Jun 17, 2018

NRSV

12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. 15 But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.

NIV

12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 5 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”
Notice the similarities and differences in the translations presented. 

What does this scripture mean to you?Has it had a different effect this reading as compared to times past?How does this scripture make you feel?
Continue breathing deeply as you ponder this meaning.
Meditation on scripture / bible verse meditation:
I want to share a short experience I had last week. One of the assignments I have in the Navy is with the Military Funeral Honors Detail. In connection to this detail I go the the graveside of Navy veterans who have recently died. There is a playing of taps and we fold and present the American flag. Well last week I arrived early to a funeral. The funeral was at the same cemetery where my father had been buried over thirty years ago. As I approached the grave I realized that the grave of this veteran was within sight of my father’s grave. As I approached the spot, the mortuary company had already set up a speaker and some music was softly playing. As I walked closer I recognized the hymn as “Oh My Father.” In this moment I felt closer to my earthly father than I have in many years. 
Today we celebrate Father’s Day in the United States. I know a good number of you are outside of the US but I find this message is very applicable to everyone. 
As I reflect on the vacuum that was left by the death of this great man, I realize that each person has a unique and different experience with their earthly parents. Some people have tragic relationships with their fathers, or no relationship. It is more than coincidence that our personal history with our earthly fathers can have a dramatic influence on how we perceive our Heavenly Father. People with loving and connected relationships to their fathers seem to have an easier time understanding God the Father as A loving father. For those of us who did not grow up in the presence of a loving father, this can be somewhat harder. Regardless, we can all benefit from some focused thought on the difference between our earthly relationships and our relationship to God. 
Although I think it is a natural human response to experience this connection between our earthly and heavenly parents, it is not the most accurate comparison. Since I am a father now I am aware of the deep divide between the father I want to be and who I am. Even the best fathers are imperfect and can disappoint at times, whereas God is perfect. His love for us is also perfect. Although we face nearly constant trials and opportunities for growth in this life, God loves us perfectly. It is because of this perfect love that he helps us grow by helping us overcoming our trials. 
Take a few moments now and consider if you connect your feelings for your earthly father and your heavenly father. Open your heart to the idea that God is a perfect and loving eternal Father and loves you beyond what you can imagine. 
Meditation of Prayer:Pray as directed by the Spirit.Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him.
Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. 
Meditate and Visualize Positive Change in Your Life:Implement the kind of change you want to see in your life.  Length, Intensity, Modality, Freshness, Conclusion:Each week.  Christianmeditationpodcast.com/contact
Website ChristianMeditationPodcast.com contact. Patreon.com/Christianmeditationpodcast

Final Question: How is your relationship with God the Father different compared to your relationship with your Earthly Father. 
Final thought -I am older now than my Father was when he died. When I was young I could only see how I was missing out by not having a father. As I watch my children grow and enjoy them, I realize that my father was also deprived of the opportunity to be with his children. We all have our own life situations to go through and none are the same. Some of the greatest love on earth is the love that dedicated parents can feel toward their children. If you have missed out on a good relationship with your father. 
If you find it difficult to connect to God due to an earthly connection. Take some time to refocus on who God is, and spend time with Him in prayer and meditation specifically regarding this issue. I know that as we continue to open our hearts up to His love, our relationship with Him as well as our earthly relationships can improve.