Hoping for a miraculous BBQ

Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth (succoth) for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city.
– Jonah 4:5

Jonah after begrudgingly bringing the word of the Lord to a gentile nation, pitches a tent hoping to see some form of judgement against this evil city of Ninevah. In order to see the outcome of this city, Jonah would have had to wait for the duration of 40 days (as was the time allotted until God’s day of judgement) Imagine 40 days of bitterness hoping for the destruction of a people.

But, Jonah knew what would happen, despite his hopes of a holy BBQ, the holy God remains true to his character…and His steadfast love is shown towards those who turn their hearts towards Him.

Covenant Presence: the working hand of faithful love

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
– Psalm 138:8

The psalmist expresses a deep connection between covenant and presence. We see this earlier in this psalm, as the psalmist sings of bowing down toward the temple in Jerusalem; this is where the Lord resides because of his covenant with Israel. The psalmist goes on to describe covenant presence as a personal facet of the Lord’s steadfast love. The personal purpose of the psalmist can only be fulfilled if the Lord is present and working. The very presence of the Lord is then an extension and realization of steadfast (faithful) love. The Lord God is committed and faithful to his people.

Desiring Steadfast Love

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
– Psalms 51:12,13

More important to God is “mercy” (in the Hebrew, “hesed”) meaning steadfast love. This mercy leads us to have compassion for sinners as Jesus did…For, he desires love, not sacrifice, not religious observance (Hosea 6:6 & Matthew 9:13). This is the way taught to sinners, while we were dead in sin, caught in adultery, within the very throes of murder…Christ died for us.

I am realizing my natural proclivity is not found in a generous state. Yet, this is a way of life that I would desire to have. I want to be the grandpa who loves to spoil (reasonably) his grandchildren. I want to be kind. I want to be a joyful person. But these characteristics seem far from me. Perhaps these riches are found in a breaking of the heart. What God desires is a broken and contrite heart (Psalms 51:17)…He desires a humble heart of genuine love.

One Flesh, One Loyalty

He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
– Matthew 19:4,5

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
– Matthew 19:29

ESV notes:
Being “one flesh” includes the sexual union of a husband and wife, but it is more than that because it means that they have left their parents’ household and have established a new family, such that their primary human loyalty is now to each other, before anyone else.

Jesus’ teaching of reward and kingdom-come is set against the backdrop of marriage. Matthew guides the reader to view the act of marriage on earth as a portrayal of the relationship between Christ and his bride. By entering into this new covenant where the heavens meet the earth, a new loyalty is created. Christ, having abandoned his heaven for his bride. The Church, to abandon their loyalties, riches, even relationships of earth for their bridegroom. All loyalties have become second to Christ. And in this a new flesh is formed…a heritage of obedience.

Lord, help me to turn from my rebellion, cause my heart to turn toward you in obedience. Shape my heart and heal me that I may cast aside these earthly loyalties and walk in line with you as the lead. Jesus lead on, I will follow.
Amen

Two perspectives of steadfast love

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your right hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
– Psalms 138:7,8

The very hand set against my enemies is the same hand of deliverance. This speaks true then, that God may be viewed from two very different perspectives; to the wrathfull he shows himself as such, and to the merciful he shows mercy. This does not create the image of a two-headed god, instead, perspective of God is defined by relationship.

It’s good to know that my purpose will be completed, fulfilled. Comforting is the fact of His steadfast love; love that is reciprocated and returned in full…and is eternal, not lacking…it won’t end or abandon, it does not fear embrace.

Oh how great is the love of The Lord! May Your great passionate love settle upon this broken heart. I am weary, troubled, but I know You are near. I know You understand and have a purpose for me, my love, my God. Sing peace over me, O Father of lights. Whisper Your words in my ear and comfort me in this affliction…for I know You are good and Your love endures, it endures forever…it outlasts time, and yet you reveal in a moment this great love to the humble and lowly. How wonderful You are. May my heart sing Your praise!
Amen