Blessed is the Man…

Submitted by: Gordon Gooderham

Psalm 1.

Stunned by the events of the preceding seventy hours, the Eleven and friends were huddled in a room in Jerusalem. The arrest, trial, conviction, torture and crucifixion of their Master was devastating, but now all was changed by the sightings of Jesus alive! The women, then Peter, and now Cleopas and friend had all seen him. Suddenly Jesus stood before them all, waved his hands, stamped his feet, enjoyed a fish fillet, and said, “All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled.” (Lk. 24:44)

The Psalms of Israel are the Prayer Book of the Hebrews and the Church, and Jesus. In the mystery of God’s workings, the cries and anguish, the praise and petitions of David and others, became the prayers of Jesus. Through them he expressed the highest and richest of human praise, and the lowest and harshest of human anger. For he was tempted in every way that man is tempted, yet he was without sin. (Heb. 4:15)

Consider Psalm 1 – “Blessed is the man”, not the Hebrew word for mankind (adamah), but the gender specific “male” (ish), as ishali is female. (Gen. 2:24,25)
And who does “the man” refer to, at the commencement of the Psalms, but our Lord Jesus. He never walked, or stood, or sat in agreement with the ungodly, sinners or mockers. But he did delight in the Law of the Lord.

Yet, in his last hours he hung out with the ungodly, sinners, and mockers. Stretched between two criminals, lawless robbers, “who heaped insults on him” (Mark 15:32), Jesus prayed, he provided, he promised, but he didn’t threaten or curse. Rather, he spoke words of forgiveness to those who executed him, and to one who mocked him. From “scoffing rude”, one thief repented and asked to be remembered in Jesus’ coming kingdom. And Jesus, the man who would not sit with scoffers, that day welcomed one into Paradise.

Taking up the Psalms in prayer, day by day, we too will hear the healing words of pardon and acceptance, that welcome us into his Kingdom of love and life.

X

Submitted by: Marlene Swan

Today we mark an X on a ballot to choose our government. If the party we vote for does not become the ruling party we hope that in the next four years things will change but in the mean time because I made my X I have a right to grumble and complain.

I Corinthians 10:6-11 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, ……………….. 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, …………….. 9 We should not test Christ, ………… 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.

Lamentations 3:39-40 Why should any living mortal, or any man, Offer complaint in view of his sins? Let us examine and probe our ways, And let us return to the LORD.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
As Ambassadors for Chirst we should be peacemakers.
The time Jesus walked on earth the Jews were under Roman Rule. No where in scripture could I find that Jesus complianed about the Roman government.
Jeus did say:
Mark 12: 7 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”And they were amazed at him.

John 19:10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

Many times in scripture we read that God puts governments in power:
Romans 13:1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
God gave Jeremiah the following message: 4 Give them a message for their masters and say, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Tell this to your masters: 5 With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please. 6 Now I will give all your countries into the hands of my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him. 7 All nations will serve him and his son and his grandson until the time for his land comes; then many nations and great kings will subjugate him. Jeremiah 27:4-7

Psalm 33: 10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I Timothy 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

When I think way back about the first time I had the blessing of making my X on a ballot I am ashamed to realize how I have conformed to the world and taken my X and the freedom it represented forgranted. I have not been faithful in praying for our governments. (I wonder when Daniel went to his room three times a day to pray: did he pray for Nebuchadnezzar?) To often I have given my X the power that should have gone to God. My X became a blessing from God that has turned my eyes away from God.
Psalm 103:19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

Psalm 96:7 Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. 9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. 10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.

I am so thankful God’s mercy is new every morning!