Author: John Tillman

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Don’t Troll the Troubled

Links for today’s readings:

Feb 2 Read: Job 35 Listen: (1:33) Read: Psalm 19 Listen: (1:52)

Scripture Focus: Job 35.2-8

2 “Do you think this is just? 
You say, ‘I am in the right, not God.’ 
3 Yet you ask him, ‘What profit is it to me, 
and what do I gain by not sinning?’ 
4 “I would like to reply to you 
and to your friends with you. 
5 Look up at the heavens and see; 
gaze at the clouds so high above you. 
6 If you sin, how does that affect him? 
If your sins are many, what does that do to him? 
7 If you are righteous, what do you give to him, 
or what does he receive from your hand? 
8 Your wickedness only affects humans like yourself, 
and your righteousness only other people.

Reflection: Don’t Troll the Troubled

By John Tillman

Productive conversations with ideological or theological opponents on social media are possible, but rare.

Sometimes, while having a social media conversation, another voice chimes in. Will they help or hurt the conversation? Will they turn into a troll?

The online term “troll” might primarily seem to describe a monster, like the Three Billy Goats Gruff troll. Online trolls are considered monstrous; however, the definition has more to do with fishing-related meanings of “troll.”

“Trolling” is a type of fishing in which a boat drags a fishing line through places where the fisherman hopes fish won’t be able to resist taking the bait. Online trolls scroll through comments and conversation boards, dropping “lures” of offensive content they hope their targets will react to in anger or fear.

When Elihu jumps into Job’s conversation with his friends, we do not know what to expect. Job’s conversation was already not going well. At first, it seems Elihu might add positive things to the conversation, but he quickly starts trolling Job with guilt and blame.

A particular troll tactic Elihu uses is putting words in Job’s mouth. Job never said God was in the wrong or that not sinning was worthless (v. 2-3). Whether intentionally or not, Elihu accused Job of things he didn’t say. He made a “strawman” argument that he could easily attack for verse after verse after verse.

When troubled people truthfully describe their experiences, it is easy for us to hear things they aren’t saying. Don’t hear, “God is unfaithful,” when they say, “Life is hopeless.” Don’t hear, “Grace is not sufficient for me,” when they say, “Pain is unbearable.” Don’t put words in their mouths. If you do, don’t be surprised if they snap like an angry fish. Hurting people don’t need verse after verse attacking arguments they aren’t making.

We can be better counselors than Elihu. Hurting people don’t need to be trolled with truisms that feel like an attack. All people need to know the truth that God’s love is real, even in the hardships. Acknowledge feelings without trying to fix things. Tell them God loves them without demanding they deny their reality. 

The time will come when God shows up as he did for Job. They will remember, and God will honor how we represent God’s faithful love that doesn’t abandon his beloved children when we are in despair.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. — Psalm 19.14
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

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Mortality and the Path of Life

Links for today’s readings:

Jan 30  Read: Job 32 Listen: (2:12) Read: Psalms 15-16 Listen: (2:03)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Jan 31  Read: Job 33 Listen (3:00) Read: Psalm 17 Listen: (1:58)
Feb 1  Read: Job 34 Listen: (3:26) Read: Psalm 18 Listen: (5:47)

Scripture Focus: Psalm 16.9-11

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

    my body also will rest secure,

10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,

    nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

11 You make known to me the path of life;

    you will fill me with joy in your presence,

    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Reflection: Mortality and the Path of Life

By John Tillman

The “Colbert Questionert” is a recurring segment on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Some questions are light and some weighty. One weightier question is “What do you think happens when we die?”

Guest’s answers are a mismatched pastiche of mostly vague scientific, philosophical, or theological takes. Ryan Gosling answered, “We wake up.” Keanu Reeves said, “The ones who love us will miss us.”

Modern westerners might be the most death-avoidant culture in the world. If we aren’t fully in denial about dying, we employ endless tactics to delay discussing, thinking about, or preparing for it. But death is an undeniable reality of our existence. We need more than a quick questionnaire. We need meditation and lament.

If you pull verse six out of psalm 16, it sounds like a simple praise for happy, peaceful blessings. “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” (v. 6) But the opening line and the closing section of the psalm make clear that the psalmist has suffering, danger, and death on the brain. It’s a lament disguised in the clothes of praise.

Praise in the midst of suffering, persecution, or death is often found in lament. Federico Villanueva, in the Asia Bible Commentary Series says, “Confidence or trust in God arises out of lament,” and “It is in the context of lament that the opportunity to trust in God best presents itself.”

Meditating on mortality is not morbid. It brings wisdom, inspiration, and energy for today. Remember, we will die. Remember also, that in Christ, we will live again and evermore.

While considering death, the psalmist’s lament provides an opportunity to trust God and praise him. Taking the “Colbert Questionert,” the psalmist might say, “God will keep me safe. He will not abandon me to death’s decay. A path of life is open for me and on that path I will find joy and pleasures for eternity in God’s presence.” (v. 9-11)


There is only one path to life and Jesus is its pioneer. (Hebrews 2.9-11; 12.1-3) He makes it known to us and asks us to make it known to others. Many paths may lead to Jesus, but no path leads to life unless it first comes through him. (John 14.6-12) Ask others to join you on this path. Share with them the delightful inheritance we have by adoption into the family of Jesus. Their path of life could start today.

Divine Hours Prayer: A Reading

Jesus taught them saying: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me! Let anyone who believes in me, come and drink! As scripture says, ‘From his heart shall flow streams of living water.’” He was speaking of the Spirit which those who believed in him were to receive; for there was no Spirit as yet because Jesus had not yet been glorified. — John 7.38-39

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

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