God's activity in the world

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 22, 2009
Ps 89; 1 Sam 5; Acts 5:12-26; Lk 21:29-36

YHWH, I will sing of Your steadfast love forever, your faithfulness stronger than the heavens. Let all creation praise our Maker and Master, YHWH Sabaoth. Your throne rests on righteousness and justice; Your ways are full of wisdom and compassion. Blessed are all who know and worship You. You have revealed Yourself to humankind through the people of Israel and the line of David. Apply that covenant love to me, Lord: ‘I will not remove My steadfast love from him, or be false to My faithfulness. I will not violate My covenant or alter the words I have spoken.’ Amen, Lord. We face judgment because of our own sins; but come again to me, my God; forgive and heal. Blessed be YHWH forever!

When the Philistines captured YHWH’s ark, they carried it to Ashdod, and set it up in the temple of their idol Dagon. But the next day, they found that Dagon had fallen face down before YHWH’s ark. So they returned the statue to its place. The next morning, the statue was again prostrate, but its head and hands lay severed on the threshold. To this day, members of that cult do not step on the threshold when they enter or exit the temple. While they held the ark, the people of Ashdod and its territory were sorely afflicted with tumors. So they sent the ark to Gath; and soon the tumors broke out among that community, causing panic. And the ark was again relocated, to Ekron. A deathly panic devastated Ekron, and those who didn’t die from fear were stricken with tumors, and the cries of the city went up to heaven.

In the period following the Holy Spirit’s advent on Pentecost, the apostles did many signs and wonders among the people of Jerusalem. They stayed together, at Solomon’s Portico. New believers flocked to the growing church, and even outsiders held them in high honor. Many were brought to the city to be healed, and healing came, even from those on whom Peter’s shadow fell! But the high priest and Sadducees, filled with jealousy, arrest the apostles. But at night, YHWH’s angel opened the prison and brought them out; the angel told them apostles: ‘God stand in the temple and address the people with all the words of this Life.’ So they obeyed, entering the temple at dawn and beginning to teach. Meanwhile, the Jewish authorities sent officers to bring the apostles from prison; but their emissaries returned and reported that the prison was locked, but the prisoners were missing. About then, someone came and told them, ‘The men you put in prison are standing in the temple, teaching the people.’ Then the captain and officers went and brought the Christians to the Jewish leaders in assembly—but without violence, for the authorities feared being stoned by the people.

Jesus told His disciples this parable: ‘Consider the fig tree and the other trees: when they begin to show leaves, you know that summer is near. Likewise, when you perceive the signs I have described to you, you know that God’s kingdom draws near. This generation will not pass away until all I have described has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not! Take heed for yourselves: don’t let your hearts be burdened by dissipation and drunkenness and daily cares, so that the days of wrath come on you like a sudden trap. These times will fall on all who live on the earth. Keep alert always; pray that you’ll have strength to escape these things to come, and to stand before the Son of man.’