Tag: Faith

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Follow the Science

Daily Reading

Joshua 9-11

Daily Thought

Joshua 10 describes the fantastic defeat of five armies from five cities. Israel battled and God threw hailstones from heaven and the armies ran. To annihilate them, Joshua requested of God, “Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon,” and the “sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day” (Joshua 10:12-13). 

Did it really? Did the sun actually stay in the sky, giving Joshua and his army a longer day so they could bring the war to completion? First of all, the sun didn’t stop, because the sun doesn’t rise either. This is phenomenal language, the language of appearance. The sun does not orbit, rather the earth rotates, so, if anything, the earth stopped. One Old Testament scholar suggests that the word for “stand still” may be translated “stand silent.” Joshua, in this case, was praying for extended darkness rather than light, which was provided by the clouds. Clouds would be consistent with the large hailstones God threw down from heaven at the enemy (Joshua 10:11). Another argues that the words are merely symbolic. It has also been suggested that the earth’s rotation slowed for a time, resulting in a longer day.

You may have been told a tale about NASA mapping out the movement of the sun, moon, and planets, and running into an error of exactly 24 hours for which they could not account. So the story goes, one scientist recalled two lessons from Sunday School. The first was Isaiah asking God to back the sun up 40 minutes as a sign to King Hezekiah. The other, our passage, which they calculated at 23 hours, 20 minutes. Added together, one complete day, and the computers reconciled the discrepancy. Voila! 

Except this never happened. A Mr. Harold Hill fabricated the story when giving lectures on Science and the Bible, and it was published in a newspaper, printed in a book, and passed from pulpit to pulpit. Science argued the miracle was not possible (what miracle is?), yet this is God’s Word, so Mr. Hill thought to bring Science and Scripture together.  (Was not the con man in the musical Music Man also named Harold Hill?) 

Where does the idea God needs rescuing come from? We pit Scripture against Science, as if God and Science are at war. When Science and Scripture conflict, the issue is as likely to be my interpretation of Scripture as the scientist’s interpretation of nature. God is not anti-science and good science is not anti-God. Rather, God’s eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made (Romans 1:20). “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1).

My answer regarding the sun standing still in Joshua 10? Frankly, I don’t know the answer. I favor some explanations over others, but when all is said and done, I don’t know, and that’s okay for now. I know God and that’s who I need to know.

Daily Prayer

Mighty God, the heavens declare Your glory, and the sky above proclaims Your handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

I rise to a new day, made by You, and I shall delight in it. I shall stop often and listen to Your voice in the world around me, worship You as I ponder Your creation, stand in wonder at the wisdom of beauty in Your handiwork. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Amen

Daily Question

How should you resolve issues when the Bible seems to conflict with science?

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Measuring Up

Daily Reading

Numbers 11-13

Daily Thought

Twelve spies were sent by Moses to check out the land of Canaan, the Promised Land of God. They returned after forty days, with good news–the land was flowing with milk and honey. However, there was also bad news–the people were strong and their cities fortified. “There we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them” (Numbers 13:33).

There would be, someday, another warrior of God thought too small for battle against a large opponent. First King Saul told David, “You cannot fight Goliath. You are only a boy.” Then David put on the armor, but it did not fit. If you are too small for the armor, you are too small for the battle. Finally, the big Philistine himself laughed at David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?”

The Israelites’ problem was someone thought they were too small for battle, but it wasn’t the Nephilim or the Amalekites or the Hittites or the Jebusites or the Amorites or the Canaanites. It was the Israelites themselves. “We seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers.” 

It never occurred to David to measure himself. He measured Goliath and he measured God. “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel” (1Samuel 17:45). 

“What then shall we say to these things?
If God is for us, who can be against us?” ~Romans 8:31 

So David killed Goliath with a slingshot. Then he cut off his head.

Daily Prayer

Awesome God, You reign from heaven above with wisdom, power, and love. You are the Almighty, the Everlasting, my Stronghold, my Shelter, my Fortress in time of trouble. You are my Savior.

My God is an awesome God. May I never rely on my own strength and may I never forget Your strength. I shall place my trust in it, in You, always. If my God is for me, who can be against me?

Amen

Daily Question

Do you measure situations more through your eyes or God’s eyes?

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Not an Issue

Daily Reading

Exodus 13-15

Daily Thought

God remembered his covenant with the Hebrew people (Exodus 2:24), and delivering ten monumental blows, God pummeled the Egyptians and freed Israel. In turn, he commanded Israel to “remember this day in which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place” (Exodus 13:3). Not long after, the Israelites were trapped between the sea and a terrifying army of Egyptians. “What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt?” they complained. “It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness” (Exodus 11:12). They had already forgotten. Moses responded, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord!” (Exodus 11:13).

The story of God in Scripture is a continual reminder that God is on our side–“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1)–and provides all we need to stand firm.

Love is not an issue. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Power is not an issue. “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1John 4:4).

Confidence is not an issue. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

Significance is not an issue. “Through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 3:10).

Freedom is not an issue. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

Life is not an issue. “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Corinthians 15:56-57).

Eternity is not an issue. “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

I have nothing to add. I have all I need. I can stand firm. I can be still and know that He is God. Moses answered Israel’s cries, “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent” (Exodus 14:14). And remember.

Daily Prayer

God, You are my refuge and strength, always with me in times of trouble. I will not fear, though the earth shakes and the mountains quake. Whatever comes before me, You, the Lord Almighty, are with me.

I will be still, and rest in the knowledge that You are God. You will be exalted among the nations, You will be exalted on the earth. The Lord Almighty is with me; You are my fortress. On this I take my stand and still my heart.

Amen

Daily Question

What helps you most to keep your faith strong?

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No Limit

Daily Reading

Genesis 22-24

Daily Thought

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” ~Genesis 22:1-2

God’s command of Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac is one of the most troubling in Scripture. Yes, God creates life, so it is his for the asking and for the taking, but not children. Not child sacrifice! That is the great sin of wicked people to phony foreign gods. Yet God commands this of Abraham. Explanations have been offered. Perhaps God was dramatically displaying that he is not like these pagan gods because he stops Abraham’s knife before it plunges into Isaac’s chest. Maybe this was a terrifying test to the ultimate length Abraham would stretch his faith. Certainly this is a foreshadowing of “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16) and Jesus on the cross was God’s sacrifice for the sins of the world. It is okay, then, is it not, for God to ask this of Abraham in light of God’s willingness to do it himself with his Son. These are some of the offered answers. Do any satisfy?

Martin Luther, the 16th century reformer, during devotions with his wife, read the account of Abraham offering Isaac on the altar. Katherine Luther shuddered, “I do not believe it. God would not have treated his son like that!” “But Katie,” Luther replied, “He did.” That may be as good an answer as we get. Abraham trusted God for his son; now he must trust God with his son. That’s what we know. “A man’s got to know his limitations,” warned Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry, and Abraham learned his faith has none. Abraham proved himself faithful, and God proved himself faithful. So what do we learn? We learn what God expects from us, and what we can expect from God. For God gave his only son. There should be no limit to my faith because there is no limit to God’s love.

Daily Prayer

God Almighty, You are faithful and just, and You are good.  I trust You no matter what because You are the only place where trust is always satisfied. This means, God, that the times when I don’t understand, it’s okay, because I don’t have to understand. You have a plan and a purpose, and You are good, and that is enough.

Teach me to be strong in my faith, to place my all in Your hands, no limits. To love You completely.

Amen

Daily Question

Why would you give God complete command of every part of your life?  Have you?

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Tattooed Faith

Daily Reading

1Peter 1-5

Daily Thought

Peter puts a spotlight on those who follow Jesus, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1Peter 1:14-16). Holy means to be set apart, to be something other, for all to see, to live on earth and display heaven. 

“Dad, I’m getting a tattoo.”

Adam is a college sophomore; ‘No you are not,’ is no longer an option.

“A cross with 1Peter 1:16 written under it,” Adam described the design, “You shall be holy, for I am holy”

“How big?” asked Dad. Adam stretched his fingers out. “Big. Right here on my arm.”

“Okay, Adam, but you are in college with a lot of people who don’t know Jesus. That tattoo will let everyone know what you believe.”

“Dad, I’m getting the tattoo.”

“That’s great, Son. Just remember, everyone who sees it on your arm will be watching your life to see what it means.”

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” ~1Peter 2:9

Daily Prayer

Father God, You Son came into this world to be a light in a dark place. Thank You for shining that light on me because I was a dark place! I love Your Son.

Now I am a light shining in a dark place. I will not hide the light, but I will hold it up so that people can see. So that they can see Your Son. So that they can receive Your Son and be light, too. So that the world may know that You are God. My God. The only God.

Amen

Daily Question

What would people think it means to be a Christian if they hung around you for a day?

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The Only Easy Way

Daily Reading

James 1-5

Daily Thought

James speaks bluntly, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). You may have faith in Jesus, but if you do not put it into practice, if you do not work at it, you will have nothing to show for it. “The one who looks into the perfect law,” James continues, “the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” (James 1:25). God’s Word is beautiful to hear, but it is meant for action.

I loved hearing Jack play. Jack’s fingers flew on the frets, the guitar sang, and it was beautiful. “Do you want to play like this?” Jack was my guitar teacher and I was 10 years old.

I nodded, “Yes.”

“You’ll need to practice an hour a day, every day.”

“An hour!” An eternity for a 10-year old. “Isn’t there an easier way?”

Jack glared at me, “How would you like to practice?”

I shrugged, “When I feel like it.”

“That’s the hard way, Dave. The easy way is the hard way to do anything well. If you pick up the guitar whenever you feel like it, it will take you years to play. If ever.”

“The testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ~James 1:3-4

“But an hour a day and soon enough, you’ll be playing like this,” explained Jack. “Practicing hard is the easy way, It’s the only easy way to do anything well.”

Daily Prayer

My God, I trust You with my life. May everything I do display the faith I have in Your wisdom and goodness. Teach me Your ways, O Lord. Test me and try me, so that I may live a life holy set apart to You.

God, thank You for caring for me to develop and strengthen me. I know that nothing will come before me that, in You, I cannot endure and conquer. I can do all things through You because You give me strength. There is a joy I have found in suffering for Your Name’s sake.

Amen

Daily Question

What is more important, that you believe in Jesus or what you do because you believe? 

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A Red Umbrella

Daily Reading

Acts 11-13

Daily Thought

Herod the king discovered popularity with certain Jews by killing Christians, and so “he killed James the brother of John with the sword” (Acts 12:2). Peter was next, but it was not to be. God intervened; “an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his hands” (Acts 12:7). Peter was led past sleeping guards and open gates and deposited outside the jail and inside the city.

It is fair to ask why Peter was rescued and not James–why one and not the other, why not both or neither. I do not know the answer to this, but I do know that neither was more important to God, nor more loved by God, because death is no worse a fate than life to the faithful, and both rest in the hands of God.

Perhaps due to the death of James, when Peter was taken, “earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church” (Acts 12:5). Also, due to the death of James, their faith was lacking. When a servant girl interrupted the disciples and informed them Peter was outside waiting at the door, safe and unharmed, their response was a faithless, “You are out of your mind” (Acts 12:15).

Once upon a time there was a farming town in the midst of a long drought and the people gathered at church to pray. Twelve year old Susie came, as well, and came prepared. By her side on the pew laid her red umbrella. She alone thought to bring one.

“Peter continued knocking, and when they opened the door, they saw him and were amazed” (Acts 12:16). The disciples did one thing wrong, they did not have faith. Nevertheless, they did one thing right, they prayed anyway. Their prayer lacked faith, but they were faithful to pray. Pray and have faith, but if you find faith difficult, pray anyway.

And bring an umbrella.

Daily Prayer

Father God, I know that You are faithful and true. I know that You can do all things. I know that what You promise will happen.

God, I have faith. Help me with my faith. May I trust You and live my life reflecting my faith and confidence in You. When I pray, may I not be surprised, but still amazed, when You answer.

Amen

Daily Question

Are you confident God will hear and answer your prayers? How confident? Why?

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A Virgin Betrothed

Daily Reading

Luke 1

Daily Thought

“The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary” (Luke 1:26). Gabriel is the same angel who 600 years earlier visited Daniel. Gabriel seems to be the angel God sends when he has a really important message. Mary, a virgin betrothed, is a pure young woman, legally engaged to be married. This is an important detail. Here is the important message.

 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” ~Luke 1:30-33

This is a huge announcement, but Mary zeroes in on one detail: “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34). First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage. That’s the proper order, and Mary is a proper virgin. She knows the facts of life. She knows how babies are made. If she is to bear a son, she wants an explanation. 

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” ~Luke 1:35

That was the explanation, and it is the delight of heaven, but Mary knew it would not play well on earth. Nazareth and Bethlehem are small towns. Tongues will wag, her reputation will be lost, Mary’s life will change forever. Gabriel may have called out to Mary, “Greetings, O favored one” (Luke 1:28), but Mary knew she is about to become a woman of shame. Mary is a young teenage girl, engaged to a righteous man, and she is about to be pregnant. That is the situation presented to Mary by the angel Gabriel, and this is her response. “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Do not miss two small words, “to me.” Mary knows what is being asked of her. 

“And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38). Enough said, Mary heard all she needed to hear–and so did Gabriel. 

Daily Prayer

My God, You announced the coming of Your Son to a humble couple hidden in Judea, and they believed in You and faithfully obeyed. It is only in humility that a baby in a manger is recognized as Savior of the world. You showed Your great love and gave us Jesus and life is never the same. You change everything.

God, I don’t need to know the details, I need to know You, better and better. My faith in You is not blind, even if I do not know what is to come. I know You, and that is enough. 

Amen

Daily Question

What do you need to know in order to put your trust in God?

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Death Can Wait

Daily Reading

Mark 4-5

Daily Thought

The daughter of Jairus is at death’s door. “Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live’” (Mark 5:22-23), What an opportunity, to save the daughter of a prestigious man. This would do much to advance the mission of Jesus. You would think. “And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him” (Mark 5:24).

Then, from the crowd, a woman (we don’t even get her name) “came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment” (Mark 5:27), and she was made well. For twelve years she had a bleeding illness no doctor could cure, but one touch healed her. And Jesus stopped. Jairus and his daughter and death would have to wait. “And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my garments?’” (Mark 5:30). 

“Everybody!” thought the disciples. “You are in a crowd. Hurry up Jesus. You have to get to the home of Jairus. This is important,” but the immediate is never more important than the eternal. “The woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease’” (Mark 5:33-34). Jairus’s was not the only daughter who needed the touch of Jesus.

While Jesus is not hurrying, while he is taking valuable time to talk to this woman–who is already healed, by the way–the news Jairus feared arrives: “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” (Mark 5:35). 

But the limits we place on God are not God’s limits. 

“Overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’” ~Mark 5:36

A little girl on the edge of death seemed to be what was urgent, but Jesus was interrupted by a woman. Death could wait while Jesus paused to heal this woman, but death did not wait and the little girl died. No matter, the King of kings is the Lord of life. “Little girl, I say to you, arise” (Mark 5:42), and she did.

Daily Prayer

My Great God, what an amazing story, Your Son born a baby to Mary. No earthly father, but a Heavenly Father, a poor family, peasant shepherds announcing His birth, a Friend of sinners and outcasts, and yet Jesus is King of kings and the Lord of lords. Big things come in small packages.

You came humbly and changed the world. You defeated all enemies, including the last enemy – death. You have established an eternal kingdom of peace and declared the good news of salvation. I’m listening and believing, and my life has been changed forever. Thank You, my God and Savior.

Amen

Daily Question

Is your schedule organized more by what is important or what is urgent? What’s the difference?

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Get Out of the Boat

Daily Reading

Matthew 13-14

Daily Thought

Jesus began to speak in parables to the hard of heart, because though “seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand” (Matthew 13:13). They were perfectly capable of hearing, but not willing, and so they do not try to understand and are blind and deaf to the words of God.

Peter, on the other hand, was not capable–in this case, of walking on water, yet when Jesus said, “Come,” Peter left the boat and walked on water and came to Jesus (Matthew 14:29). Half way there he realized he could not do what he was doing and sank, but for a brief time he did the impossible because he was willing to believe the impossible.

Jesus chastised Peter as he lifted him out of the water and back in the boat, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). It wasn’t that he couldn’t walk on water. Of course he couldn’t. He doubted Jesus when he said “Come.” 

God cares not what we can do, but what we will do.

Daily Prayer

Creator God, this world is marvelous, full of wonders. It displays Your wisdom and majesty. How great You are. You have power and authority over all things. And You are good. That’s why You can promise that all things work together for good for those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.

God, may I keep my ears tuned to You, listening to Your words and following them. May I live a life full of joy and wonder and surprise, not at what I can do, but what you keep doing. May I do what I cannot do, but You can. May I walk in faith and see the greatness of my God.

Amen

Daily Question

What has Jesus asked you to do that you’re not sure you can?