Readings for today: Psalms 111-118
“O Israel, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield. The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron; he will bless those who fear the Lord, both the small and the great. May the Lord give you increase, you and your children! May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth!” (Psalm 115:9-15)
Today is a special day in our country. A day when we remember those who gave their lives to protect our freedoms. Those who sacrificed so much and, in some cases, paid the ultimate price to defend our country. I think of my own family. My wife has two grandfathers buried at Fort Logan Cemetery in Denver, CO. Her father did three tours with the Navy in Vietnam. My father served as well during that era. It’s humbling to reflect on their dedication. So each year we set aside a day to remember. A day to celebrate. Proclamations will be read. Speeches will be given. And all of them will end asking for some kind of divine blessing on our nation.
Israel was no different. She too sought God’s divine blessing. Today’s reading is filled with all kinds of nationalistic language. Israel praising God for His steadfast commitment to His covenant with them. Israel praising God for His mighty works on their behalf. Israel praising God for lifting them up above the other nations around them. At the same time, it’s important to note Israel’s focus. It’s on God and not on themselves. They extol God for His character. His nature. His glory. They praise Him for His righteousness. His justice. His mercy and grace. They recognize their own blessing is wrapped up in their obedience to His commands. They will not receive what the Lord has stored up for them unless they walk in His ways.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” (Psalm 111:10)
“Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!…Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.” (Psalm 112:1, 4-9)
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!” (Psalm 115:1)
The Psalmist understood a profound truth. If we seek to lift up ourselves. If we seek to put ourselves first. If we seek to protect ourselves. Promote ourselves. Indulge ourselves. God will bring down judgment. Selfishness is the very definition of what the Bible calls “wickedness.” But the nation that serves others. The nation that gives generously. The nation that sacrifices for the sake of those who are poor and needy and less-fortunate. That nation reflects the very heart of God and will be blessed in order to be a blessing.
I love America. I am thankful for the freedoms we enjoy. I am grateful for the material blessings we’ve worked so hard to earn. I’m especially humbled by the example of those who have gone before us who have made all this possible. I’ve also seen the alternative. In my line of work, I’ve traveled the world. I’ve seen oppression firsthand. I’ve stood at the mass graves. I’ve spoken to the victims of abuse and terror. I’ve seen the fear in their eyes. I’ve had to be careful at times because I knew there was a good possibility I was being monitored. Thankfully, those are things we do not have to worry about here at home. At the same time, I am concerned. I fear we are losing our grip on what’s made America great. I am grieved over our inability to come to grips with our racist past. I am continually shocked at our lack of concern for life. I am heartbroken over the political divisions that threaten to tear us apart at the seams. I am deeply concerned by the growing sense of entitlement, selfishness, and greed, My fear is we will lose whatever blessing we’ve enjoyed unless we repent and turn back to God.
The founders of our country wrote these words in the historic Preamble to the US Constitution… “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” I pray for the day when we reclaim the original vision on which this country was founded. I pray for the day when we truly make it our aim to form a “more perfect union” rather than exacerbate the social, racial, economic, and political divisions that exist. I pray for the day when we will establish justice for the oppressed. Tranquility for the fearful and anxious among us. Defend the weak and vulnerable. Promote the welfare of all who come to our shores seeking asylum. And secure the future not just for ourselves but for those who will follow in our footsteps. On that day, I believe we will truly be able to proclaim with the Psalmist, “Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 117:1-2)
Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 1-2, Psalms 37, 71, 94