Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Pain that Leads to Prejudice - Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Day 1

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Pain that Leads to Prejudice, Day 1

Today's reading is drawn from Numbers 20:14-21.

Anyone hurt by a member of a different ethnic or racial group is at risk for developing prejudice against all members of that group. Even slight offenses may powerfully reinforce old biases, as the conflict between Israel and Edom shows.

The king of Edom refused to open the King's Highway to Moses and his people, a hostile act that likely grew out of a prejudice with roots going back hundreds of years to a feud between two brothers: Jacob, the ancestor of Israel, and Esau, the ancestor of the Edomites. Jacob obtained Esau's birthright and cheated him out of their father's blessing (Gen. 27:36). Esau swore he would get even (27:41, 42).

Years later the brothers reconciled (33:4, 10, 11). But until this incident in Numbers 20, the Bible doesn't again mention Esau's descendants, the Edomites. Apparently those descendants never forgot the wrongs that Jacob had committed against their ancestor. As the Israelites struggled to traverse the desert, the king of Edom perhaps saw an opportunity for payback.

Refusing Moses' request made life difficult for the Hebrews. Had Edom let Israel pass, the Israelites may have escaped the fiery serpents (Num. 21:4–9). Worse yet, the Edomites' action perpetuated hostility between the two ethnic groups. Even though God commanded His people not to "abhor" an Edomite (Deut. 23:7, 8), the Israelites did not stop nursing their hurt feelings. Later, Saul harassed the Edomites (1 Sam. 14:47). David slaughtered thousands of Edomites (2 Sam. 8:13, 14, according to some manuscripts) and turned their land into a military possession. David's general Joab then carried out a campaign of genocide against them (1 Kin. 11:15, 16).

The cycle of hate continued for centuries. Even the baby Jesus felt its impact: King Herod, who ordered the slaughter of infants at Bethlehem (Matt. 2:16–18), was descended from the Edomites.

Whatever our race or ethnic group, as Christ's followers we are called to break the cycle of prejudice. If we are offended or attacked by someone of another race or nationality, we gain nothing by amplifying our pain into general mistrust and hatred of an entire group of people. Rather than furthering stereotypes, we can reach out and seek better understanding.

More: Christians aren't immune to racial and ethnic biases. Christ wants us to guard against prejudice to keep it from compromising our integrity as His people.

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The Daniel Prayer, Day 1: About the Daniel Prayer

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Day One: About the Daniel Prayer

Is the key ingredient that is missing from our prayer life an all-out, no-holds-barred, go-for-broke, nothing-held-back, old-fashioned commitment to pray? The kind of commitment that’s born out of desperation. Intense aspiration. Soulful longing. The kind of commitment athletes make to win the race or the game or the trophy or the medal. The kind of commitment that makes sacrifices, accepts responsibility, keeps obligations, and overcomes obstacles.

The kind of urgent plea we find in the Daniel Prayer.

This is not a casual, everyday, pray-as-you-feel-like-it, run-of-the-mill, garden-variety type of prayer. It is not even a flare sent up as a distress call for help. The Daniel Prayer is a commitment. A commitment that perseveres over any and every obstacle until Heaven is moved and nations are changed.

The original Daniel Prayer was a desperate plea uttered by one man, Daniel, on behalf of his nation – Judah – that had come under God’s judgment. For an entire generation – for seventy years – his people were held in captivity by their enemy, the Babylonians, and separated from God’s place of blessing.

It didn’t take long for Daniel, in the desperate situations he faced, to discover the power of God through prayer. Because God was all that Daniel had. Again and again he threw himself upon God with such complete faith and utter dependence that God came through for him. Powerfully. Personally. Dramatically. Repeatedly.

Again and again Daniel’s life was threatened and seemed to be on the verge of annihilation. But each time, in response to Daniel’s remarkable, steadfast faith, God demonstrated His supernatural power to honor the one who honored Him. He miraculously intervened to save Daniel until He performed the greatest miracle of all in answer to Daniel’s prayer: God moved the Babylonian king to issue a decree that after seventy years of captivity, every Jew living in Babylon could go home.

What kind of prayer was it that, when offered by one person on behalf of a people who were under God’s judgment, caused Heaven to be moved and a nation changed? What was the secret to the spiritual restoration, renewal, and revival of Judah? What can we learn today from Daniel’s prayer that might move Heaven and change our own beloved nation? Even after a full generation of apostasy and separation from national faith in the living God, is it possible that the prayer of one person could bring renewal, restoration, and revival to America?

That’s what I want to find out.

I believe it’s time to pray like Daniel.

Now.

When faced with God’s righteous judgment, there is nothing…nothing…no politics or president, no government or agreement, no institution or organization, no media or ministry, no economy or military, no alliance or treaty... nothing that will will turn our nation around except prayer.

Heartfelt, desperate prayer. Prayer where the pray-ers rend their hearts, return to the Cross, and repent of personal and national sin. Only prayer that moves Heaven and can change a nation.

And that’s the Daniel Prayer.

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This devotional is drawn from The Daniel Prayer: Prayer That Moves Heaven and Changes Nations by Anne Graham Lotz. Used by permission.

 

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40 Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Day 1

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Day 1

Those who follow Jesus’ commandment entirely, who let Jesus’ yoke rest on them without resistance, will find the burden they must bear to be light. In the gentle pressure of this yoke they will receive the strength to walk the right path without becoming weary.…Where will the call to discipleship lead those who follow it? What decisions and painful separations will it entail? We must take this question to him who alone knows the answer. Only Jesus Christ, who bids us follow him, knows where the path will lead. But we know that it will be a path full of mercy beyond measure. Discipleship is joy.

Biblical Wisdom

Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28–30

Questions to Ponder

  • What is Jesus’ “commandment” that we are to follow? (See John 15:12)
  • If this commandment is Jesus’ “yoke,” how might we be changed if we bear it without resistance?
  • Why might following Jesus’ commandment lead to tough “decisions and painful separations”?

Psalm Fragment

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all day long. Psalm 25:4–5

Journal Reflections

  • To be a disciple is not just to believe in Jesus, it is to follow Jesus. In your journal, reflect on the ways in which you are presently following Jesus.
  • Do you experience your discipleship as “joy”? Is the “burden” of your discipleship “light”?
  • Do you sense there are places Jesus might want to lead you where you would rather not go? If so, where are they and what is holding you back?

Intercessions

Pray specifically for family, friends, and colleagues that they might clearly hear the call to discipleship (which is the call to love and justice), and that they might experience following Jesus’ commandment as joy in the concrete realities of their lives.

Prayer for Today

Lord Jesus, only you know where my path will lead, but I trust that, even if I do not know either the way or the destination, you are with me and before me, and I follow you with joy.

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