Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long. – Psalm 129:3

Today's Scripture Reading (September 7, 2022): Psalm 129 & 130

Some years ago, I had a friend who, every Easter, would describe the lashing that was given to Jesus before his crucifixion. She would describe the whip, encrusted with bits of bone, and how those bones would embed themselves into the skin and then tear away at the flesh. The scene would have been graphic and disturbing. One of the complaints about "The Passion of the Christ" was that it carried the beating and crucifixion images too far, making Jesus's death even worse than the original beating and gruesome death suffered by Jesus. But that is unlikely. The Jews believed that receiving more than forty lashes would result in death, so the beating given to anyone could not be more than forty lashes, according to the Mosaic Law. In practice, the Jews ensured they never gave more than forty lashes in a flogging by stopping at thirty-nine. Of course, Jesus was flogged by the Romans, so we don't really know how many lashings he had received, but what was left by the flogging would have likely been hard to see.

The Psalmist anthropomorphizes Israel and describes the nation's affliction as if the country was a person whose body was marred by the whips of the enemy. Charles Spurgeon makes this comment about this verse.

"The afflicted nation was, as it were, lashed by her adversaries so cruelly that each blow left a long red mark, or perhaps a bleeding wound, upon her back and shoulders, comparable to a furrow which tears up the ground from one end of the field to the other" (Charles Spurgeon).

Israel's injuries were deep, yet there was an absence of despair. Her enemies had scarred the land; she had been flogged and damaged. Despite the nation's wounds, there remained hope for a tomorrow with God.

There is a significant parallel between the situation in Israel and our lives. None of us are without the scars that life inflicts on us. But despite the scars and the open wounds, there is still hope for the future. Just because we belong to God does not mean that we will be immune to the attacks that life seems to bring. It means that God is with us every step of the way and offers us a path into the future through the trials and worries that the day tends to bring.

Today's Scripture Reading: Psalms 146

 

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." – Psalm 126:2

Today's Scripture Reading (September 6, 2022): Psalm 126

Actress Audrey Hepburn said that "I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person." I have to admit that I agree with Audrey. There is something about being around people who make you laugh. And there is something very liberating about laughter. To just laugh without worrying about anything else is a wonderful feeling, and it seems to cure many ills.

A friend and I had a good conversation about laughter recently. He had picked up on a passage in Ecclesiastes which says, "Laughter is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish" (Ecclesiastes 2:2)? He remembered times in his youth when he chased after good times, time spent pursuing laughter and pleasure. Still, in the light of the words of Ecclesiastes, he openly thinks it was wasted time. In the process, my friend wonders if he should eliminate laughter and pleasure from his life to chase after more serious and meaningful pursuits. I pointed out to him that the author of Ecclesiastes also says there "is a time to weep and a time to laugh" (Ecclesiastes 3:4). The point is that devoting yourself completely to pleasure is probably a mistake; we need balance in our lives. But to let the pendulum swing completely in the other direction isn't a healthy way to live either.

The Psalmist argues that the mouths of the people were filled with laughter. I love that image. Their mouths were so filled with laughter that there wasn't room for anything else. And because their mouths were filled with laughter, all their tongues could reveal were songs of joy. As a result, the nations looked at Israel and knew that God had done great things in their midst.

In contrast, sometimes I wonder what the world sees in the Christian Church. Sometimes, when I speak in various churches, I look out and see a lot of grumpy people. I am sure they aren't, but at the same time, their mouths aren't filled with laughter. And sometimes, the songs of joy that we sing sound forced and not all that joyful. I wonder why anyone would want to join us.

And maybe we need to remember that it is not just okay to laugh, but it is required. I can't imagine that Jesus and his disciples traveled around the Judean countryside without laughter. No one can convince me there weren't some "Blazing Saddles" moments at night as they sat around the fire. I am so thankful that I have people around me who make me laugh and who are willing to be in my life and call me a friend. We are healthier with at least some laughter in our lives. And laughter is more attractive than weeping.

Today's Scripture Reading: Psalms 129 & 130

Save me, LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. – Psalm 120:2

Today's Scripture Reading (September 5, 2022): Psalms 120 & 121

American Philosopher and poet Criss Jami argues that "Just because something isn't a lie does not mean that it isn't deceptive. A liar knows that he is a liar, but one who speaks mere portions of truth in order to deceive is a craftsman of destruction." Jami is right; there is nothing more destructive than slander that contains a seed of truth. As a kid, I remember an adult that walked up to me in church with the announcement, "you will never guess what I heard about you." I have to admit that I was in terror. I didn't know what she could have heard. More importantly, I couldn't think of anything I had done that was important enough for this adult to be told. Which meant there was a story going around the church, the contents of which I had no idea and maybe wasn't even true. And, even as a kid, I was horrified by the thought. After a couple of minutes of having this adult tease me with the knowledge that she knew about me, she finally let me in on the punch line. The hiccups I had been suffering at the beginning of the conversation were gone. And she was right.

Decades later, I had a similar experience, but it wasn't a harmless gag to get rid of my hiccups. I began to be aware that there were stories circulating about me of which I was not aware. I came to suspect that the stories centered around a possible moral failure. And it wasn't just restricted to one person. It existed on the level of innuendo. Nothing concrete, at least to my knowledge, was ever produced. And even though no one ever told me what they believed about me, I felt damaged by the slander. I still don't know what they thought, but I am pretty sure that it was untrue (since I don't know what the charge is, I don't know for sure, and I cannot defend myself from the accusation). Maybe the tale was nothing more than an excuse for some other unknown action.

Gossip is rampant in the church. And people seem willing to believe almost anything negative that is said about almost anybody. There might be some comfort in knowing that the slanderous things being said are untrue, that they come "from lying lips and from deceitful tongues." But that does not mean that the slander of others is innocent. It is dangerous and brings destruction to the objects of the defamation.

The Psalmist understands that destruction, so he cries out to God for salvation from those who lie and deceive. At some point in most of our lives, that is our cry as well. There will always be those who want to bring us down. But even if everyone around us believes the lie, God knows the truth, and we can lean on him for our salvation.

Today's Scripture Reading: Psalm 126

Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. – Psalm 119:153

Today's Scripture Reading (September 4, 2022): Psalm 119:145-176

As the war between Russia and Ukraine continues to drag on, it is becoming apparent that neither side seems to have the strength needed to win the conflict. That single fact was unexpected at the beginning of the war; most expected that the Ukrainians would fall in weeks, if not days, including the Ukrainians. They needed immediate assistance from Western Europe and their NATO allies. And they continue to need support. What is surprising is that Russia is showing signs that if they want to win the war, they will also need help. And if both sides were not extremely careful, the conflict could still become another World War, possibly a larger war than either of the first two.

But again, Russia's need is a surprise. Before the war began, almost all the world believed Russia was too strong for Ukraine, even with the West's help. What Ukraine needed was not just weapons but boots on the ground. Ukraine surprised the world, and no one seems to be more surprised than Russia. They had fallen from the security of their ivory tower to the unenviable position of not being able to win a war with a country that most of the world considered to be their inferior militarily.

In our consideration of Psalm 119:97, I mentioned that the Psalmist almost seemed to belong to that Ivory Tower. To meditate on the law all day long seems like something that would be impossible when the demands of life intrude on our time. But this Psalm indicates that this was not the reality. The Psalmist did not live separated from the difficulties and trials of life. He lives in their midst. And like Ukraine and Russia, he is looking outside of himself for the solution.

Yet, there also doesn't seem to be any panic in the Psalmist's request. Charles Spurgeon adds this comment.

There is no impatience: he does not ask for hasty action, but for consideration. In effect he cries – 'Look into my grief, and see whether I do not need to be delivered. From my sorrowful condition judge as to the proper method and time for my rescue' (Charles Spurgeon).

The Psalmist requests that God would examine his life and then decide what the next move should be. And the Psalmist was willing to trust God with whatever He thought was right.

Many in our culture are driven away from God in times of sorrow and stress. Why would God allow this problem to enter my life? Why does God allow political leaders to wage war, killing innocent people? Are these the actions of a loving God? But for the Psalmist, these were the times he was drawn to God, moments when he realized how deep his need for God really went.

Today's Scripture Reading: Psalms 120 & 121

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. – Psalm 119:97

Today's Scripture Reading (September 3, 2022): Psalm 119:97-144

In the 1964 Musical "Fiddler on the Roof," Tevye, the story's protagonist, laments his lack of money and, therefore, his lack of time. And Tevye daydreams of what life might be like if he were a rich man. In the song "If I Were a Rich Man," Tevye makes this observation.

If I were rich I'd have the time that I lack

To sit in the synagogue and pray

And maybe have a seat by the Eastern Wall

And I'd discuss the Holy Books with the

Learned men seven hours every day

And that would be the sweetest thing of all.

It is a very real lament. Sometimes the demands of religion seem to take all our time and effort. The Pharisees in Jesus's day had left the things of life behind, dedicating all of their hours to keeping the law. It was a dedication to the law that the common people honored, giving the Pharisees an exalted position among the people. But the common folk also recognized such adherence to the law was beyond the abilities of the poor who had to work to obtain the necessities of life. Tevye's lament is that, as a poor man, he didn't have the time required to study the Holy Books and, by extension, the time to keep all of the Jewish law. He did his best, but keeping the law was too hard for someone like him, who was poor and needed to work all day long.

The Psalmist comments that he loves God's law and meditates on it all day long. I am sure Tevye would respond that he wishes he was able to do such a thing, but life kept him busy, too busy to sit around discussing the Holy Books.

The Apostle Paul makes a similar declaration. He tells the Thessalonian church to ^"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Tevye would probably look at Paul and ask, how am I to do that? If I were a rich man, maybe, but I am not.

It has been something that I have struggled with most of my life. How can I meditate on God's law all day? How can I pray continually, rejoicing and giving thanks in all circumstances? There are other things that I need to do. (Today, it is a couple of insurance documents that loom in my future, something that I find difficult to be thankful for.) But I have learned that it is possible to live my life reflecting God's law and to go through my day praying and talking to God as I am doing other things (although I don't recommend closing your eyes in prayer while driving). Our goal should be to know the Scripture well enough that it makes inroads into our days' mundane and frustrating moments. I am not perfect in these pursuits, not yet. But maybe at some point, with God's help, I will also exclaim with the Psalmist that I meditate on the law all day long. And that will be reason enough to praise God in all circumstances, even if I am not a rich man.

Today's Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:145-176

Do good to your servant according to your word, LORD. – Psalm 119:65

Today's Scripture Reading (September 2, 2022): Psalm 119:49-96

I have worked for both good and bad bosses. I have held jobs where I knew I was respected and valued, and jobs where that respect always seemed to be in doubt. And the truth is that not only did I enjoy the jobs more where I knew I was valued, but I also think I did better work. Maybe it is part of the reason why, in recent years, I have tried to make sure that everyone in my sphere of influence knows that they are valued and loved. Some have received that message more readily than others. Some are suspicious of my encouragement, but all I want is to ensure they know their value to the community.

The Psalmist prays that God would do good to him according to the word of the Lord. Actually, there is some disagreement as to whether this should be phrased as a plea or a statement of fact. The King James Version places these words in the past tense. "Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word" (Psalm 119:65 KJV). Rather than a plea, the phrase opens up this segment of the Psalm with Thanksgiving because God had already done so much in the Psalmist's life.

And God has done much for us. It is a practice those who follow God need to develop in their lives, recognizing and being thankful for all that God has already done in us and our communities. Pastor David Guzik offers these words of encouragement.

Think of all the ways God has dealt well with us. He chose us, He called us, He drew us to Himself. He rescued us, He declared us righteous, He forgave us, He put His Spirit within us, He adopted us into His family. He loves us, He makes us kings and priests and co-workers with Him, and He rewards all our work for Him (David Guzik).

Because of God's actions in our lives, we should understand how much he values us. We are encouraged by his presence in our lives, but I believe our presence also inspires him. Bill and Gloria Gaither, in the late 1970s, wrote the song "I Am Loved." The opening words to the chorus reveal an important truth.

            I am loved, I am loved

            I can risk loving you

            For the One who knows best, loves me most.

God chose you, forgave you, and placed his Spirit inside you, but not because he didn't realize who you are. He knows exactly who you are better than anyone else and adopted us into his family anyway. And that is something for which we can all give thanks.

Today's Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:97-144

You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. – Psalm 119:4

Today's Scripture Reading (September 1, 2022): Psalm 119:1-48

Thriller author Dean Koontz includes in one of his novels a comment about "Nazarenes." The word "Nazarene" in contemporary culture usually connects with people who belong to or attend the "Church of the Nazarene." I am a Baptist, but I started life and lived most of it as a Nazarene. I still like the theological bent of the church, and Nazarene beliefs often find their way into my speaking and writing. For Koontz, Nazarenes had somehow become attached to the idea that they hated music. I come from a Nazarene family that is also very musical, so the first time I read the thriller author's words, I was mystified. Non-music Nazarenes did not reflect the church that I knew.

Nazarenes are an anti-dance church. They are also an anti-movie theater church. I remember taking a group of Nazarene friends to a theater to watch "The Passion of the Christ." Among the group was an 80+-year-old lady named Sally (not her real name) attending the first movie she had ever seen in a theater. As we were in line waiting to get in, I leaned over to her and said, "Sally, not only do I get to escort you to your first movie, but it's rated R." I hope she saw the humor in the situation.

Maybe it was one of my problems with the Church of the Nazarene. They had the second longest rule book in the ecclesiastical world. Much of the book governed the administration of the church, but still, there were a lot of rules that I found problematic, especially for a worldwide church that operated in many differing cultures. I admit I am a bit of a rule follower, but I also believe that we should keep our rules down to the absolute minimum and that the regulations we suggest should be as biblically based as possible. Also, I think there should be a continual conversation about the church's rules. But we don't like that idea. We seem to believe that our regulations should be settled law to be accepted but not reviewed by future generations.

The Psalmist stresses that God has laid down his precepts which are to be fully obeyed. Jewish experts believed that there were 613 laws that God had laid down which needed to be followed. Others argued that the Big Ten summed up all of the law. But Jesus was able to bring it down even further. Jesus argued that if you love God and your neighbors, you will fulfill all of the commands of the law and prophet with these two actions. Two rules, but the expectation is that we will keep them. After all, we are not commanded to make new rules but rather to follow the ones God has already given us. 

Today's Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:49-96