Wednesday 27th May | Beth Hume
Readings
Reflection
These passages are ascribing to the Lord what is due to Him - reverence, obedience, awe and amazement - however, they go about it in very different ways. Psalm 2 and Numbers 23 contrast the political manoeuvring of human rulers on earth with the might and power of God. Psalm 29 and Luke 8 show the sovereignty and control God has over creation and how we rarely ascribe to Him the faith, glory and awe He deserves.
When I was reading through the political turmoil of Psalm 2, I also had the radio on in the background blaring out the news on disagreements within the international community about creating a vaccine for COVID 19 and funding the World Health Organization. Even today, when the world is unified in a common goal, nations still vy for supremacy. In Psalm 2, King David describes the nations conspiring and plotting in vain against Israel, against God’s chosen people and against himself as God’s anointed king. His language is terrifying, speaking of destruction and wrath (v12), but David himself has nothing to fear as God called him “my son” (v7). This made me think of Ben’s sermon on John 14 (17th May) where he described our identity as God’s adopted children - we can be reassured that we are chosen by God and He will never let us go. David is speaking with the inheritance of the covenant of Israel and the might of God behind him (v 9), just as we speak confidently rooted in our identity as children of God.
Balaam in Numbers 23 must have been similarly annoyed, like David, by the political attempts against the Israelites, which he had been dragged into. In Numbers 22 God has even sent a talking donkey to dissuade Balaam from taking the bribe offered to him by the King of Moab to curse the Lord’s chosen people Israel. Balaam goes with the King of Moab but undermine’s his power by blessing the Israelites instead of cursing them, demonstrating obedience to God and the sheer power of God’s command and blessing (v20).
Psalm 29 makes clear that it is the ‘Lord [who] sits enthroned’ and it is to Him that we should ascribe all glory because when His voice speaks the whole of creation is shaken, twisted and thunders with majesty. We see this divine power over creation echoed in Luke 8 by the disciples’ shock as Jesus calms the tumultuous storm:
In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
Our God is one we approach with fear and amazement, and despite the fact we often do not ascribe Him glory and trust in Him, He calls us His children, strengthens us and blesses us with peace.
Prayers
Lord,
We praise you for your majesty and sovereignty over humanity and all of creation. You are mighty and fill us with awe and amazement at the power of all you have done. Lord, help us to ascribe to You the praise and honour that You are worthy of. We are sorry when we do not ascribe to You the worship You deserve. Pour out Your blessing and peace and remind us of our identity as Your children.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Collect
O God the King of glory,
You have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
With great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
We beseech you, leave us not comfortless,
But send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us
And exalt us to the place where our
Saviour Christ has gone before,
Who is alive and reigns with you,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and for ever.
Amen.
