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A journey through Lent - 2016
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Day Eleven - The Son.
Psalm 2 is the first of a group of psalms referred to as "Royal Psalms" which focus on God's kingly character.
Of course we are comparing God with our human interpretation of kingship and so there are Old Testament ideas, contained in this psalm, which do not sit easily with our own, present day, experience of our loving God.
Nontheless there are some thoughts we can draw from these images which will help us in our Lenten reflections.
At this time of Lent, we are called to reflect on our humanity and our fraility as we so often easily secumb to temptation. Even in the light of the splendor and perfection of God our King.
So the psalm opens with a question that could easily be asked today. Why do we conspire and plot against God?
So often it seems that much of the media and some vocal personalities, say that trusting and believing in God are the acts of fools.
That we should throw off those things which bind us to God and religion. That our belief in God is the cause of all of the problems of the world.
But God refuses to be dismissed in this way and laughs at our attempts to deny him.
The Lord refers to his Son, the real and true king, who will come and set aside all false kings and nations. For it is them that are the rebels and are dangerous to the world.
The image of the broken pottery, is a powerful one as the whole pot becomes trampled and as worthless as rubbish scattered on the ground.
Although this psalm in its direct judgement brings us up short, it also offers us great hope. It points forward to Jesus our righteous king, who obeyed his Father and sets us free.
Bible Passage: - Psalm 2 (NIV)
Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
'Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.'
The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
'I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.'
I will proclaim the Lord's decree:
He said to me, 'You are my son;
today I have become your father.
Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
You will break them with a rod of iron;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.'
Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Contemplation Saying.
"Blessed are all who take refuge in him"
Contemplative Prayer.
Think of the saying in order to understand context and meaning,
Feel the meaning of the saying with and in your heart,
Pray, using the saying, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers.
Listen for God's voice in the quiet of your prayers.
Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.
Hymn: Singing the Faith - "Let the Son of God enfold you"
Let us pray together.
Twitter Prayer
When we hear the cry "There is no God" may we respond, in absolute confidence, that there is a God for we know him in our lives.
Facebook Prayer
We bring to you our failings, as we lose sight of you and your majesty. When the clamour and false teaching of the world overcomes our faith and belief
When false logic seems reasonable and untruths can be seen as facts.
When we hear the words that "There is no God", may we respond in absolute confidence, that there is a God for we know him and he knows and loves us. Amen.
Full Prayer
Our King and Father, we wonder at your majesty and bow down before you bringing you our praise and worship.
We thank you for Jesus who came into our lives as an example to us all. He is our King and guide, as we travel in his way, towards you.
We bring to you our failings as we lose sight of you and your majesty. When the clamour and false teaching of the world overcomes our faith and belief.
When false logic seems reasonable and untruths can be seen as facts.
We see the attraction of dismissing you as fantasy, deluding ourselves into thinking that life is to be enjoyed in the here and now without thought for the eternal life you offer us, through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Help us to counter those who promote these ideas, to share with all our certainty of your presence and love.
When we hear the words that "There is no God" may we respond in absolute confidence that there is indeed a God for we know him and he knows us by name.
We praise you for your Holy Spirit who is present in every facet of our lives and leads us into all truth. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.
Baptism of Christ image from WorldArtsMe