pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Sing, O Israel

Readings: Psalms 64-68

‭Psalm 68:9 – “You showered down abundant rain, God; when your inheritance grew weary, you restored it yourself.”

Psalm 64 begins with a prayer for protection and finishes with a celebration of God’s acts. Psalms 65-67 join in the celebration of God’s mighty acts. We close with Psalm 68, mostly more praise but with some petitions for God to act. As we draw close to the end of Book 2, we see the shift towards more praise and less lament.

Psalm 64 begins with prayer of protection against the evil doers’ words or “arrows.” What an appropriate descriptor. The psalmist trusts that God will respond with an arrow too. Then the righteous will rejoice in the Lord. The rejoicing continues in Psalm 65, where David is grateful for God’s listening ear and forgiving heart. David also celebrates how God can “calm the roaring sea.” How we too are grateful for this gift! The Psalm closes with thanksgiving for God’s provision of abundant flocks and grains. Yes, God is good.

Psalm 66 focuses on God’s deeds and power. This power has tested and refined them – a good process. A good one for us too. Not always enjoyable but always fruitful. The psalmist’s response? Offerings given and promises kept, a joyful response! The thanksgiving extends in Psalm 67 to include the gift of salvation. It is to be made known to the nations. Then the nations of the world will better understand the fair judgments that God renders and will better receive the guidance that God desires to give to all of the nations of the world.

Closing today with Psalm 68, the Psalm begins with a grand sweep of God’s acts: scatters the enemy, cares for orphans and widows, sets prisoners free. The psalmist celebrates God’s provision and love: “You showered down abundant rain, God; when your inheritance grew weary, you restored it yourself.” The Psalm closes by remembering God’s past victories, grand worship, and shows of strength. The psalmist longs for these to return. Remind yourselves through song. Sing, O Israel, sing to the God who gives you strength!

Prayer: Lord God, we too thank you for the many ways that you move in our lives and in our world. We offer you our praise and worship! And we too count on your continued presence. Without you, O Lord, we’d be in trouble. Shower us with your abundant love and provision. Go with us day by day. Amen.


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True Servants

Reading: Isaiah 49: 1-7

Verse 6: “I will also make you a light to the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth”.

Isaiah’s servant song, when read through our New Testament lens, sounds like Jesus. Called long before he was physically born, sword in mouth that cuts through all religious airs and gets to the heart of loving God fully. A polished arrow that surely hits the mark, convicting us of our sin every time. As the servant did, at times Jesus felt as if laboring in vain. More than once he laments over the rejection and hard hearts; more than once he critiques the disciples lack of understanding. He realizes the outcome as described by Isaiah: “my reward is with God”. Jesus returns to the Father to reign forever.

In verse six God pries open the circle a bit. It is not enough for Jesus to go just to the Israelites. In the second half of this verse we read, “I will also make you a light to the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth”. In comparison to the world, at that time Israel was small. God’s chosen people were a small segment of humanity. To go to the “ends of the world” was a radical shift in the mission field. Much of the Old Testament law functioned as a means of keeping Israel set apart from the outside world. God also directed some measures early on to insure this. Research the conquest of the Promised Land if you want to know more about this. By Jesus’ day the religious establishment defended itself fiercely. There is no shortage of Jesus clashing with religious leaders concerning the size of his circle – the degree to which he would engage and love the “other”. Eat with sinners?! Allow a prostitute to touch you?! Yes, the religious powers wanted to keep the circle drawn in very tight. Verse seven references all of this: “despised and abhorred by the nation”.

In our Christian life we are called to mirror this opening up of the circle. After being drawn into a relationship with Jesus Christ, we are called to die to self. This act ceases our circle of one as we are led to think of others and their needs before considering our own. We are also called to pick up our cross and to follow Jesus. This means we will do as our example did, suffering for others. These things are what a true servant does. On our journey, we too will be despised when we follow Jesus closely. Jesus is not of the world. He is foolishness to all who live for self and for the things of the world. The servant came for all. One day kings and princes will kneel. May this be our posture every day.

Prayer: Father of all nations and all people, guide me today to love as widely and unconditionally as the model did. Through my words and actions, whatever is needed, may I be a light in the darkness of the world. In humility and submission I kneel before your throne, asking for you to use me as you will today. Amen.