Bound Up in God

Jim:

Today’s readings weave an interesting picture of what it means to be God’s people in the midst of a violent world where difficult situations arise and where people get hurt, even because of their faith.

1 Samuel 25:23-44
A part of verse 29 says, “the life of my lord (meaning David) shall be bound up in the bundle of the living under the care of the Lord your God.” According to the Oxford Annotated Study Bible this refers to “a precious package of those for whom the Lord cares.” I like the thought of being bound up in a bundle under God’s watchful protection. It makes me think of warmth and security, like an infant lovingly wrapped and constantly cared for. How blessed to be in a bundle to which God gives the divine attention. How blessed to be a precious package of God’s.

Acts 14:19-28
On the other hand, verse 22 of the Acts reading paints a much different picture of what it means to be one of God’s people. Paul runs afoul of the crowds in Lystra and they stone him and leave him for dead. But he survives and travels back to Antioch. “There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith saying, ‘It is through many persecutions that we much enter the kingdom of God.’” So much for being bundled up! But that’s the point. God cares for us as a precious package, but our calling is not to remain “under wraps” like a light under a basket, but out in the world doing God’s will where stones get thrown and evil lurks. God’s care remains; we are still precious to God. But we could not live in a bundle our entire lives, any more than could a child.

Mark 4:35-41
Then comes the verse that ties it all together. With all the stones that are being cast and all the evil that lurks out therein the world, Jesus still asks his disciples (in verse 40) “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” Jesus might have said, “don’t you realize that you are “bound in the bundle of the living under the care of the Lord your God”? Don’t you know that you are precious to the God who created you? In other words, whatever happens, God is with us and cares for us, and wants the best for us. We will suffer hardship and face struggles. But by God’s grace we also grow in faith and spiritual maturity so that we are better able to face times of trial. And in the end God claims us and brings us home. Frankly, I think that’s a pretty good deal.