God-talk and godless chatter

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching the blog archives for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog. As you read, I encourage you to record any reflections or comments you may have, for the entries here serve best as the first remarks in a conversation.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Friday, July 2, 2010
Devotions: Ps 140-43; Num 24:1-13; Rom 8:12-17; Mt 22:15-22

YHWH, deliver me from evil men and from the hands of the wicked. Cover me in the day of battle, and thwart the desires of the godless. Let the mischief of my enemies’ lips overwhelm them and burning coals fall on them. I know that YHWH maintains the cause of the afflicted and executes justice for the needy. Let my prayers be as incense before Your. And Lord, set a guard over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips. Keep me from evil and the company of the wicked. Let a virtuous man rebuke me, the let the oil of the wicked never touch my head. My eyes are locked on You, YHWH, my Refuge. Keep me from the trap laid for me by enemies, and let them fall into their own snares. I cry to You, my Lord; deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too many and too persistent for me. I meditate on the days of Your glory and what Your hands have done. I lift my hands and my heart to You; make haste to help me, YHWH. Teach me the way I should go, and deliver me from my enemies. Guide me on a level path; I am Yours, so preserve my life!

Balaam could see that YHWH was pleased to bless Israel. God’s Spirit came over him and he spoke: ‘The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, whose eye is opened. I hear God’s words, and see what God reveals. How fair are your tents, O Jacob, and your encampments, O Israel! They are like far-flung valleys, like aloes and cedar trees planted by YHWH. Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed will spread across many waters. His king shall exceed Agag, and his kingdom be exalted. God led Israel out from Egypt and gave him horns like the wild ox. He will devour his enemies; he will shatter their bones; his arrows will pierce them. He has laid down like a lioness or lion—who will rouse him up? Blessed be everyone who blesses you, Israel, and cursed be every one who curses you.’ Balak became enraged with Balaam; he clapped his hands in rage: ‘I called you to curse me enemies, and look—you have blessed them three times! Get out of here. I promised to honor you, but YHWH has prevented you from that honor.’ Balaam replied to Balak, ‘I told your messengers that if you gave me your palace filled will silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the worlds YHWH gives me; I cannot do either good or bad of my own will. What YHWH says, I say!’

Paul addressed the Christians in Rome: Brothers and sisters, we are debtors, but not to the flesh or to live according to the flesh; for if you live according to the flesh, you will surely die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear; rather, you have received the Spirit of Sonship. When we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’ it is the Spirit Himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God. And if children, then we are heirs of God and fellow heirs with the Messiah, provided we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

The Pharisees had a conference to decide how to entangle Jesus in His own talk. They sent emissaries, with some Herodians, saying to Jesus, ‘Teacher, we know you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and are swayed by no human influence, for You do not regard the positions of men. So, then, tell us what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?’ Jesus was aware of their malice, and replied, ‘Why do you put Me to the test, hypocrites? Show me the money for the tax.’ They brought a denarius to Jesus. He held it up: ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’ They said, ‘Caesar’s.’ And Jesus concluded, ‘Render therefore to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.’ His questioners marveled, and they left Him and went away.