July 31, 2024 — suggested reading: Acts 24:1 – 27

“After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought formal charges against Paul to the governor. When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “We have experienced a lengthy time of peace through your rule, and reforms are being made in this nation through your foresight. Most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way with all gratitude. But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. For we have found this man to be a troublemaker, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him. When you examine him yourself, you will be able to learn from him about all these things we are accusing him of doing.” The Jews also joined in the verbal attack, claiming that these things were true.nWhen the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense. As you can verify for yourself, not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. They did not find me arguing with anyone or stirring up a crowd in the temple courts or in the synagogues or throughout the city, nor can they prove to you the things they are accusing me of doing. But I confess this to you, that I worship the God of our ancestors according to the Way (which they call a sect), believing everything that is according to the law and that is written in the prophets. I have a hope in God (a hope that these men themselves accept too) that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” Acts 24:1-15

When others around us are accusing and pointing fingers, can we react the same as Paul – cheerfully and with confidence? Paul has been arrested in the Temple, he has been beaten, he has been defending himself in front of the tribune and the Sanhedrin and the governor, and yet remains firm in the faith – and not just firm but encouraged and greets them with a smile. All of this, of course, happens in Jerusalem and will lead, just like Jesus, to the death of Paul because he is a threat to the Temple, to the Mosaic Law and the people of Israel.

How firm can we stand in defense of what we believe? When voices are raised, and anger is provoked, can we remain cheerful and speak with conviction allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, our hearts, and our words? These might be rhetorical questions, yet often we are called to defend our beliefs to a world that doesn’t want to understand Christ’s love, mercy and grace. We can feel trapped, imprisoned in our beliefs knowing that the love, mercy and grace of Christ is available for all and to all — those who currently believe, and those who will come to believe.

As the political campaigns continue this year, as the rhetoric of hate and racism continue to fill our airwaves and television screens, I hope you can find some comfort and remain firm in the faith knowing that no matter what happens, we are in G-d’s care.

Pastor Dave

July 30, 2024 — suggested reading: II Chronicles 6:12 – 7:22

“After Solomon finished building the Lordʼs temple and the royal palace, and accomplished all his plans for the Lordʼs temple and his royal palace, the Lord appeared to Solomon at night and said to him: “I have answered your prayer and chosen this place to be my temple where sacrifices are to be made. When I close up the sky so that it doesnʼt rain, or command locusts to devour the landʼs vegetation, or send a plague among my people, if my people, who belong to me, humble themselves, pray, seek to please me, and repudiate their sinful practices, then I will respond from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. Now I will be attentive and responsive to the prayers offered in this place. Now I have chosen and consecrated this temple by making it my permanent home; I will be constantly present there. You must serve me as your father David did. Do everything I commanded and obey my rules and regulations. Then I will establish your dynasty, just as I promised your father David, ʻYou will not fail to have a successor ruling over Israel.ʼ “But if you people ever turn away from me, fail to obey the regulations and rules I instructed you to keep, and decide to serve and worship other gods, then I will remove you from my land I have given you, I will abandon this temple I have consecrated with my presence, and I will make you an object of mockery and ridicule among all the nations. As for this temple, which was once majestic, everyone who passes by it will be shocked and say, ʻWhy did the Lord do this to this land and this temple?ʼ Others will then answer, ʻBecause they abandoned the Lord God of their ancestors, who led them out of Egypt. They embraced other gods whom they worshiped and served. That is why he brought all this disaster down on them.ʼ”. II Chronicles 7:11-22

The books of I and II Chronicles consists of four major sections: A long genealogical introduction in chapters 1 through 9; the united monarchy under David and Solomon in chapter 10 through II Chr. 9; a discussion of the divided monarchy II Chr. 10 – 38; and a conclusion in II Chr. 29 – 36. The most important section, as stated by some biblical scholars, comes in the second section that deals with David and Solomon and the divine promises made to both. Three theological themes appear: concern with the past that provides the people a sense of identity; a concern for the “unity” of Israel; and the continuing theme that obedience to G-d leads to blessing and disobedience leads to judgment. We see this theme in our text today — especially the one about judgment:

“if you people ever turn away from me, fail to obey the regulations and rules I instructed you to keep, and decide to serve and worship other gods, then I will remove you from my land I have given you, I will abandon this temple I have consecrated with my presence, and I will make you an object of mockery and ridicule among all the nations.”

It is a warning that still holds water for the people of G-d today. If we follow the teaching of the Lord, our lives may not always be filled with roses and sunshine, but the guidance of the Lord will sustain us no matter the hills or valleys we encounter.

Pastor Dave