21 January 2016

Scriptures:

• Psalm 19
• Genesis 19
• 1 Chronicles 21:18-22:19
• Luke 12:13-48

Observations:

In the psalm, we have four stanzas, each with a different theme. The first is praise, showing how all of creation sings praise to God. The second is scripture, praising the word of the Lord in how they guide man in what is right and wise. The third is contrition, wherein David asks God to show him his faults and asks God to cleanse him. The last is commitment, as David, in my understanding, commits himself to the worship of God, entreating that his worship would always be pleasing to God.

Well, there is a whole lot going on in the Genesis passage: Lot's delivery from Sodom, Lot's wife turning to salt, and Lot's daughters taking advantage of him. What stood out to me is Lot's reticence to leave Sodom. I understand, that was his home, but it says something about the strength of his faith compared to Abraham's. We also see it in his sons-in-law's derision of Lot's warning to leave the city, his wife's turning back, and his daughters' incestuous actions. If he sought after God more and had a deeper relationship with God, would his sons-in-law have reacted differently (or even been different people)? Would his wife and daughters have acted differently? I would say so. His faith set the tone for the way he and his family settled and interacted in Sodom. The difference here, between Lot and Abraham, is that Lot put himself and his comfort first, then God. Abraham put God first (usually) and his comfort second. Now, I'm not saying be legalistic, doing thousands of good things for God, becoming an ascetic and selling all your possessions, etc. I'm saying seek God first, not ourselves.

Okay, so in 1 Chronicles, this is following God's punishment on Israel for David's sin of pride in taking a census. At the place where the angel stopped in Jerusalem, a threshing floor, David was commanded to build an altar. So, he bought, full price, the threshing floor and built an altar on it, sacrificing to God for forgiveness and peace. At that spot, David commissioned the temple to be built, though God had previously told him that it would be Solomon to do so, since David's hands were so stained with blood. So, David did all the leg work in acquiring the resources and workmen for Solomon to use.

So, in Luke, we have three passages that are often read separately, but, when read together, make for an amazing synergy. First, we have the parable of the rich fool, in which Jesus is admonishing us not to stockpile assets and riches on earth instead of investing in God, for we will all be called up and our earthy possessions will serve us no greater purpose. Second we have the encouragement to not be anxious, which is begun with a "therefore", indicating it flows from the first passage. Because we are to invest our efforts in God instead of earthly assets, we are encouraged to not be anxious about having enough to eat or be clothed, but to have faith that God, whom we are invested in, will care for our needs, closing with a reminder that where are treasures are is where our hearts are. Last, we have the call to readiness. If we are then invested in and committed to Christ, should we not also be preparing ourselves to move at his command? Should we not be busy doing his work so that when we are called up, we are not caught unawares, engaged in worldly vices, but prepared and engaging in the work we have been given.

Application:

The application I see is two-fold.

Part I

In what ways do I serve my own comfort?

Where do I reluctantly follow God's direction?

Part II

How am I investing in Earth instead of God?

What do I need to rid myself of so that I may lean upon God?

What is the work God has given me to do?