Advent 2
Preaching
Aids To The Psalms
Exploring The Message
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him,
and will make a path for his steps.
Alternate Image
There is dancing in the streets. The people celebrate. Their
neighborhood, which has been torn asunder by poverty and violence
has just been awarded major redevelopment funds. Governmental
programs will soon abound to make their life better. Speakers
gather on a hastily constructed platform to speak. The first
extols the work of all those who wrote the grant requests.
Another praises the tenacity of lobbyists who badgered the doors
of government until someone finally listened. Yet another lauds
the demonstrators who marched with placards raised, bringing
attention to their cause. Speaker after speaker rises to applaud
and honor their efforts.
The Singer is asked to share a song in celebration of this
occasion. The Singer's song does not seem to fit with the mood of
the day. She sings of the glory of God. She chants of God's
faithfulness to the people. She trills about God's justice that
reigns and is sometimes accepted by weak human beings. She sings
of the persons of justice and righteousness who are God's humble
servants. The Singer sings her thanks to God. The crowd is
thoughtful and hushed and the Singer's words echo in their minds.
Reflection
How often we covet in our lives the things God has already
given us; we just fail to act on their reality. Through Christ,
God has given us peace and unity in the world. That is already
done. Yet we don't live that way, therefore we often lack peace,
justice and unity. In Christ, all people are equal, but we act as
though we are better than some or worse than others and thereby
fail to enjoy equity and justice in our daily lives. Through
Christ we have all been connected into a common family; yet we
often act as fearful alien beings toward each other. God has
already granted the gifts most of us desire, we just fail to live
as victors. Instead we live as the vanquished. And when we see
the evidence of peace and justice in our communities, we love to
take credit for their existence.
We should center our lives on God. It is to our benefit to
walk with our brother Jesus and emulate his life; then we feel
the life of victory, peace, justice and prosperity that God
intends for us.
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him,
and will make a path for his steps.
Alternate Image
There is dancing in the streets. The people celebrate. Their
neighborhood, which has been torn asunder by poverty and violence
has just been awarded major redevelopment funds. Governmental
programs will soon abound to make their life better. Speakers
gather on a hastily constructed platform to speak. The first
extols the work of all those who wrote the grant requests.
Another praises the tenacity of lobbyists who badgered the doors
of government until someone finally listened. Yet another lauds
the demonstrators who marched with placards raised, bringing
attention to their cause. Speaker after speaker rises to applaud
and honor their efforts.
The Singer is asked to share a song in celebration of this
occasion. The Singer's song does not seem to fit with the mood of
the day. She sings of the glory of God. She chants of God's
faithfulness to the people. She trills about God's justice that
reigns and is sometimes accepted by weak human beings. She sings
of the persons of justice and righteousness who are God's humble
servants. The Singer sings her thanks to God. The crowd is
thoughtful and hushed and the Singer's words echo in their minds.
Reflection
How often we covet in our lives the things God has already
given us; we just fail to act on their reality. Through Christ,
God has given us peace and unity in the world. That is already
done. Yet we don't live that way, therefore we often lack peace,
justice and unity. In Christ, all people are equal, but we act as
though we are better than some or worse than others and thereby
fail to enjoy equity and justice in our daily lives. Through
Christ we have all been connected into a common family; yet we
often act as fearful alien beings toward each other. God has
already granted the gifts most of us desire, we just fail to live
as victors. Instead we live as the vanquished. And when we see
the evidence of peace and justice in our communities, we love to
take credit for their existence.
We should center our lives on God. It is to our benefit to
walk with our brother Jesus and emulate his life; then we feel
the life of victory, peace, justice and prosperity that God
intends for us.
