Tuesday prior to Lent 3

 

Psalm 85; key verse, verse 8:  I will listen to what God the Lord will say; He promises peace to His people His saints – but let them not return to folly. When we repent, we take responsibility, we show remorse, we repair what we can, and we repeat not! This is what the psalmist is driving at when he says, “but let them not return to folly.” When we repeat, when we return to visit from whence we came, we provoke God’s displeasure again. Thus, we need to ask the Lord to send us His Holy Spirit to lead us into right living. And when we fall or fail, we need to confess our sin, repent, and rely on His grace to save us. This is the pattern of a life of repentance.

Psalm 85: Praying for Revival and Restoration

This psalm is titled To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. These sons of Korah were Levites, from the family of Kohath. By David’s time it seems they served in the musical aspect of the temple worship (2 Chronicles 20:19).

Like several psalms, Psalm 85 (in some ways) seems to fit the period of Israel’s return from exile; in other ways it does not. Alexander Maclaren noted, “The book of Nehemiah supplies precisely such a background as fits the psalm. A part of the nation had returned indeed, but to a ruined city, a fallen Temple, and a mourning land, where they were surrounded by jealous and powerful enemies.” Even if this psalm belongs to an earlier period (such as the end of Saul’s reign), God’s people find themselves in this place from time to time, and this beautiful psalm is appropriate.[1]

The Theme for Lent 3 is “A Life of Repentance.” In the Old Testament lesson (Ezekiel 33:7-20) the prophet is told that he has been called to be a watchman, to speak of warning. If he fails to call men to repentance, he is responsible for his brother’s fall. In the Epistle (1 Corinthians 10:1-13), Paul calls his hearers to repent to avoid destruction. In the Gospel (Luke 13:1-9), Jesus warns us to repent before it is too late or perish.

Collect for Psalm 85: God of love and faithfulness, you so loved the world that you gave your only Son to be our Savior, Help us to receive him as both Lord and brother and freely celebrate him as our gracious Redeemer now and forever. [2]-

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[1] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-85/

[2] Collect for Psalm 85; for All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Monday prior to Lent 3

 

Psalm 5:4-8, Antiphon, Psalm 1:6: For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. In keeping with our theme – a life of repentance – the antiphon reminds us that the righteous will be saved but the wicked will perish. They will perish for they do not repent. Implicit in the destinies of the two lifestyles are the destinies of those who choose them. This will be further explained in the Old Testament lesson for the week.

Psalm 5 – A Morning Prayer

This psalm is titled To the Chief Musician. With flutes. A Psalm of David. The title of the psalm indicates that it was directed toward the Chief Musician, whom some suppose to be the Lord GOD Himself, and others suppose to be a leader of choirs or musicians in David’s time, such as Heman the singer or Asaph (1 Chronicles 6:33, 16:5-7, and 25:6). The title also tells us that the song was deliberately written to be accompanied with flutes. It shows David coming to the LORD in the morning and receiving the strength and joy he needs to make it through the day against many adversaries.[1]

The Antiphon, Psalm 1:6; For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Summary: The way of the righteous and the way of the ungodly.

The LORD knows the way of the righteous: The righteous can have peace because a loving God in heaven knows their way, and will protect and preserve them.

“Or, as the Hebrew has it yet more fully, ‘The Lord is knowing the way of the righteous.’ He is constantly looking on their way, and though it may be often in mist and darkness, yet the Lord knoweth it.”

The way of the ungodly shall perish: The way of the ungodly leads to destruction. They are on a broad path that may seem comfortable now and the path gives them lots of company, but in the end they shall perish.

At least four times in the Book of Acts, Christianity is called the Way. Certainly, it is the way of the righteous, not the way of the ungodly.[2]

Collect for Psalm 5: Holy Lord, all justice and all goodness come from you. You hate evil and abhor lies. Lead us in the path of justice, so that all who hope in you may with the Church rejoice in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]-

Today is St. Patrick’s Day a man used by God to spread the Gospel to the people of Ireland. On this day we pray for the same missionary zeal in our own day.

[5]

Almighty and ever-living God as you used Patrick to teach the people of Ireland the truth of the eternal Trinity so make us faithful in all matters of teaching and godly living to the praise and honor of Your most holy name.[6] -

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[1] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-5/

[2] ibid

[3] Collect for Psalm 5, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

[4] Collect for newness of life in Christ, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

5] Icon of St. Patrick copyright © Google images

[6] ibid

Lent 3 – Series C study noters

 Ezekiel 33:7–20
1 Corinthians 10:1–13
Luke 13:1–9

Collect for Lent 3 – O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Jesus Calls You to Repentance

“Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). By this warning, the Lord would turn us away from wickedness and bring us to life in Himself. For He is patient with us, that we not be cut down in our sin but live and bear fruit in Him. As He lives, the Lord has “no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Ezekiel 33:11). 

So the Scriptures have been “written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come” (1 Corinthians 10:11), that we should not desire evil but trust in Christ. He alone is faithful, the Rock who feeds us with His “spiritual food” and pours out His “spiritual drink” (1 Corinthians 10:3–4).

Luke 13:1 –

Παρῆσαν δέ τινες ἐν αὐτῷ τῷ καιρῷ ἀπαγγέλλοντες αὐτῷ περὶ τῶν Γαλιλαίων ὧν τὸ αἷμα Πιλᾶτος ἔμιξεν μετὰ τῶν θυσιῶν αὐτῶν.  

some present at that time at which Pilate had mixed their blood with the sacrifices. 

Not recorded in history. Why do bad things happen? Spoke of the wickedness of man. Jesus ups the anti, why the eighteen? 

Suffering and the question of "why?" See Pless's response...and the "hidden God."

Contrition - we deserve no better

Faith - we receive grace undeserved.

"Because of sin" is a diagnosis. The solution is repent, and receive the gifts

Luke 13:2 –

καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Δοκεῖτε ὅτι οἱ Γαλιλαῖοι οὗτοι ἁμαρτωλοὶ παρὰ πάντας τοὺς Γαλιλαίους ἐγένοντο, ὅτι ταῦτα πεπόνθασιν;  

do you think those Galileans were worse sinners because they suffered? 

See the answers from Job's friends. 

We can ask “why?” By faith we hear the promise.  

Luke 13:3 –

οὐχί, λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀλλ’ ἐὰν μὴ μετανοῆτε πάντες ὁμοίως ἀπολεῖσθε. 

No, but unless you repent, you too will all perish. 

Future more vivid. Companion text is Ezekiel 33

“Why doesn't anything good happen to bad people?” is the response to "why do bad things happen to good people?"

Luke 13:4-

ἢ ἐκεῖνοι οἱ δεκαοκτὼ ἐφ’ οὓς ἔπεσεν ὁ πύργος ἐν τῷ Σιλωὰμ καὶ ἀπέκτεινεν αὐτούς, δοκεῖτε ὅτι αὐτοὶ ὀφειλέται ἐγένοντο παρὰ πάντας τοὺς ἀνθρώπους τοὺς  κατοικοῦντας Ἰερουσαλήμ; 

or those 18.. Do you think those ones were worse debtors then all those dwelling in Jerusalem? 

Does God bless us because we are doing more better?  We are beggars talking to beggars showing them where the food is. 

Luke 13:5 –

οὐχί, λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀλλ’ ἐὰν μὴ μετανοῆτε πάντες ὡσαύτως ἀπολεῖσθε. 

Same response as verse 3 - if you do not repent you too shall perish -

Luke 13:6 –

Ἔλεγεν δὲ ταύτην τὴν παραβολήν. Συκῆν εἶχέν τις πεφυτευμένην ἐν τῷ ἀμπελῶνι αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἦλθεν ζητῶν καρπὸν ἐν αὐτῇ καὶ οὐχ εὗρεν. 

a man had a fig tree seeking fruit in his vineyard (Israel?) [and] found none. 

Luke 13:7 –

εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς τὸν ἀμπελουργόν· Ἰδοὺ τρία ἔτηἀφ’ οὗ ἔρχομαι ζητῶν καρπὸν ἐν τῇ συκῇ ταύτῃ καὶ οὐχ εὑρίσκω· ἔκκοψον αὐτήν· ἱνατί καὶ τὴν γῆν καταργεῖ; 

cut it down why should it waste the earth? 

Are you a burden on the earth? 

Luke 13:8 –

ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς λέγει αὐτῷ· Κύριε, ἄφες αὐτὴν καὶ τοῦτο τὸ ἔτος, ἕως ὅτου σκάψω περὶ αὐτὴν καὶ βάλω κόπρια·  

leave it alone I will dig around it and fertilize it "throw shit on it"  

The vine dresser prunes and throws crap on you. Do you fear him? 

Luke13:9 –

κἂν μὲν ποιήσῃ καρπὸν [m]εἰς τὸ μέλλον— εἰ δὲ μήγε, ἐκκόψεις αὐτήν. 

if it bears/makes fruit next year well and good - if not then cut it down.

Now is the time of repentance. Today is destination day. Time is of the essence!   

Sources

-The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

-ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

-Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The Crucifixion’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

-LCMS Lectionary notes © 2016

-Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Saturday prior to Lent 2

 

The Scripture lessons for Sunday teach us to show our love for God by being faithful to Him, even in the face of resistance and persecution by our enemies—by the enemies of God. Sunday’s hymn of the day, Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart (LSB 708), expresses the love that we have for God for all that He has done for us, especially that Thy precious blood my soul has bought (stanza 1). It is also a plea to God to help us remain firm in our faithful devotion to Him, until the end “when at last Thine angels come, to Abr’ham’s bosom bear me home.” Let this beautiful hymn ever be our prayer!

Lord, Thee I love with all my heart

Lord, Thee I love with all my heart;
I pray Thee, ne’er from me depart,
With tender mercy cheer me.
Earth has no pleasure I would share,
Yea, heav’n itself were void and bare
If Thou, Lord, wert not near me.
And should my heart for sorrow break,
My trust in Thee no one could shake.
Thou art the Portion I have sought;
Thy precious blood my soul has bought.
Lord Jesus Christ, my God and Lord,
My God and Lord,
Forsake me not! I trust Thy Word.

 

Yea, Lord, ’twas Thy rich bounty gave
My body, soul, and all I have
In this poor life of labor.
Lord, grant that I in ev’ry place
May glorify Thy lavish grace
And serve and help my neighbor.
Let no false doctrine me beguile,
Let Satan not my soul defile.
Give strength and patience unto me
To bear my cross and follow Thee.
Lord Jesus Christ, my God and Lord,
My God and Lord,
In death Thy comfort still afford.

 
Lord, let at last Thine angels come,
To Abr’ham’s bosom bear me home,
That I may die unfearing;
And in its narrow chamber keep
My body safe in peaceful sleep
Until Thy reappearing.
And then from death awaken me
That these mine eyes with joy may see,
O Son of God, Thy glorious face,
My Savior and my Fount of grace.
Lord Jesus Christ, my prayer attend,
My prayer attend,
And I will praise Thee without end.
 

Collect for the Second Sunday in Lent: O God You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen[1]

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[1] Collect for Lent 2, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Friday prior to Lent 2

 

A suggested theme for the second Sunday in Lent “Facing your enemies”

Luke 13:31-35 – Refuse to flee from your enemies

Herod Antipas, who had killed John the Baptist because John had reproved him for his sin with Herodias, now, finds an even greater enemy in Jesus Christ. But Jesus is resolute: God, not Herod will determine the time and place of His death. Jesus will give His life in Jerusalem, the site of the temple, where God dwelt with His people and desired their true worship, though few of them rendered it. The Gospel tells of Jesus’ great love for His people, as He laments over Jerusalem, and also teaches us to refuse to flee from your enemies.

Some Pharisees, apparently in a friendly gesture towards Jesus, come to warn him that Herod has set his mind to killing Jesus. As Jesus makes it clear that he will not change or give up his ministry in fear of Herod, he calls the Galilean tetrarch a “fox.”

The term “fox” is not strange to us; for we still use it in referring to a sly or clever or cunning person. However, in Jesus’ day, the term referred to someone who was unimportant; it was a term of contempt, much as we would call someone today a “fool.”

Note the symmetry in today’s lesson. The progress from specific hostility toward Jesus; (from Herod), to the general hostility toward Jesus (from Jerusalem). The direction is from small to lard; from an individual to a group. In addition, it moves from the jurisdiction in which Jesus’ death would not occur (Herod’s) to the jurisdiction in which Jesus’ death would occur (Jerusalem.)

Notice Jesus’ calm determination to carry out His work no matter what dangers exist. He will be the same; “yesterday, today and tomorrow.”

Note also Jesus’ awareness that his work is programmed, “scheduled,” that there is a pattern behind it climaxing “on the third day” in the accomplishment of his goal. “I shall be perfected” (KJV)”I shall finish my work.” (ESV)

Finally, notice Jesus’ sense of urgency over the brevity of the time remaining to Him. “I must work while it is day.”

Prayer in times of affliction and distress: Almighty and most merciful God, in this earthly life we endure sufferings and death before we enter into eternal glory. Grant us grace at all times to subject ourselves to Your holy will and to continue steadfast in the true faith to the end of our lives that we may know the peace and joy of the blessed hope of the resurrection of the dead and of the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [1]-

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[1] A Prayer for times of affliction and distress, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Lent 2 Series C reflection

 Law/Gospel Theme: God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus! The blessed and beautiful truth of the Gospel is that we do not have to do anything special in order to receive new life. We only have to believe and receive free salvation!

In this Gospel story we will see that faith accepts Jesus’ promise of eternal life. Jesus teaches Nicodemus that faith in Him offers eternal life. Jesus declares that faith in the crucified Christ will bring eternal life. We will learn today that whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life, for God did not send Jesus to condemn, but save the world.

Prayer: O Lord, graciously hear the prayers of Your people. That we who suffer the consequences of this broken world may be mercifully delivered by Your goodness to the glory of Your name.

Hymn: Pg.60 “My Faith looks up to Thee’

Confession/Absolution:

LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.

In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone.

And so uphold us by Your Spirit. That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness. And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

John 3: 1-17

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. ² He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” ⁴ “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

⁹ “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

¹⁰ “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? ¹¹ Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. ¹² I have spoken to you of earthly things, and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. ¹⁴ Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Hymn: #61 “My Hope Is built On Nothing Less”

In our Gospel lesson for this morning we see the power of faith as Jesus has an Encounter with a man named Nicodemus. The result is new birth and a new connection with God.

The Father loves you.

1.     He sent His Son to be lifted up.

A.   By nature, we are like the children of Israel in great danger.

B.   In love, the Father sent Jesus.

 

2.   He gives the promise of everlasting life.

A.   In the Old Testament wilderness, anyone who looked at the brass serpent was healed of their disease.

B.   Likewise, Jesus promises that those who believe in Him have the promise of everlasting life.

 

3.   He draws people to believe in Jesus.

A.   People are drawn to Jesus through the message of the cross!

B.   You can tell if God’s love is drawing you. By loving and serving others.

 

By faith you know and understand it.

That God the Father loves you. — Jesus tells us plainly: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”  (Vv. 16-17). This you know and understand by faith.

The Father truly loves you.

Because of His great love – He sent His only Son into our world. John will remind us, “And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” Jesus came into this world both in time and space.

He entered this world – in time a special time – “in those days when Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

He was born in space – in a specific place - “In Bethlehem in Judea, - for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’ 

Transition: Do you understand that the Father loves you? Do you understand that Christ died for your sins? By faith you do!

That Christ died for your sins. — “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.  Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”  (Vv. 13-15).

All our good intentions. All our resolutions to do better. All of our efforts could offer what the Son accomplished.

Faith must look to Christ and Him alone to be our one redeemer.

Transition: Do you understand that the Father loves you?  Do you understand that Christ died for your sins? Do you understand that faith brings eternal life? Yes. You  know and believe.

That faith brings eternal life. — “That everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (Vv. 15, 16).

Faith is nothing more than trust.

Faith is nothing more than taking God at His Word.

What must you know to have this new birth in God? Only three points are necessary. On this day know and believe that the Father loves you.

Know and believe that Christ died for your sins.

Know and believe that faith brings eternal life. 

Who is this man going to the cross? It’s Jesus! your Lord, your Savior, and yes, your friend.

Prayer: Thank you, LORD for sending Jesus to save us.
Thank you that we can have new life and be born again. Help us remember that every day. Thank you for your love and care.

Collects for Lent 2: O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

The Lord has given us one another and we give thanks for God’s grace and mercy as we offer prayers on this day.

The Lord has given us the beauty of worship and the gift of fellowship with one another. We thank you Lord for gathering us on this day.

The Lord has given us neighbors, friends, families, and coworkers to share the joys and burdens of this life. We thank you Lord, for the privilege of loving others.

The Lord has given us a promise that where He goes, He will prepare a place for us.

We thank you Lord for the gift of life and for giving us to one another for safekeeping. Bring us home when it is time. Lord in your grace, hear our prayer.

Hymn #37 He’s God the Whole World in His Hands

Thursday prior to Lent 2

 

A suggested theme for the second Sunday in Lent “Facing your enemies”

Philippians 3:17—4:1—Live contrary to the enemies of the cross

St Paul encourages the believers at Philippi—and us—to stand firm in the Lord. As for, the people who love the world—those who are enemies of the cross of Christ—their end is destruction. Therefore, we are to not to behave as citizens of the world, but as citizens of heaven. We are to live contrary to the enemies of the cross.

Paul has spoken of himself as an example of one who follows Christ and asks the Christians at Philippi to follow his lead in living as Christians. He makes a strong plea for them to lead consistently more lives and to do so in order to gain that “glorious (heavenly) body”” from Christ’s power. He is asking them, pleading with them to live the moral life of a believer in order to be given the gift of the resurrected body in eternal life. In short, imitate not the enemies of the cross but Paul.

Questions for the day based on today’s reading. Whose moral example do you follow and why? What is consistent in their life and why pattern your life after their example?  Have you ever been disappointed by someone you emulated in your life? What lessons have you learned? 

Prayer of praise and supplication: Lord God, creator of heaven and earth, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we praise You for the abundant mercy that You this day so richly have provided for us, blessing us not only with daily bread for our bodies but also with heavenly food for our souls. Grant that Your living and powerful Word may abide in our hearts, working mightily in us to Your glory and for our salvation. We commit ourselves to Your divine protection and fatherly care. Let Your holy angels be with us that the evil foe may have no power over us. Look in mercy on Your Church and deliver it from all danger and adversities. By Your Holy Spirit comfort and strengthen all who are in affliction or distress, and grant Your abiding peace to us all; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [1]

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[1] Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Wednesday prior to Lent 2

 A suggested theme for the second Sunday in Lent “Facing your enemies”

Jeremiah 26:8–15— Be faithful to God in spite of your enemies

The prophet Jeremiah had spoken what the Lord had told him to speak: that, unless they repented, they would be destroyed (Jeremiah 26:1–6). The wicked citizens and leaders of Judah, however, failed to heed the Lord’s message. More than that, they threatened Jeremiah with death. In the face of persecution and death, Jeremiah remained resolute: in truth the Lord sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears. What can we learn from faithful Jeremiah? Be faithful to God in spite of your enemies.

Jeremiah had been told to prophesy the destruction of Jerusalem. His words are received with hostility and the people indicate that he deserves to die. But Jeremiah speaks up again, this time telling them that if they repent, God will not destroy them as He had promised. Jeremiah, fortunately, convinces the people that he is speaking for the LORD. The people reverse their decision and determine that he deserves to live.

Prayer in times of affliction and distress: Almighty and everlasting God, the consolation of the sorrowful and the strength of the weak, may the prayers of those who in any tribulation or distress cry to You graciously come before You, so that in every situation they may recognize and receive Your gracious help, comfort, and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  [1]

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[1] Prayer in times of affliction and distress, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Tuesday prior to Lent 2

Psalm 4—This psalm of David is a plea for help. We can apply it to ourselves when we feel that we are in a hopeless situation, when all we see around us seem bleak or evil, when we wonder what is the use of being Christian. In the psalm, David first appeals to God for relief; then he warns his enemies of the foolishness and futility of opposing God; next, he encourages the faithful to remain patient, trust in the Lord, and await His deliverance. Finally, in the key verse, verse 8, he expresses his confidence in the Lord, and shows the peace of mind which results from that confidence: In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4 – Talking to God and Man

This psalm is titled ‘To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.’ The title of the psalm indicates that it was directed toward the Chief Musician, whom some suppose to be the Lord GOD Himself, and others suppose to be a leader of choirs or musicians in David’s time, such as Heman the singer or Asaph (1 Chronicles 6:33, 16:5-7, and 25:6). The title also tells us that the song was deliberately written to be accompanied with stringed instruments. In this psalm David poured out his complaint against slanderous enemies and found peace and refuge in God.

David talks to God and to men.

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have relieved me in my distress;

Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. V.1

Hear me when I call There was passion in David’s cry. He didn’t want to just cast up words toward heaven. He needed God’s attention to his present problem.

Often power in prayer is lacking because there is little passion in prayer. It isn’t that we persuade God by emotional displays, but God wants us to care deeply about the things He cares deeply about. The prophet Isaiah spoke with sorrow about the lack of this in Israel: And there is no one who calls on Your name, who stirs himself up to take hold of You (Isaiah 64:7). This is a good example of David stirring himself up to take hold of God.

O God of my righteousness David knew that his righteousness came from God, and not from himself. He calls upon the God who makes him righteous.

You have relieved me…Have mercy on me. In a familiar pattern, David used past mercy as a ground for future help. “God, I know You haven’t blessed me to this point to abandon me, so please have mercy on me.”[1]

Collect for Psalm 4: Lord, you consoled your Son in his anguish and released him from the darkness of the grave. Turn your face toward us, that we may sleep in your peace and rise in your light; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  [2]

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[1] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-4/

[2] Collect for Psalm 4, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Monday prior to Lent 2

 

Psalm 74:1–3; Antiphon, Psalm 69:9—Psalm 74 is a lament by the people of God over the (apparent) triumph of the ungodly. Sometimes, it may seem as though God has deserted us, that He has withdrawn His Presence from us. But the antiphon shows us that God has not forsaken us. These words are to be applied to Jesus, to show that He has interceded for us. The reproach which should fall upon us on account of sin has fallen upon Him.

Psalm 74 – Asking the LORD to remember his destroyed sanctuary

This psalm is titled A Contemplation of Asaph. It is a plea and a prayer in great sorrow from the destruction of the sanctuary (Psalm 74:3, 7). The majority of commentators believe this psalm followed the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians. Some argue that it is even later, following the desecration of the temple in the days of Antiochus Epiphanes. If these later dates are true, this Asaph is not the great singer and musician of David and Solomon’s era, unless Asaph composed this psalm prophetically, which was possible according to 1 Chronicles 25:1 and 2 Chronicles 29:30.

James Montgomery Boice explains the thinking of a later Asaph: “Either this is a later Asaph, which is not unlikely since the name might have been perpetuated among the temple musicians, or, more likely, the name was affixed to many psalms produced by this body of musicians. We know that the ‘descendants of Asaph’ were functioning as late as the reign of Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:15).”

There is another option: the Asaph of David and Solomon’s time composed this psalm on the occasion or the memory of the destruction of the tabernacle in Shiloh (1 Samuel 4). The word sanctuary used in Psalm 74:3, 7 is also used of the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8; Leviticus 12:4, 21:12; Numbers 10:21, 18:1).

The plea for help when the sanctuary is destroyed.

Vv.1-2 Asking God to remember His people.

O God, why have You cast us off forever?

Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?

Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old,

The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed—

This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.

O God, why have You cast us off forever? Asaph lived and served during the reigns of David and Solomon, which were generally times of security and blessing for Israel. Yet even within those generally good times, there were occasions of difficulty in the face of Israel’s enemies. Asaph wrote during such a season, or possibly with such a difficult time in mind. He wrote of the terrible sense that God had cast us off forever and is no longer for us.[1] 

We take comfort in the promise of the antiphon; Psalm 69:9 “zeal for your house has consumed me,”

Collect for Psalm 74: Lord God, remember the covenant sealed with the blood of your Son. Make the Church your spiritual house and make us living stones built upon Christ, so  that a full and true temple may be raised to your glory; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [2]

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[1] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-74/

[2] Collect for Psalm 74, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY