God's sovereign power

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, in the archives.

Monday, June 15, 2009
Devotions: Ps 77, 80; 1 Sam 1:1-20; Acts 1:1-14; Lk 20:9-19

In times of trouble, I meditate on the Lord and His goodness. I know that God will not keep silent forever, but I am an impatient sinner, especially when I’m in some trouble or pain. YHWH, Your way is holy; You work wonders for Your people, my Redeemer! You provide leaders to Your people, and guide us along our way home to You. Shine forth, great Shepherd! Restore us, O God; let Your face shine and save us! Let Your hand protect Your chosen people, and sustain our lives.

A man in the hill country of Ephraim named Elkanah, had two wives—Hannah and Peninnah. He favored Hannah, but she was barren, and over a period of years, this causes her increasing pain and sorrow, especially when the fruitful Peninnah mocked her. One year, as the household sojourned in Shiloh near the place of worship and sacrifice, Hannah went to God’s altar to pray. She wept bitterly as she prayed. Eli, the chief priest, saw Hannah and concluded from her actions that she was drunk. Hannah denied this: ‘I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink; I am afflicted, and I have been pouring out my soul before YHWH, out of my great anxiety and vexation.’ Eli answered, ‘Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant your petition.’ Hannah went her way relieved; her appetite returned, and she was sad no longer. In due time, Hannah conceived and bore a son, whom she named Samuel, commemorating that she had asked for and received this child from the Lord.

After Jesus was raised from death, He presented Himself alive and performed many signs of holy power for a period of 40 days; He continued to speak of the kingdom of God. Jesus told His disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit, and the Father had promised through Jesus. They asked when Jesus would be restoring the kingdom of Israel, but Jesus answered, ‘It is not for you to know the times or seasons the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth!’ After saying this, Jesus was lifted up before them, and a cloud took him out of their sight. As they gazed after Him, two men in white robes appeared, and said to them, ‘Men of Galilee, why stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heave, will come again in the same way you saw Him depart into heaven.’ The apostles returned to Jerusalem, and settled into the Upper Room, along with the women of Jesus’ party, His mother Mary and His human brothers; the apostles included the brothers Peter and Andrew, Zebedee’s sons James and John, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James. Together, these devoted themselves to prayer.

Jesus told this parable to his Jerusalem listeners: ‘A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to tenants, and left the country for an extended period. At harvest time, he sent a servant to collect the owner’s share, but the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. Over a period of time, the owner sent two more servants, but the tenants treated the first shamefully and wounded the second. Finally the owner sent his beloved son, thinking the tenants would respect him. But instead, they murdered the heir, thinking the vineyard would become their property. What will the owner do? He will come and destroy those tenants, and give the vineyard to others!’ Jesus’ audience was aghast. But He pressed on: ‘It is written, “The very stone the builders rejected as become the head of the corner.” Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush any onto whom it falls.’ His parable cast blame upon the scribes and chief priests, who tried to apprehend Jesus that very hour.