Grace To Hitler

Jonah 4:4 Then the Lord said, “is it right for you to be angry?” We live in a meritocracy, which means that if we put in some effort/time/resource, we expect that we get out some yield on that effort/time/resource. It’s the reason why we work hard, not just at our jobs, but in raising our kids, improving our marriages and even on deepening our relationship with God. Now God honors our efforts, and he wants us to co-labor with him, but this input/output equation represents the ways of the world, not the ways of the Father. In one of my two favorite bible stories of all time, Jonah openly rebels against God’s will to save Ninevah, because it’s not fair from the meritocratic viewpoint of the world. As a part of the Assyrian empire, which brutally oppressed God’s chosen people, skinned people alive, and invented torture methods including crucifixion, Jonah felt it was not fair that God wanted to redeem that city. If God today sent us to bless Hitler, or the KKK, we might have a similar reaction. But in reality we have all experienced grace, and grace doesn’t care how hard you worked at your job, your marriage or even being nice to people. If it did we’d all be in deep trouble, because we all fall short of God’s standard. Yet how often we fail to express that same grace that we have been so blessed to receive ourselves. A friend and mentor sent me this sermon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF2QqOet6OM that spurred some of these thoughts, and in it the Pastor challenges us to extend grace to those who have wronged us. I’m undergoing that process now through our inner healing ministry, and I’ll say it’s one of the toughest and at the same time one of the most liberating things I’ve ever experienced. Lord thank you for your grace. I sometimes fail to extend the same grace to those around me. I know you’re asking me today “is it right for you to be angry?” as you asked Jonah so long ago. I commit my plans to you, and ask for your strength to extend grace to those who don’t deserve it, just as I don’t deserve it. In your son’s name, Amen.

Doggy Devotions

Psalm 73:25 “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth I desire besides you.” The other day as I devoured some tasty ribs I saw our dog Madison looking up at me with longing eyes. Knowing not to feed her at the table, I took my last rib over to the other side of the kitchen and gave it to her. She was ecstatic and immediately went to town. During lockdown God has been speaking to me through Maddie. She loves me unconditionally. She’s always by my side. When I head into another room she runs behind me and scratches at the door desperately until she can get into my presence again. “If only I could prioritize God the way Maddie prioritizes me…” I’ve often thought. I enjoyed watching her enjoy my gift, but after a minute I decided to head down to get some work done. I figured Maddie would be far too distracted with her precious bone to notice, but she actually left her bone behind and cheerfully followed me downstairs. God gives us good gifts, which we are designed to enjoy. But loving the gifts more than the giver poses a problem. For most of my life, when God blessed me with a business deal, I would focus on the deal more than giving thanks or pressing into his presence. But yesterday I felt God letting me know that I’m finally starting to get my priorities straight, and that he’s proud of me for it. Lord, there is nothing on earth I desire besides you. Everything else pales in comparison. I love you. In your son’s most precious name, Amen.

A Great Wave

Acts 8:1 “A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem.” For many years I prayed for North Korea on a daily basis. All four of my grandparents hail from the region, and about 20 years ago a pastor prayed a word over me that I would help that country. It’s been on my heart ever since. After much excitement a few years back with what seemed like a path to reconciliation, events have turned back towards, and perhaps even more hostile than the state of affairs before it all began. I must confess that I’ve been praying less for the DPRK in what seems like an increasingly hopeless situation. But today, as part of my exercise to write down 100 dreams, I felt God challenging me in this area, so I wrote two dreams down related to NK. Then as I shifted to the word, and prayed where I should turn for my daily bread, I felt God point me to Acts 8. After the death of Stephen, “a great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem.” But this massive setback became an incredible blessing as believers scattered through the region, performed miracles and preached the gospel, leading to an incredible expansion of the church. Today I feel God reminding me that my hope does not come from circumstances. What the enemy intends for evil, God always uses for good. Lord thanks for reinvigorating me with hope today. Things might seem hopeless in Korea, but you have a hope and a future in store. I pray that you bless NK with an overwhelming flood of your presence. I pray that you bless the leaders of NK to experience your love and power. Grant them wisdom to lead their people with wisdom and compassion. In your son’s name, Amen.