Category: 843 Acres

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Walk-on Roles — Readers’ Choice


Readers’ Choice is here: Over two-thirds of our devotionals get emailed responses from readers like you. Hearing that what we have written is meaningful to you is meaningful to us. That’s why we love sharing some of your comments and messages. Thank you, readers. We do what we do to serve you. 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 by filling out the linked form.

Links for today’s readings:

Oct 20  Read: 2 Kings 1 Listen: (3:13)  Read: Psalms 45 Listen: (2:17)

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

Barbara, TN — Love this.
Jason, TX — I love the perspective you give here. It puts my life and that of those I encounter into a “bigger frame” of experiencing life following Jesus.
Brian, DC — Thanks for this reflection. The timing is perfect as I have been remembering how arrogant I was with pastors and ministry leaders here in Washington, DC when I arrived in 2001…Over the past 24 years I have learned to be gracious and kind to the pastors and ministry leaders…I have been thanking God for grace and patience. 

This post was originally published on January 13, 2025, based on readings from Genesis 14.18-20, Psalm 110.4, and Hebrews 7.1-3.

Scripture Focus: Genesis 14.18-20

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, 
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, 
Creator of heaven and earth. 
20 And praise be to God Most High, 
who delivered your enemies into your hand.” 
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Psalm 110.4

4 The Lord has sworn 
and will not change his mind: 
“You are a priest forever, 
in the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 7.1-3

1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

“I am telling you your story, not hers. No one is told any story but their own.” — Aslan in The Horse and His Boy, by C.S. Lewis

Reflection: Walk-on Roles — Readers’ Choice

By John Tillman

The camera of scripture “zooms in” on Abram, cropping out the rest of the world, but occasionally others who know of God or follow God walk into the frame. One of the most notable and intriguing “walk-on” God-followers in the Old Testament is Melchizedek.

What is the rest of Melchizedek’s story? How did he come to know “God Most High”? How did he become king and priest? There’s no definitive answer within scripture. 

In The Horse and His Boy, Aravis asks Aslan what will happen to her family’s servant, whom she drugged to make her escape. Aslan says that he will not tell her someone else’s story.

When Jesus tells Peter about his own death, Peter asks Jesus “What about him?” referring to John. “What is that to you?”, Jesus responded. (John 21.18-22) Jesus refused to tell Peter about the rest of John’s story.

No matter how much we ask God, scripture, or each other, “What about him?” regarding Melchizedek, we will come up empty. The Melchizedek mystery is intriguing and intractable. However, there is something we can learn from the story.

God is working even when you don’t see it. Much of what God does is outside of our limited knowledge. Therefore, when it seems like God is doing nothing, it just means he is doing something we can’t see.

God is working through people outside your group. Whether outside your church, city, denomination, or country, God is working among and using people you don’t know and probably using some you wouldn’t approve of. When we encounter God’s work, we can bless it even if the workers are “not part of our group.” (Luke 9.49-50)

God is working through you where you are. Melchizedek didn’t join Abram’s daring rescue but he was still part of God’s work. Meanwhile, Melchizedek was king of a city while Abram was a migrant, living in tents. Both stood for and established righteousness in God’s name. Your position or role doesn’t make your part of God’s work less valuable. God wants to work through you to stand for and establish righteousness where you are in the role you have.

Melchizedek means “King of Righteousness” and, as priests under Jesus, we are priests in Melchizedek’s line. We are all walk-ons in God’s work. Serve your role, whether as priest, ruler, servant, or “walk-on.”

When it seems like “the action” is somewhere else, you are still part of God’s story.

Read more: Last Priest Standing

Jesus’ high priestly ministry on our behalf is perpetual, never-ending. If we could grasp the full ramifications of this reality, it would radically impact our daily lives.

Last Priest Standing
Read The Bible With Us

It’s never too late to join our Bible reading plan. Immerse in the Bible with us at a sustainable, two-year pace.

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Resist Weaponizing Spiritual Things — Readers’ Choice


Readers’ Choice is here: Over two-thirds of our devotionals get emailed responses from readers like you. Hearing that what we have written is meaningful to you is meaningful to us. That’s why we love sharing some of your comments and messages. Thank you, readers. We do what we do to serve you. 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 by filling out the linked form.

Links for today’s readings:

Oct 17   Read: 1 Kings 20 Listen: (7:03)  Read: Psalms 40-41 Listen: (3:57)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Oct 18   Read: 1 Kings 21 Listen: (4:19)  Read: Psalms 42-43 Listen: (2:32)
Oct 19   Read: 1 Kings 22 Listen: (7:51)  Read: Psalms 44 Listen: (2:44)

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

Jason, TX — Great job on this one!
Brian, DC — Thanks for sharing this beautiful reflection. I am humbled and honored in reading it.
Barbara, TN — Thank you!

This post was originally published on August 4, 2025, based on readings from Judges 18.23-25.

Scripture Focus: Judges 18.23-25

23 As they shouted after them, the Danites turned and said to Micah, “What’s the matter with you that you called out your men to fight?” 24 He replied, “You took the gods I made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you ask, ‘What’s the matter with you?’ ” 25 The Danites answered, “Don’t argue with us, or some of the men may get angry and attack you, and you and your family will lose your lives.”

Reflection: Resist Weaponizing Spiritual Things — Readers’ Choice

By John Tillman

In The Book of Eli, Denzel Washington (Eli) carries a Bible he has sworn to protect across a violent, post-apocalyptic United States.

A brutal, book-obsessed warlord named Carnegie (played by Gary Oldman and not-so-subtly named to reference Andrew Carnegie, famous for building libraries) demands Eli give it to him.

After many fighters die trying to take the Bible, Carnegie’s lieutenant questions whether “a book” is worth the spilled blood and spent resources. Carnegie responds, “It’s not a book. It’s a weapon. A weapon aimed right at the hearts and minds of the weak and the desperate.”

The final chapters of Judges share a similar apocalyptic brutality with the film. When everyone did “as they saw fit,” (Judges 21.25) wicked hearts were exposed and chaos and violence reigned.

Levites were intended to live in their own towns and serve all the tribes at the Tabernacle. However, Micah hired a Levite to serve at his private shrine of “household gods.” Seemingly ignorant of all the laws they were violating, Micah said, “Now I know that the Lord will be good to me…” (Judges 17.13)

When warriors from the tribe of Dan made the Levite a better offer, he left with them. Micah pursued, crying, “You took my gods and my priest! What else do I have?”

Micah’s cry, “What else do I have?” is partially correct. It is good to recognize, “Whom have I in heaven but you?” However, we mustn’t forget the second line: “And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” (Psalm 73.25)

Micah, the Danite warriors, and the fictional Carnegie had mercenary attitudes about God, worship, and his ministers. They valued the things of God as personal weapons and tools to enrich and comfort themselves.

Beware of developing mercenary attitudes toward God, ministers, or the Bible. The Bible isn’t a weapon for winning earthly arguments. Ministers should serve everyone, not one political tribe. God doesn’t owe us blessings in exchange for worship, especially when our worship is often polluted with false “household gods,” like political and cultural ideologies.

God won’t be anyone’s mercenary and he looks unkindly on weaponizing the Bible for earthly purposes. Don’t surrender spiritual things to those who want to weaponize them to obtain earthly things.

No spoilers, however, in the film Carnegie can’t use the Bible even after winning it in battle and Eli still guards it even after it is taken from him. So may it be with us.

The Lord’s Prayer:

We will take a break from The Divine Hours prayers for the month of October and instead pray Dallas Willard’s paraphrase of The Lord’s Prayer:

Dear Father, always near us, may your name be treasured and loved, may your rule be completed in us—may your will be done here on earth in just the way it is done in heaven.

Give us today the things we need today, and forgive us our sins and impositions on you as we are forgiving all who in any way offend us.

Please don’t put us through trials, but deliver us from everything bad. Because you are the one in charge, and you have all the power, and the glory too is all yours-forever-which is just the way we want it!

Read more: Keep Drinking the Milk of the Word

In Hebrews chapter 5, the author wishes to discuss complicated topics…But…the readers are not ready for such theological complexity…

Keep Drinking the Milk of the Word
Read The Bible With Us

It’s never too late to join our Bible reading plan. Immerse in the Bible with us at a sustainable, two-year pace.

https://mailchi.mp/theparkforum/m-f-daily-email-devotional

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Sing Your Song — Readers’ Choice


Readers’ Choice is here: Over two-thirds of our devotionals get emailed responses from readers like you. Hearing that what we have written is meaningful to you is meaningful to us. That’s why we love sharing some of your comments and messages. Thank you, readers. We do what we do to serve you. 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 by filling out the linked form.

Links for today’s readings:

Oct 16  Read: 1 Kings 19 Listen: (3:53) Read: Psalms 39 Listen: (1:49)

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

Russell, Japan — Thanks, John. This is very good. I do want to sing this testimony to the next generation.

This post was originally published on June 27, 2025, based on readings from Deuteronomy 32.44-50.

Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 32.44-50

44 Moses came with Joshua  son of Nun and spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people. 45 When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, 46 he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. 47 They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Moses to Die on Mount Nebo 48 On that same day the Lord told Moses, 49 “Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo in Moab, across from Jericho, and view Canaan, the land I am giving the Israelites as their own possession. 50 There on the mountain that you have climbed you will die and be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people

Reflection: Sing Your Song — Readers’ Choice

By John Tillman

“What would you do if you knew today was your last day to live?” This question is popular with motivational speakers, counselors, and others who want to draw their listeners’ attention to what is truly important in life.

Most of us would probably say that on our last day we’d talk with people we love, do good things for others, and, if we are Christians, tell people about Jesus. 

We don’t know our last day but Moses did. So, what did Moses do when he knew it was his last day to live? He spoke to those he loved, did good things for others, and told people how to faithfully follow God. Moses spent his last day speaking words of life to set up the next generation for success.

On Moses’ final day of life, he sang an epic song of testimony, warning, and hope. As Moses sang, he stood beside Joshua, passing the torch to the next generation’s leader. Moses’ song reminded the people how the grace of God had saved them in the past. He warned them that in the future their sins would grieve God, bringing punishment and exile. He encouraged them that, despite their sins, God would still have mercy on them and restore them. He proclaimed that the restoration and healing of Israel would be a testimony to the nations and a reason for all peoples to rejoice in the goodness and justice of God.

What might your song of testimony be? Sing of moments of salvation, healing, release, and escape from danger. Do you have warnings? Sing of moments of failure, struggle, oppression, and hardships. Can you speak of hope? Sing of moments of mercy, promises fulfilled, dreams of  the future, and assurances from Holy Spirit.

Don’t wait until your last day to share your song. Invest in the next generation. They need to hear from elders who’ve felt the lashes of oppression, crossed the sea of deliverance, endured the suffering of the desert, learned lessons from the law, experienced victory over enemies, and been sustained by miraculous provision.

Not only should you sing, you should listen to the song of scripture. The words of scripture “are not just idle words for you—they are your life.” Learn the tune, the rhythm, the message of the music of God’s word. Then sing your song of testimony following its pattern.

The Lord’s Prayer:

We will take a break from The Divine Hours prayers for the month of October and instead pray Dallas Willard’s paraphrase of The Lord’s Prayer:

Dear Father, always near us, may your name be treasured and loved, may your rule be completed in us—may your will be done here on earth in just the way it is done in heaven.

Give us today the things we need today, and forgive us our sins and impositions on you as we are forgiving all who in any way offend us.

Please don’t put us through trials, but deliver us from everything bad. Because you are the one in charge, and you have all the power, and the glory too is all yours-forever-which is just the way we want it!

Read more: Honey and Grace

Moses uses the image of honey from the rock to describe God’s provision for Israel in their desert journey which has come to an end.

Honey and Grace
Read more: Glimpsing the Promise

Yet, all is not lost…God will be faithful to his purposes for the next generation. God’s grace to us is being able to glimpse it.

Glimpsing the Promise

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Puppet Prophet — Readers’ Choice


Readers’ Choice is here: Over two-thirds of our devotionals get emailed responses from readers like you. Hearing that what we have written is meaningful to you is meaningful to us. That’s why we love sharing some of your comments and messages. Thank you, readers. We do what we do to serve you. 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 by filling out the linked form.

Links for today’s readings:

Oct 15  Read: 1 Kings 18 Listen: (7:08) Read: Psalms 38 Listen: (2:14)

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

John, Singapore — The Puppet “Prophet” was profound and insightful. Your statement “The word of God is not hampered by the motives of the speaker, for Balaam proves that God is not deterred by any vessel” is a truth that must be told and re-told!! Keep up your good work – those of us who read the Park Forum devotionals daily are truly blessed!

This post was originally published on May 14, 2025, based on readings from Numbers 23:11–12.

Scripture Focus: Numbers 23:11–12

11 Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!”

12 He answered, “Must I not speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?”

Reflection: Puppet Prophet — Readers’ Choice

By Erin Newton

A message from God is a force that cannot be equaled. Behind the words is power that is unparalleled and unmatched. Nothing can be formed against it. No human can resist it.

It can speak both judgment and blessing. It can bring life into creation and banish evil to the depths.

We expect the godly to spout the words of God—with joy no less. Shouts of praise and unashamed proclamations of God’s goodness are welcomed reverberations in the walls of churches.

The godly may pause before messages of criticism and judgment, but the power of the word is overwhelming. Jeremiah hesitates, “But if I say, ‘I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot” (Jeremiah 20.9).

A prophet, the chosen mouthpiece for God, may falter ever so slightly, but the word burns like a fire.

And so it is even with fools. The word of God is not hampered by the motives of the speaker, for Balaam proves that God is not deterred by any vessel. Balaam and Balak were mouthpieces for a world hostile to God, hoping to bring curses to God’s people. Over and over they try to bring a foul word. Again and again, they fail. Overpowered by the good news of God, Balaam speaks words of blessing and praise to the God of Israel’s salvation.

Do you languish waiting for a godly, prophetic voice to speak words of blessing? Are you discouraged at the presence of leaders who only seem to plot curses? Let us not be dismayed. God has overpowered the minds and mouths of even his staunchest opponents. Through the most unlikely mouths, curses have been turned into hope. Messages meant to destroy have been overshadowed with messages of good news.

It is more likely that we pray for good leaders to rise up and wicked speakers to be silenced—but Balaam’s story reminds us that God’s message will prevail—no matter the vessel he must use.

Let us pray for the embers of God’s word to ignite within the mouths of unlikely people. Let us recognize the divine power behind such words.

And remember, Balaam is no happy conversion story. He is a symbol to all who try to stand against God that they are merely puppets.

The Lord’s Prayer:

We will take a break from The Divine Hours prayers for the month of October and instead pray Dallas Willard’s paraphrase of The Lord’s Prayer:

Dear Father, always near us, may your name be treasured and loved, may your rule be completed in us—may your will be done here on earth in just the way it is done in heaven.

Give us today the things we need today, and forgive us our sins and impositions on you as we are forgiving all who in any way offend us.

Please don’t put us through trials, but deliver us from everything bad. Because you are the one in charge, and you have all the power, and the glory too is all yours-forever-which is just the way we want it!

Readers’ Choice is here!

#ReadersChoice is time for you to share favorite Park Forum posts from the year.

What post did you share with a friend?

https://forms.gle/aSD7X5psHqjSMtBFA

Read more: Balaams and Balaks

Balaams today claim to speak for God yet seem willing to tickle the ears of the powerful in exchange for assurances of influence and power.

Balaams and Balaks
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Forces and Powers — Readers’ Choice


Readers’ Choice is here: Over two-thirds of our devotionals get emailed responses from readers like you. Hearing that what we have written is meaningful to you is meaningful to us. That’s why we love sharing some of your comments and messages. Thank you, readers. We do what we do to serve you. 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 by filling out the linked form.

Links for today’s readings:

Oct 14 Read: 1 Kings 17 Listen: (3:14)  Read: Psalms 37 Listen: (4:21)

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

Barbara, TN — Really important charge here! I can certainly see where I believed what may or may not have been right but in the wrong way in times past. Praying for our country and the world. Loved this sentence: “It’s foolish to be unwary of spiritual forces, yet dangerous to be obsessed with them.”

This post was originally published on July 3, 2025, based on readings from Colossians 2.8-15.

Scripture Focus: Colossians 2.8-15

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self, ruled by the flesh, was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Reflection: Forces and Powers — Readers’ Choice

By John Tillman

When Paul says there are “forces” and “powers” in this world, what does he mean?

Paul’s language seems ambiguous. Some translations use “basic principles” instead of “elemental spiritual forces”. (Colossians 2.8) Paul’s ambiguity is probably intentional. Ancient thinkers were comfortable with the concept of spiritual powers co-mingling with other powers. Paul recognized layers of visible and invisible powers and forces operating in his world.

Our world also has interconnected forces and powers. Obvious forces include local, state, and federal governments. Cultural forces include social and economic philosophies. We also see the effects of less obvious forces. Corporations create algorithims that influence our media and social media. Dark money floods politics. Insider trading infests banking and business. Wealthy influence peddlers push cultural narratives. And behind the visible and hidden human powers are spiritual powers.

A word of warning: Dangerous and manipulative movements and leaders twist teachings about spiritual things to cause panic and excuse violence and vitriol. The existence of spiritual powers doesn’t mean everyone who votes differently from you or does something you oppose is “demonic.” Beware those discussing “spiritual warfare” in these ways.

How do we navigate a world with multiple layers of spiritual and non-spiritual forces and powers? Look to Paul’s example. Paul stood trial before Roman rulers. Paul opposed ideological forces of Greek philosophy and idolatry at the Areopagus. Paul resisted spiritual forces by tearing down strongholds of spiritual arguments and casting out spiritual beings.

In all cases, Paul defended himself and others against these powers by testifying to the gospel in the name of Jesus. That’s it. No weapons. No mobs. No insurrections. No attacks. No violence. Paul delivered people from demonic influence. He didn’t attack them. Paul just spoke the truth of Jesus.

We must resist many “powers.” Like Paul, we don’t resist the world’s powers with worldly weapons or resist demonic powers by attacking humans. Demonizing and dehumanizing are sinful synonyms from a Christian perspective.

As for the spiritual powers, we don’t fight them—we announce their defeat by Jesus. We don’t disarm the powers—we remind them that Jesus already did.

It’s foolish to be unwary of spiritual forces, yet dangerous to be obsessed with them. Instead, we can walk through the world of powers, confident that Jesus has disarmed them. So long as we walk with him, we cannot be captured by any force or power. Rooted in him, we cannot be moved.

Readers’ Choice is here!

#ReadersChoice is time for you to share favorite Park Forum posts from the year.
What post helped you better understand scripture?

https://forms.gle/aSD7X5psHqjSMtBFA

Read more: Jericho’s Wall

God isn’t interested in destroying people we call our enemies. He’s not on “your side.”

Jericho’s Wall