Blessed

 “Bless your heart.” That’s a thing we say down here in the south. It sounds nice, but it isn’t really. It’s actually a way of saying, what a doofus, or something like that. “I was late because I couldn’t find my shoes after months of a pandemic.” “Bless your heart.” Of course you’ve got to do it with that dripping with sweetness southern accent for the full effect. 

I’ve been thinking about blessedness lately. Counting blessings, being blessed, all that sort of thing. I was inspired to this line of thought by a Facebook live video I saw of Len Sweet, theologian and academic, who set out to present 12 unexpected blessings for the church from the pandemic. I only got the last 4 or so before I figure out what he was doing. I know, I could have gone back and watched the whole thing once it was posted, but I didn’t. 

I didn’t because I didn’t want to just take his ideas. I wanted to come up with my own. Or our own. Because I suggested to the worship team at Discipleship Ministries that we do this for our next podcast. We spend a lot of time talking about what we’ve lost, or what we have to do to overcome the situation. We spend a lot of time complaining, or bemoaning our lot. But what if we decided to ask where is the blessing in all of this? 

I don’t mean we should put on our rose colored glasses and declare that all is well. I know that this is a struggle, I know that there are those who are suffering, those who are grieving, those who are wondering how they will make it through. I don’t diminish that in any way. But if Paul is right when he says that all things work together for good for those who love God, then at least a part of what he means is that even in the midst of a terrible situation we can find something that works for good, something for which we can call ourselves blessed.

Let’s think about that word for a moment. What does it mean to be blessed? Some might say that it means we’ve got all we need, or maybe more than we need. We’ve been blessed with stuff. That’s a mindset in a part of the Christian faith that we call the prosperity gospel. To be blessed is to have things materially. Pray for God’s blessing is to pray for income, for reward, for stuff. There are perhaps a few verses here and there throughout the bible that could be twisted around to that sort of interpretation. But it certainly isn’t a dominant thread. 

On the other hand there are those who want to talk about blessedness as an attained state. It is something you earn, by doing things the right way, or with the proper rituals or incantations. I know that when you say it that way, of course we would say no. No one believes that. Except, in a way we do. That somehow we’ve got to deserve it, to be worthy of it. Take a look at this from Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy 28:1-6 If you will only obey the LORD your God, by diligently observing all his commandments that I am commanding you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth; 2 all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the LORD your God: 3 Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your livestock, both the increase of your cattle and the issue of your flock. 5 Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. 6 Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

How do you read that? If you will only, it says, do this, go here, say that. Do these things that then you will be blessed. It’s hard not to read it that way. That’s how it came across to me when I read it. It’s a conditional blessing. An earn it blessing. A only if you’re worthy blessedness. Which, I suppose, is a good thing. It tells us what we have to do. If you will only obey the Lord your God, diligently observing all the commandments that I am commanding you today. 

Today? Well, back up a chapter. The commandments given “today” are about settling the land, about  where they’ll settle and who will settle. There are commandments about how to worship and where to worship. And then that chapter ends with a string of curses. Yeah, curses. Cursed be anyone who .... Who what? Well go read them. Anyone who isn’t a good neighbor, really. Anyone who doesn’t observe personal space. There’s one about misleading a blind person on the road. There’s one, a curse to anyone who deprives the alien, the widow and the orphan of justice. Yeah, that’s in there. Curses aplenty.

So curses in chapter 27 and blesseds in chapter 28. Kinda the way we’ve understood things most of the time. You want to be blessed? Do these things. You don’t want to be cursed? Don’t do those things. Simple enough. At least until Jesus. He seems to see blessings in a different way. It’s not so much a transaction as a state of being. It’s not do this or don’t do that. But simply you are. 

Matthew 5:1-12 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 11 "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

This isn’t a check list. There’s no “hey get out there and meek a little bit.” Or “maybe you ought to mourn some.” Yeah, sure, some of them we can read and say I should do more of that. But even with that, Jesus isn’t saying do this and you will be blessed. He says you are blessed. And He seems to go a long way to find something that fits everyone. He is describing what it means to be blessed. And sometimes we are blessed in states or conditions where we don’t feel very blessed. Where, in fact, we feel the opposite of blessed. 

So, then I went back to Deuteronomy. And as I reread those verses I remembered something my Hebrew professor said one day. She said that as far as she’s concerned we’ve mistranslated the commandments of God. She said that they weren’t so much check lists, or do’s and don’t, even the “thou shall” and “thou shalt not” is a mis-translation. Or at least a misunderstanding. She said that  a better way to translate them is “you are those who” and “you are those who do not.” They are descriptions. 

Maybe, as I remember Dr. Bird’s teaching, maybe Moses and Jesus were talking the same language. They were trying to cast a vision of who we are and how we live together, not giving us rules to slavishly follow. It was the Pharisees who got a little confused about that. Well, the Pharisees and us. We want a list. We want to check things off and not work things out. We want to know we’re right and not whether we’re loving. We want to point fingers at the wrong doers instead of embrace those in need of loving. 

And in the vision is blessedness. Even the parts we don’t like all that much or wouldn’t have chosen to be in. There is blessedness to be found. Blessedness to be lived. So, can you find some blessings in the pandemic and our response to it? Can you? I think Jesus would say there are blessings to be found. Come and look with me.

Shalom,

Derek 

All Day

Psalm 145:17-21 The LORD is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings. 18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them. 20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. 21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.

I’m writing this during the pandemic of 2020. It’s beginning to appear that maybe we’ll come through it. Things are beginning to open up again. Folks are out and about these days. Most are wearing masks, though. A sign that not everything is the same. That normal has shifted. You’ll be a better judge of that from where you are. You can see what has changed, you are living the new normal. 

There are predictions aplenty. From the apocalyptic to the “it was just a bad cold.” And some are making their argument with some volume and passion. I don’t want to argue one way or the other, especially since you readers will have a better perspective on all of this from where you are. I just want to talk about one aspect for a moment. This work from home thing. This shelter in place. This being here with whoever is in the house all day long. In my case, just two of us. My wife of 40 years and me. Well, there’s also a three legged dog and two cats with personality to spare. But people wise, for months it’s just been the two of us. Kids are gone and on their own, trying to make it in a difficult economy. Just us. All day.  

Before you put words in my mouth, it’s been great. Really. We get along well, and have enjoyed one another’s company. We’ve learned even more how to anticipate one another, how to serve and care for one another, how to love.  

That’s what it’s about, isn’t it? That’s why the psalmist talks about the very nature of God so confidently. Because God is close, all day. From that closeness comes knowing and trusting and hoping. From that closeness comes a certainty. Of course it is still faith, we don’t know for sure. Just like I don’t always know what my wife will say or do, but I can guess. Out of love, I can guess really well. 

OK, sure, I get it wrong sometimes. Or because of my moods I forget to pay attention, forget to think of her rather than just me. It isn’t perfect, it isn’t paradise. Just like faith is not the same as knowing, and loving with my own will isn’t the same as loving with God’s will. Or Jesus’ will. Or the Spirit. But some days we get it right. Some days we are on track. And I believe it is because of the closeness. 

Sometimes, when things aren’t going so well, what we think we need is space. A little distance would be good. And perhaps there are times when that does give you a little bit of perspective. I value alone time as much as anyone, and probably more than most. But I can’t help but think that this forced closeness has been good for us. Good for me anyway. 

James says draw near to God and God will draw near to you. (James 4:8) It’s a promise, of sorts. But more a description of what happens. The only way to know someone, to know God is to draw near. You can’t know from a distance. Oh, you can know of, you can know about. But you can’t know. And even more, you can’t be known. Which is what we want, in the end, isn’t it? To be known. All day long.

Shalom, 

Derek 

Day One

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you? ...  But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, 17 comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

“We’ve never done it that way.” It’s a threat, or so it feels to many church leaders. Or not a threat so much as a warning. Or an incantation against change of any sort. Some have said they are the last words of the institutional church. We’ve never done it that way. 

Yet, it not hard to imagine that sentiment. The desire to cling to what has always been, there is security in sameness. There is comfort in familiarity. Indeed, there seems to be an inherent good in preservation. Paul tells the Thessalonians to “hold fast to the traditions.” That seems to be a call to resist change. To keep doing the same things over and over. We like our traditions, they define us. We’ve been doing them since day one, we say, since the very beginning. 

But what are those traditions to which Paul calls us to cling? Are they indeed the practices that we have been doing since day one? Are the traditions that Paul tells us to stand firm upon the behaviors and the actions, indeed even the words, the familiar words that we have spouted since we learned the faith? Well, maybe. In part. Ritual is important even in our day. Repeated actions can give us a sense of belonging, of connection and even of understanding. We partake of the holy meal again and again, and sometimes something shines through. 

Perhaps, however, what Paul is really trying to get the Thessalonians to consider is not so much the doing, but the foundation. The tradition is the love that fosters the behaviors. That’s what Paul wants them and us to stand firm on. Actions change by necessity. Words evolve new meanings and understandings. But the love that gives birth to words and action remains the same. Stand firm on that love. That’s what has been with you since day one. Hold fast to that.

Loving God, teach us to love, even when it is hard, even when it takes effort. Let us hold fast to what makes us your church. Amen.

That’s our prayer and our hope. That’s what has defined us since day one, that love. Love of God and love of neighbor, Jesus said that they are the same. You can’t have the one without the other. In Revelation, John the Evangelist tells the church of Ephesus that they may be doing some good things, they may have an understanding of the law and want to drive out evil-doers, but that their biggest problem is that they forgot their first love.

Revelation 2:1-4 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2 "I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. 3 I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

The letter goes on to say that unless they reclaim that love, unless they stand firm on that tradition, that their lampstand will be taken away. In other words they won’t be the church any more. If what you are doing as the church, if what drives you is not love, love of God and love of neighbor, then you aren’t the church anymore. You are something else, maybe doing something good, maybe causing more harm, but you aren’t the church. You aren’t the representative of God’s grace and glory in the world. Because that is what defines us. 

Make all the law based arguments you want. Go back and cherry pick exclusionary behaviors scattered throughout the scriptures. And there are plenty to choose from. But if you aren’t starting from a position of loving neighbor ... And don’t try that tough love thing, that hides a deep disgust and animosity toward those who are different. Don’t try that the most loving thing to do is to force them into obedience, condemn them into transformation. That simply hides an Ephesus-like loss of love. If you aren’t starting from a position of love, you aren’t the church. You aren’t a follower of Jesus Christ. Because that is the foundation of what we do, that is the tradition upon which we stand. Rituals won’t matter a lick if we aren’t doing them out of love, love of God and love of neighbor. Tradition won’t matter at all if we aren’t doing them out of love, love of God and love of neighbor. 

We’ve never done it that way before. Well, maybe that is our problem. It was G. K. Chesterton who said “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” Even though our foundation, our tradition from day one has been one of love, maybe we’ve never really tried it. Maybe it is time for a new day one.  

Shalom, 

Derek 

Dancing Day

Psalm 149:1-9 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. 2 Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King. 3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre. 4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory. 5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, 7 to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with fetters and their nobles with chains of iron, 9 to execute on them the judgment decreed. This is glory for all his faithful ones. Praise the LORD!

For all the range of emotion that permeates the psalms, the collection ends on a crescendo of praise. In this penultimate song there is unbridled exuberance, from raucous music and dancing, to shouting from the couches, to those who are called to bring justice to the nations. We are to take joy in our living to the glory of God. God, too, takes pleasure in God’s people, the psalmist asserts. We are in a relationship of celebration and joy, even when we do the difficult task of seeking justice.

“Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day” is an English carol that presents the mission of Jesus to invite us all to join in the dance. In his own voice, and with his life, Jesus calls all to dance with joy this gift of life eternal. It could be argued that a saint is someone who says yes to that invitation. All Saints Day might be a stumbling block for some. While we all have those we might consider saintly, most of us would never consider ourselves to be so. Saint sounds like perfect, a word we know better than to apply to ourselves. 

If Psalm 149 can be believed, the beloved of God are those who accept the invitation to dance. A saint is one who knows something of the joy of living, even in the hardest moments of life. A saint is someone who knows something of the exuberance of praise, even when the tears fall like rain and sweat like great drops of blood. On All Saints Day we remember those whose dancing with their Lord has given us all hope. And we aspire to follow the music and dance.

“Tomorrow shall be my dancing day; / I would my true love did so chance / To see the legend of my play, / To call my true love to my dance; Sing, oh! my love, this have I done for my true love”

Yes, it seems odd to be writing about All Saints Day here in the middle of July. But what’s even stranger is that I’m writing about All Saints Day 2022! And then my next project for work is to plan for the Advent worship series for this year. Whew, it’s hard to keep it all straight. I feel somewhat disconnect from time. 

I used to work ahead, that’s true. I began a process of setting a preaching plan a year out, so yes I was thinking and working months out. But the intense work happened closer to the time. Now it all seems somewhat disjointed. Like I don’t really know what day it is, or month, or time. 

That’s the effect of the pandemic, too. I saw a meme with the declaration that “from now on the days of the week will be “this day” and “that day” and “the other day”!” Makes sense to me, I suppose. The days flow together, the rhythms are off.  We all want to get back to normal, even though we realize we never will.

But what if this is just an exercise in eternity? How will the days be marked in heaven? Will we know one from another? Maybe we don’t need to know. Maybe the object is simply to lose ourselves in the dance.  Maybe heaven will be marked not by time, but by opportunities to love, occasions to praise, moments of music and dancing. 

We already know a good movie by how we lose track of time when we’re watching it. We know a good party when we don’t even realize that it’s gotten so late. So, why don’t we start living in eternity now? Just say yes to the One who invites you to dance and lose yourself in loving.

And forget what day it is. Happy All Saints Day! And Advent season. And July 2020. All at the same time.

Shalom, 

Derek

On That Day

Luke 20:27-38 Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him 28 and asked him a question, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; 30 then the second 31 and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. 32 Finally the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her." 34 Jesus said to them, "Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; 35 but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. 37 And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive."

I remember that day. Over 42 years ago. That day I stood up there before God and everybody and made promises that were impossible to keep. Oh, I didn’t think so at the time. I was sure it was within my power to love and honor and cherish as long as we both should live. I was ready to take this leap, ready to remake my life around this other life, this woman I loved. It was exciting, I was happy, I was ready. Little did I know. Over 42 years I’ve learned how little I knew. 

I had to learn that this kind of love is beyond us as human beings. This kind of commitment is out of our reach. At least it is beyond us on our own. For this covenantal love to work it takes mutuality; two wills, two hearts working in tandem. It also needs a supportive community to surround the couple. Also the abiding presence of the Spirit, pouring out love and forgiveness in abundance. 

The Sadducees weren’t asking about this, of course. They were asking about eternity. Since eternity is understood to come through offspring who carry on the name, how does this eternity thing work in resurrection? Jesus side-stepped the whole question. Or rather he answered the question behind the question. Eternity works by different rules than you thought. It isn’t your effort that makes it work, it is God’s. It isn’t what you can do to ensure eternity, it’s what God does.

Who knows how Jesus would have answered if the question was different. If it was about intimacy and commitment and about love, and not about manipulating a place in eternity. Maybe it would have been an assurance that love and relationship is what makes us alive, and that does continue in the resurrection.

Covenant God, inspire our hearts to love like you taught us to love, like the love Jesus showed us. Every day. Amen.

I know, it says 42 years and it’s only 40. But the above is for the devotional that I’m writing and it will be for the year 2022. Published in 2021, but the Disciplines for 2022. There’s a part of me that says that’s a long way off and who knows what I’ll be thinking or doing, or what the reader will be thinking or doing by then. Things seem to be changing all the time these days. 

At the same time, I’m finding reservoirs of love and grace that I had forgotten were there in this time where it is mostly just me and her. And 57 cats and a dog. OK 2 cats, but some days it feels like more. We see other people, I zoom with other people, we text and video chat our kids all over the place. But most of the time, the day to day, it’s just me and her. 

Someone made a meme that says after the pandemic the ones making money will be hairdressers and divorce lawyers. Maybe that’s true for some. (And I did have to get a haircut recently, now that we are slowly opening things here in Tennessee.) But what I’m finding is that maybe that day I did something right. This person who has followed me all over the world, who has set up house in more places that I can even recall easily, who has taken our residence and made it home, that she really is a gift from God. And I’m eternally grateful. 

Eternally. No, we can’t capture eternity in our minds. It is beyond us. I’m troubled by Jesus statement. But I’ve learned to trust Him. So, I guess we’ll find out what He meant on another That day. I’ve been blessed by many loves in my life. But none like this one. And I can’t imagine it not being there. Even in the eternity we are promised. 

Life continues, Jesus says, love continues in eternity. So I think His response to the Sadducees was stop trying to figure out that time, and live eternity in this day. In this life. In this love. Because when you do, then you have an inkling as to what it might be like. On that day. 

Shalom, 

Derek

Someday

The theme is coming into view. The theme for the week of devotions I’m writing. My deadline is just over a month away, and I’m finding my writing falling into place. Still, it is hard to keep it to the proper length. I want to weave more words into the story. But I’m doing what I’m told, and following the rules.

One thing that has helped is writing prayers for our Daily Prayers for Change feature through Discipleship Ministries online. We are joining with all the agencies and the council of Bishops and creating resources for anti-racism. One of the elements are daily prayers that you can receive through your email. Over 1,000 United Methodist’s are receiving these prayers Monday through Friday each week. You are invited to sign up if you’d like to be a part of the group praying for change. Here’s a link:

 https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/praying-for-change-daily-prayers-for-anti-racism. 

But I mention it because I’m writing some of them each week and we need to keep them brief. So, it is helping me be in the mindset of writing quickly to get to the point. Folks won’t necessarily read and pray the prayers if it takes too long. So, I’m trying to get to the point.

This devotion comes from 2 Thessalonians, which purports to be written by Paul. Some scholars dispute this, however, as they do. But whoever wrote it, it is telling the church of that day and this day that we can rely on God and believe in the promise, even as we are called to be careful about who we put in charge of our vision and our hope. So, here is the devotion I’ll be submitting (after the scripture, I mean!) 

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you? ... But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, 17 comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

Waiting is always hard. You can smell those cookies baking. You watch the clock hands move. And it seems interminable. So you try to hurry it along. You open the oven before the cake is done. You attempt to make the clock hands move faster by sheer force of will. But nothing. Waiting is inevitable. And difficult.  

That’s why Jesus never just says “wait!” There was always something else. “Watch and wait.” Or “keep awake and be ready.” Waiting is not empty time. It is time for doing. Not just busy work to keep you distracted. We’re waiting for Jesus, for the Kin-dom of God, for fulfillment. So our waiting is learning to live as though it was already here. We practice Kin-dom living every day. Yet, we always know there is more. That’s what 2 Thessalonians is telling us. Don’t assume we’re done, don’t assume this is the best it can get. We don’t wait with eyes closed, acting as if this life doesn’t matter because there will be a day when someone else sets it all right. No, we wait by working with the Spirit to build the Someday that is coming.

We need a Someday; a vision of what might be possible. Not to distract us, or lull us into laziness or push us into despair. The Someday we long for is fulfillment, the blessed community, the experience of love. When we get a taste of it, we can rejoice. We can comfort our hearts and take strength from that experience; that kiss of grace that comes from a surprising place. We strive for more, for justice, for peace, for mercy in this life. We can smell those cookies baking and wait with hope.

Loving God, we wait for the fulfillment promised by your Son. May we never give up hope, may be never stop leaning into Someday. Walk with us, that we might see and know the Kin-dom. Amen.

Shalom, 

Derek 

Every Day

Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. 5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. ...  17 The LORD is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings. 18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them. 20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. 21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.

Every day I will bless the Lord. Every day? Yes, every day. What about the days I regret, the days when everything goes wrong, when I make bad choices or fall into bad circumstances? Every day. What about the days when it seems like the world is heading to hell in a hand-basket? What about the days when loving my neighbors seems impossible because I can’t stand some of those neighbors and the ways they choose to live their lives? What about the days when I get so disgusted reading social media because every one’s opinion seems so far from mine and theirs make so much less sense? Those days too? Every day.

It seems to be asking a lot, this Psalm 145. And it certainly would be, if praise was a response to circumstance. Let’s be honest there are days when praise is easy. It just kind of rolls off our tongues, just oozes out of our pores. Praise as a response is a fun and uplifting kind of thing that we all enjoy. But Psalm 145 isn’t talking about praise as a response. It is talking about praise as a way of life. Or perhaps an act of will. Every day I will bless the Lord is a decision and not a reaction. Every day.

You can then see the rest of the psalm, after the every day declaration, as a list of ways to maintain the pledge. Meditate on God’s works, see God’s justice, feel God’s nearness, listen for answers to prayer. All these ways can keep us praising, even the days we don’t necessarily feel like it. But then there’s a challenge to accept with this praise way of life, and that is to get others to praise along with you. Maybe the buddy system for praising keeps us on task. Every day I will bless God’s name. Every day. And today.

OK, I’m still working on my devotions for the Upper Room Disciplines. The above is one. It still needs some editing and a prayer added in. But there it is. If anyone wants to make a comment to let me know what you think of the shorter format, I’d appreciate it. Thanks for being a faithful reader.

Shalom, 

Derek