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1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15)
There is a lot of cynicism about government. A 2020 Pew Research Center poll found that just 20% of Americans trust the federal government, and the events in Washington in January may illustrate deeper cynicism. John Wesley’s comments on this lesson may provide insights about our present situation in America. He claimed that in seeking a king, the desires of the people of Israel exceeded their reason (Commentary on the Bible, p.183). Maybe in our political choices we have followed our desires more than reason. In our post-Trump context, we dare not forget the warning issued by 18th-century British commander John Edward Acton that “power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

In dealing with this lesson, it is important to note that God did not stop the creation of a monarchy in Israel. This seems an acknowledgement of the need for government (see Romans 13:1). It is as Alexander Hamilton wrote in The Federalist Papers (p.110):

Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without constraint?

Martin Luther makes clear that government is really a creation of God, ultimately dependent on our Lord:

Let government be whatever it please, it is not of men; otherwise it would not be safe for one hour. If God did not sustain government authorities with His power, Mr. Everybody would kill all of them. Since, then, government is in God’s power and ordinance, one must look upon it as God’s representative. (What Luther Says, p.576)
Mark E. 

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Psalm 138
The psalmist proclaims, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me.” We don’t talk about wrath much. Anger, yes. Hate, yes. Violence, yes. But wrath fits in times of extreme rage and anger. Wrath fits in times of hate and violence. It’s an old, not often used word, but I experienced wrath at a recent congregational gathering. People were so hurt, so angry, so in pain, that there was no way forward in healthy communication. There were accusations. There was name calling. There was yelling even. I would call it wrath. Had we all had the ability or taken the action to reach our hands out to God, had we been able to move into prayer, seeking God’s guidance, the tide and tenor of the conversation might have changed. I am preserved and delivered, but many were not. I pray God’s hand deliver.
Bonnie B.

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Psalm 138
This is a psalm of thanksgiving and being thankful is good for you. The Nov. 20, 2012 issue of “Psychology Today” reported on a Chinese study which revealed that higher levels of gratitude were associated with better sleep, and with lower anxiety and depression. It is good to be grateful. British writer G. K. Chesterton makes this point with a challenge:

When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.

John Calvin adds an interesting observation about reasons for being grateful to God. He’s not so great that He forgets anyone:

... the greatness of God does not prevent His having respect for the poor and humble ones of the earth. (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.VI/2, p.202)
Mark E.

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2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1
Everyone knows the process by which a caterpillar morphs into a butterfly. A caterpillar stuffs itself with leaves, growing plumper and longer through a series of molts in which it sheds its skin. One day, the caterpillar stops eating, hangs upside down from a twig or leaf and spins itself a silky cocoon or molts into a shiny chrysalis. Within its protective casing, the caterpillar’s body is radically transformed, eventually emerging as a butterfly or moth.

I reviewed that process from the website Scientific American. What I didn’t know is what happened inside the cocoon. According to the same website, the caterpillar, first, digests itself, releasing enzymes to dissolve all its tissues. Then the process of transformation begins as the cells begin to form the wings, antennae, legs, eyes and all the other features of an adult butterfly or moth. While I’ve been aware of the caterpillar/butterfly transformation for a long time, I did not know what happened in the cocoon. It sounds difficult and perhaps even painful.

I thought about that process as I read this passage again. We go through struggles and hardships in this life. Paul acknowledges that. He writes in verses 16-17, “Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure.” I don’t know if the butterfly remembers what it was like to be a caterpillar, but I doubt it. There will come a day when the struggles of this life will be no more and forgotten as we enjoy an eternal glory in the presence of our king.
Bill T.

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2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1
In this passage, Paul has been talking about real afflictions – he will catalog his personal afflictions later in the letter – and demonstrates by example that we cling to scripture for strength in tough times. Paul quotes Psalm 116:10 when he writes, in Greek, “I believed, and so I spoke.” One might make the point that Paul is sort of misquoting the verse by taking it out of context. If you turn to the psalm, you might read something like this: I kept my faith, even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted….”

But Paul is quoting from the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures, which reads, indeed, “I believed, and so I spoke.” More to the point, when we’re sinking in the storm, and reaching for anything to cling to, it’s what the hymn or the scripture verse says to us at that moment which saves us.

Maybe later, when things are calmer, we can take time to appreciate the larger context, and the depths of meaning in each scripture, but at the moment, when we need help sometimes the Holy Spirit has a special message for us in a verse that we need right now.
Frank R.

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Mark 3:20-35
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” These ancient words from the gospel of Mark have never been truer. We are divided, in homes, families, churches, communities, nations. We have forgotten how to talk civilly in dialogue with one another. We have forgotten dialogue all together. It seems that we speak to convince the other that we are right, and they are wrong. Divided houses cannot stand. Divided churches cannot stand. What is the answer? It is the same as it always has been. The answer is to love, to focus on love. To see those around us through the eyes of God, of Christ. We need some serious rebuilding. Love is the answer.
Bonnie B.

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Mark 3:20-35
There is a lot of uncertainty in America about salvation. A survey conducted by the Cultural Research Center of Arizona Christian University revealed that a plurality of American adults (48%) and most American Christians (52%) believe that salvation can be earned. We are not sure salvation is certain, despite what Jesus seems to say in v. 28. But what of the unpardonable sin? Billy Graham nicely described it once:

The unpardonable sin is rejecting the truth about Christ. It is rejecting, completely and finally, the witness of the Holy Spirit, which declares that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who alone can save us from our sins.

Somebody struggling with concern about faith and salvation is not committing the sin against the Holy Spirit! We do well to keep in mind John Calvin’s reflections on this matter of confidence in our salvation. He wrote: “The very nature of God makes it impossible for Him not to be merciful.” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.VI/1, p.131)
Mark E.