God Is God And We Are Not - November 4, 2010

Daily Lectionary Readings for November 4, 2010
Psalm18:1-20
Zephaniah 3:1-7
Revelation 16:12-21
Luke 13:18-30

Psalm 18:1-20
This Psalm is not unique, but is a great representation of one of the characteristics of a number of the Psalms.  Here the Psalmist creatively combines the Lord's concern with the specific, individual life of the writer and the cosmic majesty of what it means to be God.  The Psalm is an acknowledgement of God's help, but it moves past being a thank you note to God to being effusive praise for God who is so much more than a magic helper waiting to solve our problems.  Here is the creator God in all of God's glory and majesty and here is the great good news that this awesome and spectacular God cares deeply for individuals like us.  After a particularly grand and powerful description of God's might we land on v.19 - "He brought me out into a broad place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me."  With all that is virtually beyond the ability of words to describe about God's nature the Psalmist leads us to a point that Scripture's story draws us to again and again - this amazing God has a deep and abiding love...for us.

Zephaniah 3:1-8
"Ah, soiled, defiled, oppressing city! 
It has listened to no voice;
it has accepted no correction."(v.1)
This verse marks a sharp contrast to the theme mentioned above in the Psalm.  God, who is the creator and whose power can truly only be discussed in words that attempt to convey an idea of power on a grand and cosmic scale takes note of us and cares for us.  On the other hand, the prophet here describes a city, Jerusalem in this instance, that imagines itself to be grand and powerful on a great scale and which is indifferent to it's creator.  God who could easily have not a care for us instead loves us.  We who depend on God for everything live at times as though we are beholding to no one. 

Luke 13:18-30
The Luke passage kind of draws this together as Jesus speaks about the kingdom of God and about the narrow path that leads to God's kingdom.  His closing words in this passage drive home the point that it is not power - real or perceived - among people that leads one to the God's kingdom.  Rather it is about obedience and aiming to follow Christ on that narrow path.  "Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."(v.30)  In the shadow of election day and the echoes of acceptance and concession speeches these words of Christ have a particular relevance.  Much of politics is about the trappings of and exercise of power.  Too often it becomes simply about gaining and maintaining power.  Jesus is clear - the power is a tool among other tools, the decisive and all important factor is not the measure of power, but the desire to be obedient.  While mentioning politicians as examples I'd be remiss if I did not confess that the first person I need to hear Christ's call to obedience is me.  Praying today that we all will be a little more obedient and Christlike today then we were yesterday.