ALL people

 Psalm 68:28–35 (ESV):  

28  Summon your power, O God, 

the power, O God, by which you have worked for us. 

29  Because of your temple at Jerusalem 

kings shall bear gifts to you. 

30  Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, 

the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. 

Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; 

scatter the peoples who delight in war. 

31  Nobles shall come from Egypt; 

Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God. 

32  O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; 

sing praises to the Lord, Selah 

33  to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; 

behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice. 

34  Ascribe power to God, 

whose majesty is over Israel, 

and whose power is in the skies. 

35  Awesome is God from his sanctuary; 

the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. 

Blessed be God! 

The glory, beauty, power and magnificence of God is now celebrated all across the world! Once, Israel were the chosen nation, the people God led through the wilderness into the promised land. Now, all people flock to God. We are living in the days that this psalm foretold! When; kings, nobles, young and old, people from war torn countries, previous enemies and even those deemed wicked can ‘ascribe power to God’ and ‘sing praises to the Lord’. These days were prophesied and hoped for, and the people of Israel saw glimpses of what it could be like, but they could not see the fullness of what it meant for 'kingdoms of. the earth' to. be praising God. 

We have the privilege of living in the days when this is happening, when the good news that we can be forgiven and free from sin when we believe in and follow Jesus, is available to all people. Every person, no matter how lofty or lowly, no matter their language or culture, how old or young, where they are from or what they have done - all people can be forgiven, restored and brought into the family of God! What a joy it should be to each of us to live in such times. These are the days foretold in the Bible! We can eat together, sing together, enter a place of praise together and see salvation in all people. The gospel is for every man, woman and child, freely available with the great news that each one can have a relationship with God if they want it!

When I look at the group of people that i worship with, i see such beautiful variety, this was not something that the Israelites at the time of the psalm would have experienced. They were all one nation, all Israelites, (with very few exceptions like Rahab and Caleb), who journeyed together, lived together and worshipped God together. So when they heard scripture say things like, ‘kingdoms of the earth, sing to God’, I wonder what they imagined. It must have seemed impossible, that even those who God told them were enemies, would one day have access to praise Him. That worship would come from ‘his people’ could mean anyone, not just the Jews. It must have seemed inspiring, confusing and pretty impossible. Impossible in the sight of man anyway. Yet this was something the Israelites were being shown again and again through scripture, that God had a different plan. Although in their day, they alone were His people, a day was coming when God’s people would come from all nations! Wow! 

When God speaks, at the time, it does not always make sense or seem possible, but holding onto His words is important, as our situation in this context proves. The nation of Israel were told things like the fact that one day worshippers would be from all nations. Thankfully, it is documented so that we can see and be witnesses to the fact that God keeps His word. For now, anyone and everyone can worship God and be considered His people - joined through the love, forgiveness, compassion, and might of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Not only that, but we are also made family through him - we are now brothers and sisters to a vast people group, greater than the nation of Israel! How could those Israelites of Old  Testament times imagine that?

This shows that God’s plan is always greater than we can understand. God does ‘far more than we can ask or imagine’ (Ephesians 3:20). Even when He has told us what He will do, it is hard for us to comprehend it as it is beyond our ability to visualise. Those living in Old Testament times had a hope, an idea and a vision of what faith in God would look like, but it was blurry and exciting and not something that could easily be grasped or fully understood. We too, live with such things. There are things that we know and see in part, but one day will see fully (1 Corinthians 13:12). We have no idea what the future holds. You can listen to and hear from God, be given something of His vision and hear prophecies, but you do not know what the fullness of His promises look like. They are far greater than you can suppose, because God is just so big and awesome His imagination outstrips yours! Just know, that when God speaks, He will do it and do it brilliantly.

What was Jesus experience at the cross?

Psalm 22 is a prophetic picture of who the Messiah was going to be and what he would experience and even think as he surrendered his life. It so clearly describes Jesus’ experience as he endured crucifixion, and explores his emotions and thoughts displaying his humanity and deity beautifully. The torn body and mind that still extols and honours God, yet is in considerable anguish, despair and pain. How did any writer know in such clarity the details of The Saviours death? How could anyone hundreds of years previously have been able to tell of the Messiah’s fate? No person of the time this was written had an experience that could even mildly equate to that expressed in this piece of writing. It can only be a God-inspired prophetic insight of Our Saviour. How incredible that God speaks in such detail to us about events, people and places not yet seen. When God speaks, it may seem strange or impossible, but it will come to pass, just as this psalm was fulfilled when Jesus died, read it and see for yourself;

Psalm 22:1–31 (ESV):  

1  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 

Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 

2  O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, 

and by night, but I find no rest. 

3  Yet you are holy, 

enthroned on the praises of Israel. 

4  In you our fathers trusted; 

they trusted, and you delivered them. 

5  To you they cried and were rescued; 

in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 

6  But I am a worm and not a man, 

scorned by mankind and despised by the people. 

7  All who see me mock me; 

they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 

8  “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; 

let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” 

9  Yet you are he who took me from the womb; 

you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. 

10  On you was I cast from my birth, 

and from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 

11  Be not far from me, 

for trouble is near, 

and there is none to help. 

12  Many bulls encompass me; 

strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 

13  they open wide their mouths at me, 

like a ravening and roaring lion. 

14  I am poured out like water, 

and all my bones are out of joint; 

my heart is like wax; 

it is melted within my breast; 

15  my strength is dried up like a potsherd, 

and my tongue sticks to my jaws; 

you lay me in the dust of death. 

16  For dogs encompass me; 

a company of evildoers encircles me; 

they have pierced my hands and feet— 

17  I can count all my bones— 

they stare and gloat over me; 

18  they divide my garments among them, 

and for my clothing they cast lots. 

19  But you, O Lord, do not be far off! 

O you my help, come quickly to my aid! 

20  Deliver my soul from the sword, 

my precious life from the power of the dog! 

21  Save me from the mouth of the lion! 

You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen! 

22  I will tell of your name to my brothers; 

in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: 

23  You who fear the Lord, praise him! 

All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, 

and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 

24  For he has not despised or abhorred 

the affliction of the afflicted, 

and he has not hidden his face from him, 

but has heard, when he cried to him. 

25  From you comes my praise in the great congregation; 

my vows I will perform before those who fear him. 

26  The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; 

those who seek him shall praise the Lord! 

May your hearts live forever! 

27  All the ends of the earth shall remember 

and turn to the Lord, 

and all the families of the nations 

shall worship before you. 

28  For kingship belongs to the Lord, 

and he rules over the nations. 

29  All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; 

before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, 

even the one who could not keep himself alive. 

30  Posterity shall serve him; 

it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; 

31  they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, 

that he has done it. 

Wow! I don’t know about you, but as I have read and re-read this psalm, I am astounded. Firstly because of the detail of Jesus internal narrative written by someone who was never to meet him or see crucifixion. The preciseness of the revelation of Jesus’ experience in death and how people responded is so accurate, as well as the insight into Jesus’ humanity. What an incredible revelation this psalm was. I wonder how it was received at the time it was written. It probably seemed odd but inspired. It is only now, thousands of years later that we can appreciate that this was written by the Spirit through the hand of David. 

It is easy to imagine that these were the thoughts and prayers of Jesus as he encountered death. It is real and raw, a very human response. It relates to the manner of his death as well as Jesus internal thoughts as he hangs there. 

‘I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.’ Have you ever felt like that? Insignificant, overlooked, unappreciated, dismissed and derided? Jesus did. How can the Saviour of the World have felt so worthless and in such despair? It demonstrates clearly Jesus’ humanity. He really did suffer. Not just physically but emotionally and mentally too. He was abandoned and ridiculed by those he loved, he even felt the separation and distance of God. Jesus truly experienced humanity in its entirity including its pain and despair. As you read the psalm I am sure you can relate to some of these thoughts and prayers of our Saviour. If so, know you're not alone. When you; Question God, wonder why He doesn’t answer, cry, are ill at ease, struggle to sleep because of concerns/fears, know how God has been trustworthy in the past but struggle to see it right now, feel worthless, feel like everyone is against you, are mocked, feel distant from God, feel helpless, alone and abandoned, are intimidated and scared, have lost strength, are in pain, stripped of worth, desperate, understand that even though this is agony there is purpose in it you can know God Himself has been through the exact same thing. Did you realise that? I didn’t until I read and reflected on this. What great comfort and relief we can know because Jesus really has experienced our pain and sufferings! No-one need feel alone in their internal conflicts or concerns because Jesus has also known all of this and although he died, he still lives. 

You can be a good follower of God and still have these troubled thoughts and concerns as God’s very own son did! He can appreciate how you are feeling and so help you through it. Jesus acknowledged his emotions, thoughts and fears yet he still extolled God. He admitted the truth about how he felt and at the same time reminded himself the truth of His God. The emotions and thoughts of the mind, no matter how big, significant or encompassing they may be should not overshadow the enormity and prevalence of God in your life. After all - which is bigger; your thoughts and emotions, or God? Jesus, who experienced a death and punishment like no-one would ever want to go through, who suffered greatly even with the foreknowledge that he had to go through terrible torment, Jesus still did not dwell on the internal narrative, his emotions or physical pain. Instead, as we see from this psalm his thoughts and prayers transfer from considering his pain and plight to focussing on what God has previously done and who He is. Jesus speaks of God being; worthy of praise and of testifying about, supporter of the afflicted, one who hears, ruler of all, righteous, rescuer and king. When you have it tough, do not be afraid to admit it - even Jesus did. Then, once you have done that, remember who God is. It will begin to change the turmoil you feel, it will give you another focus and give you something greater to be living for. Consider Jesus - consider the reality of his humanity and deity and discover how you can get through those times by being given the new life he offers. 

seek the welfare of the city

The last couple of weeks I have impacted by a passage in Jeremiah, chapter 29, verses 4-14.

To begin with the part that jumped out at me was v 7, 'seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on it's behalf, for in it's welfare, you will find you welfare'. I was convicted because, I realised that I hardly ever think to pray that way. I may pray for particular people, groups, initiatives, areas at times, but do I actually pray for the welfare of the town where I live? do you?
So, I began to read and re-read this verse and the surrounding verses. This section of scripture is a prophesy spoken by the prophet Jeremiah to the Israelites as they were swooped off to Babylon having been captured and exiled there. What a challenge for them! They are told to pray for the places that they have been thrown into for it to prosper, to know peace, to increase and become great. Not many of us can imagine the reality of being exiled into a culture and community you know nothing about. Most of us have in some way had a choice about where we live. Yet, even if you haven't, you are still to pray for the best for the place where you live.

Not only are the Israelites instructed to pray for where they live because it will be of benefit to them in the long run, but they are also instructed in the earlier verses to; build, settle, plant, eat, give, get married, increase and invest in the younger generations. Even if you're not passionate for the place where you live, are you investing in it? are you putting down your roots because God has put you there? Are you making something of the life you have, are you building and planting? We all have something to offer the community we live in, are you settling in and making a home where you are? God has carried you to this place, and God invites you into His mission there, and part of it is about getting stuck in; working, playing, making a home and just living life.

After God instructs the Israelites to do this, then He commands them to pray. Different interpretations of v7 tell us that we are to pray for our town's; wellbeing, good, prosperity, peace and welfare. God promises that as we do that, it will be good for us. it will be good for us practically and spiritually because as we pray for what God wants, we connect with Him, and we connect more with where we live. I believe as we pray, we will see breakthrough, we will see change, and God will show us how we can be a part of the good for the communities we are in.

Later on in this passage, the Lord God Almighty makes some amazing promises, He says that; He will come, He will cause you to prosper and not be harmed, He will give you hope and a future. Also that when you seek Him, He will listen and He will be found. Do you want that for yourself? Do you want that for where you live? If so, get praying!

God is ready to work where you live - are you?

God wants to partner with you in the place He has carried you. He has expectations of what you should do there, and that is basically to get on with life, but also to pray for where you live to do well. You can be the answer to the town's troubles, and it all starts with prayer.

Jeremiah 29:4-14 (NIV);

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: *5*“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. *6*Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. *7*Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” *8*Yes, this is what the LordAlmighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. *9*They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.
10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”