Kingdom living

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. As you read, I encourage you to add in any reflections or comments you may have.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Devotions: Ps 78; Gen 45:1-15; 1 Cor 7:32-40; Mk 6:1-13

Consider God’s ways with His creatures: He established His testimony among the tribes of Israel, and gave them His law. He commanded that we keep the story alive, teaching our children and grandchildren about God. God’s people have been fractious and rebellious: the Ephraimites deserted in battle, forgetting all God did for them—not least Joseph’s sons. The more God gave, the more the people took, and sinned. They kept grumbling and protesting. God provided water, bread and meat in the wilderness, but also punished them for their sins. Repeatedly, God had mercy, the people recovered, and again fell away from God. God delivered and tended His people like a loving Shepherd. He brought them to the holy land, to the mountain of His might. He settled the tribes of Israel there. Yet still they rebelled against the Most High. In wrath, YHWH forsake the shrine at Shiloh; He delivered the ark of His might into Philistine hands, and gave the people over to the sword—youths, maidens and priests fell before the sword, and the widows made no lamentation. When God relented, He chose Judah to lead Israel, and put His sanctuary on the top of Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. He took David from the sheepfolds, and made him king over the people of Israel, and he guided them with a skillful hand.

When the brothers brought Benjamin into his house, Joseph could not restrain himself. He cleared the room, and made himself known to his brothers. The Egyptians in his household were alarmed by their master’s tears and cries. Joseph forgave his brothers: ‘Now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here. God sent me before you to preserve life, to preserve for Himself a remnant on earth. So it was God, not you, Who sent me here; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord over all his house and all the land of Egypt. Now go to my father and tell him Joseph bides him to come and dwell in the land of Goshen, and there I will provide for you all. Tell our father of the splendor I have in Egypt.’ And Joseph embraced his brothers, and wept in joy with them, and they talked together.

Paul continues his discussion of marriage under God. ‘I want you to be free from anxiety. A single man can put all his energy into serving God; a married man must divide his attention between God and his wife and household. An unmarried woman or maiden can focus on serving God; a married woman is anxious about how to please her husband and manage her household. I say this to help you, not to constrain you—I want to spare you struggle and secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. However, if someone is engaged and troubled by passion, let him marry—it is no sin. But anyone who can control his desires, and who remains betrothed but chaste does well. The one who can refrain from marriage has made the better choice. Wives are bound to their husbands while the husbands live. And when they are widowed, women can choose to marry anyone they choose, in the Lord. In my judgment, they would be better off to remain single. And I think my judgment is directed by the Spirit of God.’

Jesus taught: Keep your piety private; public shows of devotion are rewarded by human acknowledgement, and instead, you want the approval of our Father in heaven. Give your alms quietly; those who trumpet their charities are getting their reward from the human community—and that’s all the reward they will have. Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you. Likewise in prayer: when you pray, avoid public shows like the hypocrites. God into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father Who is in secret; and He will reward you. No need to heap up eloquent language in prayer; our Father knows what you need before you speak. Pray like this: ‘Our Father in the heavens, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors; and lead us not into trials, but deliver us from the evil one.’