Sabbath Psalms: Image of God

Psalm 67:4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth.

There is a lot of fabricated controversy surrounding the term DEI which stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Some folks get really incensed when they see those letters or feel that their white privileged position is threatened simply because others who are different are getting more opportunities to better their lives. Rather than allow others the chance to raise themselves up from poverty, depravity, and ignorance, those who are angry about DEI are trying to eradicate it entirely to secure their own entitled position.

‘Equity’ is a Biblical word and reveals to us that our Creator – who loves the diversity of people and included the whole world in the plan of salvation – treats us not just equally, but with equity which means that when it comes to judging human beings, God takes their backgrounds and circumstances into account. If God was to purely treat us on an equal basis, then those with privilege, power, and prestige would have an advantage. Equity is why Christ sees the poor widow’s two pennies as being infinitely of more worth in the Temple offering than the pre-calculated, restricted, and designated portions which the rich and powerful gave.

So, for those of you who are furious about DEI and seek to destroy it, let me seriously caution you: God created and still sustains a diverse world which the Lord rules with equity and includes everyone in everlasting love. Are you going to foolishly try to take that away from God as well? By the way, if you need an easy reminder, the old Latin phrase for ‘the image of God’ which we all have been graciously given, is ‘Imago DEI.’

Point to ponder: Why did God make such a diverse world? How inclusive is God’s love?

Prayer: Lord God, You created a wonderful world full of diverse beings, made in Your image and sustained by Your love. Help us to let go of greed and resentment, jealousy and bigotry which have no place under Your domain, Your sovereignty, Your rule. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen 

John Stuart is a retired Scottish pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Midweek Message: Winging It

Midweek Message – Winging It

Psalm 57:1      Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

I can remember my old pastor preaching part of this psalm to me when I was about twelve years old. It left me confused, not because of what he said, which was all about security and refuge in God, but because of the mistaken image that I had concocted from what the psalmist wrote. You see I tried to picture God having wings, but I couldn’t decide whether they were the soft, white wings like a dove, or the mighty, golden wings of an eagle.

My problem arose because I was trying to interpret the Bible verse literally. I got so hung up on picturing g the image that I missed what was really important in the psalm – that of knowing God as my refuge in times of trouble.

I also fell for the same mistake when I was at seminary. This time it wasn’t the wings that caused my confusion, it was the shadow of the wings. I reasoned that in order for a shadow to be produced, light has to be behind and above the object in order to cast it on the ground. “How could anything be above and behind God?” I argued. Again, I was taking the text too literally and just using it for the sake of debating with my professors and peers.

The Bible helps us to understand about who God is and how He intervenes in our lives. However, if we take the scriptures too literally, as in the case of this image, then we will miss the point altogether. The Bible guides us towards God and reveals to us His plan of salvation through Christ. It is sacred and gives us a better understanding of the holiness, power, and grace of God, but the Bible is not meant to be fanatically idolized or worshiped like God.

Point to ponder: What biblical images of God mean something special to me?

Prayer: Lord God, when we take refuge in the shadow of Your wings, we know that it means we can find a haven and sanctuary in You. As we rely upon You for everything in our lives, encourage us to read more from the Bible, so that we can learn more about You in order to faithfully and thankfully worship You. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

For Such a Time as This

For Such a Time as This

2 Samuel 22:31   This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. (ESV) 

In such a time as this, it’s difficult to keep believing that things will get better. Our current leaders are obsessed with breaking everything within a few months that took decades to fight for and achieve. Our Civil Rights have not just been challenged, they have been intentionally diminished with the sole purpose of destroying them forever. This political subjugation and marginalization of minorities is being ruthlessly pursued by those who hate diversity, equity, and inclusion. They now brazenly oppress people who are different because of their race, gender, orientation, or origin rather than share power, prosperity, or prestige. They seek to protect their privileges rather than diminish their elitism. 

They also use the old reactionary mechanism of ‘divide and conquer’ by pitting one less powerful group against another. We see this all over Appalachia in impoverished and isolated places that are full of people who keep voting in representatives and leaders who do nothing to improve their communities, but as long as they are sticking it to the other side, then Appalachians will just put up with the hardship they endure. It’s sad to see so many rural communities who fall into this Machiavellian manipulation. Their elected officials couldn’t care less about diminishing USAID or FEMA, even though it’s their constituents – farmers, miners, and rural workers whose lives are shortened, whose children’s education is diminished, and whose economies will hardly improve. Their elected leaders can send their kids to private schools, receive gifts and bribes from lobbyists, and end up rich, famous, and financially secure. In private, these appointed representatives are both laughing at their poor misguided and misinformed voters, as well as all the way to the bank. 

Just like generations before us, the only way to improve our rights is to fight for them, to speak out for the voiceless, and stand up for the marginalized. Things will never get better if we acquiesce to the arrogance, bigotry, and hatred of those in power. It will take courage and determination to oppose those who seek to divide, diminish, and conquer. It will also require us to confront the vast amount of falsehood and lies that our leaders, representatives, and spokespeople constantly spew. If we align ourselves to the truth, then we are allying ourselves to God and the goodness He seeks for people on earth, as well as our nation. It will not be easy, but then again, fighting for freedom and living for liberty has always been difficult. 

May God bless us all as we stand for the truth in the Lord’s love, which is abundantly diverse, sacredly equitable, and graciously inclusive.

Pastor John