together to follow Adonijah in his quest to become king. Joab and Abiathar gave Adonijah their full support - bad move guys, bad move!

We find in 1 Kings 2:13-34 what happens when we go outside the will and plan of God: consequences. I'm fascinated with what happens in this passage because we see a side of God that many today are unwilling to admit is part of His character. God will not be mocked and when we decide to go our own way and choose to follow our own way terrible consequences are quite likely to occur.

Friends, God is a loving and kind and gracious and merciful God. But He is also a God of wrath, justice and holiness. When the people of God choose to go against the will of God, bad things happen. It's important for us to recognize the error of our way when we choose to follow what God has not ordained.

Yet let's not get all glib with this tough passage on consequences. God is a God who rewards faithful servants. And God is a God that equips us with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to receive good and godly consequences. Live in a way that honors God and receive His just consequences.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

A New Year

Read Revelation 21:1–8

It's a new year, so what's going to make 2012 any different for you than 2011? Maybe 2011 was a great year for you and you were in an amazing place, in your relationship with God, with other believers and with those in the community where you live. And that's fantastic! But it's a new year, so how are we going to make 2012 better than last year?

I believe it comes with vision, with passion and with submission to Jesus. When I think of another new year I think of new opportunities, of promises God's given us in His word that inspire me and hopefully inspire you. One of these promises is found in Revelation 21:1-8.

Take a few minutes, read the passage and then meditate on these thoughts. God has promised that He is in the business of making all things new. There's a day coming when He will once again make His dwelling among us. And friends this is going to be forever, eternity! Jesus' first coming was amazing; imagine what this second coming is going to be like!!

When I think of another new year and all the new possibilities and the promises of God that are yet to come, it inspires me to one moment and one day at a time be encouraged that better is on its way; better because Jesus is on His way. And when that day comes, all things will be made new. Until that day comes, let's be people of God, living out the purposes and plans of God.