Marlon’s Musings #18

Have you ever wrestled with the tension between justice and grace—especially when it comes to the powerful and the wealthy?

In my latest post, Jesus and Zacchaeus: Hope for the Outcast, the Rich, and Everyone in Between, I explore the story of Zacchaeus in a way that connects ancient Scripture with modern concerns about power, wealth, and injustice. It’s a story that may challenge some assumptions—and offer a deeper picture of Jesus’ mission to seek and save the lost.

If you’ve ever wondered who Jesus’ message is really for, this is worth your time.

Read the full post here: [Insert Link]

Video

A while back, I came across the song “More” by Dan Dean. Dan is known as one-third of the trio Phillips, Craig & Dean. This song highlights how God has more healing than you have broken pieces, more freedom than you have chains, and more grace than your sins combined.

Quote

Although Abraham is indeed the Father of Faith, James points to him as an example that faith without works is dead. After all, Abraham was ready to sacrifice Isaac as a proof of his faith (James 2:21). Paul, on the other hand, points to Abraham as proof that justification is apart from works (Romans 4:13). Interestingly, in the story of Zacchaeus we see the perfect blending of Romans 4 and James 2—for just as Abraham believed God, so did Zacchaeus; and just as Abraham willingly offered to sacrifice his son, so Zacchaeus willingly offered the sacrifice of his goods.
—Jon Courson, Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2003), 392.

Habakkuk

Part 3 (read part 1 here, and part 2 here.)

The message of Habakkuk unfolds as follows:

Habakuk (a prophet) is upset, asking God why He doesn’t do something in light of the widespread wrongdoing and violence in Judah (Hab. 1:2-4).
God responds by indicating that He is about to act by raising up the Babylonians ( Hab. 1:6) to serve as the agents of His judgments on Judah.
This creates an even bigger problem for Habakkuk, and he wonders how God can allow this, since according to his assessment, the Babylonians are more wicked than the people of Judah (Hab. 1:13).
God challenges Habakkuk to have both patience and faith (Hab. 2:3-4) and declares that the wicked Babylonians will also receive their judgment (2:6-17).
In light of this revelation of God’s plan, the prophet reflects on God’s past actions to save His people (Hab. 3:5-15) and resolves to trust the Lord in the future, regardless of his circumstances (Hab. 3:17-18).

One of the key lessons I take away from Habakkuk is that it is not wrong to engage in candid dialogue with God to strive to understand His dealings with humans. Honest wrestling with comprehending God’s ways can ultimately lead to a deeper faith and a stronger connection with God.

That’s it for issue #18

For the previous newsletters you may have missed, you can click here (and scroll to the bottom of the page).

Until next time, may God bless you!

Marlon