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2 Corinthians 5:7 …for we walk by faith, not by sight.

In our computerized, microwaved, instant-messaged society, we get impatient when we have to wait. We want to see results immediately…right away.

But life, and especially the life of faith, isn’t that way. We want to walk with God. We want to see our lives change. But these changes take time. We need to work our way through all the obstacles we put in the way of a complete, full, fulfilled relationship with Jesus.

And so, we walk by faith. We take two steps forward and one step back with the hope that eventually we will make it to the end of our journey: healed, whole, and filled with joy.

We may not be able to see how far we have come until we look back to see where we were. Then, we can rejoice. God has been faithful. We have had faith and now we can see.

Lord, help us be patient in our walk with you. Help us to see the small steps forward we have made and the miraculous work you have performed to make us the people you have always envisioned. Amen.

I have attended two funeral visitations in as many days. The first was for an elderly woman who had been tormented by dementia in recent months. The second was for a young man who had been killed in an automobile accident. As I spoke with the families, particularly of the young man, they commented on the questions they were asking God. 

I do not begrudge them the necessity of asking God questions. The Bible is full of references to God’s people questioning God and God’s intention. Even Jesus, himself asked God if the cup of the crucifixion could pass from him and why God had forsaken him although, I dare say Jesus probably knew the answers to those questions even before they were asked. We are allowed to ask God questions. And God will answer, although, often not in a way we can understand or accept.

The truth is that we most often want to know “why?” when we question God. Why did you let this happen? Why are you punishing me? And a related, what did this person do to deserve this? We live in a society that wants to know the reason behind every occurrence. We want to know where we may place blame. 

Often there is no satisfactory answer to the question “why?” It could be that the person made some poor choices, or not. It could be that circumstances just worked out in this tragic way, or not. It could be that it was just meant to be this way, or not. In any case, the answers may be hard to deal with and will they really help us in the journey toward healing? Probably not.

As a person of faith, I try to ask different questions, God, were you there with the person at the end? And God answers, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me” Ps. 23:4 and “Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?…I come to the end–I am still with you.” Ps. 139:7, 18.

I ask, “God, are you with me now?” God answers “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matt. 28:20.

We may never know why some things happen in our lives. But what we do know is that God loves us and stays with us through the dark times until we can again see the light.

[1]   Happy are those   
          who do not follow the advice of the wicked,   
     or take the path that sinners tread,   
          or sit in the seat of scoffers;   


[2]   but their delight is in the law of the LORD,   
          and on his law they meditate day and night.   
[3]   They are like trees   
          planted by streams of water,   
     which yield their fruit in its season,   
          and their leaves do not wither.   
     In all that they do, they prosper.

[4]   The wicked are not so,   
          but are like chaff that the wind drives away.   
[5]   Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,   
          nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;   
[6]   for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,   
          but the way of the wicked will perish

Living in the country has helped me appreciate this Psalm. I was talking with a parishioner just yesterday about how her plants were drying up. They had been planted on a side of the house that had not received much rain. Even though we have had a wet spring, these plants were drying up and possibly cannot be saved. 

When we do not keep ourselves watered with God’s word we begin to dry up spiritually. Like a plant that expands its root system to find any kind of moisture, we will search far and wide for guidance. Unfortunately, in our thirst, we may not be discriminating about whence that advice comes. We will take advice from the latest “expert” and not even question his or her authority. The drier we get the more likely we are to wander from good counsel. Eventually we will be blown this way and that as chaff in the wind. We will not be able to stand strong against the winds of adversity or temptation.

God’s word is a steady source of spiritual nourishment, if we position ourselves to receive it on a continuing basis. It will never leave us dry or wanting. It will give us the ability to stand firm against the winds that try to take us down.

Instead of searching out other counsel we will bear the fruit of wisdom and righteousness. Notice the psalm says that the righteous meditate on God’s word day and night. This is a continual process. Fill your mind with the things of the Lord and God will watch over you.

[1]   As a deer longs for flowing streams,   
          so my soul longs for you, O God.   
[2]   My soul thirsts for God,   
          for the living God.   
     When shall I come and behold   
          the face of God?   
[3]   My tears have been my food   
          day and night,   
     while people say to me continually,   
          "Where is your God?"

[4]   These things I remember,   
          as I pour out my soul:   
     how I went with the throng,   
          and led them in procession to the house of God,   
     with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving,   
          a multitude keeping festival.   
[5]   Why are you cast down, O my soul,   
          and why are you disquieted within me?   
     Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,   
          my help [6]and my God.

     My soul is cast down within me;   
          therefore I remember you   
     from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,   
          from Mount Mizar.   
[7]   Deep calls to deep   
          at the thunder of your cataracts;   
     all your waves and your billows   
          have gone over me.   
[8]   By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,   
          and at night his song is with me,   
          a prayer to the God of my life.

[9]   I say to God, my rock,   
          "Why have you forgotten me?   
     Why must I walk about mournfully   
          because the enemy oppresses me?"   
[10]  As with a deadly wound in my body,   
          my adversaries taunt me,   
     while they say to me continually,   
          "Where is your God?"

[11]  Why are you cast down, O my soul,   
          and why are you disquieted within me?   
     Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,   
          my help and my God.

It has been a long time since I last posted a blog. After posting every day for the Year of the Bible, I took a break to finish my doctorate.  I am pleased to say that I completed that task. Now I want to get back to writing meditations on the scriptures.

I am choosing to write on a scripture found in the Daily Lectionary which is a selection of readings throughout the year. It includes several Psalms an Old Testament reading, a Gospel reading and another New Testament reading.

I will only focus on one reading each day. God keeps suggesting that I start with the Psalms so that is where I will start. My goal is to post every day but I will not promise it.

On to the scripture of the day: Psalm 42

Each of us who believe and trust in God and God’s provision goes through those times of doubt. This time of struggling with doubt may last hours, days, weeks, even months and years. The Christian mystic St. John of the Cross called this “The Dark Night of the Soul.”

It is comforting, in a way, to know that the psalmist also experienced times of doubt and despair. As we look at the way in which he handled this time we can learn about faith and how to approach God when we are struggling to believe.

We get weighed down by our troubles, by trying to be faithful in a world that thinks faith is for weaklings, a figment of our imagination. Sometimes we wonder if the skeptics are right. Maybe God doesn’t exist, or at the very least God seems to have turned away from us in our time of need.

One thing I am struck by is that even though the psalmist struggled with the thought that God had abandoned him and wondered about whether those questioning God’s existence were right he still maintained an open line of communication. He felt free to tell God about his doubts. He felt free to complain to God about his feelings of abandonment.

God’s shoulders are big enough to handle our criticism. When we are struggling we need to know that God wants us to share our struggles. God does not expect us to be the pillars of faith that other Christians or possibly even non-Christians expect us to be 24/7. Our relationship with God needs to be real and authentic. We need not feel ashamed when we doubt or question. We can be comforted in knowing that our God will listen even when we are not filled with joy, perhaps especially, when we are hurting.

The other person the psalmist speaks to is himself.  He reminds himself of the times when his faith was stronger. He reminds himself of the times when God’s presence was profoundly evident. He reminds himself of all the times when God was there, providing for him, giving him a song of praise.

The psalmist challenges himself to maintain hope in the midst of the doubt. He encourages himself that this time of struggle will pass. He will again be able to praise God.

When you are struggling, keep the conversation with God going. Even if you are struggling to believe, keep talking. Remember all the times when you knew God was present. Remember that even if you don’t feel that way now God is still there listening. Hope in god and you will again be able to praise.

In Malachi 3 and 4 God will send His messenger who will purify the people. God accuses them of robbing Him but shortchanging the tithes and offerings. They have wondered what they get out of serving God. Instead of revering the Lord they are only in it for themselves. God does not stand for arrogance from His creation. God only remembers the humble.

How often do we shortchange God? We give of our time, our talents, and our treasures to every kind of outside activity and when it comes to serving the Lord we give of the precious little that is left. God challenges us: Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.  When we rob God, we are robbing ourselves of the blessings He is eager to give. Perhaps on this last day of the year we will recommit ourselves to give the best to the Lord, to give Him the full tithe and even our offerings. It is then that we show the reverence to God that is due Him. Think about it.

 Revelation 22 presents the same living waters as Zechariah did flowing from the throne of God out from Jerusalem. Those who serve God will see His face; His name is on their foreheads. We wash our robes in the living waters and worship God.

Jesus promises that He is coming soon. We wait for His coming. If you are thirsty, drink the living waters. They are a gift from God. Come, Lord Jesus!

Congratulations! You have read the entire Bible this year. But this is not the end. Every time you pick up the word of God He speaks to you. Keep reading. God has a message just for you.

In Malachi 1 and 2 God is displeased with the sacrifices given at the altar. The people no longer present the best, the spotless. They give the seconds, the irregulars.

The priests are chided because they no longer teach the proper things like Levi did at first. They have led the people astray. Judah has been faithless. They wonder why God is displeased. They ignore the fact that they are not giving God their best, that they have broken the covenant. They have wearied God with their words.

 Psalms 149 and 150 are also songs of praise. The encourage lively praise in worship with dancing and the playing of instruments.  As Psalm 150 ends: Let everything that breathes praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!

Zechariah 13 and 14 very much seem to be prophecies concerning the last days. The Lord takes the throne and rules over all the earth. The battle is fought on the Mount of Olives. Living waters flow out from Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be an eternal city. Everything will be declared holy.

 Revelation 21 presents much the same vision. God creates a new heaven and earth. There is a new Jerusalem. Jesus is on the throne. God provides eternal light. There is no darkness, no death, no mourning.

Zechariah 11and 12 presents an interesting illustration of how God dealt with His people. They are the sheep and the leaders are the shepherds. The shepherds doomed the sheep. The Lord had two staffs Favor and Unity. But the sheep didn’t want Him as a shepherd. He asked for His wages and they gave Him thirty shekels of silver (the 30 pieces of silver paid to Judas?) The Lord broke Favor and annulled His covenant with the people. Then He broke Unity and divided the countries. They will all struggle.

God will bring one up to be like David. God will show compassion on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They will mourn over the one they pierced.

It is unclear whether this oracle is about something during the time of Zechariah or about Jesus.

 In Revelation 20 the devil is through into the pit, eventually into the lake of fire. Jesus sits on the throne and the dead are raised and judged by what is recorded in the books.

In Zechariah 9 and 10 God punishes the nations that are against Israel. Its king rides in on a donkey bringing peace to the nations.

God is angry with the former shepherds of the people. They led the flock away. Now the Lord provides for the people. It will be as though He had never rejected them.

 Psalm 148 is a song of praise. All of creation is told to praise God.

In Zechariah 7 and 8 God remembers the disobedience of past generations but promises that things will change. He will no longer treat the remnant the way He did in the past. He will establish them in Jerusalem and will bless Judah and Israel. The people will dedicate themselves to dealing justly with one another and they will live in peace.

In Revelation 19 the multitude in heaven praise God for his just judgments. It is time for the marriage between the Lamb Jesus and His bride the church. Christ comes riding a white horse. He judges the nations because He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.