June 10, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“So says the Lord: ‘This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word. But they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.

You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: “Your brothers who hate you and exclude you because of My name have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy! But they will be put to shame.’” (Isaiah 66.2b-5)

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

What is the conclusion to be drawn from yesterday’s reflection? Unlike the Oreo cookie, what was in the center was not the best. It was corrupt and corrupting. The practice of sacrificing others for one’s own advancement was the total opposite of what God had designed and required. Jesus spoke this truth clearly: “The Son of Man did not come into the world to be served but to serve.” It is one of the few declarations to be found in all four synoptic gospels. That would make it one of the “central truths” which defines our discipleship. It stands among the pillars of “what is the greatest commandment: love God and love others/the neighbor” and “no greater love is there than this that you love one another. The call to service is critical to our spiritual legacy. What is it the world seeks instead but to consume. Yes, the talk of conservation is all around us, but is it really about conserving resources and to ensure sustainability? Sustainability for whom? For others first? We do see these acts of charity and outreach in times of disaster such as have been recently experienced in flood, wind and war. Are we not alerted to these as “signs of the times.” Are these not the places where our discipleship should shine the best and the most? And in those places, in those moments, in those opportunities, are we satisfied that we have met the “outward need” of food, shelter, clothing? Are these the central needs of every human being? Is there more? If we did now deeper into the reality of life we will find that the central needs are the connections with one another and with God, with God and one another. When we practice charity do we leave something out? Is that “something” our connection to God from whom all blessings flow? Are the challenges and tribulations we face in this world punishments more than opportunities to serve and glorify God? What is the perspective we take and should take?

The perspective is “to tremble at the Word of God grasping the seriousness of it and its call in and over our lives.” We are called to “fear the Lord.” There are over 35 references to the call to embrace the “fear of the Lord” for wisdom, for security, for blessing, for salvation and for reminder of who is God (the source of justice). Keeping ourselves aligned with the right relationship of God in body, mind and soul as led by the Holy Spirit provides us with the “surety of His sovereignty.” Jesus Christ is the very example of this in His life and ministry as it led to the inevitable sacrifice to provide for the forgiveness of our sins and secure our place in the Father’s presence without fear in our eternal home. Such “fear and trembling” on this side of the gates of Heaven is a call to the “awe and wonder of an Almighty God.” He holds the powers of life and death (and gives them to whom He trusts who is His Son.) The conveyance of wisdom and knowledge as to the “good” life is given according to the Spirit of God. It is poured out upon all those who will believe in Him and walk in obedience to it. Losing that sense of “fear and trembling” as “awe and wonder” may create a loss of respect for God in one’s life. It would be too easy to say “God has turned His back on me” or “God’s eye is not turned in my direction” if all eyes (self and the call of others to see you first) are turned in the opposite direction. I would teach students in communication classes and leadership conferences “Consider how the conversation might smell to you and to your audience. If it is fragrant, refreshing, encouraging then all the senses are focused in one direction. If it smells of self-service, self-aggrandizement or just garbage for the sake of filling a space, then noses are turned away- either up (they are better than what you are saying), down (they are degraded as if they are what is rotting) or away (they no longer can bear what you are serving.) If, however, our attention is focused on God in that sense of service and worship then all things can and do work together for good. Honor God, love one another and serve the good which God has created for us, in us and through us. In this we will find the pleasure of God and His favor. Do otherwise and His justice will roll down like thunder and the smell of what remains will be disgusting like the fiery pits of Hell.

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 but as righteous works leading others to call Jesus Lord in whose name we pray and serve. AMEN.