Day 27
Read Psalm 105
Followers of Jesus have a unique understanding of history, most notably is that God is involved in it. As N.T. Wright has said, “Christianity is about something that happened.” It is not simply moral teaching or spiritual philosophy; it is about actual events that have taken place in actual history. Eugene Peterson notes that “Popular forms of spirituality tend to avoid history, at least in its messier aspects, as subject matter and context for nurturing the soul.” But the Bible is immersed in history. Even some of its poetry as seen here in Psalm 105 and what we’ll read tomorrow in Psalm 106 is a retelling of the history of Israel.
Peterson goes on to note that popular forms of spirituality often invoke nature – the mountains, streams, seas, flowers and birds. It is easy to imagine some form of “Higher Power” when looking at the mysteries of nature. But it is a whole other thing to see God at work in dysfunctional families or incompetent leaders (just read the stories of the families of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in Genesis if you want to see some serious dysfunction). The Psalms, of course, often praise God for the beauty of His creation (Psalm 8, 19, 121 just to name a few) but they also praise God for His work in history.
Psalm 105 tells the story of God’s promise to Abraham, the working of God in Joseph’s enslavement and the liberation of the people under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. God liberated the people from Egypt. Egypt is a real place, you can go there and see the Nile River. Read the Psalm again and notice how many verses start with God as the subject of the sentence doing the action. The Exodus story became the defining moment in Israel’s history and the Passover celebration became the yearly remembrance of God’s liberation.
As we approach Passion Week and the death and resurrection of Christ, remember that Passion Week happens during the Passover celebration. Jesus’ last supper was a Passover meal.When the Exodus story was being told and retold in Jerusalem that week, Jesus – the Lamb of God that all the Passover lambs were pointing to – went to the cross as the last Passover sacrifice. God once again liberated the people. Christianity is about something that happened. It happened for you.
Prayer
The benediction I often use on Sunday mornings says, “Wherever you go God is sending you. Wherever you are, God has put you there. He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who indwells you has something he wants to do through you, where you are. Believe this and go in his grace and love and power.” Ask God to help you believe this. Listen to what your purposes might be.
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