Whatever we do, God is faithful, holy and loving

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 in the archives, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Devotions: Ps 78; Neh 9:26-38; Rev 18:9-20; Mt 15:21-28

People, listen to my teaching; I’ll speak of the core matters that our children must learn—the glorious deeds of YHWH. He established His testimony among the descendants of Israel, and commanded that we should hand His commands down generation by generation. Again and again, our ancestors were stubborn, rebellious and turned from our God. The Ephraimites deserted on the day of battle; they forgot God’s goodness, and His mercy in delivering us from Egypt; He opened the sea so our people could cross. He led us through the wilderness, by a column of cloud by day and of fire by night. He provided abundant food and water, even in the trackless desert—and still we sinned more and more, rebelling against the Most High. They grumbled, craving meat—he sent them manna from heaven and countless quail—delivered right to their camp by the hand of God. They sated themselves, but still shunned Him. So He let them fall in the desert—and when He killed them, they remembered, repented and sought God earnestly. But they were never steadfast toward Him or true to His covenant. Yet our God, compassionate, forgave their sins and did not destroy them. He kept in mind our mortality. How often they rebelled in those forty years; they tested God over and over and provoked the Holy One of Israel. They recalled neither His compassion nor His awesome power; they had witnessed all this when God forced Egypt to let them go from their bondage—the signs and wonders piled up until finally every firstborn in Egypt died on a single night, and God led forth His people as a shepherd leading a flock. He brought them into His holy land and His holy mountain. He gave them the Law, and He drove out nations before them, settling their tribes in a new and fruitful land. Still they tested and rebelled against the Most High God, provoking Him to anger as they turned to foreign idols and graven images. God forsook His dwelling at Shiloh; He gave His people over to the sword—youth, maidens, even priests. Again He delivered them, destroying the persecutors of His people. God chose the tribe of Judah and Mount Zion; there He built His sanctuary. He chose David His servant, taking him from the sheepfolds and making him king of Israel, shepherd of God’s people. And David cared for the people of God with upright heart and skilful hand.

Ezra recounted the same story before the exiles as they rebuilt Jerusalem during the Babylonian exile: ‘Despite Your goodness, O God, our ancestors were disobedient, rebelled against You and cast Your law aside. They killed the prophets You sent to warn them, and they committed great blasphemies. So You gave them over to enemies, who inflicted suffering—and from their suffering, they cried again to You, and according to Your great mercies, You sent saviors to deliver them. After they had rest, again they did evil before You. The dreary cycle goes on and on. We are a presumptuous, sinful, stubborn, stiff-necked people. And You, Lord, continue steadfast: loving and holy. So, Holy One, Covenant Keeper: look with favor on our struggles now. Our leaders have sinned greatly; our misfortune is just—we deserve punishment. We are slaves today in the land You long ago gave to our ancestors; its richness goes to pagan kings You have set over us due to our sins; they have power over our bodies and our chattels. In this extremity, Lord, we write a covenant and all our princes, priests and Levites ascribe and seal it.’

The kings of earth and her business tycoons will mourn for the great harlot, Rome—her fall has meant the end to their riches, and their traffic in human misery. They have lost the richness for which they sinned—all that ill-gotten wealth has perished in an hour! So also mourn the shipmasters and seafarers whose commerce was the blood of the world system. But let those in heaven and the people of God rejoice—saints, apostles, prophets and angels: for God has declared judgment for you and against the great whore. A mighty angel cast something like a huge millstone into the sea, and declared ‘So shall Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and shall utterly disappear—no more sounds of revelry, no more the plying of crafts and trades, no more industry, no more light and celebration, no more weddings and feasts. For all this wealth was founded on the blood of the prophets and saints of God, all those slain to fuel the lust of godless commerce.’

Jesus withdrew from Galilee to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon!’ Jesus didn’t answer at first, and His disciples asked Him to send her away. Jesus told her, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and knelt before Him: ‘Lord, help me!’ He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.’ She replied, ‘Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Finally, Jesus said, ‘Woman, your faith is very great! Be it done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed at that moment.