Presbyterian Devotions: Caylee's Case - 2 Peter 2:22

2 Peter 2:22    Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."

In the Scottish legal system, three verdicts can be given at a trial. The first two are ‘not guilty’ and ‘guilty.’ The third one is unique to the Scottish system and it’s where we get the phrase “Scot Free.” The third verdict that can be reached by judge or jury in a Scottish trial is this: ‘not proven.’

Usually, the ‘not proven’ verdict means that the defendant is strongly believed to have committed the crime, but that there is insufficient evidence to get a guilty verdict. The trial makes the public aware of the shady character of the defendant, but he or she cannot be incarcerated. In most cases, the defendant goes back to living his or her life in the same precarious or wicked way. It’s only a matter of time before they commit something wrong that will see them back in court and on that occasion, the prosecutors ensure that they have an airtight case.

This morning, there’s a lot of talk, debate, and even anger about yesterday’s verdict in the Casey Anthony trial. Many people believe that she killed her two year old daughter Caylee, or at least caused her accidental death. The media has covered this case for so long in a prejudicial manner that mostly everyone expected Casey to be found guilty and put on Death Row. The judicial system, however, thankfully worked as it should. The case against Casey was not proven and no matter what people think of her as a person or a mother, the juried verdict was the right one.

Now Casey will go free, but whether or not she will remain free will depend upon her behavior. If she has committed an unproven murder or abuse, it will surface in different ways and we can expect to see her back in court again. As it states in today’s scripture, "A sow that is washed, goes back to her wallowing in the mud." Only time will tell.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You see and know all things. You are completely aware of the truth of this harrowing tragedy. We pray that one day, the whole truth will be known and that wee Caylee can rest in peace. We thank You for our judicial system and for the presumption of innocence being maintained, whether or not we agree or disagree with the verdict in this case. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in n Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Presbyterian Devotions: God Detests the Wicked

Proverbs 15:9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked but He loves those who pursue righteousness. 

For ten years, our people have waited for justice. For almost a whole decade, many of us have wondered if Osama Bin Laden would ever be caught or punished for what he maliciously masterminded on 9/11. It’s been a long time in coming, but last night the news that most people have been waiting to hear was suddenly announced: Bin Laden is Dead!

Almost immediately, the Internet was buzzing with comments, opinions and ideas about this historic event. Most people heralded the announcement and lauded the President for maintaining the pursuit of this evil man. A few, however, felt that the celebrations were wrong and that we should not be rejoicing over the death of enemies. Because I love freedom, everyone is entitled to their opinions, but I would say this to the naysayers: for most people it has been a sense of relief and justice rather than rejoicing and joy. Evil has been confronted and destroyed with constant good and a real sense of righteousness.

I saw on television that people were gathering at Ground Zero and in Times Square. I can remember that terrible day when the same groups of people were fearfully fleeing that area, covered in dust and with a look of unfathomable loss. It is good that they have been given justice within their lifetime. Perhaps they will now begin the process of grief and healing that has been denied to them for so long because Bin Laden was still alive and free.

I don’t know what you personally think about all of this. Like me, you probably will have to come to God to ask for His guidance over what this means to our faith and our world. I fully believe that God still detests the wicked and loves those who pursue righteousness. An evil man is dead, but evil in the world still has to be confronted and defeated. It just never ends.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You call upon us to be as harmless as doves, but You also have reminded us to be as wise as serpents. There is evil in the world and we are called by You to confront and overcome it. Help us at this historic time to see God’s Hand in all that has happened and to look for Your Guidance in the days to come. In Your Holy Name, we sincerely pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions of today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is of a stained glass design that John created several years ago on the anniversary of 9/11. It’s called “Never Forget” and it depicts an American flag in the foreground with the Twin Towers in the background. A passenger jet can be seen at the top of the design. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1421/1359029331_56d8dfeae7_b.jpg

Presbyterian Blogs: The Fighter - 1 Timothy 6:12

1 Timothy 6:12           Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Yesterday I was reading about two pastors and their wives who were arrested in Iran about 9 months ago for preaching the gospel. They have been charged with sedition and have endured many beatings whilst they have been in prison. One of the women also miscarried her baby due to the lack of pre-natal care in her jail. These four young Christians are fighting the good fight and truly suffering for their faith.

In the Western church, we are just fighting. Issues have become incendiaries; theological tussles are creating turmoil; and church problems are preventing Christ’s peace from being embraced. The question we need to honestly ask ourselves is this: are we fighting the good fight or just battling ourselves?

When I see the horrific destruction in Japan and read about the blatant persecution of Christians all over the globe, it makes my own problems and conflicts seem trivial. I ask myself two important questions: Where is Christ in the midst of this mess? What is the Spirit really doing across the world?

Fighting the good fight may not necessarily mean being doggedly dogmatic and solidly scriptural. Perhaps in today’s world it means fighting against despair, struggling with survivors, and mightily loving those whose losses are overwhelming their lives.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You live and walk among the ruins of Japan, as well as the isolated cells in Iran. You fight for the faith by embracing the shattered souls and helpless hearts of people everywhere. Your Spirit seeks the lost and weeps with those whose lives are wrecked. Enable us to be empowered by Your empathy and to conquer despair with compassion. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions of today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Japanese prints. It’s simply called “Geisha.” I heartily recommend that you view the larger version of the drawing which brings out the beauty of the girl’s hair and comb. You can view it here:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5511261006_91b8a00621_b.jpg

Presbyterian Devotions: Seeking Justice - acts 28

Acts 28:4         When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live."

“Justice has not allowed him to live.”

Recently I wrote about the fate of Sakineh Ashtiani, the Iranian woman who was due to be stoned to death for adultery. Like many other bloggers, I expressed my anger at such a barbaric punishment being applied to a woman in the 21^st century. All over the world, there has been a public outcry and just last week hopes for clemency were raised when the Iranian government decided to not to stone her to death. The fact that this coincided with President Ahmadinejad’s visit and speech to the United Nations seemingly had nothing to do with it.

However, now that Ahmadinejad has returned to his own country, the Iranian Court has decided to hang Sakineh for murder. Here’s how the news was released:

“According to the court’s ruling, she is convicted of murder and her death sentence has priority over her punishment for committing adultery”, the Tehran Times reported, citing Mohseni-Ejei, Iran’s national prosecutor general.”

The fact that Sakineh was cleared of murder at a previous trial has no bearing on this tyrannical, oppressive, and misogynistic judgment. She has no right to appeal and the sentence, unless commuted, will be carried out soon. Her family and supporters have also been warned that if they continue to protest on her behalf, they will be treated as usurpers of the government and tried for treason. It seems that Iranian justice, for what it’s worth, will not allow her to live.

When the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked on the beautiful island of Malta, the natives thought that he was a murderer when he was bitten by a viper. They fully expected him to keel over and die. He may have escaped death from the shipwreck they thought, but justice would prevail and the snake would make sure that he got his just desserts. But when the poison didn’t take and Paul shook off the snake, they thought that he was a god. Paul would soon dispel that notion by using the opportunity to preach the gospel and give Christ the glory.

I don’t know if Sakineh Ashtiani will ultimately be given clemency and shown real justice. I doubt it, but it won’t stop me from praying for her and her family.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we pray for Sakineh today and ask that You will support her in prison and give courage to her beleaguered family. We pray against those who would use their power and religion to oppress their people. We ask for Your Light and Gospel to illuminate those dark places of Iran, so that the people shall know the truth and at last be set free. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.