Tag: god

This is NOT a Christmas Sermon

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

“We think about God as a God of love. We know that ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but should have everlasting life.’ We know that God loves. But did you know that God also hates? Do you know that God also is a God of war?” –Franklin Graham *

This is NOT the way I would start a Christmas sermon. And if online comments are any indication, few other pastors would either. Rev. Graham spent the next 8 minutes telling the story of God’s “hatred” for the Amalekites after they had ambushed the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 17:8ff). The Amalekites were defeated, thanks to a miracle, but God never forgot the attack. Four hundred years later, God commanded King Saul (1 Samuel 15) to completely obliterate the Amalekites as punishment for their attack in the wilderness. Saul was told to kill every man and woman, every infant and child, every animal–cattle, sheep, camels and donkeys. Saul violated God’s command by sparing the king of the Amalekites and keeping the best of the animals. Because of Saul’s failure to obey, God rejected Saul as King.

Rev. Graham mentioned Jesus’s birth, his death for the sins of the world, his resurrection and the promise of his second coming toward the close of his sermon, but I was so distracted by the first 8 minutes of the message focused on God’s 400-year-old grudge and the retribution God ordered that I couldn’t concentrate on the remaining 5 minutes.

This was a Christmas message? And what was the message those in the audience were to supposed to take from the sermon (especially in the context of the location–the Pentagon, headquarters of the Department of War–and recent military action–the destruction of small boats and the people onboard)? Was it a message that God destroys sinners and uses patriots to accomplish God’s destruction? Was it a message to suggest that God is on side of the modern-day state of Israel and a justification for its ongoing genocide of their enemy, the Palestinians in Gaza? Was it affirmation that God blesses the use of US military might to punish God’s (and our) enemies? Was it a subtle blessing of our leader’s incessant pursuit of punishment of those who oppose him? Was it a reminder to the US military brass that following orders is a moral obligation no matter what those orders are? Was it a warning on the consequences of disobeying the Commander in Chief?

Whatever people took from the sermon, Brian Kaylor, editor-in-chief of Word & Way, noted that “Graham offered the Secretary of War [Pete Hegseth] a Christmas gift by proclaiming a God of war.” Hegseth took that gift and ran with it. On December 17, the Secretary of War issued an order for the destruction of a boat in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, claiming the boats were “engaged in narco-trafficking operations” without providing evidence. Four people were killed in the attack. And then, on December 18, two more boats were destroyed, killing 5 people. Since September 2, over 100 people have been killed in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

Here’s a message from Jesus, the Word made flesh who dwells among us: “You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemies.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven, [who] causes [the] sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

* (These are the opening sentences of Franklin Graham’s sermon at the Pentagon’s inaugural Christmas Worship Service on December 17, 2025.)

The Question God is Asking

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

“Can a corrupt throne be allied with You—a throne that brings on misery by its decrees? The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. Psalm 94:20-21 (New International Version)

Whoever says that the Bible isn’t political hasn’t read the Bible. Read the prophets. It is impossible to avoid their words of condemnation for the unjust policies, abuses of power and evil practices of the “princes” and their powerful allies. Their corruption, their schemes, and their lies and their cover-ups are named and exposed. Here are a few examples:

Isaiah 10:1 “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees.

Jeremiah 22:13 “Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, making his own people work for nothing, not paying them for their labor.”

Ezekiel 34:2 “Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves!”

Micah 2:1 “Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.”

Habakkuk 2:12 “Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by injustice!”

Zephaniah 3:1 “Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled!”

Zechariah 11:17 “Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock!”

The unknown writer of Psalm 94 is also aware of the corruption around him. But instead of exposing the corruption (“Woe to those who…”), he calls out to God, “Rise up, Judge of the earth!” and lists all the atrocities committed by the powerful. He knows that God sees what is happening and has faith that God will turn it all around. But still, there is the question: “How long will God wait?”

I can relate. I know the corruption of our leaders. I see the direct impact of their policies–hunger, fear, detainment, death. I know God must see it too, and I’m confident that God will turn it around…but when? “How long?” I want God to intervene to correct the injustices and hold the perpetrators accountable sooner than later because we may not survive their abuse.

But then, God asks a question of the Psalmist: “Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?” (Psalm 94:16) God is looking for those on the ground who are willing to step up to participate in the resistance. God is asking for someone to say “Woe to those who…” and announce, “We see you. We are holding you accountable. And God, Judge of the earth, sees you too and will restore justice for those you have harmed.”

Who will answer God’s question? Who will stand up and speak up? Who will demand accountability? This is THE question for God’s people now. It is God’s call to prophetic action in the face of corrupt leaders and their death-dealing, oppressive policies that target the most vulnerable. The role is not easy. Even the Psalmist felt anxious, but he found courage in God’s unfailing love and promise of protection. We can too. So answer God’s question. “I will rise for righteousness. I will take a stand for God’s justice.”

Priorities

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

The government shutdown has shut me down. Though I wanted to post something online every day, there was always something new to deal with–not the least, the constant notifications of ICE presence in our community wrestling people to the ground and dropping tear gas canisters to disperse crowds that are protesting their use of excessive force. Obviously, a government shutdown has not impacted ICE agents paychecks or activities, but it has impacted everything else. Today, 42.5 million low-income seniors, children, unhoused, and veterans who depend on SNAP woke up to the reality that feeding themselves this month will be a challenge.

And what is our President doing? Posting on social media, of course. But he’s not posting about ending the shutdown or opening the SNAP contingency fund so that children will not go to bed hungry in the richest nation on the planet. No. He’s posting about how he has remodeled the Lincoln Bathroom at the White House in exquisite black and white marble with resplendent gold fixtures..

I was reminded of God’s displeasure (expressed through the prophet Haggai) about the peoples’ priorities. God asks, “Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses while this house (God’s temple) lies in ruins?” (Haggai 1:4 – Common English Bible)

After returning to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon and rebuilding the walls of the city, the people prioritized renovating their homes. Meanwhile, the temple was a pile of rubble and there was no sense of urgency about restoring it.

I sense the same misplaced priorities today–not just from the president, but from so many others in leadership. The temple of God, made up of the living stones of God’s holy people, is neglected and in ruins. And there is seemingly no interest in addressing the distress. No concern. No urgency. No regard.

Building a ballroom, renovating the Kennedy Center and paneling the Lincoln bathroom in marble while people suffer exposes the heart of this administration. Leaders may talk about restoring faith and promoting morals, but their actions (and inaction) reveal the truth: Their thoughts are not God’s thoughts; their priorities are not God’s priorities; their agenda is not God’s agenda.

God’s word to the people through Haggai was, ““Give careful thought to your ways.” (Haggai 1:7) It’s time to rebuild the living temple of God–not maintain the façades of success and glory because, in the end, the marble will crumble.

The Path We Are On

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

Historian Jamar Tisby has said, “There’s a popular phrase that says ‘history repeats itself.’ More accurately, history doesn’t repeat itself—history rhymes.” 

His quote came to mind as I was reading the story of King Jeroboam in 1 Kings 12. Considered a defender of the oppressed, Jeroboam was made King by the people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. However, to ensure that the people would remain loyal to him and to consolidate his power, Jeroboam began to dismantle the religious and social structures that had been part of Israelite history and culture. To discourage worship at the temple in Jerusalem in the Southern Kingdom of Judah, Jeroboam built several new temples at Bethel and Dan. Instead of appointing Levites as priests as prescribed by the Torah, he allowed anyone–qualified or unqualified–to serve in the new temples. Jeroboam had 2 golden calves made–which he placed at Bethel and Dan–and declared that they should be worshipped as “God who led you out of Egypt.” He offered sacrifices to the golden calf at Bethel, leading the people to do the same. In addition, he introduced a new calendar based on the Egyptian calendar, replacing the traditional dates of Jewish holidays and diminishing their significance. It all has a familiar ring to it.

While there was condemnation of Jeroboam’s new policies–particularly from “A Man of God” who arrived in Bethel at the installation of the golden calf–the people of Israel who had made Jeroboam their king gave him their loyalty and devotion. Jeroboam reigned as king for 22 years in Israel.

But Jeroboam’s reign was offensive to God. Ahijah, an old blind prophet, pronounced God’s judgement on Jeroboam and his house in 1 Kings 14:9-10: “You have made yourself other gods and cast false idols in their honor. You have aroused My wrath by putting Me behind you. Therefore, beware. I will bring destruction to Jeroboam’s house.” And because the people of the Northern Kingdom had supported Jeroboam’s destructive policies and become complicit in his evil, God had a word for them too. “[God] will abandon Israel because of Jeroboam’s wickedness, which caused all of Israel to be wicked as well.” (1 Kings 14:16)

Jeroboam’s name became synonymous with wickedness. Every Israelite king that followed was compared to Jeroboam. Every one of them was described by this common refrain: “He walked the wicked path of Jeroboam, causing the Israelites to live sinful lives.” (The Voice translation).

Leadership matters. Character matters. Behavior matters. Government practices and policies matter. And loyalty to a corrupt leader and corrupt policies results in corruption and self-destruction.

Jeroboam’s name is remembered, but never honored. His reign is included in the annuls of the Kings, but it is a cautionary tale. The evil of his reign infected the reigns of every king who followed him for the next 200 years. The people who made him a King became complicit in his evil and became evil with him, infecting future generations.

Another story is embedded in the story of Jeroboam and the kings that followed him; it is the story of the prophets who stood against their corruption. Ahijah, Elijah, Elisha, and Amos–along with others. According to 2 Kings 17:13, “The Eternal One gave fair warning to Israel and Judah…through the mouths of the prophets and seers throughout the land: “Abandon your wickedness, and obey My commands and laws which I gave to your ancestors through the mouths of My servants, the prophets.” Sadly, the words of the prophets went unheeded and the rest is history.

History rhymes. And when it does, we will have to choose. Will we walk the path of Jeroboam or will we walk the path of justice and righteousness? Will we be the sycophants of this administration or will we be the prophets who speak for liberation? The path we are on right now is rhyming in my ears with “upheaval” and it will only take us to hell. There is still time to choose a new path, but I’m afraid that the window of opportunity is closing.