Honey in the Rock

Encounter:

Create space in your day to come before the Word. As you begin, offer up this prayer:

Lord, I come thirsty. I come to drink, to receive.

I receive Your work on the cross and in Your resurrection.

My sins are forgiven and my death is defeated.

I receive Your energy.

Empowered by Your Holy Spirit, I can live the Jesus Way.

Through Christ who gives me strength, I receive Your Lordship.

I belong to You.

I receive Your love. Nothing can separate me from Your love.

Let the waters of Your Spirit overflow my life to BLESS others. Amen.

Slowly read through Psalm 81.

Note the following: What do you notice about the invitation the Lord extends to His people in the Psalm? How do they receive the invitation, and what are the potential results of their response?

Reflect:

How is it with your soul? Here we are at the start of May. I always forget how grateful my soul is for this time of year after the winter season (which I must admit has felt longer the past few years than it has in the past). When I see the trees beginning to fill in with leaves, the great mosaic of colors from flowers in bloom, and feel the warmth of the sun across my face, it seems all the worries of this world melt away, even if for a fleeting moment.

For many, this is an exciting time of year. This Sunday, we will celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating seniors as they prepare to embark on the next chapter of life into adulthood. On top of that, the rest of our students feel the joy of summer break just around the corner.

Yet, even with all the excitement for the change of season and the start of new life chapters, for so many there are still the ever-present realities of a world in shadow. Darkness lingers in the recesses of life wrecked by sin. Society still has its hang-ups, relationships continue to disappoint/aggravate, work isn't fulfilling, secret habitual sins gnaw at our trust that God will rid us of the dark stains left behind.

This week at Eden Student Union, we talked about the suffering that seems so inevitable in life. From the excruciating sting of loss to the intentional harm inflicted upon others and the presence of mental and physical illness, suffering comes in many forms and often leaves us feeling exhausted and at the end of our rope.

Oftentimes, questions linger about the goodness of God when everything around and within us seems to be so full of pain, sorrow, sadness, anxiety, uncertainties, etc.

This week in our 730 Challenge readings, we are making our way through the writings of the prophet Amos. So much of Amos's warnings reveal God's heart which is also full of pain, sorrow, and sadness because the world's wickedness has so thoroughly divided God from His creation and His people. Yet, Amos's prophecies are not special in this regard. In Psalm 81 in the time before the Israelites entered the promised land, Asaph points the Israelite's attention to almost exactly the same dynamics at play between God and His people.

Frankly, reading through the prophets can be discouraging because of the lengthy warnings about the coming destruction if something doesn't change. However, there is a promise of God tucked into these prophecies as well, and that promise is the promise of God's presence. In fact, it is God's presence that is the turning point, not just for the people of Israel as they turn from their Godless path, but for us too, in the midst of the tumult of life; the highs and the lows, the joys of new seasons, fresh starts and/or the lingering darkness.

The God we worship is Jesus, who faced the ultimate darkness and suffering through the sacrifice He endured. Jesus is the fulfillment of all the Law and Prophets. Jesus is the Honey in the Rock of Psalm 81 and the shoot that will not be uprooted of Amos 9. When we are faced with suffering beyond our control and/or choices within our control, we can turn to Jesus to uphold us.

Turning to Jesus with you, Pastor Matt

Spiritual Practice:

Take a few moments to journal out your response to the question: "How is it with your soul?"

Gather: One of the great aspects of the faith communities that have gone before us was the centrality of frequently asking and honestly sharing our response to the question above. In your triad, life group, or Sunday study group, take time to discuss this question.