Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 1-229 Sunday 30 Dec 2001

Reading: PSALM 93 – THE LORD REIGNS IN 2002

(From ‘Encounter with God’ Bible Reading Notes)

‘O thou who art ever the same, grant us so to pass through the coming year with faithful hearts, that we may be able in all things to please thy loving eyes’ (Mozarabic Liturgy).

‘The Lord reigns’ proclaim seven of the psalms 147,93,95-99). How excellent that on this last Sunday of the year, we reflect on one of these psalms, which scholars believe have their origins in Israel’s New Year’s Day festival.

Two images are juxtaposed in this psalm: the solid, four-square sovereign rule of God in his world, and the ‘pounding waves’ (v 3) of unrule that thrash our world at global and personal level.

Some months ago I was in Sarawak helping with a workshop for East Asian writers. One man made a profound impression on me. He is a medical doctor who has stood twice as an opposition candidate. Another Christian jokingly told me this, making clear he didn’t think politics a suitable occupation for a Christian.

Later, Doctor X told me why he had made the choice. ‘When I read about God’s sovereignty in the Bible, I see the faces of people I know here in rural Sarawak. The idea of a living God who controls and reigns and deals justly is laughable to them. Politicians grab their land, make huge illegal profits by logging in non-renewable forest and force them into poverty (those ‘pounding waves’ vs 3,4). God’s sovereignty must come off the page for these people, be seen and felt even if I’m a joke at church!’ (See James 2:8; Mic 6:8)

‘Prayer reduces the stridency of our political protestations, but enhances our skills of citizenry – our commitments, our involvements, our values, our passion for social justice. We become aware of God’s grand sovereignty in prayer; we also discover a developing inclination to obedience’ (Eugene Peterson, Earth and Altar, IVP, 1985).

‘Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’

– Pauline Hoggarth

Copyright Scripture Union, 2001

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