Small Victories

Leviticus 16:20-34

It may seem less than noteworthy–“And Moses did as the Lord had commanded him” (Leviticus 16:34b)–but it was significant enough for the writer of Leviticus to comment on it. Yes, it pertains to one particular event; yes, in this case Moses was told to pass along instructions and little more; yes, this is not the only time Moses did as he is told. And yet…

With sin being what it is, and with the world offering the many temptations that it does, I think it is important to pause and to rejoice at times like these in the history of God’s people. Moses did as the Lord had commanded him which means that Moses had a choice to do otherwise, that he might have disregarded God’s instructions, but didn’t. Moses did as the Lord had commanded him which means that Moses was in communication with God, hearing and responding to God’s word, allowing God’s voice to guide his steps. Moses did as the Lord had commanded him which means that the will of God was as yet given expression among the people, that faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was still witnessed to.

As I think back over the thousands of faithful people I have known–the members of churches I have served or been a part of, my relatives and in-laws, my friends at school or work or in the neighborhood–I realize just how many of them have done as the Lord commanded them. They weren’t perfect people, none of them, but from time to time, and to the extent that they were able, they found ways to do what they were told. They might have done otherwise, but they heard what God was saying and responded to that call offering witness to the faith through their actions. Take a moment, if you will, and think about some of the people you have known who did what God commanded them to do and what that obedience looked like and what it accomplished. Those are small victories, but they are certainly worth celebrating.

Prayer: Lord, help us to live today as an opportunity to do as you command us. And may your hand rest upon us in the endeavor. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

When It's Tough to Give Thanks

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Paul’s words to us this morning may seem a little contrived. “Rejoice always,” he says, “pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

If we didn’t know any better we might accuse Paul of being one of those irritating people who are always just a touch too cheerful, like a morning person in a family of day-break grouches. But Paul had earned the right to exhort others in this manner. Over the course of his ministry Paul was frequently mistreated, beaten, imprisoned, ridiculed, and run out of town. If he could give thanks “in all circumstances”…well, maybe we can, too.

But there’s a weak economy, Paul. What do you say about that?

“Rejoice always.”

But Paul, I don’t’ even know if I trust God anymore. What should I do?

“Pray without ceasing.”

Paul, get serious. My family life is in shambles, my work is stressful and unrewarding, my health is bad, I am lonely and full of despair. I don’t know what to do.

“Give thanks in all circumstances.”

Can it really be that easy? Well, first of all Paul never said it would be easy to follow his admonitions. But no matter, all of this praying and rejoicing and thanksgiving is the will of God, and God’s will is our greatest source of hope. So maybe the season of Advent is the right time to practice following Paul’s advice. And maybe, just maybe, if we can take the first faltering steps down the road of praise and joy we will find ourselves moving with more and more strength, more and more certainty until our lives really do reflect God’s will more often than not.

So rejoice, pray, give thanks because that’s what God wants from us.

Prayer: Lord, we sometimes have difficulty living with joy and thankfulness. Forgive us, and help us to open our hearts and minds to you at all times. Amen.

Are We Resting On the Dregs?

Zephaniah 1:7-13
Revelation 14:1-13
Luke 12:49-59
The prophet Zephaniah uses an interesting turn of phrase in today’s reading. “…I will punish the people who rest complacently on their dregs, those who say in their hearts, ‘The Lord will not do good, nor will he do harm’” (Zephaniah 1:12). According to Elizabeth Achtemeier the expression, “to rest on one’s dregs,” comes from the process of making wine. New wine that is left to sit too long will become “thick and syrupy and too sweet and subject to mold” (Achtemeier, Nahum—Malachi, John Knox Press, 1986, p. 69.). In other words, such wine becomes good for nothing, as do the people who produce it. The prophet condemns this apathy among God’s people as growing out of the belief that “The Lord will not do good, nor will he do harm” (Zephaniah 1:12), or that God is apathetic, inactive, and “good for nothing” as well.

But our other two readings today give us a much different view of God. “Fear God and give him glory,” says the writer of Revelation, “for the hour of his judgment has come…” (Revelation 14:7). Jesus says, “I came to bring fire to the earth.…Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” (Luke 12:49, 51). God is anything put apathetic. God is anything but inactive. God is anything but worthless. We may be tempted to “rest on our dregs” with complacency, but God’s will is that we get up and get to work preparing for the coming kingdom, meeting the needs of the world, reaching out in God’s name to cure and to comfort and to console. God is holding us accountable so there is no time to waste.

What can we do today that will demonstrate active participation in the will of God? We can care for the hurting, we can give to the poor, we can share the good news with those who sit in darkness. We can pray for the church and for one another. In these ways we produce good fruit, wine suitable for its purpose, lives in tune with the will of God.

Prayer: Lord, help us to remain active in service to you and to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.