A few things struck me this week as significant about my relationship with God.
The first being, that we can trust that God will protect, help, and be faithful to those who remain in covenant with God. Those that lead lives according to the law of Moses and later the law of Love, and also be willing to trust that God will do what God promised. We have seen examples of this in Daniel as he steps into the lion's den, Esther as she risks going to speak to the King to ask pardon on the Jews, and Judith as she stands up to the whole Assyrian army while the priest and elders of her community wait upon the Lord and give him only five days plus five days more. Daniel walks out untouched by the lions whose mouth were shut tight, Esther is given whatever she wishes from the King, and Judith defeats Holofernes and saves her whole community with God's help and protection. God calls us and we respond, always moving closer in our relationship with our Faithful God.
The second thing that struck me as significant is that just when we think we know what God will do next, God does something unexpected. God does what God plans to do when God wants it to be done. Naomi and Ruth both widows and both in a foreign land, no heirs and no husbands, they have nothing but each other. God turns that all around, even though they are outcasts, through the actions and faithfulness of one to the other. Jonah is angry that God is merciful to the Ninevites because he didn't expect that of God.
As I reflect on these events and God's activity I am reminded once again that God is in control. If I live my life in response to this loving God that I trust will do what God has planned for me, my life should reflect faithfulness, forgiveness, friendship and obedience. The more I live in this way the closer I am to the image and likeness of God.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
God's saving actions
This week we see God's saving actions through the prophets. The prophets' messages addressed different concerns: Amos was primarily concerned with social injustices inflicted on the poor by the rich and powerful. Hosea's primary concern was fidelity to Yahweh - the Israelites had turned away from God to worship other gods. The book of Daniel tells of the trials and triumphs of Daniel and his companions emphasising that men of faith can resist temptation and conquer adversity. Each of these messages were relevant to the people of that time. The message addressed spoke out about the sins of the people against all of creation.
Reading chapter six of Creator and Creation I'm beginning to see the clear relationship between humans and the rest of creation. Human sin pollutes the created order and causes chaos to the land. God's plan is to re-create or re-order creation. So we see in the prophets the message that tells the Israelites that they've really messed up: in their covenant with God, in their treatment of others, and in their fidelity to God and all of creation. Here is where our God of justice pronounces judgment within creation: Assyria attacks, Babylon exiles the people, or natural disasters occur. The beauty of our loving God is that after the Israelites have experienced any devastation or deprivation and they realize their sin against God, and understand that God is on their side. God gently calls them back to God's self and redeems them (saves them). Thus the new created order can live in peace once again.
Through the prophets we read of this pattern of God's saving action over and over. God is continually re-creating. As I reflect on my own life and relationship with God I can see this same pattern in my life; I mess up and turn away from God, I've created chaos by my actions, with my family or work colleagues or with my students, when all seems hopeless and utterly messed up, I ask God's forgiveness and guidance and God gently and lovingly takes me back. Then I experience peace in my life when I realize that I can't live this life on my own or on my own terms. My challenge then is living my life within the created order, structuring my life around the new covenant which Christ calls us to.
Reading chapter six of Creator and Creation I'm beginning to see the clear relationship between humans and the rest of creation. Human sin pollutes the created order and causes chaos to the land. God's plan is to re-create or re-order creation. So we see in the prophets the message that tells the Israelites that they've really messed up: in their covenant with God, in their treatment of others, and in their fidelity to God and all of creation. Here is where our God of justice pronounces judgment within creation: Assyria attacks, Babylon exiles the people, or natural disasters occur. The beauty of our loving God is that after the Israelites have experienced any devastation or deprivation and they realize their sin against God, and understand that God is on their side. God gently calls them back to God's self and redeems them (saves them). Thus the new created order can live in peace once again.
Through the prophets we read of this pattern of God's saving action over and over. God is continually re-creating. As I reflect on my own life and relationship with God I can see this same pattern in my life; I mess up and turn away from God, I've created chaos by my actions, with my family or work colleagues or with my students, when all seems hopeless and utterly messed up, I ask God's forgiveness and guidance and God gently and lovingly takes me back. Then I experience peace in my life when I realize that I can't live this life on my own or on my own terms. My challenge then is living my life within the created order, structuring my life around the new covenant which Christ calls us to.
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