Tag: Psalms

Links for today’s readings:

Dec 3  Read: 2 Chronicles 2  Listen: (3:41) Read: Psalms 107 Listen: (4:12)

Scripture Focus: Psalm 107.4-16

Reflection: Dependent Hope — Hope of Advent

By John Tillman

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves.” Jefferson referred to humans suffering from earthly despotism and tyranny, but the principle applies elsewhere.

The psalmist writes of being lost in wastelands from wandering, chained by tyrannies resulting from rebellion, and hopeless in darkness due to rejecting the light. All tyrants promise freedom. All evils call themselves good. All sin calls itself righteous. Believing these claims, we often go step by step down slippery slopes into the sufferings of many kinds.

The sufferings grow slowly, like gradually rising muck in a sinkhole or cave. At our ankles, we say, “It isn’t so bad.” At our knees, we say, “I can always go back.” At our waist, we say, “Well, I’ve come this far.” By the time we say, “This is intolerable,” it’s at our armpits. By the time we say, “I must get out,” it threatens our chin.

How do we hope to get out? The psalmist says we don’t. God comes to get us. That’s what Advent celebrates. God comes to lost wanderers and leads them out of the wilderness. God comes to those in darkness to bring light. God comes to those imprisoned to break bars and shackles. 

Jefferson disbelieved miracles. He called Jesus’ teachings a “sublime and benevolent code of morals” yet cut everything miraculous from his New Testament with a razor blade, including Jesus’ miraculous Advent.

Extraordinarily committed and fortunate individuals, like Jefferson and other Declaration signers, might shake off a human tyrant to enjoy a limited measure of freedom for a limited time. But from the tyrants that really matter, sin and death, we cannot break free. We cannot “right ourselves.” Our hope is not in glorious revolution or declaring our independence. Hope is dependent on God’s arrival. The advent of his kingdom is our only hope.

If Jesus’ kingdom was of this world, we would take up arms to fight. Instead we take up towels to wash feet in service, take up crosses to deny ourselves in humility, and take up his gospel to declare our dependence upon it.

Commit your life, fortune, and sacred honor to Christ’s description of his kingdom’s advent. May the spirit of the Lord be upon us bringing good news to the poor, loosing the captives, making the blind see, and lifting the oppressed to stand in freedom.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Let us make a vow to the Lord our God and keep it; let all around him bring gifts to him who is worthy to be feared. — Psalm 76.11

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Scandalous Surprise of Hope — The Hope of Advent

Who are we to have such hope as advent promises? That Christ would come to us is baffling, surprising, and to some, scandalous.

Consider Supporting Our Work

Both monthly and end-of-year donors are vital to keeping our ministry functioning. Please consider becoming a donor.

Links for today’s readings:

Dec 2  Read: 2 Chronicles 1 Listen:(2:47)  Read: Psalms 106 Listen: (4:52)

Scripture Focus: Psalm 106.1-5, 44-47

Reflection: Enduring Love — Hope of Advent

By John Tillman

“Come to my aid when you save them…” Despite the long history of sin and rebellion the psalmist confessed, he expected God’s arrival, bringing salvation. He looked to God’s advent with hope.

The psalm begins with a familiar phrase: “his love endures forever.” (Psalm 136; Ezra 3.11; Jeremiah 33.10-11) The psalmist’s hope for salvation is not based on his or Israel’s worthiness. His hope is in God’s unchanging nature of faithful and enduring love. This enduring love is expressed in God’s self-description to Moses. (Exodus 34.6-7) 

When someone says, “Tell me about yourself,” what is the first thing you think to say? Your career? Your hobbies? Your music tastes? Your exercise habits? In these situations, we are often burdened with insecurities. Not only might we be unsure how to answer, we might not want to “overshare” or reveal too much in awkward social situations.

God doesn’t have insecurities or doubts about his nature and glory. God does not always reveal everything about himself to all people at all times, however, when he does reveal himself, he does so exactly as he intends. So when Moses asked to see God’s “glory,” it is notable that the first descriptors God chose to use were “compassionate” and “gracious.” 

God is a compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love kind of God. This faithful and enduring love does not overlook injustice and sin, withhold discipline, or bend righteousness to our crooked ways. God’s judgment, discipline, and even his wrath, are motivated by his love for the victims of the suffering sin causes and do us good by correction and restoration. God’s faithful love punishes, but also restores.

God’s faithful, enduring love sent Jesus to be born, exhibit righteousness, suffer testing and death, and be resurrected, victorious over all sin. 

During Advent, follow the psalmist’s example and examine yourself individually and ourselves collectively. Like Israel and the psalmist, we do not deserve salvation. Our Advent hope is based not in our worthiness but in God’s nature of enduring, faithful love.

Are we willing to confess our individual and collective sins and wicked actions? Are we hopeful that he will hear our cry? Do we praise the Lord for the mercy we have now and cry out in faith for the salvation to come?

Let us look to our past and repent and look to our future and rejoice. Our enduring hope flows from God’s enduring love.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Show us the light of your countenance, O God, and come to us. — Psalm 67.1

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: This We Proclaim — Hope of Advent

At the time when all seems to be sinking, God rises and raises us with him.

Consider Supporting Our Work

So many places where people search for spiritual and biblical guidance are driven by ad revenue. Our donors help us be different. Please consider becoming a donor to help make an ad-free space for biblical devotionals.

Links for today’s readings:

Nov 26   Read: 1 Chronicles 22 Listen: (3:25)   Read: Psalms 97-98 Listen: (2:19)

Links for tomorrow’s readings:

Nov 27   Read: 1 Chronicles 23  Listen: (4:20) Read: Psalms 99-101 Listen: (2:42)

Scripture Focus: Psalm 100:4

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving

Reflection: A Psalm for Thanksgiving

By Erin Newton

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Gather around the dinner table, smile and laugh. Curl up in chairs and on the floor with blankets by the fire’s warm glow. Breathe in the crisp autumn air and let your creaturely body run wild and free. Everywhere nature sings to God: the orange and yellow leaves; the crisp brown crunch of acorns; the rustling winds through the bare grass; the birds fluffing their feathers, capturing the warmth; the mild days and the quiet, longer nights. The days slow down, giving our souls the chance to join creation in a shout of joy.

Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Quiet your mind and let go of your grip. He holds our breath. He holds our life. He holds our future. Like children tucked in warm blankets drifting carefree, we are his. This green planet is our pasture. We graze and frolic and rest under his care. He has created us to enjoy the blue skies, the sunsets and the sunrises, the full moons and the shooting stars. We give thanks, and he keeps guard.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

The whole of creation, the shelter of our homes, the tabernacle of our bodies invite him in with thanksgiving. Enter the gates of life with unending thanksgiving to him. Enter into community with family and friends, knowing he has created this world for you to thank him.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;  his faithfulness continues through all generations.

He is good. He is “the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God.” Knowing the Lord is the joy that can never be taken away. It endures. It endures hardship. It endures time. It endures the dark nights of the soul. You are loved. You are known. And you are never forgotten from generation to generation. For as our Lord is good and loving, he bestows that on you.

May your Thanksgiving and holiday season be a gateway to hope that exceeds expectation, that exceeds present circumstances, that surprises even yourself. And may we enter his gates with thanksgiving this season.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are they who trust in him! — Psalm 34.8

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: We Gather Together – Hymns for Giving Thanks

This God who leads us through the challenges of life is worthy of our humble adoration. “Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!”

Consider Supporting Our Work

Our work needs your support. Especially at this time of year, please consider becoming a one-time or monthly donor.

Links for today’s readings:

Nov 13  Read: 1 Chronicles 1-2 Listen: (11:18) Read: Psalms 79 Listen: (1:50)

Scripture Focus: Psalm 79.1-10

Reflection: When Temples Fall

By John Tillman

God closely tied his identity to the temple. Why didn’t he save it?

God filled the temple with his glory (1 Kings 8.10-13) and promised Solomon, “My eyes and heart will always be there.” (1 Kings 9.3) By God’s own description, the temple metaphorically and metaphysically connected God’s throne and identity with Jerusalem and his people.

Israel and Judah relied on this through many dangers. God saved the city and his temple many times over, from enemy after enemy. Israel and Judah tied their security to the idea that God would never let the temple suffer shame or destruction. They thought of God’s temple as an unbreakable shield that made them undefeatable, despite being unfaithful.

For this reason Psalm 79 begins with shock that God allowed his temple to be invaded, defiled, and destroyed. In the psalmist’s eyes, this brought shame not only on the people but on the name of God.

The psalmist called on God to forgive the people and help them for “the glory of your name” and “for your name’s sake.” (Psalm 79.9) God, however, is not shamed when a corrupt institution or person falls, even if that institution or person identifies themselves as belonging to God or representing him.

God’s promise to Solomon was conditional—if the people turned away, God promised to make the temple an object of ridicule and scorn. (1 Kings 9.6-10) It was for the sake of God’s name that the temple Judah corrupted was destroyed.

For Christians, Jesus is our temple and our salvation in him is secure and unshakable. Our faith is in his faithfulness, not ours. However, a person, church, organization, or nation cannot slap on the name “Christian” and expect escape from worldly failure or shame, especially when they are unfaithful. Jesus is not a bumper sticker that makes your car unwreckable no matter how you drive.

Are there “temples” you hold as impervious to falling? Is there anything labeled “Christian” that you trust to save you? Jesus will purge our unrighteous temples, whatever they are. Let him.

God would rather destroy his temple than see it continue in unrighteousness, but the psalmist’s good news is that God also restores. Jesus went through shame, ridicule, suffering, destruction, and death for the glory set before him and shares that glory with us. (Hebrews 12.2-3) Just don’t confuse the glory of an institution with the glory of God or presume upon the grace of God to continue in unrighteousness. (Romans 6.1-2)

Divine Hours Prayer: A Reading

Jesus said: “The servant who knows what his master wants, but has got nothing ready and done nothing in accord with those wishes, will be given a great many strokes of the lash. The one who did not know, but has acted in such a way that he deserves a beating will be given fewer strokes. When someone is given a great deal, a great deal will be demanded of that person; when someone is trusted with a great deal, of that person even more will be expected.” — Luke 12.47-48

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Temple Confrontations

Uzziah angrily claimed purity and was made unclean. Isaiah fearfully confessed uncleanness and was made pure.

Read more: Tyre, Eden, the Temple

If Tyre, Adam, and the spiritual leadership of the Temple can fall, so can we. The same sins they tripped on strike at our heels.

Links for today’s readings:

Nov 7   Read: 2 Kings 20 Listen: (3:39) Read: Psalms 73 Listen: (2:56)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Nov 8   Read: 2 Kings 21 Listen: (4:06) Read: Psalms 74 Listen: (2:34)
Nov 9   Read: 2 Kings 22 Listen: (3:45) Read: Psalms 75-76 Listen: (2:33)

Scripture Focus: Psalm 73.1-3; 16-17

Reflection: Losing Cynicism in the Sanctuary

By John Tillman

Psalm 73 begins with its conclusion: Surely God is good to the pure in heart. But the psalmist goes through disillusionment and cynicism before getting there.

The psalmist is distressed by disparity, to the point of despair. The wicked grow rich, healthy, wealthy, and (at least in their own eyes) wise. He begins to think God uncaring and unjust, sinking in a spiral of cynicism. He describes this as a trap he almost “slips” and falls into.

But there is more than one trap. The psalmist says the arrogant rich are also “on slippery ground.” (Psalm 73.18-20) Wealth that works like a charm in this life is, for many, a curse and a trap. (Proverbs 17.8)

We can be snared by both traps. Wealthy as we are, we may think that other wealthier ones are guilty of greed as we hoard our own resources. Poor as we are, we can be in denial of the blessings that God has given us and guilty of the same selfishness as the wealthy. All of us can be guilty of taking rest, ease, and luxury at the expense of others. How can we escape these traps of hubris, greed, jealousy, and despair? 

The psalmist loses cynicism in the sanctuary of the Lord. It is there he sees that all humanity’s unpaid debts to each other are ringing up interest in the Lord’s accounts and we will not avoid his justice. 

We mistake wealth in this world that will pass away as being more desirable than wealth in God’s kingdom that will not pass away. Tricks of perspective can make large things seem small and small things seem large. 

For the rich and the poor, worship of God is the doorway through which we see with a different perspective. This is why James speaks so harshly about treating the rich and poor equitably in God’s house. (James 2.1-13) This is why Jesus was zealous for God’s house, expelling the money changers. (John 2.13-17; Mark 11.15-17; Matthew 21.12-14)

God intends our worship to reflect heaven, not earth.

It will be in worship that we gain a better perspective to help us see things rightly. 
May the Holy Spirit confront us about equity and justice. 
May we question our justice, not God’s. Are we being prudent or greedy? Are we being responsible or cruel?

May moments of worship overwhelm our cynicism and reveal a perspective of eternity.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful; save your servant whose trust is in you. — Psalm 86.2

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Greed and Envy

The trap the psalmist escapes is to mistake stored up justice for absence of justice.

Read The Bible With Us

Invite a friend to join our Bible reading plan. Journey in the Bible with us at a sustainable, two-year pace.

https://mailchi.mp/theparkforum/m-f-daily-email-devotional