Seeds For Thinking

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Scripture: David said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and refuge . . . “ (2 Samuel 22:3a)

There are many scriptural references to horns, in both the Old and New Testaments. Animal horns, the “usually paired bony processes that arise from the head of many ungulates,” especially those of cattle (the ox) and sheep (ram’s horn) were used for musical instruments and as containers.
The shofar, a ram's-horn trumpet, was blown by the ancient Hebrews in battle and high religious observances and used in synagogues before and during Rosh Hashanah and at the conclusion of Yom Kippur.
A horn was used to hold oil for the sacred rite of anointment (see 1 Samuel 16:1-13, where the Lord instructs the prophet to anoint David as king.)
The altar used during the Exodus journey had ‘horns’ on the four corners, overlaid with bronze. (See Exodus 27:1-8) The Book of Ezekiel also mentions an altar with four horns extending upward from the hearth. Blood from the sacrifice was to be placed on the four horns as part of the ceremony. (Ezekiel, 43:15; 20)
The Jewish historian, Josephus, describes the temple of Jesus’ day in The Wars of the Jews, Book V, Chapter V. The altar, which stood in front of the temple, had “corners like horns.”
The criminal, when his crime was accidental, found an asylum by laying hold of the horns of the altar (1 Kings 1:50; 2:28).
The phrase ‘horn of my salvation’ is typical of many scriptural references, in both the Old and New Testaments where it is obvious that “horn” had significance beyond trumpets and anointing vessels.
. The Bible uses ‘horn’ as a metaphor for strength; its loss as dishonor.
Moses compares the tribe of Joseph with a firstborn bull, with horns like the horns of a wild ox, (Deut. 33:17) denoting strength.
Lamentations 2:2-3 describes how the Lord, in fierce anger, has cut off the horn of Israel (strength) and brought her kingdom down to the ground in dishonor. Job, also, laments that he has “defiled my horn in the dust.” (Job 16:15, KJV)
Horns are emblems of power, dominion, glory, and fierceness, as they are the chief means of attack and defense with the animals endowed with them. The books of Daniel and Revelation are rich in prophetic imagery of horns, signifying royal dignity and the might of kings, especially military power, (Jer 48:25; Zac 1:18; Dan 8:24). John saw beasts with horns in Rev. chapter 13, vss. 1 and 11.
Zacharias echoes David’s psalm of triumph in Luke 1:69, that the Lord has “raised up a horn of salvation for us,” in the Christ, the Messiah, of John 3:16. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Paul proclaimed that all things - of the world, of life, death, things present or things to come - “all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” (1 Cor. 3:21-23)
February 4, 2007

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* Thorn In the Flesh
* Scripture: Jesus said, “He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust.” Matthew 5:45b, NKJV

Now I ask you , is that really fair? It only seems right that the evil and unjust should be punished in some way, and the righteous alone should be the beneficiary of God’s gifts.
Then there is the matter of the man who hired laborers at different times during the day, and paid them all the same wage, whether they worked all day in the sun, or just an hour or so. There should have been a government agency in charge of that one. (Mt. 20:1-16)
I’ve heard it said, “Don’t get mad; get even!” An eye for an eye. Tit for tat. You push me; I push back. Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. That’s the way the world goes.
Apparently Jesus doesn’t play by the world’s rules, though, from what He states in the preceding and following verses.
Love your -”enemies?” Bless those who curse you? No, those are not the way things usually go. Oh, we pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us, all right - for something nasty to happen to them.
Don’t think so? How about the tele marketer who calls at meal time; the #*%@ who cuts you off in traffic, or ducks into the parking place just ahead of you. You say nice things?
Let’s face it: it is a real struggle to rise above the trials and tribulations that come our way. The real test of a loving and forgiving heart comes when bad things happen to us. The slap on the cheek, the law suit, the unwanted request, as noted by Jesus in Mt. 5:38-42, give us an opportunity to witness to the power of a loving God.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 12:17) that he had a ‘thorn in the flesh,’ and pleaded to the Lord that it might be removed. The Lord replied, “My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul does not reveal the nature of the thorn in his flesh, only that the Lord’s answer was, “No!” Instead, Paul received God’s grace to bear the thorn.
We are not unlike Paul, then, when we are beset with infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses. Yes, we can - and should - pray about these things. The Lord can and will remove such as He desires.
Sometimes, though, the answer is not removal of the ‘thorn,’ but grace sufficient to endure, even as Jesus endured.
Take to heart the ‘Sermon On The Mount;’ pray that you develop qualities exemplifying the Father in heaven.
October 16, 2005

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* Concern For Children
* Scripture: Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:31a, NKJV

Solicitude, an attitude of attentive care and protectiveness; could aptly be defined as that time between when you hand your child the keys to the car, and when you hear the door safely close upon his or her return.
There are a lot of mixed emotions involved with the parenting of a child at any age, but it is especially difficult to watch without emotion as they step out into the wide, wide world on their own. There is pride in this moment, of course, on realizing what they have accomplished in their few years, but tempered by both the fact that this is one more step closer toward leaving the nest, and that there are many dangers and trials awaiting “out there.”
Each person, even as a child, is an individual, and though we do our best as a parent, we do not have total control over their thoughts or actions, nor should we. It is far better to lead them with lines of love than to bind them with chains of compulsion. The scriptures are filled with such admonitions, including the “Love” chapter of 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13. Paul also counseled the church at Ephesus concerning love within the family, between husbands and wives, and between parents and children. (Ephesians 5:22-6:4)
Jesus summed up the Commandments, Laws and Prophets with these words: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31, NKJV)
All that about love having been said, perhaps we need to step back a little and look at children as ‘neighbors.’ Read again Jesus’ words. We “own” neither our neighbors nor our children. As full-fledged individuals, neither are extensions of ourselves. True, we have a special responsibility to, and relationship with, our offspring, but they are not possessions to be used at our whim, nor as avenues to vicariously attain goals that perhaps eluded us. I have witnessed examples where parents forced children into activities the children did not desire, have read too many stories of abused children, and observed cases where people probably treated their neighbors better than they did their own children.
What do we wish for ourselves? Certainly, we wish to love and to be loved, to be safe from harm, and the freedom to express ourselves as an individual.
While Jesus especially showed concern for little children, he expanded the “neighborhood” in the parable of The Good Samaritan . (Luke 10:25-37) And Jesus replied, “Go and do likewise”
February 6. 2005

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Scripture: On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered: “ ‘ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. Do this and you will live.” Lk. 10:25-28, NIV
September 1, 2002

I Am My Church
My Church is composed of people like me,
We make it what it is.
It will be friendly, if I am.
Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them.
It will do great work, if I work,
It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver.
It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship, if I bring them.
It will be a church of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, and a church with noble spirit, if I, who makes it what it is, am filled with these traits.
Therefore with the help of God, I shall dedicate myself to the task of being all the things I want my church to be.
Amen.
Taken from The Flame of Newark District U.M. Women