over all: Psalm 93

The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed; he is girded with strength.
He has established the world; it shall never be moved;
your throne is established from of old;
you are from everlasting.

The floods have lifted up, O LORD,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their roaring.
More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters,
more majestic than the waves of the sea,
majestic on high is the Lord!

Your decrees are very sure;
holiness befits your house,
O LORD, forevermore.

Psalm 93; NRSVue

God reigns in Christ. The Spirit is poured out from the throne. It is the reign in and by which we as followers of Jesus live.

It is now in the way of the cross, the way of both death and resurrection, the way of Jesus. Above and beyond all that is in opposition and imagine otherwise.

from terror to peace

O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.
Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.
My soul also is struck with terror,
while you, O LORD—how long?

Turn, O LORD, save my life;
deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love.
For in death there is no remembrance of you;
in Sheol who can give you praise?

I am weary with my moaning;
every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.
My eyes waste away because of grief;
they grow weak because of all my foes.

Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
The LORD has heard my supplication;
the LORD accepts my prayer.
All my enemies shall be ashamed and struck with terror;
they shall turn back and in a moment be put to shame.

Psalm 6; NRSVue

There’s not a one of us who doesn’t like to feel well, and not a one of us who likes to feel bad. That however does not line up with the human predicament in this life. Yes, we have those feel-good experiences, but more often than not, they are too few and too far in between. Well, I’m sure I don’t speak for everyone, but I’m guessing I speak for the majority of us, and certainly for myself. We do cherish those time of refreshing rest and as our faith grows, probably the experience of such grows along with it. Yet when it comes right down to it, I often find that I’m needing to manage my emotions, keep them under my hat, to myself, shared many times with my wife, but in the discipline more and more towards the goal of keeping them more between myself and God, asking for prayer along the way when need be.

The psalmist is experiencing almost as it were, violent attacks inside if not out. Shaken with terror, languishing, bed no place of rest. Internal suffering due to external threatening circumstances. It seems they had flesh and blood enemies. That translates directly in our day for the many who suffer at the hand of authoritarian regimes which are a law to themselves. And even where I live in the United States, too many languish in places of little or no hope, victims themselves of an unjust system.  For a person like me who lives in privilege compared to most on the planet, the enemies cited here would be spiritual. Yes, I believe in a power of evil that would undo creation, in fact, as it were, make something quite the opposite of such, all in rebellion against God. One sees evidence of such in different reigns of terror, as well as devasting war and violence, right up to the present time. But if we have eyes to see, we’ll see this evil at work in far more subtle ways. One can go back to Jesus as portrayed in the four gospels, stay in that for a good length of time, and that will help one discern this power at work in supposedly good ways in the world at the expense of what is really good. Jesus as God coming to be and restore our full humanity, helps us simply discern this as humans and then act, something akin to “the good Samaritan.” Note too in the psalm that the terror the psalmist experiences is ultimately turned back on their enemies.

I’m glad for God’s faithfulness in helping us, just as the psalmist notes. There is hope or assurance that God has all things in hand, that God sees, that God understands, that God will act, in fact is acting. All a matter of faith, yes, but in a reality that not only includes all the hard stuff, but the great answer even now in this present existence, with the promise of what’s yet to come.

an anxiety treatment towards prevention and cure

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7; NRSVue

If anyone gets to know me, or if you’ve been around this blog, it won’t be too long until you’ll find out that anxiety has been a major issue I’ve had to deal with in my life. Someone could say, “Well, you’re anxious due to issues, real concerns.” And yes, that’s right. I have in recent years coped with anxiety better, maybe much better than sometimes in the past. If one can find a healthy coping mechanism so to speak, that might give one a window or the space needed to learn to deal with anxiety in ways helpful to them, that seems to me all very well and good.

There are actually many places in Scripture to draw help from when thinking about, anticipating, or experiencing anxiety. The psalms are chalk full of expressions of anxiety mixed with expressions of faith, even if a faith expressed in cries of desperation. Also the stories in the Bible, and don’t ever leave the Old Testament behind. In light of God as revealed in Jesus, we’re not going to take a good number of the Old Testament stories as correlated one to one, totally prescriptive for us today. My “sling and stone” will always be metaphorical, never for an actual flesh and blood enemy.

If there’s one spot I land on or return to again and again when dealing with anxiety, it’s Paul’s words here in Philippians. It is good, even important to read everything in context. Clicking the link above will put one into the section of Scripture, these words on anxiety are found. And better yet, read the entire book of Philippians, a relatively short read. We need less “precious promise” books and more reading of Scripture. Often the promises are taken out of context and more or less misapplied. I am not against such books myself. All I’m saying is that nothing replaces reading and studying and meditating on Scripture as a whole.

Now to Paul’s instruction for us. It seems odd, really impossible to not be anxious about anything. That depends precisely on what is meant, but we do well to do exactly as told here. When we’re considering anything which we know might take us down the path of anxiety, we pray to God with thanksgiving, letting God know all of our concerns, asking God for good answers as best we understand that. Then comes the promise that we’ll be living in God’s peace. Remember, that peace does not depend on circumstances. If it did, none of us would ever have it.

One last thought. We can read and consider this passage from a position of privilege, never encountering the dangers and ills that daily beset billions on our planet. That doesn’t mean this passage doesn’t apply to us, but it does mean that we will do well to take steps even towards what might well make us anxious, step out of our comfort zones, enter somehow into the suffering and world of others. Any number of ways to do that, through giving what resources we have, our time, ourselves, in ways that are healthy for us, but also self-sacrificial in love, the love of God in Jesus.

All the while stepping towards and being immersed in God’s peace in Jesus.

don’t let up on prayer

pray without ceasing

1 Thessalonians 5:17; NRSVue

Prayer is an act of faith. Faith is not only a disposition, but an act (Hebrews 11) which goes on in the face of opposition and in spite of so many things. Prayer like faith is realistic. It doesn’t pretend that serious, even threatening problems don’t exist. But it brings those problems to God and acts, regardless.

If there’s one thing we will know living in this world, there are always huge issues that need addressed. Beginning in our personal lives; the lives of our loved ones and families; in our communities in general and in Christ; in local, state, national and international politics; everywhere.

Paul’s call for the church to pray without ceasing is a call for communities of faith as well as each of us individually to make prayer a priority of practice in faith. Believing that God is present, even if the answer neither seems forthcoming, or is all but lost to us. In a way, the first step and action of faith, which will lead to God’s help, if we don’t give up.

following the Lamb in empire/the world system

A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pangs, in the agony of giving birth. Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns and seven diadems on his heads. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman who was about to deliver a child, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born. And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a scepter of iron. But her child was snatched away and taken to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, so that there she can be nourished for one thousand two hundred sixty days.

And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven proclaiming,

“Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Messiah,
for the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down,
who accuses them day and night before our God.
But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony,
for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.
Rejoice then, you heavens
and those who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
for the devil has come down to you
with great wrath
because he knows that his time is short!”

So when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had delivered the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle, so that she could fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to her place where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. Then from his mouth the serpent poured water like a river after the woman, to sweep her away with the flood. But the earth came to the help of the woman; it opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. Then the dragon was angry with the woman and went off to wage war on the rest of her children, those who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus.

Revelation 13:1-7; NRSVue

This is plainly not only apocalyptic, but figurative language. We can’t take it entirely literally, but we had better take it seriously.

Revelation is a book that is an encouragement as well as instruction to Christians on how to live as faithful followers of Christ in empire. Specifically, in that time, the Roman empire, but for any day, the world system which has values that not only don’t align with the values of Christ but are in direct opposition to them.

There are depictions or characterizations of Jesuses and Christs out there who are not the real Jesus Christ, not even close. Then some which might be closer, yet don’t pass muster. We have to get back to the four gospel accounts and let them speak for themselves, carefully avoiding some of the ways that the church or Christendom have either misinterpreted or acted contrary to them.

We as followers of Christ should anticipate being barraged with accusation. We also need to be aware of just where our victory lies. Of course in Jesus Christ, but not just in him, but in our following of him, yes, in the way of Christ. It’s not at all enough to confess Christ, make the right confession. We have to follow in the way of Christ, the way he has made possible. The blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, not clinging to our lives even in the face of death.

the clear sign of “the mark of the beast”

Then I saw another beast that rose out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb, and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and it makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the sight of all, and by the signs that it is allowed to perform on behalf of the beast it deceives the inhabitants of earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet lived, and it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast could even speak and cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. Also, it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be given a brand on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell who does not have the brand, that is, the name of the beast or the number for its name. This calls for wisdom: let anyone with understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number for a person. Its number is six hundred sixty-six.

Revelation 13:11-18; NRSVue

In my lifetime it has been remarkable the poor teaching that has been under the guise of “prophecy” or “Biblical prophecy.” Its popular manifestations have included the Left Behind series in books and movies preceded by the table setting of The Late Great Planet Earth. What becomes buried through all of that is the true intent of the book of Revelation along with so much of Scripture which is prophetic. It’s simply a matter of informing and forming as in warning and strengthening God’s people to remain true as a witness of God’s good news and will ultimately through Christ. It’s meant to help God’s people in times of persecution and stress, to encourage faithfulness to the end, the faithful following of the Lamb.

But to get to the point of this post, what accompanies the mark of the beast, as the passage puts it, quoted above? Basically, complete control and violence (note the passage quoted above). And why would that surprise anyone? We see it clearly at work in the world today in authoritarian regimes which might even make some show with some lip service to democracy but have insured that such is only window dressing as they clamp down harder and harder in their authoritarian rule and absolute control. And what if there’s protest or political pushback? We see it clearly: lawlessness (they’re a law unto themselves) and violent repression. Political opponents are locked up and/or killed, dissidents rounded up to something of the same fate. In other cases, the political opponents and journalists simply become irrelevant due to authoritarian control through pressures on business along with militia threats of violence or whatever else. Other regimes don’t bother with window dressing, so that resistance to them would have to be totally underground.

This is the fruit of the mark of the beast: Total control and violence to those who resist such control, who get out of line. I have often thought that there’s no doubt that the spirit of the antichrist is nearly always considered the Christ, Christian, or at least so in places where Christianity has roots. That spirit has been and continues to be at work in many guises, be they atheist, some religion, or whatever may be the case. But the most deceptive form of all would most surely, in my opinion, come in the name of Christ, in the name of Jesus. Paul warns about something like that to a church, that they might see Jesus as something he is not or receive a spirit other than the Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 11:4). In other words, that they would be deceived. I believe in some significant measure, this is exactly what we’re seeing today, at this moment in time, plain as day, right before our very eyes.

We need to recognize and some call it out for what it is, and above all, to stand firm in the faithfulness of Jesus, in the way and triumph of the Lamb (Revelation 14).

no end to worry except here

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

There is one thing for sure in this life. You’re never going to run out of things to worry about. If it isn’t one thing, it’s another, and some of them seem downright threatening. What are we to do?

Of course we can reason through it, ask for help, and try to do what we can. But best before and while we’re doing anything, above all we do well to pray. To ask God for God’s help, the help that only God can give. To see us through regardless.

when our plate is too full (or when life seems overwhelming)

We do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia, for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again, as you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many may give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Very few could begin to compare their experience with what the Apostle Paul and that apostolic band went through. But for all Christ followers, there are those times of pressure which can seem overwhelming and undermining. During which you can’t imagine one more problem. On a much lower level, life seems like that. But sometimes the crescendo rises, and there seems like there’s no escape from what frankly can feel threatening.

Ironically when we realize that we’re in way over our heads, that’s when we might be able to relax(?) into God’s help. Or at least no longer imagine that somehow, we ourselves can take care of it. We can’t, but God can and will help us as we look to God. All we can do is do what we have to the best we can, knowing that it will be imperfect and incomplete. But also believing that somehow God will be in it, or at least in life in general and what we’re facing in particular.

All of this is not for us, but for the witness and glory of Christ. In and through Jesus.