Healing Rays of Righteousness

Reclaiming Hope for Tomorrow – Part Two

“And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”  (Romans 5:2a-5).

In many church and non-church conversations I hear a lot of despair and hopelessness being verbalized.  To speak of HOPE and the possibility of overflowing with HOPE seems to these people to be just a lot of wishful thinking.

I concluded last week’s meditation by encouraging us to resist leaning into uncertainty and fear by leaning more seriously into the HOPE given us through Jesus’ death and resurrection.  But what is this HOPE that the biblical writers speak of?  How is it characterized?

There are several different meanings to our contemporary use of the word “hope.”  I am convinced that he hope being expressed by the biblical writers is not “wishful thinking” as in “I hope it doesn’t rain on our picnic.”  This is probably the most popular use of the word “hope.”

 And neither is it an expression of “reasonable expectation” as when the doctor says to the family “We have every reason to hope for full recovery” after medical/surgical treatment to the patient.The doctor’s past experiences with similar cases makes it possible for him/her to offer this reasonable expectation of recovery to patient’s family.

The hope we hear expressed by the biblical writers is a dynamic word of “confident assurance.”  It is the confident assurance of a promised future of personally sharing in the glory of God.  That is, we will share and participate in God’s triumph over sin and death.  This is the strong, sure hope that God has given us in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

There are two additional things we must remember about Christian hope.  First, it is not born from our circumstances, but from our faith.  Hope is closely related to faith in the New Testament.  The Hebrew writer spells it out for us in chapter 11, verse 1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Remember, Jeremiah had no external reasons to trust that things were going to work out for him.  Human reason and wisdom could only say, “Give up!  Quit!”  This was not a purchase that showed great promise.  All Jeremiah had was God’s assurance and a commitment to act in faith.

Despite what his neighbors might say, despite of what appeared to be irrational and illogical, Jeremiah trusted in the power of God to work for good, even in the circumstance of darkness.  Jeremiah realized that faith is indeed “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” 

Secondly, Christian hope is expressed in deeds, not in thoughts and words.  Jeremiah did not shout his hope-filled thoughts from behind the bars of the prison.  He did not send messages out to declare his hope.  Instead, in obedience to God’s word to him, he bought a field.

Hope is looking forward with confidence to the future for something better, something good.  When we hope, we anticipate that something that God has promised to us can indeed happen and will happen.

It is hope that gives voice to the Old Testament prophecies that we read during the Advent season leading up to Christmas.  Christmas Day is the proclamation that this God of hope is birthed into our world and lives in our midst now in the person of Jesus and His Holy Spirit.

Easter’s Resurrection Morning is the proclamation that God has given us an assured hope that our life does not end in death.  Peter proclaims the good news; “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.  This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5). 

It is this living hope that gives music to our praise, wings to our prayers, and anchors our salvation.  And I believe that this living hope is the one counter-cultural difference that catches the most attention from our neighbors.  I believe it is this Christian hope-filled response to life’s difficulties and sufferings that is most likely to open doors for conversation and witness with our neighbors.

Paul concludes his letter to the Romans with this benediction in 15:13, and I offer it to you for today and every tomorrow.  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – January 27, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Reclaiming Hope for Tomorrow

Seated at a table in the restaurant reading the morning paper, a man punctuated his reading with deep groans of dismay and discouragement.  Each page of the current national and international news brought a more profound sigh from him. 

The young waitress became very concerned, and so, as she poured him another cup of coffee she asked, “Is everything alright, sir?  You seem to be terribly upset about something.”

The man replied, “You bet I am!  Haven’t you read the morning paper?  I’m sick to death of all the bad news!”  The young waitress timidly stated, “You’ve got to have hope.”  To which the man asked the classic question of pessimistic frustration, “Hope?  How can you have hope in a world like this?”

In the days of the prophet, Jeremiah, many residents of Jerusalem were expressing a similar hopelessness.  Jeremiah is often called the “weeping prophet” and for good reason.  If anyone had reason to cry, it was Jeremiah.  God had promised them so much and the people had such great possibilities as a nation.  But now, their city was surrounded by the treacherous Babylonian army.  The future for God’s people living in Judah appeared to be dark and hopeless.

Sadly, two weeks ago we witnessed a similar darkness in our nation’s capital on Epiphany, the day the Christian church celebrates the great revelation of Jesus as divine light and truth to the Magi and the world.  On this day of Epiphany 2021, Satan attempted to extinguish this magnificent light in our nation by uprooting and deceiving with his evil lies and conspiracy theories the Trumpian mob crowd that violently stormed the capital with destruction, injuries, and death.   

Some of us may be tempted to give up on our commitment to Christian faith and discipleship, to call it quits and throw in the towel.  But that is not what Jeremiah did.  Instead, he listened to and believed God’s word of hope to him and prepared to purchase a field at Anathoth, his birthplace.

Shortly thereafter, Jeremiah’s cousin, Hanamel, visits Jeremiah in jail and asks Jeremiah to buy the field he owns in the village of Anathoth.  The field earlier belonged to Hanamel’s father and Jeremiah’s uncle, Shallum.  And the Levitical law of redemption meant that Jeremiah had the opportunity to purchase Hanamel’s field.

Consider the circumstances.  Anathoth is a little village out in the countryside.  Not much of a place for business or farming.  And with the Babylonian army threatening to confiscate every bit of private property, who is going to risk plowing and planting the field?  Furthermore, Jeremiah himself was in jail.  So why would he act on such craziness?

But God instructs Jeremiah, “Take these documents, both the sealed and unsealed copies of the deed of purchase and put them in a clay jar so they will last a long time.  …Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.” (vv. 14-15).  God is saying that even this darkest hour will pass and invites Jeremiah to show great faith by believing that the people of Israel will once again flourish.

We are to believe that Jeremiah bought the field, not for any earthly purpose, but for a heavenly purpose of demonstrating his faith in a God who remains faithful to his people.  Jeremiah affirmed his hope for the future in the purchase of land.  He was saying by his purchase, “Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.”  God will restore the devastation.  Crops will again flourish.  Families will return to their homeland.  The good life of community will take precedent over tragedy and sorrow.

And after Jeremiah had given the deed of purchase to Baruch to put into a clay jar so would be preserved for a long time, he prayed, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you.” (v.17).

That was Jeremiah’s faith.  He believed that God was not yet finished with his people in Judah.  So, he invested in the future.  Seeing the possibilities beyond the immediate difficulties, he purchased the field.  He wholeheartedly believed that nothing is too hard for God.  Such faith amid much pain and seemingly hopeless situation is astounding. 

Hope is that which energizes us and enables us to envision possibility, that is a “way through” that shapes our activity.  When we hope, we expect the future to somehow be much better, no matter what our present condition may be.  Hope energizes and gives meaning to life, whereas hopelessness drains us of the energies of life.

Last week I asked how should you and I, who claim to have faith in God, respond to such threatening situations?  The continuing tense and threatening situation in our nation can cause many of us, even though deeply rooted in the Jesus way of Christian faith, to lean into uncertainty and fear.  But rather than leaning into uncertainty and fear, I think it better for us to lean more seriously into the HOPE given us through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Please join me on this Inauguration Day of new national leadership, in celebrating the blessing of Almighty God who favors neither political party nor race but is alive in our world and rules with love, truth, and justice for all mankind.  He is the basis of our hope for today and tomorrow.  Amen!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness”  – January 20, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

The Insidious War on Truth

What happened last Wednesday in our nation’s capital was despicable as a violent attempt to destroy our nation’s foundational constitution and democracy.  It was an ugly and destructive  effort to overturn the fair and factual results of our presidential election.  It was a declared war on truth by the president and  those who have chosen to believe lies and conspiracy theories because they do not like nor accept a reality of truth and facts. 

Most grievous is that many who supported and participated in the awful frightening event call themselves Christian and followers of Jesus, whose teachings and behaviors are antithetical to what they had chosen to believe and do. 

In personal conversations I have warned of the dangers of QAnon and its insidious influence in the Christian church.  QAnon evangelists have been successful in attracting and capturing the Christians whose primary  interest is in discovering signs of  “end time” events.  By framing their deep, dark universe of lies and suspicions with biblical apocalyptic scriptures, QAnon has made their deceitful and dreadful message exciting and believable to many, including Donald Trump.

How should you and I, who claim to have faith in God, respond to these threatening situations?  The events of last week  and the continuing tense and threatening situation in our nation can cause many of us, even though deeply rooted in the Jesus way of Christian faith, to lean into uncertainty and fear.  In such times, I find strength, encouragement and resolve in Psalm 46.

This psalm is a statement of faith declaring God oversees history, and that he is more than adequate for every difficult and threatening event of life, so we do not need to be afraid.  This psalm encourages us to always trust God in every circumstance, including the difficult ones.

The writer of this psalm reckoned with the possibility that God may allow the worst to happen in our world and life.  Nevertheless, he renounces fear and reaffirms faith with three great affirmations of faith that can keep us from being robbed of the hope, peace, joy and love that Jesus brings to us in his promise never to leave us nor forsake us. 

The first affirmation is regarding God’s POWER in verse 1-3; “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  No matter what storm rages, the almighty God is present in the midst of the trouble to help us.  God’s strength will surround our weakness and protect us.  Therefore, we will not fear, even if the worst is happening.

The second affirmation is regarding God’s PRESENCE in verses 4-7; “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.  …The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”  The powerful, loving presence of God gives us confidence, no matter the tumult swirling around us and threatening to destroy us.  Therefore, we will not faint, nor fall.

The third affirmation is regarding God’s PEACE in verse 10; “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  When we look up and see God’s sovereignty, we can rest in confidence of God’s exalted power and presence.  When we believe with certainty that God is present, powerful, and provides all the resources we need in the situation, God’s gift of peace settles upon us and calms our hearts.  The psalmist concludes in verse 11, “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”  Therefore, we will not fret.

Martin Luther was going through a personal storm when he meditated on Psalm 46 and was inspired to write the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing. Our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing, for still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe.  His craft and pow’r are great,and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing.  Dost ask who that may be?  Christ Jesus, it is he! Lord Sabaoth, his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us.  The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him.  His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure.  One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them, abideth.  The Spirit and the gifts are ours, through him who with us sideth.  Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also. The body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still.  His kingdom is forever.

If we can trust the God that this hymn exalts, I believe we will also discover the secret of living with a calm confidence while in the midst of frightening uncertainties.  Amen!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – January 13, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Beginning Again

As a young man, former President Jimmy Carter graduated from the Naval Academy and served as an officer on a nuclear-powered submarine.  However, before he was able to assume that position, he had to have a personal interview with Admiral Hyman Rickover, the man who is said to be the father of the nuclear navy.

Carter was understandable nervous, knowing how much was at stake and that only the best, most disciplined officers were chosen to serve in this prestigious force.  As he stood before Rickover, it was soon obvious to Carter that the wise admiral knew more about nearly every subject discussed than he did. 

Finally, Rickover came to the last question on his list,  “Where did you finish in your class, young man?”  Pleased with his accomplishments and thrilled to be asked a question he could easily answer, Carter informed the Admiral that he had finished 59^th out of a student body numbering 820.  Then he waited for a commendation from the old sailor, but it never came.

Jimmy Carter later recounted that the question that broke the uncomfortable silence between the two men was, “Did you always do your best?”  Carter thought a moment and then cleared his throat and hesitantly replied, “No sir, I did not.”  At that point, Rickover turned he chair around, signaling the interview was over, and asked, “Why not?”

This is a good question to ask ourselves as we reflect on our activities during the past year.  How would we evaluate what we have done during past year?  Would we regretfully say poorly, so-so, or just adequate?  Or would we dare to say good, exceptionally good, or outstanding?

Being Christian, we profess that we are committed to excellence.  But then we hear Jesus telling us that “excellence” is measured by our relationship to God and others.  “’You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Mt. 22:37-39 NLT).  And then in his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expands neighbor to include our enemies and concludes with this measure of excellence, “But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Mt. 5:43-48 NLT).    

Wow!  That raises the bar immensely, and begs the question, “Did we always do our best?” We cannot hide from that question, for God says, “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close.  You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.”  (Rev. 3:8, NLT).  I may be stretching the context of this promise but wish to suggest the open door is that possibility of forgiveness and opportunity to begin again in behaving better.

The beginning of each new year offers us a time to reflect on our past, regret our mistakes and failures, contemplate the future, and make resolutions.  I think most people want to do and be better.     But there is usually something about the past that troubles us, even if it is nothing more than the nagging belief that we could do better if we had another go at it.

Many years ago, Louisa Fletcher Tarkington, wrote a perceptive poem entitled, “The Land of Beginning Again.”  It begins and ends with a verse which is almost a universal wish.

•             I wish there were some wonderful place
•             Called the land of beginning again
•             Where all our mistakes,
•             And all our heartaches,
•             And all of our poor selfish grief,
•             Could be dropped like a shabby
•             Old coat at the door,
•             And never be put on again.

Mistakes and regrets of the past can and often do become heavy baggage for many of us.  This baggage is real and cannot be easily waved aside, for it represents the residue of mistaken judgments and unwise decisions that have left scars and, sometimes, openly deep wounds in our relationships with God and others.  Have we always done our best?  Probably not.   Have any of our conversations and actions caused unnecessary pain.  Probably so.  Do regrets weigh us down?  Most likely. 

The Bible is filled with the idea of forgiveness and beginning life over again.  The possibility of new beginnings is God’s good news to us.  Whatever loose ends may be lying out there in the past, God can help us gather them up into new beginnings.  God assures us that forgiveness is for the asking.  “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”  (1 John 1:9 NLT).   

The psalmist prayed, “O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.” (Psalm 86:5 NLT).  Instead of fretting, let us find forgiveness and move forward through God’s open door of “Beginning Again” toward excellence.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – January 6, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley