Purpose

Bible Studies for those who love the Word or want to discover more.

Friday, December 27, 2013

Psalm 23 - A Slow Feast in a Fast-Food World

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to spend time preparing for our next lesson in Hebrews.  So, in the meantime I pulled an old sermon out that just might be the right thing to focus on as we head in to the new year.  Let's pull back from the holiday mania and hectic regular life to reflect on the beauty of God as our Shepherd.

Next week we will return to our study in the book of Hebrews.
Happy New Year!

A Slow Feast in a Fast-Food World




What if God had a car? What if he had to drive around all day trying to get everything done? I can imagine that he would have a huge stack of papers in the seat next to him, boxes to deliver in the back, a trunk full of clothes for the poor and a trailer full of food to deliver.

If God is anything like me (and we all must be grateful he’s not!) living in this fractured society ruled by the clock and the calendar, then he would probably be dashing in and out of places, stopping to get gas, hoping he'll make it here and there on time.  And, oh my, we've got to eat somewhere sometime. So we dash through a drive-in restaurant anxious to get on with what needs to happen next.

It seems like much of our popular culture revolves around how fast we can get places, how much we can get accomplished in the shortest amount of time, and hoping others don’t get in our way. Scurry, hurry we'd better get going or we might miss another deadline! If I don't have time to catch up with you in person, I can quickly use the digital world or I can leave a message on your voice mail.

American urban culture seems to be trapped in this endless need to see more, do more and get more. In order to accomplish this we are driven to distraction. Life seems to come in short bursts of many, many things.  So, here's a ridiculous little poem I wrote in an attempt to capture an urban culture life.

Psalm 22.5
A Psalm of a Frantic Sheep

I've got to get me life done and get it done quick.
I constantly clamor for what I need and should quit.
I cannot rest now because there is so much to do
So, I’ll go through the drive-through and grab a burritoo.
I'm always tired and often run off the road.
People wonder how I make it - it's because I've been towed!
Nothing ever goes wrong, but when it does
I just ignore the signs and get another Diet-coke buzz.
Most of the time I’m afraid and feel quite alone.
But I don't let anyone know it 'cause there's much to be done.
I've got to get through this traffic no matter what,
I feel dry in my soul, as if nothing is there—but,
I've just got to keep moving and chasing my dreams.
I've only got one life and you know what that means!
I’ve got to grab all I can because everyone else is.
And I buy into that I-can-only-count-on-myself biz.
So, here is my motto for life on the run,
"Eat, drink and be merry—quick!—because soon I’ll be done!"

There's something about a poem that catches our attention. A poem capsulizes a moment, a mood or a memory. Poetry exists in every culture and presents and memorializes the human experience. Poems can be funny, furious or profound. They draw us to themselves because for one moment of reading we can see the world in a very unique and open way.

In our great Judeo-Christian history we were gifted with a marvelous poet. He was one of the finest poets in Jewish history. And his words ring true for all humanity. We experience love, joy, rage, disappointment, wonder, humility, sorrow and exuberance through his poetry.  This man's name was David, the shepherd/musician who became king of God's people. His story echoes with the reality that he was "a man after God's own heart." His life is testimony of how God can and will help the humble to become mighty, how God will humble the mighty if their actions become selfish, and one who constantly turns to God can lead a nation in war, weariness, and worship. I challenge you to read about David's life this week in 1 and 2 Samuel. I guarantee you that you will find a story of truthfulness and God's grace and power.

It is out of this story that David wrote seveny-three of the Psalms we now find in the Bible. Although many of his Psalms are obviously written for corporate worship, many of them are raw expressions of human experience with God and others. He was an honest man, as well as a premiere worship leader and king. For centuries now people have gleaned comfort and encouragement from his poems.

Let's try to understand the context for today's Scripture. Certainly the 23rd Psalm was composed while David sat as king over Israel. I don't know how we can comprehend the demands of a king, but perhaps we could try it this way. When we see the United States President on television, what do we see? He is a world leader at every turn of his life. I doubt if he is ever truly alone. Security guards and journalists are always at his elbow. Advisors and lobbyists must be knocking on his door by day, and military and crisis personnel knocking on his door at night. I cannot imagine the kind of pressures that exists for a man in his position. The trade and employment markets rise and fall based on what he says or does. There are people who hate him and people who love him. There are people who would try to kill him and malign his work. And there are people who would put words into his mouth to make him appear one way or another.  This is the kind of lifestyle that David the king of Israel was leading. He was a victorious and powerful military leader. He made choices about which nations to attack and which nations to help. Great festivals and feasts were created to honor him and align his allies. God gave him incredible wisdom and fortitude for all the troubles he faced. Alliances to sabotage his leadership fell apart because he clung to God his Helper. The poor, the widows and the orphans were taken care of because of the godly compassion he had in his heart. Israel's enemies were dealt with swiftly and decisively as God directed him. It would be easy to set David up on a cloud as a demi-god if it were not for the honest reporting of his life, his failures and his poetry.  He was very much like you and me. And even in his position of power and prestige he needed God desperately.

Imagine with me a cool summer night. David comes to his private chambers exhausted by the demands of his day. He has signed law, he has listened to debate, he has honored a leader in the community, he also received news of a possible opposition attack, and his family has been threatened again. There are before him tomorrow difficult decisions. He is weary to the bone.
He sits heavily in chair by a candle in the great, dark room. He takes a deep breath and begins to remember the days of his youth when he was just a shepherd, a simple shepherd sitting under the stars. How nice and plain life in those years. And then God says to him, "David, I am your Shepherd."  The quill pen lifts again and David writes one of the most magnificent poems of Biblical literature.

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

~Psalm 23

We have come to know this as the Shepherd's Psalm, but I rather like to think of it as the sheep's Psalm. In this moment of poetic beauty we see God from the eyes of a weary, frantic little sheep.
The Lord is my shepherd. In our urban environment it may be difficult for some of us to understand the role of the shepherd. But the shepherd watched over and cared for the sheep 24/7.  His every thought was for their safety, food and shelter.

Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd and here is how his job description fell out in John 10:11-18.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” This reality about God is what David was absorbing and comprehending when he wrote his wonderful poem. He had a great Shepherd of his soul who was for him 24/7!

In one of the classic forms of Hebrew poetry Psalm 23 starts out with a great statement and the rest of the poem affirms that statement and graphically illustrates it as it builds to a great crescendo.  Here is how the Lord was David’s shepherd.

I lack nothing.  In other words, I have everything I need.  I don't have to scramble for it or scurry around. The Shepherd has already looked ahead and made sure my provisions are there. If we just stop and look around we will find everything we need. Sometimes we get so caught up in how things are going to be provided that we forget that God has already promised to provide it! David needed to re-learn what he found in the fields as a shepherd—every good thing comes from God in his perfect timing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters . . . Sheep are kind of dumb. They are not smart like elephants, hyenas or lions. They need to be told where to go and what is best for them. Sheep will graze on thistles when a green field is nearby. They have to be directed where to go by a shepherd's nudge with his rod and sometimes with the quick and goad, a stinging thistle-laden staff applied to their hindquarters.  Did you know that a thirsty sheep will put its nose into a rushing river so deep that the force of the water will sweep it away? Don't you think the sheep would put two and two together?  Rushing river (force greater than me) + thick woolen head able to be pulled into the river = drowning sheep.  Let’s put it another way.  God says, don't get drunk on wine and don't covet. We promptly go out and get drunk on wine and spend our credit cards up to the limit to get what our neighbor has already bought by spending their credit cards up to the limit! And then we woefully wonder why our lives are a wreck. It might be wise to admit it—we’re dumb sheep. We need a good Shepherd!  And de's standing right here offering us the good places to be and the good things to have—if we'll just follow his voice.

He refreshes my soul.  God is in the business of restoring, rebuilding and renewing. When we have spent our breath, when our bodies are wracked with pain from overwork, when our words come out all discombobulated because we haven't had enough sleep, when we're not thinking straight because we've had too much caffeine in order to keep going . . .that's when the Good Shepherd says, "Let's sit down for a while. If you read my Word it will encourage you. I will give you wisdom if you ask me for it. Slow down for a minute or two and let me take care of your soul."   That's what God loves to do for us. He knows us too well to think that we can regenerate our own souls. It is the life-giving Word of God and his presence that brings healing like fresh spring water.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. I can imagine as a king or president one of the greatest temptations would be to try to make a name for myself. Some people take paths simply because it will get them into the history books. But these people are shown for what they are—self-centered, self-righteous, disingenuous people. When there is a greater purpose outside of ourselves our paths are made straight and true. And although each of us cannot claim absolutely pure motives for all the things we do, when we take the paths that will honor God and in his name we will have much firmer roads to walk on and our fulfillment will be abundant.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Have you ever had a near accident and then stopped suddenly and looked back at the incident? It is astonishing and unnerving to think through what could have happened. It's in those kinds of moments that you realize that Someone with far greater power than your own can guide you through dangerous places.

And it is also true in those moments of deep grief or when you are faced with the likelihood of something like cancer that the Shepherd's touch and his wonderful voice brings comfort and hope you would never dream was possible. That shadow may be dark, but the Shepherd is near.  When we cannot see our own way through, he uses his tools—his kind voice, the rod that can beat back an enemy and the staff with the gentle strong curve that can pull us out of trouble.

The next part of the Psalm is one of my favorites.  Imagine with me that King David has called for a great banquet. He decides to go to the great hall early. People are busily decorating and setting the tables.  In the distance he can hear the clatter and banging in the kitchen. The aroma of wonderful food comes wafting down the hallway. He knows that his cooks are going to outdo themselves tonight. 

As he stands to the side, he sees some of the guests arrive a bit early, in the ancient tradition of the East the greeters present aromatic oils to the guests for their skin and hair. The Eastern sun and winds are harsh and to honor a guest is to care for their body as well as their stomach. More guests begin to arrive and they are presented with oils as well, and then they are seated.

King David decides that it is an appropriate time to enter into the festivities. His assistants rush to bring him the finest of aromatic oils and they themselves pour it on him as a sign of honor—for oil is not only for bodily care but the sign and symbol of someone anointed by God.
As his loyal servants bring him food and drink, King David looks around the room. It is a slow and happy feast He is surrounded by friends and family. Laughter runs around the table like a small child at a picnic. This is a good place to be.

As David looks around at his guests, he sees something else that it true. Ah yes, there is the man who not more than two years ago declared that he would kill David with his bare hands. And there, there are the three who led a rebellion to depose him as King last year. And yes, the old scoundrel, the one with the broadest smile and the darkest heart has put himself as near the king's seat as he can. And in the midst of this David senses the very presence of God.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

I don't think that David imagined that he deserved any of this royal treatment. He knew that it was because of God's love and God's choice that his heart was full to overflowing, even while he ate with some of his enemies.  I imagine God standing behind David, one great hand on his shoulder and another great hand wrapped around the rod reminding the dark enemies that God himself will defend David. I wonder if the enemies could sense God there? Perhaps not, because they were blinded by their sin. But David knew it. He knew that the Lord was his Shepherd.
Then with the greatest of assurance David penned the wonderful words that are true for all those whose hearts are hard after God.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

You see, this is the promise of a Shepherd to his sheep—24/7, 365 days a year as long as we live. Always with us, always providing for us, always looking out for us, always defending us, always loving us.

Did you know that the Lord is your Shepherd? Why don't we all get out of our hectic-life cars, turn the engines off. We'll walk across a green pasture where God has good things laid out for us and just buckets of fresh spring water. Let's rest and be restored in his wonderful light, knowing that whatever comes our way—pleasant or difficult—his great hand is resting on our shoulder and there are good days ahead.

The Lord is our Shepherd!

Amen

Copyright M.R. Hyde

Saturday, December 21, 2013

The Angel's Song



Short songs are good songs. It's those short little songs or phrases of songs that seem to stick in our minds the longest. How about this one from kindergarten?
I'm a little teapot short and stout.
Here is my handle.
He is my spout.
When I get all steamed up,
hear me shout!
Tip me over, pour me out.

Advertisers and marketing experts know how powerful a short song is, too. Just try to keep those jingles out of your mind.  I dare you! These advertisers and marketers know that if they can get you to associate a positive or fun feeling with their product you are more likely to buy it someday. So, they pay thousands of dollars for people to come up with ingenious little songs to grab our attention and grab our pocket books.

We know that no better than during the Christmas shopping season.  On every radio station we can hear little songs jingle-jangling for our attention. Inside the stores we catch musical or lyrical phrases wanting to stick in our minds. It's enough to drive anyone crazy!  We can walk through what feels like mile of people, squeezing in and out of stores, bumping and striving for the perfect gifts those jingles told us we have to have. There are a thousand "Excuse me's"—some of them sincere, some of them not very sincere. A press of people everywhere can make us feel claustrophobic and frustrated.

I want you to remember that kind of feeling because that kind of human traffic was everywhere when Jesus was born. Luke 2:1-3 records that a census was being taken.  In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.  Unlike our modern census that is taken with forms sent to us, the way a census was taken in those days was for everyone to return to their town of origin—where their family started.  Understanding the nomadic nature of humans, there were thousands upon thousands of people who had packed their bags and were heading for the town of their origin. Our airplanes were their horse-drawn wagons, our economy cars were their donkeys and feet. There would be people on the road, the hotels would be booked and restaurants would be full. People would be tired. There were a thousand "Excuse me's"—some of them sincere, some of them not very sincere. There was just a press of people everywhere.

In that press of people were the marketers and salesmen along the roads and in the city streets. Hungry for this great opportunity to make a buck, we can almost hear them singing out their little songs, "Peanuts, Cracker Jack!" Whatever their product was they knew that if they could find a distinctive song, the travelers might be attracted to their booth, their cart, their stand.

In that press of people there rode a young pregnant girl on the back of a donkey. A man, weary and worn from their journey, was carefully leading her through the crowds. He carried their belongings. She carried the Savior of the world.  Nine months earlier, God had sent an angel to tell her something.

Read Luke 1:26-38.

This was a rather quiet introduction of the Savior to the world. It was in introduction simply made between one of God's angels and a humble young woman.  I would imagine that there were only a few people after that who heard that Mary had been chosen by God to bear the Messiah.   Even fewer would really believe that this was promised Messiah, the One who was going to redeem the nation of Israel out of her troubles and bless the world through them. In the middle of the tumult of the census a good man and his beloved finance' were carrying into Bethlehem the final answer to all the deep problems of humanity.

None of the merchants singing out their short songs of commerce comprehended that that tired young woman was anyone more than another pocket of change into which they could dip. None of the other travelers parted the way so that they could walk comfortably through the streets as the dignitaries they really were. None of the inn keepers treated Mary and Joseph any differently than the hundreds of others who had arrived late and were desperate for shelter for the night.

When Mary and Joseph finally got settled into a corner of a barn, a stable full of animals and hay, it started. It started with groaning and crying. Mary's young body was contracting with the spasms women have had for centuries. There were no little songs in the stable in those hours. Most likely Joseph wasn't whistling a happy jingle as his finance' writhed in pain and pushed that squalling little baby onto the hay. The cows were chewing their cud. The chickens buried their heads under their wings in sleep. The sheep bleated to one another. But those were no songs.

Read Luke 2:6-7.

In Paul Gaugin’s “Birth of Christ” he depicted the birth scene with Mary sleeping exhausted while Joseph looks on at the baby. The cattle have turned their heads, just slightly curious to see what might be going on in their abode. And there she slept. No great music. No singing of little or long songs. There was just the stirring of the animals, an occasional cry from the baby, and Joseph rocking the infant in the night. No one seemed to be singing.

But someone was. In fact, not just someone, but thousands and thousands were singing. Somewhere in a world we have not yet touched or seen a short, powerful and jubilant song was being sung. In heaven God had announced the birth of his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. And the angels burst into song. This is that for which not only the Israelites, but the angels themselves had been waiting.

Angels, real ambassadors of God, had worked with him for thousands of human centuries to help and assist humanity. They had made comforting appearances to those languishing in prisons, those who had been sick, those who were at the point of despair, those who were overcome with fear, those who felt there was no hope. And each time they had brought the good news—God would help them, God would come to their aid, God would draw them out of deep trouble, declaring that God had heard their cries and prayers.  The angels, which are created beings different than us, had been working with God for a long time. They had seen the misery of people, had helped those who were victims of evil and wickedness. They had fought battles on behalf of God's people. And they, too, were looking forward with great anticipation to the arrival of the Messiah on earth—the promised One, whose work would begin the end of God's redemption plan.

God had just sent in the One who could settle the score and win the game. And the crowd in heaven went wild! This is what they had been waiting for, too!  They knew how deeply broken and grieved God's great heart had been over the despair and anguish in the world. They had seen his fury when evil people destroyed his creation. They had watched as his wrath was poured out against those who had set their hearts against him. They had participated in the battles with darkness that constantly arose.  And now—now—God had done what he promised he would do. God had promised to bring Someone into the world who would save people from their sins, who would give people a way out of their personal misery and into guilt-free lives, who would give assurance that they would not end up in the fires of hell if they would just love and follow him. And that Someone is Jesus Christ. Savior of the world. Messiah in the flesh. God for us and God with us.

And the angels couldn't help but sing. See how they broke through the walls of heaven with their song!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

   Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
~Luke 2:8-15

This is a little song of the most magnificent proportions. Two lines hold the hope of the world. The heavenly host could not contain themselves. They burst through the sky and had to sing the good news.

Their little short song is a reflection of many truths.  We cannot save ourselves. Only God has the power to save us. And he has elected to do this. All glory to God, the highest God, God above all gods who is able to deliver and will deliver those who call out to him, who follow him and worship him alone. The angels sang glory to God.

And on earth there can be peace for everyone who finds favor with God. God finds favor with the humble. God finds favor with those who will not reject the truth and his ways. God finds favor with those who seek to be like him in kindness, in truth, in purity, in compassion, in holiness.

God's favor does not rest on those who oppose, deny or ignore him.  The angels did not appear to religious leaders, Herod or the Roman military that night.  This song is for those who accept Jesus Christ, believe in him, and worship him. One little song rang out the great message for the world. Peace is possible when you find favor with God through Jesus Christ. One little song still rings out that great message for the world.

Those of us who follow God can sing with the angels. We do sing with the angels! "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to everyone on whom his favor rests."

Did you know that you don't have to live in a personal hell of guilt and despair over the wrong things you have done? Did you know that you don't have to fear death and can live in hope of a future in heaven where there will be no more sighing, tears, or sorrow? Did you know that there is strength and wisdom from God for your every situation? If you don't know about this, the angels do. And they sing about it!

Did you know that God sent his one and only Son into the world, not to condemn this world, but to save the world through him? (John 3:16-17) Did you know that God loves and cherishes those who will leave their selfish, destructive and evil ways and follow him? Did you know that Jesus Christ loves you so much that he walked our walk and talked our talk and then did something that no one else on earth could do—he took the sins of this whole world onto himself, took the blame of your sins and mine and died with those sins, only to rise again victorious with the power to overcome and defeat that darkness with his wonderful light? If you don't know about this, the angels do. And they sing about it!

You can know all these things in your life.  You can sing a new song that will stick in your heart and your mind for the rest of your life. You can give yourself away this Christmas. Don’t just give packages jostled through a mall of people who don't know how important you are—important enough for God to come and rescue you in the person of Jesus Christ. You can give yourself as a gift back to God. And then you will be able to sing about it with the angels.

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to everyone on whom his favor rests.

Amen.


Copyright M.R. Hyde 2013