Prayer, Praise and Worship

Pain, Loss, and Suffering.

On a night when we have all gathered to worship and give praise to God, for some it might seem odd that we end our evening in a time of reflection concerning - pain, loss, and suffering.

Especially for those who don’t quite get the amazing fact of Jesus being our light when days are dark. But even in that statement many would catch the metaphor of dark days and times in a person’s life.

Especially for those who don’t quite get the amazing fact of Jesus being our light when days are dark. But even in that statement many would catch the metaphor of dark days and times in a person’s life.

On the first night of Tabernacles , the worshipers awaited the signal of the special lighting of the festive golden lamps of Tabernacles in the court of women ( The Court of Women was the main entrance into the core temple. It served as a gathering place for Jewish men and women and led into the Court of Israel.) The lamps were intended to remind worshipers of God’s leading the people of Israel through the wilderness at night by a pillar of fire. The lighting of lamps also signaled Israel’s recommitment to the God of light, and it was accompanied by festive music

The Court of Women was separated from the Outer Court by a wall that was about 4.5 feet high. The Court of Women was the main entrance into the core temple. It served as a gathering place for Jewish men and women and led into the Court of Israel.) The lamps were intended to remind worshipers of God’s leading the people of Israel through the wilderness at night by a pillar of fire. The lighting of lamps also signaled Israel’s recommitment to the God of light, and it was accompanied by festive music

The lamps were intended to remind worshipers of God’s leading the people of Israel through the wilderness at night by a pillar of fire. The lighting of lamps also signaled Israel’s recommitment to the God of light, and it was accompanied by festive music

When Jesus made a claim to a role reserved for Yahweh, the Creator. The One who created light (as we know from ) In this single statement Jesus gave a physical picture to a belief they are already claimed to be true -God is the light of the World - the One who delivered them to the Promised Land out of the pain, loss and suffering they endured in Egypt.

The light metaphor is steeped in Old Testament allusions. The glory of the very presence of God in the cloud led the people to the promised land () and protected them from those who would destroy them ().

The Israelites were trained to sing,

English Standard Version Psalm 27

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?

English Standard Version Psalm 27

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?

so what does this mean for us today? For those who are experiencing pain, suffering and loss?

This is the future hope we have, but also we have hope now. The Prophet Jeremiah knew this even in his deepest sorry and anguish...

English Standard Version Chapter 3

19  Remember my affliction and my wanderings,

the wormwood and the gall!

20  My soul continually remembers it

and is bowed down within me.

21  But this I call to mind,

and therefore I have hope:

22  The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

23  they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

24  “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,

“therefore I will hope in him.”

25  The LORD is good to those who wait for him,

to the soul who seeks him.

26  It is good that one should wait quietly

for the salvation of the LORD.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

English Standard Version Chapter 4

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

English Standard Version Chapter 4

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.