Category: A Moment with the Master

The Good Hand of God

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah tell various stories of Judah’s return from Babylonian exile. The return home was exciting but also came with challenges. There was much that needed to be repaired and rebuilt, physically and spiritually. During this era, Ezra and Nehemiah were instrumental in the restoration process. 

Throughout their books, there is a beautiful sentiment expressed at various places. At least eight times, we read that the good hand of God was upon them. Ezra and Nehemiah were successful men, but they attributed their success to the goodness of God. It was God who protected them, provided for them, and made them succeed where it mattered most. 

How wonderful it is to know that our God wants to rest His good hand on us. He wants to bless, protect, and provide for us in the most important ways. But also, always remember that goodness comes from God. Take time to thank the Lord for His good and generous care. 

Listen Up!

Several times in Jesus’ life, the gospels record that during or after speaking to people, Jesus would say, “He who has ears, let him hear!” That’s a strange saying to most of us—we don’t use that phrase in everyday parlance. One translation makes this phrase more understandable: “The one who has ears had better listen!” We can probably remember times in our youth (or maybe even adult life) when a parent, teacher, or someone else had to get our attention and say, “Listen up!” 

Some advice, instructions, and words are too important to miss. Maybe a parent has some chores that must be completed; perhaps a teacher is giving information that will be critical come test time; or maybe a doctor is giving advice that could save our lives. It’s not enough to hear—we must listen and understand. And this is especially true of Jesus’ words. Listen to them intently, ponder them, and obey them. When Jesus speaks, listen up!

Aloe-Vera on the Sunburn of Life

I recently heard a teacher at church say, “Some people are like aloe-vera on the sunburn of life.” He spoke about people who remain calm, collected, and thoughtful even when life gets hard and circumstances become troubling. I thought the metaphor itself was great. Life can be difficult, irritating, and even painful. Problems arise, and new trials come along as soon as they are overcome. If we aren’t careful, problems can wear us down. The constant stress and irritation can be too much. Often, we just want some relief. 

Some people are adept at providing that relief. They have the right words to say, know the most helpful actions, and perhaps offer secret prayers in times of need. What a blessing such folks are. And what a goal to aspire to. Why not aim to be the type of person who brings peace and relief to others in their distress?

Years of Our Sojourning

Genesis 47 tells of Jacob’s move to Egypt and recounts the meeting between Pharaoh and the great patriarch. Pharaoh asked Jacob how old he was, to which the patriarch replied, “The days of the years of my sojourning are 130 years…” That’s an interesting way to refer to one’s life—“the days of my sojourning.” The Hebrew word rendered “sojourning” carries the idea of a temporary abode or living somewhere as a stranger. 

It’s true that Jacob had lived in several places and led a somewhat nomadic lifestyle. But that’s not what Jacob is referring to. Jacob realized an important truth: this world—this life—is temporary. We toil and labor to build homes, feel established, and make our mark on this world. But too often, we forget this life is temporary—it’s a journey to somewhere else. Our years, be they many or few, are but a sojourning toward eternity. Sojourn wisely so that you may find an eternal home with God. 

Empty-Handed

What do we offer to the Lord? Some people make the point that there is nothing we can offer God. There is no worth we bring to the relationship. There’s nothing we can give that God lacks. There is some truth to this idea. But we should be wary. Some take this idea to the extreme that there’s nothing we should or can do aside from believing in God and being thankful He saved us. But listen to Deuteronomy 16:16: “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God at the place that he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Booths. They shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.”

We are entirely indebted to God and His gracious love. But God has always expected His faithful people to serve Him diligently. If you were to meet the Lord today, would you appear before him empty-handed?

And God Knew

The final chapters of Genesis explain how Jacob’s family became welcome guests in Egypt. But Exodus opens to a very different scene. A Pharaoh who didn’t know his history concerning Joseph and the Israelites rose to power. As is the tendency of carnally minded rulers, he began worrying about power. He worried the Israelite population would pose a military threat, so he oppressed them. Instead of welcome neighbors, they became slaves, forced into hard labor by cruel taskmasters. As the years dragged on, the Israelites began to call out to God, and God heard their cry. Exodus 2:25 says, “God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.”

What a beautiful reminder. In our darkest hours, God sees us. When seemingly unbearable burdens crush us, God knows our plight. And while He may work in ways we don’t always see or understand, we can trust that when we cry out to God in faith, He hears, He sees, He knows, He cares, and He acts for the good of His children.

Bear Witness to the Wrong

During Jesus’ trial, the High Priest questioned Him about His disciples and His teaching. Jesus answered with the truth—He had spoken openly in the synagogues and in the Temple. His ministry hadn’t been secretive. They knew exactly what He had done and taught. When Jesus answered this way, one of the officers hit Jesus. To this violent outburst, Jesus responded, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?”[1]

People often resort to attacks instead of honest deliberation when there is a disagreement. Maybe it’s not physical attacks like the officer who struck Jesus, but people often lash out with verbal or emotional attacks. If someone behaves or speaks incorrectly, do as Jesus said—bear witness to the wrong. But if there is no wrong to be corrected, don’t resort to personal attacks because of arrogance and a desire to defeat another who doesn’t even need to be your opponent.

[1] Cf. John 18:19-23

You Are a Lawbreaker

Do you ever feel like other people’s failings are worse than your own? It’s an easy trap to fall into. Most of us are quite capable of explaining away our shortcomings while seeing looming devastation in the shortcomings of others. We tend to see others’ failures as “big” while ours are “small.” But at the end of the day, a failure is a failure, and sin is sin. James 2:10-11 says, “For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all. For he who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ So if you do not commit adultery, but you murder, you are a lawbreaker.”[1]

We may think someone else’s sin is worse than ours. But our sin is bad enough. Our sin, “small” as we think it is, separates us from God and makes us unholy sinners. And that means we need God’s mercy just as much as anyone else. 

[1] CSB

The Problem with “Why?”

Sometimes, we face terrible hardship or even tragedy. During dark and painful times, it’s tempting to question God. Why does He allow suffering? Why doesn’t He fix things? Why doesn’t He act sooner? Again and again, we might find ourselves asking, “why?” But there are two major reasons we should not question God.

First, we are incapable of truly understanding God’s wisdom and purposes. He is all-knowing, and we are not. His thoughts and ways are higher than ours, and we simply cannot fathom all of God’s potential reasons.[1] God has revealed what we need to know, and that is enough for us to trust in Him. 

Second, we are unworthy of asking God “why?” and unworthy of knowing all His ways and reasons. God is perfect; we are not. God is holy; we have sinned. And yet, despite this, God loves us enough to work for us and offer us redemption. Our place is to thankfully trust and obey Him and His plan.

[1] Isaiah 55:9

Why Does He Speak Like That?

A paralyzed man’s friends once brought him to Jesus, and when they couldn’t reach the Lord because of the crowd, they went to the house’s roof, opened a hole, and lowered their friend to Jesus. When the Lord saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Some people nearby heard this, and Mark says they asked, “Why does this man speak like that?”[1] They thought Jesus blasphemed because only God can forgive sins. And they would have been right if Jesus was just a man. But Jesus is not just a man—He is the Son of God, the eternal Word incarnate. Thus, He does have power to forgive sins. 

But the question is a good one: “why does Jesus speak the way he does?” Because He is the Lord. His words are not just healing—they are also authoritative. And because He is the Lord, we must listen to and obey His words.

[1] Cf. Mark 2:1-12