ANDREW'S AFFIRMATION

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Video: FALLING ASLEEP IN CHURCH Isaiah 29:13-24 This passage begins by raising the question of why we pray and why we participate in worship? The Lord is fully aware that many people pray with their mouths and worship God with their lips but he suggests that their heart is far from him and that their worship is the result of going through the mechanical motions that others had programmed into them. The people were well aware of the amazing and shocking things that God had done for his people, and so they figured it was best to keep saying the same prayers and doing the same rituals that their ancestors had done. While this makes sense, this is not the kind of prayer or worship that the Lord desires. Saying or doing things a particular way just because it was the norm, diminishes the wisdom of worship, the power of prayer, and the discernment of the discerning. Isaiah the prophet urges the people to consider whether or not their thoughts, words ...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Job 42:1-6 This passage depicts Job’s repentance and restoration. He confesses his lack of knowledge before the God who knows all things. Job affirms that God is still able to bring him comfort and assurance even when Job could not understand the origin and purpose of his current struggles. For a moment, in the depth of his crisis, Job doubted and misunderstood God. For this sin, Job despises himself and repents in dust and ashes. Fortunately, Job is able to recenter himself before God and, in faith, open himself to whatever God has in store for him. Once again, Job is able to see the holiness of God’s ways through the eyes of faith. Does God know more than us? Why or why not? Describe a situation where your lack of knowledge caused you to question God’s plan and purpose for your life? What does it feel like when you do not understand the origin and purpose of your life struggles? Is it a sin to doubt and misunderstand God? Explain. Are we open...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Isaiah 11:10-16 This passage describes a new exodus during the reign of the Messiah. The Lord will utterly destroy the tongue of the sea of Egypt; and will wave his hand over the river with his scorching wind; and will split it into seven channels, and make a way to cross on foot. There shall be a highway just as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt. The Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that is left of his people. He will assemble the outcasts and gather the dispersed from the four corners of the earth. On that day, jealousy shall depart and hostility shall be cut off. The people shall swoop down in victory; they will put forth their hand and the world will obey them. What impossible challenge are you facing today? Do you believe that God has the ability to help you overcome this challenge? Have you asked God to make a way for you to move forward in life? How might the experience of the...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Isaiah 9:8-17 This passage announces God’s judgment on the northern kingdom of Israel. It is interesting to note that the weapon used by God is his word itself. Israel failed to realize the weight of God’s word on the scales of justice. In their pride and arrogance, the people had rejected the word of God. They tried stubbornly to make lemonade out of lemons: "The bricks have fallen, but we will build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place." However, the Lord was not going to let them off that easily. The Lord raised adversaries against them, and stirred up their enemies, and they devoured Israel with open mouths. Even still, the people did not turn back to God. Consequently, the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail (head: elders and dignitaries; tail: prophets who teach lies). Those who led the people astray and those who were led by them were left in confusion. Because everyone...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Isaiah 9:1-7 In this passage we have one of the most popular references to the birth of the Messiah. The reading is filled with a message of hope for those who are suffering. It assures us that there is no more gloom for those who were in anguish. Although there was once contempt in the land, the Messiah has brought glory to the faithful children of God who traveled by land and sea. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. There is joy and exultation in the air. The yoke of the people and the bar across their shoulder (i.e. a symbolic reference to the burden carried by oxen) will be broken. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Isaiah 8:16-9:1 The prophet Isaiah offers a stern warning to God’s people. Those who choose to not wait upon the Lord will forever remain in darkness. They will never see the dawn. God exhorts them to bind up their testimony, seal the teachings that they have received, and wait patiently upon the Lord even when they feel that God is hiding his face from them. In the midst of  their fear and anxiety, they are not to consult ghosts or other spirits for advice. Such advice is not trustworthy and will only lead them to greater hunger and thirst. The ways of the world will make them mad and cause them to be thrust into thick darkness. However, those who trust in the Lord, even though they anguish now, they will be made glorious. What stern warning is God trying to communicate to us today? Have you grown weary in waiting upon the Lord? Are there times when some people might feel that giving up on life will lead them out of darkness and bring an e...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Isaiah 7:1-9 In this passage King Rezin of Aram (Syria) and King Pekah of Ephraim (Israel)  together launch a failed attack on King Ahaz of Jerusalem (Judah). Even still, the heart of Ahaz and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind. God entrusted the prophet Isaiah with the task of bringing a word of encouragement to King Ahaz. The Lord God gave his promise that the downfall of Jduah would not come to pass but Judah had to believe in God’s word. If they did not stand firm in faith, then they would not stand at all. Have you ever had an experience that shook you to the core? Describe what that experience was like and how it impacted you. What encouraged you in that moment to move forward in overcoming the crisis? Why is it hard to trust God in the midst of a crisis? It has been said - “If you do not stand for something, then you will fall for anything.” What are your thoughts on this? 2 Thessalonians 2...