28 September 2015

Scriptures:

• Luke 19:47-20:44
• Ezekiel 19
• 2 Samuel 17:24-18:23
• Psalm 58

Observations:

In the Luke passage, we begin to see the opposition of the pharisees, priests, and teachers of the law to Jesus and Jesus' responses to their attempts to trip him up in matters of scripture or law.

The Ezekiel passage talks about the kingdom of Judah as it was, compared to how it is now, a shadow of its former self, taken captive by the nations around it.

In 2 Samuel, we see the outcome of Absalom's attempt at a coup - his death (despite the direct command by David to not kill him)

In the psalm, we see David praising God for his righteousness and justice.

Application:

I think, if I were to draw a theme across all of these passages, it would fall into this general idea: The progression of a Christian from seeking God's heart to man-made standards of religion, motivated by a personal desire for status and position. Essentially, that's what happened with the Jews, with the formation of the pharisees and sadducees, to the point that they were aware of who Jesus was saying he was and the scripture to back it up, but refused to believe it because he did not act according to their ideals and standards they had set today. Absalom rebelled against David because he did not get the treatment and recognition he thought he deserved. Israel turned away from God because it thought it knew better than God what to do and how to live.

And God is a God of justice and righteousness - only his way is acceptable and permissible.

So, where do we stand, then? Am I acting and perceiving in a system of self-made strictures or am I following God as laid out in the Bible, in a manner stemming from a genuine faith and relationship with God? One is dead and the other is filled with life.

Now, don't mistake me - theology is good and valid, adding to the understanding of who God is. It's kind of like asking your wife's friends what she might like for a gift - they have added insight you may have missed. So, don't discount the theology for a fluffy, emotionally-driven faith which may be prone to burn out, but don't discount, either, the emotional, relational connection for an empty structure. Both are necessary aspects.

Prayer:

God, allow me to come deeper with you. Help me to understand better emotionally and mentally, to build those connections, that I may come to a greater relationship with you.

Help me, also, to implement those in my day-to-day relationships with my wife, classmates, and other peers.

Keep me from drifting into a space of code-driven legalism or of mindless emotion, but instead bring me to a coherent whole within you.

Amen