Hate Conflict? Love Truth

  • February 15, 2024
  • /
  • John Tillman

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 6.12-19
12 A troublemaker and a villain, 
who goes about with a corrupt mouth, 
13 who winks maliciously with his eye, 
signals with his feet 
and motions with his fingers, 
14 who plots evil with deceit in his heart— 
he always stirs up conflict. 
15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; 
he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. 
16 There are six things the Lord hates, 
seven that are detestable to him: 
17 haughty eyes, 
a lying tongue, 
hands that shed innocent blood, 
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, 
feet that are quick to rush into evil, 
19 a false witness who pours out lies 
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. 

Reflection: Hate Conflict? Love Truth
By John Tillman

Many people today are conflict-averse or conflict-avoidant. We cringe when things get tense or walk away, surrender, or stay silent to prevent a conflict. Conflict in a community is horrible, especially within a church community. Division within the church is a division in the body of Christ. It divides what God has united together.

The Lord “hates” a person who stirs up conflict in the community. We are right to mourn division and to hate conflict. When we do, we join our feelings and actions to God’s feelings and actions.

While we mourn division and conflict, we must honestly assess what has happened. What causes division? Who is responsible for stirring up conflict? In Proverbs 6.12-19, it is clear that the deceitful man stirs up the conflict. The deceitful man (or woman) normalizes conflict, conceals conflict, and stigmatizes dissent.

Ahab called Elijah the “troubler” of Israel for stirring up conflict. But Ahab started the trouble and initiated the conflict when he abandoned the Lord and replaced true worship with false worship. (1 Kings 18.16-18) Elijah was labeled a troublemaker when he refused to follow the new normal and exposed Ahab’s false god.

Conflict that is concealed, like sexual abuse or abusive leadership, weaves an illusive false peace. When revelations of truth shatter this false peace, deceitful people often call truth-tellers “troublemakers” and blame them for “stirring up conflict.” It is not unusual for community members to be pulled into this argument, defending the deceivers and abusers and attacking the truth-tellers and victims.

When conflict arises (or is revealed) in our communities, we should hate the conflict, but we must love the truth. Quelling conflict must never come at the cost of the truth. The person the Lord hates is the villain, not the victim.

Beware of corrupt mouths (v12), deceitful hearts (v14), haughty eyes (v17), lying tongues (v17), hands that harm the innocent (v17), and hearts that devise wicked schemes (v18). They will try to convince us to defend them instead of listening to those who speak the truth about them

Not all conflicts are worth having, but we cannot remain conflict-averse or avoidant when victims need our help. We must learn to love the truth more than we love living in a false peace built by deceptive, manipulative leaders.

Revealing the truth is not stirring up conflict. It is the first step toward healing conflict.


Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be disgraced because of me. — Psalm 69.7

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


​Today’s Readings
Proverbs 6 (Listen 3:22)
Psalm 36 (Listen 1:29)

Read more about Ahab and David
Rather than the friendly relationship David had with God and his prophets, Ahab considers Elijah his “enemy.”

Ahab and David

Read more about Prophets in Our Path
When an inconvenient prophecy stops us in our tracks…When an ugly truth comes to light…Let us repent.

Prophets in Our Path

Meeting Fire with Love

  • February 14, 2024
  • /
  • Erin Newton

Scripture Focus: Psalm 35.11-15
11 Ruthless witnesses come forward;
     they question me on things I know nothing about.
 12 They repay me evil for good
     and leave me like one bereaved.
 13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth
     and humbled myself with fasting.
 When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
 14     I went about mourning
     as though for my friend or brother.
 I bowed my head in grief
     as though weeping for my mother.
 15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;
     assailants gathered against me without my knowledge.
     They slandered me without ceasing.

Reflection: Meeting Fire with Love
By Erin Newton

My youngest child had a fierce toddler stage, which meant crying 98% of the day. There were developmental reasons, so we grew accustomed to his persistence. One day, however, I was met with the harsh glare of another person at the park. She walked over to me and began to tell me how terrible of a mother I was.

A year or two ago, a man set out to organize resources for a group of abuse victims. The day began with phone calls and text messages. Sitting down to his computer and logging into social media, he was met with a series of notifications. In reply after reply to his post for help was someone who questioned his motivations and demeaned the cause.

This past week a woman was met with the all too familiar attacks on her words. Replies and posts looked for ways to discredit and discourage her from speaking openly again.

When David was met with accolades of great success, Saul was angry towards him and vowed, “I’ll pin David to the wall” (1 Samuel 18.11).

Sometimes, we enter the arena of life and are met with swinging fists. No matter what good is done, some people are determined to fight. In school, we call them “bullies,” and online, we call them “trolls.” In workplaces, we call them “toxic.” In churches, we call them “brother” and “sister.”

Whether this psalm was penned by David or inspired by his life, we know those who rejoiced in his stumbling were his own people. The same people who worshiped with him later turned and sneered, mocked, gloated over him, and falsely accused him.

It is easier to meet fire with fire but that is not the way of our crucified Lord.

The woman this past week responded out of love. Instead of rising (or lowering) to the level of anger thrown her way, she spoke of the value and joy that existed within the other person. She spoke out of kindness and concern.

The man that day patiently answered questions or false assumptions. In a vow of transparency, books were opened and no deeds were covered in darkness.

I went home and prayed for that woman.

Like the silent lamb—our Christ—who uttered no response to his accusers, we are called to meet swinging fists with words of love. It is not easy and certainly not comfortable. They gloat; we intercede.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. — Psalm 31.1

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


​Today’s Readings
Proverbs 5 (Listen 2:08)
Psalm 35 (Listen 3:21)

Read more about Responding in Kind
There’s an old saying that we don’t have to attend every fight we are invited to. God doesn’t need our defense but he does desire our devotion.

Responding in Kind

Read The Bible With Us
Don’t dread your reading plan. Slow down with us and go deeper at a sustainable, two-year pace.

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

Wisdom—A Spouse, A Path, A Healer

  • February 13, 2024
  • /
  • John Tillman

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 4.5-7
5 Get wisdom, get understanding; 
do not forget my words or turn away from them. 
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; 
love her, and she will watch over you. 
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. 
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Reflection: Wisdom—A Spouse, A Path, A Healer
By John Tillman

The father, instructing his child, compares wisdom to many things. 

Wisdom is like a spouse. (Proverbs 4.6-9) The one who embraces wisdom and is faithful, loving, and devoted will be protected, watched over, exalted, and honored. The greater attention, deference, submission, love, and priority we give to wisdom, the greater protection and blessing she grants to us.

Abandoning wisdom means turning to the arms of other partners who make lofty promises of love but have no desire or ability to follow through. In their arms we will find abuse instead of protection, neglect instead of attention, subjugation instead of exaltation, and shame instead of honor.

Wisdom is like a path. (Proverbs 4.11-19) The path of wisdom is bright and grows brighter as it is traveled. What we learn of God’s wisdom today, leads us to learn greater wisdom tomorrow. Ever brighter, the path leads on and on. It is a straight path, not turning to the right or the left. It is a smooth path, safe to walk and safe to run, with no obstacles or dangers.

The only hazards on the path of wisdom are the many opportunities to wander onto paths leading away from wisdom’s light. These paths stay within wisdom’s sight briefly. Long enough to seem like shortcuts or detours. But soon, downward into darkness they turn, lined with false steps, dark corners, and opportunities for ambush and injury. These paths have twists and switchbacks, always promising better things around the corner, but only delivering more of the same.

Wisdom is like a healer. (Proverbs 4.20-27) Wisdom gives our bodies nourishment for what needs to grow and medicine for what is sick. Through our ears and eyes wisdom brings health to our hearts, our inner being. This inner mental and spiritual health flows to the rest of our life. Our words and our actions are healed and purified. Our sight is sharpened.

Forsaking wisdom is slowly poisoning ourselves. It brings diseased actions, feelings, and thoughts. We sicken from the inside out, unable to scratch what itches or staunch what is bleeding.

Be wisdom’s dutiful patient and experience healing and nourishment of spirit, mind, and body.

Place one foot after another on the penitent pilgrimage of wisdom’s path and find destinations beyond your imagining.

Vow to love wisdom for life as a faithful partner and be filled and satisfied.

Wisdom is calling. Will you answer? Will you be her patient? Her pilgrim? Her spouse?


Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty, God reveals himself in glory.
Let the heavens declare the rightness of his cause; for God himself is judge. — Psalm 50.2, 6

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


​Today’s Readings
Proverbs 4 (Listen 2:37)
Psalm 34 (Listen 2:14)

Read more about Wisdom Versus Obedience
Wisdom is mined from a deep relationship with God. It is refined in the crucible of life.

Wisdom Versus Obedience

Read more about Supporting Our Work
Support ad-free content that brings biblical devotionals to inboxes across the world. Join our4 donors.

Supporting our Work

The Logic of Proverbs

  • February 12, 2024
  • /
  • John Tillman

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 3.7-12, 19-20
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; 
fear the Lord and shun evil. 
8 This will bring health to your body 
and nourishment to your bones. 
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, 
with the firstfruits of all your crops; 
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, 
and your vats will brim over with new wine. 
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, 
and do not resent his rebuke, 
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, 
as a father the son he delights in.

19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, 
by understanding he set the heavens in place; 
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, 
and the clouds let drop the dew.

Reflection: The Logic of Proverbs
By John Tillman

Predictable, logical outcomes of mathematics support the idea of a creator. Otherwise, why is there order instead of chaos? Amy has three apples and Billy has two. When they put them together, they have five. Why is it always five and not eight or four?

Proverbs begins with a father building a logical case that his son should pursue wisdom rather than foolishness and violence. The father tells his son that wisdom is the logic behind all existence—that wisdom is what God used to create the world. He presents the universe as ordered and predictable…to a point.

Proverbs in scripture are logical, but they aren’t arithmetic. They do not always add up to a predictable sum. For example, the father says that honoring God leads to wealth and other examples of a good life. Anyone recently reading Job knows that good deeds do not predictably add up to a good life.

Some statements in mathematics are also commutative. They are equally true in whatever order you want to write or read them. Whether Amy’s three apples or Billy’s two apples get added to the pile first, there are always five. 2 + 3 = 5, and so does 3 + 2.

Proverbs in scripture are often not commutative. If you reverse the statements, the wisdom within them can turn to foolishness. For example, people with “overflowing barns” often fill them, not by “honoring God” but by cheating their workers or other forms of theft.

While principles of wisdom operate in the world, there are also principalities and powers that add radical variables to the equations of life. The father is not ignorant or overly idealistic. He recognizes these factors in the equation. He tells his son not to “envy the violent.” Why? The father knows that foolishness, folly, and violence will be attractive because they seem effective. The violent will inevitably prosper. How will we respond?

Like the son, we may envy the outcomes of violence or grift. We may be tempted, for reasons of practicality, to use questionable means justified by good ends. But there is another unseen variable—God’s judgment. God’s equation subtracts salt that loses its savor and deletes whatever profit folly or violence accrues.

Wicked means taint righteous intentions. Light cannot partner with darkness. Their ways that seem right to us lead to destruction. “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.”


Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. — Psalm 119.174

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

​Today’s Readings
Proverbs 3 (Listen 3:05)
Psalm 33 (Listen 2:08)

Read more about Temptation Has No Gender
Power, wealth, indulgence, sexuality…nothing escapes the corruption of sin and no gender is exempt from responsibility.

Temptation Has No Gender—Readers’ Choice

Read more about Pause To Read
Did you catch this weekend’s podcast episode, “Lady Wisdom”? Share this episode with a friend who needs wisdom.

Pause To Read Podcast

Job’s Christlikeness

  • February 9, 2024
  • /
  • John Tillman

Scripture Focus: Job 42.7-12a
7 After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has. 8 So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer. 

10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. 11 All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. 
12 The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part.

Reflection: Job’s Christlikeness
By John Tillman

Job is a “type” or example of Jesus. He demonstrates or proves God’s righteousness through suffering and death. Like Jesus, God calls Job his servant, saying he is pleased with him and Job’s friends are told to listen to him because Job tells “the truth” about God.

Job is Christlike in righteousness, in suffering, in enduring scorn and insults, and in his eucatastrophic return to wealth and blessing. 

Job is Christlike in righteousness. Job is not completely righteous and sinless in the same way as Jesus. (In all of these categories, Job is only like Christ, not equal to him.) God never called Job an evildoer, as his friends did, but challenged him to work justice and crush evil. When Job describes righteousness, he refers to actions to set free captives and help the poor and downtrodden, as Jesus did.

Job is Christlike in suffering. Job lost the power and comforts his wealth and position gave him. Jesus chose suffering over heavenly power and poverty over riches, making himself nothing, in our likeness, obedient to death. Job did not choose this suffering. Jesus did.

Job is Christlike in enduring of scorn and insults. Reading Job sometimes feels like scrolling through the worst insults and scorn from social media. And these are Job’s friends! Jesus endured scorn on Good Friday from voices that sang “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” just a few days earlier. Jesus is the despised and rejected one.

Job is Christlike in his eucatastrophic return. God’s command prevented Satan from killing Job but everything else in Job’s life died or was lost. Then, unexpectedly, everything was restored. The second half of Job’s life was better than before. God’s command would not allow Jesus to “see corruption in the grave.” The resurrection is the ultimate eucatastrophe.

If we follow Jesus, we cannot be surprised to step into the same situations. We must step forward to enact justice and righteousness. We must step into suffering and endure scorn. We step through the valley of death, knowing that resurrection and miraculous recoveries are often just around the corner.

May pits of suffering not make us ashamed. May piles of blessings not make us complacent. Job used both for God’s glory. May we not waste opportunities to make ourselves like Christ. Like Job, may we be a type or model of Christ for our community.


Divine Hours Prayer: The Cry of the Church
Even so, come Lord Jesus.

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


​Today’s Readings
Job 42 (Listen 2:41)
Psalm 30 (Listen 1:32)

​This Weekend’s Readings
Proverbs 1 (Listen 3:12), Psalm 31 (Listen 3:11)
Proverbs 2 (Listen 3:03), Psalm 32 (Listen 1:34)

Read more about Unexpected Victory
There is no one whose sufficient victory is more surprising than the eucatastrophe of the cross.

Unexpected Victory — Joy of Advent

Read more about Pause To Read
Today’s episode is “Lady Wisdom,” last week was “Lady Folly” and next week, “RSVP to Wisdom or Folly.” Share this series with a friend who needs wisdom.

Pause To Read Podcast