Links for today’s readings:
Jul 30 Read: Isaiah 59 Listen: (3:54) Read: Psalms 129-131 Listen: (2:03)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 129.1-4
1 “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,”
let Israel say;
2 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
but they have not gained the victory over me.
3 Plowmen have plowed my back
and made their furrows long.
4 But the Lord is righteous;
he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”
Psalm 130.1-5
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
Psalm 131.1-2
1 My heart is not proud, Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
Reflection: Songs of Ascent Playlist – Songs in the Dark
By John Tillman
The fifteen “Songs of Ascent” are a divine playlist of rescue, restoration, and worship. They aided pilgrims on the physical climb to Jerusalem’s temple. They also aid us in our spiritual pilgrimage, especially in the darkest parts of our journeys.
Road trips aren’t all smiles and rainbows and every road trip playlist needs songs about the strains and pains of travel and not just the glories of the destinations. Out of all of the Songs of Ascent, the darkest triad is 129, 130, and 131. These are songs of lament, longing, and waiting.
There are other sad songs in the Songs of Ascent, but these three break the pattern. The other Song of Ascent triads move quickly from laments and low points toward the heights of praise and glory. These three dwell in the darkness and wait quietly. These poignant songs ask, “Are we there yet?”
When I hear “Are we there yet?” or questions like it, a bit of dialogue that is stuck in my brain from watching the cartoon, The Smurfs, pops up. Papa Smurf led the group on a long journey (up a mountain, I think). Multiple times, Smurfs asked, “Is it much further, Papa Smurf?” Multiple times Papa Smurf replied, “Not far now.” But finally, he lost his temper and yelled, “Yes, it is!”
Our journey is long, but our heavenly father won’t lie or lose his temper at our longing or questions. “Are we there yet?” rephrases the biblical cry, “How long, O Lord?” Neither question is one we should be ashamed of asking or one that God will spurn or punish.
In your regular “playlist” of prayers, you need songs that cry out, “How long, O Lord?”. Even if your back has never been plowed with furrows, others’ backs have been. Even if you have never experienced oppression, others have. Even if you have no suffering to speak of, cry out for those who do.
There is a time to dance and rejoice because of the deliverance we have not yet received, because we have faith it is coming. But there is also a time to sit quietly in the dark, waiting for the light, and questioning God about the threatening noises in the darkness.
When faith’s journey is dark, calm and quiet yourself with songs that are honest, yet hopeful.
God hears our songs in the dark.
Divine Hours Prayer: A Reading
Jesus taught us, saying: Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light. — Matthew 11.28
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more: One Who Can Reach
“…this is not the case for our God, who dwells in the highest place, and yet stoops down to help those who fall.” — Federico Villanueva
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