Wilderness Wanderings

A Christian devotional for the wandering journey of the Christian life. New devotionals Monday, Wednesday & Friday, created by pastor Michael Bootsma of Immanuel Christian Reformed Church of Hamilton, occasionally featuring guests. The Sunday sermon at Immanuel is also downloaded. Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

A Beautiful Profession 09/16/2026

A Beautiful Profession "Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord" (Romans 14:8) The Heidelberg Catechism’s first concern is comfort, but this is not a life of ease. Rather, comfort refers to the resources we need to make it through the difficult times of life. When asking the question, “What is your only comfort in life and in death?”, the authors are suggesting that we might have many sources of comfort, but there is one that surpasses them all and is the only one necessary. The answer is simple, yet profound: “That I am not my own, but belong-body and soul, in life and in death-to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.” This is a beautiful summary of the Christian faith. It’s a melody woven through the Bible. God hints at it when he asks Adam and Eve, “Where are you?” It underlies the entire Abraham narrative, extending throughout the story of Israel, as articulated in God’s words to Joshua, “I will be with you, so do not be afraid” (Joshua 1). The New Testament picks up the tune, as in our text, "Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." Elsewhere we read, "You are not your own; you were bought with a price" (I Corinthians 6:19-20). Yet again, "[God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" (Colossians 1:13). In John’s gospel, Jesus speaks of not losing any of the sheep his father has given him but giving them eternal life (John 6:39-40 & 10:28). This is encapsulated in the parable of the Good Shepherd who refuses to quit searching until he has found his lost sheep. Satan will tempt us with thoughts that we are unworthy, too sinful for God to love. He will attempt to confuse us, suggesting that the hardships of life mean that God doesn’t care about us. We will meander into believing that we need to manage life on our own. But God comes to us, like he came to Adam and Eve and to Abraham. To us, he also says, “I am your God and you are my child.” And Jesus shows us his stripes, his nail scarred hands and spear-pierced side, saying, “This is what I endured. You are mine, now and forever.” And the Holy Spirit, enables us to approach God with, “Abba, Father, Daddy.” As Jesus “took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them”, so the Father takes us, embraces us and refuses to let us go. This is what we believe. This is the comfort that enables us to face our own humanity, to admit our sinfulness in the presence of God. We don’t confess in the hope of forgiveness; no, we confess knowing we are already forgiven. This profession is the Christian answer to life's deepest questions and death's darkest riddles. Though much of life we do not understand and death is always beckoning, we know that we belong, not held by our own strength, but by God’s. As you journey on, go with his blessing: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42902810

Work as Worship 09/14/2026

Work as Worship “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23). As I indicated last week, the Wednesday and Friday editions of Wilderness Wonderings are new ventures. The Monday edition will continue its theme: Work as Worship. As we begin each week, we will be reminded that everything we do, whatever our hands or minds set themselves to, wherever our feet take us, all of it belongs to God and all we do should be done for his glory. Christians are salt and light in every aspect of their lives. The only question is how salty are we and how well do we shine the light of Christ? This phrase “Work as Worship” is at the heart of a ministry called, Discipling Marketplace Leaders (DML).” It’s led by Renita Reed Thomson and supported by Immanuel Church. Occasionally, I will be using bits and pieces from Renita’s newsletters. You can find out more about her ministry by googling Discipling Marketplace Leaders. Many of us in the Northern Hemisphere still think of ourselves as those who embody Christianity and bring it to the rest of the world. But the truth is that the bulk of the world’s Christians live in the Southern hemisphere and they have much to teach us how to live as Christians. Material from DML comes from that half of the world. David Bosch wrote, “Mission is not primarily an activity of the church but an attribute of God.” Immediately after the fall, Genesis 3 tells us that God set out to reclaim his fallen word. He began with a simple question, “Where are you?” (3) This challenges how we think about mission. Mission is not something we do when we leave our workplaces and enter a church building, go on a mission trip, or participate in a ministry program. Mission begins with God—and because we belong to Him and we are made in His image, we are sent wherever He has placed us. Believers in Jesus are God’s missionaries, each day and in every place we go. We often ask, “Has God called me to ministry?” A better question is, “Where has God sent me?” God sends each of us on his mission. Wherever he has placed us—business, government, education, healthcare, agriculture, a social service agency, a volunteer position, our family home, or in a long-term care home – we are His representatives there. The important question is not, “What am I doing for a living?” but “Who am I working for?” Paul cuts to the chase, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23). Our positions are not ultimately given to us to serve ourselves. They are opportunities to serve others. A title is not a trophy; it is a responsibility. Authority is not primarily about what we can get from a position, but what we can contribute through it. We will begin each week asking the question, “How is God calling me to serve him this week?” As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: Wherever God takes you this week, may He fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit and that you may live carefully—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42875560

Growing Up 09/13/2026

Global Prayer 09/11/2026

Global Prayer I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4). On Wednesday, I mentioned that September is a good time to start new things and I began a mid-week reflection on the Heidelberg Catechism. I plan on doing a new thing on Friday as well. I’m going to call it “from the barrel.” We preachers sometimes refer to our library of sermons as “the barrel.” I am going to stir around in my barrel of sermons to use some of that material for Wilderness Wanderings. Today, I make use of sermons on 1 Timothy 2:1-4. Many who were born before 1980 will remember September 11, 2001, the day terrorists hijacked four planes to use as weapons against the USA. Thousands of people died. The tremors created that day have rippled all the way into the present. The world we live in seems uglier. Warfare has not diminished. Chaos looms large. Fear is everywhere. How should we live in such a world? Our text shows us the way. It’s a call to prayer. Prayer should never be an afterthought for Christians. It should never be partnered with the word ‘just’, suggesting it is a small thing. Prayer is never little. Christian prayer is always directed towards our heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. When we pray, images from Revelation 4-5 ought to be central in our imagination. We are beseeching the ruler of all things. The Belgic Confession describes God with these words, “eternal incomprehensible, invisible, unchangeable, infinite, almighty; completely wise, just, and good, and the overflowing source of all good” (Article 1). Turning to him cannot be a little thing. And turning to him, ought to reduce the fear in our hearts. Despite the chaos around us, he still holds this world in his hands. We could add the word, “faithful”, to the list in the Belgic. Our God is faithful. He will not abandon his world. That is what the book of Revelation tells us with its multiple visions. In this context, we ought to recall Daniel’s prayer, “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others” (2:20-21) Instead of gripping about politicians, we should be praying for them. It’s difficult to swim against the stream; our culture loves to beat up on people with power and authority. Yet, Christians are to honour and respect such people and above all pray for them. Pray that they will govern for the good of all people, that freedom and justice will pervade human society. Our prayers do not need to be long or eloquent. Jesus tells us that simple and short should be the goal (Matthew 6). As you journey on, go with his blessing: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42861950

What is Comfort? 09/09/2026

What is Comfort? When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. He named him Noah and said, “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed” (Genesis 5:28-29). September often has new beginnings, so it’s appropriate to begin something new with Wilderness Wonderings. You will continue receiving it 3 times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The new thing will take place on the Wednesday edition. The mid-week will feature a reflection on the Heidelberg Catechism. This document is a series of questions and answers written during the days of the Protestant Reformation as an effort to unite the various Christian groups. Since Wilderness Wanderings are short meditations, expect more than one on most answers. The Catechism begins with the question, “What is your only comfort in life and in death?” To appreciate the answer, we must first understand the question. How does comfort function in the life of the Christian? What is the gift that it brings to us? This brings us to Noah, the man famous for his ship building. But it’s the explanation given to his name that interests us here. “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed.” Noah will not take away the labour and painful toil, nor the curse of God but bring comfort so those things could be endured. A couple of occasions from the life of Jesus are enlightening. Both Matthew and Luke record a series of temptations with which Satan attempted to divert Jesus from his task. Luke concludes his account with, “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time” (4:13). So, we expect the devil to make another attempt at derailing Jesus. Matthew offers this, “Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him” (Matthew 4:11). Later, Luke offers this accounting of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:42-44). Twice, angels appeared to Jesus to attend and strengthen him, to comfort him. The appearance of Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration was at least in part, to strengthen and comfort the Son of God. Thus, comfort is not about removing difficulties but rather, a form of strengthening to help us persevere. This is the journey the Catechism invites us into: to know the comfort given by God so that we can endure the struggles of the Christian life well. It is this kind of comfort we need, so that we can say with the apostle, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Join me as we explore this comfort. As you journey on, go with his blessing: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42832340

Slop, Rot & Sloth 09/06/2026

Heart Atheism 09/04/2026

Heart Atheism "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'" (Psalm 14:1) Psalm 14 invites us to reflect on at least two aspects of Christian spirituality. One is a frequent issue in the Psalms: unrighteousness people cause a great deal of injustice. These acts cause a great deal of pain for both the poor and the righteous (5 6). However, the psalmist reminds both the poor and the righteous that God is their refuge and the restorer of fortunes. In the end, evil doers will get their due. This invites us to reflect on our trust in God and His sovereign reign over this earth and over our lives. Do we truly believe that God with us? Now, we do need to be careful how we phrase things here. It is not that God is on our side. Rather, God has promised that evil will not go unpunished and that He will care for those who seek Him. Will we wait for Him before we seek vengeance on those who wrong us? The second aspect which is raised here also has to do with God's sovereignty. "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" Here lies a truth we need to reckon with, namely, that what comes out of our mouths has come from our hearts. From the Biblical vantage point, the heart is the centre of the human being. It is our core, the wellspring of our attitudes, feelings and beliefs. It is the great internal processor through which all that we receive through our ears & eyes gets processed, interpreted. It is not merely emotional, nor merely intellectual. It is the combination of both and more. These things, our emotions and our intellect, serve the heart. Thus, as Proverbs says, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life" (4:23). Psalm 14 might be used to generate a diatribe against atheists outside the church. But that would be fruitless. It seems wiser to recognize that there are generally two very different kinds of atheists. There are atheists who vocalize their atheism for all to hear. But there are also many who say they believe in God with their mouths but live like atheists. They say that God is Lord of Creation but one rarely sees that confession being lived out. Psalm 14, then, invites us to examine our hearts. How much atheism lives within us? As we learn to trust God, the Spirit grows his fruit within us. We have the space to love others, and joy and peace are kindled deep within us. When we seek God's Kingdom, the Spirit's fruit grows. We seek this Kingdom when we trust God. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42734610

Connecting the Dots of Hope 09/02/2026

Connecting the Dots of Hope "You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you… (Psalm 66:12, 13). The Bible is one book, one story and should be read as such. Even though it has 66 different books, it is one book. It took over a millennium to write. Those who wrote the later material often referred to things already written. Thus, when we read Psalm 66, the composer wants us to hear echoes of Exodus 15, the song sung after God delivered Israel from Egypt. It begins this way, “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him” (Ex. 15:1-2). In Revelation 15, John hears the creatures of heaven singing this song, “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty” (15:3). It’s a paraphrase, to be sure, but John says that this is the song of Moses and of the Lamb, connecting the deliverance of Israel from Egypt with the greater deliverance Jesus accomplished for us all. Now back to Psalm 66. We don’t know what was happening in the life of the Psalmist that inspired this song, but it wasn’t good. At the end of the psalm we find these phrases, “I cried out to him with my mouth…If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!” As he went through his own valley, the psalmist looked back to God’s great acts of redemption. It encouraged him to call out to God to save his people again. The book of Revelation invites us to look forward as well. To believe that God has not yet finished his work of redemption, that Jesus will be coming back to renew all things. Living in the present is rarely easy. We often wonder why God doesn’t just send Jesus back to make all things new. Psalm 66 helps us to live with confidence in the turmoil of today that that day will come. Like the Psalmist, we look back and see the great acts of God in the Old Testament. Like John, we look back and see the great act of redemption in Jesus Christ: his birth, his life, his death, his resurrection, his ascension into heaven and the pouring out of his Spirit. But we are also invited to see this Lamb upon his throne. We also look ahead to his return in power and glory. It is difficult to keep hope alive. That’s why we need a song like Psalm 66. This is also what the Lord’s Supper is about. It looks back to Christ’s redemption on the cross and it looks forward to the return of our saviour and King. It helps us keep hope alive. As you journey on, go with his blessing: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42653900

Generousity, Then & Now 08/31/2026

Generousity, Then & Now “At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. Give generously to [the poor] and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today” (Deuteronomy 15:1, 10, 11, 15). How should we apply these Old Testament economic laws to our Christian lives? One way is to consider the principles which govern these laws. Verse 15 offers this summary, “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you.” Then this is added, “That is why I give you this command today.” Frequently, Israel is reminded to remember her history: she began as a nation of slaves. God took her out of Egypt, setting her free and establishing her in a new place. This happened not because Israel was deserving of it, but because God is generous and loving, full of mercy and compassion. This history was to shape Israel’s religious and economic imagination. As such, Israel was to follow in God’s footsteps, to imitate him. We tend to spiritualize this by concluding that we need to forgive as the Lord has forgiven us. This is valid. Jesus was very clear on this, saying, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14,15). Jesus uses language which seems to borrow heavily from Deuteronomy 15, “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” This forgiving is the heart of the Christian faith, and it is a difficult thing to do. The best way into forgiveness is to lean into the truth that we are forgiven. The sacraments are meant to bring our imaginations back to this heart of our faith, “I am forgiven.” Still, it is difficult to practice. Often, when we meet someone, we have forgiven, we find ourselves needing to go through the process of forgiving all over again. As Jesus said, 70 x 7. However, this passage should not be limited to the spiritual. This passage should poke and prod our hearts. It’s difficult to share our hard-earned money. We easily find reasons why poor people do not deserve our generosity. This is exactly what God is calling out here. Why did Israel deserve freedom? Why do we deserve to be forgiven by God? There is no reason for either! Israel was freed and we are forgiven simply because God is gracious. And in that we are to imitate him. God’s resources are limitless and he gives lavishly to the undeserving. Two reasons for us to be generous. The road to generosity is not to look at our bank accounts, but to look at God, as it says fix your “eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2). As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42589635

Who Wants to Follow this Jesus? 08/30/2026

A Less than Pious Prayer 08/28/2026

A Less than Pious Prayer Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? (Psalm 10:1) At first glance this verse is less than pious. Yet, as lament, it is right on the mark. Few of us address God this way. We use nice, polite, emotionless words. But this psalm expresses how we often experience life, inviting us to bring to God all the raw emotion we feel about the unfairness of life. When life is tough, we often ask, “Where is God?” suggesting something is amiss with our religion. We may conclude it's not working. This psalmist makes God's absence normal. Why do we not pray like this psalmist? I suggest that we have taken the doctrine of the incarnation to an illogical conclusion! Having finished his earthly ministry, Jesus promised, "I am with you to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). We have interpreted this to mean that we will always feel His presence. Further, we believe it means our lives will by and large be the way we want them to be. I believe both these things are wrong. Jesus promised to be with us as we fulfill the mission which he gave us. He did not promise to make our lives smooth or that we would always feel the balm of our faith. It must also be said that God's purposes are rarely understood by us. The disciples certainly didn't get Jesus very well. This is the matter that the psalmist is lamenting. He firmly believes that the Lord is King forever and forever (16). He also believes that God hears and defends the helpless and the oppressed (17-18). His problem is that he does not see it. He is frustrated that the arrogant are having their way in this world. When they have the power, they get to call the shots. Their wrecking ball is destroying society. It's become a blood bath. It's the same today, isn't it? Murdering dictators and ruthless business leaders and dishonest politicians. How do we live in such a society? First, we allow Psalm 10 to shape our prayers. Seeing the horrible ways that human society functions, the war, the poverty, the human trafficking, the destruction of the planet, we take the time for lament. We feel the pain of creation in turmoil, and we bring it all before God, daring to tell him that he better see what we are seeing. Second, we do not join the arrogant in their lifestyles. We deliberately look at our lifestyles to discover the ways we may be contributing to the chaos. And instead, we 'act justly; we love mercy; and we walk humbly with our God' (Micah 6:8). We follow Jesus and partner with God in redeeming activities. Only God can establish his kingdom. Yet, he chooses to use us in the process. So, like Jesus, we go out and find those in need of him. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42577220

Faith is Individual & Communal 08/26/2026

Faith is Individual & Communal "You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you… (Psalm 66:12, 13). Authentic biblical faith exists in a creative tension: the personal life of the Christian and the corporate life of the church. Each of us is called to grow up, to mature in our faith; and as we grow, to participate in God's great Kingdom building. However, we will experience no progress in either without being nourished within the body of Christ. We should envision this growth happening not just in the large gathering of the church, such as Sunday worship, but also in the Christian family and in small groups of Christians gathered in Christ’s name. We need to be committed to our own spiritual growth, yet that growth requires the assistance of fellow Christians. This is a tension that we need to live with not resolve. When this tension is neglected growth stalls. Sometimes the Christian community becomes cultish is which the self disappears, and spiritual decisions require the leader’s approval. On the other hand, a Christian sometimes becomes so detached from the community of faith that she wanders alone. Christianity should be intensely personal, but not individualistic. Each of us has been called by Christ and is part of God's purpose in creation and redemption. All Christians are part of the new Israel (Gal. 6:16) and members of Christ's kingdom. We are all called to do battle against the powers of darkness, and we are all witnesses of the resurrection power of our Lord. The meaning of the Christian life is not only my personal salvation or my own interior spirituality but is found in God's purpose to unite "all things in Christ," things in heaven and things on earth (Eph. 1:10). The church is the first fruit of God’s plan of cosmic reconciliation. That is why we all need to be connected to a Christian fellowship, otherwise called a church; it is also why the disunity of the church is such a tragedy. Psalm 66 witnesses to both the communal and the personal nature of faith. It begins with a great confession of God's "awesome deeds" in history. He called Israel and redeemed her from Egypt. Because of her sin, God broke her in judgment. But now, God has brought her to rich fulfilment (12). Suddenly, with verse 13, the psalm becomes intensely personal. The psalmist vows his intention to worship and declare what God has done for his own soul. The psalmist sees his own relationship to God in the wider scope of His dealings with His people. This is authentic faith. We live before God within the context of God's community. In this psalm we rediscover God's purposes for us: not to make us comfortable, but rather, useful for his redemptive plan. How does your personal life's vision match up with God's? How will you stay connected with God's community as summer moves into fall? As you journey on, go with his blessing: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42553315

Tithing, Then & Now 08/24/2026

Tithing, Then & Now “Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year” (Deuteronomy 14:22). This text introduces the 10% tithe. Each Israelite family was to set this aside for several purposes. First, Israel was to go and party (23, 26). God instructed his people to take their tithe (grain, wine, sheep, goats, etc.) to the place where God was worshipped. If they lived far away, they could sell their produce and buy what they wanted near the worship centre (26). There they would party. This celebration had a twofold purpose. They would rejoice in God for the provisions he had given, and they would learn to revere him (23). Israel was to fear the Lord, but not in a stogy, somber, arms folded or terrified kind of way. Their fear and reverence for God came from paying attention to the care and love which he was pouring out. It was not fear of judgement that was to motivate Israel’s faith, but joy, joy in the Lord. If you are thinking that 10% is way too much to spend on one party, you are quit right. The Lord had established several Levite cities. The tribe of Levi did not have land to farm because they worked at the place of worship. They were dependent on God for provision. But God did not intend to airlift supplies into these towns. Rather, the Israelites were to leave part of their tithes for the Levites. God does not specify how much should be left there. The gifts for the Levites were also a food bank for those in need. Moses specifies the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows. In the ancient economy, these groups were the most vulnerable. Yet, in Israel they would have a place to go; there would be provision for those who fell on difficult times. Thus, the tithe provided for the worship of God and provision for those who administered that worship and for the needy. However, the emphasis is not on the percentage. The emphasis throughout is on the relationship between God and his people. The people are to worship and revere God. They are to rejoice in all the material goods God provides and to liberally share them with those in need. As the Lord blesses them, they are to bless others. The chapter ends, “so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands” (29). This emphasis on joyfully and liberally passing on God’s blessings reappears in the New Testament. The most explicit treatment of it is in 2 Corinthians 8-9, which includes this summary, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (9:8). This is the touch stone for Christian giving, as Paul wrote, “God loves a cheerful giver” (9:7). As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42348225

O Lord, Our Lord 08/07/2026

O Lord, Our Lord O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:1 & 9) God's name is compared to all the grandeurs of the created order. David knew a few of those: the delicate flowers along the creek banks, the roar of the lion, the bond between mother sheep and her lamb, the vastness of the night sky unmarred by modern streetlights. But among all the majesty of the created order, nothing matches the majesty of God's name which evokes everything from fear of condemnation to outright frolicking. When we know God, its difficult to be indifferent. We either fear his judgement or revel in the depths of his love. This majestic God has His enemies. But the praise of infants will silence the foe and the avenger. It will not be great deeds that bring peace on earth, rather, the small and weak will lead the way. Reminds us of Christmas and Jesus welcoming children! Having been awed by the glories of the heavens, the psalmist replaces the telescope with the microscope. After marvelling at the stars, he marvels at humanity. "What is...the son of man that you care for him?" It's not clear who David meant with ‘son of man’. But the New Testament writers saw a shadow here pointing towards Jesus. In Hebrews 2, this psalm is used to validate Jesus’ superiority to all the angels. We also know that those who believe in him are being remade to be just like him. We humans were meant to be the rulers of the creation. Today, we make a mess of things, but some day we will know how to rule just fine. This psalm takes its cue from the glories of creation. But it focuses its lens on the one created to lead all of creation: humanity. “What is man?” it asks, hinting that the honest answer is, "not much; a disaster, mostly." But God was not satisfied with that. Nor was he willing to abandon us. He set out to recreate, reshape, restore. At the heart of the restoration is Mary's baby boy. How absurd! Jesus, the Word of God—flinger of stars into space, heaper up of the mountains, scooper of the Great Lakes; now he lies in Mary's arms, nursing from her breast. How undignified! How bewildering! The hope of the world? Indeed. What can we say except, "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” The creation is awash with the glory of God. David saw it. Living in dense urban centres, many of us have few opportunities to really see. We must open our eyes and see. Even in concrete jungles there is plenty of evidence of God’s majesty. Look for it. To sing, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” we must see what God has made. But then, we must also know the ‘Son of Man’. When we know him, “O Lord”, becomes, “our Lord” and we join the song. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42347955

The Sacrifice of Fools 08/05/2026

The Sacrifice of Fools "Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong" (Ecclesiastes 5:1). What is the “sacrifice of fools”? It is telling God all about ourselves. The prayer of the pharisee in Jesus’ story found in Luke 18:9-14 is a prime example. Jesus’ point is simple, “God isn’t listening.” Our text is followed with these words: "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few" (Eccl. 5:2). Which of us is not guilty in the face of this wisdom? Why is it that we need to speak so much, even in the presence of God? Sometimes to justify ourselves. We attempt to convince God that we are not as bad as we know that we are. We make excuses for our bad behaviour, and he should let us be who we are. Sometimes, because we believe that God's laws are unfair. We need to explain to him that He needs to lower the bar. No one can really measure up to those standards. Since we have so much to talk about, why should we be silent? So that God can speak. Silence is the discipline that puts a stopper to our self justifications. When we stop talking, God can tell us that there is no justification for our wrong, nor for our lack of love. He will tell us that we are as evil as we think we are. Maybe that is why we don't want Him to talk. But then God will also tell us that our sin is gone. He remembers it no more. There is no excuse for our sinful behaviour, so God forgives us. Christ died for our sins. We are deeply loved. When we stop talking, we give God an opportunity to tell us this. Also, speech is the most powerful weapon in our attempts to control others and our own reputations. Our tongues are full of manipulation and control. In the silence, God can remind us that any control we think we have is just an illusion. Isn’t that really what’s behind God’s question to Elijah, “What are you doing here?” Elijah had come to think that he oversaw Israel’s spiritual wellbeing, which was in freefall. But God says to Elijah, “I got this, don’t worry” (1 Kings 19). There is one who is truly in control and that is God. Only in that silence can our souls truly find rest. This is why Sabbath is so important. Work often becomes an avenue by which we control our lives. Only in Sabbath silence do we discover that we cannot control our lives through work. Only God can control. James reminds us that the tongue is difficult to control. We know this to be true. Yet we must not forget that Paul wrote that we have been set free for freedom's sake (Gal. 5:1). An element of that freedom is the freedom to be silent. In our silence we hear the small still voice of God that our fears are unjustified. In silence we discover the most profound truth: we are not God, God is. And that is good news. As you journey on, go with his blessing: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42318430

The Way In 08/04/2026

God's Tears 08/03/2026

God's Tears As [Jesus] approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side…They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you” (Luke 19:41-44). Jesus sure knows how to break up a party. He has been ushered into the city with the crowds proclaiming, “He is King; he comes in the name of the Lord.” They are expecting him to save Israel while exacting vengeance on her enemies. For this city, peace means death to the invaders. But when Jesus sees the city spread out before him, he breaks down in tears. And not just a few, they express a gut-wrenching sorrow. Jesus came to save Israel, but not with the kind of salvation she wanted. Hence, in a few days he would be stretched out on the cross. For ancient Israel, justice meant an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. This principle produces an unending cycle of violence and vengeance. There is no end to the bloodshed. We still see today. Humans enjoy holding grudges, even passing them on to the next generation. Jesus came to bring an end to that pattern. He came to bring forgiveness with a call to ‘love your enemies’ (Matthew 5:44) and to ‘overcome evil with good’ (Romans 12:21). He came to reconcile us to God (Ephesians 2:16). But Jerusalem would not have it. She wanted vengeance and bloodshed, so that is what she would get. It would be Israel’s blood that would flow. They would miss God’s redemption. Jesus wept. Even though his people would so thoroughly reject him, that they would execute him on a cross, he shed tears for them. God’s judgement never proceeds from a stern and cold justice, nor is it impulsive, coming in a fit of anger or frustration but always from a heart of love. Repeatedly, God delays judgement in the hope that people will turn from their sinful and selfish lives. There is never divine rejoicing over judgement. Not many of us spend time considering God’s judgement. But we are tempted to enact our own judgement on people, seeking vengeance on those who hurt us. Even among Christians, it is hardly normative to live with an eye to reconciliation. We form camps and define ourselves over against other camps, unwilling to bridge the divides. Sometimes, Christianity is defined as having certain moral, political and ethical leanings rather than following the King on the colt. Jesus came to bring salvation which begins in the human heart. His death on the cross redeems the human heart from bitterness, anger, and vengeance. He turns our desire to lynch people into tears for what they are missing. It is crucial that Christians grapple with Jesus and his purposes. Is this the kind of salvation we want? Do we want our hearts freed from anger and vindictiveness? Are we willing to lay down the weapons of cyber warfare? Do we really want the Saviour God sent us? As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42266490

A Penitential Psalm 07/31/2026

A Penitential Psalm Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O Lord, how long? (Psalm 6:1-3). This is a prayer of confession and repentance. The psalmist is under a great weight, feeling wretched and miserable, all because of God's anger, which, in turn, is caused by human sin. God is not peevish, nor does he get miffed when he doesn't get his way. He becomes angry when he sees his bountiful creation getting wrecked. Not just the physical creation, but also, the stain our selfishness puts on human relationships. We beat each other up with silence and words. Injust systems keeping some impoverished arouse God’s anger. Many of us want a nice God. But our God isn’t revealed as nice. To quote C.S. Lewis, "He is dangerous, but good." His anger is in response to the hard of heart, the unrepentant, those sinners who turn their backs and deliberately refuse His grace. “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness” (Romans 1:18). God’s anger is not directed towards us every time we do something bad. It is aroused when we deliberately and willfully move away from him, hardening our hearts towards him. When we choose to deface the image of God in us or in others, to selfishly ruin what God created good and refuse to change course, that is what arouses God’s anger. This psalm calls us to take our own sin seriously; not to end our prayers with a quick “and forgive us our sins” and assume confession is accomplished. Rather, it invites the introspection with which Psalm 139 ends, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (23-24). It brings us to the space in which, because of our sin, we recognize that we are under God's judgement: his anger and wrath. We have turned away from God and made a mess of things. His anger has been aroused. We are in trouble. Thankfully, the psalmist does not leave us with God's anger. Instead, we are pointed towards God's mercy. "Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am faint...Turn, O Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love" (2, 4). We need to make such prayers because hardness of heart remains a possibility for all of us. The only way out from under God's anger is God's mercy. The God of the Bible is not quick to anger, but he is quick with his mercy. God’s anger is in service of God’s love. His anger is not a permanent state but arises because of human violence against other creatures whom God also loves. We are encouraged to pray for God's mercy with confidence. The wages of sin are death. But the mercy of God is vast and rich and without end. To know this mercy, we must know our sin first. So don't read this psalm too quickly. Take the time to make it real for you. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42264550

Strengthening Hands 07/29/2026

Strengthening Hands “Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So, they began this good work” (Nehemiah 2:17-18). During a war soldiers don’t jump up from behind their protective barricades with hurt expressions and ask the other side, “Was it something I said?” The war is not personal. The same is true in spiritual battles Christians face—our enemy is raging against Christ in us. He is opposing Jesus and his church. Our response should be to suit up in spiritual armor, show up on the battlefield, and persevere for Christ. Opposition is part of the Christian life. It does makes life more difficult. We often need to be prepared to go the extra mile. Reaching the world with the truth and love of Christ will involve inconvenience and personal sacrifice. Sometimes God allows things to proceed relatively easily, as when Nehemiah makes his requests to Artaxerxes. But other times it is more of a struggle. In chapter 1, his anxiety leads him to pray. God paved the way for him. When things go well, we can get confident—since God is on our side, nothing can go wrong. Some Christian organizations have become enamored with success and lost their way. Or they make compromises, believing success is always God’s way. But not Nehemiah. He knows there is opposition to his work. The rubble and burned gates were a sign that Jerusalem had been defeated. In ancient culture, this meant that Jerusalem’s God had been defeated too. That was the disgrace. A rebuilt wall around the city would be a symbol that God was with them and had not, in the end, been defeated. Thus, he called on Israel to join him in rebuilding the wall to remove the disgrace. The phrase, “So, they began this good work,” is more literally translated as “And they strengthened their hands for the good.” Their starting point was to encourage each other to do this good work. In Ezra 4:4, it says that the opposition caused “their hands to weaken”. Later, God changed the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he gave permission and provision for rebuilding. As a result, “their hands were strengthened” or “they were filled with joy” (6:22 NIV). Throughout Ezra-Nehemiah when Israel overcomes opposition, it is because of the things that God does and because the people encourage each other. None of them can go it alone. The same is still true today. We can expect to face opposition. Satan does not want Christians nor the church to succeed. One of his great strategies is causing us to think that we are alone. That we can go it alone. But God calls us to encourage one another. “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Take some time today to ask God whom you can encourage, whose hands you can strengthen, so that they can continue in the good fight. As you journey on, go with his blessing: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42244210

Hang Over the Keys 07/27/2026

All Eyes on Jesus 07/27/2026

All Eyes on Jesus As [Jesus] approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it’” (Luke 19:29-31). When Jesus was preaching in Capernaum a man possessed by a demon cried out at the top of his voice, "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" "Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly (4:33-35). A little later Luke makes this editorial comment "demons came out of many people, shouting, 'You are the Son of God!' But [Jesus] rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew He was the Christ" (4:41). When he healed a man who had leprosy, Jesus said "Don't tell anyone..." (5:14). Likewise, after he had healed their daughter Jesus ordered Jairus and his wife "not to tell anyone what had happened" (8:56). Even after Peter had confessed that Jesus was 'The Christ of God', "Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone" (9:21). But Palm Sunday is different. Jesus takes a new approach, arranging to enter Jerusalem as a king. Two of His disciples are sent ahead to bring him a colt no one had ridden. Among the Jews there were two things that unridden colts were used for: for sacred purposes and to transport a king. Jesus needed it for both. With this animal, Jesus evoked the prophecy in Zechariah 9, “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (9). He came to bring God’s kingdom, but that kingdom could only take root if he now embodied it in himself. He had spoken this kingdom with his word; he had lived the kingdom by touching the outcast; he had shown the kingdom with his miracles. But none of that would matter if he didn’t fulfil his final act, his great sacrifice. On the cross he would break Satan’s power. The living God was at work to heal and save, and the forces of evil and death were gathering to oppose him. Pharaoh and his armies had failed in their efforts to prevent Moses from leading Israel out of Egypt. This is the moment of God’s new Exodus, God’s great Passover. Jesus must eat it and offer himself as the final Passover lamb. Jesus’ time had come. For this, the son of man had come to earth. All eyes needed to be on him. As we take up our cross to follow Jesus, we too must choose. Do we want a Saviour who fixes only the symptoms of the problem: sickness, loneliness, and physical death? Jesus went to the cross to deal with the problem: our bondage to sin. Will we follow him all the way to the cross? Will we receive forgiveness there and new life? As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42207315

Learning Trust 07/24/2026

Learning Trust I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8). How many of us wouldn't love to be able to sing the ending of this Psalm? We know the guilt of lying awake at night stewing over this and that. If only we had more faith! We would like a worry-free life. Christians can feel guilty for not living up to Jesus’ call to replace worry with trust (Matthew 6). However, he also invited his disciples to come and learn from him (Matthew 11:29). Moving from worry to trust is often a long twisting road. This psalm shines some light on that pathway. It's a rugged psalm, moving quickly from place to place. The opening lines form a complaint against God. The psalmist is troubled by God’s silence to prayers for help. Then a complaint is raised against people who are pursuing dishonest gain. The psalmist's own life is being made miserable by these people. There’s little support for a life of integrity. The third verse is the crux of the Psalm. It answers the question, "What is God like?" The answer is: God takes care of the godly. Instead of offering an explanation, Israel’s prayer book gives testimonies of how the godly have experienced this. It makes for a rich tapestry. The psalmist is sure that God will listen to the prayers of those who desire to honour him. Curiously, the psalmist also addresses enemies (2-5). They are called away from their sinful pursuits, to humble themselves before God. Even if we identify more with the godly than the rebellious, the invitation to search hearts, to determine motives, should be heeded by us all. We need to test them against God's holy ways and root out any foothold the devil may find. Part of that examination is silence. How often haven't we got ourselves into trouble by spouting off, even to God? Practice listening to him. Finally, the psalmist tells the godly to bring their case before the Lord. God is the great judge. His righteousness and justice will prevail. "Trusting in the Lord" means that we wait. In this world, vengeance and anger rarely wait. But those who trust in the Lord develop patience. It is not until all this and more has been laid out that the psalmist writes about being able to sleep. It is not an easy place to get to. Good theology can help us. It helps us trust and wait. The psalmist does not promise the godly an easy life; but we are offered a pattern for godly living during adversity. Next time you find yourself laying awake in worry, ask yourself, “What is God like?” Then remember this Psalm and others that answer that question. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42196420

Resistance is Not Futile 07/22/2026

Resistance is Not Futile When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites (Nehemiah 2:10). Nehemiah finally makes it to Jerusalem. With letters from the king, he is official – coming with royal authority. And he did not come alone, but with an escort of officials and cavalry. His coming did not go unnoticed, but very much disturbed Sanballat and Tobiah, who were the local powerbrokers. They were endeavoring to keep Israel weak, thereby securing their own power and influence. They recognized that his coming was a threat to their grip on power. And they would continue to be a thorn in Nehemiah’s side, seeking to undermine both the physical and spiritual progress he sought to bring. We may find this a mere curiosity with little relevance for us today, being far removed in time and geography. But Sanballat and Tobiah are included in this story for our edification. They are part of the long resistance to God’s kingdom which will continue until Christ returns. As Jesus said to his disciples, “Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy” (John 16:20). He also taught us to pray, "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." Sometimes we may face people like Sanballat and Tobiah: people who really do not want God’s church to grow and thrive, or Christians to mature. More often our enemies are not physical, thus the Heidelberg Catechism includes the line, “our sworn enemies-the devil, the world, and our own flesh-never stop attacking us” (A 127). This is seen when the hidden sins of Christian leaders are exposed. The church bears the shame, and many have given up on the church, and even on God, because of these failures. But we, who fly under the public radar, are no less afflicted by ‘our sworn enemies’. What about you? How have you experienced the attacks of our enemies? Has your faith weakened in the preceding months? If so, are you going to do something about it? Nehemiah writes that ‘the gracious hand of God was on him.’ Here is the key. As the Catechism says, “By ourselves we are too weak to hold our own even for a moment.” So, asking, “are you going to do something about it?’, is asking the wrong kind of question. The Catechism gives us a better avenue when it teaches us to pray, “And so, Lord, uphold us and make us strong with the strength of your Holy Spirit, so that we may not go down to defeat in this spiritual struggle, but may firmly resist our enemies until we finally win the complete victory.” Like Nehemiah, we can trust in God and pray that he strengthens us. As you journey on, go with his blessing: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42171820

The Mountains 07/20/2026

The Mountains Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved and will endure forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, now and forevermore. Evil people will not always rule the land the Lord gave to those who do right. If they did, those who do right might do what is evil (Psalm 125:1-3). Driving through mountains helps us grasp the central image of this psalm. Jerusalem was a walled city on the top of a mountain surrounded by other mountains. Standing on top of the walls, looking out at those mountains, an Israelite could feel secure. Like the mountains surrounding Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people. Of course, God’s protection of his people is worth more than mountains. God is always more than the earthly image. We too should have earthly images that impress on us God’s protection. In the relationship God formed with His people Israel, he promised to be their God and called them to follow His ways. If they reject His ways, they break covenant and cannot count on His protection. They rebelled and ended up in Babylon. The refugees who came back from there sang this song as they struggled to establish a righteous Israelite society. They were opposed by stronger nations, and by fellow Israelites who gave up on righteous living to pursue dishonest gain. The righteous were often left in the economic dust, wondering where on earth God’s protection for them was. It was tempting to abandon their vision of an obedient nation. ‘Don’t give up,’ says the psalmist, ‘evil folks will not endure. In the end, the righteous will dwell securely in the land.’ God will see to it. How do we use this psalm to strengthen our own faith? One way is to consider Jesus’ beatitude, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Meek here refers to someone who has trained to do what is right, so they do it even when it is difficult, in other words, the righteous, those who trust in the Lord and are not shaken. Such folk will have a place in the renewed creation when Jesus returns and fully establishes his kingdom on earth. As they gathered in Jerusalem, the holy city, to worship together at the temple, some measure of confidence was restored. God does do good to those who are righteous despite the circumstances that surround them each day. We too need to call on God to surround us like mountains and keep us safe from the wicked ones and those who turn aside to crookedness. May we all find places and times in which we gain new strength for our journey. It is not easy to live righteously before God, to love him and neighbour. May this psalm fire our imaginations to hear with new ears Jesus’ solemn assurance, "In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world" (John 16:33). May this psalm encourage us to live faithfully before him. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: “May God our Father himself infuse you with strength and purity, filling you with confidence when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers” (1 Thessalonians 3:13). “May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it” (5:23). /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42131140

Divine Crumbs 07/19/2026

God has the Future 07/17/2026

God has the Future Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them (Psalm 2:1-4). Back in 1850, a French philosopher wrote, “Each citizen is habitually engaged in the contemplation of a very puny object, namely himself”. More recently, Goldie Hawn told college graduates it was time for them to attend the "college of you." Self-obsession is the curse of our day, a cause of social and personal problems. Many Christian prayers suggests that Jesus’ followers are equally self-absorbed. Our prayers sound like the whining of a 3-year-old. There is a solution. We need to pray the Psalms. Psalm 2 tells us that people opposed to God will also be opposed to His followers. As such, this psalm offers at least three points for Christian reflection. First, we should expect to be ridiculed for our faith. Belief in Jesus is hazardous to our health. This psalm gives us hints of what the New Testament points out so strongly: Jesus is the stumbling block. He is God’s Son, all must decide, are they with him or not? Second, this opposition doesn't bother God. He laughs. No matter how many argue the contrary, God sits enthroned above, and we believe Jesus sits at His right hand. Jesus holds the sceptre of power and authority. It is our natural inclination to get rid of our enemies right away; to get even; to triumph. But the Bible makes quite clear that God is in no hurry to be proven right. For many reasons He chooses to wait. Waiting teaches us perseverance and it gives time for others to find their home in him. This inspires prayer for people to turn to Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Third, whose side are we on? It is necessary to take time to reflect on this question. It will not do to say, "Of course, I am on Jesus' side, I made a commitment to him years ago; I made profession of faith." This requires self-examination. How do deal with controversy? If we always need to win or prove that we are right, can we really say that we are allowing God to be God? Ponder what Peter writes about Jesus, "When they hurled insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23). He left us this example to follow. Do we? As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42113865

Unceasing Prayer 07/15/2026

Unceasing Prayer The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king… (Nehemiah 2:4-5a) Not all prayers are long and eloquent. Nehemiah’s certainly wasn’t. The way this is written, it appears to be offered in the blink of an eye in the king’s presence, offered mid-conversation without Nehemiah so much as skipping a beat. It no doubt happened silently then—a deep breath before plunging into a response. This is an example of what Paul means when he encourages us to “pray without ceasing”. This kind of breath-long prayer illustrates how it can be lived. It’s not necessarily about the length or formality or the words. It’s not about the continuity of praying throughout days and weeks. It’s an unceasing prayerful posture that defines our approach and our reaction to life. Nehemiah’s attitude reflects a prayerful posture toward life. And that’s just a different way of saying that Nehemiah was unceasingly aware of, and actively attentive to God. His attention to God pervaded his life. He knew that he belonged to God. He knew that God ultimately held the power over the nations and over history. He knew that it was with God that he had to do. This naturally meant that Nehemiah prayed, that he connected his life, his thoughts, and his conversations to God in prayer. When a deep sorrow washed over him at the plight of his people, he talked to God. As he pondered what action to take, he talked it over with God. As he prepared to enter the king’s presence with his request, he inquired of God. As he responded to the king in the moment, he prayed to God. Nehemiah was constantly aware of and attentive to God, such that his in-the-moment responses turned into prayer. His life posture was prayerful. They say that our character is what pops out of us when we hit a bump in the road. Well, what popped out of Nehemiah was prayer. Maybe not always big or eloquent prayer—but prayer none-the-less. We generally associate prayer with words directed to God. But it can also be silent attentiveness to God – like a child content just to sit with a parent. Prayer will take different forms at different times. As we mature in the faith, it includes becoming aware of the presence of God that actively pervades every moment. That’s part of what it means to pray continually. To be always attentive to and ready to respond to God. In the big moments, and the in small ones. In dedicated times of attention and devotion, as well as in the passing moments. So, what’s your posture in life? To God? What pops out of you when you hit a bump in the road? Pay attention today and see. Then, let it remind you to pay attention to God as you breathe a little “thanks for the reminder, God” prayer. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42071070

What Kind of Messiah? 07/13/2026

What Kind of Messiah? Our text is from Luke 7:22-23 Jesus replied to the messengers, “Go back to John. Tell him what you have seen and heard. Blind people receive sight. Disabled people walk. Those who have skin diseases are made ‘clean.’ Deaf people hear. Those who are dead are raised to life. And the good news is announced to those who are poor. Blessed is anyone who does not give up their faith because of me (Luke 7:22-23). John the baptizer sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus if he really was the messiah Israel was expecting from God. Luke is working out a central question of his gospel: who is Jesus? In reply to John, Jesus says that he is the Messiah from God, but not the kind of messiah Israel expected. John had preached about coming wrath--destruction, fire, judgment (3:7-9, 17). But the words and deeds of Jesus had very little of this. Even John’s imprisonment had provoked no counterblast of judgment from the powers of the kingdom of God. John was clearly puzzled. Jesus wasn’t doing what he had expected. If Jesus really was the Messiah, why wasn’t he establishing the messianic kingdom John wanted, the kind in which prisoners like himself were liberated and folks like Herod got what was coming to them? In reply to John’s question, Jesus points to what he is doing, then quotes several prophecies from Isaiah and encourages folks to draw their own conclusion. Jesus will not be a straightforward rival to Herod. His kingdom will operate in a different mode altogether, healing people and the world at every level and it will outlast all the Herod like kingdoms. There is encouragement for the Christian in this confrontation between John and Jesus. John had proclaimed Jesus coming, but when Jesus came, John didn’t get it. Jesus doesn’t berate John with some form of “how could you even ask?” Instead, he invites John and his disciples to come have a closer look. Rather than pushing John away, he draws him nearer. If Jesus could deal with John’s questions and doubts, surely, he will be equally merciful to us when we question him. Sometimes the church has frowned on people with questions, telling them to just believe. Jesus was not offended by the questions and doubts. He simply invited the questioners to have a closer look. So let us not hide and silence our questions but rather use them as opportunities to look deeper into what God is up to. This confrontation also poses a challenge for us. Blessing belongs to the person who is not offended by Jesus. His style of ministry is not with the powerful flair of position and status the world expects and we want. Nonetheless he has been sent from God. Can we believe that acts of love and mercy bring forth the kingdom? As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42044085

Don't Miss the Boat 07/12/2026

What Amazes God 07/10/2026

What Amazes God When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at the commander. Jesus turned to the crowd that was following him. He said, “I tell you, even in Israel I have not found anyone whose faith is so strong.” (Luke 7:9-10). How does one get noticed by God or get into his good books? How do I get into heaven? Common questions. Many Christians will answer with “by grace through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). Of course, that’s right. Yet I wonder how many Christians realize how difficult it is to hold to this. When we go to funerals, we generally get a recitation of the deceased person’s good qualities. Often summed up like this, “they were an angel in this life, so of course God will let them in. Heaven has another angel.” In other words, if I do enough good in this world, I will get into heaven. It’s difficult for us Christians to keep this sentiment from creeping into our worldview. Our text suggests a different question, “What amazes God?” We meet a good Roman military man who loves the Jewish nation. He was wealthy enough to have helped the Jews build their synagogue in Capernaum. In this story, he sends some Jewish elders to Jesus hoping for help with his dying servant. These elders advocate for him, “He is a good man, Jesus, he deserves your help.” On the way to this Roman home, Jesus is met by the man’s friends with a double message (7:7). First, ‘I am unworthy of your attention’. He recognizes that despite having done significant good, God owes him nothing. Can we say that? Self-worth often subverts our faith. We get angry with God thinking that we deserve better than we are getting. This man did not even feel worthy of being visited by God’s agent. Second, the unnamed man believes Jesus has authority over illness, just say the word and it will be accomplished. He believed Jesus could heal by a simple sovereign word even at a physical distance—a situation that applies even more today considering Jesus’ presence in heaven. And he knew that Jesus cared enough to do so. Such faith and humility in God’s power amazes Jesus. This isn’t abstract belief about God or the learning of dogmas. It is the simple, clear belief that what Jesus commands will be done. Further, when God acts for our good, it is undeserved. The gospels are full of stories in which the things Jesus does and speaks amaze people. But here Jesus is amazed. It was not the man’s accomplishments or his good works, that amazed Jesus, but the man’s faith in who Jesus is and in his power. We are invited to consider our own faith. Do we believe this about Jesus? Here is a Gentile who understood who Christ is. This passage calls us to possess a similar faith. God owes us nothing, yet he extends his compassion to us. God honors us with his grace, not because we deserve it, but because he cares (1 John 4:9–10). Let us be amazed at our God. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn. /episode/index/show/icrchww/id/42016365

Wilderness Wanderings

TOPICS