"At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. Give generously to [the poor] and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today" (Deuteronomy 15:1, 10, 11, 15).

How should we apply these Old Testament economic laws to our Christian lives? One way is to consider the principles which govern these laws. Verse 15 offers this summary, "Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you." Then this is added, "That is why I give you this command today."

Frequently, Israel is reminded to remember her history: she began as a nation of slaves. God took her out of Egypt, setting her free and establishing her in a new place. This happened not because Israel was deserving of it, but because God is generous and loving, full of mercy and compassion. This history was to shape Israel's religious and economic imagination. As such, Israel was to follow in God's footsteps, to imitate him.

We tend to spiritualize this by concluding that we need to forgive as the Lord has forgiven us. This is valid. Jesus was very clear on this, saying, "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your father will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:14,15). Jesus uses language which seems to borrow heavily from Deuteronomy 15, "Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to."

This forgiving is the heart of the Christian faith, and it is a difficult thing to do. The best way into forgiveness is to lean into the truth that we are forgiven. The sacraments are meant to bring our imaginations back to this heart of our faith, "I am forgiven." Still, it is difficult to practice. Often, when we meet someone, we have forgiven, we find ourselves needing to go through the process of forgiving all over again. As Jesus said, 70 x 7.

However, this passage should not be limited to the spiritual. This passage should poke and prod our hearts. It's difficult to share our hard-earned money. We easily find reasons why poor people do not deserve our generosity. This is exactly what God is calling out here. Why did Israel deserve freedom? Why do we deserve to be forgiven by God? There is no reason for either! Israel was freed and we are forgiven simply because God is gracious. And in that we are to imitate him.

God's resources are limitless and he gives lavishly to the undeserving. Two reasons for us to be generous. The road to generosity is not to look at our bank accounts, but to look at God, as it says fix your "eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:2).

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

A Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings! The text is Mark 8:27-38. Dive In discussion questions are below for further reflection!

To see this sermon in the context of the worship service it comes from, find it here on YouTube. Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC: immanuelministries.ca

Dive In

1. What is the topic of the sermon?

2. What three types of occasions does this show up in the gospel of Mark?

3. Peter gives Jesus the right __________. But he doesn't _______ Jesus.

4. The danger is not _____________ Jesus but believing in the _____________ Jesus.

5. What image of Jesus do you have in your mind? How accurate do you think it is?

6. What enabled Jesus to endure his suffering?

7. What is the most important part of the Messianic Secret?

8. We must do more than admire Jesus, we must __________ and __________ him and take up our own ________.

9. According to Philippians 2, where can taking up our cross have significant impact?

10. What can sustain us as we carry our cross?

Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? (Psalm 10:1)

At first glance this verse is less than pious. Yet, as lament, it is right on the mark.

Few of us address God this way. We use nice, polite, emotionless words. But this psalm expresses how we often experience life, inviting us to bring to God all the raw emotion we feel about the unfairness of life.

When life is tough, we often ask, "Where is God?" suggesting something is amiss with our religion. We may conclude it's not working. This psalmist makes God's absence normal.

Why do we not pray like this psalmist? I suggest that we have taken the doctrine of the incarnation to an illogical conclusion!

Having finished his earthly ministry, Jesus promised, "I am with you to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). We have interpreted this to mean that we will always feel His presence. Further, we believe it means our lives will by and large be the way we want them to be. I believe both these things are wrong.

Jesus promised to be with us as we fulfill the mission which he gave us. He did not promise to make our lives smooth or that we would always feel the balm of our faith. It must also be said that God's purposes are rarely understood by us. The disciples certainly didn't get Jesus very well.

This is the matter that the psalmist is lamenting. He firmly believes that the Lord is King forever and forever (16). He also believes that God hears and defends the helpless and the oppressed (17-18). His problem is that he does not see it.

He is frustrated that the arrogant are having their way in this world. When they have the power, they get to call the shots. Their wrecking ball is destroying society. It's become a blood bath.

It's the same today, isn't it? Murdering dictators and ruthless business leaders and dishonest politicians. How do we live in such a society?

First, we allow Psalm 10 to shape our prayers. Seeing the horrible ways that human society functions, the war, the poverty, the human trafficking, the destruction of the planet, we take the time for lament. We feel the pain of creation in turmoil, and we bring it all before God, daring to tell him that he better see what we are seeing.

Second, we do not join the arrogant in their lifestyles. We deliberately look at our lifestyles to discover the ways we may be contributing to the chaos. And instead, we 'act justly; we love mercy; and we walk humbly with our God' (Micah 6:8). We follow Jesus and partner with God in redeeming activities. Only God can establish his kingdom. Yet, he chooses to use us in the process. So, like Jesus, we go out and find those in need of him.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

"You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you… (Psalm 66:12, 13).

Authentic biblical faith exists in a creative tension: the personal life of the Christian and the corporate life of the church.

Each of us is called to grow up, to mature in our faith; and as we grow, to participate in God's great Kingdom building. However, we will experience no progress in either without being nourished within the body of Christ. We should envision this growth happening not just in the large gathering of the church, such as Sunday worship, but also in the Christian family and in small groups of Christians gathered in Christ's name.

We need to be committed to our own spiritual growth, yet that growth requires the assistance of fellow Christians. This is a tension that we need to live with not resolve.

When this tension is neglected growth stalls. Sometimes the Christian community becomes cultish is which the self disappears, and spiritual decisions require the leader's approval. On the other hand, a Christian sometimes becomes so detached from the community of faith that she wanders alone.

Christianity should be intensely personal, but not individualistic.

Each of us has been called by Christ and is part of God's purpose in creation and redemption. All Christians are part of the new Israel (Gal. 6:16) and members of Christ's kingdom. We are all called to do battle against the powers of darkness, and we are all witnesses of the resurrection power of our Lord.

The meaning of the Christian life is not only my personal salvation or my own interior spirituality but is found in God's purpose to unite "all things in Christ," things in heaven and things on earth (Eph. 1:10). The church is the first fruit of God's plan of cosmic reconciliation. That is why we all need to be connected to a Christian fellowship, otherwise called a church; it is also why the disunity of the church is such a tragedy.

Psalm 66 witnesses to both the communal and the personal nature of faith. It begins with a great confession of God's "awesome deeds" in history. He called Israel and redeemed her from Egypt. Because of her sin, God broke her in judgment. But now, God has brought her to rich fulfilment (12).

Suddenly, with verse 13, the psalm becomes intensely personal. The psalmist vows his intention to worship and declare what God has done for his own soul. The psalmist sees his own relationship to God in the wider scope of His dealings with His people. This is authentic faith. We live before God within the context of God's community.

In this psalm we rediscover God's purposes for us: not to make us comfortable, but rather, useful for his redemptive plan. How does your personal life's vision match up with God's? How will you stay connected with God's community as summer moves into fall?

As you journey on, go with his blessing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn.

"Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year" (Deuteronomy 14:22).

This text introduces the 10% tithe. Each Israelite family was to set this aside for several purposes.

First, Israel was to go and party (23, 26). God instructed his people to take their tithe (grain, wine, sheep, goats, etc.) to the place where God was worshipped. If they lived far away, they could sell their produce and buy what they wanted near the worship centre (26). There they would party. This celebration had a twofold purpose. They would rejoice in God for the provisions he had given, and they would learn to revere him (23).

Israel was to fear the Lord, but not in a stogy, somber, arms folded or terrified kind of way. Their fear and reverence for God came from paying attention to the care and love which he was pouring out. It was not fear of judgement that was to motivate Israel's faith, but joy, joy in the Lord.

If you are thinking that 10% is way too much to spend on one party, you are quit right. The Lord had established several Levite cities. The tribe of Levi did not have land to farm because they worked at the place of worship. They were dependent on God for provision. But God did not intend to airlift supplies into these towns.

Rather, the Israelites were to leave part of their tithes for the Levites. God does not specify how much should be left there. The gifts for the Levites were also a food bank for those in need. Moses specifies the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows. In the ancient economy, these groups were the most vulnerable. Yet, in Israel they would have a place to go; there would be provision for those who fell on difficult times.

Thus, the tithe provided for the worship of God and provision for those who administered that worship and for the needy. However, the emphasis is not on the percentage. The emphasis throughout is on the relationship between God and his people. The people are to worship and revere God. They are to rejoice in all the material goods God provides and to liberally share them with those in need. As the Lord blesses them, they are to bless others. The chapter ends, "so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands" (29).

This emphasis on joyfully and liberally passing on God's blessings reappears in the New Testament. The most explicit treatment of it is in 2 Corinthians 8-9, which includes this summary, "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (9:8). This is the touch stone for Christian giving, as Paul wrote, "God loves a cheerful giver" (9:7).

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:1 & 9)

God's name is compared to all the grandeurs of the created order. David knew a few of those: the delicate flowers along the creek banks, the roar of the lion, the bond between mother sheep and her lamb, the vastness of the night sky unmarred by modern streetlights.

But among all the majesty of the created order, nothing matches the majesty of God's name which evokes everything from fear of condemnation to outright frolicking. When we know God, its difficult to be indifferent. We either fear his judgement or revel in the depths of his love.

This majestic God has His enemies. But the praise of infants will silence the foe and the avenger. It will not be great deeds that bring peace on earth, rather, the small and weak will lead the way. Reminds us of Christmas and Jesus welcoming children!

Having been awed by the glories of the heavens, the psalmist replaces the telescope with the microscope. After marvelling at the stars, he marvels at humanity. "What is...the son of man that you care for him?"

It's not clear who David meant with 'son of man'. But the New Testament writers saw a shadow here pointing towards Jesus. In Hebrews 2, this psalm is used to validate Jesus' superiority to all the angels.

We also know that those who believe in him are being remade to be just like him. We humans were meant to be the rulers of the creation. Today, we make a mess of things, but some day we will know how to rule just fine.

This psalm takes its cue from the glories of creation. But it focuses its lens on the one created to lead all of creation: humanity. "What is man?" it asks, hinting that the honest answer is, "not much; a disaster, mostly."

But God was not satisfied with that. Nor was he willing to abandon us. He set out to recreate, reshape, restore. At the heart of the restoration is Mary's baby boy. How absurd! Jesus, the Word of God—flinger of stars into space, heaper up of the mountains, scooper of the Great Lakes; now he lies in Mary's arms, nursing from her breast.

How undignified! How bewildering! The hope of the world? Indeed.

What can we say except, "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

The creation is awash with the glory of God. David saw it. Living in dense urban centres, many of us have few opportunities to really see. We must open our eyes and see. Even in concrete jungles there is plenty of evidence of God's majesty. Look for it.

To sing, "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" we must see what God has made. But then, we must also know the 'Son of Man'. When we know him, "O Lord", becomes, "our Lord" and we join the song.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong" (Ecclesiastes 5:1).

What is the "sacrifice of fools"? It is telling God all about ourselves. The prayer of the pharisee in Jesus' story found in Luke 18:9-14 is a prime example. Jesus' point is simple, "God isn't listening."

Our text is followed with these words: "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few" (Eccl. 5:2). Which of us is not guilty in the face of this wisdom?

Why is it that we need to speak so much, even in the presence of God? Sometimes to justify ourselves. We attempt to convince God that we are not as bad as we know that we are. We make excuses for our bad behaviour, and he should let us be who we are.

Sometimes, because we believe that God's laws are unfair. We need to explain to him that He needs to lower the bar. No one can really measure up to those standards.

Since we have so much to talk about, why should we be silent? So that God can speak.

Silence is the discipline that puts a stopper to our self justifications. When we stop talking, God can tell us that there is no justification for our wrong, nor for our lack of love. He will tell us that we are as evil as we think we are. Maybe that is why we don't want Him to talk.

But then God will also tell us that our sin is gone. He remembers it no more. There is no excuse for our sinful behaviour, so God forgives us. Christ died for our sins. We are deeply loved. When we stop talking, we give God an opportunity to tell us this.

Also, speech is the most powerful weapon in our attempts to control others and our own reputations. Our tongues are full of manipulation and control.

In the silence, God can remind us that any control we think we have is just an illusion. Isn't that really what's behind God's question to Elijah, "What are you doing here?" Elijah had come to think that he oversaw Israel's spiritual wellbeing, which was in freefall. But God says to Elijah, "I got this, don't worry" (1 Kings 19). There is one who is truly in control and that is God. Only in that silence can our souls truly find rest.

This is why Sabbath is so important. Work often becomes an avenue by which we control our lives. Only in Sabbath silence do we discover that we cannot control our lives through work. Only God can control.

James reminds us that the tongue is difficult to control. We know this to be true. Yet we must not forget that Paul wrote that we have been set free for freedom's sake (Gal. 5:1). An element of that freedom is the freedom to be silent.

In our silence we hear the small still voice of God that our fears are unjustified. In silence we discover the most profound truth: we are not God, God is. And that is good news.

As you journey on, go with his blessing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn.

A Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings! The text is Matthew 16:21-28. Dive In discussion questions are below for further reflection!

To see this sermon in the context of the worship service it comes from, find it here on YouTube. Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC: immanuelministries.ca

Dive In

1. Why does this man come to Jesus?
2. What does Jesus say about "good"? What is Jesus' first answer to his concern?
3. Why does Jesus point out the second half of the 10 Commandments?
4. How much are you worth?
5. What does the question, "What do I still lack?" tell us about this man?
6. Can we become good by keeping the commandments?
7. The man's idol is his wealth. What other idols can you think of?
8. Jesus says to him, "Follow me!" What does this mean?