Seeing Jesus in the Psalms

  Psalm 137 Wept, captors, tormentors, “Destroy it!”, “Level it to the ground!” pays you back,  takes your babies and smashes them against the rocks! I pulled out some of the emotionally charged and deeply disturbing words from Psalm 137. Somehow the slaughtering of evil kings is easier to handle than the expression of pain, remorse and justice-seeking from today’s Psalm 137. The Bible is good because it is real, gritty, true to life, holds nothing back, honest about emotions and actions. When we look at the Bible, we are looking in the mirror, we are looking at ourselves, we are looking at our society. Jesus is no stranger to being the victim of children smashed on the rocks. Crucified! The son of God was crucified and Jesus’ own people yelled “Crucify him”. And Jesus too was in exile (in Egypt) because of a baby-smashing, slashing killing spree of a Jewish king’s cruel, fear-driven power: 16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent sold...

  Psalm 126 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. 1 When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! 2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” 3 Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! 4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. 5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest. A bit about weeping I’m a bit of a cry baby. If you have watched a movie with me, an episode of the Chosen, or stood near me in church during a song service, you may have seen me weeping. I am moved when I think of what God has done, and I weep when I realise what I hope God will yet do. Psalms 126 is a song expressing a expansive breadth of emotion. I believe it is healthy to express emotion and even to aid its expression. Much has been said in Christian writi...

  Psalm 108 “...Judah, my scepter, will produce my kings.” Psalm 108:8 There can be confidence and simplicity to life if we want it. I set out by the grace of God 108 days ago to find Jesus in every Psalm. Was I confident? I was mostly confident and if I didn’t find Jesus I knew I was not too many steps away from Him. Still I was less confident that I could get up each day, copy the chapter by hand, and have something to say. But I was willing to fail. And I was praying God would give me daily manna. I also knew I did not have to understand it all. I did not have to explain it all. I did not have to deal with all the questions or language, history, or context. I had given myself a simple task, find Jesus. Everyday it has been like a Where’s Waldo (Wally) puzzle page. But it hasn’t turned out to be difficult. My emotions have been all over the place and my body and mind have offered every distraction possible. But I have four simple steps to accomplish the goal each day.  Make ...