August 26, 2018 - - Psalm 130 - - What's your story?
/1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
Psalm 130 NIV
Our lives are shaped by stories. We willingly hear familiar stories over and over again. Consider how many times you've listened to that favourite album of your favorite band. How many times have you watched your favorite movie? Even mentioning these things means you'll probably start humming or making air guitar motions along with the tunes flying around your brain.
Oddly enough, people will pay big bucks to go see the latest remake of a movie and not flinch. But will say they are tired of church because it is all the same. Strangely people will say "boring" to a familiar hymn. When they hear a rock anthem on the radio they will forget themselves and sing (while the others in the van shout "Don't quit your day job!) It is a song they've heard countless times and readily listen to again and again.
All of us are being shaped by the stories we hear over and over again. TV series, movies, music, talk programs, opinion shows and so on impress themselves on our hearts and brains. Ask yourself: is what I am listening to worthy of my time, worthy of the space I give it in my heart and brain? Is this story going to be a good guide for eternity?
By God grace I have the opportunity to go to church twice on a Sunday--in the morning and afternoon services. The Bible is the foundation of the preaching. The stories from God's Word shape my living. The psalms and the hymns anchor my thoughts on Jesus Christ. The sermons teach me that I am the beloved child of my Father in heaven because of Jesus' work. The Spirit of God seals these stories to my heart and soul against the days of trouble and help me to correctly interpret the world around me and the world to come.
Today is Sunday. Consider getting spiritually fit. Come on out to a bible believing, Jesus exalting church.
Your Word, O God, reflects the glory of Who You are!
Your life, death, and resurrection, Lord Jesus, is the story that shapes our planet and all the people on it.
Spirit of God, You take the great truth of the Jesus and His Word and plant it deep into our souls and imagination so that we can respond with joy and wonder to all that God is doing.
God of Splendour, summon people to church this day.
Spirit of God, cause me to be a welcoming presence to whomever You bring to church.
Jesus, let the story of Your love and victory over sin and death be the song of our hearts and the story of our lives. Amen.
