Lent 2
Preaching
Aids To The Psalms
Exploring The Message
O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples.
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wonderful works.
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually.
Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles,
and the judgments he uttered,
O offspring of his servant Abraham, children of Jacob,
his chosen ones.
He is the Lord our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
He is mindful of his covenant forever,
of the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
the covenant that he made with Abraham,
his sworn promise to Isaac,
which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan
as your portion for an inheritance."
Alternate Image
The Singer summons the choir to practice their music for
worship. They unite in song, but it doesn't sound quite right to
the Singer. She reminds them that they are a special people,
God's chosen. They sing again; it's worse than before.
She reminds them who they are singing about, their God. She tells
them to focus on the object of the sung praise. They sound much
better. She tells them that to be chosen is to be given special
responsibilities and gifts. Their song rises in new splendor. She
tells them God has called them together, granted them gifts and
insights, so that they might proclaim God's wonderful work to all
peoples. United as a family, with common purpose, with special
and varying gifts, with their eyes focused on their Lord, the
covenant choir sings with such power and glory; the angels smile
approvingly.
Reflection
Do we seek the Lord, or do we just seek? Sometimes as we look
for meaning and purpose in our lives we look in unfruitful
places. Sometimes to develop a new skill we just practice and
practice and practice doggedly and are frustrated with the
results. Sometimes in our desire to be special we lift up
ourselves and then feel foolishly vain. Sometimes we look at
things so closely we cannot see. At those times we would be wise
to look up for our Lord. To find our purpose in the Lord's
purpose for our being. To develop the skills God has given us to
give glory to God. To understand that specialness is our
responsibility to serve God in community with others of God's
special chosen people. When we remember those things our lives
become magnificent songs of praise that delight all ears.
make known his deeds among the peoples.
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wonderful works.
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually.
Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles,
and the judgments he uttered,
O offspring of his servant Abraham, children of Jacob,
his chosen ones.
He is the Lord our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
He is mindful of his covenant forever,
of the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
the covenant that he made with Abraham,
his sworn promise to Isaac,
which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan
as your portion for an inheritance."
Alternate Image
The Singer summons the choir to practice their music for
worship. They unite in song, but it doesn't sound quite right to
the Singer. She reminds them that they are a special people,
God's chosen. They sing again; it's worse than before.
She reminds them who they are singing about, their God. She tells
them to focus on the object of the sung praise. They sound much
better. She tells them that to be chosen is to be given special
responsibilities and gifts. Their song rises in new splendor. She
tells them God has called them together, granted them gifts and
insights, so that they might proclaim God's wonderful work to all
peoples. United as a family, with common purpose, with special
and varying gifts, with their eyes focused on their Lord, the
covenant choir sings with such power and glory; the angels smile
approvingly.
Reflection
Do we seek the Lord, or do we just seek? Sometimes as we look
for meaning and purpose in our lives we look in unfruitful
places. Sometimes to develop a new skill we just practice and
practice and practice doggedly and are frustrated with the
results. Sometimes in our desire to be special we lift up
ourselves and then feel foolishly vain. Sometimes we look at
things so closely we cannot see. At those times we would be wise
to look up for our Lord. To find our purpose in the Lord's
purpose for our being. To develop the skills God has given us to
give glory to God. To understand that specialness is our
responsibility to serve God in community with others of God's
special chosen people. When we remember those things our lives
become magnificent songs of praise that delight all ears.
