August 4, 2023 — Psalm 101

“I will sing of loyalty and of justice; to you, O LORD, I will sing. I will study the way that is blameless. When shall I attain it? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is base. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. Perverseness of heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil. One who secretly slanders a neighbor I will destroy. A haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not tolerate. I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, so that they may live with me; whoever walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me. No one who practices deceit shall remain in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue in my presence. Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all evildoers from the city of the LORD.” Psalm 101

 “When shall I attain it?” — the Psalmist asks the question: “When will You come for me, Lord?” Have you ever asked the same question? Perhaps not. But I have known many with whom I have walked the path of the end of their lives who have asked that question. We sometimes ask a different but similar question: “When will You come, Lord Jesus?” Often we utter these words out of frustration as we look around this world and witness the injustices, the abuse, and the inequality. I would imagine many ask this question because of the increase of violence and injustices in this world. There are those days where I sit down in frustration and think  “I just want to be with Jesus.” Out of the brokenness of life, I long to feel such wholeness.

We will all, one day stand face to face to meet Jesus, and face the final judge of our lives. We should remember that G-d’s blessing in our life is directly connected to our obedience. Let us make sure we are walking the life Jesus calls us to live, running the race of faith, sacrificing our will and pride and giving ourselves completely to G-d’s will in our lives. Then perhaps we might dare ask with certainty “When will you come for me?” knowing that as we’re striving to do and become what G-d hopes and intends, we will continue in faith knowing that one day, we will be with Jesus.

Prayer

God of truth, you call us to walk with integrity of heart. Turn us from evil and guide us in the ways of faithfulness, that we may delight in your love and justice forever; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Pastor Dave

August 3, 2023 — Psalm 100

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Know that the LORD is God.

It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him, bless his name. For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100

This psalm teaches how and why we are to gather to worship our G-d. Some believe that this psalm was the conclusion of six psalms used in worship when the people would be approaching the temple. These would be sung by the congregation entering the temple proper. At times it accompanied the thank offering. Worshipers would recite, sing, or chant this psalm as part of their praise.

I have often recited this psalm when someone tells me they cannot sing, nor have nothing to offer G-d musically. I will look to them and say: the Lord asks us to make a joyful “noise” — not only the polished, well-rehearsed noise.

The covenant of grace set down in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament deserves our vocal prayer, praise and thanksgiving. There is no place where it is said that our song, our voices must be well-rehearsed. Oh, we do want to give G-d our best, no matter what. But how sad it seems to me when too many choose not to lift up their voices because they think theirs is inadequate. Let us take every opportunity and give every reason to praise the Lord when we look to lift up our songs about the Lord’s goodness and mercy.

Prayer

Lord our God, we come before you with thanksgiving and praise, for you have created us as your people and you sustain us with your hand. Nourish us in your rich pasture and keep us in your steadfast love, that we may bless your name and serve you with gladness day after day; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Pastor Dave