| p2. June 9-16 Liberation: June 9. But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you (Job 12:3). Zophar takes a shot at Job�s suffering, blaming Job�s supposed stupidity. In his view, �secrets of wisdom� reveal how out-of-step Job is with God. But Job affirms his own understanding in this verse, a step toward liberation. Our opponents may sport a knowing look as if they have some secret wisdom about us. But we have understanding as well as them; we are not inferior to them. June 10. If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (John 8:31). The Pharisees of Jesus� day, like the self-righteous Pharisees of our time, were very evangelical. Jesus was critical of those who believed they could be saved by following the Law of Moses. In today�s scripture from John, Jesus addressed the legalistic evangelicals of his day. The fully redemptive truth was God�s gracious love. That�s why those who follow Jesus will enjoy a light burden, as Jesus invited; �Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light� (Matt. 11:28-30). The old Law of Moses went out when Jesus came to show us how to live. Take from me my burden, Jesus, and give me rest. June 11. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses� hands grew weary, so�Aaron and Hur held up his hands (Exodus 17:11, 12). Geese work together. They fly in a V-shaped formation, aerodynamically cutting wind resistance. The others honk to encourage the leader. They take turns being the leader to share the effort. If one gets sick, two fly low with it until they are able to rejoin the flock. If two flocks meet, they merge into a larger V rather than compete. Wouldn�t it be nice if all people and governments could follow God�s word and love one another the way geese do? An ancient Celtic symbol of the Holy Spirit is the Wild Goose. It is the Spirit that helps us work together in this way. June 12. God said to Gideon, �The troops with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand. Israel would only take the credit away from me saying, �My own hand has delivered me (Judges 7:2).� Yahweh did not want the children of Israel to get haughty, for their deliverance was to be of God. So God tells Gideon to send home the fearful, and later, those who drank from a stream by cupping the water. The troops were cut from thirty thousand to three hundred, and yet God gave them victory. Our troops in the gay and lesbian community have been cut, not by God, but by a variety of circumstances. Closets have kept our visible community smaller than we are. AIDS has taken an enormous toll among gay men. Our numbers have been questioned by scientific studies. Whether our number is 10% or 2% of the population, Injustice against any is injustice against all. The God of justice will liberate us, no matter how few or how many. June 13. �Do not think that in the king�s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews� Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this (Esther 4:13-14).� God has a purpose for our position in life. We all know gays and lesbians, maybe ourselves, in positions of power, prestige, and influence. From the Vatican to the 700 Club, from the White House to city council, from corporate headquarters to the officers club, there are those who could intervene for us by coming out. Perhaps God has a purpose for them in our liberation. Trust in Christ. God you know I have been born for such a time as this. Help me make a difference in my corner of your commonwealth. June 14. When you have eaten your fill and have built fine houses and live in them, and when � all that you have is multiplied, then do not exalt yourself, forgetting � your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery (Deuteronomy 8:12-14). There are many more cautions about wealth in the Bible than about homosexuality. The text expresses fear that personal success in the Promised Land will make people forget God�s salvation. They might think they no longer need God. Deliver me from spiritual amnesia when I am blessed, O God. June 15. �It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God� (Mark 10:25). The �eye of a needle� was the nickname of a gate in the city wall of Jerusalem that was so small, a camel had to be unloaded before it could pass through. The thinking in Jesus� day (and in our day) was that wealth could liberate one to do one�s duty to God, but Jesus was not so na�ve. He knew that wealth too easily served our baser nature. Free me to follow you, Jesus. Together may all who are �wealthy� follow you to freedom. June 16. Does it seem good to you to oppress, to despise the work of your hands and favor the schemes of the wicked (Job 10:3)? Sometimes it seems like God is the oppressor. With every victory given our opponents and with every needless death, it feels like godlike powers are arrayed against us. Jesus represents God to us as a force so compassionate that it is willing to die for us on a cross. For the sake of redemption this force is willing to suffer evil so as to persuade rather than coerce us to be reconciled to God, to inspire rather than control our doing good. God doesn�t force us to do good. God hopes that we willingly do good. |
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