Psalm 1, Luke 6:17-26 Psalm 1 tells us where true happiness comes from. First it tells us where it doesn’t come from. It doesn’t come from following the advice of the wicked or taking the path that sinners tread or sitting with those who are disrespectful to God. Instead, it is when you delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. It compares them to a tree by water which yields fruit and prospers in all they do. In contrast are the wicked who are said to be like chaff that the wind blows away. The Lord watches the way of the righteous but the way of the wicked will perish. Our Luke passage is a familiar passage known as the Beatitudes. We have all learned it as “Blessed are,” but other translation like the CEB here translate it as, “Happy are.” It is interesting comparing Jesus’ words on who is happy with what is said in Psalm 1. Jesus doesn’t seem to make much sense saying happy are the poor, the hungry, and those who weep. Yet Jesus tells them why they are ...

  Psalm 138, I Corinthians 15:1-11   Psalm 138 is a great Psalm of praise for God’s steadfast love, faithfulness, and protection. He tells how when he called to the Lord, God answered him increasing the strength of his soul to endure the hard times. He talks about walking in the midst of trouble, yet God preserves him against the wrath of his enemies. God’s right hand delivers him. What the Psalmist sees in all this that God has a purpose for him and due to all of God’s blessings he has faith that the Lord will fulfill this purpose. Yet he ends saying, “Don’t forsake the work of your hands.” In Corinthians Paul tells what the good news is. This news he has been called to preach. It is his purpose as an apostle. He calls himself the least of the apostles saying he was unfit since he used to persecute the church of God. What a turnaround! One who persecuted God’s church now proclaiming it. He reflects what the Psalmist says in Psalm 138 about the Lord regarding the lowly. ...

Jeremiah 1:4-10, I Corinthians 13:1-13 In the first chapter of Jeremiah the prophet himself tells of his call. The Lord tells him how he was consecrated before he was born to be appointed a prophet. Jeremiah like Moses says, “I don’t know how to speak.” Jeremiah is just a boy which he points out to God. In return God tells him not to say this since he will go where God sends him and speak what God commands. God tells him not to be afraid because he is with him and will deliver him. Then touching his mouth God tells him, “I have put my words in your mouth” and tells him he’s been appointed over nations and kingdoms. So how does this passage go along with the famous love chapter of I Corinthians 13? Well, this exhortation of love follows passages in the previous chapter which talks about spiritual gifts and how everyone has one. If we reflect on the Jeremiah passage we have been consecrated to one of them before we were born. Prophecy is one of the gifts mentioned. In fact, it is giv...

Psalm 19:7-14; Luke 4:14-21 Psalm 19 tells us of the benefits of the law, its decrees, commandments, and ordinances. The psalmist tells how the law of the Lord is perfect since it revives the soul. The sure decrees of the Lord make wise even the simple. The commandments enlighten one – give light to one’s eyes. The ordinances are both true and righteous. They are more valuable than the finest gold and sweeter than the honeycomb. It not only warns us of wrong doings but in keeping of it there is great reward. Jesus, a Jewish man was brought up on the Law and the Prophets and when he arrives at the synagogue at Nazareth he reads the scroll of Isaiah 61 where it tells how the Spirit of the Lord is upon him to bring good news to the poor, release of captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and setting the oppressed free. He ends the reading telling how he is proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor. This told about the expected day when the Messiah would come. Jesus then surprises the...

Psalms 36:5-10, John 2:1-11 In our Psalms passage the psalmist raves about the steadfast love of the Lord. He measures God’s love as extending to the heavens and God’s faithfulness to the clouds. God’s righteousness is like the mighty mountains and judgements like the great deep. He goes on to tell how all people can take refuge – be protected – under the shelter of God’s wings. The psalmist continues his extravagant words saying not just that we eat of God’s abundance but that we feast on it. What to drink? He says it’s from the river of God’s delights. God provides the absolute best. When Jesus was on earth he provided the best wine at the Wedding in Cana. He didn’t just turn the water into cheap or moderately good wine – but the best. The people at the wedding truly drank from the rivers of God’s delights. Some translations call this the river of pure joy. Are we diving into this river of pure joy? Jesus reflects these descriptions of God. The Psalmist continues saying that Go...

Isaiah 43:1-7,19; Romans 8:35-39 As the fires rage in California this week leaving entire towns destroyed including its churches it’s easy to wonder where God is in all this. These two passages declare God’s love for us which nothing not even fire cannot separate us from. Isaiah encourages us not to fear for God has redeemed us. We are God’s – due to this God is with us like a loving parent. So, when we pass through the waters and rivers of life (barriers) you won’t be overwhelmed by them knowing God is on your side. Isaiah is reminding them of the crossing of the Red Sea and the prophets crossing the river Jordan. Then the verse quite apropos for today: “When you walk through the fires, the flames shall not consume you.” He is reminding them of the story of Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego who escaped the flames they were sent into. Your life like theirs is so precious to the Lord that your house and town may burn down but you will be saved. I remember when I was growing up we h...

  Isaiah 60: 1-6, Matthew 2: 1-12   Isaiah is sharing a vision of a restored Israel. Into the darkness your light – the glory of the Lord will rise upon you. He tells of not only nations but of kings will come to this light. He talks about the restoration of all they have lost. Nations will bring camels and food from the sea. Interestingly the kings will come and bring gold and frankincense and proclaim the praise of the Lord. Does gold and frankincense ring a bell and the statement that kings will present it? Yes it goes with our Matthew passage we all celebrate of the Three Wise Men presenting gifts to the young Jesus. We just had Epiphany Sunday where we celebrate these men, their gifts, and yes their worship and praise of Jesus. Did these men read the book of Isaiah or did Isaiah see them in his vision? They consult with the scribes and chief priests who direct them to Micah 5:2 which states the Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem. A light is spoken of as a star which...