Psalm 78: Rebellion and Gratitude

 

Observation: Psalm 78 is a history psalm, meant to pass on to future generations the story of Moses, the escape of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, and God's care for the people in the wilderness. The story is not told in a linear way, but jumps back and forth in time. Still, the heart of the story is that God keeps on providing for God's people, even when they forget, grumble and rebel. 

Application: Too often my word for God is "what have you done for me lately?". I don't say it out loud or think it consciously, but I do get preoccupied with what I don't have, rather than what I do; with what God has not yet done for me, instead of the many things God has already done. Like the people of Israel, I say with my actions and thought patterns, "Yeah, water from a rock is nice, but what's holding up the entree?" I need to repent of my grumbling and rebellion, by giving thanks. A surefire way to head off my dumbest and most petty grievances is telling the story of God's work in my life and giving thanks. 

Prayer: God, I woke up this morning in a warm house, surrounded by a loving family, with food in the fridge, with clothes to put on, and I am healthy. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! Amen. 

Deuteronomy 23:21-23

 Observation: This is the commandment from God's law about fulfilling vows, which Jesus referenced when he said it's better not to make vows at all. Deuteronomy says if you refrain from vowing, you incur no guilt, but if you do make a vow, you'd better be as good as your word. 

Application: Last night's attack on the campus of Michigan State University has me rattled. Four people have lost their lives. Another five are injured. A whole community, including people I know and care for very much, is traumatized. This horrific violence has become all too common in our country, and for some reason, almost exclusively in our country. Our leaders have made vows before to do something about it. Maybe we ourselves have made vows. Yet the problem remains. There may not be one law to pass, or one social reform to make, that will make all our communities stable and safe. But if we say we will do something about this, then we need to follow through. The world is watching. Our children are watching. 

Prayer: God, grant peace to the community of East Lansing, and to the students and staff at MSU. Grant your holy comfort to the mourners and healing to the injured. And grant us the will, the hope, the ingenuity and the persistence to actually do something about the ongoing violence in our country. In Jesus' name, Amen.