Taking Thoughts Captive

Psalm 107 begins with a wonderful call to worship, “Oh, give thanks for the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” This summons to praise God certainly calls to us from the beginning to the end of Scripture; however, what jumps out at me in this Psalm is the use of cycles of events as the proof or rationale for our worship...answering the unasked question, 'Why should we worship the LORD?'

Over and over, the psalmist recites a cycle of hardship or suffering followed by a desperate cry to God for help, which results each time in God coming to the aid of the faithful who cry out to him. This cycle ends each time with the line, “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!”

After three cycles in the past tense, the psalmist switches to the present tense to describe a storm on the sea and the desperate situation that results. Here, in the present tense, the terrified sailors cry out to God who delivers them again and gives them peace, rest, and a safe port at the end of their journey. This present tense deliverance is yet another reason to implore us to worship. “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for his goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!”

Finally, the psalmist reflects on the great goodness and sovereignty of God over creation, over politics, and over the lives of the righteous—again, all present tense. The Psalm concludes with this reflection, “Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.”

Though written more than two thousand years ago, Psalm 107 considers the realities of God's covenant faithfulness to his people (past, present, and—by implication—future) and our sinful failure to rightly worship God for his watchful care. More than this, we should find here great hope both in God's past acts and in the gift of prayer, through which God answers the cries of his people, fulfills their every need, and protects them from harm.

#devotional #psalms #theology

There is a clear and present danger that the devil may take away from us the pure doctrine of faith and may substitute for it the doctrines of works and of human traditions. It is very necessary, therefore, that this doctrine of faith be continually read and heard in public. No matter how well known it may be or how carefully learned, the devil, our adversary, who prowls around and seeks to devour us (1 Peter 5:8), is not dead. Our flesh also goes on living. Besides, temptations of every sort attack and oppress us on every side. Therefore this doctrine can never be discussed and taught enough. If it is lost and perishes, the whole knowledge of truth, life, and salvation is lost and perishes at the same time. But if it flourishes, everything good flourishes—religion, true worship, the glory of God, and the right knowledge of all things and of all social conditions.

— Martin Luther, Luther’s Works, Vol. 26: Lectures on Galatians, 1535

(Note: There are very few commentaries that I would ever recommend a Christian take up and read cover to cover just for edification; however Luther's great Galatians commentary is one that every believer should purchase and read slowly, from beginning to end. It is a devotional work of such depth and richness that you will not be disappointed. I promise.)

#Luther #quotes #theology

Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.

– C.S. Lewis, God in the Dock

#quotes #Lewis #theology

On this Good Friday, you could do no better than to listen to one of J.S. Bach's most wonderful works, “St. Matthew's Passion.” This is an incredible way to spend the next three hours of your life. You won't be disappointed. I promise.

#theology #hymnody

[The cross] is the only ladder which reaches up into the better world; the only way to heaven leads through suffering; there is none other bridge from death to life. This way of the cross to the glories of heaven has been prepared for all men; and whosoever will, let him come. Hanging on the cross, and sitting on the throne of heaven, the will of the Savior is to draw all men unto himself. But he that will not die with him cannot live with him. Our own life, or, in other words, our evil nature, all our sinful lusts, which Paul calls “the body of sin” (Romans 6, 6), the combined force of wicked desires, whose root is willfulness, and whose strength is pride and deceit; — this life of the world in you must die, if you are to live. In the name of God, sacrifice all this! You have been baptized into the death of Christ, and your old man is crucified with him. Let the efficacy of your baptism prove itself. If you believe in the Lord, be assured that you shall not want the grace to mortify the flesh and lead a new life in him. To this end he helps us by means of our many trials and tribulations from without and within, vexations, temptations, sickness, suffering; but the strength itself comes from the death and resurrection of Christ. There are the roots of your new life; and thence it must receive nourishment, if it is to increase. In his word and sacraments he gives to his believers the strength of his life and death; and through these means we of a truth receive grace to mortify the flesh, to take up the cross, and to live for heaven.

— N.J. Laache, Book of Family Prayer

#quotes #devotional #theology

link: Vicious Talk

If we can be certain of anything in these uncertain times, it is that nearly every modicum of civility, maturity, and decency in our American culture has evaporated more quickly than dew in the southeast Texas summer.

Presidents are no longer remotely presidential (this is not novel with the current administration). Successful businessmen talk to and about others in ways that would've gotten our mouths washed out with soap as children. And everyday average people treat others online in ways that ought to make them utterly ashamed of their vitriol and immaturity.

None of this is news, but it should concern us. It should be especially concerning to Christians, who are by no means above the fray or immune to the temptations of unleashing childish diatribes against others online and in person. What ever happened to the civilized part of our civilization?

Anthony Esolen has written a great piece lamenting this reality. As one on the right side of the political, theological, and cultural spectrum, he does not mind taking aim first at his own. He writes:

That most of the spitefulness is aimed by the left against the right is no comfort for the conservative, because quite enough of it goes the other way, and the general effect is the same. It will do you no spiritual good, and it is unlikely to achieve even a worldly purpose, to be pleased to find that your opponent, who may be to blame for falsehood or cowardice or outright wickedness, has justified your low opinion, and to make that pleasure evident to everyone. It is not a love of truth. It is a love of falsehood in others. One sign of it is the disappointment you feel when you learn that someone is innocent of the sin you had attributed to him.

The rest of his piece, which quotes largely from 19th century Italian author Alessandro Manzoni, shows us that our current state is neither unique to our day nor new in its ugliness.

It is definitely worth a thoughtful read.

#links #culture #theology

There is no situation so chaotic that God cannot from that situation create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at the creation. He did it at the cross. He is doing it today.

— Handley Moule, Bishop of Durham

#quotes #theology #life

Liberals take positions that make them look good and feel good – and show little interest in actual consequences for others, even when liberal policies are leaving havoc in their wake.

— Thomas Sowell

Note: As an economist, Dr. Sowell is doubtless thinking about political and economic positions; however, the same is plainly true for theology.

#quotes #culture #theology

Never lend a book to a man as you will have to set a stick of dynamite under him before you get it back.

Flannery O’Connor, “Letter to Betty Hester” dated 12th November 1956

#quotes #reading #OConnor