February 12th 2013 Exodus 21-23 Ps 42 and 43
Here is a link to the Bible Reading Plan over Two Years
I’ve learned that Psalms 42 and 43 belong together. Great - that is that means there
is a good ending!
Life is too busy, not in contrast to reading these chapters, but, well just busy with other things. If it means a choice between giving up and not recording and posting what can be learned and taken on board in today’s hours and just let it all be a blur….well there’s really no choice!. Even if there's one strand of truth and a couple of rays of light, they will lead us into His presence to see our God's face and to enjoy the delights at His right Hand!
Therefore I hope to go straight ahead, without feeling strangled by limited time and focus on some of the readings, starting with Psalms 42 and 43.
Clearly there are several themes. These headings make me long to make lists such as: “How many questions did the Psalmist ask in the two psalms? What are they? What is his sense, of God with Him or God distant from Him? What does he remember and what does he anticipate? Etc.
For today, I think I will try to focus on the theme of his longing for God. Right out of the blocks, I confess not to be consumed by a longing for my God? I say this to my shame. Surely this longing of being with Him, enjoying His face and the delights in His presence are not meant to be reserved for desperate times.
Of course not!.
So what’s up? Is the blame with over-packed days - stuffed - with things, including good things. Information overload, including Bible? Multi-tasking, no longer able nor inclined to stop and focus on
one thing at a time. Where’s that switch off button?!
So for Psalms 42 and 43 let the focus be, even briefly, on ONE of the themes in these two psalms.
A DESPERATE LONGING FOR GOD!
Surely the psalmist is not an exception. People need God as desperately as a buck needs water in a drought in a dessert! Am I panting for life-dependant water? Am I longing for pleasures and joy in the presence of my Lord. Or am I too put off by past negative experiences and memories? Remember those long drawn-outl dreary church services, devoid of any spark, life-less and so boring that glances at the watch cannot be repressed. Bo- oooring, repetitive, empty ritual, deeply wearying , without connection with God?
This scenario doesn't have a place in the writer's thoughts.
The Psalmist is longing for, thirsting for the living God - the God Who is his life. He is not thinking of lifeless gods!. He wants to know when can he enter temple worship and see God’s face? For some reason he cannot get to God’s temple - is he an exile? He has to endure the enemy’s taunt: “Where is your God?!”
The Psalmist feels isolated from God and thinks back of joyful days of communal worship, festive processions, brilliant opportunities to come face to face with God, standing in the very presence of God!.
He is crying so much for God’s presence that those tears have been his breakfast, lunch and supper. He feels overwhelmed and forgotten! Then there is a switch.
Instead of remembering the actual temple, sacrifices and worship with others, the Psalmist remembers God Himself. When He remembers God Himself, his Saviour, his source of hope and life, he takes courage and in the midst of the chaos and circumstances that threaten to overwhelm and carry him away - God throws him a life-line.
And this is it: God is is Rock! God's own love, God’s song is with him. God’s faithful, committed covenant love is with him - love that endures forever. God is his Rock, his island, his sure footing in the midst of all the trouble and all the taunts and perceptions that God has abandoned him.
And the Psalmist is singing in exile, far from the temple, remembering God! In contrast to the Psalm 137 exilic who hung up his harp in the willow tree, our psalmist finds a song and sings it out!
Have I found that song, will I sing it?
