Day 316: Pour Out

Galatians 3:21-4:20; Lamentations 1-2; Psalm 145

We are God's children because Jesus set us free from the Law. We don't need rules to live our lives. I think Paul is talking about how Jesus lived according to the Law, never sinning, but he wasn't ruled by it. He lived by love. Maybe that is what Paul is talking about--as Jesus was God's son and lived according to love, he was free, not bound by the Law, so we too are free and live with love.
He goes on to say that when we are baptized, it's like we put on Jesus like we put on new clothes. Everywhere we go, people see our clothes, we get judged by what we wear, we reveal our style and personality, often by what we put on in the morning. It should be the same with our "Jesus clothes." People should see Jesus wherever we go, just as obvious as a pair of neon shoes, so Jesus should be that obvious in our lives.

In these chapters of Lamentations, I think there are some important aspects of the human-God relationship. First, The prophet admits that God is right. And the reason for the pain and brokenness is because of the disobedience. It isn't because God is mean. It's because they (and ultimately humans in general) betray the good things God wants us to do. It goes on to say that God shattered his temple and eliminated the Sabbaths and festivals. Why would God want this stuff from disobedient, unfaithful, half-hearted people? God cares less about the fancy services and rituals and more about the hearts of the people. At the end of chapter 2 is this powerful pouring out of the heart. It says "don't ever lose hope...pour out your feelings to The Lord." God wants authentic relationship. Even if all we have to pour out to him are tears, frustrations, uncertainty--"as you would pour water out of a jug"--God wants all of our heart and feelings.

This psalm talks about God satisfying his believers at just the right time. I trust God to provide for my needs--needs, not wants--at the perfect time. Sometimes it's hard; I'm not always patient. But God knows. He's right. We can trust him.

Day 315: Tools

Galatians 3:1-20; Jeremiah 51-52; Psalm 144

We are no longer under the burden of the law, the Old Testament. Jesus came to be the curse that we would experience if he hadn't taken our place. It is through Jesus that we have God's spirit, we are no longer just us, but God's children.

What is interesting about Babylon is that it was a tool used by God for justice. They were not God's chosen, and in fact, worshiped idols, but God used them to bring judgment on the people of Israel. Now, in these chapters in Jeremiah, he is warning them of their own destruction. God uses people and things to carry out his work on earth. I pray that we are not used as tools of judgment and destruction, but of help and healing.

I love how David cries out to God and names what God is to him: Lord, mighty rock, teacher, friend, fortress, shield. God can be all these things for us, we just have to be willing to let him in our lives and take over.

Day 314: True Pastureland

Galatians 2; Jeremiah 49-50; Psalm 143

This passage in Galatians focuses on the freedom Christ gives us. There were spies that had snuck into the group and were attempting to make them slaves. I don't know if he means literal, working slaves, or if he meant slaves to something, like rules and law, etc. Nonetheless, Paul goes on to talk about how Peter was all worried about who he was eating with, something that God's Law probably talked about. But Paul makes the point that the old Law doesn't rule us anymore because Christ came to set us free. I think it is ok to be mindful of the Old Testament scriptures and the stories that tell about obedience and disobedience. I think the Laws that are outlined there as well are meant to help and be good, but we don't have to follow them because Christ is the only way we are made acceptable to God, not anything we do.

These verses talk about what we were made for and what happens if we ignore our divine purpose: "My people, you are lost sheep abandoned by their shepherds in the mountains. You don't even remember your resting place. I am your true pastureland, the one who gave hope to your ancestors. But you abandoned me, so when your enemies found you, they felt no guilt as they gobbled you down." God is our "true pastureland," our peace, our resting place, our safety. When we turn away, we lose our shepherd and get eaten by our enemies--could be people, sins, addictions. May we remember who our Shepherd is and stick close to his side.

Beautiful words in this psalm. I'll let them speak for themselves: "Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you...Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance...You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path."

Day 313: One True Message

Galatians 1; Jeremiah 47-48; Psalm 142

Paul points out that there is only "one true message" of Jesus Christ. There are people who preach something different from the truth of Jesus, attempting to turn people away. Paul says it doesn't matter who that person is, whether "one of us or an angel from heaven." I've heard lots of stories and talked with some people about their faith and their religion and it is amazing how many people do believe in God, in Jesus, but not in the way that scripture tells it. They have been led away from the Truth, and believe something that is not biblical. Paul closes this section by asking, am I trying to please people or please God? Clearly pointing this out is a sticky subject and would get some people riled up. However, he isn't concerned about human approval. All he cares about is the opinion of God. So be careful reader, that you are not listening to people who change the gospel for their own gain. Those like Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer preach a prosperity gospel that is not biblical. And there are many others, famous and less famous. May we pursue the truth and find it in Jesus Christ.

The first thing that hits me from these chapters in Jeremiah is the passage about how terrified they will be that parents will abandon their children. To me, this would be one of the worst things a person could do. But these people would be so afraid, so fearful of what was to come, that they wouldn't even think about their own offspring. It happens today, unfortunately. For lots of different reasons, probably including fear, moms and dads leave their children. Kids are left on the streets, in the foster care system, with grandparents--all because of the selfishness and insecurities of the parents. We need to be a generation of parents who take care of their kids, who love them and give them all the good things we can.

The next thing that stands out from these passages is that God is going to bring terrible destruction on Moab because of their disobedience, he was going to weep and mourn and cry for them. Wait, wasn't he just talking about wiping them out with an enemy army? Now God's upset for them? To me, this shows they incredible fairness of God and the incredible love of God. He is perfectly righteous and just, and perfecting loving and forgiving. Crazy.

Awesome prayer: "I pray to you, Lord. I beg for mercy. I tell you all of my worries and my troubles and whenever I feel low, you are there to guide me." We can trust in God to be there to help us through our times of helplessness or worthlessness or worry. Even when no one else seems to care, when no one else can help, God can. That, he promises.

Day 312: In The Meantime

2 Peter 3; Jeremiah 45-46; Psalm 141

Why aren't we seeing Christ return yet? According to Peter, it is because God is so patient and gracious, that he wants to give people time to return to him. Those that scoff at or run away from Jesus may need more time to recognize the power and gift of God. In the meantime, Peter points out that people will be mislead and misinterpret scriptures. He encourages the Lord's followers to remain pure, stay on the right path, and keep growing in Jesus.

This psalm offers a wonderful prayer: "Help me to guard my words whenever I say something. Don't let me want to do evil or waste my time doing wrong with wicked people." The psalmist makes it clear that we may have a tendency to say things that aren't right or beneficial, or be tempted to walk down a path of sin. However, if we call on the Lord's name, I believe he will help us to do less of that and more good and right.