Scripture Reflections

Last week in the newsletter, Pastor Steven asked us to consider the “scandal of particularity,” the way our Lord does particular works, in particular places, at particular times, in and through particular people. In Erich’s sermon on John 1 this past Sunday we were reminded that our Father has even sent his Son to be made man—a particular man, born into a particular family, in a particular town of a particular nation. A man who grew up speaking his family’s language, helping his mother with the tasks she assigned him, learning the carpentry skills his father had mastered, and singing the Psalms he himself had given to his people with whom he was now singing. What a glorious mystery! Our infinite God become man, the Word made flesh, who is even now at the Father’s side—he has made the Father known to us (John 1:14, 18).

In Psalm 147 we are called to worship our infinite God who delights in relationship with particular members of his vast creation, even with us! “He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names” (verse 4). He who created the expanse of the heavens not only can tell you how many stars there are at any given point in history, he could also someday teach us their names—because that is how he cares for his creation! Psalm 147:7-11 continues this theme of our Lord’s infinite greatness, and brings the “scandal of particularity” closer to home, ending by pointing at each one of us:

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre:
He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
but the Lord takes pleasure in those fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.

Last week in this space Pastor Steven challenged us, “to wish for a different time is to miss what particular thing he is doing now.” In Psalm 147 the challenge is related: Because God holds the heavens in his hands, and provides for the creatures of earth, we are called to thanksgiving and hope. We shouldn’t be distracted by all we don’t know about why the Lord has chosen particular people, places, times, and ways. To dwell on “why Israel?” or even “why me?” is to miss the particular thing you know he is doing now—living in relationship with you, loving you, providing for you. The challenge then is to hope in his steadfast love, simply because he is the Lord of creation!

As Erich encouraged us on Sunday, we should remember our baptism, the sign of our entry into and belonging in the family of God, and be strengthened! As the psalmist says in 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The infinite Lord of the universe has come at a particular time, in a particular place, to a particular people—even as a particular man!—“so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Gal. 3:5b). He became man for you, for me. Let us hope in his steadfast love!

-Rebekah