Tag Archives: insecurity

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Tempted by the Devil!

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“Tempted by the Devil!”

Luke 4:1-13 (4:2) – March 9, 2025

With the coming of March, our thoughts can turn to the coming of spring, of Easter, and of spring break. My son Peter will have spring break this coming week, and he has taken advantage of the opportunity to go on a trip. He flew to New York City for six days, to spend time with one of his good friends who is now living there. My son was very much looking forward to this journey, and I hope he has a wonderful time with his friend.  

My son has not made a journey like this for several years. The last trip he made two years ago was by train to New England. As I have been thinking about Lent, similarities with travel popped into my head. The Rabbi Jesus traveled a great deal through His life. He made stops at various places, staying at some for a longer time, some for a shorter time.  Jesus made a journey; a significant journey, a lifelong journey. Specifically, His journey through His public ministry is the subject matter for the four gospels in the New Testament.

Our scripture passage for today tells us about the beginning of that journey. This is one of the first major things recorded in the New Testament. The temptation of our Lord is a really significant event that happened to Jesus. Yes, it’s huge in His life experience. And, we can gather many spiritual principles and several excellent Scriptural examples for our hearts and lives.

We know about the temptations that the Devil used to try to get under Jesus’ guard. These words help to provide us with a big map, where we can more clearly see Jesus and the beginning of His journey. In the same way, each of us has started our individual journey through life. We are all on the way. We all have stops at various places, some big, life-changing events, and some small, little happenings that are hardly worth writing home about. But, all of us are on a journey, too, and we’re actively involved in our journey, at any point along the way.

This Scripture reading is – as I said – foundational for the life and experience of Jesus. Each of our Scripture readings during Lent will be telling us about one of the phrases (or, as they are referred to in “church-speak,” petitions) from the Lord’s Prayer. These clear connections are not necessarily in order, but all the phrases are there. We say the Lord’s Prayer each week; this pattern prayer is meaningful to untold millions of people. Today’s connection is to “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” [1]

Except – what does temptation look like for each of us? If we are unsure about exactly what temptations are, we might not be able to avoid them. Or, we might not be able to answer the Devil back when he tempts us with these sneaky, shiny, sleek, or surprising temptations.  

If we consider some temptations for our children, or our grandchildren, recognizing them can be more straightforward. For example, we might list some familiar temptations such as a plate of cookies left on the counter, or a cool item (maybe a smart phone) left unattended in a very public place, or a set of test answers in such plain view that you can hardly help but see them on the desk of the student next to you. [2]

 However, it’s harder and more nuanced when we come to adult temptations. Sure, some are obvious! Like tempting to outright steal, or flat out lie, or hoodwink blatantly, or a “racy” conversation about sex, or drugs, or power dynamics. Can you and I resist when such tempting rewards are dangled in front of us?

We can read about the three temptations that Jesus faced in the wilderness. You remember, the Devil said, “If you are God’s Son…” Yes, and we see how absolutely effective Jesus was at confronting the Devil with direct quotes from the Word of God! Praise God, we can pattern our lives and behavior after our Lord Jesus.

What would Jesus do today, with our current temptations? Really, and seriously?

In today’s Gospel reading from Dr. Luke, we see Jesus going toe to toe with the Devil. Yes, the Devil is trying “to sow mistrust! You may go hungry; you do not have enough; how do you know God is trustworthy?” [3] We see that our Lord Jesus replies with Scripture. I consider knowing the Bible that well is certainly a help in time of trouble, a refuge and a strength, truly!

Following our Lord’s example, you and I can also get familiar with the Word of God. We can read it on a regular basis, and get so well acquainted with it that we will also be able to answer the little and not-so-little temptations that come up each and every day. To quote from Psalm 119:11, “Your Word I have hid in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” Plus, reading God’s Word, the Bible, is a wonderful way of building a relationship with our Heavenly Father. This is another tool that God gives to us, to help us along the journey through life.

Except – is our simple solution simply having a magic Bible verse for every situation?

As commentator Dr. David Lose says, he wonders “if it’s not so much that Jesus quotes Scripture to deflect temptation as it is that Jesus finds in Scripture the words to give voice to his trust. Because at the heart of each reply is Jesus’ absolute trust in – and dependence on – God for his identity and future.” [4]

I would like each of us today to consider the crucial link between trust and temptation. If we allow natural insecurity to twist our minds and hearts so that we mistrust God for our daily needs, our daily bread (to quote the Lord’s Prayer), where does that leave us? I think that natural insecurity, that lack of trust in our Heavenly Parent leaves each of us flailing and floundering in the wilderness, not on the journey with Jesus. This is the really important part: flailing and floundering is exactly where the Devil wants us to be!  

If that mistrust of God is the case, then we are open to the possibility, appeal, and temptation of the proposition that it is all up to us, that God is not able to provide and so we’d better take matters into our own hands. [5]

Certainly, we are each on the journey with Jesus. It is a day-by-day journey, one day at a time. The best part is that Jesus is traveling with us, by our side. That’s a promise, too. There is a lot to celebrate! God has promised never to leave us, or forsake us. Even though life happens, even though tough times come, Jesus travels with us. And that’s a promise we all can trust.

Amen, amen!

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] Http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2016/01/year-c-first-sunday-in-lent-february-14.html

[2] Ibid.

[3] https://www.workingpreacher.org/dear-working-preacher/trust-and-temptation

[4]  Ibid,

[5] Ibid.

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Jesus Says: Don’t Worry!

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Jesus Says: Don’t Worry!

Matthew 6:25-34 – November 24, 2024

            Some people are real worriers. They worry about their house or apartment, they worry about their children or their parents, they worry about their job, their school, their friends, their car, their health – and that’s just to begin with! All of us know someone like this. And sometimes, worry about one or two, or even more of these things creeps into our hearts, too!

            All of these things are troubles, concerns. Worries. The news on the radio, on the television, different media websites—all depend on worry, anxiety and fear to pull in their viewers.  Here in our bible reading this morning, our Lord Jesus is telling us not to be filled with worry. Worry—anxiety—fear. When we come right down to it, this yucky predicament called worry sounds so familiar! We might not like it, we might be uncomfortable with it, but various yucky, fearful situations still happen to many of us, on a regular basis.

            All the worry and anxiety I just mentioned? That was mostly external. Looking outward. Fear of people, places and things. Yes, common to all of us. Let’s up that worry and anxiety one notch higher. Let’s sprinkle some self-centered fear on it. Does that sound familiar, too?

            Fear of the interior, that’s the inside job. Your insides, my insides. Our feelings and emotions, everything all mixed together like with a blender or a kitchen mixer. I imagine some people are so anxious and worried about what’s going on inside of them that they don’t even want to examine themselves, and do an inventory. They would far rather hide under a blanket. Or check out in ways that involve various addictions.  Emotional insecurity is very real. Lots of people feel alone. All by themselves, and cut off from others. Bitterness and frustration can make things worse. Worry and anxiety can magnify those feelings, way out of control.

            What can anyone do about this huge mountain of worry, fear, insecurity and anxiety?

            Since this Sunday is Thanksgiving Sunday, our Gospel reading has a few things to say about all this worry and negativity. This reading is from the Sermon on the Mount. The second half of Matthew chapter 6 is all about treasure and where we can find it. As is often the case in Scripture, Jesus lets us know that He is summing up this section by beginning with the word “therefore.” “Therefore” is used “to indicate that the writer or speaker is drawing a conclusion. Jesus’ words here are very simple and to the point: worrying is pointless.” [1]

Wait a long minute, there! Worry is part and parcel of the human condition. Anxiety and fear of the unknown (and especially of what IS known, what we recognize coming up!) are so often sad realities. Worry is invasive, like a nasty, invasive plant. Those of you who garden are very much aware of these weeds, these choking, creeping plants that wind around the healthy flowers and vegetables we plant in our gardens.

            I have heard a good deal about worry and anxiety in past years. In my previous job, I worked as a hospital chaplain, and now I am a hospice chaplain. Yes, I would pray with anyone who asked. But, I would also listen. As I listened, I heard about a whole lot of worry, anxiety and concern. And, rightfully so! Anxiety about upcoming treatment, worry about finances, awkward anticipation about losses of various kinds. But I would also hear about depression, anger, and self-pity. I’d hear about these painful emotions mixing and crashing around inside of people. Oftentimes, I would be helpless to do anything about it, except listen.

            In my personal life today, I have concerns. Sure, I have thoughts that sometimes preoccupy my mind. I can live in yesterday for far too long of a time. I sometimes look forward to tomorrow—or next week with some fear and anxiety. I especially have concerns about an upcoming procedure in the hospital, very soon.

But what does Jesus tell us in this paragraph from the Gospel of Matthew? He talks about the beauty and the vastness of God’s creation. He tells us to pick up our heads and look around. Doesn’t God take care of the birds of the air and the beasts of the field? If God takes care of them, think about us. Think about you and me. Do you think for one minute that God would forget about you? Or, that God would forget about me?

            One of my favorite commentators is the Rev. Janet Hunt. She is a Lutheran pastor, serving a church not too far away, in De Kalb – near the Northern Illinois campus. She talks frankly about being a worrier. She carried her fear and anxiety so deeply that her folks had her going to a therapist as a little girl (when that was still pretty unusual!). She said she still worries. She worried about where she put her cell phone the night before, She worried about an upcoming funeral sermon she needed to preach. She even worried about raking the leaves in her large yard!

            Yet, Pastor Janet gets right to the point. She says, “Without a doubt, my worries are small and even when they aren’t they don’t seem to paralyze me as they do some [people].  Still, even my small worries get in the way of my living in the moment God has prepared for me.  They take away from my fully experiencing and appreciating what is right in front of me.” [2]

            This Gospel reading is certainly a challenge for me, today, with the unknown looming ahead of me. Yet, whether our worries are big or small, we can all be reminded of this precious gift Jesus offers us all, in pointing to God’s tender care for all that is in this world.

            Anything can seem overwhelming, if we look at the whole huge thing all at once. Jesus’ words are really wise: “34 So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own.” In other words, one day at a time. “Don’t worry about tomorrow!” Those aren’t my words—they’re the words of Jesus!

            As we consider this Thanksgiving week, and any week of the year, “these words [of Jesus] are ours this Thanksgiving —  urging us to let go of the worry — and to entrust whatever it is that would rob our lives of peace and joy — urging us to finally give it all back to God who gives us all of that for which we give thanks in the first place.” [3]  Praise God!

Suddenly, in this world not worrying actually becomes an option.

Our God can help each of us deal with worry, fear and anxiety, whenever and wherever they might rise up, in each of our lives. We can all say amen to the Lord’s goodness. We can truly give thanks to God.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://lifeprojectblog.com/2024/09/09/worry-5/

[2] http://words.dancingwiththeword.com/2012/11/no-more-worries.html

[3] Ibid.

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How Majestic is God’s Name!

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“How Majestic is God’s Name!”

Psalm 8 (8:4) – October 6, 2024

            How many here can think of a truly unforgettable experience you have had? Maybe going on vacation, and seeing an unforgettable sunset or rainbow? Or perhaps taking a trip to a National Park, and experiencing some unforgettable scenery, like a spectacular waterfall? Or maybe traveling by boat or ship and seeing unforgettable sea creatures, whales, or sea lions? The world is full of marvelous, unforgettable things, and God created them all!

            But, we can’t go on vacation every day. Very few of us are able to see marvelous scenery or go to exotic places on a regular basis In the every-day, ordinary kind of way, I wonder if you and I really think the world is majestic? Awesome? God has made the world, and I think the Lord has done a pretty good job. But, how many of us think the Lord is majestic? Awesome? I mean, on an every-day basis. Are we stunned, at a loss for words by the majesty of the Lord?

            Let’s hear how our psalm today starts, again. “Lord, our Lord,  how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.” Wow! And, that is just the first verse! The Lord is OUR Lord, and the Lord’s name is majestic. Not just so-so, not pretty good, but majestic! Not to mention, the Lord has set glory and majesty in the heavens!

            I can see the stars on a clear night, but not quite as many here in Chicago as I can up in Wisconsin or in Michigan, far from the city. My husband Kevin spent two years in the mountains of Colorado, a number of years ago. He said the stars regularly put on an amazing display in the mountains, on a clear night. And, the moon, too! Truly majestic to see.

            Our psalmist marvels at the heavens, too – and more! “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is humankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”

Our psalmist King David started out contemplating the heavens, and the awesome majesty of God. Now, he shifts to considering humanity. “In comparison to the grandeur of the universe, the psalmist questions why God would be mindful of humanity and care for them.” [1] Really, this is a valid question! After God created the heavens, and the stars and moons and all the other heavenly bodies, we humans are like grains of sand. Maybe even smaller, maybe microscopic. Who are we that God is even mindful, even aware of us? 

From time to time, maybe even more often than that, it is so easy to get caught up in the pressures and expectations of the world! You and I can know that very well. Such feelings of loneliness, insecurity and doubt can threaten to overwhelm us. Imagine, not being sure that we are worth anything, and feeling that we are like tiny grasshoppers or worms.

I don’t know about you, but just reading this description of humanity makes me feel so insignificant, especially in the face of such glory, such grandeur of all creation. However, isn’t this an opportunity to affirm, to witness to the blessed fact that this God who is described here by King David is also my God? In fact, our God?

            We have reassurance from King David! “Psalm 8 reminds us of our unique identity as children of God and the incredible value and purpose we have in Him. This psalm teaches us to look beyond ourselves and recognize the greatness of our Creator, who has entrusted us with the responsibility to care for [God’s] creation.” [2]

            Listen to the next verses of this psalm, and see how much trust the Lord gives to us, how much happiness and at the same time, responsibility: “5 You have made thema little lower than the angelsand crowned them with glory and honor 6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:”

            How amazing that we – we puny humans – are crowned by God with glory and honor! And, that is all humanity we are talking about. Not just a few humans, not just the humans in our particular group or from our particular country. No! This psalm says ALL. Everyone. What a Godly proclamation to give each of us a worthy opinion of ourselves!

But wait, there’s more! God not only has made a royal proclamation that crowns all of us with glory and honor, the Lord has also made each of us heaven-appointed stewards of this marvelous world we all inhabit.

We all have a task to do, simply by nature of being born on this earth. Just as in the beginning of Genesis, Adam and Eve were assigned tasks by God to tend and keep the Garden of Eden, so with each person today. Whether we garden, or recycle and pick up trash, or choose responsibly-sourced food items and clothing, we all can be good stewards of this beautiful earth God has created for each of us and given us to live in.   
            One of my favorite people I follow on social media comes from the Peak District in northern England. She is a brilliant photographer of her native Peak district, and her handle is “Peaklass.” I love the description and the advice she gives: “In our rush through life, moving faster, working smarter, we miss so much. We miss the drift of seasons and the gentle ebb and flow of nature. We miss patterns, colours, changing light. We miss beauty and quiet. Sometimes we all need to stop and just watch the clouds roll.” [3]

            This psalm ends as it begins, “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Can you think of a more wonderful praise and prayer to our God than to enjoy the beauty and majesty of God’s creation, today? Yes, God’s name is majestic in all the earth! Each of us can stop where we are today, and praise God for all creation, all creatures great and small.  

            Two days ago was the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi; many faith traditions celebrate with a Blessing of the Animals this weekend. St. Francis is not only a patron saint of animals, he is also the patron of all creation, or the natural world. I want to end today with a benediction, a verse from the hymn that is attributed to Francis, “All Creatures of Our God and King.”

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!

            O, let us praise God, indeed! Alleluia, amen.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://youthgroupministry.com/lessons/youth-ministry-lesson-on-psalm-8-embracing-our-identity-in-christ/

[2] Ibid.

[3] https://x.com/peaklass1/status/1842835391595905259/photo/1

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Jonathan Encourages David

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“Jonathan Encourages David”

be not afraid, words

1 Samuel 23:14-18 (23:17) – July 1, 2018 – from Dave Ivaska’s book Be Not Afraid

Running for your life. Always in hiding, always on the look-out. It’s what psychological specialists in trauma and similar mental challenges call hyper-vigilance. I suspect, if we think about it, we can come up with a situation where either a person we know or people who are familiar to us have been worried, afraid, looking over their shoulders, if not on the run.

This is similar to the situation David was in, for many months, on the run in the wilderness of Judah.

But, let’s back up a bit. The strong, young David—charismatic leader of men—was the hero of Israel. Young, good-looking, he had walked onto the field of battle and won in single-handed combat with the mighty warrior Goliath the Philistine champion. Everyone in Israel praised David, up-and-coming rising star in the court of Israel. Men looked up to him, women adored him. (Apparently, he was really attractive.) His name was on everyone’s lips. What was not to like about David?

We must not forget about the other important part of David’s story. He been anointed while still a teenager to become king by the aging prophet Samuel. That means, David would take the place of King Saul. Except, King Saul was still king. Awkward!  

At first, King Saul thought David was a good guy to have around the palace. Plus, David had some skill with the harp, so he could soothe the king when the king was depressed and out of sorts. Then, to add to all of this, David and Jonathan, King Saul’s oldest son and heir, became close friends.

Imagine your best friend. I mean, your best-best friend, closer to you than even the closest members of your own family. That was David and Jonathan. Best friends forever.

King Saul probably had some uncertainty and insecurity in his life, even though he was the king of Israel. We can read about the several times that the king displayed his irritation and even outright hatred for David. Eventually, middle-aged King Saul’s anger and jealousy at the younger, good-looking, charismatic David boiled over. He sent his loyal soldiers after David. Yes, to kill him.

So, the powerful king of your country is seriously jealous, and hopping mad at you. What do you do? Run, of course. Make yourself scarce.

We see several reasons for people to be on the run from powerful leaders. Yes, politics may play a part in this. War and conflict might also figure in. Power and control are also important possibilities in any severe disagreement. And with Saul, his violent anger against David was definitely more personal.

For several chapters in 1 Samuel, we can read about the adventures of David. Life-and-death adventures, too. If Saul’s soldiers had ever caught up to David, the situation would mean death for David.

Sure, David had been playing cat-and-mouse with the king’s soldiers for months.           As commentator Bob Deffinbaugh said, “David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. …The full weight of Saul’s pursuit and its implications seems to bear down on him. Perhaps weary in both body and spirit, David is greatly distressed to hear that, once again, King Saul is nearby, fully intent on killing him. There is ample evidence to show that if given the chance, Saul will do so.” [1]

We see that King Saul decided to go out into the wilderness and eradicate David once and for all. We also know that David and Saul’s son Jonathan are best friend, even though it had been many months since they had seen each other. What a wonderful friend to have, even taking his life in his hands. That’s what it meant for Jonathan to risk visiting David, in the wilderness.

What kind of stress and trauma must David have been going through? Let’s read from 1 Samuel again: “While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that[a] Saul had come out to take his life. 16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.”

This is one reason why it’s so important for us to see how Jonathan encouraged David, even though both friends must have felt extremely pressured. David had been on the run for many months, and his psychological state could only have been one of extreme trauma!

When these two dear friends finally meet, what the first things Jonathan does? Helps his dear friend to find strength in God.  If you are alone and struggling to keep your head above water, no matter what challenges or difficulties are coming your way, having a dear friend come alongside of you to encourage you can make all the difference.

Of course, David was in extreme difficulty. Running for your life from the king’s best crack troops must have been both mentally and physically exhausting. Having the king’s oldest son and heir as your best friend must have added a layer of challenge to the whole mess.

What does Jonathan lead off with? “Be not afraid!” He reminds David that all Israel knows that the prophet Samuel has anointed him to be king after Saul, and says that he—Jonathan—will be his right-hand man. All of which must have been a great comfort and encouragement to David. They two dear friends renew their covenant, and then Jonathan has to leave. I suspect David has to continue to elude the king’s troops, too.

Our situations and challenges today are not as dire as David’s horrible predicament. However, God continues to speak. God continues to encourage and lift up hearts, even through great trials and tribulations. Are you having troubles and difficulties in your life today? God is there, and ever present help in times of trouble and need.

Just as David’s best friend Jonathan was there to encourage him through the deep dark times, God can bring friends alongside of us, too. Friends can speak words of encouragement and trust to us, like “Be not afraid!”

Are you someone’s best friend? Is your best friend going through difficulties, pain, even trauma right now? Can you come alongside of your friend and encourage their hearts today? Consider your part. The Lord might be calling you to be that friend, today, or tomorrow.

What a ministry, that of being an encourager. What a kindness, and what a service to others. Whether you are the one who could use a friend, or whether you are the one called to be such a friend, remember David and Jonathan. Best friends forever. An encouragement, finding mutual strength in God.

Alleluia, amen.

[1] https://bible.org/seriespage/20-friend-indeed-1-samuel-2315-29 Bob Deffinbaugh 

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my regular blog for 2018: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and my other blog,  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!)