Have you ever broken out in song and dance just because you know God loves you?
The Zion of Psalm 87 isn’t the Zion we first encounter in Israel’s story. In 2 Samuel 5:6-10, Zion referred to a specific mountain, Mount Zion, near Jerusalem, on which stood a Jebusite fortress of the same name. David captured Zion and re-named it the city of David.
Read More home, Zion, sing, danceWhat do we do when we become disillusioned with God?
Asaph is the priest-musician appointed by King David and retained by his son Solomon to lead worship in the temple. But his role hasn’t immunized him against jealousy or bitterness. In this hymn he questions whether obedience matters to God
Read More injustice, wait, unanswered prayerWhen God seems absent, what does it take to ask him the hard questions about where we find ourselves?
We are not told the what had happened to make the psalmist feel like this, but all seems lost. “Is this the end of your love and your promises? . . . Have you forgotten how to have pity?” he cries out
Read More miracles @en, grief, hard questions, tenacityWe’ve changed how we share our lives and indeed what we share. Social media makes it easy for us to chronicle the minutiae (“Eggs for breakfast!”) and milestones (‘It’s a boy!”) of our stories in real time. Skype and smartphones have fueled political revolutions.
But what of our stories must we remember? And what do we do with them?
Read More patience, remember, God’s loveThe Psalmist invites Israel to be happy and shout to God who makes them strong. In the first five verses he reminds them that worship is mandatory, a commandment given to Jacob’s descendants when God led them out from the land of Egypt.
His voice shifts in verse six.
Read More excuses, pay attention, worship, relationshipThis psalm was to be sung on Sabbath. It’s the only psalm in the entire canon where Sabbath is mentioned and it sums up the spirit with which Moses taught the Hebrew slaves about the need to observe a day of rest. In Deuteronomy 5, Moses links the observance of Sabbath with God’s deliverance of the Hebrews and his promise of freedom. They were to stop all work and remember a sea that had parted, a pillar of fire, rocks from which water had gushed, sweet food that fallen from heaven.
Read More joy, freedom, SabbathWe elect leaders who may embarrass and disappoint us. When Toronto’s mayor makes Time magazine’s list of “Top 10 Apologies of 2013,” voter cynicism can’t be far behind. We aren’t unlike the early Israelites in this regard.
The people of ancient Israel lived in a time much like ours, rife with great fear and conflict.
Read More security, kingThe writer of this psalm is desperate. His health is in ruins. He feels the passing of days. He doesn’t want to die even though he considers his life a worn-down ruin and likens it to the ruins of Zion. He’s getting old. Perhaps that’s why I resonate with honesty of this prayer. For two decades, I’ve offered up desperate prayers for my handicapped brothers, addicted sister, alcoholic father and toxic bosses. I’ve waited years for God’s answers. I still wait.
Read More silence, hope, unanswered prayer, presence of JesusIf you ever want to grasp the breadth and depth of God’s love for you in one sitting, just read Psalm 103. David can’t contain his joy or gladness of spirit. “With all my heart I praise the LORD, and with all that I am I praise his holy name!” he begins.
Without pausing for breath David continues to describe who God is and what he does.
Read More rest, joy, failure, confession