The Bible Challenge
Reflection for April 25 or Day 109
2 Samuel 1-3, Acts 5 and Psalm 90.
Second Samuel opens with David receiving the report of Saul and Jonathan’s death, which marks the next stage in David’s ascent to the throne that began with the prophet Samuel anointing David as a young boy. “How the mighty have fallen” forms the moving refrain of David’s lament for Saul and his dear friend Jonathan’s death. Despite being relentlessly hounded by Saul and his army for much of the latter half of First Samuel, David greets Saul’s death with an expression of deeply felt emotion which displays the most noble aspect of David’s character. God’s plan is working itself out. However, sin being what it is, this plan unfolds by means of the violence of inter-tribal warfare and the revenge killing of Abner by Joab and his brothers, the bloody-minded sons of Zeruiah. As one who knows God through Jesus, the Messiah, I am convinced God does not seek out violence to work God’s will. But the cross and resurrection of Jesus demonstrates God’s capacity to refashion an instrument of violence into a means of forgiveness, hope and new life – then and now.
In Acts chapter 5, the church faces one of its first tests of discipline in the deception of Ananias and Sapphira. In confronting them, Peter speaks the truth in love. In this case the truth hurts and the deaths of Sapphira and Ananias are greeted by a sobering, fearful silence. Truth has power. This internal challenge is followed by an external one – the Apostles are jailed for proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus and declaring him Messiah and Lord. God’s word cannot be silenced. The Holy Spirit is on the loose and so, too, are the disciples, as the miraculous delivery from prison so tellingly signifies. But the followers of Jesus are learning that obedience to God is costly. God’s message of life and love is a challenge to worldly power. Worldly power often pushes back. I find myself moved and inspired by the Apostles response to the flogging they receive: they rejoice that they had been found worthy of suffering disgrace for the name of Jesus. I wonder how this response challenges our congregation’s and our own discipleship?
As we pray over and ponder that question, Psalm 90, as translated by Issac Watts in the beloved hymn “O God our Help in Ages Past” provides perspective and hope:
O God our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast
and our eternal home:
Under the shadow of thy throne
thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
From everlasting thou are God
to endless years same
The Rev. Andrew J. Sherman
Rector, St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Boca Raton
Reflection for April 25 or Day 109
2 Samuel 1-3, Acts 5 and Psalm 90.
Second Samuel opens with David receiving the report of Saul and Jonathan’s death, which marks the next stage in David’s ascent to the throne that began with the prophet Samuel anointing David as a young boy. “How the mighty have fallen” forms the moving refrain of David’s lament for Saul and his dear friend Jonathan’s death. Despite being relentlessly hounded by Saul and his army for much of the latter half of First Samuel, David greets Saul’s death with an expression of deeply felt emotion which displays the most noble aspect of David’s character. God’s plan is working itself out. However, sin being what it is, this plan unfolds by means of the violence of inter-tribal warfare and the revenge killing of Abner by Joab and his brothers, the bloody-minded sons of Zeruiah. As one who knows God through Jesus, the Messiah, I am convinced God does not seek out violence to work God’s will. But the cross and resurrection of Jesus demonstrates God’s capacity to refashion an instrument of violence into a means of forgiveness, hope and new life – then and now.
In Acts chapter 5, the church faces one of its first tests of discipline in the deception of Ananias and Sapphira. In confronting them, Peter speaks the truth in love. In this case the truth hurts and the deaths of Sapphira and Ananias are greeted by a sobering, fearful silence. Truth has power. This internal challenge is followed by an external one – the Apostles are jailed for proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus and declaring him Messiah and Lord. God’s word cannot be silenced. The Holy Spirit is on the loose and so, too, are the disciples, as the miraculous delivery from prison so tellingly signifies. But the followers of Jesus are learning that obedience to God is costly. God’s message of life and love is a challenge to worldly power. Worldly power often pushes back. I find myself moved and inspired by the Apostles response to the flogging they receive: they rejoice that they had been found worthy of suffering disgrace for the name of Jesus. I wonder how this response challenges our congregation’s and our own discipleship?
As we pray over and ponder that question, Psalm 90, as translated by Issac Watts in the beloved hymn “O God our Help in Ages Past” provides perspective and hope:
O God our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast
and our eternal home:
Under the shadow of thy throne
thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
From everlasting thou are God
to endless years same
The Rev. Andrew J. Sherman
Rector, St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Boca Raton
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