I'm sorry that this didn't come out yesterday. An internet error caused the entire post to be deleted, and in my frustration I decided not to post yesterday. However, I am back today with either a fresh look at Psalm 36 or I will be accidentally rewriting my post from yesterday.
Come to the fountain. I read this psalm and that's the invitation I get. Come to the fountain (vs 9). Despite my objections, I come to the fountain.
But where is the fountain? Where do I go to be cleansed from my own self-deception? Where is the fountain that will let me see light in God's light? When I was baptized, I was introduced to the water from this fountain. Ten years later I said (to the best of my young ability) that I wanted the living water that came from the fountain. And today, do I still search for the fountain? Or could it be that I have been soaked in the fountain so long I have forgotten that I'm wet? Is it okay to splash and play in the fountain, or am I supposed to take my sip and go along my merry way? I wonder. Is it okay to swim in the fountain, or will that dirty the water for everyone else? Is it okay to enjoy God? Is God big enough to play with and be trusted with the entire universe? I wonder. And I hope so. Please wonder with me at the bigness of God as you go through today.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Psalm 35
This psalm found new meaning for me when I recognized something in verse 18. I saw that verse and thought of a verse in Hebrews chapter 2 which sounds very similar. I found that the verse I was thinking of quoted a different psalm, but a very similar spirit. And the verse in Hebrews was talking about Jesus. And so I read this psalm wondering if Jesus had similar thoughts on the cross.
Certainly, Jesus was so close to humanity that he mourned when bad things happened (including Lazarus and others). And although Jesus came to bring salvation to all people, all people united in one moment on the side of Jesus' execution- repaying evil for good (verse 12). And at the crucifixion, Jesus was finally beaten by all of his enemies... where was Jesus' vindication?
We find that on the third day- Jesus rose from the dead. In our human-ness, we often want bloodthirsty revenge. Just think about the rise of the revenge movie- almost all superhero movies are really revenge movies in disguise. And they are some of the most popular movies out there. And we love the idea that God will step in and clear our enemies out.
A popular Talmud reading is a story about the crossing of the Red Sea. As soon as the Israelites are across and Pharaoh's army is destroyed, the angels rejoice. God's response to the angels is basically "Why do you rejoice? Those Egyptians were my children too." Let us realize today that our enemies are children of God and long for reconciliation and the day when there will be no more enemies (Isaiah 65:25).
Certainly, Jesus was so close to humanity that he mourned when bad things happened (including Lazarus and others). And although Jesus came to bring salvation to all people, all people united in one moment on the side of Jesus' execution- repaying evil for good (verse 12). And at the crucifixion, Jesus was finally beaten by all of his enemies... where was Jesus' vindication?
We find that on the third day- Jesus rose from the dead. In our human-ness, we often want bloodthirsty revenge. Just think about the rise of the revenge movie- almost all superhero movies are really revenge movies in disguise. And they are some of the most popular movies out there. And we love the idea that God will step in and clear our enemies out.
A popular Talmud reading is a story about the crossing of the Red Sea. As soon as the Israelites are across and Pharaoh's army is destroyed, the angels rejoice. God's response to the angels is basically "Why do you rejoice? Those Egyptians were my children too." Let us realize today that our enemies are children of God and long for reconciliation and the day when there will be no more enemies (Isaiah 65:25).
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Psalm 34
Now here is a great psalm located in a particular time. David meets up with Abimelech, a feared enemy, and doesn't know what to do. So he pretends to be insane, even foaming at the mouth. Abimelech pities him and sends him away, causing David to write this psalm.
How many of us have been at our wits' end? How many of us have been up between a rock and a hard place? We know the situation of David, even if we haven't faked insanity to escape. As the psalm progresses to its worshipful end, remembering promise after promise, we begin to see words that echo in our hearts. "God is near to the brokenhearted" (verse 18) is one phrase that sticks in my heart. I pray I never forget it. It reminds me of God's care for those who live persistently brokenhearted, and also that God is gracious to me when I have a broken heart.
This psalm also reminds me that God can be this comforting presence through me. When I "turn from evil and do good" and "seek peace and pursue it," it is not I that lives but Christ living in me. Thank you Jesus, for acting through our actions to be near to all who are hurting.
How many of us have been at our wits' end? How many of us have been up between a rock and a hard place? We know the situation of David, even if we haven't faked insanity to escape. As the psalm progresses to its worshipful end, remembering promise after promise, we begin to see words that echo in our hearts. "God is near to the brokenhearted" (verse 18) is one phrase that sticks in my heart. I pray I never forget it. It reminds me of God's care for those who live persistently brokenhearted, and also that God is gracious to me when I have a broken heart.
This psalm also reminds me that God can be this comforting presence through me. When I "turn from evil and do good" and "seek peace and pursue it," it is not I that lives but Christ living in me. Thank you Jesus, for acting through our actions to be near to all who are hurting.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Psalm 33
This passage offers us comfort and a history lesson in the same moment. This psalm encourages us to worship because of the great deeds of God. Whenever we see God intersect with our story, it is a cause for worship. And so I reflect on my story and I wonder where I've seen God intersecting with my story. I look to see where I have seen God at work.
Heather is involved in a photography activity that I marvel at. She creates words using letters that are actually common, every day things. For example, a sink faucet could be an "r" and a power line could be an "E." This hobby forces her to see the world differently, finding letters when we only see common objects. I think this psalm invites us to a similar way of viewing the world. God's activity is already there, but sometimes it is so subtle that we need to have eyes to see it. God, grant me eyes to see your mighty acts in the world today. Amen.
Heather is involved in a photography activity that I marvel at. She creates words using letters that are actually common, every day things. For example, a sink faucet could be an "r" and a power line could be an "E." This hobby forces her to see the world differently, finding letters when we only see common objects. I think this psalm invites us to a similar way of viewing the world. God's activity is already there, but sometimes it is so subtle that we need to have eyes to see it. God, grant me eyes to see your mighty acts in the world today. Amen.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Psalm 32
In thinking about forgiveness, I have to admit that I've never thought about being surrounded by songs of deliverance (verse 7). I imagine the Underground Railroad, where delivered slaves sang songs of freedom and worship to God. It reminds me that forgiveness is a community experience. We often think of forgiveness as a one-on-one experience with God. Yet we are the redeemed people of God, a community called together by God under the common banner of God's redemption.
We can celebrate this redemption together as a community when we come together and worship. We acknowledge the brokenness of the world, the strength-sapping circumstances of life (verse 4). We lift up this brokenness and acknowledge our contribution to it, and we too receive God's blessing. As you go to worship this week, wherever it may be, I pray that you are surrounded in songs of deliverance and experience the power of God in the community of God. Amen.
We can celebrate this redemption together as a community when we come together and worship. We acknowledge the brokenness of the world, the strength-sapping circumstances of life (verse 4). We lift up this brokenness and acknowledge our contribution to it, and we too receive God's blessing. As you go to worship this week, wherever it may be, I pray that you are surrounded in songs of deliverance and experience the power of God in the community of God. Amen.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Psalm 31
Here is another psalm that Jesus quoted from the cross "Into your hands I commit my spirit" (verse 5). Interestingly, Jesus does not finish the quote and ask for redemption from the cross. Certainly, the rest of the psalm captures the moment of the cross quite well. Jesus had never placed trust or hope in having a crowd of followers or in miracles on His own behalf- Jesus always found a refuge in God. It was that refuge that gave Jesus the strength to do the miracles that He did.
Jesus despairs at the worthless idols that find such a willing audience in our world. Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, Jesus overturns the Temple's idols of wealth and power, Jesus is executed on a symbol of shame and rejection. And for the moment, it seems that God has handed Jesus over to the cross of shame and the power of Jesus' enemies. Yet in that moment on the cross, when Jesus forced out the words "Into your hands, I commit my spirit," Jesus subverted the power of the day. Jesus' Kingdom was not hampered by the cross, it was defined in the cross. It is why each of us may come to the cross- not to bask in the violence in it but to see the world-transforming power of it.
It is a strange thing to say that we have found refuge in the cross. The cross does not seem like a place to hide. It seems like something to hide from. But we have no fear of evil or suffering, because we know that Jesus has been there and invites us into a Kingdom where eventually suffering will be finished. Amen.
Jesus despairs at the worthless idols that find such a willing audience in our world. Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, Jesus overturns the Temple's idols of wealth and power, Jesus is executed on a symbol of shame and rejection. And for the moment, it seems that God has handed Jesus over to the cross of shame and the power of Jesus' enemies. Yet in that moment on the cross, when Jesus forced out the words "Into your hands, I commit my spirit," Jesus subverted the power of the day. Jesus' Kingdom was not hampered by the cross, it was defined in the cross. It is why each of us may come to the cross- not to bask in the violence in it but to see the world-transforming power of it.
It is a strange thing to say that we have found refuge in the cross. The cross does not seem like a place to hide. It seems like something to hide from. But we have no fear of evil or suffering, because we know that Jesus has been there and invites us into a Kingdom where eventually suffering will be finished. Amen.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Psalm 30
This psalm is a song of faith and hope. After all, it is introduced by the curious two phrases "for the dedication of the temple" and "of David." David was dead long before the Temple was completed and dedicated. Solomon is the one who dedicated it. Yet David could see God's intended future and just hoping for the day inspired him to sing. This psalm sings of Gods un-ending grace and abiding presence. Even when God is absent, says David, that absence does not last forever.
For the people of God, the Temple would be that place where God's presence would abide. Although few would go into the deepest room where the presence of God rested, people could see the flames on the altar (which God lit) and they could still stand in God's presence. There are days when I wish I could go back to the days of the Jerusalem Temple and have a physical place to stand and worship.
Yet things are difference now. They are somewhat de-centered in physical space. We are told in the New Testament that God's Holy Spirit dwells inside us and we are now a temple for the presence of God. This means that where we go, people ought to see God working out in us. Wow, that's a tall order. It's a lot easier to fix some bricks on a physical Temple building than to live out the presence of God for other people. But that is our challenge. So perhaps you can open this psalm to start your day, and dedicate yourself to God with these words. After all, you are a temple. Amen.
For the people of God, the Temple would be that place where God's presence would abide. Although few would go into the deepest room where the presence of God rested, people could see the flames on the altar (which God lit) and they could still stand in God's presence. There are days when I wish I could go back to the days of the Jerusalem Temple and have a physical place to stand and worship.
Yet things are difference now. They are somewhat de-centered in physical space. We are told in the New Testament that God's Holy Spirit dwells inside us and we are now a temple for the presence of God. This means that where we go, people ought to see God working out in us. Wow, that's a tall order. It's a lot easier to fix some bricks on a physical Temple building than to live out the presence of God for other people. But that is our challenge. So perhaps you can open this psalm to start your day, and dedicate yourself to God with these words. After all, you are a temple. Amen.
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