Peace
Notes
Transcript
1 I will sing of the Lord’s loyal love forever. I will proclaim your faithfulness with my own mouth from one generation to the next.
2 That’s why I say, “Your loyal love is rightly built—forever! You establish your faithfulness in heaven.”
3 You said, “I made a covenant with my chosen one; I promised my servant David:
4 ‘I will establish your offspring forever; I will build up your throne from one generation to the next.’ Selah
19 Once you spoke in a vision to your faithful servants: I placed a crown on a strong man. I raised up someone specially chosen from the people.
20 I discovered my servant David. I anointed him with my holy oil.
21 My hand will sustain him— yes, my arm will strengthen him!
22 No enemy will oppress him; no wicked person will make him suffer.
23 I will crush all his foes in front of him. I will strike down all those who hate him.
24 My faithfulness and my loyal love will be with him. He will be strengthened by my name.
25 I will set his hand on the sea. I will set his strong hand on the rivers.
26 He will cry out to me: “You are my father, my God, the rock of my salvation.”
Peace
Peace
A man named Jacob lived in a small, close-knit town. Jacob was known around town as the town troublemaker. He had a history of making bad decisions, developing addictions, and running into trouble with the law. People had given up on him, assuming he was hopeless. Even Jacob had given up faith on ever changing.
Jacob found himself at the local church's doors one Sunday morning. He hadn't darken the doors of a church since he was a little boy, but something inside of him prompted him to go that day. The congregation glanced at him as he entered the sanctuary, muttering among themselves. Jacob felt awkward, unworthy, and shattered.
A wise and caring pastor, saw Jacob's approach and greeted him with a loving smile. He'd heard the whispers about Jacob, but he chose to see past his brokenness. The pastor preached of God's unlimited love during the service, emphasizing that no one was beyond His grace and redemption.
Jacob approached the pastor with tears in his eyes as the service ended. He admitted his sins in the past, the grief he had caused others, and his deep sense of shame. He explained that he came to church wanting to find a glimmer of hope, a sight of God's love, but he didn't expect anyone to accept him.
The pastor listened with empathy and told Jacob that God's love was sufficient to cover his brokenness. He stated that God does not determine love based on a person's history, but rather on their willingness to turn to Him and seek forgiveness. He encouraged Jacob to start a journey of faith, to believe in God's love, and to let go of the guilt that had burdened him for so long.
Jacob started attending church on a regular basis throughout the next few months. He began to reconstruct his life with the help of the congregation and the pastor. It wasn't easy, and he had many setbacks, but he clung to the hope that God's love could mend even the most broken hearts.
The transformation in Jacob's life became clear to all as time passed. He became a loving and caring member of the community, helping others who were in similar situations to his own. Jacob's story was an incredible testimonial to God's love, demonstrating that it was sufficient for his brokenness.
Finally, Jacob's path from brokenness to redemption not only transformed his life, but also inspired everyone around him to believe in God's tremendous, limitless love. It reminded them that no matter how damaged or lost they felt, God's love was always present, ready to heal and restore them, just as it did for Jacob.
At times, we grapple with the question of whether God's love extends far enough to embrace us fully. Even on this Christmas Eve, we may ponder the narrative of a God who arrived as an infant and wonder, "That's wonderful, but did God really come for someone like me? Am I too broken, too messed up, too burdened for God's love?" Our struggle to believe in the vastness of God's love lies at the core of much destructive thinking and theology, both in our personal lives and within the broader church community.
Yet, here we stand, on this final Sunday of Advent, with a psalm that once again centers on the concept of "hesed"—the unwavering love and faithfulness of God. The psalmist illustrates this steadfast love by drawing upon the example of King David. Within this psalm of lament, we see references to the promises made to David, but it also hints at David's shortcomings. This psalm serves as a poignant reminder that, even amidst the chaos of David's life, God remained faithful to him.
We have the assurance that God indeed remembers His people and maintains His faithfulness. As we gather to commemorate the culmination of Advent on this Christmas Eve, we are reminded that the Messiah was born into the lineage of David—a profound testament to God's enduring and unwavering love for all humanity.
King David's legacy is complex
King David's legacy is complex
King David was the second king of Israel. His rise to power seems unlikely from a human standpoint. Saul had been named the king of Israel. God had warned the people about what having a king would mean. But, they wanted to be like the nations around them, they wanted a king. Israel was a theocracy, God was the head. They wanted to move from being a theocracy to a monarchy and God gave it to them and Saul was anointed the king.
Saul was disobedient to God and God spoke to the prophet Samuel and said to him in
11 “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the Lord all night.
Samuel is directed to anoint the new king of Israel and the one that God chooses is David. He’s the youngest, most insignificant son of Jesse from Bethlehem.
It was 15-20 years before David was actually crowned king over all of Israel. He spent much of that time avoiding Saul who was out to kill him.
David, a significant figure in Israel's history, is often considered one of the greatest kings the country has ever had. His rule was marked by many successes and achievements, but there was also a dark part of his life when he misused his power. This part of his story involves some terrible actions: he committed adultery with Bathsheba and then went as far as arranging the murder of her husband, Uriah, in an attempt to hide his wrongdoing.
What sets David apart as a king, however, is how he responded to his terrible mistakes. He didn't ignore what he had done or refuse to admit his guilt. Instead, he chose to repent, which means he felt deep sorrow for what he had done and turned back to God. The Bible even calls him "a man after God's own heart" because of this.
22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’
David's story teaches us that even the most respected people can make big mistakes and do wrong things. What matters most is not the mistake itself but how a person reacts to it. David's genuine regret and shame for his actions show how close his connection with God was. It shows that God's forgiveness is not limited by the size of our mistakes, but by how genuinely sorry we are.
David's story also has a connection to Jesus. In the first chapter of the book of Matthew in the Bible, you'll find the family tree, or genealogy, of Jesus. Right at the beginning, Jesus is called "the son of David," which means He's from the same royal family as David. As you read through the list of ancestors, you'll notice that it traces back to King David, with a special focus on David's son, Solomon.
One interesting thing is that when it mentions Bathsheba in this list, she is described as "the wife of Uriah." This might not seem important, but it reminds us of the story of David's wrongdoing with Bathsheba and Uriah. It reminds us how David and Bathsheba's story is part of Jesus' family history.
The fact that Bathsheba is included in Jesus' family tree shows us something very important: God can bring goodness and hope even out of the darkest times in our lives. It reminds us that God's love and forgiveness are big enough to cover and heal all kinds of brokenness, even as serious as what David and Bathsheba went through. In the end, it fulfills the promise that a Savior, Jesus, would come to bring salvation and hope to all people.
1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.”
3 “I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David:
4 ‘Your seed I will establish forever, And build up your throne to all generations.’ ” Selah
The steadfast love of God shows up in the mess
The steadfast love of God shows up in the mess
Psalm 89 is another of those authentic songs, like a musical journal entry, in which people express their emotions to God. They're not simply singing praises in this psalm; they're also sharing their deep grief and feelings of hopelessness.
They begin by singing about how faithful and compassionate God has always been in the past. It's like reminiscing about happier times when everything was going smoothly. They discuss the promises God made to king David's descendants, which was a huge issue because David was a beloved and influential king in Israel's history. These promises amounted to a particular agreement between God and David's household, something akin to an everlasting promise.
But here's where things get interesting. They also sing about feeling hopeless and despairing. It's if they're saying, "God, we remember all the good stuff you did, and we know about the promises, but right now, things seem really tough." Imagine this: You have a close friend who has always been there for you and has promised to be there for you in tough situations. But then you find yourself in an extremely terrible circumstance, and you begin to worry whether your friend will keep their promise to you. You may feel lost and discouraged.
Let's take a step back and look at the larger picture. This psalm is candid about life's ups and downs. It admits that even when we are aware of God's faithfulness and promises, we can still be overwhelmed by despair. It's almost as if the people are saying, "Hey, we've been through some tough times, and it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel right now."
But this is when hope comes in. While the psalm does not provide an immediate response or solution to their anguish, it does remind us that God has a history of honoring His promises, even when situations appear hopeless. It's like being in an incredibly dark tunnel where you can't see the finish but know there's a light at the end because you've seen it before.
So, even in their despair, the people believe that God is still present, that His promises are still true, and that He will come through, just as He has in the past.
Imagine a sailor on a rough sea. The sky is dark, the waves are smashing, and the ship is rocking back and forth. The sailor is aware of the presence of a lighthouse on the shore, a symbol of protection and hope. However, in the middle of a storm, with the waves towering over the ship, it's easy to lose sight of the light. The sailor may be terrified and uncertain, wondering if they will ever reach the safety of the land. Psalm 89 feels like a sailor's hymn in that it recalls the lighthouse and the promises of safety while also expressing the terror and uncertainty of the storm. But there is still hope that the lighthouse will bring them home, just as God's faithfulness and promises guide us through life's storms.
We are reminded of this hope in the words of the Apostle John in his first letter:
9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
While this psalm doesn't directly tell us how God responded to the people's deep sadness and heartfelt cries, we can find hope as we look ahead to the Advent season. It's like sensing that God hasn't forgotten about them.
In this psalm, the people are incredibly honest about their sins and how they've been unfaithful to God. They express a strong desire to turn away from their wrongdoings and make things right. The story painted here is messy and filled with brokenness and despair. Imagine a once-beautiful vase, now shattered into countless pieces on the ground—that's how their lives seem.
But here's the beautiful part: even though the psalm doesn't immediately reveal how God responded, we can look forward and remember that God did indeed hear their cries. How do we know this? Well, God's response to their brokenness and need for salvation unfolded later in history when Jesus was born. Jesus comes from the family line of David and Bathsheba—yes, the same Bathsheba from this story. This is the story of redemption: where sin and brokenness once threatened to destroy everything, God remained faithful and ultimately brought salvation to the world through this imperfect lineage.
What all of this means for us is that we can have confidence, no matter what our past looks like or even if our present feels shattered. God's unwavering love is there for us. Just as God took David's shattered life and turned it into a story of redemption, He can do the same for us when we turn away from our mistakes and present our lives to Jesus. God loves us just as we are and desires to bring us peace and wholeness, much like a skilled artist who takes broken pieces and transforms them into a beautiful work of art.
Imagine a worn-out and torn painting, once a masterpiece, now showing the scars of time and neglect. Its colors have faded, and there are rips and stains that seem irreversible. It appears beyond repair. But then, an expert artist steps in, taking those damaged fragments and slowly, meticulously restoring the vibrant colors, mending the tears, and turning it back into a masterpiece. This is precisely what God does with our brokenness when we turn to Him—He skillfully restores and redeems our lives, turning the shattered into something truly beautiful.
24 “But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, And in My name his horn shall be exalted.
25 Also I will set his hand over the sea, And his right hand over the rivers.
26 He shall cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’
27 Also I will make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth.
28 My mercy I will keep for him forever, And My covenant shall stand firm with him.
29 His seed also I will make to endure forever, And his throne as the days of heaven.
The Arrival of the Prince of Peace in this mess
The Arrival of the Prince of Peace in this mess
We frequently overlook the brutal reality underlying the story of Christ's birth. Mary, the young lady destined to bear Jesus, was a real person who was presumably terrified and uncertain. Let us not forget that these were far from perfect moments. Mary's decision to obey God had real-world ramifications. The birth of Christ was a vulnerable event rather than a great spectacle. At its root, the incarnation story is far from neat and tidy.
The story does not unfold as expected. The redemption of the world is provided via the lives of ordinary people, not through magnificent, faultless tales. These stories are packed with the ugliness of everyday existence, and they speak to us in our fragility. We might anticipate a more dazzling presentation for the Savior of the World, but instead we meet genuine people with real problems and vulnerabilities.
Christ's mission in coming to us is to provide peace, a concept strongly based in the Hebrew term "shalom," which signifies "wholeness and well-being" rather than only the absence of conflict. He strives to mend the brokenness, forgive our sins, and to lead us away from the confusion that sin and death create. His mission is to bring us peace and solace in the midst of life's ups and downs.
The story of Christ's birth is more than just a historical occurrence; it is a story that has relevance for us now.
It invites us to consider our own brokenness and the sins for which we may need to repent. Christ came to bring healing and wholeness, and we can find restoration and renewal through Him as well.
It prompts us to examine the legacies we will leave for future generations. Will our obedience to God's call leave a legacy of hope, love, and transformation in the lives of others?
Think of Christ's birth to be like a simple candle in the midst of a chaotic world. It wasn't the big fireworks show that some might expect to see when a Savior arrives. It was instead a little, flickering light in a dark room. Despite this, that modest light had the ability to banish the darkness and bring warmth and hope to anyone who saw it. Similarly, Christ's birth teaches us that even under the most difficult of circumstances, a tiny act of obedience, such as Mary's, can bring the light of peace and healing into our lives and the lives of others around us.
Where can we find God's presence and love right now in our lives? We learn that God is constantly with us when we reflect on our history to gain insight into our future, just like "Immanuel," which means "God with us." He is present in the midst of our vulnerabilities, our messy situations, and even when we have been harmed or caused harm by our acts. God has an intense desire to be near us.
Even now, the Prince of Peace, Jesus, yearns for us. He longs to instill new hope in our lives, no matter how difficult our circumstances may be. We can boldly sing, "Where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in," since God's love for us is constant, even now.
In essence, God's love is a continual, reassuring presence in our lives, bringing hope and refreshment whenever we need it the most.