many thousands

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0352Psalm 3

The more powerful you are, the more enemies you will have.  David was in a time of distress, where he could count his enemies in the “many thousands.”  They were all out to get him, convinced that he had outlived his usefulness.  Most of us will never know that kind of distress. 

I felt it a few years ago when the country I was living in was experiencing numerous terrorist attacks.  Usually I felt safe in the city I lived in, but I can remember a few nights when I wondered if someone was targeting me and my family.  Every sound seemed threatening.

But for all our worries, big and small, we have the same Savior.

LORD, we lie down and sleep, we rise again, for you sustain us.  Our salvation is in you.

Posted in David, deliverance, fear, prayer | Tagged | 1 Comment

pain man

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_03511 Chronicles 4

The prayer of Jabez became a popular topic a few years back.  It stands as a kind of spiritual oasis in the midst of these genealogical records.  Jabez probably feared that his name (which contained the same Hebrew letters as the word “pain”) would bring him misfortune.  His fears were misguided, but at least he knew where to take them.  He prayed to his God, and left his fate in the LORD’s hands.

Everyone has something they fear.  For me it is an early death.  Both my father and my brother died in their 50’s, and I am 51.  I inherited the blood disorder that killed them.  I do not know if it will take me this decade, but it is possible.  The only thing I can do is what Jabez did – take my fears to the LORD. 

LORD, here are our fears.  You are our help, and our confidence.

Posted in confidence, dependence upon God, Judah, prayer | Tagged | 1 Comment

rage or sing?

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0357Psalm 2

The people who first sang this song were making a faith statement about their king.  Even though the other nations around them were straining under his harness, and plotting to overthrow him, the Israelites knew that he was the LORD’s Anointed, either David himself, or someone from his line.  Their song advised the Gentiles to get on the king’s good side, or they would see trouble.

Writers of the New Testament recognized this psalm as a reference to Christ (Acts 4:25-28; Hebrews 1:5).  He is the ultimate referent of this psalm, who will bring all the Gentile nations into his kingdom. God is doing this thing. It is going to happen.  We can either rage about it, or sing about it.

LORD, thank you for your Son, our Anointed king.

Posted in David, faith, future, Jesus Christ, second coming | Tagged | Leave a comment

dysfunctional

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_03361 Chronicles 3

In the center of this three chapter genealogy is the line of David.  Long after the demise of the Davidic monarchy, records of David’s line are kept and published.  There is still hope that a man will come from Judah’s line who will bring restoration and peace to this troubled people.  Every story in the Chronicles is a reminder that God is at work in the lives of these people, but they are a dysfunctional lot. The redeemer has not come yet.

So, today, there is a similar outlook with the church.  Our God is at work in our lives, but there is a missing piece to the puzzle.  The church is dysfunctional, but she exists. Some become disappointed with the church and separate themselves from her, but she is the bride of Christ.  He is coming back for her.

LORD, give us the courage to be and stay faithful to your bride.

Posted in church, commitment, courage, Judah, second coming | Tagged | Leave a comment

two men, two plants, two ways

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0362Psalm 1

The temptation is to teach Psalm 1 as some kind of guarantee that if people want to be happy and prosperous this year all they have to do is read and meditate on scripture.  I will not yield to that temptation.  That is NOT what the psalmist is saying.

The comparison is between the temporary and the permanent.  Two men make a choice: one choice leads to temporary happiness, the other to permanent joy.  Two plants flourish, one yields fruit for a time, and then is destroyed, the other stands long after.  Two ways are compared, but only one is known by the LORD, who lives forever.  Only one way is eternal, lasting beyond the judgment, and forever living in the congregation of the righteous.

LORD, give us a desire for permanent joy.

Posted in discernment, faithfulness, joy, time | Tagged | Leave a comment

refusing to forget

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_03461 Chronicles 2

Looking back on this family record, the remnants of Judah are seeking some kind of word from God that explains who they are and where they are going.  Their story is one of brokenness and failure.  They have plenty of skeletons in their closet.  Even Judah himself acted irresponsibly toward Tamar, but finally admitted that she was more righteous than himself.   There is Achan as well, who troubled the whole people with his greed.

But there is also the proof in these records of a faithful God who preserved and prospered his people.  Judah is left hanging by a thread at this time, but they also know that God is able to preserve them, and to bring back their honor.  These are the chronicles of a people who refuse to forget God.

LORD, make us a people who refuse to forget what you have done for us, and still hope in you.

Posted in confidence, dependence upon God, hope, Judah | Tagged | Leave a comment

control

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0340Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Wisdom is not about changing the environment so that things happen the way we want them to.  Wisdom embraces the world around it, and lets the time determine itself.  Wisdom wants to laugh, but is ready to cry.  Wisdom wants peace, but is ready for war.  Wisdom wants success, but can handle failure. 

What kind of year will this be?  We do not know.  The question we should be asking ourselves is not what kind of year this will be, but what kind of people will we be this year.  Will we be prepared to roll with the punches, or will this year be our undoing? We may not be able to control the circumstances, but can we control ourselves?

LORD, give us wisdom to stay under the control of your Holy Spirit this year, regardless of what it might bring.

Posted in dependence upon God, discernment, discipleship, wisdom | Tagged | 1 Comment

impact

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_03501 Chronicles 1

The list of names in this chapter is impressive.  Although the chapter traces some of the family tree of Israel, it mostly lists the descendants of Adam who branched off to make an impact on the world in another way.  People hearing these words in biblical times would be impressed by how many geographical names they include.  They would have heard of great places in the world, and this chapter will remind them that great places were founded by great people.  Israelites hearing these words would also hear the names of their enemies: the descendants of Esau, Ishmael, Egypt. 

What kind of an impact on this world will we make?  When people hear our name on a genealogy list long after we are gone, will it be with pride, disgust, or indifference?  It is time to make an impact for the gospel.

LORD, guide our lives so that we make a difference for you.

Posted in evangelism, gospel, leadership | Tagged | 1 Comment

it’s a wonderful life

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0343Job 42:7-17

Job’s restoration begins when God intercedes, and the first thing to be restored is his relationship with those three therapists.  Job takes the upper hand and prays for them.  This is more than simply a vindication of Job’s righteousness, it is acknowledgment that no amount of evil experienced can overcome the power of a right relationship with God. 

Afterward, all of those who would have been expected to show Job support and sympathy return to his life, and then his health and fortune are restored.  The man who had lost it all returns to become again a shining example of God’s blessing and goodness. 

LORD, out of all the blessings that you give us, help us to cherish the one thing we will never lose – our relationship with you.

Posted in compassion, dependence upon God, family, Job, relationship with God | Tagged | Leave a comment

best guesses

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0335Job 40:6-42:6

The LORD first challenges Job, and Job quickly repents and submits.  While Job was right to defend himself, he really did not understand God enough to explain what was happening to him.  God describes two powerful creatures, showing that if humans cannot explain them, they certainly cannot come close to understanding their creator.

Our common approach to science quickly eliminates the wonder of what is.  The moment anyone dares to suggest ignorance of the basic issues of life, he is bombarded with answers, in spite of the fact that most of those answers are best guesses.  Sadly, most of the best guesses come from a scientific community which refuses to entertain the suggestion of a creator.  All Job needed to face the reality of God’s existence was another look at what is.

LORD, forgive us for refusing to see you in what you have made.

Posted in creation, humility, Job, submission, worldview | Tagged , , | Leave a comment