August 13, 2021 — Psalm 33:6-19

“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth. He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle; he put the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind. From where he sits enthroned he watches all the inhabitants of the earth—he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds.A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save.Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.” Psalm 33:6-19

Peter Craigie, states this about Psalm 33: it is “a timely reminder of the essence of biblical theology” and that is what lies at the heart of the good news of all of scripture – G-d rules the world. Seldom do we think about the world or try to understand it in terms other than in scientific terms. Seldom do we think about international politics in terms of G-d’s will. I mentioned this in a sermon once… “When they (scientists) look at the elemental stuff of the universe, they realize that if even only a few of the many variables of the stuff of the universe were just a small degree different, then life would not be able to exist at all. If particles weighed just a little bit more or less, forces were off by just the slightest degree, then nothing would be able to exist.”

Paul Davies, a professor of mathematical physics, as he ponders our universe, he concludes…“We, who are children of the universe…can nevertheless reflect on the nature of the same universe. What is (humanity) that we might be party to such privilege? I cannot believe that our existence in this universe is a mere quirk of fate, an accident of history, an incidental blip in the great cosmic drama. We are truly meant to be here.”

We are truly meant to be here in this world because we were created by G-d. As such we should be reminded daily of the fragility of life in our suffering and loss as well as our prosperity and abundance. Sustained by our creator who loves us so much and continues to love us, we need to continue to “trust in his holy name.”

Pastor Dave

August 20, 2021 — Acts 4:32 – 5:16

“But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; ² with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ³ “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? ⁴ While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!” ⁵ Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. ⁶ The young men came and wrapped up his body,then carried him out and buried him.⁷ After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” ⁹ Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” ¹⁰ Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹ And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.” Acts 5:1-11

When we read the story of Ananias and Sapphira, it makes us uncomfortable – or at least it should make us uncomfortable. Well, I have a few thoughts. First, this passage reminds us of the pitfalls of wealth – how money can get a hold on us so much that it separates us from a relationship with G-d. We hear the teaching from 1 Timothy 6:10 that it is the “love of money that is the root of all evil.” When Moses is delayed from coming down the mountain, and the people want Aaron to make a god for them, he tells them to give him their gold so he can forge the “Golden Calf”. Money and the insatiable urge to collect possessions   is a long–standing barrier between G-d and us.

Texts like this challenge us – as we seek relationships with friends or spouses and a relationship with G-d. But is there any grace in this text? It seems that Sapphira has an opportunity to be honest and to come clean – but would that have changed the outcome of the story? Sometimes we must live with a text and the difficult message that it speaks, knowing of course that each day, each minute, each second that we live gives us another opportunity to experience G-d’s grace and forgiveness as we live in relationship with G-d – a relationship of repentance and forgiveness.

Let us Pray,

Lord help me to give you all that I have – my love – my very life. Give me the strength today to not hold onto anything other than your spirit and grace. Amen.

Pastor Dave