Saturday 2nd May | Beth Hume
Readings
Reflection
These passages speak of God’s promises and show expressions of worship in response to God’s goodness. What struck me from these readings was the importance of remembering all that God has done for us (Psalm 111:2), and how knowledge of His faithfulness means we can trust and wait upon Him.
Exodus 19:1-9
By this point in the Exodus narrative the Israelites have escaped slavery and oppression in Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, miraculously ate food and drank water in a desolate desert and won battles against the Amalekites. They have had proof again and again of God’s love for them, as God speaks to Moses “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself” (verse 4). God has been with them throughout this journey, He is faithful and fulfilled His promise to bring them out of Egypt into a new land. In response, the Lord asks them to keep His covenant, to only worship Him, and they will be His “treasured possession” (verse 5).
Psalm 108
Psalm 108 shows the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness and fulfilment of His promises by using earlier words of Scripture - it reflects a lot of Psalm 57 and Psalm 60. David is remembering God’s love and faithfulness in previous times and applying these words to his present situation, where he needs God’s help (verse 6). We too can use words we read in the Bible to remind us of what God has done for us and how He is continuing to work in our lives, no matter the situation.
The other way Psalm 108 demonstrates God’s incredible steadfast love to his people is the place names (verses 6-9) which God has said will be given over to the Israelites. They tell of the history of the Israelite journey from Egypt, which we read about in Exodus, onwards to David’s recent battles with the Philistines. The writer begins with the city of Shechem - at the centre of the kingdom. This is where God confirmed his covenant with Abram, starting his promise with his chosen people. He then turns to Succoth, which is the place where, in Genesis, Jacob wrestled the angel. It was also the first place the Israelites camped in safety, scared and tired from fleeing out of Egypt (Exodus 12:37). This list of places continues to span the history of the Israelites and God’s promise to protect and be with them as His people. The place names also go out from the centre, to east, west, north and south to show the extent of God’s sovereignty and power in fulfilling his promise in giving the land to the Israelites.
Luke 2:21-40
In Luke 2 we see the ultimate victory and fulfilment of God’s promise in Jesus Christ. Not only does God fulfil what he has spoken to Simeon and Anna, who had both been waiting for the Lord to show them the Messiah, God establishes a new covenant, a new promise, a new hope for His people, and today for us, in the person of Jesus Christ.
Prayers
Father, we praise you for your great love and faithfulness.
Thank you for your promise shown throughout Scripture that you graciously love us and sent your son Jesus to save us.
Help us Lord, to use this time, even in the midst of uncertainty, to grow in the knowledge of the certainty of your promises and the hope found in you.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Collect
Ever-living God,
whose servant Athanasius testified
to the mystery of the Word made flesh for our salvation:
help us, with all your saints,
to contend for the truth
and to grow into the likeness of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
