Proper 26 / Pentecost 24 / OT 31
Devotional
Water From the Well
Lectionary Devotional For Cycle A
Object:
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
-- Psalm 107:2-3
The lectionary placed these verses as a commentary on the story of Joshua's leading the people into the promised land. While the entire psalm commented on God's redeeming activity in a variety of circumstances -- wandering in the wilderness (vv. 4-9), imprisoned (vv. 10-16), physical sickness and affliction (vv. 17-22), and crisis in the pursuit of business (vv. 23-32) -- this selection focused on God's rescuing those wandering in a wilderness and being brought into the safety of a new home. Later, Jesus would begin his ministry with a sermon that suggested that he embodied similar redeeming activities (Luke 18). It is important to note the hint toward God's universal redeeming activity. While both Judaism and Christianity focus a great deal of attention on the internal issues of the community, the faith began with the revelation that God's intention of relating to a particular people was for the purpose of benefiting the entire world (Genesis 12:3).
In this psalm, God's redeeming activity came to people from all points of the compass. In this particular selection, it was not suggested that those suffering in the desert had sinned against God. Their need, and not their spiritual health or lack of it, entitled them to call on God, and God responded. The closing part of this selection emphasizes the universal theme of Psalm 1 and God's complete control of nature in effecting God's purpose. Christians saw Jesus embodying these characteristics of God in redeeming the less fortunate and also demonstrating a creative control of the forces of nature (Matthew 8:23-27). The central focus of the entire psalm was that people should give thanks continually to this God who redeemed people from their troubles in all circumstances. "O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever."
-- Psalm 107:2-3
The lectionary placed these verses as a commentary on the story of Joshua's leading the people into the promised land. While the entire psalm commented on God's redeeming activity in a variety of circumstances -- wandering in the wilderness (vv. 4-9), imprisoned (vv. 10-16), physical sickness and affliction (vv. 17-22), and crisis in the pursuit of business (vv. 23-32) -- this selection focused on God's rescuing those wandering in a wilderness and being brought into the safety of a new home. Later, Jesus would begin his ministry with a sermon that suggested that he embodied similar redeeming activities (Luke 18). It is important to note the hint toward God's universal redeeming activity. While both Judaism and Christianity focus a great deal of attention on the internal issues of the community, the faith began with the revelation that God's intention of relating to a particular people was for the purpose of benefiting the entire world (Genesis 12:3).
In this psalm, God's redeeming activity came to people from all points of the compass. In this particular selection, it was not suggested that those suffering in the desert had sinned against God. Their need, and not their spiritual health or lack of it, entitled them to call on God, and God responded. The closing part of this selection emphasizes the universal theme of Psalm 1 and God's complete control of nature in effecting God's purpose. Christians saw Jesus embodying these characteristics of God in redeeming the less fortunate and also demonstrating a creative control of the forces of nature (Matthew 8:23-27). The central focus of the entire psalm was that people should give thanks continually to this God who redeemed people from their troubles in all circumstances. "O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever."
