Daily Dose of Hope

September 19, 2024

Day 5 of Week 24

Scripture: 1 Kings 5; 2 Chronicles 2; 2 Thessalonians 3

Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan. Today, we return to 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles and continue the saga of the Hebrew kings. We also continue with 2 Thessalonians. Let’s get started.

Let’s start with 1 Kings 5. Now that there is peace in Israel, Solomon decides that it is time to begin work on the temple. As you might recall, David had wanted to build a temple for the Lord but God had declined. Instead, God simply wanted David to lead the people. God also made a covenant with David that one of his descendants would be on the throne forever. In the covenant (refer to 2 Samuel 7), God also mentions that one of David’s descendants “will build a house for my name.” That descendant is Solomon. Thus, Solomon hatches a plan. He makes an alliance of sorts with the King of Tyre who can provide labor and lumber.

As we read in the chapter, the men of Israel also had to play a role in the manual labor required for the massive undertaking. Solomon enlists the very unpopular practice of conscription, forced labor, but he does not make slaves of the people. They work in shifts. This required tremendous coordination, management, and skilled labor. I was trying to think of a more modern equivalent to compare this to, maybe the making of some of the larger cathedrals. What kinds of massive undertakings do you know of that humans have taken to please the Lord?

Today’s chapter in 2 Chronicles depicts the same scenario of preparing to build the temple but with a slightly different focus. What differences did you note between the two accounts?

For our New Testament passage today, we are finishing up 2 Thessalonians. In this chapter, Paul admonishes a group in the church who are causing disruption by refusing to work. We don't know the details of the circumstances. It's possible that this group believed Jesus' second coming was imminent, so there was no need to work and earn a living. It could also be that this group found menial labor beneath them and wanted nothing to do with it. Finally, it could be a group of individuals who had grown accustomed, possibly even entitled, to the church's generosity and did not want to have to work in return. But Paul is clear: he worked and they would work too. Whatever their motivations, this group was disruptive and creating problems within the church. They would not be allowed to take advantage of the church's generosity.

As Christ-followers, we have clear commands from Jesus to care for the least of these. Jesus fed the hungry and cared for those who had little. The early church was obviously following the example of Christ and offering food to those who asked for it. But at some point, giving can lead to entitlement. Paul was certainly alluding to that. Many of you know my background involves extensive work with homeless men, women, and families. I've struggled with these issues but this is basically where I've landed; we are called tocare for the needy but we never want to harm others by destroying initiative or creating dependency. Historically, church outreach programs have engaged in one-directional giving, things like food giveaways, clothes closets, and soup kitchens. While there is a place for such ministry, it must be limited and targeted. To see meaningful change, we must address root causes, building real relationships and working with ministries that empower people to make hard but necessary long-term transformation.

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope
September 18, 2024
Day 4 of Week 25

Scripture: Song of Solomon 7-8; Psalm 127; 2 Thessalonians 2

Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the Bible reading plan for New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida. Just a reminder, tonight is Recharge in the Garage at 6:30pm. This is a wonderful time of worship, fellowship, prayer, and small community. Hope to see you there!

I should also mention that many of your program directors, along with myself, are in Houston this week for the New Room conference. Pray that we experience the Holy Spirit in a powerful way through the speakers and community. Pastor Roberto and Pastora Yamiley are headed to Costa Rica today for the first General Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Please, please pray for them – it’s going to be a long but hopefully very rewarding week for both of them.

We are finishing up the Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs) today. The love dialogue is ending, are you guys upset about this? In these last two chapters, the themes of pure love, passion, commitment, acceptance, protection, and love “as strong as death.” I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts on this book. What do you think about this being included in Scripture? What have been your takeaways from Song of Songs?

Psalm 127 is another psalm of ascent, one of the psalms that the Hebrew pilgrims would sing as they made their way into Jerusalem. I really love the second half of this psalm, which celebrates the blessing of children. The psalmist writes that a person who has many children is like a warrior with many arrows in their quiver. This isn’t to say that it’s better to have lots of children, but more that each and every child is a blessing, unique with their own gifts and purpose.

Our New Testament reading is 2 Thessalonians 2. In chapter one, Paul addresses the issue of persecution. In this chapter, he addresses false teaching. The Thessalonian church was highly concerned by teachers stating that Jesus had already come. To make matters worse, these false teachers were claiming to have Paul's authority in the teaching. Paul tells them not to be "easily unsettled or alarmed," because none of it is true. Jesus will not return until certain things have occurred, a certain event must occur (the rebellion) and a certain man must appear (the man of lawlessness, possibly the antichrist).

The point of this chapter is not to make specific claims about the end of times but rather to prove to the Thessalonians that the day of the Lord, Jesus' second coming, had not yet arrived. It's obvious that Paul wants them to stand firm in the faith and not be so easily deceived. In verse 5, Paul asks them, Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? He is imploring them to remember the truth they were taught and live like mature believers, putting deep roots into truth. I often tell my kids to "remember who and whose they are." In some ways, I feel this is what Paul is telling the Thessalonians. Remember what I have taught you. Remember who you belong to. Don't allow the distractions and untruths of the world to get you off track or lead you astray. Friends, remember who and whose you are.

Blessings,
Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope

September 17, 2024

Day 3 of Week 25

Scripture: Song of Solomon 4-6; 2 Thessalonians 1

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan. Let’s get started with today’s Scripture.

In Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs) 4, the text has moved into the marriage. The first three chapters were the courtship but now the marriage is being consummated. The imagery is interesting – how many women enjoy their hair being compared to a flock of goats? As the chapter progresses, it gets more graphic, at least for the Bible. I did a lot of research to determine if Solomon is speaking of himself here in this chapter and it just isn’t clear. If it’s Solomon, I struggle with this. With so many women as wives and concubines, how can he truly know what love is? What does marriage even mean if you have 700 wives? I actually find it more helpful to think of this chapter as the relationship the Lord desires with his people – one that is intimate and committed.

Chapters 5 and 6 seem to portray the trials of separation. Some might even interpret it as the highs and lows of a relationship. Has conflict entered the relationship, has one party pulled away? Most of us understand that in human terms what might that mean in terms of a relationship between God and his people?

Let’s move on to our New Testament Scripture, 2 Thessalonians 1. Similar to 1 Thessalonians, this letter is also written by Paul, Timothy, and Silas, but scholars consider Paul to be the primary author. The letter opens in a similar manner as I Thessalonians, with Paul giving thanks for the Thessalonian church. He is especially grateful for how their faith and love for one another has grown despite persecution. He even says that he boasts about how they have persevered in the midst of such difficulty. He doesn't give specifics about the persecution, but we can guess it was hostility directed at Christians by both gentile nonbelievers and Jews.

This chapter helps us begin to understand Paul's theology on the suffering of believers. First, he alludes to the fact that faithful endurance, perseverance in the face of struggle, makes them very worthy of the Kingdom of God. Certainly, endurance of hardship and persecution was seen as a virtue in early Christianity. What a change a couple thousand years make! At least in Western Christianity, we tend to balk at any kind of discomfort and certainly try to avoid suffering at all costs.

But their suffering does NOT mean that God isn't with them. Paul states that God's judgment is right. Temporary suffering doesn't indicate God's rejection; it may be character building or redeemed in some other way. God won't waste their experience but use it to grow them and the Kingdom. After all, that's what it's all about.

The second element in today's chapter is the concept of God's justice. God is all about just outcomes. He doesn't operate in a willy-nilly fashion but is fair and consistent. According to Paul, God considers it just to punish those who persecute the Thessalonians. This might be surprising to some, as we always focus on God's love. Yes, God is loving but God is also fair. Throughout Scripture, we read about God's righteous judgment. Knowing that God will judge others fairly frees us to simply extend love and grace and not feel the need to distribute our own judgment upon others.

I'll close with Paul's words in Romans 12:19-21, Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki