Saturday, June 23, 2012

Peace! Be Still!

Scripture:  Mark 4:35-41

I eagerly left the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam (“harbor of peace”) for the beautiful island of Zanzibar.  All the seats inside the boat where taken, so my friends and I were forced to stand on the deck.  Together, we admired the beautiful day and the majesty of God’s creation.  Everything was perfect until “a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat” (v37).  While we had no fear of sinking, we were drenched, shook up, and seasick.  Stumbling inside to seek shelter yet unable to find a chair, I collapsed on the floor with the luggage, hugging a stranger’s suitcase and praying for calmer waters.

How much worse the disciples must have felt when they encountered a fierce storm “in the evening” (v35)!  I imagine they were even more dismayed that Jesus remained asleep, unaware of their welfare and the magnitude of their plight.  Awoken by their alarm, Jesus rebuked the storm and his disciples, questioning both their fear and their faith.  

Sometimes we too find ourselves in the dark, in midst of an unexpected storm, far from the harbor of peace, and questioning whether Jesus cares about our plight.  Yet in those trying times, we can rest assured that Jesus is in the boat with us, calming both us and the storm, strengthening both our faith and our witness.

Prayer:  Sweet Jesus, thank you for calming the storms and hushing the waves in our lives.  Decrease our fear, and increase our faith so we can trust you more fully with our lives, Amen.

 The Reverend Adrienne Denson

Friday, June 22, 2012

What a Whirlwind

Scripture:  Job 38:1-11

Living in Missouri, I know a thing or two about whirlwinds.  On the night of Good Friday, I was awakened by the city’s emergency alarm.  No sooner than I could get to the basement, I heard flying debris and what sounded like a plane or a train.  As I sat in the dark (the electricity would be out for a couple of days), I was humbled by this force of creation which was far greater and stronger than humankind and anything we could create.   

 

I wonder how Job had the strength to weather the whirlwinds in his life.  Not only did he lose his children, his wealth, and his health, but he later found himself in a physical storm.  In this particular whirlwind, God spoke to him, challenging his wisdom and asking rhetorical questions, like where was Job when the foundation of the earth was laid, when its measurements were determined, when the sea was shaped, and when its proud waves were stopped.  

Unlike the tornadoes in Missouri, this whirlwind did not bring destruction; instead, it brought repentance, restoration, fresh perspective, and new life.  God’s voice in the midst of the storm brought a peace that surpassed all understanding as Job began to grasp the majesty and mystery of God.  This is the same God who is present with us through all of life’s storms and powerful enough that even winds and waves obey. 

Prayer:  Speak, O God, in the midst of the whirlwind.  Grant us sweet peace, living hope, and new life.

 The Reverend Adrienne Denson

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Blessed Unity

Scripture:  Psalm 133:1-3

I imagine the pilgrims’ journey to Jerusalem for religious festivals inspired David to pen Psalm 133.  Perhaps their holy harmony motivated him to write the lyrics, “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.”  He likens this unity unto Aaron’s ordination when abundant oil ran down his head, into his beard, and onto his clothing. 

  

This blessed unity is also like the dew of Hermon that descends upon the mountains, fertilizing the land and feeding several rivers and valleys.  This dew, perhaps even snow, is life-giving and a precious gift from a lavish God. 

   

Jesus’ disciples encountered this unity in Jerusalem at the time of the Jewish Festival of Weeks.  While they were “all with one accord in one place,” they were “filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4).  Dwelling in Jerusalem, faithful people “from every nation under heaven” were amazed that they could hear and understand the Gospel message in their native tongue.  United, these Spirit-filled believers shared all things, provided for every need, and praised God together in harmony.   

As in the days of the early church, blessed unity is possible by the power of the Holy Spirit, who anoints and gifts us for service and who dwells and descends on us like morning dew.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, may your Spirit fall afresh upon us.  Anoint us for your good work and seal us in your love and unity, Amen.

 The Reverend Adrienne Denson

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Our Stronghold

Scripture:  Psalm 9:9-14

I often think of a stronghold as an oppressive sin, as something that has a hold on me and something that keeps me from freedom and fullness of life.  Psalm 9, however, invites us to consider the Lord as a stronghold, as a fortified place of safety from attack.  Here a stronghold is not something oppressive or incarcerating; instead, this Stronghold offers a place of refuge, safety, and strength. 

In times of trouble, we can take refuge in our Stronghold, the Lord, who is ever mindful of and present with us.  When we are oppressed, we can take heart, knowing that God has not forsaken us and that God has not forgotten the “cry of the afflicted” (v12).  When we take refuge in the Stronghold, we are better able to trust in the Lord, sing songs of praise, and testify of all the Lord has done and will do.

Prayer:  Lord, you are our Stronghold.  We thank you for being our refuge and our retreat, our strength and our salvation, Amen.

 The Reverend Adrienne Denson

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Holy Haters

Scripture:  1 Samuel 17:10-16

Oddly enough, David's greatest conflict was not when he slayed the giant, beat back lions and bears, or led an army of 1,000 soldiers into battle.  Ironically, David was least safe when he played his lyre in the palace of the King.  Poor David had to duck and dodge spears as he tried to calm Saul’s “bad nerves” with his gift of music.

Sadly, our biggest foes can be our brothers and sisters in the faith.  Though it is “very good and pleasant” when “kindred live together in unity” (Psalm 133:1), our jealousy, egos, and pride often prevent us from celebrating one another’s successes, extending unconditional love, and engaging in a ministry of reconciliation.   

While persecuted, David did not take matters into his own hands; rather, he willingly served Saul in a loyal and exemplary manner and practiced patient endurance, knowing that battle was not his but the Lord’s (1 Samuel 17:47).

Prayer:  Merciful God, forgive our pride and fruitless jealously.  Help us to celebrate each other’s successes and to use our gifts for your glory and the edification of your kingdom, Amen.

 The Reverend Adrienne Denson

Monday, June 18, 2012

An Unlikely Hero

Scripture:  1 Samuel 17:32-37

Contrast Goliath and David.  While Goliath had been a warrior from his youth, David was “just a boy” (v33).  Goliath was an intimidating giant; David was “ruddy and handsome” (v42).  Goliath had a helmet of bronze, a coat of mail, greaves of bronze, an iron-tipped spear, a bronze javelin, and multiple shield bearers while David was armed with a sling, five rocks, and a shepherd’s staff and bag (v5-7;40).  Goliath was on the battlefield to deliver his brethren in military victory, and David was on the battlefield to deliver food to his brothers.

The two were unevenly matched, and the odds were not in David’s favor.  David was an unlikely hero; he didn't look the part, wear customary armor, nor use conventional weaponry.  Yet, God used him mightily to slay Goliath, to shut the mouth of the antagonistic foe, and bring glory and honor to God’s name.  What is more, God used David’s trying times in the pasture to give him confidence and to prepare him for the battlefield.

Like David, we do not need to be dismayed at the sight, sounds, and threats of our foes; rather, we can concentrate on the presence, Word, and promise of the Living God!  We need not “fit the mold” or walk in someone else’s armor or shoes; instead, may we trust that God can use us to confront and conquer any foe.

Prayer:  Living God, grant us confidence to believe in ourselves and, more importantly, to trust in you.  Transform our tests into testimonies that you may get the glory through all we do, Amen.

 The Reverend Adrienne Denson