Life under God

Our family is reading and discussing With, a book that reflects on our postures in relationship to God. Mostly, it deals with our attempts at manipulating God so we control our surroundings and ward off our fears. We often life:

• For God: "I'll serve him" (then he'll be nice to me)
• From God: "I want prosperity / health / wealth / happiness" (he should provide for me)
• Under God: "I need to appease him because he sets the rules" (don't make God mad)
• Over God: "Who cares about God?" (he may or may not have set the world into motion, but what does that have to do with me?)

The author suggests living WITH God in deep communion and trust. More on that in another post.

In my 1-year chronological Bible reading, I stumbled across Elihu again. He's Job's "Comforter" and "friend," a punk with all the answers. He admits to listening to his elders and then disses them with:

• I've heard you and you don't have anything wise to say
• I've considered deeply and don't have to be old to know what's going on
• You should listen to my wisdom. I've figured it out
• No matter what your protests, I'm right
• Do it my way and you'll succeed

Cheeky. Arrogant. Stupid.

It doesn't matter if parts (or even most) of what Elihu says is true. His attitude stinks. And his approach is totally "Under God" - if we follow the rules, God also has to follow the rules.

• The wicked get punished. (So hey, if you're suffering, you don't have enough faith, you've got sin in your life, you don't understand your own evil heart, etc.) 
• The good prosper. (If you're rich, healthy, and have a good reputation, you must be doing something right.)
• God is unmoved by our plight. (Stop asking him for help, confess your sins, be a better person,  and pull up your own boots to get to work.

What I find fascinating is that God doesn't respond to Elihu at all. If he's got it all figured out, why bother to interact?

On the other hand, God asks the other three "comforters" to bring sacrifices and have Job make them on their behalf. God is willing to restore relationship with them.

Oh Lord, for all of our youthful or immature "right answers," our arrogant suppositions, and our silliness in thinking we have you figured out, we're sorry! Lord have mercy! Christ have mercy! (Benedictine) and Lord have mercy! (Michael Smith and Amy Grant)

Read more:
*By the ordinances of the Lord is your servant warned. Psalm 19:11 (NIV)

*Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever. To him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1-5 NIV

*No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit. Luke 6:43

Moravian Prayer: King of kings and Lord of lords, our desire is to do your will. Come into our hearts, rescue us from darkness and sin so we may bear good fruit in your name. Amen.

Walking WITH God

The book I'm reading is titled simply, "With." It explores our journey of faith and encourages readers to find themselves on a journey WITH God. Many of us live "under God," trying to follow rules to coerce God to act on our behalf. Some live "over God" as though He were the prime Mover in creation and has paid little attention to us since. Skye Jethani encourages us to rethink our walk with God.

Paul and others describe healthy Christian life through lists of behaviors and spiritual fruit (not fruits) that emerge when we walk WITH God, in partnership with One who is able to transform us from the inside and outside. If you claim to follow Christ, how have these qualities begun to grow in you? Are others eating the sweet fruit of them? Or have you developed a bitter root that spoils what people get from your life?

• love
• joy
• peace
• patience
• longsuffering
• kindness
• goodness
• humility
• selflessness
• gentleness
• compassion
• friendliness

The scriptural lists are long and specific. I have some fertilizing, watering, and basking in the light of God's presence to do to let the fruit grow strong and tasty. You?

Read more:

*Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth. Psalm 31:5 (NKJV) 

*The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. Psalm 119:130

*All belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. 1 Corinthians 3:22-23 

*Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV

Moravian Prayer: Jesus, we put all of our eggs in your basket, all our trust in you because we know you love us. Help us to live a life that shows we always trust in you. Amen.