Psalm 22:23-31
Preaching
A Journey Through the Psalms: Reflections for Worried Hearts and Troubled Times
Preaching the Psalms Cycles A, B, C
Object:
Take a look around and conduct an informal survey. Who is it that we lift up in our culture? What kind of people garner praise and adoration? Who is it that causes us to pause and nod in affirmation? The answers come quickly, don't they? In our culture, those who gain adoration are celebrities. They are famous for little else than the fame that mass media brings them. Adoration comes to pop singers, athletes, and movie stars. It comes to those who are successful in business. Think of the tycoons who populate the television screen in what is frighteningly labeled as "Reality TV." It's safe to say that our standards have been lowered.
Yet, the psalm before us offers some hope. It directs adoration, obviously, to God. This is, after all, a psalm! But in the cultural smog of celebrity and five-minute fame, it might be useful to note why it is that God is adored here.
God's looks don't come into play. Sex appeal isn't much of a factor, either. God doesn't play football or record insipid love songs, and he doesn't gain fame for his wealth. What is it about God that draws the song of adoration from our lips?
It is excellence.
God towers, here, not as a pop icon, but as a standard to which we aspire. God does not, like so many of us, ignore the afflictions of the poor and the afflicted, but stops, turns, and is attentive to their cry (v. 24). God even listens to us. The generations are drawn to God because of the many good things God does. The hungry are fed and satisfied (v. 26), and the writer of this psalm calls the people to sing a song of praise.
So it is that adoration should be given, not to a flash in the pan, but to those who serve the needs of others. God is wonderful because God listens and responds. God is adored because God responds to the needs of the people. Stop a moment. Take another quick survey. Who is it that you know who stops and listens? Who is it that serves the needs of others? Who is it that concerns him or herself with the needs of the poor and the afflicted?
For this is greatness. This is excellence. This is the example of a God who indeed deserves our praise and adoration. This is the voice of a God who calls us to respond in turn and share such wonder with a world that needs it so desperately.
Yet, the psalm before us offers some hope. It directs adoration, obviously, to God. This is, after all, a psalm! But in the cultural smog of celebrity and five-minute fame, it might be useful to note why it is that God is adored here.
God's looks don't come into play. Sex appeal isn't much of a factor, either. God doesn't play football or record insipid love songs, and he doesn't gain fame for his wealth. What is it about God that draws the song of adoration from our lips?
It is excellence.
God towers, here, not as a pop icon, but as a standard to which we aspire. God does not, like so many of us, ignore the afflictions of the poor and the afflicted, but stops, turns, and is attentive to their cry (v. 24). God even listens to us. The generations are drawn to God because of the many good things God does. The hungry are fed and satisfied (v. 26), and the writer of this psalm calls the people to sing a song of praise.
So it is that adoration should be given, not to a flash in the pan, but to those who serve the needs of others. God is wonderful because God listens and responds. God is adored because God responds to the needs of the people. Stop a moment. Take another quick survey. Who is it that you know who stops and listens? Who is it that serves the needs of others? Who is it that concerns him or herself with the needs of the poor and the afflicted?
For this is greatness. This is excellence. This is the example of a God who indeed deserves our praise and adoration. This is the voice of a God who calls us to respond in turn and share such wonder with a world that needs it so desperately.
