April 27, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“You will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches. Instead of shame, My people will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation, they will rejoice in their share; and they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs. For I, the LORD, love justice.” (Isaiah 61.6b-8a)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD TO US:

Most of us were raised with “Do as you are told.” Of course, human nature, especially in children coming of age in their own mind, too often choose rebellion against authority deciding for themselves whom they will serve, where they will go and what they will do. The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden can be read with that maturation process in mind. In the story, the pre-teen and teenage adolescent experiment is skipped over. The “adult” mind is supposed to kick in immediately: untried and untested. Maybe that is why God allowed Satan to enter into the Garden to test Adam and Eve as later Job underwent testing himself but with more severe consequences, trials and tribulations. If we remember Deuteronomy 6.16-18, we would recall the warning extended by Moses to the nation of Israel. There is says two fundamental truths: do not put the Lord God to the test as you once did and do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord. From that should we be able to infer the following: God will put us to the test in a variety of means and methods not to fail us but to strengthen us and not trusting God’s word in all things and at all times never proves to be a good nor fruitful decision. I alluded to this in the previous reflection on the verses preceding these for today. God seems very clear that living into our true identity and calling will result in a prosperity of life we cannot imagine. I know of stories, and have experienced a few moments myself, where trusting God in those difficult times and pressing forward to live according to His word brought a benefit I could not have conceived of my own volition. When I thought it all impossible and I would have to struggle mightily to meet a need, God provided. I did not put God to the test, I tested myself. I challenged my own resolve to do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord. Such moments and opportunities are like a descriptor used by Donkey in speaking to Ogre, “…it is like an onion that has many layers.” Sometimes our desire to do what is right and good wants to cut straight to the core. Doing that has often left me literally in tears. Equally, our decision to trust and follow God maybe a “core” decision but we put caveats on God and ourselves like the layers of an onion. The expectation is “we give a little” and “God gives a whole lot.” It is not the way it works!

So, let me go forward by going back to what I had previously considered. James, the brother of Jesus and head of the Jerusalem Council in the years following his brother’s resurrection and ascension said this to the believers in Jerusalem, “You do not have, because you do not ask. And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures [i.e. what you want and think you need]. (James 4.2b-3) What is the saying “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” In the days of Isaiah, in the days of James as it is today, we find ourselves more concerned with wants and needs than in trust and obedience to God’s word. We may even say “I believe, I trust, I promise” but it goes back to that layering effect. In response, God cuts “straight to the core” and tears of grief, sorrow and realization burst forth. Those tears are good, if sincere, because they wash over the soul and baptize it with renewal. What was God intending when He “cut to the core”? He was and is challenging us to believe in His word and trust Him to fulfill the promise He knows is best for us. Look at the world today. It has not because it does not ask the right question with the right intent with the good end in mind. When we, as James said, are more focused on our pleasures [i.e. what we want and think we need], then we do not truly get what is best. We may even get what we want but find no satisfaction in it and turn in another direction. The challenge is to be who we are intended to be. Even in our relationships, whether personal or professional or as a community, if we are not centered on the truth of who we are and what we are supposed to do for the benefit of others, then we find our struggle. The truth of the matter is often a bitter reality. But we must face it. Casting our lot, putting our trust in God, does not mean we are putting God to the test. Rather, it means we are accepting the challenge to be tested trusting in God in all things, seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness alone. Impossible? On our own, yes. But even there, God has provided what is needed and in spiritual and real life terms “what is needed.” Do we believe that? If we believe in authentic justice and joy, we should. So let’s give it the try it deserves.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness which we know is folly but righteous works which declare Your glory and further witness the truth that can set all who believe free from death. So may we live by the name of Jesus our Christ. AMEN.