In the Lectionary for this week, the Old Testament reading is Habakkuk 4:1-4, 2:1-4. Habakkuk was a prophet living sometime around the 7th to 6th century BCE. This book begins with a question from a prophet to God, “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you ‘Violence!’ and you will not save?” Sometimes I think we feel that we cannot question God—apparently Habakkuk does not know that! If we read further, God does answer Habakkuk and the prophet certainly does not like the answer.
Habakkuk lays bare what is going on in Judah—there has been a moral and spiritual decline in Judah itself and the result was chaos in their society. Does this sound a little familiar to you? It certainly should—sounds like the United States today. Habakkuk is told that God is going to use the Babylonians/Chaldeans to punish Judah for her sins. Babylon would invade Judah and God said that this would be the arm of God’s judgment! This did take place; the Babylonians did defeat Judah and they destroyed the Temple and they carried away many of the people to exile in Babylon. So, was this a good thing or a bad thing? Well, if you were one of the ones killed or taken away, it was a bad thing. However, after some time, the Jewish people were allowed to return to their homeland. Much of what we know as the Old Testament was written during this time period, including the sayings of the prophets. Most significant was the reduction in the worship of idols! The Apostle Paul writes, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NRSV) There are times when we just cannot see the positive things in our lives. Maybe God is trying to teach us something. Maybe we will never see the positive in this life. But the truth is we have to trust God, not allowing our faith to waver. We must think eternal while we live in the temporal. Just remember, we know how the story ends! Amen. In the Lectionary this week, the Epistle reading is Paul’s final words to his protégé Timothy (2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18). Paul is facing imminent death probably under the rule of Nero. Since Paul is a Roman citizen, he will not be crucified like other criminals (and Jesus); Paul’s death will be quick (beheading!). He takes time to write some final words of encouragement to Timothy and to you and me this morning.
Paul points to Timothy that he has remained faithful (v7) and encourages Timothy to do the same. He then points to his reward—the crown of righteousness. Paul is saying here that he has lived a righteous life to the best of his ability and he looks forward to enjoying his reward. Paul also points out that anyone who is faithful to Jesus will also earn that same kind of crown, even you and me! In the last three verses (16-18) Paul asks Timothy not to hold anything against those who had deserted Paul. Paul understands that God stood by him even though he had persecuted Christians before he became a Christian and that it was through the power of God that he had found the strength to share the Jesus story with the Gentiles. He encourages Timothy and us to do the same. Sometimes that is hard when others who claim they are Christians hurt us. Paul goes on to write that he was rescued from the “lion’s mouth,” and that the Lord will rescue him “from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom.” Paul is not telling us that God will always protect us from any harm that may come our way. Just look at the news and you will understand that Christians as well as non-Christians are attacked all over the world every day. What God does promise is that no matter what the world hurls at us, as Christians we are “saved” for God’s “heavenly kingdom.” There, in that kingdom, nothing can or will attack us! Remain faithful to the end – I believe that is the message Paul wants each of us to hear and to live by! Amen. In 2 Timothy 3 we read some very interesting and encouraging things. Paul is writing a “farewell” letter to his close friend Timothy. We MUST read this letter in that light. With that said, Paul points out that “all scripture is “inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” (16-17 NRSV) First, understand that Paul is talking about the Old Testament or the Hebrew Bible because the New Testament had not been canonized at this time. Now, don’t twist this around—I am not saying that the entire Bible is not inspired by God; that simply does not apply here in this letter.
Next, we must look at why we have the scriptures in the first place. They are for teaching, reproof (scolding!), correction and training in righteousness. Why are we to use the scriptures this way—“so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” Paul wants Timothy (and you and me today) to become proficient in the scriptures so we can assist other people in understanding what they say. We are not to use the scriptures to “brow beat” others into submission. Too many people today want to take the scriptures and that word “reproof” and use it to beat others into believing the very same way they believe and that is not the purpose of the scriptures. If we live our lives in accordance with the scriptures, the scriptures taken in the context in which they were written, we should be able to come to the understanding that not all will interpret the scriptures the same way. That is the very reason we have so many different denominations! That does not mean that one interpretation is better than another – just different. We must be careful when we use the scriptures for reproof—remembering that we are all sinners saved by God’s grace and that each one of us, without the grace of God and the blood of Christ will die owing a debt we cannot pay and that would lead each of us to Hell. Thank goodness Jesus came to save us! Amen! Psalm 66 begins with these words: “Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth.” I wonder how many times we make a “joyful noise” to God. I have a cousin who complains about everything and if there isn’t something in her life for which she could complain, she will create something! Do you know people like that? I am sure that most of us do!
The Psalmist here reminds us that we are to make a joyful noise to God – not just noise! As Christians, we have so much for which we should be thankful. First, as Christians, we are assured in God’s Word that no matter what happens to us in this world, we will “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6b) We are also promised that no matter what happens to us, we are never alone. Oh I know that there are times when we feel very alone but, truth is, if we will just stop and listen, we will hear that still, small voice that speaks to us. We are promised by Jesus that we will not go through this world alone. (John 14:26) That helper came at Pentecost in the form of the Holy Spirit and that Spirit is still just as powerful, just as strong today as when it first came. I would challenge you today to stop and count your blessings. Growing up, we used to sing a song in church titled. “Count Your Blessings.” The chorus went like this: “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done. Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done!” This week, as you go about the business of your life, take the time to stop and count your blessings. Then go and make a JOYFUL noise to God! Amen. |
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This blog consists of reflections written by the minister each week for the Sunday bulletin. We hope that you enjoy the musings! Archives
January 2020
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