"God- What are YOU Going to Do About It?"; Habakkuk 1:1-7

 

Rev. George Miller

Nov 27, 2022

Habakkuk 1:1-7

 

The last 2 weeks have been distressing, with the events in the Dominican Republic, 3 athletes killed, Walmart.

 

The murder of 5 people at a Colorado gay bar left me numb.  It’s the same number as those we lost at SunTrust.  Second- I’ve lived with this reality since 1991.  Someone named Ash posted a comment that reflects this best-

 

“Please know that for years, every Queer person in your life…who attend/host public events anticipate violence against us.  We go into these spaces knowing we are targets, that we may not come out alive...”

 

And yet, myself and others don’t always speak aloud this sentiment or preach about it.  We don’t want to upset others.  We worry that if we say these words, we expose a vulnerability for someone to act on.

 

So we stay silent, smile.  We bedazzle you with our wit, our style.  But every time I’ve gone to a gay bar, attended a Pride event, there’s an awareness of the danger.

 

That’s why I’m thankful that last week we had a prophetess, a staunch ally, a ferocious Momma Bear in Nancy, who stood up, speaking the words.

 

Nancy- thank you.  Thank you for speaking for your son, for me.  Thank you for speaking because in your voice we heard the words I couldn’t say.

 

What we heard from Nancy were the words of a modern-day prophet who was compassionate enough to speak for the people and did so in a setting in which God had no choice but to hear.

 

What Nancy said was “Where is the justice, where is the kindness, where is the humility?  Enough is enough.”

 

Nancy- you now join the ranks of other prophets, like Isaiah, like Jonah, and like Habakkuk who we hear today.

 

Habakkuk was a prophet who was living at a time in which war could break out at any moment.

 

Habakkuk was a prophet who looked around at his beloved country and said “What the heck!”

 

He was a prophet whose faith was so great, and knowledge of God so extensive, that he knew he had a bone to pick with God, and that God would listen.

 

Habakkuk was not someone to say “Oh well, it’s a mystery and not my place to ask.”  He did not sit silent when he saw the nation turning topsy.

 

Habakkuk was someone who said to God what needed to be said.

 

“Oh Lord,” he says “How long are I and your people going to cry?  Are you deaf?  How long are you going to let these mindless deaths take place and not do anything about it?”

 

Habakkuk goes on “There are those who are breaking laws right in front of our eyes and the judicial system does nothing.  Folk are being preyed on by the powerful.”

 

It’s like Egypt all over again, except there’s no Red Sea parting for them, so Habakkuk holds God accountable. 

 

Habakkuk could be writing today.  It’s scary to hear how little has changed.

 

There’s housing issues with people in penthouses taking advantage of others.  There’s people in need being cut-off from assistance and cities making money on inequality.   

 

They should know better.  This isn’t just any nation, this is a holy nation established for the purpose of God’s people to live a life walking with the Lord.

 

God’s grand experiment of heaven on earth has been a flop.  So Habakkuk holds God responsible and accountable for God’s apparent inaction.

 

God responds.  God hears Habakkuk’s cries and complaints, and God speaks to the prophet.

 

But you know, I don’t really care what God has to say.  I don’t know if I buy God’s reasons or excuses today.  What I care about is this-

 

Habakkuk and his people were in a world of hurt back then, just as we are in a world of hurt today.

 

And at some point words and reasons can only go so far.  At some point it all comes down to “God, what are you going to do about it.”

 

God- what are you going to do about it???  …to which God says “My beloved child, what are WE gonna do about it.”

 

If you recall, last week we stated that “God saves”, but it is almost always through us, and with us that God saves.  God saves as Judith, Miriam, Moses play a part.

 

God saves.  Today we begin the process of anticipating  the birth of Jesus so that God, in human flesh, can show us how to do justice, kindness, and humility.

 

God saves, and today we wait upon the birth of Jesus so that God can show us what it looks like when bodies are cared for, lives changed, relationships restored, and people are greeted with welcome and grace.

 

Habakkuk is speaking words of a community that is living hell on earth.  Today we anticipate the birth of Jesus to show us how to live as if heaven is in the right here and right now.

 

Habakkuk succinctly asks the question; Advent prepares us to welcome Jesus who will provide the answers.

 

Let us listen to the voice of Jesus so we can hear what’s being said, to learn how to be one with God so we can live as one with each other.

 

Amen.

God Saves; We Play Our Part; Isaiah 36:13-20

 

Rev. George Miller

Nov 20, 2022

Isaiah 36:13-20

 

“God saves.”  GOD SAVES- it’s a beautiful theme; an inspiring idea that we see throughout Scripture.

 

Exodus 19- God bears us up on eagle’s wings.  2 Kings 5- Naaman is restored to health.

 

“God saves” is inspiring to say, but for God to save, there must be a situation to be saved from.  You can’t celebrate salvation unless there is an obstacle that needs to be defeated.

 

Throughout scripture we hear about God’s salvation- from hunger, slavery, family conflict.  Today the situation is 701 BCE:  the Holy City is circled by the enemy, ready to attack.  It’s a hopeless situation. 

 

They taunt King Hezekiah in front of the citizens.  “Don’t listen to him.  Don’t believe your God is going to do a dang thing.  Surrender now.”

 

King Hezekiah and the people choose not to surrender.  Facing distress, the leadership consults with the prophet Isaiah who gives wise counsel.  Hezekiah meditates and prays on it. 

 

For 2 chapters this goes on- 57 verses of distress and the city about to fall.

 

Then 37:36 comes along and we are simply told that in one night God defeats the enemy; the people saved.

 

It's frustrating because this story goes on and on with all this worry and woe, but when we get to the big action sequence the author is like “Oh, well- God defeated them.”

 

If this was a Hollywood movie, we’d be like what?  We sat through 2 hours and don’t even get an action sequence?

 

The author is making a theological choice.  They don’t want us to focus on how the obstacle was erased, they want to focus on the theme- “God saves; God defeats.”

 

The author tells us that an angel strikes down everyone, but let’s be honest: most likely the people of Israel came together and fought like lions and bears to defend their home. 

 

Most likely there was a lot of blood and gore.  Most likely many of the Israelites lost their lives.  But the author does not want to focus on that. 

 

The author wants us to focus on this- God saves.  In a time of distress, somehow, some way, God defeats it.

 

That’s what makes Judith such a powerful story.  The Book of Judith showed us the distress, but it zooms in on how 2 people, Judith and the woman who serves her, act to address the situation and resolve it.

 

At the end of Judith, the people are saved, God is given the glory, but we know it was because Judith and the woman who served her, acted, did not sit idly by, and played their part.

 

God saves.  No doubt about it.  We see this throughout the Bible.  We see that when God saves it is often because the people play a part in their salvation.

 

The Israelites had to be willing to walk through the Red Sea.  Naaman had to choose to dip himself in the Jordan.  The man in John 5 had to pick up his mat and walk to experience salvation.

 

God saves, miracles happen.  But it often involves human participation.

 

For example, last month we celebrated raising $2,000 for Haiti.  We did not get into the nitty gritty by saying how many people gave, who gave what, or that someone at the last moment rounded up the amount.

 

We raised $2,000 for Haiti because Carnide put in the work.  Randy and Steve cooked.  Folk set up the Fellowship Hall.  People attended, wrote checks, reached into their wallets and pocketbooks.  That’s what technically happened. 

 

When we announced the amount received, we didn’t tell you every detail; you didn’t know each person, or who gave what.

 

We celebrated that $2,000 was brought it for Haiti; we gave God all the glory, treating it like a miracle.

 

Because it was a miracle, it was God.  It was God working through every person who felt called to give.

 

God saves.  God’s been in the saving business since beginning, and it is often through our participation that God defeats what appears to be the undefeatable…

 

…Today is our Annual Meeting, and as with any church that has ever existed, we’re going talk about the budget.

 

For us to keep Emmanuel UCC moving forward, it will cost $204,500.  We plan to meet that.  To do so, Emmanuel will need to bring in an income of 3,932 dollars a week.

 

To do what we do the way Emmanuel does it, we will need to receive $3,932 a week through donations, fundraisers, gifts, rental fees.

 

$3,932 a week can sound distressing.

 

If it depended on one person alone, we’d close our doors tomorrow. 

 

But here’s the good news-

 

we do not depend on one person alone, nor does that $3,932 have to all come from us, it can be anywhere.

 

God saves. 

 

God finds how to defeat the undefeatable. 

 

How God saves and defeats is through Moses and Miriam, Joseph and Judith.

 

God saves through prophets, servants, kings, leadership teams, and folk we never anticipated to step in.

 

Think of Emmanuel UCC as a holy city.

 

Think of Emmanuel UCC as a holy city in which we are the citizens who do the heavenly work of:

 

worshiping God,

feeding nearly 200 kids a month, sending students to school,

repairing homes.

 

Think of Emmanuel UCC as a holy city in which we offer folk a chance to rest, to experience eternal life, and to connect with God free of fear.

 

While other places threaten you with the threats of damnation, or endorses the mistreatment  to the least of these,

 

Emmanuel UCC is a heavenly place that says   “Within our gates, we dwell with the assurance of God’s grace. 

 

Join us in being accountable to the Lord of life. 

 

Join us as we do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with the Lord.”

 

If we see Emmanuel UCC as a city, we could look at our 2023 budget as a threat and say we are under distress.

 

But remember- that it is while in distress that God saves.

 

If we see Emmanuel UCC as a holy city, we can say that we are not alone, nor are we helpless, for we have many Miriams and Mosses, we have many Josephs and Judiths.

 

Within the holy walls of Emmanuel UCC we have many kings and queens who shine bright with the ancestors of our faith.

 

We have many prophets, servants, and folk who we never anticipated to walk through our doors.

 

God saves; No doubt. God often saves through the people, for the people.

 

Just as Jerusalem was under great distress and God saved through prophet and king, leaders and priests, God can save us too.

 

How God saves will be through us, with us, through those who hear about us, through the ministry we provide, and through the gifts of our hearts,

 

At a time when freedoms are being taken away and Christ’s name is used as a weapon, God will fight with us as we fight too.

 

For that let us say “Amen.”

Unalone; 2 Kings 5:1-16

 

Rev. George Miller

Nov 6, 2022

2 Kings 5:1-16

 

It’s officially the Holiday Season, what retailers will say is the most wonderful time of year.

 

Except, that for many, it is not. 

 

For anyone feeling lonely, surviving a loss, living with depression, the next 2 months may feel like superficial joy amped up with steroids,

 

in which if you are not brimming with excitement, something must be wrong with you.

 

Today we acknowledge the reality that the next 8 weeks are going to be filled with a myriad of emotions, stressors, and financial foibles.

 

We want to address it.  Name it.  Gift all of us with grace and the permission to feel what you feel without judgement or second guessing.

 

We acknowledge what the next 8 weeks are and can be for those living with loss, illness, mental health issues.

 

This is a season in which one can feel incredibly lonely.

 

We want to remind you that like any season, this will pass, and we want you to know that as lonely as you may feel, you are not alone.

 

Today’s story is a perfect depiction of this theme.

 

We start with Naaman, commander of the king’s army.  Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because he’s a mighty warrior he doesn’t have his own personal battles.

 

Naaman is living with leprosy, a condition that in scripture is often more a metaphorical term than a medical one.

 

Naaman’s condition does not go unnoticed.  A young girl he captured has noticed. 

She knows there’s someone in Israel who can address his health related issue and bring a sense of healing.

 

As the story unfolds, we see how this young girl, Naaman’s wife, two kings, a prophet, a prophet’s messenger, and Naaman’s personal servants all get involved. 

 

Naaman is not alone, although at times he acts as if he is.

 

When he is told how to receive healing in his situation, Naaman’s 1st response is to feel anger, a very human reaction.

 

His next response is that he expected something magical, mystical to happen right away, without him having to give any effort, or do his part.

 

How often do witness ourselves wanting the magic pill or heavenly miracle as opposed to taking our own role in the responsibility?

 

Naaman next suggests that he knows better and storms away in rage.

 

Isn’t it wonderful to see how human Naaman is? 

 

Today, I would say that the water does not matter, the location does not matter, nor the number of times that Naaman dips his body matters.

 

I think he could’ve been told to pick three flowers and sing a song and the result would’ve been the same.

 

What stands out to me is how unalone Naaman is in his condition; how many people actually care about him, are invested in him, and want the very best for him.

 

Even if Naaman doesn’t see it, even if he doesn’t acknowledge it.

 

Naaman is so, so far away from being alone in this story, and I would venture to say that it is his connectedness with others that brings about his healing, that brings about the grace that goes beyond his rage and woes.

 

Friends, we have entered into a season that is both joyous and dangerous, a season that is filled with powerful emotions and painful memories.

 

It is important that as we embark in this season, as we shop, eat, buy, attend, donate, that we do not let the stress get to us, that we don’t lose focus on what this season is about.

 

Nor do we allow ourselves to feel like we are alone.  For no one in this sanctuary is alone.  We all have each other.  We all have the love of God.  We all have the grace of Jesus.

 

If you do feel alone, if you do have a dark moment, reach out.  Call me.  Text me.  Email me.  Set up an office visit.  Talk with Diane, Tracy, Ari.

 

Perhaps the best gift we can give ourselves this season is knowing we are not alone, but we are One in the Holy Spirit.  We are EMMANUEL.

 

Amen.

Wisdom of a Servant King; 1 Kings 3:16-28

 

Rev. George Miller

Oct 30, 2022

I Kings 3:16-28

 

52 years old.  52 and this week I learned some basic things.  Such as:

 

Successful people set aside time to focus on a task and adjust as necessary without thinking they’re a failure.

 

When you can’t figure it out, seek guidance from someone you admire.

 

When a family member is angry with grief, it’s best to shut your mouth, let them work it out themself.

 

Knowing when to speak, when to be still, when to move ahead, when to let go, when to give something one last try all involves wisdom.

 

Wisdom is the ability to think beyond your brain and cold facts, but to use heart, instinct, lessons learned from experiences and the ancestors, and guidance from the Holy Spirit.

 

Wisdom is what King Solomon sought.  In chapter 3, Solomon steps into his role as Israel’s 3^rd King.  God appears to him and asks “What can I give you?”

 

Solomon says “God, you have shown great love to my Dad.  You made me your new servant, and I don’t have the sense given to a goose. I ask that you give me an understanding mind to govern and serve your people.”

 

Solomon could have asked for anything - long life, riches.  Instead he asks to serve God’s most precious possession with an understanding mind.

 

What is the 1^st case in which Solomon’s wisdom is put to use?  A meeting between political leaders like Desantis and Crist?  Nope.

 

A discussion with corporate giants like Disney and Universal?  Nope.  Is it a dinner with the Hollywood elite like Spielberg and Tyler Perry?  Nope.

 

King Solomon’s first use of wisdom involves 2 unnamed citizens, women.  Not just women, but prostitutes.  Not just prostitutes, but their 2 illegitimate children, one who is dead.

 

You may be so used to hearing this story that we have become numb to it and taken it for granted.  I know I have.

 

Then this week all the pieces came together: King Solomon, the most powerful in the land, asks for wisdom to serve God’s people, and his 1st act not involves 3 humans who would’ve been seen as the lowest of the low. 

 

AND, Solomon’s wisdom focuses on the most natural, necessary part of human life-motherhood and childbirth.

 

As many here today know all too well, motherhood and childbirth are also some of the most heartbreaking and painful experiences there is.

 

Childbirth is natural, but it’s not easy- too many variables, too many things that can go wrong.  Childbirth brings forth life but pregnancy can also bring about pain, loss, tough choices.

 

The reality, complexity, and emotions of motherhood are perhaps the most female centric topic imaginable.

 

And that is what Solomon is called to focus on.  Not which politician to endorse.  Not which corporation to give the biggest tax cut too.  Not which celebrity to be seen with.

 

King Solomon’s 1st act as a public servant is to use his wisdom in regard to motherhood, a vulnerable child and women earning a living as sex workers.

 

And not once does he take a holier than thou stance or judge the women for who they are, what they do.

 

Today’s reading is an insight into who God is, how God wants God’s servants to be, and just who God cares about.

 

This truly is a “least of these” narrative in which we discover that God does care about us, God does care what we go through, God does care about all aspects of our life.

 

This story is not about a far away God who only has time for the named, the powerful, and the righteous.

 

Today’s story shows us how God is right here.  God has time for the unnamed, the weak, and those just trying to make it through another day.

 

God’s wisdom is that we are all God’s children; we all deserve to be cared for, seen, and heard.

 

God’s wisdom reminds us that the most ordinary, and universally shared experiences like life and death, loss and grief, really do matter to our Lord. 

 

For that, we can say “Amen.”