There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 129
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
May those who pass by not say to them, “The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.” [Psalm 129:8]
God’s original desire was to bless all people; His original garden paradise was intended to be a place of blessing for all.
The crisis of sin has turned this world – and our experience of it – into a curse.
Misery, pain, cruelty, betrayal, freed, selfishness, injustice, this is how God’s world is now experienced, a curse and not a blessing.
The psalmist is reflecting on those who cause the misery, and prays that they would not be blessed, that no one would wish them God’s blessing.
But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. [Luke 6:27-28]
Is Jesus saying the opposite from what the psalmist says?
The psalmist is describing the natural feelings of the victim, and also the ultimate reality that those who refuse to repent will lose God’s blessing.
Jesus does not deny these feelings, nor does He deny that the unrepentant will ultimately forfeit God’s blessing.
But in these words Jesus is describing how God is working to restore God’s blessing in a sin-cursed world.
God in His love is blessing the unblessable, using grace to help sinners repent.
And He calls His followers to do the same thing.
Our natural response will be like the Psalmist, ‘God punish the wicked, make them suffer like they make others suffer!’
Though this is how things ought to be, we also realize that we are also guilty of spreading the curse, and if God treated us as our sins deserve, we too would perish.
We all deserve God’s justice, we all need God’s mercy!
Thankfully through Jesus He has said to us, “The blessing of the LORD be on you; I bless you in the name of the LORD.” [Psalm 129:8]
Therefore we are urged to do the same, to say to sinners “The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.” [Psalm 129:8]
This is not natural, nor is it easy, but with God’s help it is possible.
And it is the way of the Jesus-follower, our calling in this sin-cursed world.
It’s the good news that we are called to be witnesses to.
And so though we may understand the feelings of the Psalmist, we cannot echo what he says here, but take our cue from Jesus.
We say to sinners what was said to us – “The blessing of the LORD be on you; I bless you in the name of the LORD.” [Psalm 129:8]
PRAYER:
Lord, I do not deserve Your mercy any more or less than the next person. Use me to share Your good news blessing with others, that they may repent and receive Your mercy too.