The Beauty of Community

Today's Reading: Psalm 81, Exodus 26, Nehemiah 7, Romans 16

Psalm 81 - When taken in context with Psalm 79 and 80, Psalm 81 serves as God's answer to Asaph's repentance on behalf of the people. Yesterday, I wrote about Asaph's talk about restoration. God would restore His people, but He demanded complete allegiance from the people. Our God is a jealous God. He loves us so much that He doesn't want us to chase after other gods. When you read Psalm 81, read it as someone who might be hearing these words in Israel, during the time of Asaph may have read the words. You would have been guilty of breaking covenant with God. These words would have been both terrifying and encouraging. God wanted to work on behalf of the people, but they needed to show faithfulness to Him.

Exodus 26 - When you read Exodus 26, you see the specific instructions for the building of the tabernacle. As I read, I was particularly impressed by the detail that God had the people put into the fabrics that would make up the tent. He wanted cherubim to be skillfully woven into the fabric. This was because God is surrounded in Heaven's throne room by cherubim. The presence of God would be in the Tabernacle as well. The woven cherubim would have reminded the people just who it was that they were worshipping.

Nehemiah 7 - The walls around Jerusalem had been completed. Now Nehemiah ordered guards to be put on the walls to protect the city. The Lord was gracious to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, allowing the Jewish people to return to the city. The homes were not built, but the people returned. It must have been amazing to live in Jerusalem during those days. There was hope anew! There was true community. There was rejoicing. And, God worked. Nehemiah's leadership made a difference in the lives of thousands of people. God loves to use those who are willing to be instruments in His hands.

Romans 16 - The book of Romans closes with personal greetings from Paul to different believers in the Roman church. I'm moved as I read about the impact that many of these people had in Paul's live and the impact that he had in theirs. How cool that Paul's first convert in Asia is in this church. How great that Rufus, and his mother, a woman who had been like a mother to Paul were in the church. Many people believe that this Rufus is the son of Simon of Cyrene, the man who carried Jesus' cross. If so, how amazing the impact that this moment had on Simon's life and the life of his family.

When I entered full time ministry, I had no idea how large my extended family would grow to be. I feel like I have family in Washington D.C., the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa, and Minneapolis/St. Paul, the three regions that I have served as a pastor. But, I also feel like I have family in North Carolina, Peru, California, Massachusetts, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, Colorado, Guatemala, Romania, Russia, Honduras, El Salvador, Tanzania, Israel, Azerbaijan, India, Nepal, Myanmar, China, Somalia, Spain, Mozambique, Rwanda, and so many other places where my brothers and sisters in Christ from those regions or ministries are now living and serving the Lord. God is so good!