Dave Dishman

In a rather gross metaphor, the psalmist refers to those who are contemptuous of God like a lump of grease: The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law.

The phrase unfeeling like fat describes a an attitude of callousness and spiritual dullness. Arrogance and self-sufficiency numb the impertinent to the ways of God. In contrast, the writer chooses to follow God’s law. He reads the Scriptures and lives by their direction. His inner being grows healthier as pride melts away in the light of God’s Word.

Spiritual health is similar to physical health. If I allow fatty tissue to invade my heart, my body suffers and the build-up prematurely ends my life. Lard oozing through my arteries is the last thing I want, so I exercise and eat right in order to counteract the situation.

I hope to keep such catastrophe from my spiritual heart as well. Taking in God’s word and putting it into practice burns off the fat and creates a heathy soul in its place, one responsive to God and to the people around me.

Psalm 119:69-70

A long obedience in the same direction describes attempts to stay true to the Lord until our final days. Some folks start strong, then fade toward the end. This was the case with King Asa of Judah. After years of consulting the Lord before making decisions, the king initiated a treaty with one enemy to defeat another without bothering to seek God’s wisdom. Hanani the Seer confronted the king with these words:

Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you…For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly.

Asa raged at this message. He threw Hanani in prison and mistreated his own people. A disease soon developed in Asa’s feet (likely some sort of vascular issue) which grew severe. Even in his pain he turned to his physicians rather than the Lord. Asa died a bitter old man.

What turned Asa? What led him to ignore the Lord after years of faithful allegiance? Perhaps his previous successes went to his head. His kingdom grew strong and wealthy under his leadership. Maybe he believed this abundance emerged from his skills rather than from the hand of the Lord? Regardless, Asa finished poorly. He faded at the end of his life.

What’s to keep me from doing the same? The Lord has been good to me. As I enjoy family and friends and success I’m tempted to believe I made it on my own. But that’s false. The Lord’s blessings surround me. I’m better off staying connected with the One who got me here, and hopefully avoid a repeat of Asa’s dismal end-of-life story.

2 Chronicles 16:7-14

Photo by Crawford Jolly

True confession—I like to follow politics. As candidates for office emerge, I’m often astounded by the lack of character displayed by political actors. Like I want a person with so little self-control to make decisions on my behalf? But before I add my barbs I need to ask: Am I a person of good character?

Paul lays out a teaching plan for Titus, his pastoral protégée. He gives guidelines for parishioners of all ages: older men, older women, young women and young men. It’s a description of how people of strong character should act.

I pay particular attention to my demographic—older men. Here are Paul’s instructions: Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

His list pulls no punches.

As an older man in the faith I’m to live sober-minded, to think with clarity and not give in to wild schemes or flashy ideas. I’m to walk as a dignified man, one who is kind, sincere, not crass or given to strong drink, trustworthy and appropriate around the opposite sex. Paul reminds me to stay self-controlled, to resist the smorgasbord of sin provided by the world around me. Learn to say no to impulses popping up like whack-a-moles.

Paul adds to stay sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. I’m to study the Scriptures and keep to them. As I seek to love God and love those around me, I’m to realize the inherent value of every single person who crosses my path and respond to them as Jesus would.

Finally, remain steadfast. To strive for loyalty, faith and commitment. Be a man others can count upon. Stick up for what it right and don’t shy from conflict. Make hard decisions. Base this stance on the Lord, the Scriptures and the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is quite a list to apply. I fail regularly, which reminds me of my need for the Lord to empower my life. But I trust God will move me in this direction. Such a life leads to flourishing. The older I get the more I realize that I’d rather be a person of quiet influence and trust, overlooked even, than a politician making scandalous headlines.

Titus 2:2

Photo by Mika Baumeister

What did we do before we went to Siri with our questions, or Google for restaurant reviews, or YouTube for instructional videos? How did we write term papers without AI? (I have to admit, that temptation would have been hard to overcome as a college student). Back in the day we needed a set of encyclopedias and a person with expertise to answer our questions.

The Queen of Sheba needed someone to answer her questions. She loaded up her camels, dragged her court ministers along and set out to find Solomon, reportedly the wisest man in the world. She needed answers and braved a perilous trip through the desert to find them.

Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions…And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions. There was nothing hidden from Solomon that he could not explain to her.

Whatever she asked Solomon answered. We get a hint of God working behind the scenes, as the king understood every nuance of each successive inquiry. Enamored with Solomon, the queen drank in his wisdom. Her stay lasted for months, maybe even a couple of years, and as she left for home she blessed Solomon and the Lord his God.

How great to have an answer-man (Solomon would host a killer podcast today). It’s healthy to ask the hard questions of faith and life, to swing into our doubts and worries. I have wise people in my life, but how often to I glean from their wisdom? Not enough, I’m afraid. I should ask questions without the fear of looking dumb or uninformed. Wisdom surrounds us if we know where to look.

Lord, put wise people in my life and help me ask them the right questions.

2 Chronicles 9:1-2

Photo by James