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| Blackberries at MSF |
his dwellings I will pity;
City shall be rebuilt upon hill,
and palace restored as it was.
From them will resound songs of praise,
the laughter of happy men.
The Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi practiced the art of building his team in the ancient manner. He chewed them out when they won, and lavished praise on them when they lost. When they won he grilled them for their mistakes and lack of effort; when they lost, he acknowledged their courage and skill.
Before Jerusalem fell, Jeremiah threatened the city with ruin because of their sins. After it fell to the Babylonians, he promised restoration. Despite our sins God does not abandon his people. As devastating as this horror is, so glorious will be the days to come!
For man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
We who belong to God know him by hearing and believing in his word. We have been blessed; there’s no denying that. God has given us peace, security, ease, health, and prosperity. Within our hearts we have found courage, integrity and patience. But God teaches us not to hang on his blessings. They will come and go unpredictably, like the weather. His fidelity, however, lasts forever; and we know that by his word -- because He has said so.
In the end we are not God’s privileged people. He does not treat us like pampered pets to be shown off at dog shows or coddled into obscene obesity. But we are People of the Word, disciplined by his two-edged sword. Jeremiah’s writing survives to this day because faithful people treasured it. In the word of God they found reason to go on when everything seemed lost,.
Their city was destroyed; their king and his descendents vanquished; and their religion with its temple, priests, and sacrifices erased. Into perpetual exile they carried songs, dance, rituals, memories, and a few documents. But more deeply in their hearts they carried faith, hope and love: faith in the past, hope for the future, and love in every present moment. More than two millennia later, we honor their courage and worship their God.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.