July 19, 2023 — Psalm 87 

“On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; Philistia too, and Tyre, with Ethiopia— “This one was born there,” they say. And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in it”; for the Most High himself will establish it. The Lord records, as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.” Psalm 87 

The city of our G-d – Jerusalem. Jerusalem was where Melchizedek reigned as king and priest. Jerusalem was the seat of leadership through earthly kings and their kingdoms. Solomon built the Temple there, where sacrifice, worship, and priestly duties were fulfilled. Jesus lamented over this city, the city that killed the prophets and stoned those sent to her. Jesus also honored the city often with his presence — through the feasts He attended, like the Passover celebration. He was accused, sentenced, condemned and crucified here in Jerusalem. He rose on the third day and was seen throughout the city. The church was established in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.  The apostles were energized by the Spirit of God through their initial ministry right there. In other words, G-d’s work was established and set in motion through the chosen people — in their chosen place.   

Psalm 87 is a short glimpse as to what G-d would do through His Son. It is a foretaste of what was to come. It is the place where “Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God”. It is this Holy City of our G-d that will come, the New Jerusalem, redeemed by G-d through Jesus Christ for all eternity. It will be the continued picture of a beautiful community where we will all dwell with G-d. 

Prayer 

Compassionate God, your Son wept over Jerusalem, and he established the new Jerusalem firmly upon rock and made it the mother of the faithful. Make us rejoice in your church, and grant that all people may be reborn into the freedom of your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. 

Amen. 

July 18, 2023 — Psalm 86 

“Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all day long. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication. In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me. There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord,  and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. O God, the insolent rise up against me; a band of ruffians seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant; save the child of your serving girl. Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame,  because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.” Psalm 86 

The writer of this Psalm wants to know the will of G-d in his life — in the midst of his troubles. I would say we all feel the same these days — especially wanting to know the will of G-d in the midst of ongoing strife and terror throughout our world and in the streets of our cities. Like the Psalmist, we have a mixture of fear and faith, a mixture of wanting to understand G-d’s but still wanting to understand our place within these trying times.  

So the Psalmist prays for a pure heart and an understanding mind — because he knows that the Lord is “slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” He wants to receive a sign from the Lord so that he will know some comfort. 

I feel safe to say that we all would like such a sign. We would all like some assurance that we will be able to walk the streets of our towns and cities without fear – that people will no longer feel the bitter pangs of injustice and prejudice. That is also why we should, like the Psalmist, allow the Lord to teach us his ways, so that we might walk and live in his ways. This is where we turn to the Lord to allow G-d to sort out the big stuff, so we can continue to live in the love of Jesus empowered by the Holy Spirit. This will surely help our hearts to find some peace each and every day.  

Prayer 

Gracious Father, when your Son called out to you in the time of trouble, you heard him and brought him out of the pit of death to the glory of resurrection. Give strength to your servants whom you have raised with him to new life, that with undivided hearts we may worship you and tell the glory of your name; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. 

Amen.