Day 12 Advent, 12/15/23: A Friend of the Socially Unacceptable (Mt 11:19)

"The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners'" (Mt 11:19).

The flute symbolizes joy, and the dirge symbolizes mourning. By complaining that their playmates did not participate in their games (Mt 11:16-17), the children were saying that they were not happy or sad but unresponsive or indifferent. Jesus uses this parable as a rebuke to the Bible teachers and Pharisees. They complained about both John the Baptist and Jesus. John's fasting was too strict, rigid and legalistic (Mt 11:18), while Jesus' dining habits were too lenient, liberal and socially unacceptable (Mt 11:19). But in reality, they judged and rejected the teachings of both John and Jesus based on their own criteria, biases, expectations and preferences.

Day 13, 12/16/23: The Son of Man is Going to Suffer

"...the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands" (Matthew 17:13).

Jesus tells his disciples that John the Baptist fulfilled the prophecy of Elijah's return as Jesus' forerunner (Mt 17:10-13; Mal 4:5-6). And as they did unjustly to John [beheading], they would do to him (Mt 17:12; 16:21). The reason John was executed was because he proclaimed repentance (Mt 3:1-2), the message of "turning your life over to a higher power."

Praise the Lord (Psalm 146-150)

1. 
   Praise the Creator who reigns forever (Ps 146:10): What does the psalmist boldly and proudly declare about praising God (Ps 146:1-2)? About not doing (Ps 146:3)? Why (Ps 146:4, 5-9, 10)?
2. Praise the Creator who blesses His people with His Word (Ps 147:19): Notice the 3 calls to praise God (Ps 147:1, 7, 12). Why is it fitting to praise God (Ps 147:1)? What do these verses reveal about God (Ps 147:2-6, 8-11, 13-20a)? About his word (Ps 147:15, 18, 19; 33:6; Isa 55:9-11; Jn 6:63; 8:31-32)?
3. Praise the Creator who alone is exalted (Ps 148:13): Who is called to praise the Lord in Ps 48:1-6 and Ps 48:7-12? What is the rational for doing so (Ps 148:13-14)? Who/What is "a horn" (Ps 148:14)?
4. Praise the King who delights in His people (Ps 149:4): Who is called to praise God (Ps 149:1-3) and why (Ps 149:4-5)? Why must praising God with their mouths also involve "a double edged sword in their hands" (Ps 149:6, 7-9; Eph 6:17)?
5. Let everyone, everywhere praise God in every way: Where do you praise God (Ps 150:1)? Why (Ps 150:2)? How (Ps 150:3-5)? Who should praise God (Ps 150:6)?

146:1-10 I will praise God as long as I live (Ps 146:2).

147:1-20 It is good to praise God (Ps 147:1).

148:1-14 Praise God from the heavens and the earth (Ps 148:1, 7).

149:1-9 Sing to God a new song (Ps 149:1).

150:1-6 Praise God in heaven and on earth (Ps 150:1, 6).

"Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save" (Ps 146:1-3).

Psalms 146-150 constitute the last Hallel ("praise" [175 x in Psalms) collection, that are all praise and joy. These 5 joyous psalms of praise, each beginning and ending with Hallelujah, bring the Psalter to a close. So in this respect as in many others, the Psalms are a miniature of our story as a whole, which will end in unbroken blessing and delight. It may take a long time or a lifetime, but all prayer that engages God and the world as they truly are will eventually end in praise.

These psalms are used as daily prayers at some point in the synagogue's services of worship. The other 2 praise collections are the Egyptian Hallel psalms (113-118) and the Great Hallel (120-136).

Psalm 146 praises God because he guarantees justice. He cares for the poor, hungry, prisoner, physically impaired, soul weary, immigrant and single parent (Ps 146:7-9). He cared so much he became a helpless baby born to poor parents. 

1. Tim Keller. The Songs of Jesus. 2015. Psalm 146: Praise for Justice.
2. Kidner. 1973. 1975. Psalm 146: I'll praise my Maker (Ps 146:2). A lifetime of praise (Ps 146:1,2). Man, the false hope (Ps 146:3,4). God, great and good (Ps 146:5-9). An eternity of praise (Ps 146:10).
3. Motyer. 2016. Merited Praise. 1. Life-long praise (Ps 146:1-2). 2. Why not man? (Ps 146:3-4). 3. Why Yahweh (Ps 146:5-9). Endless praise (Ps 146:10).
4. Tremper Longman III & David E Garland. Psalms. 2008. Psalm 146: The Lord Reigns for Ever and Ever (Ps 146:10).

Day 11 of Advent, 12/14/23: A Gentle Forcefulness (Mt 11:12)

Violent men forcefully take hold of the Kingdom of Heaven. My preferred translation of the ambiguous Matthew 11:12 is from the 1984 NIV (which differs from the current 2011 NIV): "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful [violent] men lay hold of it." ["...the enforcers snatch it" (Scot McKnight's translation)]

I've shared often that I have a Type A personality, which is ABCD: aggressive / aggravating, brutal / blunt, confrontational / confounding and doggedly determined (i.e. stubbornly stone headed, as my pastor had told me decades ago!). Last week a friend said that he prefers a Type C (Christ) personality, which I interpret as "consecrated and conformed to the character of Christ." Yes, I desire Type C, but unfortunately my Type A within me dies hard, or even refuses to die as it resurfaces time and again.

Day 10 of Advent, 12/13/23: I am Gentle and Humble (Mt 11:29)

How gentle am I? That is a very tough question for me to face and answer.

Matthew 11:29 is the only time Jesus describes himself, describes his own inner man, in the Bible. The Greek for "gentle" means meek and mild, but not in a weak way. It means "strength under control," like a wild stallion that has been tamed. The Greek for "lowly" means humble or low in status, like a servant. He is unselfish and thoughtful. Chuck Swindoll says, "We are never more like Christ than when we fit into His description of Himself: gentle and humble."

He Died for ALL

• He died for ALL (1 Tim 2:6).
• He died for ALL MEN (Rom. 5:18; 1 Tim 4:10).
• He died for US ALL, for ALL OF US (Isa 53:6).
• He died for the UNGODLY (Rom 5:6).
• He died for CHRIST-DENIERS (2 Pet 2:1).
• He died for SINNERS (Rom 5:8).
• He died for EVERY MAN (Heb 2:9).
• He died for MANY (Mt 20:28; Mk 10:45).
• He died for the WORLD (Jn 6:33, 51; 1:29; 3:16).
• He died for the WHOLE WORLD (1 Jn 2:2).
• He died for the WHOLE NATION of Israel (Jn 11:50-51).
• He died for the CHURCH (Eph 5:25).
• He died for His SHEEP (Jn 10:11).
• He died for ME (Gal 2:20).

Day 9 of Advent reflection, 12/12/23: Hail Mary, Full of Grace (Luke 1:28)

"And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women" (Luke 1:28, Douay–Rheims Bible).

This is the first time I'm reading about the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the 16th century in Mexico, which led to millions of conversions to Christ. Protestants such as myself have for the most part disregarded such apparitions of the Virgin Mary recorded in history. There are also reports of Jesus appearing to some people, in particular to Muslims, leading to their conversion. I used to disregard such accounts due to my cerebral "heady" disposition and to my own spiritual formation and conversion through reading and studying Scripture. Genesis 2:17 was the verse that led to my conversion in 1980. But I no longer disregard such miraculous accounts, as I did in the past, as God can surely choose to reveal Himself in whatever way He chooses--through the Bible, through books, through sermons, and even through visions and apparitions.

Day 8 of Advent, 12/10/23: The Gospel of the Son of God (Mk 1:1)

"The beginning of the good news (gospel) about Jesus the Messiah (Christ), the Son of God" (Mk 1:1).

What is the good news to me? Who is the King of my life? Confronting the Powers That Be by Bishop Barron.

We Christians are so familiar with the gospel/good news, such as John 3:16, without realizing the original context. When the apostles used the term evangelion, i.e. good news, it was typically used to describe a military victory by the Emperor, who sent out "evangelists" with this good news.

Also, "Son of God" was a title claimed by Caesar. But the apostles insisted that only Christ is the Son of God, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, which would be a direct challenge to the authority and the powers and principalities of the world.

The good news of the Son of God is the most subversive message, and not necessarily a feel good message that will be welcomed by many, especially by those in positions of power and privilege.

Day 7 of Advent, 12/9/2023: The Laborers are Few (Mt 9:37)

"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Mt 9:37-38).

Jesus instructs Christians to pray for laborers for the harvest (Mt 9:38) and for disciples to heal and evangelize others (Mt 10:1, 7-8). Matthew concludes his gospel by saying, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them...and teaching them to obey everything" (Mt 28:19). Thus, everything that I decide and choose to do should be somehow related to evangelism, i.e., winning others for Christ and his kingdom.

• I pray that my life, lifestyle, choices, and morals may reflect Christ and the holiness of God (Rom 8:29; Heb 12:10).
• In my older years (Ps 92:14) I pray to live a life of repentance (Ps 51:1-4; Mk 1:15).
• I pray to learn and/or re-learn a life of prayer, piety and purity so that God can use me to somehow influence others (Ps 51:13), even the next generation (Ps 22:30).

First Week of Advent

Matthew 9:35—10:1, 5a, 6–8

Friends, today Jesus instructs us to pray for laborers for the harvest, for disciples to do the work of evangelization. We need to organize our lives around evangelization. Everything we do ought to be related somehow to it. This doesn't mean that we all have to become professional evangelizers. Remember, you can evangelize by the moral quality of your life. But it does mean that nothing in our lives ought to be more important than announcing the victory of Jesus. We should think of others not as objects to be used, or annoying people in the way of realizing our projects, but rather as those whom we are called to serve. Instead of saying, "Why is this annoying person in my way?" we should ask, "What opportunity for evangelization has presented itself?" Has God put this person in your life precisely for this purpose?

Day 6 of Advent, 12/8/23, Hail Mary, Full of Grace (Lk 1:26-38)

Most Protestants probably don't know (I didn't know) that Dec 8 of every year is the day devout Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

I'll start this Advent reflection with a prayer: I pray that Protestants and Catholics may love each other in Christ, rather than strongly denounce the other over differences.

"Greetings, you who are highly favored [Hail, full of grace]! The Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28). "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled" (Lk 1:38).

It is interesting that Catholics and Protestants stress different aspects of this very familiar Advent passage. Catholics emphasize Mary's unique calling and privilege as a holy vessel to bring forth the Holy Son of God into the world (Luke 1:28), while Protestants emphasize her godly submission, surrender and costly obedience to the will of God upon her life (Luke 1:38). Her privilege is the grace of God and her obedience is her response to God's grace.

Day 5 of Advent, 12/07/23: The Storm Will Come (Mt 7:21-27)

"The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house" (Mt 7:25, 27).

Matthew 7:21 is one of the scariest verses in the whole Bible. What is Jesus' criteria for knowing or not knowing us on the day of judgment? It is simply our response to the word of God.

The rain, floods and strong winds are what happens in life. These storms symbolize all the trials, testings, tribulations and temptations that everyone encounters--sooner or later. I did not notice this before but the storms of life do not discriminate: it comes regardless of whether or not you obey God's word (Mt 7:25, 27). The only difference is in the outcome. Those who obey God's word will not be hurt or harmed by the storm in the end, but those who do not obey will crash and burn.

Ps 8 Frail Humans Empowered to be Responsible (Psalm 8:1-9)

"Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens" (Ps 8:1). "...what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor" (Ps 8:4-5).

Psalm 8 is the first experience of joyful praise and adoration, after 5 consecutive psalms (3-7) through the dark valleys of lament and pleas for deliverance. After this brief but brilliant chorus of praise, we will return again in the following psalms to the darkness of pain and the anguish of brokenness. But here is Psalm 8, if for just a moment, darkness and suffering are driven away by the commanding vision of the sovereign God of the created universe and his unfathomable care for humanity.

Psalm 8 may be considered a hymn of praise or a hymn of creation praise together with Psalms 33, 104 and 145 as "Songs of Creation."

1. The sovereign Yahweh (Ps 8:1a, 9). The thematic framework. The central message of wondrous awe.
2. Yahweh's rule (Ps 8:1b-2). The creative power of Yahweh. Praise of God's majestic power and protection of creation. The glory of the great King.
3. Yahweh's condescension (Ps 8:3-5). Human frailty. Recognition of human frailty in light of God's creative power. The littleness of human beings. God's interest in humankind. Humankind's derived glory (Ps 8:5).
4. Yahweh's ruler (Ps 8:6-8). Empowerment and responsibility. Acceptance of divine empowerment of humans and their resultant responsibility. The greatness of human beings. Humankind's glory as ruler.

Psalm 8 can be summarized as follows (Longman III):

• A Ascription of praise (Ps 8:1a).
• B The glory of the great King (Ps 8:1b-2).
• C God's interest in humankind (Ps 8:3-4).
• C' Humankind's derived glory (Ps 8:5).
• B' Humankind's glory as ruler (Ps 8:6-8).
• A' Concluding ascription of praise (Ps 8:9).

Consider:

1. The gift of the divine nature (Exo 3:14; Mk 14:62).
2. The implications of the creation of man in the divine image (Gen 1:26-27).
3. The meaning of God's command to humans to rule over the earth (Gen 1:28).

Titles: Crown of creation (Ps 8:5). The jewel of creation. Wonderful care (Ps 8:4). How majestic is God's name (Ps 8:1, 9). Consider the heavens (Ps 8:3). The power of the powerless. The glory of the Creator and of humankind.

References:

1. Tremper Longman III & David E Garland. 2008. The Glory of the Creator and of Humankind. The Glory of God's Creation; Dignity of the Ideal Human.
2. Tim Keller. The Songs of Jesus. 2015. Psalm 8: Wonderful Care.
3. Gerald Wilson. 2002. 1. Thematic framework (1a, 9). 2. The Creative Power of Yahweh (1b-2). 3. Human Frailty (3-4). 4. Empowerment and Responsibility (5-8).
4. John Goldingay. 2013. Psalm 8: Thus far and no farther.
5. Derek Kidner. 1973. 1975. Psalm 8: Crown of Creation. 1. The praise of his glory (Ps 8:1-2). 2. What is man? (3-8). 3. The praise of his glory (Ps 8:9).
6. Alec Motyer. 2016. Psalm 8: The Power of the Powerless. A1. The Sovereign Yahweh (Ps 8:1). B1. Yahweh's rule (Ps 8:2). C. Yahweh's condescension (Ps 8:3-5). B2. Yahweh's ruler (6-8). A2. The Sovereign Yahweh (Ps 8:9).
7. John Stott. What is a Human Being? 1. The littleness of human beings (Ps 8:3-4). 2. The greatness of human beings (Ps 8:5-8).

Day 4 of Advent, 12/06/23: Give Away What You Receive (Mt 15:36-37)

"Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied.  Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over" (Mt 15:36-37).

Day 3 of Advent, 12/05/23: The Mystery of the Trinity (Luke 10:21)

Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children" (Lk 10:21).

1st, the mystery of our Trinitarian God: God the Son, through God the Holy Spirit prays to and praises God the Father. How is the Trinity relevant and how does this relate to man and his life? My simplistic thought is that since we are created in God's image, we are also "Trinitarian." We have head, heart and hands, through which we have cognition, emotion and volition, and so we can think, feel and do things. Unless my Trinitarian self is in sync, I can never have peace and joy, i.e. shalom, a wholeness in the totality of my being. If what I want (heart) does not coincide with what I know (head) and do (hands), I will never have shalom--peace and joy. If I enjoy the world when I know I should enjoy God, his kingdom and his righteousness, I will not have shalom. Sorry for being technical and cerebral!

Day 2 of Advent, 12/4/23: Just Say the Word (Matthew 8:8)

A Roman centurion asked Jesus to heal his sick dying servant by saying, "But just say the word, and my servant will be healed" (Mt 8:8; Lk 7:7). He didn't think it necessary for Jesus to come and heal him in person by placing his hands on him, but to "just say the word," because he understood Jesus' authority as a centurion with authority over 100 Roman soldiers whom he knows will do whatever he says. He is the only person Jesus commended for having "such great faith" (Mt 8:10; Lk 7:9). [Watch Season 3 of The Chosen.] 

I Know My Sin (Psalm 51)

Read Psalm 51 and 2 Samuel 11:1-12:13.

Sin will take me further than I want to go.
Sin will keep me longer than I want to stay.
Sin will cost me more than I want to pay.

• Why do you think you sin (1 Jn 2:16; Eccl 6:7; 5:10)? Is sin a big deal?
• Can a man reveal your sin (Jn 16:8)?
• Do you commit adultery and murder like David? See Exo 20:13-14, 17; Dt 5:17-18, 21; Mt 5:21-22, 27-28; Prov 5:20; 6:24-25; Rom 7:15, 17, 18, 19, 23. Did David break any other commandments?

1. What are 3 words in reference to God (Ps 51:1)? 3 verbs for cleansing and 3 nouns for sin (Ps 51:1-2)? 
• What is the basis of David's plea (Exo 34:6-7; Mic 7:18)? Why (Eccl 7:20; Rom 3:23)? 
• What is the difference between mercy and grace? Does he deserve mercy? Is mercy a license to sin?
2. How did his sin affect him (Ps 51:3, 8, 12; 13:2; 38:2, 6)? Who is ultimately offended by his sin (Ps 51:4; Gen 39:7, 9)? 
• How bad do you feel about your sin (Ps 51:17)?

Ps 22 Forsaken (Psalm 22)

The most profound mystery. When Jesus screamed his agonizing cry on the cross (Ps 22:1; Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34), it might surprise some that Jesus was NOT abandoned by God in the sense that God was not present. God was there as implied by the fact that Jesus prays, for you cannot address someone who has gone off. Thus, God is watching as Jesus was tortured, suffering as profoundly in his spirit as Jesus suffered in body and spirit. What unbearable agony it would be for a man to watch his son or grand-son be tortured in agony and not stop it when he could! In essense God listens to Jesus on the cross, screaming, "Why have you forsaken me?" and does nothing.

Do you have a "Why" for your Life?

Logotherapy is a meaning centered psychotherapy. It is driven not by power or pleasure, but by meaning. Viktor Frankl: Actualization is NOT the Goal. In the death camps, you have nothing to lose except your life.

The Perfect King (Psalm 72)

"Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness" (Ps 72:1).

The NT nowhere quotes this as Messianic, but this picture of the king and his realm is so close to the prophesies of Isaiah 11:1-5 and Isaiah 60-62 that if those passages are Messianic, so is this.

1. Royal righteousness (Ps 72:1-4). Imitating God: the world and its people set to rights.
2. Endless reign (Ps 72:5-7). Endless abundance under the king.
3. Boundless realm (Ps 72:8-11). World dominion.
4. Compassionate king (Ps 72:12-14). The caring rule.
5. Endless blessing (Ps 72:15-17).
1. The nations respond in devotion (Ps 72:15). 
2. Shared abundance under the king (Ps 72:16-17).
6. Doxology and conclusion (Ps 72:18-19). Reflecting God: the earth filled with his glory.

Ps 88 Faith Without Hope as the Darkness Deepens

"Lord, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you" ["by day I have screamed, by night, in front of you" {Motyer}] "...darkness is my closest [best] friend" (Ps 88:1, 18).

• Can you live a life without comfort (1-9a)? Die without hope (9b-12)? Have questions without answers (13-18)?

Sadness, Sorrow, Storms and Suffering; Trials, Troubles, Testings and Tribulations

What Hatred and Love Does to You by MLK

"Love is the greatest force in the universe. It is the heartbeat of the moral cosmos. He who loves is a participant in the being of God."

The Gift of Suffering (C.S. Lewis)

Faith under Fire (Psalm 73)

Find your Faltering, Flickering, Fading Faith under Fire: "...till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood …" (Ps 73:17).

A. Faith professed (Ps 73:1). God is good.

B. Faith questioned (Ps 73:2-14). The evil of envy.

C. Faith refocused (Ps 73:15-20). A new perspective.

B1. Faith unquestioned (Ps 73:21-26). Guided by God's counsel.

A1. Faith affirmed (Ps 73:27-28). God's closeness is good.

5 books of Psalms corresponding to the Torah:

1. Book 1 (1-41). Genesis. Songs of relationship...with God.
2. Book 2 (42-72). Exodus. Songs of redemption...delivernace by God.
3. Book 3 (73-89). Leviticus. Songs of refuge. Sanctuary of God. [reflection]
4. Book 4 (90-106). Numbers. Songs of repercussion. Rebellion...against God.
5. Book 5 (107-150). Deuteronomy. Songs of revival. Renewal with God.

A Mirror to Who You Truly Are

Repay Evil for Evil

"In the old days, people demanded 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,' and to repay evil for evil. Patience was not yet on the earth, because faith was not on the earth either. Of course, impatience made full use of the opportunities the Law gave it. That was easy when the Lord and Master of patience was not here. But now that he has come and put the grace of faith together with patience, we are no longer allowed to attack someone even with a word—not even to call someone a fool without facing the danger of judgment. The Law found more than it lost when Christ said, 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven' (Matthew 5:44-45). This most important commandment summarizes in a word the universal discipline of patience, since it does not allow us to do evil even to people who deserve it."—Tertullian

Discovering the Gospel in Job – Tim Keller

When Your World Falls Apart (Psalm 3-7)

When Life Takes a Turn for the Worst (Psalm 3-7)

1. Psalm 3: Facing a New Day (Ps 3:5-6). You are not alone.
2. Psalm 4: Facing Another Night (Ps 4:4; 6:6). Who can I turn to?
3. Psalm 5: Starting a New Day (Ps 5:3). On pleading with the King.
4. Psalm 6: Waiting is Hard (Ps 6:1-4). The way prayer makes a difference.
• Prayers and tears (Ps 6:6-9).
5. Psalm 7: Sin and judgment. The judge is on your side.
• A Conscience without Offence (Ps 7:3-5).
• A cry for justice (Ps 7:6-11).

Let nothing disturb you

Happiness (Psalm 1-2)

How to be Happy Living in the World (Psalm 1-2). Psalm 1 is the gateway and introduction to the Psalms. It contrasts the way of life and the way of doom by emphasizing the importance of meditating and delighting in God's Word (Ps 1:2).

Ø  Is there a key to happiness? Or is it a carefully guarded secret known only to a very few special select people?

Ø  What do you think you need to be happy and to avoid unhappiness?

Wounds are Healed from the Heart, not the Head (Henri Nouwen)

Live Your Wounds. You have been wounded in many ways. The more you open yourself to being healed, the more you will discover how deep your wounds are.... The great challenge is living your wounds through instead of thinking them through. It is better to cry than to worry, better to feel your wounds deeply than to understand them, better to let them enter into your silence than to talk about them. The choice you face constantly is whether you are taking your hurts to your head or to your heart. In your head you can analyze them, find their causes and consequences, and coin words to speak and write about them. But no final healing is likely to come from that source. You need to let your wounds go down to your heart. Then you can live through them and discover that they will not destroy you. Your heart is greater than your wounds.

Love the Creator in His Creature, the Maker in what He has Made

Imagine Yourself as a Living House (CS Lewis)

"Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of – throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself."—C. S. Lewis

Give to God the Time that Remains (St. Alphonsus Liguori)

When a Preacher is Downcast by Charles Spurgeon

"Even if the enemy's foot is on your neck, expect to rise and overthrow him. Cast the burden of the present, along with the sin of the past and the fear of the future, upon the Lord, who does not forsake His saints. Live by the day—ay, by the hour. Put no trust in frames and feelings. Care more for a grain of faith than a ton of excitement. Trust in God alone, and lean not on the needs of human help." Charles Spurgeon.

When a Preacher is Downcast by Charles Spurgeon.

Who Is Your God? (Isaiah 40:1-11; 12-26; 27-31)

Who Is Your God? (Isaiah 40:1-11; 12-26; 27-31) [Nov 2016]

1. The God of Comfort (1-11).
2. The Incomparable God (12-26).
3. The God Who Makes Man Fly (27-31).

Most scholars agree that ch. 40–55 were written to the Babylonian exiles after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. (Some, doubt Isaiah wrote this ~150 years in advance, and say an anonymous prophet, a devotee of Isaiah, wrote it in 550 B.C. The book makes no reference to this.)

Theme:

1. Chs.1-39 is Trust: the Basis of Servanthood.
2. Chs. 40–55 is Grace: the Motive and Means for Servanthood, for trusting God.
1. Ch. 40 is the intro; 
2. ch. 41–48 is part A, Motive; 
3. ch. 49– 55 is part B, Means.

1. (40:1–2) What attitude/emotion requires encouragement? Why would the exiles be experiencing this? Why was God punishing them? What questions might they be asking? What encouragement does Isaiah offer here? How would these be encouraging? [Comfort" is not a good translation. The idea is to encourage, strengthen.]
2. (40:3-5) How might 40:3 apply to John the Baptist (Mt 3:3; Mk 1:3; Lk 3:4)? How does that fulfill these promises? Compare to the promise of 7:14. What do these verses say about Yahweh's desire to deliver?
3. (40:6–8) If the goal here is encouragement, how could 40:6–8 be understood as encouragement? Compare the final clause of 40:5 with the final clause of 40:8. What is the point of this repetition (Isa 45:23; 46:11b; 55:10-11)?
4. (40:9-11) Zion and Judah have been destroyed (9). How can they be the heralds of deliverance (10)? What is the good news (11)? What are the two different uses of "arm"? How do they relate to the message of good news? See shepherd in the OT (Ps 23:1; 78:52; Jer 23:2-3; Eze 34:1-31; Mic 2:12). How does Jesus exemplify this (Jn 10:1-18)?
5. (40:12–26) What is the expected answer to the rhetorical questions in 12–14? What is the point? [In the myths the gods were always taking counsel with one another to decide what to do (40:13–14).] Relate 40:15–17 to the points made in chs. 13–23.
6. Why do people constantly seek out idols as objects of worship (18–20; 46:1–7)? How do they compare to Yahweh (21–24)? How is he different? How do 40:18-28 stress the uniqueness of Israel's God?
7. Who is Yahweh being compared to (25–26)? [In paganism the stars are considered to be the visible representation of the gods. "The Host of Heaven" is an expression for "the gods."] What do 40:12–26 say about Yahweh's ability to deliver?
8. (40:27–31) What are the people's complaint (27)? What are they forgetting (28)? Who gets tired (30)? Who gains strength (29)? How can any person "fly" (31)?