Month: March 2021

Psalm 68, 1 Corinthians 15.54-56, Ephesians 4.7,8

The England cricket team has just celebrated an unlikely victory. When Root, the captain, was interviewed he said the team believed they could win because they had won from seemingly impossible positions twice last year and they drew confidence from that memory. What victories have there been in your life and more importantly what victories do there need to be?

In Old Testament literature victory was often recorded over Israel’s enemies, in the New Testament it was victory over spiritual opposition to the gospel of Jesus, sin or death. Whilst victory may occur through the agency of humans, although not necessarily, it was always by the grace (underserved favour) of God. Thus, David opens his song (Psalm 68) with, ‘May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him’. ^v1

Life faces us with many obstacles and battles that can stand between us and a fulfilling relationship with God. They often centre around sin in some form but ultimately the greatest battle is with death, not just physical death but also spiritual death. Most of us for most of the time refuse to engage with this battle and when we have to we are unprepared. The sweep of history covered in David’s song (Psalm 68) acts as a metaphor for the victory over sin and death achieved by Jesus through his death, resurrection and crucially his ascension.

Paul in Ephesians 4.8 quotes Psalm 68.18 with a twist. ‘But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people”.’ ^{Ephesians 4.8} The psalmist has the people bringing gifts to God (entirely appropriate) but Paul has God providing gifts to his people to equip them for works of service and growth in their Christian life to enable them to attain the, ‘whole measure of the fullness of Christ.’ It is for this reason that the psalm is used by Christians as a Pentecost psalm because it was following Christ’s ascension that the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to equip the church for gospel outreach and a holy life.

1 Corinthians 15 is a wonderful summary statement of the gospel which as Paul puts it, ‘You have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain’. ^{1 Corinthians 15.1,2}  The chapter develops until it culminates in Christ’s victory over both sin and death. Over sin through his death and resurrection as he takes God’s judgement over us upon himself. He explains as we share in Jesus’ death so we also will share in his resurrection. Paul summarizes this victory over sin for those who have faith in Jesus with these words. ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory. “Where, O death, is your victory: Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’. ^{1 Corinthians 15.54-56}

The result of Jesus’ victory then should be as emphasized in both Ephesians and Corinthians is to be the capability to give oneself fully to ‘the work of the Lord’. ^{1 Corinthians 15.58} In the next reflection we will look at the victory events celebrated in the psalm that give confidence to his people as they are not immediately obvious. However, the ascension of Christ raises some questions for the modern Christian.

Have we appreciated the extent of Jesus’ victory over all dominions?

Is there any aspect of our life that we need to gain the Holy Spirit’s victory over?

Have we grasped the grace Christ has apportioned us so that the body of Christ may be built up?

Eben – Victory [Africa Gospel Music]

Psalm 67.3-7

Tearfund are campaigning for the government to see the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to provide reasons for the peoples of the nations to praise God. If the nations are led in the light of the character and ways of God then they will be singing praises. Why is this? Because the Godly way to rule is with equity. It also has a world wide view because God wishes to bless the whole world, not to benefit some peoples at the detriment of others. Gospel living and governing is radically different from government by unfair self-interest. It has a different perception of self-interest in that it is in everybody’s interest that governance is equitable.

Psalm 67 is a harvest psalm but it is clear from verse 7 that the harvest is spiritual and global, not just material. Read again Psalm 67 in the light of the e mail content below from Tearfund.

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we see the world.

It’s forced us to pause and reflect.

It’s reminded us of the fragility of life and exposed inequalities in society. But it’s also brought communities together and given us the chance to reimagine what life could be like.

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to be part of rebuilding a society which reflects God’s kingdom values.

As Christians, we can play a vital role by living differently and calling for change as we move forward. Christians have often been central at moments of social renewal and justice – from the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade to the civil rights struggle.

And now, we can urge our leaders to prioritise loving our neighbours near and far, protecting the most vulnerable, and caring for God’s creation. Here are two easy ways you can take action today with our Reboot Campaign.

First, you can join us in urging the UK government to reboot the economy in a way that prioritises the poorest and creates a better world for everyone. We have limited time to influence our leaders as they respond to the current crisis.

Add your voice by sending a ‘reboot message’ to the prime minister using the link below. You’ll find easy instructions to send an email or write a letter.

You can also use our Reboot Campaign video and discussion guide to explore with others how you are experiencing the pandemic, and how you can play your part in building a better world. We’d love to hear how you get on.

Respond: Share vaccines with developing countries

Reset: Cancel debt and release emergency funding to help developing countries respond to the crisis

Recognise: Include local faith groups in the response and recovery plans

Recover: Ensure the global recovery creates a better world for people in poverty, including by supporting small businesses, clamping down on tax loopholes and tackling climate change.

Renew: Work with the devolved nations to reboot the UK economy in a way that creates jobs and tackles the climate crisis

To find out more about these recommendations, please refer to
Tearfund’s policy paper Coronavirus crisis: Restoring societies.

Are we prepared to see advocacy as part of our Christian discipleship?

Do we see the world through the eyes of the Holy Spirit and take Jesus teachings to heart?

Psalm 67 (Lyric Video) | The Corner Room

Psalm 67.1-2 and Mathew 5.14-16

‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.’ ^{Mathew 5.14-16}

I woke this morning in a hotel room and it was dark, the noise of the motorway outside had been continuous all night and so its roar gave no indication of time. I could have reached for my phone to let its light shine on the time, instead I closed my eyes and let the dark control me. Slight chinks of light crept round the curtain edge jogging me into reluctant action. Eventually my conscience overcame my inertia, I rose, pulled back the curtains and instantly light flooded the room and galvanized me into life and I was ready to engage with the world.

Psalm 67 is about the light of God’s face shining on us so we take the light of the gospel to the world. There are two biblical roots the psalmist has drawn on, almost repeating word for word the blessing God gave Aaron and his descendants as priests to the nation, Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. ‘Say to them: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’ ^{Numbers 6.23-26} However the wording is changed to a prayer for the nation to be priests bringing God’s blessing to the world. Peter confirmed this calling for the modern church to be, ‘a royal priesthood, a holy nation’. ^{1 Peter 2.9} The second is Abraham’s promise, I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. (Gen 12.2-3)

The opening two verses of Psalm 67 would make a brilliant prayer to be repeated each time a church gathers. ¹May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah, ²that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.’ ^(ESV) To push the blackout curtain analogy a little further, a prayer that stops at the end of verse one draws the blackout curtain tightly around the church and says God’s grace and blessing is all ours or mine.  How often is that the motivation of our prayer, that we will be blessed? How often is the motivation that we will be a blessing?When talking and thinking about the ‘light of the world’ we frequently think about Jesus words in John 8.12 ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ But in Mathew, Jesus spoke to his  followers and said, ‘You are the light of the world … let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.’

God’s blessing on his church ought to be apparent to the world, the ways of Christians should be so distinctive that it is clear that the good news of Jesus is God’s salvation. This is a major challenge to a church too frequently consumed by its own internal issues. Our light for the world is the Holy Spirit within us, a mirror only reflects a light that that faces it, turn the mirror away from the light and it can no longer reflect it. May our faces shine as we gaze upon the goodness of God.  How often do we take time to be in God’s presence so that his face can shine upon us?

How do we join in making his ways known on earth?

Shine Jesus Shine (from the Indian released album Shine) Lyric Video – Graham Kendrick

Psalm 66

We may not have a book in us but we all have a host of stories. Listen in to casual conversations around the table, when dog walkers meet, between family members over the phone and the conversation will be filled with stories from their lives. They may be about small incidental happenings but they are relevant, informative and create bonds between people. When the psalmist writes, ‘Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me’ ^v16 he is keen to share the story of how God has answered his prayer. This is a congregational psalm designed to be used in shared worship and so it celebrates and encourages us to share our own stories of God’s answers to prayer and how important this is in building up the community of faith. Have you a story to tell about answered prayer during this Covid 19 time? If so who have you shared it with and how naturally does it flow in conversation.

The telling of salvation stories is an essential part of mission in our local community. It opens up our faith to others. It is easiest to do so within the faith community because we have confidence that our story will be well received but it is also provides a place for it to become a normal part of our life and makes it easier to share with those beyond the comfort of church. We need to be careful that the stories we tell are those that reflect God’s will and righteousness. The psalmist says, ‘If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.’ ^v18

The ‘awesome deeds’ that God has done are salvation deeds. The reference to the sea being turned into dry land ^v6 evokes memories of the Israelites escaping enslavement through the Red Sea or the crossing of the Jordon into the promised land. There is no pretense in these stories, everything did not go well but they do show the faithfulness of God. As the psalmist says, ‘For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let people ride over our heads, we went through fire and water,  but you brought us to a place of abundance.’ ^{vv 10-12}

All of this is ultimately completed through Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension. We have a story to tell. We will fail many times on our discipleship journey but God is faithful and we have many reasons to praise the Lord. We no longer bring burnt offerings instead our worship is now to be our lives lived out being transformed into Christlikeness. In Paul’s words, ‘I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.’ ^{Romans 12.1,2}

To discern the impact of personal story telling in spreading the good news of Jesus read Matthew 9 which contains several accounts of how personal testimony of encounters with Jesus were passed on and ‘news spread throughout the region’. It is important that Christians normalize the telling of their faith rather than be fearful of reactions as we seek to change the culture.

Have you heard a story recently that encouraged your faith?

Have you passed it on?

Build your Kingdom here – Rend Collective

Psalm 65

A vast explosion in Beirut with more than 4000 injured and an unknown number dead. Over 1 million Uighurs’ forced into highly secure camps for “re-education” in the Xinjiang province of China. Governments across the world trying to balance lock down and economic recovery. Each story humanized through an individual’s eyes, a phone’s video clip, an eye witness account or a personal story. Is there a God for all peoples?

Psalm 65 is the middle one of a group of three all of whom address God being the God of ‘all people’. Throughout the bible there is a call to be outward looking to grasp that God’s love is for the whole world and all peoples. Even in David’s time where commonly gods were thought of as belonging to one nation or group, the biblical perspective was looking forward to a time when all people will come to recognize God and this theme continues through the New Testament. Psalm 64.9 says, ‘All people will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done’. Psalm 65.2 says, ‘You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.’ Psalm 66.4 says, ‘All earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.’ Revelation 14.6 declares, ‘Then I saw another angel flying in mid air, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people.’

Peter explains that it is God’s desire that all people would turn to him now and be in relationship with him and that is the reason for his patience in the face of continued rejection by people towards him. ‘The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.’ ^{2 Peter 3.9} But what does it mean to be in relationship with God now? Psalm 65, a harvest psalm, provides us with some insight into the relationship experience.

A foundational position is grasping that God is the creator God and his creation conveys his eternal greatness, power, wonder and continuing presence. He is not a God who has done something and wandered off bored or disinterested and his continuing engagement with this small planet bountifully provides for us. ^{vv 6-13} Contemplation of his provision evokes in us who trust in him a response of joy that the whole of nature seems to join in with. ‘The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.’ ^v8 ‘The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.’ ^v13 We should not be ashamed of simple adoration and thankfulness, the growing urbanisation of human life has separated many from the immediate impact of God’s provision. ‘The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.’ ^{vv 9-10}

Sin separates us from God and it is easy to minimise sin in our minds because it is uncomfortable and challenging. Sin is all pervasive in the world, not only in our individual lives. It is also evident in the way many companies, organizations and countries conduct themselves. The Beirut explosion will have sins of neglect as a minimum behind it, the Chinese abuse of minority groups involves governmental sins of torture, imprisonment and abuse of women over their reproductive rights. God through Jesus has provided a means of re-establishing a relationship with him. ‘When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.’ ^v3 John in the New Testament writes to the churches that we should not fool ourselves even after we have committed our lives to Christ we will still sin, however if we are honest with God about it we do receive forgiveness. ^{1 John 1.8,9}

Knowing God through Jesus Christ is also to be individual loved and special to God. It is not just being a part of a group it is being a child of God. David writes, ‘Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!’ ^v4 David is drawing on the imagery he knows as a king chosen and anointed by God. Jesus said, ‘No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day’. ^{John 6.44}

Whilst the thrust of the psalm is a celebration of God’s goodness through the harvest, David uses this to celebrate the greater harvest of righteousness that comes from God as our Saviour. Being in relation with God is living in a Christ like manner. In the same passage that John speaks about the confession of sin he also uses the phrase to walk in the light, meaning to live according to the gospel. ‘If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. A fulfilling outcome of being in fellowship with God is also the fellowship with other believers.

Do we provide time each day to consciously be in fellowship with God through Jesus Christ?

Are we brave enough to face up to the impact of sin on our lives and confess it to Him?

River of God – Paul Oakey

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=river+of+god+paul+oakley