Three Thoughts

In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was at the fortress of Susa. Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. [Nehemiah 1.1-4]

Nehemiah was broken-hearted over the condition of Jerusalem. That is a lesson for us today all by itself. I believe our problem is that we are simply not broken-hearted over our own condition and the condition of our country.

Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to live a celibate life. But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. [I Corinthians 7.1-2]

I have been blogging for over three years now. As I looked back today over the last three years' posts on this day, I can see that my understanding about what is written here has not changed. For many, Puritan thinking is suffocating the married Christian's sex life. And, if I am reading this passage and the following discussion correctly, this same Puritan thinking within marriage is ultimately responsible for "outside-of-marriage" sin (vs. 5b). (Surely I am continuing to get this wrong and, in reality, adultery, divorce, homosexuality, and the likes are not a problem even in the church...)

Love the Lord, all you godly ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes the arrogant. [Psalm 31.23]

Okay, so who believes this? Really?

Father, Your Word is so absolutely amazing. I love it! I crave it! I need more! I am grateful that, although I sincerely struggle with some things I find in the Bible, You are still feeding me - nourishing me - growing me. I can feel it. I can see it. I honestly think I am learning to live it and share it. Thank You!