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Psalm 88

20 Oct

“A Sad Song” (Sermon by Rev. Jacqui Lirette of Fredericksburg United Methodist Church)

O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out to you by day. I come to you at night.

Now hear my prayer; listen to my cry.

For my life is full of troubles, and death draws near.

I am as good as dead, like a strong man with no strength left.

They have left me among the dead, and I lie like a corpse in a grave. I am forgotten, cut off from your care.

You have thrown me into the lowest pit, into the darkest depths.

Your anger weighs me down; with wave after wave you have engulfed me. Interlude

You have driven my friends away by making me repulsive to them. I am in a trap with no way of escape.

My eyes are blinded by my tears. Each day I beg for your help, O Lord; I lift my hands to you for mercy.

Are your wonderful deeds of any use to the dead? Do the dead rise up and praise you? Interlude

Can those in the grave declare your unfailing love? Can they proclaim your faithfulness in the place of destruction?

Can the darkness speak of your wonderful deeds? Can anyone in the land of forgetfulness talk about your righteousness?

O Lord, I cry out to you. I will keep on pleading day by day.

O Lord, why do you reject me? Why do you turn your face from me?

I have been sick and close to death since my youth. I stand helpless and desperate before your terrors.

Your fierce anger has overwhelmed me. Your terrors have paralyzed me.

They swirl around me like floodwaters all day long. They have engulfed me completely.

You have taken away my companions and loved ones. Darkness is my closest friend.

Psalm 88:1-18

Dear God, this was a really nice sermon this morning. You’ll remember that I’m starting each day of this vacation listening to a sermon before I do anything else. I found this one from our local United Methodist Church in Fredericksburg, Texas. I decided to browse through their recent sermons and I saw this one from Jacqui. I know her and I’ve never heard a bad sermon from her (and the title intrigued me) so I listened. I was not disappointed. She did a great job with it.

So I’m just sinking into the idea that she pointed out: There are not many Psalms like this one where it starts sad and it ends sad. There is not resolution. There’s no offer of joy at the end of the journey. The description at the beginning of the psalm says, “A psalm of the descendants of Korah.” I am not completely sure who they were. The might have been Levites going back to Exodus 6, or they might have been from a different Korah more recent than that. But whomever they were, it seems they knew about suffering.

I am always careful when I talk about my own suffering because I know that the worst of the problems I have are still first-world problems. I don’t know what it means to suffer. I don’t know what it means to not be able to protect my wife and children when they are in my home. I don’t know what it is like to not know where my next meal is coming from, where I will sleep tonight, etc. I haven’t had to go through the death of a child, spouse, or even parent. To be sure, I know people in my own sphere who have in the past or are currently experiencing these types of suffering. The closest I have come is the loss of a child to miscarriage (still one of my worst experiences) and parenting struggles and broken relationships with children. And those were brutal. All of them drove me to my knees and had me in prayer. But they were also seasonal. Yes, in the middle of them they felt like they would never end, and, to some extent, the pain of them still follows me, but they were for a season. There are some lives where this is valley will be the rest of their life.

I’d say the big thing you convicted me about is that I can be too dismissive of other people’s mental health issues. At one point in the sermon she talked about dealing with anxiety and she marveled at people who don’t have it all of the time. Well, I guess I’m one of those people. Even in the midst of people struggling in this pandemic and the heaviness it creates, I’ve been known to say often: “It’s a marathon and not a sprint.” “We need to toughen up.” “We are soft.” “The church is soft.” But I forget that some people can’t will themselves to get there. They are struggling in ways that I don’t understand and I need to just take a moment to sit with them and let them know they aren’t alone. And, as Jacqui mentioned, it is okay to let it be hard.

Father, I’m sorry for missing opportunities you gave me to be your comfort to people. I’m trusting that your plan was beyond my fallibilities and allowed for my shortcomings. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and patience to sit alongside. And when my valleys come, I will trust you. I’ve certainly been through valleys. I remember unemployment and crying out to you (yelling at you?). So know the pain of uncertainty, and I am sure I’ll experience it again. Thank you for being faithful to your people in all things.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 20, 2020 in Psalms

 

1 Peter 4:12-19

19 Oct

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

1 Peter 4:12-19

Dear God, we are so soft. I am so soft. Even as I type this right now, I’m sitting on the balcony of a nice condominium watching the waves of the ocean roll in. The sun is rising. The sound is constant and relentless. In fact, the sound is something I can simply do nothing about but just give into it and make it a part of my life. I’m going somewhere with this, I promise.

I’ve decided to start each day of this week of vacation listening to a sermon. I’ve been a little too much in my own head lately with scripture and I need to hear some pastoral teaching. I think it’s good to have a balance. I need that personal time in scripture so that the Holy Spirit can speak to me directly, but I also need to have someone else speak your words to me.

This morning, I decided to give a pastor I know of from Nebraska a try. I found this message on suffering from September 27, and it as good. He set the context for Peter’s words in this passage. Christians were being brutally persecuted and murdered at this point. He indicated that Peter was only two years away from being crucified upside down when he wrote these words. Suffering for this audience was at a 10. It just didn’t get any worse than their experience. So what’s my problem?

I was in Walmart two days ago talking with a woman I know and she and I were talking about the current restrictions with the pandemic (which, at this point, are pretty limited–I think we are just down to wearing masks and limited capacity at some places and public gatherings). Our temptation was to complain and I finally said, “We are so soft.” I’ve said this several times over the last seven months, but the “Greatest Generation” didn’t become that way because of the Roaring 20s. They became that way because of how they responded to the 30s and the 40s. Well, this isn’t nearly as bad as that was, but we can use this to make us stronger. You can use this to make us stronger, more sensitive to our neighbors in need, and more dependent upon you. You can use this to renew our churches and our prayer lives.

Father, first, thank you. Thank you for how you’ve provided for my wife and me and for the work I do. This has really been an amazing year, and I can testify to your provision and kindness. Help me to remain faithful to you in it and not take your kindness for granted. You are an amazing God. Thank you also for this vacation. My wife and I are very tired, but we are tired for different reasons. But we need this. We need you. So thank you for this week. Help us to get what we need. Second, I pledge to you that I will do my absolute best to follow you, worship you, and give myself and any accolades that I receive to you. I will decrease so that you can increase. I will accept my lot in life. Please use it all. Use me, my suffering (if that’s what I want to call it)–better said, use any pain that comes my way to mold me into the man you need me to be and bring you glory. And bring revival to your church through all of this, and that starts with repentance. Revive us again!

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 19, 2020 in 1 Peter, Uncategorized

 

Psalm 27

18 Oct

Of David

The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.

My heart says of you, “Seek his face! ” Your face, Lord, I will seek.

Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.

Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord .

Psalm 27

Dear God, this is another instance of a verse meaning something different in isolation than it does when taken as part of the whole. The “verse of the day” from Bible Gateway was the last one. And that’s a good one. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Wait, wait, wait. It takes courage to wait (a lesson Saul learned when he didn’t wait for Samuel). It takes strength. That’s good stuff. But what was driving these sentiments from the psalmist (David)?

In this case, David is talking a lot about actual war. He sounds nervous and maybe even a little afraid. It makes me think of the line from Hamilton that gets repeated over and over again: “I imagine death so much it feels more like a memory. Is this where it gets me?” But David throws this one line in here that covers every possible outcome:

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

Father, there are some days when it feels like everything is stacked against me. People. Circumstances. Challenges. And it’s possible I might fail. I don’t know how it will end on this earth, but I have complete faith for what happens for eternity. So I will wait on you. I will be strong and courageous and wait.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 18, 2020 in Psalms

 

Psalm 19:12-14

16 Oct

But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:12-14

Dear God, here’s another verse (14) that is often taken out of context. And there’s nothing wrong with saying the words of that verse, but when you add the part about having unknown sin in my life and the the sins I knowingly commit, it gives even more meaning to verse 14. This isn’t just a declaration of intent, it is part of repentance. It is the turning, setting my face to the wind (I love the imagery of that phrase) and intentionally setting about ensuring these words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart will be pleasing to you. And you are not only my God and my rock. This is about repentance and you are my redeemer as well.

The meditations of my heart will often drive the words of my mouth. I was with some friends last night, and, well, it’s an election time and I noticed a meanness in them about one of the candidates. I could recognize it because I’ve had meanness about particular candidates in the past too, but for the most part I feel like I’ve gotten past a lot of it. I’m concerned and I have my opinions, but it feels like my opinions are becoming less and less important to me. On the other hand, there are some in my life towards whom I do feel legitimate and self-destructive anger. Do I allow my heart to meditate on that anger? Does that anger come out in my words? And I a terrible ambassador for you (in every way) when I do this? The answer to all of those questions is yes.

Father, I sin willfully and unknowingly. I am sorry for them all. I repent from them. May these words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 16, 2020 in Psalms

 

2 Samuel 7:22

15 Oct

22 “How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you!

2 Samuel 7:22

Dear God, really, who has ever heard of another God like you? I mean, there are a lot of similarities between your nature and who Muslims see you to be, but don’t we all go back to you, the God of Abraham?

So what makes you different? Well, you are one God (although I would add that you have three natures that make up the Trinity). You have demands for us, but you also offer a path to redemption. You don’t promise us greatness, but you promise us peace through selflessness. You take an active role in the world, and yet you give us our free will. And when I step back and wonder changes I would want to make to the God I worship, I can’t think of any. you are exactly who I need you to be. You are exactly who we all need you to be. Is there seemingly needless suffering that happens that I don’t understand? Yes. The biggest one is human trafficking–especially sex trafficking. I don’t understand. But I also don’t know what it would mean to have you do what would need to be done to eliminate it in your own power without us doing the work. And that leads to the question, why don’t we do the work?

Father, thank you. I worship you. I love you. I will sacrifice for you. I will work for you. But I will do my best to wait on you and do it through your inspiration, provision and blessing, and not out of my own strength.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 15, 2020 in 2 Samuel

 

Jeremiah 29:10-14

13 Oct

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Jeremiah 29:10-14

Dear God, you know I have a frustrating history with the one verse in this passage that is often taken out of context, but I’m going to put that aside and try to look at the forest for the trees here.

First, the you is not personal. You are not speaking to an individual in this passage because in 70 years no one listening to these words will be alive. No, you are speaking to the nation of Israel. Yes, you care about us as individuals, and I’ve been amazed at the details to which you seemed to have paid attention in my life–especially recently–but the plans you have are for Israel.

Second, we always seem to assume that our country can substitute for Israel in your eyes. And just to make sure, our country has always seen itself as Israel’s defender no matter what. It’s almost like we expect it will curry favor with you if we are good to them. And maybe it does. And maybe that is why we have been so favored. But it’s important to remember that we are not Israel.

At the same time, we are Gentiles who have been invited into your kingdom. Jesus’s sacrifice and resurrection provided that path. Thank you.

Third, we have work to do. We will humble ourselves and pray. We will call on you and you will heal our land. What does humbling ourselves look like? I have to say, at this point it feels like the Christian church on a national level has no idea what humbling ourselves looks like. We are striving for power and influence. We are striving for recognition. We are trying to take all of the traditional pathways to power and then let the philosophy of our faith guide our actions. There is nothing humble about it. There is nothing humble before you. There is nothing humble before our neighbors. There is nothing humble before our enemies. There is just self-righteousness, judgment, condemnation, and struggle for our rights. And it’s in me too. I’m very sorry.

Father, I don’t know what you will accomplish in this world during my lifetime, but it certainly feels like we are past the apex and in the decline. It feels like we are Rome crumbling. And maybe we are. And that is okay. That is the way of the world. The way of history. My faith is not in the United States government. My faith is not in the Baptist or Catholic Church. My faith is not in the Republican or Democratic parties. My faith is not in the market economy or my bank account. My faith is in you. Help me to worship you and humble myself before you. Help me to humble myself before my neighbors, family, friends, and enemies. Help me to let go of the judgment I feel towards others and offer compassion instead. Do it all for your glory. And I will accept whatever role you have for me to play in this world.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 13, 2020 in Jeremiah

 

Proverbs 1:8-9

12 Oct

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

Proverbs 1:8-9

Dear God, it’s interesting that the first piece of advice from Solomon is to listen to your parents’ instruction. There are some caveats to this advice, I’m sure, but in general the idea is to listen to someone who has been there.

I think about teens and all of the things they want to do and do. Partying. Sex. Sneaking out. Not all teens, mind you, but a lot. And parents don’t want them to do these things. Why? The parents wanted to sneak out when they were kids. Why don’t they want their kids to do it. The parents wanted to have sex when they were young. Why do they want their kids to wait as long as possible? The parents wanted to go out drinking with friends. Why don’t they want their kids to do it? Why do they want their kids to work hard in school? Get good grades? Make the most of their opportunities? A lot of them didn’t when they were kids. It’s because they now know something that the young ones don’t know. In fact, they know a lot of things the young ones don’t know. There is danger in sneaking out and partying with your friends. You limit your life’s trajectory when you don’t work hard and make the most of your opportunities. And there are emotional and even physical ramifications if you have/treatsex casually. And Solomon tells that young person, “Listen to them. They have been where you haven.” My grandmother used to say that you cannot put an old head on young shoulders. That’s true, but a young head that heeds the council of an old head can find itself in a much better position than if it follows its youthful foolishness.

Father, even as a 50-year-old, I still have a lot to learn. I have initiated a coaching/mentoring relationship with an older man who is retired and I’m hoping can give me some of counsel from his experience. I’m hoping you can teach me through him, through the board of directors where I work, through friends, and, yes, through my parents, both of whom I’m fortunate enough to still have. So give me ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart humble and soft enough to absorb the guidance you want to give me through them.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 12, 2020 in Proverbs

 

Philippians 4:1-20

11 Oct

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:12-20

Dear God, I’ve been on both sides of this equation. Twenty years ago, I could never have imagined being on the receiving end of this equation. I was only on the giving end. I would try to give charitably. I made donations and supported different causes and missionaries. My wife and I have always taken a portion of the money each of us receives and earmarked it to give away. But I could never imagine being on the receiving end. To be the person who lives off of the charity of others as they support the work that I do, but as a nonprofit director that is exactly what I do. My salary comes from someone else’s decision to give of their resources to support our work. Even sitting here and typing this right now is quite humbling–even shocking. I can’t believe this is the live I’ve lived for the last 17 years and believe I will continue to live for the foreseeable future.

It’s important for me to note here that Paul does something interesting at the end of this passage. He assures them that he has enough. He is consciously turning off that pipeline from the Philippians to him and allowing that money to go somewhere else. It’s a brave thing to do. Can we ever have enough? What about tomorrow? Shouldn’t my prudence dictate that we need to receive as much as possible? It’s an incredibly fine line to draw–living by faith in you and not by faith in my bank account. I guess the way I try to live out the spirit of this passage is to not cry poor when I’m talking about raising money for our clinic, but instead tell them about our work and then allow you to move them as appropriate. If healthcare for the low-income, uninsured is their thing then we are a good outlet for them to participate in their lives. But if childcare, food, or helping with emergency expenses like rent are their thing then we aren’t a good place for their dollars. And so far you seem to have honored this path. Since I’ve been at the nonprofit where I work over the last 15 years, I’ve seen you organically grow our income to match the programs we offer, while also growing our operating reserves commensurately so that our cash flow can withstand any ebbs and flows throughout the year or over a couple of years. In fact, our reserves have been about the same percentage of our annual operating budget this entire time. It’s all just kind of worked out, but I know that isn’t coincidence. I can feel your provision. I can see when you move in someone’s heart unexpectedly in a way that shocks me. You are so good, and I am so grateful.

Father, help me to be a generous giver of my personal resources, help me to be a good steward of the resources we have at work, and help me to be part of helping others find deeper relationship with you through their decisions to share their resources with those in need. And in the end, make it all about your glory. This is for you, Father. It’s all for you. I love you.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 11, 2020 in Philippians

 

Proverbs 19:20

10 Oct

Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

Proverbs 19:20

Dear God, I think I probably should pick at least one day a week to do a Proverb. Just little nuggets of wisdom as reminders. This one is the verse of the day from Bible Gateway, and it goes along with the self-evaluation I filled out for our board president yesterday.

As the director of a nonprofit, I have a choice to make when it comes to interacting with our board. I can be defensive, insecure, lazy, and prideful by hiding my self-perceived deficiencies from them. That’s one way to go, but the only person that possibly benefits is me (and I say possibly because if I choose to cover anything up, no matter how trivial I might think it is, it’s always the coverup that gets you). But if I am transparent about my weaknesses or failings, if I am forthcoming about things that went wrong, then we can correct or improve those things about me or our operation and benefit the staff, our clients, our community, and even me. And the irony is that transparency breeds trust and respect so it actually does me more good in the long run and I can be at peace because I don’t feel like I am hiding anything.

Father, I am writing this over two days, but the same is true today as I complete this prayer journal entry as it was yesterday when I started it. I need to submit not only to you and to the authorities in my life (government, board of directors, spouse), but I need to serve and be accountable to everyone around me. The more transparent I am, the more you will be able to touch others through me. And the more transparent I am the more I will be forced into growing on the inside the way I tell people I am growing. If I don’t give them a facade to view, but instead show them what it really going on in me then that accountability will be good for me. So help me to get over myself, my pride, my agenda, and my selfishness and worry more about your glory and how you might use me to bring your kingdom and yours will into the world.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 10, 2020 in Proverbs

 

Galatians 3:1-6

09 Oct

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Galatians 3:1-6

Dear God, I get very task-oriented. I lay out my plan for the day. I lay out my activities. I look at the landscape (political, social, personal), determine what is lacking or problematic, and then decide what I must do. I am good at it. But I am a Galatian fool!

What if, just what if, I were to start with worship and then let my actions flow from that? What if I started with my faith in you/Jesus/Holy Spirit and then started to see the world and that “landscape” I mentioned above through your eyes instead of my own? What if I looked at our politics and remembered that there is nothing to fear because you are in control, and I might never see what you are doing in this physical world in my lifetime? What if I applied that same concept to the societal issues and personal issues facing me? What if I let go of my own agenda and just allowed myself to move through the direction I feel from you instead of my own so called wisdom?

Father, right now, I have some work in front of me, and I am the luckiest man in the world because 80% of it is about loving others. I get to write thank you letters to people who sent donations. I get to write update letters to donors to whom our work means a lot. I get to write a flyer to hand out to church members on Sunday to whom I am speaking about our clinic and the work we do with our patients. I get to love, love, love as the work you have for me. Beyond that, I am having lunch with a friend, and I get to sow into his life and allow you to sow into mine through him. I get to love my wife and spend time with her tonight. And if I decided to venture into social media tonight, I have an opportunity to be a source of your love and not divisiveness. None of these things will likely change the problems I think I are important, but they might just move the needle in helping your kingdom to come and your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Use me as you will, and I will start by worshipping you.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 9, 2020 in Galatians

 
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