The Meyer Minute

The Meyer Minute for August 17, 2016

Betrayed by a friend? David was. “It is not an enemy who taunts me—then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend” (Psalm 55:12-13). Not just a friend at work, in the neighborhood, or at the club, but a man who seemed to be a fellow believer. “We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng” (14).

It must have been war, attempts to kill him. So David prayed for their destruction. “Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart” (15). God answers prayer as He will, even when it comes to punishing evil. In our less than life-threatening betrayals, feeling helpless, trust God’s justice will prevail. “God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, because they do not change and do not fear God” (19). Vengeance is for God, not me (Romans 12:19). “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved” (22).

“His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.” As you interact with people today, keep Jesus closest. He’s the trust-worthy friend (John 15:13-14). He will vindicate His own (1 Peter 1:7).

The Meyer Minute for August 16, 2016

Back in 1988 lights were installed so that night baseball could finally be played in Wrigley Field. Sections of lights were assembled in a concrete-block building near the stadium. It’s said that when those lights were tested, they were so powerful they shone through the block walls.

You might question whether lights could actually be that powerful, but it’s hard to question the power of words. You’ve experienced that when you’ve been hurt by what someone said. Today’s presidential candidates are giving us a sad demonstration that words have effects. More pleasant and helpful are the times when someone’s words have encouraged you and given you hope.

Some of God’s words in the Bible are tough, shining a strong light on things we’ve done wrong or on missed opportunities to do good. However, the most comforting parts of the Bible are those passages – and there are thousands of them – that shine the healing light of God’s love and forgiveness into our hurting hearts. “A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench” (Isaiah 42:3). God promises that His word “shall not return to me empty” (Isaiah 55:11). “In your light do we see light” (Psalm 36:9).

P.S. This Minute is largely taken from “Coping with Cancer,” which I wrote for Lutheran Hour Ministries in 1993.

The Meyer Minute for August 15, 2016

You try to do well but what do you get?

When three people from Immanuel Lutheran Church of Joplin, Missouri, were in the church van Saturday with two comfort dogs, they got shot. Comfort dogs are Golden Retrievers specially trained to “be there” for people who have suffered deep trauma, who are in shock and grief. To hug and pet these dogs with their human handlers in the background creates opportunities for love to be felt and the hope of Christ to be spoken. Someone sprayed the van with bullets. All were shot, dogs Louie and Jackson too, and the van driver is in critical condition.

“It’s not worth it,” you’re tempted to think when your good is repaid with evil, but does retreat change anyone for the better? Is there any hope for the sad state of American society if Christians don’t let their light shine in the darkness of this day and age? How do you conform to Christ when you won’t suffer in His service? “Let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. Therefore, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful creator while doing good (1 Peter 4:15-16, 19).