May
those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy
those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy
Praying the Psalms, 6
6-7
Apr 2019, Christ Mountain Top, The Lord’s Table
Apr 2019, Christ Mountain Top, The Lord’s Table
Opening
Scripture, Isaiah 43.16-21
Scripture, Isaiah 43.16-21
Children,
John 12.1-8
John 12.1-8
Message,
Psalm 126
Psalm 126
Mom,
after diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and consult with Fox Chace, and the good
news: I had to pinch myself
after diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and consult with Fox Chace, and the good
news: I had to pinch myself
“We were like those who dream”
Historical
context: Return from exile
context: Return from exile
When
the LORD brought back the captives to Zion (Ps 126.1, NIV)
the LORD brought back the captives to Zion (Ps 126.1, NIV)
From living in refugee camps to living in
their own land
their own land
Yet,
disappointment too …
disappointment too …
Lacked the resources and will to get it
all done immediately
all done immediately
Resistance to their return and recovery
Continued to live in distress
– wall not repaired, temple not
built
built
Temple they dreamed of wasn’t the temple
they could build
they could build
Those
whose mouths were filled with laughter now sow in tears.
whose mouths were filled with laughter now sow in tears.
Dynamic
of Memory and Hope
of Memory and Hope
Isaiah, “do not remember the former
things”
things”
Ebenezer
(come thou fount, #400)
(come thou fount, #400)
1
Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a
stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, and named it Ebenezer; for he
said, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”
Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a
stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, and named it Ebenezer; for he
said, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”
It
is the memory of God’s help in the past that gives us the confidence to dare
for God’s help in the present and the future. It is memory and hope that allow
us to remember our old shouts of joy and believe we will shout for joy once
more.
is the memory of God’s help in the past that gives us the confidence to dare
for God’s help in the present and the future. It is memory and hope that allow
us to remember our old shouts of joy and believe we will shout for joy once
more.
Literary/Liturgical
location, Songs of Ascents – 15 psalms (120-134)
location, Songs of Ascents – 15 psalms (120-134)
Pilgrimage – every pilgrimage includes joy
and struggle, and God is present with us in both
and struggle, and God is present with us in both
Temple stairs – going up, stepping toward God
in worship and devotion even in our struggles (15 steps, same as # of Songs of
Ascents)
in worship and devotion even in our struggles (15 steps, same as # of Songs of
Ascents)
In the pilgrimage, we learn the value of
the mysterious blessing Jesus offers: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they
will be comforted.” “Then our mouths were filled with laughter.” Now, “restore
our fortunes, O LORD.”
the mysterious blessing Jesus offers: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they
will be comforted.” “Then our mouths were filled with laughter.” Now, “restore
our fortunes, O LORD.”
Experience of deliverance sustains us and
provides hope in today’s crisis
provides hope in today’s crisis
Molly’s
prayers – when things are tough, and her memory of God helping her (video)
prayers – when things are tough, and her memory of God helping her (video)
She gives it to God. Do you take it back?
Oh, no.
Oh, no.
Why? Because, after 16 years of being
alone, she has learned that she can rely entirely on God.
alone, she has learned that she can rely entirely on God.
Mom,
5 days after good news on cancer … emergency surgery
5 days after good news on cancer … emergency surgery
We weren’t laughing.
We were sowing in tears.
We
had no confidence as to the next step in the story. We did know that, no matter
what, we were not alone. The God who delivered us so beautifully in the past
was with us in the uncertain moment. Our tears would turn once more to shouts
of joy.
had no confidence as to the next step in the story. We did know that, no matter
what, we were not alone. The God who delivered us so beautifully in the past
was with us in the uncertain moment. Our tears would turn once more to shouts
of joy.
Resources:
The New Interpreter’s
Bible, vol VI, Psalms, J. Clinton McCann, Jr.
Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996.
Bible, vol VI, Psalms, J. Clinton McCann, Jr.
Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996.
