Deus Misereatur

  (The following is from the letter I wrote my congregation today, 4 May 2022) The Sage makes this wise observation in Proverbs, “ Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it ” (Proverbs 11:27). What you look for you often find, because what you expect to see is what you look for. Well, during my devotional reading on Monday, I was caught by an incident in the Old Testament that seems to go along with this Proverb. It’s about the perspective of God’s people who flipped redemption into ruin. It’s quite startling. First, let me set up the scene.   Moses is recounting Israel’s history in the wilderness, and starting at Deuteronomy 1:18 he retells the moment when they were just on the cusp of entering the land of promise decades before. The people wanted spies to reconnoiter the land. Twelve were chosen, and set out to explore and evaluate. They returned and told all the wonders and wealth of the land (1:22-25). But the expectations of th...

  (This congregational prayer is wrapped up by Psalm 47) Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah (Psalm 47:1-4). World Rescuing God, thank you that in Christ Jesus all of us who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. That he himself is our peace, who has made both Jews and Gentiles, Billy Yanks and Johnny Rebs, Brazilians and Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans, Koreans and Japanese, Mongolians and Chinese, Republicans and Democrats – all who are redeemed by him, he has made one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:13-14). Be with your church all over this big, wide globe, including this congregation, and Holy Temple Baptist, Holy United Baptist, Maguire Baptist, and Mount Horeb Missionar...