LVC Fam,
Yesterday we found out that someone likes to read the end of poems before she reads anything else. Pastor Nancy revealed her secret of reading the last line of a poem first! In the 2003 movie, Alex and Emma, Kate Hudson plays a stenographer for a novel writer where she states that she reads the last line of books first. At the very end of the movie, stenographer Kate records the last line of the book where the writer reveals his undeniable love for Kate who had been woven into reality from this fiction book. In Pastor Nancy-like fashion and tears in Kate’s eyes she says, “That is a great last line” and of course the movie ends with a kiss and the credits begin to roll.
As much as I love the movie, Psalm 65 gives us a much greater last line than Alex and Emma. The Lord promises fullness, bounty, and songs of joy. What a picture this is of the magnificence of the Kingdom of God realized, enjoyed, and lived. Let’s keep reading over and over that last line as we sing for joy throughout the week.
From here to there though, as Nancy reminded yesterday, has just a few bumps along the way. So many of us are stuck in ruts, situations, and troubles that we do not dare tell. As we heard yesterday, God hears our prayers. Let that sink in a bit. The God of the ends of the earth whose bounty, joy, hope, and provision is limitless. . . .this God hears us. For those of us who are weary of heart, may we run to the King eternal who hears, forgives, and delivers. As I type this I am praying for this psalm to fall afresh into our hearts, that the word Nancy spoke from the Lord yesterday would be a “right now” word. Come Lord Jesus, send the fire of the Spirit and cause this wet wood to burn again.
What Now?
In view of such a wonderful psalm, how should we respond. I don’t know exactly. There is so much going on in our hearts and we are complex. Here are a couple things that come to mind.
- For those of us who are weary, call on His name and cry out to the Lord. He hears. Thank the Lord for what he has done despite the circumstance you are in. Gratefulness works like a building wave and it truly can topple over despair in our lives.
- For those of us who are a little bit farther down the trail and in a good place, encourage those at LVc, our community, or even those who live far from us. Send them a note, a text, make a phone call, take them to lunch. . . . the opportunities are endless but it takes deliberate effort to act.
- Give sacrificially. Again we give out of the grace the Lord has given. We can give of our time, money, and abilities because of this awesome grace the Lord has lavished upon us. May we be known as a people of crazy generosity.
The last line, or at least the last book of Revelation, gives great hope. The Lord has promised to wipe every tear from our eyes as we enjoy the tree and water of life. No more night. Winter will be over. We will, Liberty Vineyard, reign with our King Jesus forever and ever.
Keep reading this throughout the week. Keep preaching this song to yourself. Preach it to others. Let’s sing for joy in times of drought and in times of harvest.
Psalm 65
v.1 Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
v.2 You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.
v.3 When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.
v.4 Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.
v.5 You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,
v.6 who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength,
v.7 who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.
v.8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy.
v.9 You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it.
v.10 You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
v.11 You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
v.12 The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.
v.13 The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.
With you,
John
John D. Trotter
Senior Pastor, Liberty Vineyard Church
Sunday’s sermon: You Call Forth Songs of Joy (Psalm 65) (Pastor Nancy Penton)