May 4, 2023
Scripture: Psalm 108:3-5 – “I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.”
Psalm 142:6-7 – “Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.”
Psalm 65:1-3 – “Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. You who answer prayer, to you all people will come. When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.”
What it means
More “Psalms of David” – in my last COS class, we studied the Psalms quite a bit, and I learned that we can divide the Psalms in three categories: psalms of orientation, psalms of disorientation, and psalms of reorientation. Psalm 108 is a good example of a psalm of orientation – pure praise, basically, that sings the praises of a good God. Psalm 142 would be classified as a psalm of disorientation – psalms of lament that describe the author finding themself in a dark place and crying out to God to save them. Finally, Psalm 65 is a psalm of reorientation, where the author has survived some difficult situation, and finds themself on the other side. Life is good once again, but it isn’t the same as it was before…kind of like getting an opportunity for a clean slate and a fresh start.
What it means to me
Taking these classes is difficult in many ways – my schedule is full enough already, so this definitely adds some layers of stress, but they have all been such a joy in many ways. One of the big joys is being able to take all of you to school with me as I share my new nuggets of spiritual knowledge. This last class was a 400 level class that really should have been taken later in my coursework, but with so many churches disaffiliating, the enrollment has dropped considerably, and I was needed to help complete the class for two graduating pastors who needed this particular class to finish up.Again, it was challenging in many ways, but I’m learning…and isn’t that what we should all be doing? Continuing to grow and learn and develop in our faith? It is comical in some ways, sitting in college classrooms attending classes at my age (I don’t recall my back getting so stiff in these old classrooms when I went to school many years ago 😊), but I am so grateful for the opportunity.
Thank you for your patience with me – again, I’m trying to continue to learn and grow, and prayerfully, become a better pastor for all of you…you deserve the best, because you are the best. And for that…I continue to be grateful.
Love you guys, see you in church on Sunday!
In Christ,
Brian