Pay Attention to God’s Ways!

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Friday, January 5, 2018

Pay Attention to God’s Ways!

These admonitions really hit home, God. The words this psalmist writes are strong and emphatic. No nonsense, here. God  is the only one we ought to pay any attention to.

Consider the verse of Psalm 119 we are to consider this time. Verse 15 says to listen up!

I will meditate on Your commandments

And give attention to Your ways.

Some powerful words indeed, written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Give an ear to this: ”Every gift we receive, every new understanding, drives us still deeper into the Word of God. We need time for God’s word.” [1]  Wow! That verse almost makes me really want to study God’s Word in depth. (I mean, morethan I am studying the Bible right now.)

Bonhoeffer does not pull many punches. He is quite direct in his admonitions, as well, and lets his readers know that with his direct speaking: “Certainly, God will often require quick action; but He also requires stillness and reflection.” [2]

Just to make sure that his readers did not miss one of the main points of this verse, Bonhoeffer demands that we consider this. “The Word of God demands our time. God Himself entered into time and wants us now to give Him our time.” [3]

How wonderful the riches to be found in the Bible. Old Testament, New Testament, both are important and both contain wisdom and knowledge for us, in abundance. (Bonhoeffer would definitely agree.) In fact, he scoffs at the theologian who merely makes his or her own interpretation and solely speaks their own thoughts—to the exclusion of mentioning the Word of God at all. That is not a fruitful manner in which to consider God’s Word.

Dear God, thanks for such a serious attitude and approach to Your Word. Help me—help us to value it and to treasure it as much as Bonhoeffer did. In Your Son’s name we pray.

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Why not visit my companion blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

[1] Meditating on the Word, Dietrich Bonhöffer, edited by David McI. Gracie. (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Cowley Publications, 2000, 121.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid, 122.

Take Delight in God’s Decrees

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Take Delight in God’s Decrees

I am amazed at how earnest the psalmist is, sometimes. Taking delight in God’s rules? Laws? Decrees? I know this psalmist really meant it, with all his heart.

Let’s read verse 119:14, as translated by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

I have taken greater delight in the way of Your decrees

than in all manner of riches.

As Bonhoeffer said, “’Delight’ is the great word, without which there can be no walking in the way of God.” [1] He then mentions the Gospel of Matthew, where a man found a treasure hidden in a field, and then buys the whole field for the joy of it. Such exuberance. Such joy.

Sometimes, I cannot quite bring up the joy of the Lord from within me. I wonder why? Perhaps the day-to-day routine covers up that joy. Maybe the week-in, week-out rat race gets me down. Yes, I can read statements like Bonhoeffer’s, that “God’s word creates joy and delight in the one who receives it.” [2] Yes, it is delight about restored fellowship with God, and the ability to walk with God, sit with, cry with, even be angry with God.

But, I suspect it is much more than that. I am delivered from fear and separation and alienation from God. God’s Word – which is both the Bible and the Logos – is full of that joy. Especially at this time of year we hear about it. “There is the great proclamation of joy about the incarnation of the Word of God in Jesus Christ in Luke – ‘Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people’ (Luke 2:10).” [3]

Even though people go through challenging times, or difficulties, or the valley of the shadow, or joy on the mountaintop, there is still joy. That good news of great joy is truly a delight. I can reach out and accept that gift of great joy. I can delight in that precious treasure. Thank You, Lord. Thank You for this matchless gift of the incarnation of the Word of God. Thank You.

@chaplaineliza

 

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my companion blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

[1] Meditating on the Word, Dietrich Bonhöffer, edited by David McI. Gracie. (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Cowley Publications, 2000, 119.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid, 120.

Treasure God’s Word in My Heart

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Friday, December 1, 2017

Treasure God’s Word in My Heart

We come to a verse that I memorized very early in my work of Scripture memorization. As I still remember Psalm 119:11, “Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” (The first number of verses I memorized came from the King James version of the Bible. A lovely, poetic version, but not always the most understandable.)

As Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes on this verse, he translates it “I treasure Your promise in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” Similar content, slightly different translation of the first section. Slightly different imagery, but still an awesome verse. I think this has been one of my favorite verses—and concepts—from the Hebrew Scriptures that I have ever committed to memory.

I absolutely agree with Bonhoeffer. Straight off, he says “I do not treasure God’s promise in my understanding but in my heart. It is not to be analyzed by my intellect but to be pondered in my heart.” [1] Yes, theological concepts can be analyzed. Certain weightier sections of Scripture benefit from a careful, clinical study. However, the psalmist here states plainly enough that God’s word needs to be pondered, and hid—or treasured in one’s heart.

How deeply do I need to allow God’s Words to penetrate into my innermost being? Bonhoeffer says “It must penetrate deep within us, dwell in us, like the Holy of Holies in the Sanctuary, so that we do not sin in thought, word, or deed.” [2]

Oh, dear Lord…those words of Pastor Bonhoeffer convict me to the heart. I am not even thinking of any specific sin, or shortcoming, or place where I need to mend my ways. However, I know that I very much need God’s Word in my heart. Oh, boy, do I need it!

While this verse is one of my all-time favorites, yet, it also convicts me. I hesitate, even, before allowing it onto my internal radar screen. Dear Lord, gracious God, help me to follow You more nearly and love You more dearly. Encourage me to hide Your word in my heart, because I do not want to sin against You, and do things (or think or say things) that displease You and even make You angry. Dear Lord, forgive my falling away, and my falling short. In Jesus’ precious, powerful name I pray, amen.

@chaplaineliza

 

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my companion blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

[1] Meditating on the Word, Dietrich Bonhöffer, edited by David McI. Gracie. (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Cowley Publications, 2000, 117.

[2] Ibid.

Treasure in Clay Jars—So Fragile.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, April 16, 2015

Treasure in Clay Jars—So Fragile.

We have a treasure within our fragile, frail bodies. In clay jars. Paul says so, in the second letter to the believers in Corinth.

This extraordinary power comes from God, not from us. This power is available to me, ready to be tapped. Any time I need it. Whenever I am going through traumatic situations or heart-rending challenges, this heavenly yet paradoxical treasure is shining, waiting. Ready for me to access the light of the knowledge of the glory of God.

I know that Paul says “we are afflicted, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair.” But—what about someone I know? Or, rather, knew? Someone, who was a faithful worker in God’s vineyard for years. This dear one shared of that treasure within with compassion, kindness, and God’s nurture. This dear friend communicated the gracious and loving word of God’s good news and hope to so many. But, died by suicide recently. What about this dear one?

I believe God is crying right now. I believe God is cradling this dear one in a heavenly embrace right now. I believe God’s everlasting arms of comfort and care are surrounding all those who are mourning right now. Including me.

Dear Lord, gracious God, be with all who mourn today. Not only those who mourn the passing of this particular dear one, but with all who mourn–everywhere. Those in traumatic grief over sudden, accidental death. Those in complicated grief over death made even more difficult by any number of emotional situations. Those conflicted by the grief at the end of a long illness who also breathe a prayer, “at last!” Dear God, You know those who mourn today, and I lift each of them to You. I lift each one who mourns someone who died by their own hand, too. Surround each one with Your support and encouragement. Dear Holy Comforter, help each grieving one who has no words, or is beyond words. Send Your assistance to each, in ways that You know will assist them in their grieving and reframing of their lives. In Your mercy, O Lord, I earnestly pray. Amen.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And read #40acts sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .