Big Idea: Find your hope in the unfailingly faithful love of God, whose hands hold you and will never abandon you.
Jeff reads Ps. 138 after prayer cards
It’s the weekend before New Year 2013… and we are all alive. December 21 has come and gone. But though the certainty of the Mayan calendar being wrong has been made evident, that we live in uncertain times continues to be confirmed.
I know I am aware of that. New Year often brings this awareness of uncertainty for me: reflection on the previous year leads me to wonder what the new year will hold. Betsie and I were having this conversation just Thursday on our date night: thinking back on 2012 and what happened and didn’t happen that we thought would; wondering aloud about 2013.
For me that has a unique element as I pass from one decade to another on my birthday this February. And though I know that turning $%&# is mostly a cultural stigma of change – just look at this Christmas’ comedic movie – I am a “rite of passage” type person so aging out of one decade into another is an opportunity to reflect and renew… and wonder. Like I did when I last changed decades – thinking back over the changes that came in my twenties of graduations, marriage, job changes, and a growing family.
I’ll do the same I am sure this time, reflecting on what God did these past 10 years and wondering before God what the next 10 years will bring for my life.
Of course, there are plenty of other uncertainties surrounding me too in our world – and you.
As noted specifically by Dave, Tim, and Steve in this series, we have endured and continue to endure a month of economic, political, social, and moral unrest on the global, local, and even corporate church level (as you heard Dave previously mention our own musings of what God might have ahead for us in 2013 with campuses).
And of course, the prayer cards just read remind us of uncertain, changing, transitory times as well. Uncertain, changing, transitory times for you.
I sense in them that, like me, you as well wonder what this new year will hold. It’s natural in many ways for us – nothing wrong with it.
We look back with a mix of phrases for 2012:
“What a wonderful year!”
”Well, I’ll be glad to see 2012 go.”
And we hope that new year will bring good, relief, comfort, and joy.
Our calendar turning to a new year…
our world, national, and church situations…
our personal circumstances…
All of them point to the same reality: we live in almost a constant state of uncertain, transitory, changing times.
Times that can be, then, quite troubling, for some even feeling like a “winter” season in their lives.
Winter seasons in our life can certainly be harsh. They can compound in circumstances like snow upon snow upon snow.
But there is beauty to be seen. And that’s what this HOLIDAY SERIES - started before Thanksgiving - has been all about: winter seasons may be full of uncertainty in our lives, but they are not without HOPE.
RE-CAP Series:
In particular, our focus in the Psalms has led us to look for the beauty of hope within troubling times – finding the hope that seeks to lift us out of challenges brought by a winter season for our soul.
And today’s final message in this series from the Psalms once again paints a picture for us of hope emerging in a winter season – or any season for that matter.
Jeff read it earlier, so let’s turn to look at it together: Psalm 138
GOD:
One note as you are turning there before we dive in is to remind us that the Psalms are poetry, and therefore are not meant to be picked apart. They aren’t meant to be analyzed to death or “plotted on a graph” - PAUSE – (Robin Williams and Dead Poets Society anyone?).
Psalms are meant to be felt emotionally… meant to be experienced.
However, in order for us to experience the Psalm and its WEIGHT of HOPE, it will help us to understand context and to understand some of the language used with more precision. The one aspect that makes it very necessary to take time with the Psalm’s in this way is the fact that we are NOT reading this in Hebrew together. So our experience with the Psalm will be heightened if we know more accurately the fullness of the language both in word meaning and imagery.
Let’s start with that – some of the key word meanings and imagery.
The Psalm begins with overt expressions of praise by an individual worshipper who is bowing before the LORD – YHWH – in the temple. His expression of praise is one that feeds depths of thanksgiving. In fact, this is how other translations language the opening: “I give you thanks, Oh LORD, with all my heart….” This worshipper is overwhelmed with gratitude and praise, seeking to bless God for who God is and for what God has done.
Vs. 2-3 speak to this past. The worshipper sings, bows low, and offers praise and thanksgiving in the moment and beyond FIRST for the LORD’s character of unfailing love and faithfulness. This poet has been witness to the constant love and faithfulness of God. And the choice of words is particularly important.
What is written “unfailing love” in English is the Hebrew word “hesed”, one of the most important words in all of the Hebrew language when speaking of YHWH and the favored word to describe the character of YHWH especially in some of the most significant of moments in Israel’s history.
Its meaning carries the attitude of God’s love that contains mercy, sometimes translated still as “loving-kindness,” which is maybe the most appropriate word to use. It also carries the attitude of God’s loyalty. In some translations it is conveyed as “the steadfast love” OR “loyal love” of the LORD.
AND we see this word used purposefully, as I say – and as I am confident the worshipper knew – in significant moments within Israel’s history.
For example, to highlight God’s character when the Book of the Covenant was being given to Moses:
Exodus 20:6
“You shall not make for yourself an idol... You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God… showing love (hesed) to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
Another significant moment that it is used is it’s reference specifically about God’s commitment to stay with and lead Israel through the wilderness even though they had violated this specific command about idolatry with their construction and worship of the Golden Calf:
Exodus 34:5-7
“Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love (hesed) and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.”
“Abounding in love and faithfulness.” The worshipper of Ps. 138, like Exodus’ quote, connects these two words as well. The reference to the LORD’s faithfulness is a consistent Hebrew reference to the stability and constancy of God’s character, pointing to God’s trustworthiness.
Even more significant though is its connection here to “unfailing love,” for it underscores the strength of God’s commitment to loving-kindness. You might say the worshipper is praising and thanking the LORD for his “unfailingly faithful love.”
Yet this unfailingly faithful love is NOT JUST something witnessed to in the life and history of Israel. This worshipper has experienced the loving faithfulness of YHWH personally. God has answered when called upon, and answered to make this one “bold with strength – strength of soul.”
This personal experience is highlighted in vs. 6 with the expression of the exalted God being willing to look – have regard for – the humble and lowly. Specifically it is the language of favor here, that the LORD though exalted and great, favors with kindness those who are of humble estate, something the worshipper experienced through God’s protective hand against enemies.
“(The exalted one) does not leave the lowly unnoticed, but on the contrary makes him the special object of His regard.”
It was favorable regard experienced in the form of protection because of the “right hand” of the LORD.
Like the importance of the meaning of “hesed,” the importance of this imagery of the “hand” OR “right hand” of YHWH cannot be overstated for the worshipper – NOR for the reader.
“The right hand of the LORD” is one of the favored images of all Scripture referring to God’s power, strength, authority, dominion, care, and responsibility.
I want you to sense the significance of this image, so let me share with you quickly a survey of the image being used in the Scriptures.
It was the LORD’s right hand, according to Moses, that accomplished the exodus, “Your right hand, O Lord, was majestic in power.” Ex. 15:6
It appears in the Psalms over and over – here’s just a few truths:
{CG note: I will go through these quickly, except for Ps. 77:10 where I will pause for a moment.}
“Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Ps. 16:8
“…your right hand sustains me” Ps. 18:35
“…let your right hand display awesome deeds.” Ps. 45:4
“…your right hand is filled with righteousness.” Ps. 48:10
“…your right hand upholds me.” Ps. 63:8
“To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High.” Ps. 77:10
“Save us and help us with your right hand…” Ps. 108:6
“…the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things.” Ps. 118:16
“…the LORD is your shade at your right hand.” Ps. 121:5
“…your right hand will hold me fast.” Ps. 139:10
Even the prophets record its significance when quoting God:
“Do not fear… I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Is. 41:10
“My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens…” Is. 48:13
This imagery of the right hand climaxes in the NT with these words about Jesus, first from Hebrews:
Having provided purification for sin, the once for all sacrifice for sins, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, Christ…
“sat down at the right hand of God, the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1, 8, 10, 12
THEN the Revelation of Jesus to John (how appropriate):
“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.” Revelation 1:17
So it is that this worshipper’s praise and thanks is rooted in his experience of this power, strength, authority, and care of the LORD’s right hand – the love and faithfulness of the LORD that has led to God’s care for this one who sings in praise.
But the worshipper’s song doesn’t end in there. His final statement is one that moves out of praise for the past to PRAYER for the future – look at vs. 8: a HOPEFUL prayer rooted in these two most significant phrases / images of the Psalm: the unfailingly faithful love (hesed) of God and His powerful, strong, authoritative and caring right hand.
It is a prayer that is literally a play on this idea of God’s right hand. The worshipper’s cry is that God would not “abandon the works of His hands,” a phrase that in imagery speaks to the idea of relaxing the hands – a request / plea that YHWH would not desert NOR forsake what He has been doing, BUT RATHER, will fulfill the purposes had for the worshipper.
IL: a carver walking away from his woodwork
a potter walking away from her clay
Now, with these understandings of language and imagery – particularly regarding “hesed” and “the right hand of the LORD”, let’s set a context.
You may have noticed under the numbering the phrase “of David.” It is quite unlikely, however, that David actually wrote the Psalm. It may have been another king in David’s lineage, who wrote it. It may have simply been written by one who knew the promise that David’s throne was to be an everlasting throne whose kingdom would endure forever (2 Sam. 7:11-16).
And then it may have been written during the exile or even post-exilic period during the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem’s wall.
The bottom line is that we just do not know for sure.
HOWEVER, here’s what I think we can surmise about the worshipper.
· A worshipper in the temple who at minimum knew Israel’s history, and seemed to have some sense about the promised everlasting monarchy
· A worshipper who was reflecting back on YHWH’s hand on Israel, YET was also looking forward towards what they AND the people needed God to CONTINUE to do.
· AND… a worshipper who knew that the magnificence of the LORD was not to be contained in praise by one individual, NOR even one nation. All the kings of the earth ought to give praise to YHWH as the one true God of ALL nations.
In Access this fall, we taught through the story of God in the Old Testament ending with the words of the people rebuilding Jerusalem in Nehemiah 9. Let me use that backdrop to paint a picture for us for this Psalm.
Whether written in similar times as Ezra-Nehemiah OR prayed by ones in that time, this Psalm would be so fitting to the exile situation.
So, I want you to imagine with me…
YOU:
YOU are part of the exiles of Israel - one who knows your nation’s history and YHWH’s right hand of strength, power, authority, and care that had protected and directed Israel. You know the covenant promises of God – He will be your God; you will be His people, blessed to be a blessing to the nations so that all kings will bow in worship to YHWH.
And you know the stories of His right hand protecting and directing your ancestors through slavery, the exodus, the wilderness, into the promised land, through the monarchy, and through the rebellion of the kings and people that led to exile in Assyria, Babylon, and Persia.
And you reflect on the LORD’s hesed faithfulness – unfailingly faithful love – not only to Israel, but to you as well, for when you were in need and called, God answered making you bold with strength in soul, protecting you even delivering you from the anger of your foes.
So you sing in praise…(now hear the words of the Psalm…)
Ps. 138 (CG: three slides if possible please)
I will praise and give thanks to you O LORD with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. I will bow down prostrate toward your holy temple and will praise your name giving thanks for your unfailingly faithful love, for your stability, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me, strengthening my soul.
May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth. May they sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.
Though the LORD is high and exalted, he looks with kind favor on the lowly; but the proud he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve even revive my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.
BUT… you don’t stop there because though you have returned to Jerusalem where the temple and city have been re-built, you are still in exile – still under the rule of the foreign, pagan king of Persia. These have been changing times; times of transition. They are uncertain times. You say with the exiles of Nehemiah 9:
Nehemiah 9:32, 36-37
Now therefore our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love… see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our ancestors… (the) abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress.
So at the end of praise, you PRAY with HOPE with the worshipper of Ps. 138:
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me, vindicating me; your unfailingly faithful love O LORD endures forever – do not abandon or walk away from the works of your hands.
“Yes YHWH, you are great and have watched over us as a nation in love and faithfulness, leading to other nations praising you, BUT there is more for you to do. Your covenant promises to Israel – to me – are true, BUT there is more to fulfill.
· Yes you know the loving faithfulness of the LORD in the past, bringing you to the promised land and back again, BUT, you know there is MORE for the LORD to do – His work is not complete yet. So you pray to the LORD:
“Don’t relax your right hand – don’t stand idly by - don’t forsake the deliverance from trouble and distress – don’t abandon your works from our uncertain, transitory, changing times!
“We trust – rest even - in your loving, right hand of hope”
This was a series where we as preachers chose our Psalms to preach as Psalms of hope. It was an easy choice for me. This Psalm 138 became significantly personal for me this past summer because of the hope I found in it both in reflection on the past and vision towards the future.
CONCLUSION (WE):
In particular, this final verse became a prayer – breathe prayer specifically – that has held with me for months now: “Do not abandon the works of your hands.”
I found myself this past summer in a season of God’s unexpected healing, redeeming past events in my life. I hadn’t been looking for it NOR sensing the need for it, but God brought it to me.
And in that season, this Psalm was one of my morning readings and gripped me. Yes God, I could praise you too, give thanks to you for your have answered me when I’ve called. You’ve emboldened me. You have protected me. But as I journaled and prayed, as I reflected on God’s promptings to healing and redeeming, I found myself also praying:
“God do not abandon the work of your hands. You are doing something in my life. Keep it going. Fulfill your purposes”
o Phil. 1:6 – “He who began… will carry it on to completion…”
It was a prayer for God to continue to work out his purposes in my life. It is a pray in light of all else in the Psalm that is clearly a prayer of HOPE to me.
The strong, powerful, authoritative, caring right hand of the LORD will NOT abandon his works. His purposes will be fulfilled.
And so it continues to be a consistent prayer that I utter: in my life, my family’s life, for Access, for our church (yes, many times I have uttered it as we pursue God’s leading in the new Grace).
It is for me a confident, hope-FILLED prayer because it is prayed in light of the rest of the Psalm. God will fulfill his purposes and NOT abandon the works of his hands BECAUSE of his unfailingly faithful love!
And I believe it is to be a HOPE-filled prayer for you too!
It is a psalm for you to hold onto because it holds the promise of God’s right hand – hands extended in the unfailingly faithful love of Jesus who said,
John 10:27-29
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
It is a declarative psalm of HOPE for you and I to pray: “God in my work, in my family, in my life, in my trouble, in my distress, in this winter season of my life, DO NOT abandon the works of your hands.”
“In these uncertain, times of transition and change, do not relax your grip – do not walk away from your handiwork. Fulfill your purposes in me…your desires in this world for the sake of your kingdom. You’ve done it in the past. Don’t stop now! Keep it going.
Because of your unfailingly faithful LOVE, do not abandon the works of your hands!”
Yes that is hope for us: – in 2013, in this winter season of your life, in every season of our lives:
In 2013…
…rest in God’s loving hands of hope that will never forsake you.
In this winter season of your life (that some of you find yourselves in)…
…trust in the faithfulness of God’s right hand that will fulfill His purposes in you.
In every season of your life…
Find your hope in the unfailingly faithful love of God, whose hands hold you and will never abandon you.
Let’s pray…