Read Through The Psalms |
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The Week of May 12, 2008 Psalm 48, 49, 50 Psalm 48 This psalm praises the power and the majesty of the great "city of God," "Zion" or Jerusalem. Notice that the psalmist imagines kings from all over the world standing in awe of God's holy city. God's faithful people find in God's city a sure defense, and evidence of God's steadfast love; while enemies only find fear and trepidation. This wisdom psalm concentrates on one very basic question - what can mortals trust in? On what should we rely or place our very lives upon? Our health, our wealth, our social standing, our lot in life are changeable; as unsteady as a fault line, or a shifting wind. Our very lives can be snuffed out in a flash! The psalmist proclaims I know the source of wisdom, or understanding, and the answer to such riddles. Only God, and God's steadfastness can be trusted. This psalm is unusual in that it records the speech of God. God stands in judgment of the world, and speaks directly to the "faithful ones" (vs. 5) as well as the "wicked" (vs. 16). Read this psalm with Matthew 25:31-46 in mind - a New Testament picture of a similar judgment between sheep and goats. This psalm as well as Jesus' parable in Matthew 25 are meant to instruct the faithful on the proper conduct of those who would seek after God's heart. From My Reading: The LORD is the great king who is sovereign over the world and all the nations in it; Zion, the city and the hill on which it stands, is the great king's capital and site of his temple-palace. That is the theology on which Psalms 48 is based. It is one of the songs of Zion (Introduction, sec. 6.10), hymns whose subject is the importance and meaning of Jerusalem in the LORD's relation to his people and the world. The song speaks of Jerusalem under the sacred name of Zion and portrays Israel's small and unimposing capital as the city of God. Its purpose was to lead the congregation to see what only the eyes of faith could perceive. My Thoughts: Walk around Zion, go all around it, count its towers, I sit in a beautiful spot near Buffalo New York - an executive retreat center with manicured lawns, a glassy lake reflecting beautiful foliage, and the smell and sounds of spring all around. In this glorious location, I have been given a gift; the time to reflect upon my ministry at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, and to discern what God calls me to do next as your Associate Pastor. In this relaxed yet intense setting, God speaks to me quietly and constantly. Psalm 48 has come to my mind in prayer over and over again. I can almost hear the psalmist instructing me to walk around - walk around the wonderful blessings God has placed in our midst at CCPC - our building, our staff, our congregation, our history. Look at the blessings poured out, the ministry accomplished in the name of Christ, and the ways that Christ continues to be made known in our midst. So I have followed the psalmist's instructions. I have "walked around" the "treasure" of my ministry, and my heart overflows with gratitude. I am grateful to and for many of you to be sure; grateful to and for my colleagues in ministry on staff and in the congregation. But ultimately, I am most grateful to God - who led me to CCPC and guides all of us still. Thankfully, I get three more days in this gorgeous place for discernment - but let me invite you to "walk around Zion" as well. Look at the many blessings God brings us as a Christian community at CCPC. Look at what God has built of your life, of your family, and of your spirit over the years. Stand with Psalm 48 and proclaim "this is God;" our Strength, our Rock and our Guide forever. Blessings,
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