Karen invited us to cry to God, pray to God, yearn for God, and hope in God as we looked at Psalm 130. When we find ourselves in the depths, or when we don’t know how to respond to individuals or even nations in the depths, let us remember who God is. No matter how bad things look, God is always merciful and gracious. No matter how we feel, God is always slow to anger. No matter how bleak the outlook, God always abounds in steadfast love and faithfulness. For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with God is great power to redeem!
In looking at Psalm 131 a few days before the election, Karen crafted some reflection questions for us. Among other things, we examined our hearts to see where we have pulled away from the peace of Christ. We considered where we have asked the Lord to bless what we want instead of surrendering our ambitions, hopes, plans, and dreams to God. We reflected upon where in our lives we have not accepted our limitations, demonstrating a lack of trust in God and letting anxieties or fears drive our decision-making.
Connections are a crucial part of life. Nancy began her sermon on Psalm 132 by reminding us of the classic song – Bridge Over Troubled Waters. A bridge allows a connection to occur. King David had a definite connection with the Living God. Despite his serious flaws and failings, God loved David and chose him to be king. Jesus is a direct descendant of David. The entire Old Testament is pointing toward the One who was to come. David was just one person connecting all the dots pointing to the Messiah.
When Patricia led communion, she reminded us of the words from Isaiah 53. Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, the prophet spoke of the One would bear our griefs and carry our sorrows. David strayed into sin. “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). We have that in common with David: we, like David, have also been chosen. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (Ephesians 1:4-5).
And then there is the ARK; the place God chose to dwell before our Savior came to dwell among us. Nancy told us some of the crazy history of ark of the covenant. It was part of God’s plan. It was all a foreshadowing of the advent of the One whom all history revolves. Jesus is our bridge over the sin and troubled waters of our lives. He is the one who came to connect, to reconcile God and man. These beautiful Psalms of Ascent, full of poetry and symbols and guideposts, point toward a baby in the manager.
Karen picked up with Psalm 133 in which God invites us to live together in unity. God desires all creation to live in shalom; we can become part of His story. We listened to practical ways to live as fellow kindred humans by blessing others, reaching out, being properly present, and resolutely remaining connected. We are in this thing called life together, so we persevere to lean in and love others well.
Last Sunday Karen preached the last in our series on the Pilgrimage Psalms (Psalm 134). This Psalm is all about BLESSING. While we use the word in various ways today, BLESSING was at the very heart of family, community and worship in the Hebrew world.
This Thanksgiving week we’ve focused on our blessings. We’ve thought about how richly God has blessed us, and we’ve blessed God with our prayers of thanks for his kindness and provisions, and knowing the people of LVC, you’ve found ways to bless others (whether by cooking for family and friends, showing kindness as you’ve interacted with others, and being present and listening to others share their lives).
Everybody got to play the last few weeks. We got to pack and pray over shoeboxes that will bring joy to children around the world this Christmas. We got to give essential items to hurricane victims in East Tennessee. We got to distribute and receive food at Kelsey’s school. We got to pick up trash at Lucky Shoals Park to make God’s creation a little cleaner. We got to begin missionary support for Wanda Taft, a true warrior for Christ. We got to sing and dance and laugh with the residents at Meadowbrook. Last Sunday we got to bless others with love and stickers of affirmation. We got to sing and encourage and hug and remind each other of God’s goodness and grace. I think you’ll agree with me – we’re not kids anymore, but it’s sure fun to still get to ‘play.’
With you on the journey,
Jim Roberson
Pastoral Care Team, Liberty Vineyard Church
(678) 469-8156
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