Dearest e-votees-
This coming Sunday has lots going on: Groundhog Day, Super Bowl XLVIII, the 4th Sunday after Epiphany and also it is the day we commemorate the Presentation of our Lord.
Jewish babies were brought to be presented to the Lord after the mother had completed her time of ritual impurity. Mary was, according to custom and law, ritually impure for 40 days. 40 days after Christmas just happens to be February 2nd. Mary and Joseph bring Jesus with the appropriate offerings this coming Sunday (in our church year commemorations).
We will look at the appointed psalm for this Sunday, Psalm 84.
Peace,
Karl
----------
This coming Sunday has lots going on: Groundhog Day, Super Bowl XLVIII, the 4th Sunday after Epiphany and also it is the day we commemorate the Presentation of our Lord.
Jewish babies were brought to be presented to the Lord after the mother had completed her time of ritual impurity. Mary was, according to custom and law, ritually impure for 40 days. 40 days after Christmas just happens to be February 2nd. Mary and Joseph bring Jesus with the appropriate offerings this coming Sunday (in our church year commemorations).
We will look at the appointed psalm for this Sunday, Psalm 84.
Peace,
Karl
----------
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
4 Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise.
5 Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6 As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob!
9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed.
10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.
Psalm 84, NRSV
This psalm is one of my personal favorites. I encountered it vividly as it was carved into the surrounding walls of chapel in Thousand Oaks, CA (at California Lutheran University) while I was doing some fretful pre-seminary discerning. It speaks deeply to me.
You may recognize this Psalm as the source material for Matt Redman's worship song "Better is One Day". For a truly unforgettable version of this song (although you truly may wish to do so after hearing it) you can find a collaboration between Matt Redman and the Veggie Tales group on VeggieTales: Worship Songs.
The good news is that there is a place for us in God's courts. There is room enough even for the sparrows and you are worth more than many sparrows (see Luke 12:7). God provides strength and joy and favor and honor and happiness for those who trust in God. This isn't to say we won't wander through places of weakness and despair and disfavor and dishonor and unhappiness at times. Jesus endured all these things on the cross and invites us, too, to take up our crosses and follow after him. But, we have a respite and oasis in the courts of our God. And God is preparing a permanent place for us. Those things that tax and drain us are passing but God's enduring love and provision will sustain us forever starting now.
When our hearts faint and our souls long may we seek comfort and assurance in no other place than that which God has provided for us. The tents of wickedness of this world don't compare to the courts of our God. When we go through the hard places of pain and tears and distress (Baca) may God lead us to deep pools of the river of life to slake our thirsty souls.
God, help us long for your courts and your ways. Lead us to the places you have provided for us. Amen.
2 My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
4 Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise.
5 Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6 As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob!
9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed.
10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.
You may recognize this Psalm as the source material for Matt Redman's worship song "Better is One Day". For a truly unforgettable version of this song (although you truly may wish to do so after hearing it) you can find a collaboration between Matt Redman and the Veggie Tales group on VeggieTales: Worship Songs.
When our hearts faint and our souls long may we seek comfort and assurance in no other place than that which God has provided for us. The tents of wickedness of this world don't compare to the courts of our God. When we go through the hard places of pain and tears and distress (Baca) may God lead us to deep pools of the river of life to slake our thirsty souls.
God, help us long for your courts and your ways. Lead us to the places you have provided for us. Amen.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment