Author: Erin Newton

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Peace from Uncertainty — Peace of Advent

Scripture Focus: Revelation 12:4

Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born.

Reflection: Peace from Uncertainty — Peace of Advent

By Erin Newton

Dragons have been part of ancient stories but are rarely mentioned during Advent. Revelation 12 tells of the expected birth of a Savior and the threat of the dragon. This is an echo of the ancient stories familiar to the Old Testament readers.

Ancient Near Eastern culture had stories of gods battling a dragon where the fate of the god was always uncertain. The dragon was powerful, and the strength of the god wavered. It is against this mythic background that we read about God in Job taming Leviathan as a pet. There is no struggle, no uncertainty.

The dragon in Revelation waits to devour the child. The same menacing threat is made by Herod. “…an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” (Matthew 2.13).

Despite the suspense created by the threat to the Savior’s life from a draconian ruler like Herod, we have been taught throughout the Old Testament not to fear these moments of uncertainty. This is no Canaanite tale of a weak god against the sea-serpent. This is Emmanuel. The God who puts the dragon on the leash is still in control of the world despite his human flesh.

There are so many questions in the story of Jesus’ birth. How will God enable Mary to carry a child as a virgin? That’s impossible. Where will they stay during the hours of labor and childbirth? There’s no option. How can this child save the world if they cannot escape Herod’s edict? The way seems shut.

Through all these uncertainties, answers came. A science-defying miracle of virgin conception. A sufficient, though humble, manger for birth. A spoken word and guidance to safety in a foreign land. How God chose to answer the questions surrounding Jesus’ birth are unexpected and inconceivable.

I am no stranger to anxiety and live with the constant battle of questioning how God will work through each threatening uncertainty. The peace of Advent is peace from uncertainty. The questions will always come but the story reminds us that nothing has ever been outside of his control. The baby is still our Savior. The dragon is under control even when circumstances tempt us to despair.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Morning Psalm
Hear my cry, O God, and listen to my prayer.
I call upon you from the ends of the earth with heaviness in my heart; set me upon the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
I will dwell in your house forever; I will take refuge under the cover of your wings.
For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have granted me the heritage of those who fear your Name. — Psalm 61.1-5

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Read more about Unto Us, He Comes — Hope of Advent
He comes to the victims and perpetrators of war and conflict, bringing them peace.
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Peace from Strife — Peace of Advent

Scripture Focus: Revelation 11:5-6
 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

Reflection: Peace from Strife — Peace of Advent
By Erin Newton

The Old Testament is one crisis after another. Strife, misery, injustice, bondage, warfare, exile. We watch as the prophets plead with the people to turn their hearts to truth. Jerusalem is destroyed. The prophets weep for the destruction of their beloved home. As the Old Testament closes, there are promises that a greater Redeemer is coming.

Historically, the New Testament opens during the Pax Romana, the Roman Peace. After years of warfare, the Roman Empire entered a period of relative political peace. Israel had endured the pains from the previous wars including the Exile. They were not free from Roman rule, and they were still bound by Roman laws.

The Jews had been longing for their Redeemer, expectantly waiting for the one who would save them. It’s easy to see that they wanted a mighty warrior. They wanted someone like the two witnesses in Revelation 11: breathing fire, commanding the rains, and bringing plagues to their enemies.

The tension that builds from the Old Testament to the Advent of Jesus feels like jumping off a cliff overlooking pristine water. As momentum builds there is the final deep breath before the plunge. There is the expectation of something great, something grand, something epic! The Redeemer will come with swords and fire and plagues!

But you turn the page and find a baby. Small and defenseless. His image is the unexpected figure of a redeemer. The conquering king is a nursing infant born to insignificant parents. The God who fights our battles came in the form of a helpless child.

When you are constantly on edge from conflict, it is easy to expect the answer to your crisis will come in the form of a fight. The Jews naturally expected a heroic giant-killing descendant of David to rescue them. We, too, want a warrior instead of a boy. We would rather have a charming orator than a cooing babe. We want a cunning general instead of a feeble child.

Peace that comes with the birth of Christ is peace from strife.  Peace which lets go of the desire to conquer those we hate. Peace which does not hope to see the downfall of our enemies. 
 Peace which does not try to wage war on anyone different.

If we are to become like Christ we must be as he was. We must embrace the form of a meek and mild baby and be at peace from strife.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord. — Psalm 31.24

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

Today’s Readings
2 Chronicles 24 (Listen – 5:07)
Revelation 11 (Listen – 3:24)

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We need and pray for donors of all amounts, and for those who can donate every month as well as those who donate once a year or at other intervals.

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When Skepticism meets Kindness

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 19.3
“…the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun, “Do you think David is honoring your father by sending envoys to you to express sympathy? Haven’t his envoys come to you only to explore and spy out the country and overthrow it?” 

Reflection: When Skepticism meets Kindness
By Erin Newton

Last week, I looked through the neighborhood Facebook page. Big mistake. Each post was an attack of one neighbor against another rooted mostly in suspicions. It makes you wonder, “Can we trust anyone to be good anymore?”

The account of David sending an envoy of peace and sympathy to the Ammonites as depicted in 1 Chronicles 19 is retold in the same manner as 2 Samuel 10. In both accounts, Hanun the Ammonite king scoffed at the gesture of sympathy and returned kindness with humiliation. David’s motives were scrutinized. Hanun repaid hate to the men who had come in the name of peace.

Sometimes we look at kindness and assume there is a scheme of self-promotion or self-preservation behind it all. We treat the servants of mercy as spies. We’ve created a world in which we are trained to “read the fine print” and always be on the lookout for some catch. We see something and immediately suspect nefarious activity behind it all.

Being on the receiving end of kindness can be awkward and uncomfortable. Honestly, there is little reason to be suspicious, but we are sorely out of practice. Five years ago, I had premature twins with severe medical conditions and had to quickly learn how to be served without the nagging feeling that I would have to repay that kindness. We learn all about serving others but being served is a lost art.

More than anything, we doubt the sincerity of God’s gift of mercy. The Man who came in peace was treated like a criminal, humiliated and mocked. Jesus came in peace but was received with skepticism. The seed of sin taunts his free gift, “Did he really say that?” Just as the first sin entered the world, we struggle against doubting the motive of mercy.

Out of the heart, the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). We struggle to humbly receive God’s grace because we cannot fathom being so gracious to others. We return kindness with ingratitude because we assume we have been placed in someone’s debt. We try to do something in return because our pride wants to even the score.

We are entering into a season marked by giving. The King’s envoy of peace has come. Let us sit under the weight of God’s mercy, utterly helpless to repay anything, and be at peace.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 107)

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
I will bear witness that the Lord is righteous; I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High. — Psalm 7.18

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

Today’s Readings
1 Chronicles 19-20 (Listen – 5:02)
1 Peter 1 (Listen – 3:53)

Thanksgiving Day Readings
1 Chronicles 21 (Listen – 5:03)
1 Peter 2 (Listen – 3:48)

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Legacy of Failure

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 10.13-14
13 Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, 14 and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

Reflection: Legacy of Failure
By Erin Newton

In a developmental psychology course, I remember learning that adults ages 40-65 enter a phase focused on leaving a legacy. The typical desire is to make a positive contribution to society. If this is a natural human development, you expect to see evidence of this in the Bible.

Repeated stories in the Bible are common: four gospels, two law books, and the echoed history of Israel’s kings in Chronicles. The retold life of Saul is condensed with a succinct obituary: Saul died because he was unfaithful. Compared to all the chapters of his life in 1 Kings, he is now a blurb of failure.

The Bible is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so these repeated stories should catch our attention. Forever, his bad deeds are highlighted while the handful of good moments are overshadowed. His legacy will go down in history as someone who sought advice from others rather than God. Saul consulted a witch and she summoned the prophet, Samuel, a voice he had ignored many times before. He had plenty of chances to change his ways, but he didn’t care.

What is interesting about the list of faithful believers in Hebrews 11-12 is that many of them had serious flaws, episodes of bad decisions. Despite the errors made in their lives, they are called the “hall of faith” and the “great cloud of witnesses.” What makes these people different from Saul when they all struggled with sin? In a word: repentance.

You and I are going to keep struggling with sin. Culture will tempt us to listen to bad advice. Our pride will seek to put others down and scoff at any form of rebuke. Temptation is here to stay, for now. How we respond is our responsibility. 

We need to be reminded of our humanity and our great need for forgiveness. We can toil and strive and put every ounce of sweat into creating a good, impactful legacy. But as the light begins to dim and the sweet voice of the Lord begins to call us home, the greatest peace we will have is knowing our lives were another retelling of His legacy. “Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken… and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12.6-7)

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
And yet my people did not hear my voice, and Israel would not obey me. — Psalm 84.11

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


Today’s Readings
1 Chronicles 9-10 (Listen – 7:48)
Hebrews 12 (Listen – 4:36)

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We have all been Absalom, rebels trapped by our sinful pride.
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The Cost of Repentance

Scripture Focus:  2 Kings 23.3
The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord—to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant. (2 Kings 23.3)

Reflection: The Cost of Repentance
By Erin Newton

In the decade of being parents, disciplining our kids has been hard. Some punishments are too soft. Each kid responds differently. The message is missed. In all of our struggles to teach these little humans, we want them to understand the proper way of living before bad choices become unconscious habits.

As one of Judah’s most virtuous kings, the reign of Josiah is known for his religious reforms. Finally! The people had a leader who not only recognized sin but called it out, determined to live differently, and worked to get rid of it. The variety of statues, images, and structures destroyed reveals the wide-ranging idols the people worshipped. Their sin was not just in one area but in many. Fertility gods, gods of rain and weather, gods of the mysterious stars and planets, gods associated with death. The intensity of their sin can be seen in the vision given to one of the prophets (Ezekiel 8).

Removing these things was hard. It took time, incredible effort, and the cooperation of others. Can you imagine your way of life being uprooted? The Israelites were in error but they were comfortable in that state. Suddenly, change created a sense of uncertainty, shame, or fear. They began to let go of their idols. Instead of cultic prostitution and sexual gratification, they needed self-control. Instead of homes filled with shrines, their possessions were destroyed. Instead of working to produce idols or cultic objects, they had to start anew, doing work approved by God. It was good and right but equally difficult and hard.  

Jesus knew the price that must be paid to truly repent and avoid sin. “And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell” Matthew 5:30. I wonder how many one-handed people walked the streets of Israel during that time.  

How far will you go to remove sin in your life? Can you cut off your hand? What does that look like today? Maybe it is confessing sin to a trusted, mature believer. Removing facets of technology to prevent further struggles with pornography, lust, greed, or jealousy. Setting boundaries with contentious believers to protect the fragility of peace. Whatever it may be, the cost is worth it. 

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
My lips will sing with joy when I play to you, and so will my soul, which you have redeemed. — Psalm 71.23

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

Today’s Readings
2 Kings 23 (Listen – 7:43)
Hebrews 5 (Listen – 1:57)

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