Psalm 85
Preaching
A Journey Through the Psalms: Reflections for Worried Hearts and Troubled Times
Preaching the Psalms Cycles A, B, C
Object:
Cynicism is in vogue these days. Perhaps it has never gone out of style. It just seems that in many a church circle these days there is a cynical wind, which attempts to blow out the candles of hope. Someone will get an idea. The response will be, "We tried that thirty years ago and it didn't work. What makes you think you can succeed?" Someone will get excited. The snide observation is a put down in thin disguise. "Calm down, won't you? You make me tired." Someone will be found praying, and the cynic will whisper, "Do you really think anyone is listening?" Cynicism like this poisons the waters of hope and chokes the breath out of the body of Christ.
But faith overcomes cynicism. Holy Spirit optimism drowns out persistent negative energy. And the intentional naïveté that comes with trusting God will prevail over all odds.
Psalm 85 displays this kind of faith and spirit. It emanates this kind of naive trust. There is no doubt here. There is no quarter given to naysayers or strutting narcissists. Here there is only certainty. Beautiful, clear, wonderful.
God will speak peace to the people. There is no hedging of bets here. All our money's on God's voice, and we can hear it now. God's salvation is at hand! Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet! Righteousness and peace will kiss each other!
No hint of cynicism or doubt here! Here only the clear waters of trust and certainty run and gurgle like a spring-fed stream. It's probably best to remember, too, that the words of this psalm were not likely penned by someone who was living in a bed of roses. Such trust didn't come from a full belly or an easy life but from the trials of life that put our faith to the test. The call to renew faith and trust can be heard in this psalm. Such certainty and clarity are things of beauty, giving life and sustenance in a world of cynicism and doubt.
Make no mistake about it. Such certainty and clarity are not intended to woo the faithful from the need for critical thinking and sober judgment. The need for these will never wane. But in these days of "post-modern" thought, where the "de-construction" of all things is the rage, a little certainty won't hurt. A clarity just might help.
But faith overcomes cynicism. Holy Spirit optimism drowns out persistent negative energy. And the intentional naïveté that comes with trusting God will prevail over all odds.
Psalm 85 displays this kind of faith and spirit. It emanates this kind of naive trust. There is no doubt here. There is no quarter given to naysayers or strutting narcissists. Here there is only certainty. Beautiful, clear, wonderful.
God will speak peace to the people. There is no hedging of bets here. All our money's on God's voice, and we can hear it now. God's salvation is at hand! Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet! Righteousness and peace will kiss each other!
No hint of cynicism or doubt here! Here only the clear waters of trust and certainty run and gurgle like a spring-fed stream. It's probably best to remember, too, that the words of this psalm were not likely penned by someone who was living in a bed of roses. Such trust didn't come from a full belly or an easy life but from the trials of life that put our faith to the test. The call to renew faith and trust can be heard in this psalm. Such certainty and clarity are things of beauty, giving life and sustenance in a world of cynicism and doubt.
Make no mistake about it. Such certainty and clarity are not intended to woo the faithful from the need for critical thinking and sober judgment. The need for these will never wane. But in these days of "post-modern" thought, where the "de-construction" of all things is the rage, a little certainty won't hurt. A clarity just might help.
