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A Poem Before Dying

Links for today’s readings:

Feb 9 Read: Job 42 Listen: (2:41) Read: Psalm 30 Listen: (1:32)

Scripture Focus: Psalm 22.1-2, 23-24, 30-31

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 
Why are you so far from saving me, 
so far from my cries of anguish? 
2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, 
by night, but I find no rest.

23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! 
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! 
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! 
24 For he has not despised or scorned 
the suffering of the afflicted one; 
he has not hidden his face from him 
but has listened to his cry for help.

30 Posterity will serve him; 
future generations will be told about the Lord. 
31 They will proclaim his righteousness, 
declaring to a people yet unborn: 
He has done it!

Reflection: A Poem Before Dying

By John Tillman

What poem would you quote before dying?

Before dying, Jesus pointed us to Psalm 22. What is in this poem that Jesus and the gospel writers wanted to be on our minds?

“To be or not to be” is a popular quote. It is referenced thousands of times in many shows, plays, and films, including the Arnold Schwarzenegger film, The Last Action Hero. Even those who slept through English classes would at least remember it was from Shakespeare.

Others would recognize it from the play, Hamlet, even if they didn’t “remember Hamlet accurately.” Many would know Hamlet said it. Many more would know it begins an important speech. Many others might remember the speech as one of the most profound meditations in the English language on whether to resist the oppressions, struggles, and injustices of life or surrender to hopelessness, inaction, and death. Many might have memorized it.

Whenever someone alludes to “to be or not to be,” everything you know about it is activated. Your level of understanding an allusion, depends on your level of familiarity.

Jesus alluded to Psalm 22 from the cross by quoting its first line. (Matthew 27.46-49; Mark 15.34-37) Some of those around the cross would not even recognize the quote. Some would recognize it was scripture, but not where it was from. Some would recognize it but misunderstand its meaning. But some, including the gospel authors, had a deep understanding of the entire psalm and why Jesus would reference it.

From the last line to the first, there are many similarities in Jesus’ crucifixion and Psalm 22. The psalmist begins by asking why God has abandoned him but overall, the psalm affirms that God hears his cry and did not turn his face away (Psalm 22.24). It describes many physical details of crucifixion and proclaims in its final line that “He (God) has done it,” (Psalm 22.31) or, in other words, “It is finished.” (John 19.30)

Biblical authors are masters of allusion, referring constantly to other texts. The power of an allusion depends on how deeply you know the source material. Refamiliarize yourself with Psalm 22 keeping your mind open to what Jesus speaking from the cross would direct your attention to. Imagine standing there hearing him quote it and having its lines run through your mind as you watched.

Deeper familiarity with scripture will lead to deeper understanding.

Resource:“Seeing What’s Really There: A Guide to Biblical Allusions” — The Biblical Mind Podcast

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. — Psalm 119.174


– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: The Prayer From the Cross

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?

The Prayer From the Cross
Read more: Job’s Christlikeness

Job is Christlike in his eucatastrophic return…everything in Job’s life died or was lost. Then, unexpectedly, everything was restored.

Job’s Christlikeness
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Where Admission is Free

Links for today’s readings:

Feb 6 Read: Job 39 Listen: (2:47) Read: Psalm 25 Listen: (2:18)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Feb 7 Read: Job 40 Listen: (2:09) Read: Psalms 26-27 Listen: (3:13)
Feb 8 Read: Job 41 Listen: (3:03) Read: Psalms 28-29 Listen: (2:41)

Scripture Focus: Psalm 25.4-5, 8-9

4 Show me your ways, Lord, 

teach me your paths. 

5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, 

for you are God my Savior, 

and my hope is in you all day long. 

8 Good and upright is the Lord; 

therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 

9 He guides the humble in what is right 

and teaches them his way.

Reflection: Where Admission is Free

By John Tillman

Some teachers and schools are selective about admissions.

To enroll in a renowned school or study under a renowned teacher, you typically must prove you are already an excellent student in that topic. So-called “great” teachers have the distinct advantage of only teaching students who are already great before they ever show up in class. There are good and reasonable explanations for this. Students must be prepared for rigorous study under a master teacher.

Many private schools deny admission to students requiring greater educational resources. Students with disabilities, poor grades, poor behavior, or other deficiencies are turned away. Explanations for this are significantly less good and reasonable. These institutions shirk responsibility to conserve resources and (in some cases) maximize profit.

Seven times in Psalm 25, the psalmist describes learning from, or being taught by, God. The psalmist connects God’s goodness to his willingness to teach anyone. God is the ultimate master teacher. No teacher is wiser. Yet, God is a teacher from whom we all may learn. God teaches the humble, the weak, the foolish, the failures, and especially, the sinners.

God shows, teaches, guides, and instructs us in God’s ways. God’s ways require humility, but deliver from shame. God’s ways require confession, but forgive wrongdoing. God’s ways require submission, yet lead to freedom. God’s ways pass through suffering, yet emerge in victory.

The psalmist learns despite being in crisis. His feet are ensnared. Treachery surrounds him. He is lonely, troubled, afflicted, anguished, and distressed. Enemies who fiercely hate him seek his shame and destruction.

Doesn’t it seem like we face crisis after crisis? Do you feel trapped? Betrayed? Do you mourn the hatred you see and feel?

If so, you are perfectly positioned, as the psalmist was, to learn from God. God is good and upright. Loving and faithful. He is demanding, yet forgiving. He is fearful to behold, yet gracious and beautiful in his mercy displayed toward us and revealed in Jesus.

Take Jesus’ yoke upon you. Learn from him. (Matthew 11.29-30) He’s the world’s greatest teacher, and admission is free. Go beyond informational education to experiential learning. Go beyond lectures to the laboratory of living.

Don’t just study the map of Jesus’ life from a comfortable chair. Put your feet on the road and travel his path. He is gentle and humble. May we become so. He is loving and courageous. May we become so.

Divine Hours Prayer:

Jesus taught his disciples, saying: “And indeed, which of you here, intending to build a tower, would not first sit down and work out the cost to see if he had enough to complete it? Otherwise, if he laid the foundation and then found himself unable to finish the work, everyone who saw it would start making fun of him and saying, ‘Here is someone who started to build and was unable to finish.” — Luke 14.28-30


– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Following Through Jerusalem

The path leading to glory with Christ is the path leading through suffering to death.

Following Through Jerusalem
Read more: A God Who Celebrates

Though we are unwieldy and unwise as the ostrich, give us grace to run in the path of your commands.

A God Who Celebrates
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Two Storms

Links for today’s readings:

Feb 5 Read: Job 38 Listen:(3:33) Read: Psalms 23-24 Listen: (2:03)

Scripture Focus: Job 38.1a

1 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm…

Reflection: Two Storms

By John Tillman

There are two storms in the Book of Job. At the beginning is a storm sent by Satan. At the end is a storm bringing God’s presence.

Satan’s storm brings death. A wind blows in from the desert, destroying a house with Job’s children inside. News of this storm comes to Job alongside news of disasters that hit like hailstones. A storm of fire rains down, burning up sheep and shepherds. Raiders steal oxen, camels, and donkeys and murder their caretakers. Satan’s storm crushes joy and celebration. It destroys resources. It leaves Job sobbing in a circle of the storm’s sole survivors.

Satan isn’t satisfied with the external storm’s lack of success. Storms of sickness follow, attacking Job’s skin, bones, inner being, and mind. He scrapes his itching sores with broken pottery. In his mind, thoughts of suicide, death, and annihilation scratch their way to the surface.

As Elihu speaks in chapter 37, he repeatedly references a storm. They must have been able to see it blowing in. “Listen! Listen…” Elihu cries. (Job 37.2-4) In chapter 38, the storm breaks over them.

This storm is no airy, dry wind from the desert. It is far greater and more terrifying. It has lightning, thunder, billowing clouds, and downpours of rain and snow. But this storm is not just sent by God or made by God. God is in this storm. God’s power flashes in its lightning. His roaring voice echoes in its thunder. His hovering Spirit stirs up its billowing clouds of darkness that blot out the sun.

God speaks out of this powerful, threatening storm. His words are harsh, lightning flashes of truth. His emotions rumble like rolling thunder. His arguments are unanswerable. There is no defense against the flood of them. All Job’s words, doubts, and challenges are washed into the sea. Yet, this storm does not bring chaos and death.

God’s storm brings life. Job’s illness washes away with the flood. The sky clears, and God makes Job his priest, interceding and accepting offerings for the sins of his friends. The sun warms Job as friends bring him comfort. Job is, once again, God’s righteous representative, restored to honor, wisdom, and wealth.

God is not in every storm. Some storms just bring death. Wait and pray for the second storm—the storm that brings God’s presence. God’s storm restores health and faith, brings growth and joy, and rains blessings and comfort

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of him. — Psalm 33.8

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Eating With Enemies

Walking with Christ, we will be led to eat with our enemies rather than destroy them.

Eating With Enemies
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Same Old Story

Links for today’s readings:

Feb 4 Read: Job 37 Listen: (2:27) Read: Psalm 22 Listen: (3:49)

Scripture Focus: Job 37:14-16

14 “Listen to this, Job;
    stop and consider God’s wonders.
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds
    and makes his lightning flash?
16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised,
    those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?

Reflection: Same Old Story

By Erin Newton

At no point in time has Job declared himself a scientific genius. When Elihu asks him if he knows how meteorology works, it is more of a statement than a question. Even if Job tried to answer his question, it’s not really the point.

The divine words in the next chapter sound nearly the same: “ Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm?” (Job 38:25–27).

Job doesn’t know how storms really work but I am fairly sure he knows who makes them.

Elihu and the other three friends all refer to the natural world. They speak of the rain, the seas, the heavens, etc. So nothing that God points out in his speech is foreign to Job. He saw clouds, watched lightning, felt rain, and maybe swam in the sea. All the things Job’s friends asked him to consider were familiar. But none of their arguments resonated with him.

The arguments and advice given to Job for all these chapters have been like proverbs—there are universal truths and solid advice, but not always applicable.

Scholars have argued about whether Job had reason to repent, if his repentance was genuine, and so on. But I pause here today to think about how the attempted counsel of his friends, while full of truth, effected no change from Job.

Let’s consider 1 Cor 3:6-7: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”

Could God have answered Job right there in chapter 3 or 4? Absolutely. Why a week of silence and four friends with semi-helpful counsel? Perhaps because we’re all like them. Our call is to seek out friends, sit with them in their suffering, and hopefully speak wisdom. Does it affect change? Not always. (And we might get it wrong, just like them.)

And I think we’re a lot like Job. The truth might be found in a sermon, a friend’s encouragement, a line of a poem, a chorus in a song, a character from a book. We may need to hear truth from many mouths before we are changed.

And we need to keep speaking truth even if it’s been said before. We keep pointing to God and relying on him to affect change.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Test me, O Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind. — Psalm 26.2

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Prayers Before the Storm

May the weak be protected and the powerful be warned

May the proud be struck and shaken

While the humble stand on a firm place

Prayers Before the Storm — Guided Prayer
Read more: Hope In the Tree of the Cross

“He has done it,” Psalm 22’s last line proclaims. “It is finished,” Christ’s last breath from the cross echoes.

Hope In the Tree of the Cross

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Boldly Asked and Answered Prayers

Links for today’s readings:

Feb 3  Read: Job 36 Listen: (3:04) Read: Psalms 20-21 Listen: (2:37)

Scripture Focus: Psalm 20.6-9

6 Now this I know: 

The Lord gives victory to his anointed. 

He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary 

with the victorious power of his right hand. 

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. 

8 They are brought to their knees and fall, 

but we rise up and stand firm. 

9 Lord, give victory to the king! 

Answer us when we call! 

Psalm 21.1-5

1 The king rejoices in your strength, Lord. 

How great is his joy in the victories you give! 

2 You have granted him his heart’s desire 

and have not withheld the request of his lips. 

3 You came to greet him with rich blessings 

and placed a crown of pure gold on his head. 

4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him— 

length of days, for ever and ever. 

5 Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; 

you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.

Reflection: Boldly Asked and Answered Prayers

By John Tillman

Psalm 20 and 21 mirror each other. The poetic pairing includes the people’s intercessory prayer for the king going out to battle and the king’s prayer of praise to God when returning from battle. 

The requests in Psalm 20 are answered and celebrated in Psalm 21. We hear proclamations of faith in Psalm 20 and hear testimonies of God’s faithful provision in Psalm 21.

The people ask the Lord to answer, giving the king what he desires. (Ps 20.1, 4) The king praises God for granting his desire and hearing the prayer of his lips. (Ps 21.2)

The people proclaim that the Lord will give his anointed victory. (Ps 20.6, 9) The king joyfully praises the victory given by God. (Ps 21.1, 5)

The people proclaim that they trust in the Lord for victory, not in the king’s chariots or horses. (Ps 20.7) The king rejoices that victory came, not through his strength or armaments, but through the Lord’s strength. (Ps 21.1, 8-9)

These boldly asked and answered requests can inspire our prayers, but there is a difference between boldness and brashness. There are several keys to these bold prayers.

These prayers focus on God’s nature. God is our savior, provider, and the one who fights all the battles that matter. We can boldly appeal to God’s nature.

These prayers recall God’s promises. God’s promises to his children are sure, and we can boldly pursue them in prayer.

These prayers request God’s power for God’s purposes. These are not self-focused trivialities but God-focused priorities. We can boldly ask God to grant his power to accomplish the purposes he calls us to.

These prayers embrace confession and humility. The king does not ride out to war in pride or self-righteousness. He rides out smelling of sacrifices and burnt offerings after confessing his and the nation’s sins and throwing his hopes on God’s mercy. We do not pray boldly based on our merit, but on the merit of Jesus.

Kings and priests were anointed with oil, symbolically pointing forward to Jesus, the ultimate anointed one. The gospel is the announcement of Jesus’ victory, which is for us and all who respond to the gospel. We are Jesus’ “anointed ones,” and he anoints us with the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray boldly, confessing our sins and our nation’s sins, sacrificing self-sufficiency, calling on God’s promises, and raising up a banner to call all people to join us in repentance and victory.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

I put my trust in your mercy; my heart is joyful because of your saving help. — Psalm 13.5

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Horses of Flesh or Spirit

What crises send you looking for an Egypt to save you? What principles have you sacrificed to practicality?

Horses of Flesh or Spirit
Read more: Praying for Rain

Elijah and James encourage us to keep planting seeds of truth in a drought and pray for rain.  Watch for clouds…that show that God’s Spirit is moving

Praying for Rain