The Park Forum

June 24, 2026June 22, 2026

Abandoned at Sea

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 24 Read: Isaiah 23 Listen: (2:50) Read: Acts 10 Listen: (5:49)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 23:12–13

12 He said, “No more of your reveling,
Virgin Daughter Sidon, now crushed!

“Up, cross over to Cyprus;
even there you will find no rest.”
13 Look at the land of the Babylonians,
this people that is now of no account!
The Assyrians have made it
a place for desert creatures;
they raised up their siege towers,
they stripped its fortresses bare
and turned it into a ruin.

Reflection: Abandoned at Sea

By Erin Newton

Much like the world today, political alliances were the means of survival for nations in the ancient world. Breaches in agreements resulted in war. When vassal nations wanted to shake off the yoke of submission, they often allied together against the ruling kingdom. Today we have international peace treaties, and there are alliances like the United Nations, NATO, and OSEAN. The understanding is that these nations will help one another through military aid, trade, or simple peace.

But what happens when all your allies are destroyed?

This is the situation that is prophesied against Tyre. Isaiah’s proclamation shows Tyre (Sidon) standing alone. No matter where they look, no one is there to help. Cyprus provides no rest. Babylon is powerless.

The message is bleak. Tyre was the kingdom of the sea, known for its naval power and ability to navigate along the coast and excel in trade. In the ancient world, “the sea” is also a mythic force of chaos. To control the chaos was a token of power. Now they are disowned by the sea, according to Isaiah—“For the sea has spoken: ‘I have neither been in labor nor given birth; I have neither reared sons nor brought up daughters’” (v. 4).

When we read this prophecy, we are invited to see ourselves in the place of Tyre. Our power might seem unshakeable, but Isaiah reminds us that all power will fall before the Lord. Even those we view as allies are not a match against God. So it challenges us to ensure our trust is planted in God alone. It cannot be weapons plus God.

We also read this prophecy resting in the hope that the powers that oppress others will be torn down before the Lord. We persevere with the hope in the future—a future of God’s kingdom on earth.

We finally read this prophecy as a detached community thousands of years after its relevant audience. We read this as a study of God’s faithfulness to his people. Knowing that God does not change, the prophet’s trust in the future can also be our trust in the future.

No matter how dire things look now, how powerful nations may attempt to portray themselves, we trust in a God who controls the seas. We must lay down all that gives us a sense of power, lest we become like the ruined nations in Isaiah.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Protect my life and deliver me; let me not be put to shame, for I have trusted in you. — Psalm 25.19

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

Spiritual Practices for Politics

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 23 Read: Isaiah 22 Listen: (3:53) Read: Acts 9 Listen: (6:05)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 22.15-25

15 This is what the Lord, the Lord Almighty, says:
“Go, say to this steward,
to Shebna the palace administrator:
16 What are you doing here and who gave you permission
to cut out a grave for yourself here,
hewing your grave on the height
and chiseling your resting place in the rock?
17 “Beware, the Lord is about to take firm hold of you
and hurl you away, you mighty man.
18 He will roll you up tightly like a ball
and throw you into a large country.
There you will die
and there the chariots you were so proud of
will become a disgrace to your master’s house.
19 I will depose you from your office,
and you will be ousted from your position.

20 “In that day I will summon my servant, Eliakim son of Hilkiah. 21 I will clothe him with your robe and fasten your sash around him and hand your authority over to him. He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the people of Judah. 22 I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 23 I will drive him like a peg into a firm place; he will become a seat of honor for the house of his father. 24 All the glory of his family will hang on him: its offspring and offshoots—all its lesser vessels, from the bowls to all the jars.

25 “In that day,” declares the Lord Almighty, “the peg driven into the firm place will give way; it will be sheared off and will fall, and the load hanging on it will be cut down.” The Lord has spoken.

From John: We are sensitive (and wary) about politics at The Park Forum. We’ve witnessed the dangers. We’ve seen religious leaders become slaves of a politician instead of slaves of Christ. We’ve seen pastors become promoters of political agendas rather than the gospel. We’ve seen apologists go from defending theology to defending “Western Culture.” This post discusses the spiritual implications of politics without endorsing or condemning specific politicians or parties. See the resources linked at the end of this post for more encouragement about how Christians can faithfully engage in politics.

Reflection: Spiritual Practices for Politics

By John Tillman

Isaiah prophesied that a corrupt official, Shebna, would be thrown out and Eliakim would be brought in.

Shebna was proud of Judah’s Egyptian chariots, and foolishly ignored Isaiah’s warnings not to ally with Egypt. Corrupt and vain, he misused government resources to carve himself an ornate tomb like ones typically reserved for kings. His downfall was good news.

The people hung hopes, glory, and honor on Eliakim, like a peg in the wall. But the peg sheared off and everything crashed down. Eliakim couldn’t hold their hopes.

Scripture warns us not to trust in princes, (Psalm 146) but we keep doing it.

Many times, I’ve hung hopes on the unworthy pegs of political officials (and Christian leaders) whom I thought had character, principles, and class. It’s painful to watch everything crash down when leaders I supported betray what I thought they stood for. Whatever your political tribe, you probably know how this feels. It can make us cynical, jaded, or apathetic. I’ve felt that way.

However tainted we feel politics is, we can’t surrender to cynicism and apathy. We can’t hang all our hopes on the Eliakims of the world, but we can’t let the Shebnas of the world keep abusing their positions. If justice and righteousness are to be established, government and politics are one means God has given us to do so. Politics and politicians are important because policies either help or hurt people whom God loves. Isaiah, other prophets, and the faithful remnant had fewer options than we do. Yet they never stopped working, even in lost causes. Even in exile, Daniel and others were politically involved, seeking the public good. (Daniel 1.18-21)

Spiritual practices for politics should include 1) prayer, 2) principles, and 3) separating the common from the holy.

Through prayer, seek humility. Ask God to change hearts and provide wisdom. Changing leaders without changing hearts changes nothing. (Daniel 6.6-16)

Through scripture, identify defining principles of good communities. Start with the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7) and interpret the rest of scripture using Jesus’ lens.

Separate moral teachings from common goods. Don’t hang holy things on common pegs. Moral teaching must remain with the church. Good things may be enacted through governments. Secular governments can provide resources, educate, and protect from wrongdoing but they cannot and should not engage in moral instruction.

Engage in politics with the right attitude and with the proper understanding of the limits of human government.

Resources: Here are some resources we feel can be helpful in the topic and practice of politics.

Podcasts: The Church Politics Podcast by the And (&) Campaign. Reimagining Christian Politics by Michael Rhodes and Marshall Teague (this is a new one to me but the first two episodes were very good…)
Books: Spirit of Our Politics by Michael Wear. Compassion (&) Conviction by Justin Giboney, Michael R Wear, and Chris Butler. Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around by Justin Giboney (Haven’t read this one yet, but looking forward to it.)
Organization: The Center for Christianity and Public Life
News: The Pour Over, politically neutral, Christ-centered news

Divine Hours Prayer: The Small Verse

The Lord is my shepherd and nothing is wanting to me. In green pastures he has settled me. — The Short Breviary

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

The Gospel Crosses Boundaries and Brings Joy

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 22 Read: Isaiah 21 Listen: (2:32) Read: Acts 8 Listen: (5:10)

Scripture Focus: Acts 8.4-8, 35-39

4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

Reflection: The Gospel Crosses Boundaries and Brings Joy

By John Tillman

Acts begins with Jesus saying, “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1.8) This serves as an outline of Acts, showing one of its main themes is that the gospel crosses human boundaries.

Beginning in Jerusalem, the apostles take the lead. Peter is the frequent frontman. They often minister in the temple and clash with the same religious leaders Jesus did. But for a time, the story shifts from the apostles to a new group called “deacons.”

The first seven deacons were men, but in scripture and church history many women filled the role. Stephen and Phillip the Evangelist (not Phillip the apostle) are the first two deacons introduced, and help to define what deacons do. Deacons were commissioned out of a controversy regarding distributing food to the needy. However, through Stephen and Phillip, (and later through Phoebe) we see that deacons do more than “wait on tables.” (Acts 6.2)

Deacons weren’t merely sanctified hospitality experts, chefs, or waiters. Deacons were speakers, evangelists, teachers, and miracle-workers. Stephen wasn’t killed because he gave food to widows, but because he taught, using the scriptures, that Jesus was the Messiah (Acts 6.8-12; 7.55-58). Deacons led complex church ministries and Phillip, the second deacon spotlighted in Acts, takes the gospel beyond Jerusalem’s boundaries.

The persecution that followed Stephen’s killing forced everyone except the apostles out of Jerusalem (Acts 8.1). Phillip’s stories, in Samaria and with the Ethiopian eunuch, show us examples of what those believers did—they “preached the word wherever they went.” And where the gospel is preached, joy follows.

In Samaria, Phillip took the gospel to a hated ethnic group and culture. Through his meeting with the Ethiopian, Phillip initiated the gospel’s introduction to the continent of Africa. Many Africans captured and enslaved in the United States were Christians who traced their spiritual heritage to this moment.

When the focus of Acts shifts to Paul, he is called and commissioned as the first “missionary.” But Phillip and the Ethiopian were Paul’s forerunners. Taking the gospel across human boundaries brings joy (Acts 8.5-8, 38-39).

You don’t need to be commissioned or ordained as a deacon to take the gospel across boundaries. What boundaries are around you? Race? Culture? Political alignment? Misunderstanding?

The same Holy Spirit that used Phillip wants to use you. Are you listening? Let the Holy Spirit carry you over boundaries to spread the gospel and bring joy.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long. — Psalm 25.3-4

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

Enemy Love Starts With Outsiders

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 19 Read: Isaiah 16 Listen: (2:32) Read: Acts 5 Listen: (6:49)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Jun 20 Read: Isaiah 17-18 Listen: (3:44) Read: Acts 6 Listen: (2:35)
Jun 21 Read: Isaiah 19-20 Listen: (4:49) Read: Acts 7 Listen: (8:49)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 16.1-5

1 Send lambs as tribute

to the ruler of the land,

from Sela, across the desert,

to the mount of Daughter Zion.

2 Like fluttering birds

pushed from the nest,

so are the women of Moab

at the fords of the Arnon.

3 “Make up your mind,” Moab says.

“Render a decision.

Make your shadow like night—

at high noon.

Hide the fugitives,

do not betray the refugees.

4 Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you;

be their shelter from the destroyer.”

The oppressor will come to an end,

and destruction will cease;

the aggressor will vanish from the land.

5 In love a throne will be established;

in faithfulness a man will sit on it—

one from the house of David—

one who in judging seeks justice

and speeds the cause of righteousness.

Reflection: Enemy Love Starts With Outsiders

By John Tillman

Moab was Israel’s enemy. Isaiah prophesied the fall of Moab and portrayed their refugees as vulnerable birds shaken from the nest.

For centuries, when Israel was in distress or fleeing danger, Moab mistreated them. They mocked, robbed, enslaved, or killed them.

When Israel came out of slavery in Egypt, Moab opposed them, attempted to curse them (Numbers 23.7), and seduced them to worship their god Chemosh (Numbers 25.1-2), which became a recurring temptation Israel dealt with until the exile (2 Kings 23.13-14). Moab conquered and ruled harshly (Judges 3.13-15). They raided Israel and joined other armies to attack them. When others conquered Israel, Moab mocked and mistreated the survivors and refugees.

Yet, Isaiah’s prophetic poem commands Israel not to treat Moab’s refugees that way. Isaiah commanded them to help the refugees. Instead of mocking them, welcome them. Instead of robbing them, aid them. Instead of enslaving them or turning them over to be killed, hide them and shelter them from the oppressor.

Remember, these are not sympathetic refugees. These are historically violent, treacherous, idol-worshiping foreigners who hated and mistreated God’s people. Still, God commanded Israel to welcome and protect them. No excuses. Israel must do unto Moab what Israel would have them do unto them (Luke 6.31).

Isaiah tied this treatment to the coming of a faithful ruler on a throne of love who would bring justice, and enact righteousness. Jesus is this ruler. He sits on a throne of love and does not withhold love from his enemies. He calls us to emulate him. Can we? Will we?

We naturally react with celebration when enemies suffer, and sometimes celebrating the fall of evil is good. But there are also moments when we are called, even commanded, to something else—enemy love.

Enemy love reflects the glory of Jesus in a way that nothing else does. It is unlike the anemic versions of showing kindness to enemies found in other belief systems. They are pragmatic and calculating, seeking selfish returns. There’s no pragmatism in the gospel. It is extravagant love that the pragmatic world calls foolish.

Enemy love’s little brother is love for the outsider. We’ll never graduate to loving true enemies if we can’t love those who are just different. The ones who worship different gods. The ones people claim are dangerous or violent. Stretch your heart to display the glory of Jesus through enemy love. Start loving the outsider and build up from there.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

God is a righteous judge; God sits in judgment every day. — Psalm 7.12

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

Mourning and Loving Enemies

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 18 Read: Isaiah 15 Listen: (1:34) Read: Acts 4 Listen: (5:15)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 15.5

5 My heart cries out over Moab;

her fugitives flee as far as Zoar,

as far as Eglath Shelishiyah.

They go up the hill to Luhith,

weeping as they go;

on the road to Horonaim

they lament their destruction.

Reflection: Mourning and Loving Enemies

By John Tillman

Moab was Israel’s enemy. God brought judgment on Moab, yet mourned for their suffering.

Moab was not an enemy because of who they were but because of what they did. Moab had close family ties to Israel. They descended from Abraham’s nephew, Lot. They had even closer ties to the Davidic kings. Ruth, the Moabitess, was David’s great-grandmother.

Despite being relatives, the Moabites were judged for multiple reasons. Throughout their history, they violently oppressed Israel when they were vulnerable. They also led Israel to sinful idolatry and worship practices that included sexual acts and human sacrifice.

A few examples include Balak, king of Moab, who recruited the false prophet, Balaam, to entice Israel to sin, (Numbers 31.16; Revelation 2.14) Eglon, king of Moab who ruled over Israel for 18 years until he was killed by Ehud, (Judges 3.13-14, 20-21) and a Moabite king who, when threatened by an Israelite attack, sacrificed his first-born son on the wall of his city begging his god to turn back Israel. (2 Kings 3.26-27)

Those led into sin included Solomon, who built a temple to Chemosh, the Moabite deity after building the Lord’s temple. (1 Kings 11.7)

Very few of us will ever face enemies of our faith that threaten us with physical or military violence. Very few will ever face true religious persecution for our faith. But how many of us are looking to the power of the state to enforce our beliefs rather than the power of the gospel to spread them?

Very few of us will be tempted to build a literal temple to a false god next to our churches. But how many of us have temples in our hearts devoted to worldly beliefs, politics, or ideas? What altars are in our hearts?

The Moabites were a real danger to the Israelites, both physically/militarily and religiously/ideologically. Yet, they were also family. God mourned the suffering of these violent and vitriolic enemies of Israel and commanded Jerusalem to be a sanctuary for Moabite refugees. (Isaiah 16.4)

It is dangerous to call other humans “enemies” even if they are truly dangerous. Paul says our enemies are not flesh and blood. It is better that we remember that we were formerly enemies of God, reconciled in Jesus. If God did this for the Moabites and Jesus does this for us, how can we do anything less for those we think of as enemies?

Let us mourn our enemies’ situation and shelter them in their suffering.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you; let me not be humiliated, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
Let none who look to you be put to shame. — Psalm 25.1-2

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

Posts

Abandoned at Sea

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 23:12–13

Reflection: Abandoned at Sea

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Read more: Kingmakers Unmade

Read more: Knocking on Heaven’s Door

Spiritual Practices for Politics

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 22.15-25

Reflection: Spiritual Practices for Politics

Divine Hours Prayer: The Small Verse

Read more: Apotheosis of Politics

Read more: Be Yoked to Christ, Not Politics

The Gospel Crosses Boundaries and Brings Joy

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Acts 8.4-8, 35-39

Reflection: The Gospel Crosses Boundaries and Brings Joy

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

Read more: Sufferings and False Prophets

Read more: Be On Lookout

Enemy Love Starts With Outsiders

Links for today’s readings:

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 16.1-5

Reflection: Enemy Love Starts With Outsiders

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Read more: Grief for the Guilty

Read more: The Church of Acts

Mourning and Loving Enemies

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 15.5

Reflection: Mourning and Loving Enemies

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

Read more: Solomon’s Cheating Heart

Read more: In Trouble For Good