merittmusings

The Witness of Space

www.bible.com/1713/psa.19.1.csb

Need a lift? Look up. The awe and wonder of the expanse above us is often enough to silence any critic. We cannot fathom the vastness above us. A look into the night sky shows us the twinkling of a thousand or so stars visible to the naked eye. It’s beauty and majesty is often enough to give us a sense of awe.

But if you took a simple optical instrument, like binoculars, you see a little bit more. Then a telescope, and it’s a bit more. Then a bigger telescope, and a it’s even more. Then you take an array of radio telescopes, and our awe only increases. And then observations from satellites and the Hubble telescope, and we soon realize that the universe is bigger than we can comprehend. We learn that our stellar neighborhood is vast, but the galaxy is bigger, and the galactic neighborhood is millions of light years across, but incomparable to the trillions of light years seen in the deepest parts of space of other galactic clusters. Like everything, the closer you study and the harder you look, there is always more to discover. Why is that?

Because “the heavens declare the glory of God”. God’s glory isn’t just something shiny and pretty to look at. The glory of God is the wonder of his handiwork. Your own accomplishments are your own glory, and speak to the kind of person you are. The heavens are God’s glory, and speak to the kind of person He is. What do the heavens tell us about God? Space is big. God must be bigger, since nothing made can be more than the one who made it.

There are places in the universe that keep running without our involvement. Places we will never see, like the surface of planets galaxies away. God knows all about them. He’s been there and He keeps them running, though our eyes will never witness it. Why?

Because that’s God. He is everywhere. Our God can keep the universe in working order. I am thinking He knows a thing or two about your problems and how to solve them. Look up. Know that God is in control, especially when you are not.

God bless you today!

CONTEXT!

www.bible.com/1713/exo.14.14.csb

I love it when little verses like this are quoted on the verse of the day, and they are pregnant with meaning; until you actually look them up in Scripture!

This verse sounds like a very peace-inducing text. Oh, the Lord, He will fight life’s battles for you, oh yes. All you need to do is relax, stay calm, just be happy. Wrong!

This is in fact God telling the Israelites to “shut up!” The situation is much more tense. Pharaoh and His army were bearing down on the Israelites after their recent escape from Egypt. The people were clamoring in fear and grumbling against Moses and God in fear of their imminent death. The Israelites seems in imminent danger, and Moses receives this message: “the Lord will fight for you. Be quiet!”

That subtly changes the meaning, doesn’t it? Instead of “be calm, I got this” it’s more like “stop worrying about it, stop complaining about it, I got this.” The Lord knew then as we might today that all of that fear would induce panic, and the Israelites would be much harder to rally and take through the Red Sea. So a short, sharp word from the Lord zipped that right up so God could bring them through to safety.

God does not deal with us as our sins deserve. Praise be to the Lord! When we worry and complain we are speaking against God’s providence and planning. Yes, bad things happen to us. And there are things that God would never wish on his children, but they still happen.

I want you to note what God did here. God stopped the Egyptians, and provided a way of escape for the Israelites. God did not hurt the Egyptian army until they pursued the Israelites into the sea. The same circumstances that saved people of Israel overwhelmed the Egyptians.

I’m not sure if there is a greater lesson here, but in this instance, God did not send His angels to destroy he Egyptian army. They were destroyed by entirely natural means. They pursued Israel into what was obviously an act of God, the holding back of the waters, thinking that they too would benefit from it. But they only survived as long as it took the Israelites to cross the sea. Then the blessing was over, and they perished. They only benefited from God’s blessing as long as God’s people were present. They received the natural consequences of their sin when God’s people were removed.

Our nation receives blessing as long as we are here. If we abandoned our community, then they would suffer the natural consequences of its sin. When Lot and his family left Sodom, it was destroyed, but not until they left. When Noah and his family boarded the ark, the earth was destroyed, but not until they left. See a pattern here? God’s people have a preserving influence. There may be times where our influence is only staving off certain destruction and judgment (“Let those in Judea flee to the mountains”) but we are called salt for a reason. Salt preserves as well as flavors. We are the salt of the earth. As long as we are present, we still have a chance to do some good in this world and make an impact for Christ.

Yes, bad things happen. Yes, they happen to Christians. But we are not made for this world. We have a home waiting for us when our work here is ended. I hate to admit it but all we endure on this earth are growing pains. When our faith grows, it often hurts. But our faith is seeking maturity. And our faith affects those around us. It shows them a different way than the world. The stronger our faith, the more our influence.

So in the end, it comes back to the beginning. Do you trust God to fight for you? Trust His way of escape even when it doesn’t make sense. Do you run to water when you are surrounded by armies? Do you trust Him to wait on His leading in a bad situation? He will offer the path to escape. And sometimes your enemies will try to follow. It happens. But God didn’t make the escape for them.

All of this to say there is a much deeper story than what you can get in a single verse. The verse itself, read in isolation, offers a different flavor than when read in context. Read each verse in context. Please! Don’t run off and start new churches!

I love you all. God bless you and have a happy Monday.

First Place

www.bible.com/1713/mat.6.33.csb

When I went to college for the very first time, my folks made sure I was unpacked and ready for my first day, and then left me. It was the farthest I had been from home alone. I had no car and no prospects. I felt it. Though I was surrounded by people, I felt isolated.

So I sat down at my desk, from which many papers would spring, and opened my Bible. I turned to this verse. In my isolation and fear, I read this verse to myself. It reminded me that I am not alone, and whatever needs I thought I had were not as important as I thought they were. God would provide what He needed for me, and in His own time. I prayed earnestly that evening for God to be number one in my life. I learned that I needed to make God first priority in my life. If I seek first To the advancing of His Kingdom, and the spread of His righteousness in my life and my world, that all these things I was terrified of would melt away. He would provide. That is a very great and powerful promise. It’s exactly what I needed in that moment, and it has stuck with me.

I want to encourage you with these words this morning. I hope you have a great day in the Lord!

The Paths of Justice

www.bible.com/1713/pro.2.8.csb

In some of my reading this week, I came across this word “justice” as in as Chaplain we are to pursue justice for our patients. Immediately my mind went to some kind of “Chaplain PD” where we went after bad guys and brought bad actors to justice. But I have a feeling that’s not what was intended. No, the more modern concept of justice is about equality, not just equal under the law, but equal pay, equal work, equal rights, equality in marriage (same-sex), equality in taxation (or more taxes for more wealth) and so on. Justice has taken on very different meanings since the Bible was written.

Justice in the Bible is about God’s Justice, and that is a very scary thing. God is the standard of justice for all its forms. God is the absolute standard for right and wrong. There is no higher power. So when God is spoken of as upholding justice, it is according to His own eternal standards.

So when God guards the paths the justice, this is to say He ensures that justice, His justice, will be done. Justice over sin will prevail. His absolute justice will be served. Can it include economic and social justice? Probably, but in terms He has already laid out for us. If you need a refresher on Biblical Social Justice, I don’t suggest listening the latest pundits. I suggest going back to God’s Word. In short, everyone and everything belongs to Him; we are stewards and will be judged by our stewardship of His resources.

Good talk. Now get on with your day. God bless!

Struggle at the Altar

www.bible.com/1713/php.4.6.csb

It’s been a week here at the Meritt household. We had a short trip to Hershey, PA over the weekend and come back into a busy week at the hospital. Our Hospital has been letting go of staff to meet budget constraints so everyone is on their toes. Each wave of layoffs seems to leave a little more devastation in its wake. Like Jesus’s disciples at the Last Supper, we keep asking, “is it I” who’s next?

So that’s cause for some worry. And a whole lot of it. It’s thrown our household into a bit of s funk. And then this verse pops up in our feed. Perfect!

Because it’s exactly what I need to hear this morning. A reminder. Don’t worry about anything. Do you remember the God you serve? Do you remember the vastness of His riches of His grace and mercy, that God rules over all and we are His children? We think we are powerless to change anything, but when have we ever had power that He has not given us, sufficient for His needs?

And how do we receive that power, through prayer, petition, and thanksgiving. We present our requests to God, and He chooses whether to deliver in a time that He in His wisdom seems appropriate. It will never be too late, or too soon. And don’t forget that God weans us from those things that take us away from Him. If your job and your sense of security in that job is taking you away from God, is He not obligated to wean you from that job, so that your security is in Him?

I’ve been in several churches. Pastored them and shepherded them. But I’ve seen this at work in my own life. When life seems good, and my sense of security and joy has been in the success of the church work I was doing, something would happen, and force me back to the altar of prayer. I get conceited sometimes, and think of myself more highly than I ought. God has always made sure to take me down a few notches and remind me of who I am and who He is.

Which is why I find myself in this very humbling role as a Chaplain. It’s not what I want, but it’s what I need at this time in my life. God willing, I will be here until God has something else for me to do. I struggle to be content, but I am getting better at it. Sounds like I need to spend some more time at the altar of prayer. 😁

Well, that’s all for this morning. God bless you and and I hope today will be a great day in the Lord!

Conflict Resolution

www.bible.com/1713/col.3.13.csb

When I come into a conflict, my sense get really hyped up and I have a significant stress response. I hate conflict. I get really nervous and anxious and it just messes me up. I’ve tried to get better at as I’ve gotten older, but conflict resolution is still challenging for me.

So this verse shows up in the feed this morning forcing me to address my fears. Conflict is the result of people in conflict. Often that conflict isn’t solved right away. The trap is to carry it with you as resentment or as a grudge. You may be carrying one right now against someone who offended you or wronged you years ago. STOP!

Don’t waste years of your life on someone who wronged you. Even if they never ask for forgiveness, never let that stuff poison your soul. But especially, as this verse instructs, never let that stuff happen in the body of Christ. Jesus died and forgave you both for far worse sins that what you’ve done to each other. You have no right to hold a grudge against a fellow believer, because if Jesus forgave them of their sins, you must.

Now I get it. There are some people you don’t like. There are some people you would just as soon not spend time with. That’s fine. But eternity is a long time. If you can’t get along now, heaven may not be so heavenly. Do yourself a favor and let go of the right to be upset at someone.

I relapse as I write this that there are some pretty awful things people can do to one another, especially in the church. I’ve had awful things done to me. And I cannot sit here and tel you I am completely over them. But with age I have perspective and understanding of why people do what they do. I still have scars, but they are healing. I hope and pray your scars are healing too. I think they make you wiser and more cautious, but don’t let them get in the way of true friendships.

God bless you today.

Indian Giver

www.bible.com/1713/jhn.14.27.csb

When I was growing up, I remember this phrase being used around me, but I didn’t understand it. As I grew older, and understood the the complexities of relations between the United States and the Native Americans as this country developed, I thought I had a better grasp of it.

An Indian giver is one who gives with the expectation that he will be able to take back what he has given at any time. Many Native American tribes have the custom that if they give you a gift, then they expect one of equal value in return. The concept may refer back to this custom. It may also refer to the fact that despite numerous treaties with the Native tribes, the government always seemed to find a way out of the treaty. So I’m still not exactly sure where the phrase comes from. If anyone knows, please enlighten me.

What sparked this for me is Jesus statement that He gives peace, but not like the world gives. My interest here is the contrast between two types of giving and how they are different. If I am to understand this, it helps to know how Jesus gives. I know that God loved the world, and so gave His only Son, who suffered the penalty for our sins and gives us peace with God. God’s measure of giving is of infinite value, given without measure. That’s certainly not like the world, that likes to dole out only what it can afford to lose, or takes from one to give to another. God gave Himself.

Jesus also offers peace, beyond measure, to anyone. The world picks and chooses.

Jesus gives without expecting an equal gift in return. The world expects to be paid back. Jesus calls for faith and devotion. The world calls for enslavement, a “you owe me” mentality.

Jesus offers peace with An Almighty God before whom one day you will stand. The world offers temporary pleasures that must be paid for. Jesus offers to be your advocate and defend you with His blood. The world offers only sorrow and blame. Which would you rather have?

God bless you in your decision.

The Fruity Aroma of Repentance

www.bible.com/1713/mat.3.8.csb

I’ve noticed a lot of things are supposed to have a fruity aroma, like fine wine or gourmet coffee. Beers and liquors too boast the same. It’s like they are all trying to smell like they are repenting of something. Hmmm.

Of course today’s topic is repentance. Repentance is not a one-time, one and done task. Like faith and confession, repentance is constant, needing to be redone often in order to stay pure. Repentance is recognition before a holy God that you have sinned against Him, but also an active desire to resist those same sins that got you into trouble. Have you really repented if you go right back and commit them again? Hebrews 12 speaks of the sin that easily entangles, so yes there are sins we are frequent in. But our attitude of repentance should remain vigilant.

Should you be caught in a sin, the Bible clearly says to confess it. 1 John 1 says He will cleanse your heart from all unrighteousness. Confession of sin reveals its seriousness. When you name it before God, you acknowledge both your own sorrow over it and your understanding of how serious it is and how it drives a wedge between you an God. Repentance is the Spirit-assisted resistance to temptation to that sin again.

Do you have the fruity aroma of repentance? Of heart actively resisting temptation because you know how much it cost Jesus for those sins? Humility and worship both exude a fruity aroma before God.

I encourage you to have a blessed day. Now go forth and be fruity!

God bless.

Believe

www.bible.com/1713/gen.15.6.csb

While I see this word posted and repeated around Christmastime, I don’t think it has the same effect. Then it’s belief in a diminutive elf-man called Santa Claus and the whole mythology that surrounds him. No, that’s not saving belief.

Abram believed God and it was credited to his account as righteousness. Abram was granted some credit for his faith in God. I think we all do today, but we also have more knowledge than Abram did, namely of His Son Christ Jesus.

Belief in God is the beginning of faith in Jesus Christ, which Jesus credits toward salvation. You must believe if you are to be saved at all. Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Just a thought for a Monday morning. Trust God. Exercise your faith in Him. He loves you and will send you exercises. 😁

God bless.

Just a Word

www.bible.com/1713/pro.1.7.csb

There is a gulf of difference here between fools and the wise. If I understand wisdom not just as sacred knowledge but secular knowledge of the world God has made (with the understanding it was created), then fools deny both. Fools assume a godless creation and a godless life. Funny.

Fools can actually know a lot of things. But so much of it is useless knowledge. I am beginning to understand that wisdom is the sum total of all knowledge that both springs from knowledge of God and returns you to glorifying God in that knowledge. Wisdom is a beautiful thing if you can find it, and sort it out from all of the foolish notions that get handed out as knowledge. Foolish facts will lead you away from God. Wisdom will lead you to Him. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Elegant, isn’t it?

God bless!