September 30 - A City Without Walls

 Read today’s texts first: Zechariah 7-9; Luke 13

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

God’s people, both the Jews and the Church, were sent out to invite people from every nation into God’s family. 

The Jews never quite understood why they were God’s chosen people.  They were not selected because He favored Israel over all the other nations (God is no respecter of persons – Acts 10:34).  On the contrary, they were chosen to be God’s channel of blessing to all nations.  Abraham, the Father of the Jews, was to be the father of many nations (hence the name change from Abram to Abraham).  The Jews were to be kings and priests on earth to represent and model God’s ways for the world to observe and then adopt (Exodus 19:6).  Rahab, the Canaanite prostitute, and Ruth, a Moabite, were so welcomed into God’s family they became entwined in the lineage of the Messiah.  We know the end result of this Master plan is the vision of the great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb (Revelation 7:9).

Zechariah reinforces that goal for the Jews rebuilding the holy city and their new identity.  In the vision of the man measuring Jerusalem, he heard the angel say, Jerusalem will be a city without walls (2:4).  It was always God’s intent to include all the nations in His holy city:

People from many nations, even powerful nations, will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to ask the Lord to bless them.  This is what the Lord Almighty says: In those days ten people from nations and languages around the world will clutch at the hem of one Jew’s robe. And they will say, “Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” (8:22-23)

“Lord, You spoke this message of international inclusiveness to me back in 2002.  At that time I worked on a national curriculum to help churches embrace this idea and transition to become intentionally intercultural.  But as I read these passages again today I realized that was not a one-time assignment. Show me Lord how I can continue to promote the new Jerusalem as a city without walls.”

September 29 - Royal Priesthood

 Read today’s texts first: Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

When we serve as a priest and a king we can reach up and out, loving God then our neighbour.

The calling to be a royal priesthood applied to both Israel (Ex. 19:6) and the church (I Peter 2:9).  It means we are to relate directly to God as priests (Jesus being our High Priest), ministering before Him daily.  It also means we are to rule with Him as kings (Jesus being the King of Kings), exercising His authority on earth as it is in heaven.  If Israel had lived up to that calling, there would have been no priestly tribe (the Levites took on the role by default – Ex. 32:26) or human king (Judges 8:23; 1 Samuel 8:6,7).

Zechariah’s lampstand is the perfect illustration of how those two roles blend together.  The two olive trees on either side represented Zerubbabel, the king, and Zechariah, the priest (4:12-14).  The branches of the trees blend together, holding up the bowl filled with the oil that flows to the seven lights.  The oil always represents the Holy Spirit.  The symbolism is clear – when we hold those two roles in balance we create a reservoir for the Holy Spirit to empower our lives and provide light to those around us.

With that context it’s easy to see the meaning behind this oft quoted verse: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” says the Lord Almighty (4:5).  When we relate directly to Jesus as priest and king, and hold those two roles in proper balance (love God and our neighbour, reaching up and out), then God’s Spirit will enable us to fulfill that high calling in His strength.

“Lord, today I will serve you as both priest and king as Your Spirit alone enables me!”

September 28 - Wash Day

 Read today’s texts first: Zechariah 1-3; Luke 11

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

The “Accuser of the Brethren” likes to make us feel
like dirt, so he can drag us back to our old mud-hole. 

As a kid growing up, I looked forward to Wash Day!  Being slightly hyperactive and living on the edge of a forest meant I frequently looked like Linus on Peanuts, trailing a cloud of dust and dirty footprints behind me into the house.  Mom would make me take my clothes off in the laundry room and head straight to the bath. It was good to get cleaned up, but even better to put on freshly cleaned clothes, smelling good and feeling warm, right out of the dryer.

The book of Zechariah, with all of its Messianic prophecies, talks about a spiritual Wash Day.  Joshua, who represents Israel (and the church) is told to “take off his filthy clothes” (3:3) in exchange for “rich garments’ and a “clean turban”.  This is all made possible because of the coming Messiah who “will remove the sin of this land in a single day” (9), a reference to either the first or second coming of Jesus.  Thank You Jesus for making it possible for me to be completely forgiven and spiritually clean!  Unlike the Pharisees in the Luke 11 reading, we are to be clean inside and out.

This chapter opens up, though, with a rare direct reference to Satan.  We see him as the “accuser of the brethren” (Rev 12:20) standing at the right side of Joshua before the “angel of the Lord” (Jesus), ready to accuse him.  But the “Lord” (that’s how we know the angel is Jesus) rebukes him.  He says that Joshua (applies to Israel and us) has been chosen, snatched out of captivity, and is no longer subject to shame.  Satan’s favorite tactic is to remind us of our past, our failings.  And when we feel like dirt, he can drag us back to our old mud-hole.  But Jesus rebukes those thoughts, and reminds us of who we are now in Him.

“Lord, today and everyday is Wash Day.  You personally cleaned and placed these royal robes on me, so remind me to keep them clean.”

September 27 - One Thing

 Read today’s texts first: Haggai 1,2; Psalms 129; Luke 10

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Never get so busy with the details of serving,
that you miss the one reason for serving. 

Curly, the aged and saged cowpoke, held up his crooked index finger to illustrate for his new friend, Mitch, the meaning of life – “it’s just one thing!”  Of course he died before Mitch could find out what it was – so the rest of his journey was the quest to discover the one thing (City Slickers).

Fortunately, the One who created us already told us the “one thing”.  Israel missed it and Haggai, the aged prophet (likely 70 at the time) was urging the Jews, who have returned from exile, to stop rebuilding their own houses and focus on the house of God (Haggai 1:7-9).  Jesus said the same thing to Martha who was busy with the details of serving, but missed the one reason for serving (10:41).  Mary got it right.  She chose the “one thing that is needed” which was simply sitting by the feet of Jesus and “listening to what he said” (10:30).

“Lord, may I remember the one thing in the busyness of the day ahead.  May I never stray from that place at Your feet where I can hear everything You say to me.”

September 26 - Lose/Win Proposition

 Read today’s texts first: Ezra 4; Psalms 113,127; Luke 9

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

God asks us to give up things to test us.  If we pass
the test, He knows He can trust us with more,
not to keep but to pass on to others.

I’m intrigued by the paradox principles of Scripture: love your enemies, turn the other cheek, give and it shall be given, die and you’ll live, serve and you’ll lead, get under authority to have authority, and today’s word for the day,  lose your life and you’ll find it.  They defy human logic, but tap into divine wisdom. 

While I was working at a Bible college, we rediscovered the powerful principles of giving.  We faced a $50,000 deficit, prayed and then felt God telling us to give more than we ever have.  So we did – in subsidies to students, curriculum to churches and resources to missions.  After a year of serendipitous donations and conference bookings, we closed our books with a $35,000 surplus.  Did the strategy make sense?  Not really.  Did it work? Without question.

We don’t obey the commands to gain anything for ourselves.  If so, we miss the whole point.  God asks us to give up things or ourselves to test us.  If we pass the test, He knows He can trust us with more, not to keep but to pass on to others.  We become a conduit of blessing.  What is true for the specifics of life is true for life in general.

The American dream is founded on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  There’s a movie by that name starring Will Smith and his son.  They are cute together and the story is heartwarming, but its bottom line is the pursuit of money and materialism at the cost of a marriage and a stable home.  The trouble is the American dream usually turns into a nightmare, and happiness, when pursued, will most often give you the slip.  Happiness, joy, contentment, fulfillment – all the things we want in life for ourselves, are only by-products.  They only come when we surrender our lives to the One who created us and knows us best.

“Lord, this day like the rest of my life is yours.  I give up control over my life because I know it’s a lose/win proposition.” 

September 25 - Sleep like a Baby

 Read today’s texts first: Ezra 2,3; Luke 8

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Our faith may not still the storm,
but it should help us sleep through it! 

I love looking at my youngest granddaughter when she’s asleep, especially when she is cuddled in my arms while I’m stretched out on my favourite TV-watching sofa.  When a child is that dependent, that trusting, she can sleep through anything (even an action movie), without a care in the world.  Jesus illustrated that same kind of peace in Luke 8.

Usually when I read this story I’m impressed by the power of Jesus.  Everyone talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it – except Jesus. Well, there’s Storm, from the X Men, but she’s the cause of weather problems, not the cure (and she’s not a real person!).

I don’t know anyone who commands even the wind and the water and they obey him (Luke 8:25).  Who does that?  The only One who can – the One who created the weather patterns in the first place.

What’s even more amazing is how He seems to expect us to have the same effect on the storms of our lives.  After showing the disciples how it’s done, He asks, so, “where is your faith?”  Good question!  I don’t know if I’m ready to be a storm trooper.

What intrigues me more than the power of Jesus is the peace He had while the storm was raging.  He was so unaffected that He slept through the worst of it.  It seems like the only reason He stilled the storm was to appease His frightened disciples.  Perhaps that’s why He questioned their faith.  Storms aren’t the problem – they’re a natural part of life.  They help us exercise our faith to the point that our trust in God supersedes our fear of stormy circumstances.

“Lord, I want to find that level of trust in You today.  Rocking boats should be no more intimidating than Gracie’s cradle.  Her face when she’s sleeping is a picture of the kind of peace that only comes through complete trust.  Rock-a-bye baby!”

September 24 - Says You!

 Read today’s texts first: Ezra 1; Psalms 84, 85; Luke 7

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Jesus always speaks with authority and integrity -
what He says He will do gets done!

I understand authority.  My dad wasn’t domineering, but he was clearly the head of our family.  His reputation as WW 2 flight leader over a squadron of B-24 pilots helped bolster our respect.  Mostly it was his integrity – what he said he would do, he did.

The Roman centurion in the Luke 7 reading understood authority too.  He commanded a “century” of soldiers (100 men) and expected them to obey.  Yet there was more to this man than his rank and armor.  Behind that tough exterior must have been the soft heart of a seeker.  Why else would he build the Jews, their subjects, a synagogue?  Why would he care so much for a sick servant?  How did he know about Jesus and why would he think this lowly Jew could and would heal his servant?

It takes a leader to spot another one.  The centurion had obviously noticed Jesus in action earlier.  He recognized that Jesus spoke with authority and integrity.  He saw a man of His Word.  For someone of such high rank to be so humble and so subservient to a Jew who was his subordinate, shows he knew exactly who he was dealing with.

So did Jesus, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel” (9).  “Lord, may I live this day with that kind of confidence in You and Your Word.  When the voices of doubt inside my head whisper, ‘says who?’ I want to respond like the centurion, ‘says You!’”