Numbers 6

Numbers is one book out of the first five books of the Bible. As a whole, it is known as the Torah or the Pentateuch. They are, in reality, one body of work and hold significant weight, particularly for the Jewish people, but also for Christians. It's safe to consider the rest of the Old Testament applications, or extensions, of the Torah. 

Looked at another way, you can read the Torah as one story. Genesis serving as the preamble, Exodus as historical narrative, Leviticus laying out the stipulations, Numbers being a record of rewards and punishments (more of the latter, unfortunately), and Deuteronomy as the song. 

This introductory survey will not cover every verse of Numbers. It won't even cover every chapter. It is highlighting a handful of events within Numbers that I believe will surprise you. There will be beauty and mercy, alongside judgment and punishment. God reveals Himself over and over again to His people, the Israelites, for forty years while they are wandering in the Sinai Peninsula - slowly making their way from Egypt to the Promised Land. 

If you're new or feel new to the book of Numbers, the best way to read through this collection is by reading through Numbers in its entirety while making your way through this work. Additionally, The Bible Project has put together a helpful overview video of the book of Numbers. 

A brief sum of Numbers 1-6  

The book begins with the Israelites jeaving Mt. Sinai, where they received the ten commandments, or the decalogue (if you're looking for fancy words; I know I am). There is then a large census - where we get the title of the book "Numbers." Interestingly, the Hebrew people call this book "The Wilderness" or something along that idea. We also see the arrangements of the camp while they are following God's presence with the tabernacle. There are specific roles and tasks for each person in the camp. 

The tabernacle is literally titled the 'tent of testimony' - serving as a recurring, physical witness to the presence of God with His people. Inside the tabernacle was the Ark of the Covenant, a holy object that only specific people could handle (as you might have heard about Uzzah in 2 Samuel 6 or 1 Chronicles 13). The Ark of the Covenant carried in it the decalogue (10 commandments) given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. 

There are more legal enactments. If you find some of these troubling (which they are certainly at least puzzzling) please find a good commentary that can help unpack them more. The mistake we can make when we read the Holy Scriptures is to read it and transpose it onto our culture. A truth that we all need to remember is that the Bible was written for you. But it was not written immediately to you. It was written in a different time, to a people from a different land, living in a different culture. 

Right after the parameters for the Nazirite vow, we are introduced to what is called the "Aaronic Blessing" in Numbers 6:24-26. 

Aaronic Blessing - Numbers 6:24-26

v24 - The Lord bless you and keep you

This first line is well known, and I imagine you've already heard it before, even popularized in 2020 by the hit worship song "The Blessing." 

What does it mean for the Lord to 'bless'? Bless, generally, relates to the power to be fertile and prosperous in all areas of life. It means what it looks like it means, but specifically for the Israelite community (and really all ancient people), progeny (another fancy word for kids, offspring, turks, lil bubs) was of significant import. Having children is a staple of 'blessing' in ancient cultures, though its value has deteriorated in our modern age. You can read about the dedication of Samuel in 1 Samuel 1 and how his mother, unable to have children, was beside herself and even was provoked by her rival, Peninnah for Hannah's inability to conceive. (who also happened to be her husband's other wife - talk about things worth diving deeper into!). It was everything for women and men alike. 

The second 'blessing' is that the Lord would 'keep'. We’re helped by Psalm 121:7-8 on what is involved in being ‘kept’ by God: 

The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:7-8, NIV) 

The idea of 'keeping' is brought up again in 1 Peter 1:4b-5a “you who through faith are shielded by God’s power…”

v25 - the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you

The second line holds a potent metaphor, likening God to light. When God ‘shines His face on you’ it means He smiles at you, delights in you. If he delights in you, you can be sure that He will be gracious to you. 

v26 - the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace 

If ‘shine’ (v25) refers to delight, ‘turn His face toward you’ means to pay attention to you. Consider that God doesn’t just like you, He’s paying attention to you! It reminds me of my kids, who love to have me or their mom 'watch' them in their adolescent achievements. Whether it's how high they can jump, a sporting event they're competing in, or a hilarious mustache they've made after eating pizza. And as good parents... let me rephrase... as present parents we are to stop what we're doing and watch them - to pay attention to them - even if it’s unimpressive, like a wheely on a razor scooter. 

As he turns his face towards you, He gives you peace. Gone must be the notion of peace as ‘not war’ - it is an all-encompassing term - in Hebrew, shalom. It means the total restoration of a full relationship. It's Garden of Eden, Return of Christ language. 

This Aaronic Blessing is rich on the surface. And it becomes even more rich when you look more closely. Let’s consider four lenses: poetry, peace, personal, and passion (you’re welcome for the alliteration).

Poetry, Peace, Personal, Passion

Poetry

The Aaronic Blessing is one of the oldest poems in Scripture! Poetry, or rhymes, help aid memory and recollection. Consider the well known nursery rhyme that begins with "Bah bah black sheep…" (you might even be humming the tune in your head). You definitely know the next line. If you don't ... well, I'm sorry. You should google it. And be concerned about your void-of-nursery-rhymes upbringing. 

I could even hum a tune and you'd know the song. Right now, if you want (or later, that's fine), just hum the notes of "Mary had a..." and see how those around you react. If they don't know it, see above about childhood. 

Poetry aids in memory and recollection. 

The first line speaks of blessing and keeping - may the Lord bless you and keep you. Then the second line is an expansion of the first notion, "bless" with face shine and be gracious. Finally the third line is an expansion of "keep" when Moses writes turn his face towards you and give you peace. 

Bare with me as we dive deeper into poetry. It is truly fascinating (at least it is for me, so I am including it). 

Even the number of words, syllables and consonants are poetic. 

The first line in English is “The Lord bless you and keep you.” But in Hebrew, it's yĕbārekĕkā  YHWH  vĕyišmĕrekā. Transliterated it sounds like: yeh-va-reh-khe-kha - yahweh - veh-yeesh-meh-reh-kha. It contains three words, twelve syllables and fifteen consonants. Not impressed? Consider the second line. 

In English it is “The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.” In Hebrew it is yāʾēr  YHWH  pānāyw ʾēlêkā wîḥunnekā. Transliterated: yah-ehr YHWH pah-nahv eh-leh-kha vee-khoo-neh-ka. We see now five words, fourteen syllables and twenty consonants. 

Notice a pattern? 3:12:15 --> 5:14:20. 

The third line in English: “The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” In Hebrew "yišāʾ  YHWH  pānāyw ʾēlêkā wĕyāśēm lĕkā šālôm." Transliterated: yee-sah YHWH pah-nahv eh-leh-kha veh-yah-sem leh-kha sha-lom. Can you guess the numbers? 

3:5:?

12:14:?

15:20:? 

Seven words, sixteen syllables, twenty-five consonants. 

As the Aaronic Blessing enlarges, the words increase from three to five to seven, the syllables from twelve to fourteen to sixteen, and the consonants from fifteen, to twenty, to twenty-five.  

Another even deeper dive into the poetic form of this blessing. 

Consider that the name of Yahweh is repeated three times. This repetition emphasizes that Yahweh, the LORD, is THE source of blessing & keeping. It’s also an adumbration. 

Let me just say here, that I really enjoy the English language (along with others). I really like specific words that allow us to get to the heart of the matter. I'm not using terminology in an attempt to sound smart, though I've been told I am - I was, for the record, a mathlete in middle school. I just really like big words. 

Adumbration means to provide vague indications or representations in advance.

The threefold repetition of Yahweh is an adumbration of the Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit! How beautiful!

Also, if you remove the Name, Yahweh from the blessing, there are twelve words remaining, pointing to the twelve tribes of Israel.  

If you're confused or lost, that's ok. If you're not, you will agree that it is truly a beautiful piece of poetry. Next, the theme of peace.

Peace 

As the lines of this ancient, poetic blessing lengthen, their content becomes richer, producing a crescendo that culminates in the word peace. Peace in our culture is not the same as Biblical peace. 

Fill in the blank for me... "peace and ______" (the answer is quiet). When we think of peace, we think of rest and relaxation. I'm an early riser, and mostly because I have three kids, two dogs, a cat, and a wife (not placed in order of my affections). But when I wake an hour earlier than the rest of my house, I have some 'peace and quiet.' 

But consider, if all I get is quiet and alone-time, I’m going to be lonely. 

Biblical peace - in Hebrew shalom - isn’t about rest and relaxation but about restoration. Fullness of life and wholeness in all areas of life: with God, with self, with others, with nature. You can re-read the story of the fall in Genesis and see how when sin entered the world, all four of those relationships were broken. God has been working to set those back right. To be at peace in every area - God, self, others, nature - this is back to the Garden, before sin entered the world, or ahead to His return, when He will wipe every tear from our eyes. 

Consider peace with God means we can know God more and more. Peace within ourselves is to become increasingly self-aware, emotionally healthy. Peace with others is to experience ‘no shame nakedness’ - put down walls and be authentic and vulnerable with others. Peace with nature, or the created order, is to be able to soak in the beauty, admire the order and taste the fruitfulness of creation.

That’s what we ask God to do, give us that peace. Not just 'no war.' Though war is obviously antithetical to peace. The Aaronic Blessing is poetic, it is culminating in peace, but it’s also personal.

Personal (this one’s for the lovers of literature, aka grammar police)

Each line has Yahweh, The LORD,  as its subject, emphatically reminding us that it is Yahweh who is the source of all good. After Yahweh, we see two verbs. The first verb clause invokes God’s movement towards his people - bless you, face shine on you, turn His face towards you. 

The second clause asks God to act on their behalf: bless and keep, face shine and be gracious, turn his face towards you and give you peace. 

This priestly blessing is to individuals within the community, and extends to the community as a whole. 

It is notable, because it comes immediately after the Nazirite vows. But it’s for everyone. 

Jew, and foreigner. Men, and women. Priests, Levites, Nazirites, and the rest. 

What do you do with this? 

My Bible reading plan asks "What's your God shot?" Meaning what's the thing that stood out. 

The central tasks of priests (of which Aaron was 'high' priest) was to be a source of blessing for God's people. The priests would pray this blessing over the people after every service, daily. There were strict laws guarding the tabernacle and who could offer a sacrifice. But today? 

Sometimes, when people find out I'm a pastor, they ask me to pray for someone. I love the honor, but I always think - #poab. It's a trending hashtag meaning "priesthood of all believers." Ok, it's not trending. 

Right now, when you feel led to pray for your siblings, spouse, parents, kids - you can pray this Aaronic Blessing over them. You've likely already memorized it! 

When you interact with friends, relatives and neighbors - pray this blessing over them. Whether they ask you to or not, whether they want you to or not! 

If the central task of the priests then was to be a source of blessing for God’s people. The central task for you and I now is to be a source of blessing for all people. 

It’s not a ‘special’ blessing reserved for the holy.

It’s not a ‘vague’ blessing for humanity in general.

It’s a personal blessing that begins like the trickle of a stream, forming into a river, bursting into an ocean of God’s presence amongst us and within us. 

There's a bonus "p" - Passion. 

It’s interesting to note that this blessing was administered at the conclusion of their worship service. After the daily sacrifices had been made. Your sin has been atoned for, so now, "may the Lord bless you and keep you… make His face shine on you and be gracious to you… turn His face toward you and give you peace… 

It doesn't take a Private Investigator to see that Christian churches don't offer animal sacrifices daily, weekly, or ever, really. 

The reason is that our sacrifice has been offered - once, for all. 

1 Peter 3:18 tell us "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God." (ESV)

In Romans 6:10 Paul reminds us "For the death he died he died to sin, once for all..." (ESV)

Paul again, twice in Hebrews write these truths consistent with 1 Peter 3 and Romans 6...

He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 

Hebrews 9:12 ESV 

"we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:10 

The sacrifice has been met. Through Christ. And it came at a great cost, of which we can see within this blessing.  

Matthew 27 tells us: 

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). Matthew 27:45-46 (NIV)

Friends, God could turn His face toward you’ in the Old Covenant due to the sacrifices offered, but today, God turns His face toward you, because He turned His face from Christ as He was nailed to the cross. He placed the entirety of our sin, the sin of the world, on His Son, Jesus the Christ, on the cross. 

Christ, and Christ alone, is how we are to experience the ‘blessing’ and ‘keeping’ of this Ancient, Poetic, Aaronic Blessing. 

If you are in Christ today, God sees you as righteous, holy, pure. 

He calls you His child, Beloved, Bringing Him Joy. 

He is blessing you and keeping you. 

His face is shining on you, He is gracious toward you. 

He has turned His face toward you, He has brought you into peace. 

2024 Books

I was talking with a friend and they suggested I post a review of the books I read. While I might do this more concurrently (as I finish a book) I figured I could start with a review of books I read in 2024. There will be little to no comments for each book, but should give you a good idea of how I spend my time reading! 

• RC Sproul, a Life, Stephen Nichols
• The Intentional Father, Jon Tyson (every dad of sons should read this, earlier the better)
• The Other Half of Church, Wilder & Hendricks (interesting on relationships within church)
• Forgotten God, Francis Chan (Holy Spirit refresher)
• The Gospel, JD Greear (solid!)
• Kingdom Politics, Tony Evans
• The Intentional Year, Holly & Glenn Packiam 

Books read with others throughout 2024

• The Pastor, Eugene Peterson (one of my favorite books, especially on the vocation of Pastor)
• The group I read this with enjoyed it as much as I did my first time. Great to re-read it with them. 
• In the Name of Jesus, Henri Nouwen (great devotional read, usually read it annually)
• The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard (I wish I had read this years ago - a must read for any Christian serious about their life in Christ)
• I'd say this book was the most challenging and thought provoking from this group.
• The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, Tim Alberta (hard read, but eye-opening around American Evangelicals and the Religious Right) 
• Three Mile an Hour God, Kosuke Koyama (interesting read, more a collection of devotional thoughts, but very interesting to learn more about Christian faith from a Japanese perspective)

Fiction (I like reading fiction before I go to bed... helps my mind shift gears)

• The Shadow of the Gods (Bloodsworn Trilogy), John Gwynne 
• The Hunger of the Gods (Bloodsworn Trilogy), John Gwynne 
• Golden Son, Pierce Brown
• Red Rising, Pierce Brown 

Finished a few commentaries on Luke, shockingly none of them had a "Congratulations" when finished, they just ended like any other chapter... :/ 

• JC Ryle
• Leon Morris
• NT Wright
• Michael Wilcock 

Robert Murray M'Cheyne's Bible in a Year Plan (94 total books) 

• The Old Testament once (39 books)
• The Psalms twice
• The New Testament twice (27 books x2) 

Let me know what you think, or what you read that was really good! I've got a handful of preaching and leadership books lined up for this year as I am walking through them with two groups. 

Generosity and Vows

(This letter was written to the 704 Church community and copied here for others to read)

I hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

We spent the week with my family down in Gulf Shores - 10 adults, 16 grandkids from 3 to 20 years old! It was full, to say the least. :) Now we're spending a few days at my brother's house outside of Tampa, FL and will go watch the tide on New Years Eve!

I wanted to bring to mind two thoughts for you to consider as we step into 2025.

The Future Building of 704

First, many of you have given significantly to the building fund over this past year. Early on we asked if people would give 'an ear of corn' - equating to $10,000. We got to hear some stories, like Angie Gotta's. She had an idea of how to invest some into making natural soaps and then used the profit to give an ear of corn. For Angie and Dave, the $10,000 in profit came way sooner than the end of 2024. Now Angie has a whole shop in their garage and she has created countless products that are natural and organic and smell really good, too!

Kris and I were encouraged by her and Dave's radical generosity and asked if we could make adjustments to our budget to contribute an additional $10,000 above our regular tithe. Many of you know, but Kris began to look into an Amazon program that allows social media 'influencers' to create product review videos. There is a small commission she earns anytime someone watches one of her review videos and then purchases a product. Full transparency - we didn't know how much this program would bring in, nor if it would stay consistent throughout the year. We gave almost all of her first couple of months' earnings - $1,000 and then sought to contribute $750 each month of 2024 to give our 'ear of corn' towards the building fund. Through Kristen's persistence in finding new products and creating new reviews (and many of you that invited her into your homes to review products) she created over 600 review videos last year. Each month the program brought in more than $750, and just yesterday (12/29) we gave our last $750 towards the building fund - rounding out our 'ear of corn'!

I think both of those stories (Angie's and Kristen's) are ways that God works through our creativity and then births something even bigger than we originally intended. Angie's business is growing and Kristen's Amazon program continues to generate revenue month after month. It requires more than their creativity - it has required them to stay consistent and diligent in their work.

It brought to mind Micah 4 - where God challenges us to out give Him. A business idea to give towards Kingdom work turns into a consistent opportunity for more.

I know many others that are contributing as well. As we approach the end of 2024, I want to thank you ahead of time for your generosity towards faithful tithing in and through your local church, and the radical generosity to give above and beyond your tithe towards our future building.

Not to mention the generous $50,000 contribution and $50,000 matching program that runs through the end of March. The idea of our own building is becoming more and more a tangible reality! 

Second, New Years Resolutions. 

The last few years Kris and I have done something called a past year review. We review everything we did last year and then schedule and plan for the coming year. This year we're working through a process called "Compass" where you look over the last year, 'close the door' on 2024, and then look ahead to 2025. It's been quite a year. This is a time for Kris and I to make resolutions for the coming year - we’ve had a mix of successes and failures - but it’s a really healthy practice to reflect on the past and plan for the future. FWIW, there’s an unofficial holiday titled “Quitter’s Day” - The second Friday in January is known as “Quitter's Day,” when people are most likely to throw in the towel on their resolutions. 

Whatever your thoughts on resolutions, a related Biblical practice is around vows. Reading through the Old Testament, you'll see the people of God making vows to Him. You'll find other calls to 'keep your vows' - and not just marital vows! 

I have been percolating on that idea. What are the vows I can make for God? For me, it's brought an entirely different mindset from 'new years resolutions'. Normally we gravitate towards health, fitness, and learning. Maybe kicking bad habits, starting new good habits. But as I've thought about vows, it has brought me into an element of prayer with God asking Him 'What are you calling me to do this year? How are you inviting me to live for you this year?' Maybe it's to read the Bible in a year. Find a small group. Surrender a leisurely activity. Attend church more consistently. 

The Bible also warns us of 'vows' that are completely void of honoring God. I was reading in Zechariah this past week and stumbled upon these verses in chapter 7

4 Then the word of Yahweh of hosts came to me, saying, 5 “Speak to all the people of the land and to the priests, saying, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these seventy years, was it actually for Me that you fasted? 6 And when you eat and when you drink, are you not eating for yourselves and are you not drinking for yourselves?

For seventy years they had been fasting every fifth and seventh month, but Zechariah challenged them - were you fasting for God or for your self? When you celebrated by eating and drinking - was it celebrating God and His provision or just celebrating self? 

The wildly brilliant God we serve calls us to practices/disciplines that are both spiritual and physical. Fasting is good for your body, but is to be primarily pursued for spiritual purposes. Celebrating good food and drink are a great way to celebrate, but they are to be centered around God’s provision of those great gifts. 

It's made me consider seriously what I can do, changes I can make, adjustments, things to remove, things to add - all around the driving question: What do I change in 2025 to honor God? Perhaps getting healthy with exercise or diet is a way to honor God with your body. Maybe eliminating bad habits and starting new ones is a way to honor God with your time. Joining a Life Group, faithfully prioritizing and participating in Sunday worship are ways to honor God with your heart and mind. 

Whatever you’ve been thinking about for resolutions in 2025, I want to challenge you to run them through that question: What do you change in 2025 to honor God? 

The best advice is to make these vows, or resolutions, with one another. Find some friends or invite your spouse into these to share them for encouragement and accountability. It’s a gift to have other blood-bought brothers and sisters to walk alongside you, particularly when you’re purposing to make changes in your life to honor God more fully. 

Perhaps you will experience what Zechariah adds in chapter 8:18

“Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth months will become joy, gladness, and merry appointed feasts for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace.’

May your 2025 be full of joy, gladness, and merry - as we seek truth and peace in all we vow to honor Him.

Peacemakers, you are blessed!

How many of you have found yourself frustrated in your efforts of 'peacemaking'* during the last few days, weeks, months, maybe even years - specifically around politics? I see people on all sides of this - from flaunting and boasting to despondent and depressed. As I was dropping my kids off at school today, I saw a pickup truck with a giant "TRUMP/VANCE" sign in their truck bed (it was legitimately filling the entire truck bed - so six-eight feet long, four-six feet tall). I've also seen videos of people screaming in anger/sadness at the news that Harris lost, not to mention the emotionally moving faces of her supporters in tears crowding around her concession speech.

*I also just learned today about the John Cena show "Peacemaker" though I wonder if the plot aligns with God's understanding of peacemakers more than Hollywood's portrayal of them. I don't wonder... that was sarcastic. 

Maybe you're seeking the way of Christ, which among others, is the way of peace. Your attempts to be a peacemaker have been met with confusion, disgust, or even dismissal. Keep reading... 

This year I finally read Dallas Willard's incredible book, The Divine Conspiracy. I am convinced everyone should read it, infinitely more so if you're a Christ-follower! 

He has a segment on the beatitudes that will forever alter how I view them. For what it's worth, the book as a whole is a deep dive into Jesus's most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount - as a pastor that reads and studies the Bible regularly, as a pastor that has preached through the SOTM, I am convinced I should have read Willard's book before preaching it! 

Here are his comments about the beatitudes:

"The beatitudes serve to clarify Jesus's fundamental message: God's rule and righteousness is freely available to all of humanity through reliance on Jesus himself. The beatitudes do this by taking those who, from the human point of view, are hopeless, beyond possibility of God's blessing, and demonstrating how they are enjoying God's touch and abundant provision from the heavens." (p. 116, The Divine Conspiracy)

Then he works through all the 'blesseds' - it is so good. Eye-opening. The kind of stuff you'll want to read to your wife - at least I did! But I wanted to highlight his comments on the peacemakers.

"The peacemakers are here too. 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.' They make the list because outside the kingdom they are, as is often said, 'called everything but a child of God." (p. 118)

Maybe you've been trying to be a peacemaker, and you've been called every name on the list except a 'child of God' - remind yourself that Jesus sees you and calls you a child of God! 

Why is that? 

"Because they are always in the middle. Ask the policeman called in to smooth out a domestic dispute. There is no situation more dangerous. Neither side trusts you. Because they know that you are looking at both sides, you can't possibly be on their side." (p.118)

I love that line - since you're looking at both sides, you can't possibly be on their side. That's what people want - someone on their side. But if you're in the middle, you're not identified as a peacemaker, or pursuing the way of Christ, you're seen as 'not on my side'! 

"But under God's rule there is recognition that in bringing good to people who are in the wrong (as both sides usually are) you show the divine family resemblance, 'because God himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked' (Luke 6:35). The peacemaker deals precisely with the ungrateful and the wicked, as anyone who has tried it well know." (p. 118) 

Your efforts at peacemaking are reflecting God's heart. Bringing good, giving the benefit of the doubt, seeking to understand, being 'slow to speak, quick to listen' (James 1:19-20). You're dealing with both the 'ungrateful' and the 'wicked' - and when you deal with them peacefully, seeking to make peace, you'll see the ungratefulness and wickedness come out in full force. 

Jesus, our Lord and our example, endured very much the same. He submitted himself to arrest through the betrayal of a close friend and a cloak-and-dagger religious mob. He endured mocking and physical abuse. On the cross, while being taunted by countless others, including the other two men hanging beside Him (who were actually guilty), Jesus demonstrated the ultimate peacemaking, praying to God for their forgiveness! 

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

47th President

This is an opinion. Take it for what it's worth. But also the opinion of a blood-bought child of God who has now been called to pastor for eight years, through three elections (though I don't really remember much about the 2016 election except surprise). 

Our church experienced some disruptions on/around the 2020 election. I was going to say upheaval, but it wasn't as serious as that word implies. Personal upheaval for some in our church... maybe; but not upheaval throughout the church. 

As a pastor, I get to preach, and felt led to preach on politics on November 3rd (you can watch the sermon here). I am the first to admit I'm not the most well-versed on politics, the most researched, the most passionate -- but I have an opinion. And in the right setting, I love discussing and debating around most things, politics notwithstanding. The sermon isn't the right setting for a debate or discussion -- it is by design a monologue. My hope on Sunday was to point people to the Holy Scriptures and to encourage, uplift, remind those who were anxious or afraid about the results going one way or the other. I taught through Romans 13 and 1 Timothy 2 as my anchor texts, but also spoke about our witness as 'light' and lastly pointed people to hope. 

That's what I still need - to be reminded, to remind myself, of my 'anchor-hope'. Hebrews says that we have an anchor for the soul in the person of Jesus Christ. Paul crafts a beautiful word-picture that Jesus as our anchor is intricately and intimately connected to us and goes all the way to the holy of holies of the previous temple. Through Jesus, and Jesus alone, we are restored to relationship to God, and this relationship, made possible by Jesus, should be our rock-solid, hope. Our 'anchor-hope' as I like to say. 

But then last night I found myself wanting to watch and be updated about the results, knowing all the while that it would be hours, if not days, before anything would be final. I woke up this morning and it was the second thing I focused on (first, coffee). 

And then I found myself feeling relieved once I saw that Donald Trump was likely the winner. 

Maybe you felt relieved. Excited. Joyful. If you wanted Trump to win, you felt something along those lines. 

Some of you reading this (if you haven't angrily X'd this tab yet) felt anger, frustration, fear. In large part because you wanted Harris to win (or anyone other than Trump!). 

Before you cheer or fly into a rage, have you consider why you felt the way you did? The emotion I felt - relief - caused me to wonder. "Why am I relieved?" Readers - ask yourself, especially if you're in Christ, 'why do you feel that way?' 

For me, I then had an inner-monologue that went something like this (though now I am of course elaborating and perhaps embellishing)

Why, self, be relieved at the results that you think are best? Were you so worried, even after you preached a sermon about fixing our hope in Jesus and Jesus alone? You were moved in your preparation, reminded, excited about the hope that you have, self, in the person of Jesus. Your hope isn't in a politician nor is your future in jeopardy because someone you think isn't best wins. More so, God's purposes are not on the brink of collapse because a certain party or politician wins or loses. Jesus is building His church, and death itself can't stop it. 

And then I pressed a little deeper... 

was God 'relieved' when the results came in? (It's hard not to chuckle when you read that.)

Has God ever been 'relieved' when something happened or did not happen? (As if the one who spoke the universe into existence was nervously awaiting the results of an election. I always picture Smithers  from the Simpsons tapping his fingers together when I think of nervous hands. Sorry, mom, for watching The Simpsons.) 

The one who knows the end from the beginning and has perfect knowledge of every single action and thought of every person throughout all time - He isn't 'relieved'!

And then I moved to the reality that, like it or not, we are emotional beings. Our emotions are God-given. God Himself has emotions, and as every human being is an image-bearer of God, we too have emotions. 

Some of the best stories in the Scriptures are when God expresses surprising emotions. Most expect the wrath, anger, judgment of God. Those aren't surprising. But all of us should be comforted and encouraged when we see the sadness of God, Christ weeping, or the joy of the Lord. 

While my emotions are real, and God has given them to me, I can't rely only on them. The Bible is clear "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure" (Jeremiah 17:9). Relying only on our emotions is going to lead us into trouble. More so, going fearfully or anxiously into an election is not aligned with the emotions of God. Nor do I think responding with relief to a result in your favor is aligned with the emotions of God. 

So, what did I do with the 'relief'? What are to do with whatever you're feeling after the 2024 election? 

I brought it before God. 

My goal today, and yesterday, and tomorrow (if God wills I have a tomorrow), is that I become more and more like Christ, more and more aligned with His will and His mind; His heart and His emotions. I believe (and see throughout the Biblical story) that we are going to increasingly be more aligned with God's heart, made more Christlike, as we live our lives seeking Him more and more. With that, we are (on this side of glory) undoubtedly going to wrestle with our flesh - our weakness, our tendency to sin, our hearts being far-too-often 'prone to wander.' 

Thankfully the God I worship, the God I'm increasingly getting to know and love, is the God who pursues me in my weakness, in my sin, with my 'prone-to-wander' heart, and He calls me higher. He calls me closer to Him. He calls me more and more into the life He's designed for me to live. Life that is legitimately living. 

This morning I thanked God that (for the majority) the election yesterday was peaceful, void of violence and chaos. This morning I have prayed that those who wanted Trump to win wouldn't gloat, taunt or demean those who didn't. This morning I have prayed for those who wanted Harris to win wouldn't despair. This morning I prayed, and will continue to pray, that God convicts the hearts of our political leaders. That God would reveal Himself to every political leader and that they would surrender their lives to Christ. This morning I prayed, as I see Paul commanding Christians to pray (1 Timothy 2), that God would grant our government officials wisdom and discernment to 'cultivate good' and 'mitigate evil'. 

My hope is built on nothing less 
than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand.

Comparison is the Thief of Joy

There's a lot of rumblings (at least across my feed) lately about the deleterious effects of comparison. There's due warrant - the amount of people comparing their lives to the procured images and videos found on social media can make just about anyone second-guess their pursuits - parenting, relationships, work habits, athletics, beauty... the list goes on. 

But not all comparison is the "thief of joy". 

The quote is credited to Theodore Roosevelt: "Comparison is the thief of joy." While TR was many things, this quote has resonated for over 100 years now. 

This past week Hurricane Helene ripped her way through Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia. The devastation throughout her path was severe. Notably, as a carolinian, the flooding in the Appalachian mountains was catastrophic. One news outlet claimed it was a "1,000 year event" - something so significant it would only occur once in a thousand years. That's crazy. But we're starting to see the destruction - over 100 lives have been lost, along with countless homes, businesses, and around the western Carolinas, entire roadways and bridges, leaving many quite literally stranded without power, water and other basic necessities. 

Thankfully, the response has been overwhelming. I saw the sports ticker reporting that a few NFL franchise owners were contributing millions towards aid, the POTUS promising support, and even here in Indian Trail, hundreds (thousands) of people bringing supplies to a crew of private pilots air-lifting water, wipes, rope, tarps and nonperishable food from the Statesville airport to the areas that are unreachable by vehicle. 

This morning as I was playing 'dad-taxi' (that's where I drive my kids around to where they need to go), I was burdened with the relief effort. Something about the damage from Helene has struck a chord in me more than other natural disasters. Perhaps it's the proximity to me - just a few hours away. Or even that we vacationed there last winter, taking our kids on their first snowboarding adventure. Or that some good friends of ours recently moved to Asheville to launch a new church and find themselves in one of the hardest hit parts of Asheville. 

Needless to say, I really want to help. More than just buying supplies and sending them, I want to be there to help. 

This is where comparison didn't steal my joy; it solidified it. This weekend, while thousands of people were praying to survive Helene, I was sitting comfortably in a recovery room with my wife (post successful surgery - another story for another time). We safely drove home on roads that were minorly affected. I watched Alabama narrowly defeat Georgia and was complaining nonstop about how we almost blew the lead. I was able to drive my three kids to our church Sunday morning and see four children get dedicated to God, hear stories from kids and youth and adults about how God had been bringing life in them and through them, and receive warm hugs and encouragement from countless individuals that are a part of my spiritual family, blood-bought brothers and sisters in Christ. 

All the while people were seeing their homes carried down rivers, entire roadways swept aside by mudslides, lacking the ability to contact friends, family or neighbors as the cell phone towers were down, seeking basic necessities like water. 

I am prone to 'compassion fatigue' just like you are. My encouragement to you (if you're still reading) is to realize that your current situation is better than others. If you're reading this from the comfort of your home, on your mobile device, without a concern that you have enough drinking water for you and your loved ones - you're better off than my neighbors in the carolina mountains. 

The Biblical invitation (command?) is to "Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 GNT) 

And I would add another invitation (also a command) found in James 2:15-16 (ESV) "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?"

I invite you to joy and gratitude for the good things you have.

I invite you to pray for those effected by Hurricane Helene.

I invite you also provide for those in need in the aftermath of Helene. 

Write it down.

 Write down the revelation and make it plain. (Habakkuk 2:2)

Write in a book all the word I have spoken to you. (Jeremiah 30:2)

I'm partly afraid. Afraid of rejection. Of people critiquing my lack of education, or research, or perhaps my poor lexicon and word choice (or redundancy). I want to write like Tim Keller, and Edgar Allan Poe, and Shakespeare, and Jesus, and NT Wright, and really all great authors combined. 

But it is safe to assume that none of those, except Jesus, began writing beautifully, richly, compellingly. They worked at it and honed their craft. So that's what I am setting out to do. 

This morning I was reading in John 14. I've been doing the Robert Murray M'Cheyne reading plan this year with a handful of guys. It's the Old Testament once, the New Testament twice. Just about four chapters each day - sometimes five if the chapters are shorter. 

Something about reading John 14:6 this morning hit me. 

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." 

The truth of it didn't hit me... it was more the tone. Definitive. Solid. Resolute. 

It's an incredibly, unimaginably?, astonishingly bold statement of Jesus declaring His exclusivity when it comes to the way to the Father. It isn't even Him 'claiming' His exclusivity. That's not a bold enough word. It is a declaration. He didn't mince words. 

The way, the truth and the life are three concrete picture-words of how God led the Israelites throughout the Old Testament. The way was the staff - the tangible item that led the people of God from Egypt through the sea. The bronze serpent that was raised up to heal people from the swarm of vipers. The staff (of Aaron I believe) that budded and declared who the rightful leader of God's people was. 

The truth was the tablets of stone, the Ten Commandments as we now know them, which were to clearly show the Israelites (and subsequently all people) how life is to be lived. The truth goes beyond the ten, but it isn't any less than those. 

The life was the manna that God miraculously delivered to His people six days a week for forty years. Can you imagine? Your survival, for forty years, being dependent on the mysterious arrival of something like bread every single morning, a double portion on the sixth day so that you would be satiated throughout the seventh, AND none of it appearing on the seventh. Gathering too much would be of no use; it would spoil. Gathering too little (not for lack of trying; laziness) would not be too little. And then on the sixth day, the increased amount, the added sustainability. 

NOT TO MENTION this is the way God led an agrarian society. People who knew, really knew well, had become professionals at, agriculture, farming; they knew the times to prepare the soil, plant the seed, cultivate, and harvest. These actions aren't flippant, but seasonal. God tells them that He's going to provide on a day to day basis, not a season by season basis. Almost (not almost, but actually) contradicting the natural rhythm of seasons. 

It was said that three things were kept in the Ark of the Covenant. The staff, the ten commandments, and a jar of manna. All reminding the people of the way, the truth and the life. The way to stay close to God, to maintain relationship, is through that staff, the tablets of stone, and the manna. 

Here, in John 14, Jesus definitively states that He is, in fact, in reality, the only way to the Father. He's the staff that leads the people, they are to follow Him. He is the law that describes how life is to be lived. He is the bread of life that nourishes far more than our bodies, but keeps our souls alive. 

For me today, I am 'prone to wander' ... and Lord do I feel it. To find all sorts of alternatives to deliver me the way to live, truth to build my life on, the 'best' life. While I am strongly in favor of learning and gleaning from resources outside of the Bible, I have to remind myself, honestly daily, that the absolute Way, the actual Truth, and the Life that is actually Life, is found only in and through the person of Jesus. 

He goes on in John 15 to say this "He who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Far from adding a new set of laws for us to legalistically pursue and uphold, He makes it clear that the only way we're able to live the life that He created us for, calls us to, and died to allow us into, is through abiding. Dwelling. Remaining. 

"Jesus' approval and presence is all I need for everlasting joy." 

Lord, Jesus, Yeshua, the great I AM - you know who you are - let me become more aware of your presence. Let me experience the glory of your goodness. Come to me this morning Lord. Remind me of your approval of me, not through what I've done or in spite I how I've failed, but because you died for me, taking all of my sins and flaws with you on the cross; and giving me your righteousness and perfection. That right now at this very moment, when God looks on me, He sees your blood covering me, and looks on me lovingly, as His very own, as a joy-bringer.