Author: Nick Booth

Psalm 46

Nations have continued to rage both within themselves and between each other over the 3000 years since the above words were written. ^{Ps 46.6} Boundaries between countries have been constantly shifting throughout history, dominant powers rise and fall, some disappearing completely.  Internally nations are often volatile and as I write the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement is dominating headlines following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.  In current times an individual event can produce an almost instant response throughout a nation and even across the globe.  The symbolism of one action captures an essence and causes a nation to totter. The unrelenting knee pressing on the neck of George Floyd summed up in a single cruel event the oppression of Black people over hundreds of years. The throwing of Edward Colston’s statue, a prominent Bristol slave trader, into the river, whilst illegal, stood for a demand for institutional repentance and internal change from Britain’s imperial heritage. How then should the Christian Church respond and does the psalm that contains the words, nations rage and kingdoms totter, have anything to say today?

The psalm has two very famous verses, ‘God is our refuge and strength an ever-present help in trouble,’ ^v1 and ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations.’ ^v10 Although Christians frequently take comfort from these words individually they are addressed in the psalm to a people group, the people of God. The threat to the nation is unspecified, it is likely that the threat is to Jerusalem that represents the city of God. ^v4 The psalm with extravagant imagery describes the awesome power of God ^{vv 6,} and his power to control nations. ^{vv  8-9}

The, ‘river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells’ ^v4  is an image found in Ezekiel 47.1-12 and Revelation 22.1-2 of the river of life bringing new life and sustaining life, flowing from the throne of God, in the city of God.  The message is clear, in the midst of great turmoil God is able to bring new life through the Holy Spirit.

If God is our refuge then the values and stance we should take as Christians must be those that reflect his character.  God in Psalm 46 is a God of action ^v9 and so as disciples Christians should also be people of action. It was Christians historically, in Britain, who led the fight for the abolition of slavery, even though many in the church at the time resisted the movement. It was the repentant slave trader, John Newton, who gave us the great Christian anthem, Amazing Grace.

The Old Testament call to discipleship still acts as a clarion call over the millennia:

‘He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.’ ^{Micah 6.8}

Jesus perfectly lived out Micah’s commission and now united in the cross of Christ his disciples are in God’s eyes equal in value and in his love.  ‘For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’ ^{Galatians 3.27-28} 

In the middle of turmoil and action God calls on his people to quietly centre ourselves on him, trusting in him, having confidence in his presence.  From this place we will find the strength to live Micah 6.8 lives.

How can the church act in the uproar of national life?

What opportunities does the church create to be still and know that God is God?

How do we live out the crucified life of Christ in our community?

Be still for the presence of the Lord is here

Psalm 45 and Hebrews 1.8-9

2020 hasn’t turned out to be the best year for a wedding. Casually reading the Evening Standard Lifestyle pages I discovered that by mid-April 64,000 weddings in the UK had been cancelled or postponed in the previous three months. The wedding app ‘Bridebook’ reckons losses to the wedding industry this year will be £87.5 billion. It seems the average cost of a wedding in the UK is around £20,000.  Imagine the cost of a really big royal wedding which is what we have celebrated in Psalm 45. In the bible marriage has been a God ordained relationship from the beginning with Adam and Eve to the last chapter when the Spirit and Christ’s Bride (the church) say, ‘Come and let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.’ ^{Revelation 22.17}

Giving a speech at a wedding is nerve wracking enough, here the poet is called to write the wedding song praising both the bridegroom (the King) and the bride a foreign princess.  Imagine getting it wrong.  It is thought the wedding was probably between Solomon and a princess. It could be the wedding in 1 Kings 3 where early in his reign Solomon married a daughter of Pharaoh. God had warned Israel not to intermarry with other nations as they will turn your hearts after other gods. However, I Kings 3 is a chapter where Solomon also asks God for wisdom and so this marriage more resembles Ruth who was prepared to forget her people ^{v 10} and be loyal to her new people and God.

The Psalmist in his praise of the King connects him with the coming Messiah as is quoted in Hebrews as part of the description of Jesus in his glorified, post ascension, heavenly reign. ^{Hebrews 1.8-9} The praise to the King is fully fulfilled by Jesus in a way which is unattainable by a normal human King. The hugely enthusiastic poet ^v1 firstly praises the appearance of the King. ^{vv 1,2} But, this is the post Davidic age where Samuel has pronounced God does not look at the outward appearance but the heart. ^{1 Samuel 16.7} So he goes on to praise the King for his character and justness of his actions. ‘In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth, and meekness and righteousness.’ ^v4 All facets perfected in Christ. He then moves rapidly on to credit him with an eternal reign, loving righteousness and hating evil before pronouncing him anointed by God. ^{vv 6,7} This exaggerated type of praise may have been used in surrounding nations for their Kings but Israelites would have seen it as putting oneself on the same level as the one and only eternal God if meant literally. In Solomon’s time it would have been meant metaphorically because the King represents God’s rule on earth.  Hebrews applies the same verses to describe Jesus as the Son, who glorified reigns forever.

The second part of the psalm turns to the bride and her relationship with the bridegroom. She arrives gloriously adorned, filled with joy and gladness, leaving behind her previous life. ^v15 A description picked up on in the New Testament to describe the church’s relationship with Christ. ‘Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.’ ^{Revelation 19.7-8}

A wedding is a great time of celebration.  Do we take the time to celebrate the Kingship of Christ and the honour of our relationship with him?

Praise my soul the King of Heaven

Psalm 44 and Romans 8:18-39

It is understandable that if a Christian has believed in God and trusted Jesus for forgiveness and eternal life but is struggling in aspects of their life, that they should question God about it.  There is a branch of the late twentieth century and twenty first century Protestant church that advocates what is called the prosperity gospel or theology.  This was mostly found in Pentecostal or Charismatic movements, although there are many in those denominations who would oppose such theology. However, aspects of this teaching have been absorbed through the modern church. In brief it says that if you are obedient in your faith God will reward you with material wellbeing. This could be in the areas of wealth, health, career and personal fulfilment. Some of the leaders in this movement have been at the centre of scandals as they have grown wealthy at the personal cost of many low income followers who have been desperate to please God and improve their personal circumstances. It holds out a promise of hope to people who are desperate for a resolution to their problems with the appearance of being rooted in biblical teaching.  So, people believe that if they are in some way more obedient in their faith or giving they will have the child they desire, meet their life partner, increase their wealth, be healed or perhaps gain spiritual gifts or ministries that they would love to have.

The psalmist in Psalm 44, speaking on behalf of the nation, finds himself in a similar dilemma.  Israel, he says, has been faithful in its covenant relationship with God ^v17 and yet its circumstances are dire. ‘Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ ^v22 How then can we understand how God who has honoured his covenantal relationship with Israel ^{vv 1-8} can then apparently turn and leave them in a state of national mourning? ^{vv 9-16}

Romans 8 sets Psalm 44 in a New Testament context quoting verse 22. The New Testament Christians are indeed in a covenantal relationship with God as children of God. ‘The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,’ but Paul makes clear this is not a free ticket to a smooth life as he goes on to say, ‘provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. ^{Rom 8.16,17} Our hope is an eternal hope linked to the promise of a new creation ^{Rom 8.23} When Paul talks about all things working together for good, for those called according to his purpose, ^{Rom 8.28} he is not speaking of prosperity in this life, he is speaking of the hope of salvation. ‘Those he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.’ ^{Rom 8.30}

When the Psalmist complains, ‘You have made us a reproach to our neighbours, the scorn and derision of those around us,’ ^Ps 44.13 Paul’s reply is, ‘Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?’ ^{Rom 8.35}

The New Testament knows nothing of prosperity gospel, Jesus words were, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself.’ ^Luke9.23-25    God has not rejected us or forgotten us as the psalmist pleaded, ^{Ps 44.23,24} he has indeed risen up and rescued us because of his unfailing love through Jesus Christ.

Does this mean we cannot bring our daily lives before God?  Of course not. However, our joy is to be in Christ himself and our calling is to go tell whatever our circumstances.

More Than Conquerors” from Rend Collective

PSALM 42 & 43

When thinking afresh about a topic I find it is often useful to consider the vocabulary that is used in discussing it before ordering the concepts.  Apart from the second sentence of the repeated verse at the end of each stanza ^{Ps 42.5,11, 43.5} there is little that is positive. The vocabulary includes these words and phrases: thirsts, tears, pour out my soul, cast down, turmoil, breakers and waves have gone over me, mourning, oppression, taunt and reject me.  The psalmist is in despair and experiencing repeated mental and spiritual turmoil. Frequently if we are in that place our internal dialogue is circular and although we imagine ways out of the position we return again to the same set of feelings.

We do not know if the circumstances he describes are metaphors or physical reality but it is not necessary to know to understand the nature of his experience and how it relates to contemporary experiences.  He describes being in the far north of the country ^42.6 well away from Jerusalem in the south, the centre of his spiritual highs with God. He understands his relationship with God through his role as a musician and leader of worship in Jerusalem and is now deprived of it. ‘How I would go up with the throng, and lead them in procession to the house of God.’ ^{v 42.4} When the capacity to continue in the things that have been a blessing to us and others is removed it can seriously damage our spiritual health, cause a period of mourning and adjustment. It can challenge our identity, for the Christian it is helpful to meditate on our identity in Christ and what he has done for us. ‘But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.’    ^{John 1.12}

The psalmist describes his longing for God as a dryness and unresolved thirst. ^vv42.1,2 These feelings will not go away and they are destroying his appetite. ‘My tears have been my food day and night.’ ^{v 42.3} He recognises his spiritual and mental state impacts his physical wellbeing. He keeps going back over memories of times when he was fulfilled and cannot move on.

The second stanza ^42.6-11 describes the feeling of being overwhelmed and out of control. In truth there are no major waterfalls or seas with massive breakers and waves to cover him ^{v 42.7} in northern Israel. He is drawing on repeated biblical and ancient Hebrew imagery where the depths of the sea represent chaos and disorder, a place where unknown evils may come from. He is desperate for something firm to stand on. ‘I say to God, my rock: Why have you forgotten me.’ ^{v 42.9} The sense of desertion by God that can overwhelm one creates a spiritual loneliness.  Whether his enemies are real or imagined ^42.9-10 he is oppressed by them. The taunting in his head will not go away, ‘Where is your God?’ ^42.10

In the midst of his turmoil he again resolves to praise God, knowing that he is his salvation, but that does not make him feel better. One has to admire the psalmist, he has faced up to his problems, he has rationalised them and knows the way forward is with God whatever his current feelings. In the third stanza (Psalm 43) he starts his fight back. He calls on God to vindicate him against his oppressors even though his feelings tell him God has rejected him. There is a conflict between his inherent trust and experience of God and his overwhelming feelings. To cut through this he needs two things. He needs light to shine through his spiritual darkness and God’s truth to guide him into the presence of God for which he has so longed. ^{V 43.3} He wants to express his faith and love for God in the way he knows he connects with God, through music. That is undoubtedly true for very many now, however for others their core way of relating with God may be different. For some it will be in silence, for others through the written or spoken word. Some find the easiest way to pray is when walking, others need to be on their knees. Others like me may prefer to spend time with an open bible, moving between reading, reflecting and prayer. However we find God in our deepest souls we also need to spend time in the company of other disciples.  Their presence and faith will build us up.

We could pray that:

We will recognise and understand when people are experiencing depression.

We will be prepared to stand alongside them with patience and love.

That our church will be a place where God’s light and truth can gently lead them into God presence.

Holy overshadowing – Graham Kendrick

PSALM 42 & 43

Over 3 million people in the UK are diagnosed with depression.

Depression is a mood disorder, characterized by the persistent feeling of sadness, lack of motivation and interest.

(My Therapy website)

Depression is a major issue throughout the population and disciples of Jesus are commonly subject to it along with everybody else. We could ask, why is that? When Jesus promises such a glorious hope.  Isn’t Christianity all about love, forgiveness, healing and joy? The songs are full of praise and upbeat. If we have enough faith, it could be assumed, God will bless us with good things and problems will be solved and we will and should be happy.

We could ask, is there a spiritual dimension to depression? If so, what comes first depression for other reasons or is the cause of depression spiritual? Spirituality and depression has been researched around the world, although it is more difficult to identify outcomes specifically concerning Christian faith and depression. Even in the more general research it is difficult to be definitive about the connection between faith and specifically depression although there are general trends that clearly connect to peoples experience of the Christian faith.

A review of over 400 related research papers between 1962 and 2011 concluded, ‘Religious beliefs and practices may help people to cope better with stressful life circumstances, give meaning and hope, and surround depressed persons with a supportive community. In some populations or individuals, however, religious beliefs may increase guilt and lead to discouragement as people fail to live up to the high standards of their religious tradition.’ (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3426191/) I think that seems realistic and has both positive and negative implications for the communication of the Christian faith and in particular how the bible’s teaching is shared and understood.  It also raises a number of questions about how the church approaches its mission in relation to peoples experience of depression and in particular spiritual depression.  Psalms 42 and 43 are originally one psalm divided into three stanzas, each one concludes with the same repeated question, ‘Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? The psalmist then urges himself to, ‘Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.’ They recount the internal dialogue of an individual experiencing spiritual depression.

Please read through the two psalms and consider how much do they reflect your own experience and possibly that of a good friend.  A closer look at the text will be in part 2.

As the deer pants for the water – Robin Mark