Erin Newton - The Park Forum

October 9, 2024October 7, 2024

Mark of the Lord

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Ezekiel 9 Listen: (2:05)
Read: Romans 12 Listen: (2:58)

Scripture Focus: Ezekiel 9.3-4

3 Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the Lord called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side 4 and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”

Reflection: Mark of the Lord

By Erin Newton

Speculating about the end of the world has become something of a common practice for many Christians. There is the impulse to look at the news about wars and catastrophic weather and want to find a way to comfort ourselves by mapping out the future. It’s not so easily done and I’m afraid we’ll always have more questions than answers. Ezekiel shows us, however, that judgment comes for those aligned with evil.

The previous chapters detailed the level of idolatry in Ezekiel’s day. The list of gods and images worshiped spans the full spectrum of ancient Near Eastern religions. It was not that the people just stumbled; it was that they welcomed every possible way of loving anything but God.

And because of this, God is angry and responds with judgment. This chapter is difficult and painful to read. It speaks of the thorough judgment of God upon all people—no gender or age discriminated against. While we can mentally understand, even if it is emotionally difficult to accept, that God’s judgment on false worship is justified, it is never given without a sense of hope and mercy.

Placing a mark on one’s forehead is a familiar action, but usually with Revelation in mind. In Ezekiel 9, the mark was only given to those who were repentant. It was a mark that not only identified the people as righteous but also belonging to God.

As with a runaway cow, if it weren’t for tagging or branding, no one would know where it needed to be returned. The mark on that beast reveals where it belongs.

Those who are faithful (Ezek 9.4) and those who are wicked (Rev 13.16-17) exhibit the mark of the one who lays claim to their heart. One mark means life and the other mark means death—everyone is marked in one way or another.

Our tendency to throw around the term “mark of the beast” as an identifier of any modern concept (barcodes, government issued identification numbers, cell phone technology . . . you name it), shows that we don’t read the Scriptures carefully.

In many ways we want to control the future by hacking some timeline but we always come up with questions rather than certainties. Let us focus not on what the mark is, but whose mark we have. Are we showing the world faces marked for God or for false gods?

Divine Hours Prayer: The Cry of the Church

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more about Wary but not Paranoid
Most of those pointing fingers at Antichrists are pointing at people they already hate or dislike. More than anything else, this indicates they are probably wrong.

Wary but not Paranoid

Read more about Breaking the Rhyme Scheme
Christians do not believe in cyclical, neverending, repetition. We know that an end is coming and a new beginning. However, history does rhyme.

Breaking the Rhyme Scheme

October 3, 2024October 1, 2024

Bitter & Sweet Word of God

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Ezekiel 3 Listen: (4:41)

Read: Romans 6 Listen: (3:28)

Scripture Focus: Ezekiel 3:3, 14

3 Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.

14 The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the Lord on me.

Reflection: Bitter & Sweet Word of God

By Erin Newton

The word of God is sweet. Sometimes, in certain circumstances, it can cause a bitter aftertaste. But how?

In chapter 3, Ezekiel is called to ingest (quite literally) the word of God. “Eat this scroll.” Whether he sat there chewing bits of parchment or leather scroll, or if the request is part of the grand imagery employed throughout the prophet’s book—it is not clear nor entirely consequential. The important issue is that Ezekiel is putting the word of God within himself. It becomes part of him. In return, the words of God would flow naturally from Ezekiel’s mouth. It is a positive aspect to what we hear in Matthew 12.34, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

The sweet words, however, leave him feeling bitter.

Ezekiel did not hesitate to “eat” the words of God. It was sweet. It was delightful. The promises and word of God are good and should be enjoyed with the same sweetness of honey. But Ezekiel’s pleasant words were to be spent on a people who would hear the words and reject it. Israel had turned against God to the point that his goodness, his sweet word, was spat out. Nevertheless, Ezekiel was called to speak.

A bitter and sour stomach churns at the grim reality of Ezekiel’s audience. Rejection turns sweetness to bitterness. God tells the prophet to enjoy the word, embody the word, but accept the reality that rejection was inevitable. We hear the same call from Jesus in Luke 6:22, “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.”

The word of God was offered to Ezekiel’s peers, but they tasted nothing. The word was rejected as if it was not good. And that reality was distressing, angering, and bitter to Ezekiel’s soul.

Not much has changed in two millennia. We read the Bible, sing hymns, and hear of how God has worked in the lives of others. It raises our spirits and instills joy in our hearts. It is sweetness to our soul! But then we look outward and see a world that wants nothing of it.

How do we deal with that harsh reality? The prophet’s reaction is helpful. Like Ezekiel we sit in grief, acknowledging the reality. But we never stop speaking the sweet words of truth.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
Behold, God is my helper; it is the Lord who sustains my life. — Psalm 54.4

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more about Supporting Our Work
Our work needs your support. Please consider donating to support ad-free content that brings biblical devotionals to inboxes across the world.

Supporting our Work

Read more about Sticks and Stones and Scorpions
Are we speaking God’s words? We must eat God’s words to speak them…A diet of other “words” may be the reason our words harm.

https://theparkforum.org/843-acres/sticks-and-stones-and-scorpions

September 25, 2024September 23, 2024

Eulogize your Enemy? — Readers’ Choice

Scripture Focus: 2 Samuel 1.17-18
17 David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, 18 and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this lament of the bow…

Originally published on September 7, 2023, based on readings from 2 Samuel 1.17-18.

Readers’ Choice is here: There’s still time to tell us about your favorite, most meaningful posts of the year. If you shared it with someone, or it helped you, let us know via email, direct message, or filling out the linked form.

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:
Brian, MT — A lot to think about on this topic. Never thought about that way. Thanks for sharing the insight on an important matter.

Reflection: Eulogize your Enemy? — Readers’ Choice
By Erin Newton

Would you write a eulogy for your enemy? If someone targeted your life, would you speak kind words in memory of their death? The questions sound absurd.

When God’s anointing passed from Saul to David, the king sought to kill him. With every turn, David’s life was in mortal danger. There was no peace between them. In the end, however, the news of Saul’s death stirred David to write a dirge, a funeral song.

The book of Psalms is filled with songs of lament that seek the favor of God and reflect upon God’s faithfulness and trustworthiness. This song is different. There are no calls to God or reflections of past hope. It is very much a eulogy for Saul and Jonathan. A funeral song for a man who hated David and a man who loved David—a friend and a foe.

It is little wonder that David felt compelled to sing praises of his closest friend. It is unthinkable that he would do the same for Saul. What compels David to give such honor to someone who, by all accounts, did not deserve it?

The answer is David’s relationship with God. The words were honoring Saul and Jonathan, but the motivation was to honor God. For all the years of hiding in the wilderness or dodging assassination attempts, David waited patiently to see the outworking of his anointing. He never raised a hand against Saul, though he was tempted on occasion!

How we speak of the dead reveals one aspect of our relationship with God. David likely struggled with hoping for Saul’s demise so that his future would be secured. He had enough reasons to be opposed to the king. His faith, however, would not allow him to act upon such thoughts.

Each person is born as the image of God. Each person dies as the same image of God. How do we easily honor new life at birth, pure and innocent, and dishonor the same life in death, ravaged by sin and broken? We cannot celebrate evil, but we must find space to honor God at death. It is a difficult task; one we may spend our lives trying to understand.

Like David, Jesus speaks words of grace about his enemies, “Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Perhaps, we can learn that relationships with our enemies are a reflection of our relationship with God.

From John: The Divine Hours prayers will return in October. This month we will pray one scripture passage or verse each week.

Prayer:
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. — Matthew 5.44-45

Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 52 (Listen 5:49)
2 Corinthians 11 (Listen 4:46)

Read more about Eating With Enemies
When Christ leads us into the heavenly city, we will find ourselves dining and worshiping with people we harmed or who harmed us.

Eating With Enemies

Read more about Do You Know The Enemy?
Do we remember who the real enemy is or are we too focused on the powers of this earth?

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September 18, 2024September 16, 2024

Counting Waves — Readers’ Choice

Scripture Focus: Psalm 3.5
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.

Psalm 4.8
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.

Originally published on September 20, 2023, based on readings from Psalms 3.5, and 4.8.

Readers’ Choice is here: There’s still time to tell us about your favorite, most meaningful posts of the year. If you shared it with someone, or it helped you, let us know via email, direct message, or filling out the linked form.

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:
Marisa, AZ — I really love this. I read this right after waking from a rough night of sleep. Thank you for this reminder and the peace it brings.

Reflection: Counting Waves — Readers’ Choice
By Erin Newton

As a child prone to nightmares, I learned that a sleepful night was a dreamless night. As an adult, those sleepful nights were interrupted by crying babies or nagging thoughts about the day.

Restful sleep is a luxury. In our fast-paced world, our tragedy-filled world, our stress-inducing world—sleep is often minimal, fitful, or both. When was the last time I laid down in peace and slept?

Psalm 3 is a call for deliverance. Pleading for God to arise and deliver, the psalmist recounts the number of enemies and their mocking voices. Psalm 4 asks God for deliverance from distress. Calling for relief and mercy, the psalmist seeks the ear and attention of God. The world around them is not at peace.

I lie down and sleep.

In peace, I will lie down and sleep.

It is not the circumstances of life that lead the psalmist to close his eyes without fear or anxiety. God is a shield for his people. God is an open receiver for his people. God is the sustainer of his people. These two psalms can boast of a good night’s rest because God stands ready amidst their turbulent lives.

Turbulence usually keeps us awake. We toss and turn, thinking about how we will pay our next mortgage, how we will tell our kids about cancer, how lonely we are, how much we have messed up—and more. We fret well; we don’t sleep well.

One day, many centuries ago, Jesus got in a boat with his friends. The group set sail upon the winds of the Galilean Sea. The journey was underway, the day had been long, and Jesus laid down in peace to sleep. Suddenly, the winds shifted, and the waves tossed. A storm came over the sea; the boat was swamped with waves. But Jesus remained asleep within the boat.

The disciples urged Jesus to awake, their voices strained with fear. “Teacher, do you not care if we drown?” Their world was not at peace. Their hearts were not at peace.

But Jesus did care. He stood ready amidst the turbulent waves. And the waves were still. Jesus knew that God protects, God hears, and God sustains.

As we lay down, may our minds drift to thoughts of our Lord speaking over the waves—speaking over the lie that he doesn’t care if we drown: Hush, hush, be still.

He cares.

From John: The Divine Hours prayers will return in October. This month we will pray one scripture passage or verse each week.

Prayer:
Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man. — Nehemiah 1.11

Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 44 (Listen 6:10)
2 Corinthians 4 (Listen 3:02)

Read more about State of Our Souls
Reflecting on the work of Christ in our lives is something we must repeat…an anchor in these storm-tossed waves of life.

State of Our Souls

Read more about Bearing Cursing
Rather than lashing out, may we seek consolation in God and humbly endure insults in the name of Jesus.

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September 11, 2024September 9, 2024

Be With Me — Readers’ Choice

Scripture Focus: Psalm 34.18
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Originally published on October 11, 2023, based on readings from Psalm 34.18.

Readers’ Choice is here: There’s still time to tell us about your favorite, most meaningful posts of the year. If you shared it with someone, or it helped you, let us know via email, direct message, or filling out the linked form.

Music Week: Many choices from readers were ones having to do with music. Some were inspired by a song or hymn, some simply included music as part of the reflection experience. This week, we pray the Holy Spirit’s tune echoes in your heart and that he guides you into Truth as you listen again to these earthly tunes.

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:
Russell, Japan — Thanks for sharing this.
MJ, AZ — I am currently in the years of limping along in the journey of anticipated grief…I needed your words today and will keep this post to reference as I move forward on this path. Thank you for sharing this encouragement today.

Reflection: Be With Me — Readers’ Choice
By Erin Newton

In the kingdom of the heavens, no suffering is unknown;
each tear that falls is holy, each breaking heart a throne.
There is a song of beauty on every weeping eye —
for there is One who loves me: His heart, it breaks with mine

These words, which bring me to tears every time, are from the song “Little Things with Great Love” by Porter’s Gate.

At the end of this summer, just a few weeks ago, my mother died. For six years, I limped along this journey of anticipated grief, knowing that her cancer was incurable. I became accustomed to sadness. It was simply a part of my life.

Many of us carry the weight of grief, pain, suffering, trauma—all sorts of sadness—with us every day. Instead of a passing feeling, it becomes a state of being. Grief is an unwelcome guest that lingers too long and too close.

Psalm 34 speaks of deliverance from fear and salvation from troubles. It was the plea of my anguished heart. I like to avoid sadness. Bottling up emotions, avoiding all sad movies, and never lingering too long on tragic events—this was my way of living.

Now I have learned that we get to grieve deeply because we have loved deeply. The weight of our sadness reflects the hope of a beautiful life that has been tragically altered.

What is never mentioned in the psalm is the absence of trouble. It is not praising God for a carefree life. As much as I want to escape heartache, suffering is part of living.

But we are not alone. God is near to the brokenhearted, the completely broken and crushed soul.

In the last days of my mom’s life, I would step out of the car and take a deep breath. I had to go in there and sit by her bed, counting breaths as they labored and slowed. I knew I had to go inside. There was no choice. “Dear Lord, can you go in there with me?” And he did.

I have known the depths of pain, but I have felt the strength of God’s presence. My mom could hear songs “like a choir” and felt an unseen hand rest upon her shoulder. God is near to us.

If there is any way I could talk to my mom now, I’d let her know I’m doing okay. Because I’ll never be alone.

Music: “Little Things with Great Love,” by Porter’s Gate

From John: The Divine Hours prayers will return in October. This month we will pray one scripture passage or verse each week.

Prayer:
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
— Psalm 95.1-3

Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 37 (Listen 3:25)
1 Corinthians 13 (Listen 2:23)

Read more about In the Face of Grief
None of Christ’s followers had to leave their sorrow behind for Jesus to come to them.

In the Face of Grief

Read more about The Grace of Holding Space
What is most needed in these times is a willingness to simply “hold space” for another.

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