pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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A Holy Covenant

Reading: Song of Songs 1-4

‭Song of Songs 4:12 – “An enclosed garden is my sister, my bride; an enclosed pool, a sealed spring.”

Today and tomorrow we read Song of Songs. On one level it is a song that celebrates the love of two people. On another level, it is an expression of the ideal love between God and humanity/Israel/the church – depending on your time reference. As we are in the Christian world, we will focus on the relationship between God (the man) and the church (the woman), both corporate and individual.

Chapter 1 expresses longing. The woman longs for the man’s kisses. The man brings her in and wants to exult and rejoice over her. God longs for our love. God longs to exult and rejoice over our faithfulness. The woman longs to be with him. He says to “follow the tracks of the herds.” We long for community and relationship with God. God says to follow the instructions, read my Word. They rejoice in one another’s beauty. We were created in the image of God. This is at the core of all of our relationships.

In chapter 2 the woman sees her live as an apple tree among the wild trees. We are invited to live holy lives, to be set apart from the world. She needs sustaining, weary from expressing her love. We too need God in many ways. God provides for us in numerous ways. He draws near and looks in on his love. He waits. God too longs to see us, to fear our voice. She declares that they belong to one another. Ideally we say this to God. God says, “I am the Lord your God… You are mine.”

Chapter 3 is a searching and a finding, a process that we repeat often with God. Once there, we find it beautiful too. Chapter 4 celebrates the beauty of the woman. The church is beautiful too when love and grace flow down and out into the world, reflecting God’s love and grace given to us. The man calls his love an “enclosed garden.” This implies a closed relationship, a holy covenant love. May it be so for you and for me in our relationship with God.

Prayer: Lord God, how lovely and beautiful you are! You are steadfast and true, coming to us again and again with a love that never fails, with a grace that never runs out. Lead and guide us to love you and one another in these same ways. Amen.


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Freedom

Reading: Psalm 114: 1-2

Verse Two: Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel His dominion.

Growing up in Connecticut, going to the Department of Motor Vehicles was a daunting task.  The adventure began in the parking lot.  It was always a challenge to find a spot to park.  If you went early, so did a thousand other people.  If you went during the day, it seemed like a thousand cars were circling the lot, all looking for the same space.  Once inside you saw a sea of chairs, lined up in long row after long row.  Then you would stand in line to get a number.  You pulled a little ticket like one does at a deli in a busy supermarket and then you headed for a seat.  If you forgot a book or your Walkman, you were in for trouble.  The big red number on the sign would read something like “24” and you’d look down at your ticket – “327”.  After just a few hours it would be your turn and you’d walk towards the correct window praying you had all the right paperwork…  When you finally emerged into fresh air to begin the search for your car, it felt as if a major victory had been won.  You survived the DMV!

The Israelites had been in Egypt for over 400 years.  Life was monotonous.  It was the same thing day after day.  Hurry up and do the same thing again today.  The slave drivers were always pushing and seemed to expect more and more.  Then one day the Israelites’ number is called.  God’s chosen people hear, “Next”!  God redeems them from slavery and they head off towards the promised land.  After their experience at the sea, they breathe in the fresh air and are confident in the victory that God has brought.  They know without a doubt that God is with them.  “Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel His dominion”.  God says, ‘you are mine and I love you’.  The chosen people head off, freedom at hand, the future looking oh so bright.

Fast forward a few centuries and we too have joined the family.  God says to you and to me, ‘you are mine, I love you’.  We too claim the victory.  Thanks be to God.