Obedience is a difficult word to swallow for wayward children. There seems to be something deep in our sinful nature that salivates to embrace rebellion. A false sense of control perhaps when we sense injustice at work in our lives.

And God’s children embraced much injustice at the hands of their captors. The book of Daniel introduces us to an effective young leader who demonstrates what it means to defy all odds the world sets against us and live a life of obedience to God. Because sometimes we may find ourselves in unlikely life situations where our true faith and allegiance will be put to the test.

While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”

Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.”

When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”

Daniel 10:15-19

Daniel knew injustice. He was taken as a young man in his teens when the Babylonians invaded his country and, because of Daniel’s knowledge and spirit, he was taken into the fold of the royal courts to train for their purposes. Daniel was thrown into a lion’s den to be devoured as lunch. He received knowledge and wisdom from heaven to interpret dreams and visions. People sought to destroy him. And he saw much and most likely trembled more than most. But Daniel knew- at a very impressionable and tender age that forced him to grow up pretty swiftly- what it meant to let God lead in the most difficult of circumstances.

Life Application:

Most of us have lived through- or are living through- a most difficult set of circumstances. The situation or circumstance may differ from soul to soul, but the obedience required in order for us to successfully see the other side is the same. Injustice can seep into the marrow of our bones like a sickness. When we feel as though we have been dealt a most unfair hand, its easy to turn to despair or anger before we turn to the God who allowed us to suffer in the first place.

It would good to err on the side of wisdom and stand upon the truth that God already planted: He understands our suffering and will be be with us through the fire like He stood with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the burning furnace. He lives through what we live through. And its important that we choose to be a part of a community that understands that truth as well.

The people in our village need to be courageous enough to help us turn from ourselves and turn to our God. And we need to be strong for them in return for the circumstances of life don’t define us but they do shape us. And in it all, to Christ be the glory.

Father, sometimes its hard to stand firm when injustice tests our heart. We don’t always understand your ways and the plans you have set before us, but help us to see that despair need not define how we see the world but define how the world sees us. In Jesus name, amen.

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The children of Israel were in ruins, of this we know. And God brings hope out of smouldering piles of nothingness. This was the call and appearance of a gutsy young preacher named Ezekiel. He was a Jew who lived in slavery in Babylon having to begin anew each morning knowing he lost all that was dear to him. But though his former life lay in ruin, his faith did not. 

The Jews had a difficult seeing beyond the situation and circumstance before them finding hope in the rubble. Understandably so when everything you knew is no longer. But God had a plan to resurrect the hearts of His people and He positioned Ezekiel at the right time and right place to minister to His children. His commission was to show the people that they had a choice: either turn to God fixing our eyes on him, or befall eternal damnation for our refusal.

“Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’

“They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

Ezekiel 11:17-21

Ezekiel’s heart was to show God’s people that God was indeed at work to restore what was lost. And just as it wasn’t destroyed in a day, it would take time and an obedient heart to restore it back to its former glory. He is still working. And that glory is not the comforts that once surrounded them, but the glory of a heart submitted in awe to the Father and King who loves them.

Life Application:

It’s a difficult truth to swallow: turn to God or turn to your own ruination. But, alas, the scriptures are clear and Ezekiel’s words still hold truth for the Word is living and breathing. When we look at the community around us, do we as a collective village hide Ezekiel’s words in our hearts so we may not sin against our God? Have we surrounded ourselves with people who can understand- and live out- how to love but can agree to disagree with the views of the world?

It is becoming more and more difficult in our world to hold God’s Word to the highest of authority and standard. We are bombarded with messages of goodness-in-self which has caused us to become somewhat selfish in our theology. Because without God, it is difficult to see good. Because the Word tells us God IS good. And good comes in many different forms. But Ezekiel’s bottom line is this: before we can look to the authority of people, we must first look to the authority of God.

Father, help us to see your authority at work in a world that struggles to accept US. May your guidance and compassion rival all acts committed against your people who’s heart desire is to love without bounds. In Jesus name, amen.

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To lament. Lamenting is the guttural cry of a soul in suffering. And the children of God knew it well. We open the book of Lamentations- accurately named- witnessing the exile experience. God’s people were dealing with loss and pain. So raw and real and faith changing. The horrors that scoured the streets of a decimated Jerusalem were the worst display’s of the human condition.

The temples were destroyed in Babylon. The people were taken into Babylonian slavery. Children were slaughtered and all matters of hell on earth seemed to present themselves to these exiled and beaten children of the Most High. And like any other in the human experience, they struggled to believe God was still with them and felt like God had walked away from His Holy Temple.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24

But the book of Lamentations provides us hope in the midst of our suffering: God does not turn a blind eye to it but instead enters into the suffering with us. There is hope to be found when we live through suffering. Though we live in a dishevelled world riddled with sin and suffering, there is hope to be found in the scripted words of God’s children who knew suffering well.

Life Application:

We all suffer. This truth we know, but it appears that some in this world suffer more greatly than others. Of God’s sovereignty we will never understand but all can agree that to suffer is a part of humanity. So, when we suffer, do we do it alone? Who is it that comes alongside us to embrace the suffering we may be forced to endure? Who is it that uses their hands to lift our chin up along with our spirits?

The children of Israel suffered together as a community. They understood what they were going through as a collective unit. When life deals us a less than ideal hand in this game called life, who are the players sitting at the table? We can find our greatest strengths in community when breaking bread, debating ideology, and lamenting our sorrows with others who are suffering as well.

Suffering comes in many forms and grief in many stages. The death of a loved one, the loss of a friendship, job, or dream can lead a soul to despair. Perhaps the greatest thing we can do in this search for our village is to open our front doors to the lamenting soul offering a place of peace, comfort, and a good dose of mercy with our coffee cake.

Father, we may never understand your ways and question the severity of life’s blows, but in wisdom we know that a world riddled with sin is a world riddled with pain. May we open our hearts to understand the beauty of suffering and the hope you have promised in its wake. In Jesus name, amen.

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Jerusalem has fallen. The temple has been destroyed; her king exiled as Judah’s existence is no longer. And in the middle of the crumbling and defeated nation, her allegiance and obedience nothing more than smouldering ashes upon the ground, we find the prophet Jeremiah. His warnings of Judah’s demise were akin to foghorns in the mist of a darkened night. But his warnings appeared to fall upon the nearly deaf ears of God’s children attempting in vain to cling to the last vestiges of their faith.

Many biblical scholars look to Jeremiah in awe of his humanity on display within his prophetic calling. When everything he had ever known was crumbling around him, his writings confess of the struggle in his call having to deliver the messages of Yahweh. But Jeremiah remains steadfast to his life purpose though it was difficult. He warned God’s beloved to change their ways committing themselves to rightful living. But war ravaged, a king was lost, and the lands once known as their promise overtaken by a hostile army. All seemed lost.

Perhaps one of the most famous- and most quoted- verses known in the bible is the utterance of Jeremiah smack dab in the middle of the book. Jeremiah sent a letter from Jerusalem to what was left of those who were in exile taken to Babylon including King Jehoiachin, his mother, government leaders, and elders. He encouraged them to pray for Babylon’s well being making themselves a home while they were to lie in wait for God’s return. After a time of seventy years, God would return for them. God made them a great promise. A promise that each and every one of us continue to hold dear:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

Life Application:

As Jeremiah encouraged the exiles in Babylon to lie in wait making a life for themselves until God’s return, we too, as Christ’s beloved church are encourage to the same. The world we live in is crumbling down all around us. The sin and shame of which we find ourselves smoulders in the background of our lives. And we, like Jeremiah, may struggle in our humanity but must stay steadfast to the call and purpose of our lives.

Yes, God does indeed have a plan for us. Individually and collectively for when Jeremiah penned these words into his letter, he was speaking to a collective audience of God’s exiled children. God has a plan for us, Christ’s church, village, and community. This passage is one of the greatest evidences that we were never meant to do life alone. In a world swift to sift, we are Christ’s exiled. And as we lie in wait for His return, we are to create a life together for His purposes and not our own.

Father, we wait. We live as your exiled in a world quickly going up in smoke. Though we must live within the ashes, we need not get burned. Help us to stay steadfast in our call doing life together and thriving through it. In Jesus name, amen.

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As we enter into the the writings of the Prophets, we first encounter the poetic heart of Isaiah. It has been considered that Isaiah was more of a evangelist than a prophet for he spoke greatly of the coming King prophesying His demise and resurrection for Isaiah’s words are referenced many times by New Testament writers.

Isaiah’s words consist of sixty six chapters that deal with nearly everything we face in this human experience. The book of Isaiah opens with his warnings of judgement that will befall us when we choose to make our worship of the one true God a religious game of rituals. It is a lamenting of a fallen people- God’s very children- and their rebellious unfaithful hearts.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners
Isaiah 61:1

But though Isaiah preaches hard words meant to stir a complacent soul bringing a healthy fear to its surface, he also preaches of the Lord’s comfort to His people. Christ coming as God’s salvation to His people is a heavy presence that hovers over the entire book. Isaiah speaks with passion of the Good News that awaits God’s beloved giving promise that the glory of the Lord will rise upon them. He paints beautiful pictures of the King that will come to bring peace and favour to the land that is theirs.

Life Application:

Isaiah preaches heavily on the ramifications of having an unfaithful heart to the God who desires an obedient and loving relationship with us, His children. But let us ask ourselves, what are the ramifications of having an unfaithful heart to the community of which we belong? How committed we are to our village speaks greatly to the value we place upon it. The scriptures themselves shine a very bright light upon the truth that we need to submerse ourselves into a body of believers who place Christ as the head. This is called the church, and Christ is the head of this body.

The term ‘church shopping’ has become a common phrase in today’s culture. With the advancements of technology we can feel a part of an organization without even stepping foot in the door. Technology most assuredly has its place, but its purpose is to support the Gospel and not replace it. Committing ourselves to a church- that church being the people within it not the bricks that surround it- is fundamental in our plan of salvation. We cannot play a game of religious rituals for the church, its purposes, gifts, and abilities encourage us to be faithful in our journey proclaiming the Good News to a world seemingly bent on destroying itself.

Father, thank you for the church body of which I belong. The people within it are a gift helping me in my journey with you. May I preach the Good News of your plan to all those who need to hear it, and may the village of which I belong help me to be faithful to your purposes and not my own. In Jesus name, amen.

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Song of Solomon, the poetic journey of two lovers, is believed to have been authored by king Solomon though some biblical scholars deem it possible it was written by another and dedicated to the king. Either way, we know that it was written from the innermost intimate part of the heart. It is the book often referred to as the one that unravels the sexuality of the human spirit. It is a book that possesses the ability to make even the most vocal on the subject ponder and pause meditating on how physical love was created to be: a weaving of two hearts for one greater purpose.

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
for your love is more delightful than wine.
Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;
your name is like perfume poured out.
No wonder the young women love you!
Take me away with you—let us hurry!
Let the king bring me into his chambers.

We rejoice and delight in you;
we will praise your love more than wine.

Song Of Solomon 1:1-4

Jewish tradition reads the book as a correlation between God and His chosen people, Israel, whereas Christian tradition reads the book as a correlation between Christ and His bride- the church. Either way, either correlation, it is a picture of what desire and commitment should look like in the human condition- not only between and man and a woman in marriage but between us and heaven’s throne.

Life Application:

In a world gone rogue, our sexual nature is probably the most muddled, perverted, and hardest hit part of our being by an enemy who desires to destroy us. And it would seem that he is intent on poisoning the most intimate part of our being in order to destroy the relationship between us and our Creator. The very Creator who moulded our sexuality in His image when He created Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Our Creator who knew before all time and eternity how the enemy’s sexual deviance would ripple throughout our world taking lives and darkening souls.

Of these truths we must be aware. We must educate not only ourselves but our children of the enemy’s tactics and the war we must fight each and every day. And we must protect each other within our community. Are we setting up boundaries within our village to safeguard our marriages? Are we keeping our eyes and ears open to protect our children? And are we learning the truths of sexuality by pressing into God’s Word or pressing a few buttons to search Google?

Though it is not always comfortable, it is necessary. We are all aware of the statistics hearing our fair share of stories of others who’s brokenness has caused a ripple effect throughout families, schools, and communities. But we must remember that God’s sovereignty is still at work and freewill means the choice is always ours to make. The consequences are not.

Father, please protect my heart and safeguard my soul from the enemy and his tactics bent on destroying all that you hold dear. Help me to protect my children and the marriage you have bound together for your good and perfect purposes. In Jesus name, amen.

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Vanity. How deep the roots can grow when our fertile soul finds itself a friend of this world. In the book of Ecclesiastes we find who we presume is king Solomon unravelling his roots in search of meaning. And he fails to find any in the vanity of life leading us, the reader, to witness the greatest of wisdom on full display:

I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.
Ecclesiastes 1:14-15

The book of Ecclesiastes is not long in length but Solomon’s writings within it are widely regarded as some of the most significant words ever scribed. As a man who had the world and all of its riches at his feet, he understood how futile it is to chase after smoke. Everything from self-indulgence to wealth possesses the ability to corrupt the heart taking our eyes off of the only prize worth chasing: God’s presence. Everything must come come to pass; all things have a shelf life.

Life Application:

The common phrase ‘Keeping up with the Jones’s” can be heard running off of our lips, but how quickly do we allow it to run off our heart? In our North American culture we are saturated with the message that our success and fulfillment is measured by the things we have and the company we keep. Sometimes coveting our neighbours lush, green, and weed free grass is as easy as breathing. We often harbour a desire to feel elevated in society and these feelings can lead us down a very treacherous path.

Statistically North Americans are in more personal debt than any other time in history. We buy big houses, big cars, and generally live it up big. The problem isn’t with the size of our home- especially if we can afford it- it is with the size of our pride that saddles itself to our soul when we sign on the bank’s dotted line. And it isn’t just what we have, but the pride that comes with trying to keep up with accomplishments. We are quick to hear our neighbour bragging about their child’s recent feat, but are we experiencing genuine joy for their success or anxiety at our own familial failures?

In the village of which we belong, are we trying in vain to keep up with those in it? What is it that aligns us to those with whom we break bread or share our heart? We would be wise to heed Solomon’s God-breathed words embedding them into our hearts so we may not sin against the very God who created us flesh, soul, and all. Let us enjoy all life has to offer by loving those with whom we share life, eating that which has been provided, and seeking the joy we have in Christ. I’m not sure who the Jones’s are, but let’s not make them the standard by which we live.

Father, grant me the contentment my soul seeks by taking my eyes off what world has to offer instead turning my eyes to all you are. May your peace saturate that in me which aches for your presence. This world is not my home and has nothing to offer that will satisfy my soul like you do. In Jesus name, amen.

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The book of Proverbs is a collection of writings, a good portion written by king Solomon, that biblical scholars considered to be a manual for every day living during our human existence. And wisdom- God’s wisdom- is an essential gift of the Holy Spirit that we as believers must seek in order to make good and right choices as we navigate this human experience.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favour and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 3:3-4

King Solomon is considered one of the most respected kings in history for his insight and wealth, but in his latter years he struggled to stay true to God in his worship tainting his views with that of other religions. The kings who succeeded Solomon on the throne often failed to keep the wisdom scribed by Solomon, many wise in their own eyes. As we read farther into the passages, we encounter the wisdom of other kings including king Hezekiak, king Lemuel and an Arab man by the name of Agur, all of whom had wisdom deemed inspired by God Himself.

At the very beginning of the book we are confronted with the greatest wisdom of them all: everything must start with God. We are encouraged bluntly to bow down to God for only fools withhold submission to the One who created all the heavens and earth. And foolishness is a term used often; a term of endearment one would not desire to be saddled with through life. But fools we are if we fail to listen to the teachings of those who have gone before us.

Life Application:

Wisdom and knowledge are two very different things when it comes to right living. We can possess great knowledge about a great many things, but a lack of wisdom is a hurdle guaranteed to trip us as we run the race of life. The writings of Proverbs are rich in detail of how we must live with each other in community for life is better lived with one another. The teachings are specific in how we must conduct ourselves in relationship: guard ourselves from those intent on evil, separate ourselves from those who love to sin, free ourselves from the gossip of a loose tongue, surround ourselves with those who choose to be wise.

We have all heard the words ‘you are the company you keep’ uttered from our parents lips, and we know this to be true. So, naturally, the village of which we are rooted will either thrive by the way we choose to love or suffer by the way we choose to live. Are we choosing to live by the wisdom of those who have gone before us learning from their mistakes so we may not make our own? Are we upholding Christ’s standard by loving our neighbour just as we desired to be loved in return?

Wisdom is the greatest of allies we can have in this life- wise in our own eyes will only fail us miserably. And for this gift we must pray for God’s Word promises that the Spirit will pour it out in abundance if only we should ask.

Father, pour out your wisdom until it saturates my bones. Help me to make right choices in how I live and love others within the village I call home. May the words of my mouth and the actions of my heart be not only pleasing to you but help me find favour in the eyes of those see me. In Jesus name, amen.

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The Psalms, song lyrics composed by David, his son Solomon, music directors, and various others, are probably the most commonly known scriptures to man. They are the hearts cry and beautiful reflection of the human condition at work in worship.

Many of the worship songs we sing today are still comprised from words penned into the book of Psalms. There seems to be a unity unlike an other when God’s children gather to sing praises to His name. Praises written thousands of years ago by children who longed to be in the presence of their King. And children who’s human condition and heart longing hasn’t seemed to have changed.

I will exalt you, Lord,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
Lord my God, I called to you for help,
and you healed me.
You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
you spared me from going down to the pit.
Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favour lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:1-5

David called out to the Lord to hear his cries, answer his questions, and remove the pain and anguish that often saturated his soul. Within the pages of this book we find a collective voice of worship of which each and every one of us can relate. The children of Israel would gather and lift their voices in humility offering praise yet calling out for help all in the same breath. A call for help and a call of praise seem to be synonymous with each other in the throne room.

Life Application:

Gathering in worship with other believers is a most powerful experience for true worship requires a posture of humility. It is often difficult to sense the movement of the Holy Spirit when we aren’t focused on the throne instead thinking of our to-do lists and endless life demands. When our hearts are not invested in seeking His presence, others around us can sense our hesitation and lack of attention.

God desires our hearts to seek after His akin to the cries of David. When we engage in worship with the Lord, are we concerned about how we may appear in the eyes of those who may be worshipping around us? Are we more focused on the community around us than how we are communing with Christ? For when we allow the stresses of the day to fall away instead focusing on the moment with God, we are offering those around us freedom to worship freely. When we don’t worry or focus on the actions of others in worship, caring more about appearances than our hearts posture, perhaps others won’t worry or focus on us.

Father, may my heart be in tune to yours, may you always hear my cries, may your presence saturate my very being as I long to be in your presence. Help me to focus on you during these times of worship and less on the community around me. In Jesus name, amen.

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The name Job is likened with the term suffering. It is almost as if we are unable to see beyond what Job went through in his human existence to witness the beauty within it. Job was a righteous man, wealthy, well liked, and found favour in God’s eyes for he was honest, bled integrity, and was devoted to God. But alas, Job suffered. Greatly.

Scripture describes the enemy of our soul- Satan- like a lion prowling the earth for his prey. And he preyed upon Job petitioning God’s throne to do damage to Job’s life in order to manipulate Job into cursing God’s name. God gave Satan what he demanded, the only stipulation that he could not stretch out his hand in order to hurt him.Hurt being a most debatable word for many because Job was battered mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and even physically as his health was attacked. But Job had breath to breath. Words to speak. Of that Satan could not take away.

Losing his family, his fortune, and everything in-between, Job was at a loss. Even his own wife encouraged him to curse God’s name. But Job refused instead choosing to lament to God questioned His sovereignty over his life. We encounter three friends by the names of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar who travelled from afar to keep Job company and offer him comfort during his time of distress. Scripture reveals to us how torn these men were in their grief for their friend, barely recognizing him for the pain had changed Job greatly.

But Job calls out his friends and their ill-advised words of comfort blowing the whistle on their lack of faith in God Almighty. God didn’t mess up. He did not assign trouble to the wrong servant. He did not make a mistake in dishing out consequences. Job recognized that the village he belonged to did not understand the God he honoured even though he suffered.

Life Application:

In the words of Eugene Peterson, “Pity can be nearsighted and condescending; shared suffering can be dignifying and life-changing.” Do we embrace the suffering of those in our village lifting them to God Almighty, or are we akin to Job’s well intentioned friends sharing in their grief yet offering our own ill-advised words of comfort? It is easier to find wisdom within a situation from an outside perspective than and inside one, but that doesn’t necessarily make it right. Adversity has the ability to strengthen the community around us or cause it to come crumbling down. And life is riddled with suffering and grief. Perhaps one of the greatest lessons we can learn in how to strengthen our village comes from Job and his unwavering faith in the midst of chaos choosing to turn his questions to God in his time of trouble. Too often we are quick to seek answers from those arounds us, but the truth is that we are all in this life together and the answers aren’t so easily found. Let us embrace the suffering of those in our community offering our prayers in petition to the only One who has the answers we seek.

Father, help me to embrace the suffering of others seeking the beauty in the brokenness that is life. Too quick am I to offer answers when my lips should be turned to Your ear and not someone else’s. Though suffering is part and parcel in life, we are never alone nor without Your presence through it all. In Jesus name, amen.

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