It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp (Psalm 92:1-3).

In the NIV Bible on my desk, this psalm is prefaced with, "A song for the Sabbath Day." Among God's people in the Old Testament, this psalm was the Sabbath psalm. As such, it ought to linger in the imagination of God's people today to help us into a better Sabbath understanding.

Among Christians, there are two dominate approaches to the Sabbath. In the first, we attempt to recreate as much of the Old Testament structure of the seventh day as we can. We do as little physical exertion as possible, refuse to buy and sell, and take a rest from making money. Anyone who does not make concerted effort towards this is deemed less spiritual. The challenge is that such commands were instituted through Moses for a society that was homogeneous. Everyone followed the same rule book. Since we do not live in monolithic communities, to recreate this is not possible. So, we tend to create our own rule books of Sabbath restrictions.

The second approach is to ignore Sabbath completely. Such Christians may gather for communal worship on Sundays but otherwise give little consideration to what Sabbath keeping was meant to offer us.

In both approaches, the teaching on Sabbath in Exodus and Deuteronomy is central and shapes how we understand the teachings regarding rest throughout scripture. What would happen if we allowed such passages as Psalm 92 to shape our practice of Sabbath? I suggest that it might deepen our appreciation of God's Sabbath intentions.

This Psalm lifts our eyes. It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. This illustrates a central problem with focusing solely on one day of the week. We cannot become Sabbath people by putting all the emphasis on Sunday.

The Sabbath day was designed as both a goal and a launching pad. The goal was a life of praise to God 24/7. To work towards that goal, a day of rest from income earning labour was instituted for Israel. If we never cease working, we will become people who believe that survival depends on our capabilities. The more we work the more our eyes are turned downward.

Sabbath is God's invitation to turn our eyes upward; to see him and to know him as the creator, sustainer and redeemer of this world and of our lives. Have a look at your calendar. Put some slots in there for lifting your eyes towards God; time to pay attention to him. If this is new for you, start small. Notice what rhythms and attitudes of your heart begin to change.

As you journey on, receive Jesus' invitation into this rest:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-29).

With praise and thanksgiving, they sang to the Lord: "He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever." And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy" (Ezra 3:11-12).

"God is good, all the time; all the time, God is good."

Many of us have declared this. But some of us may not use it very well, that is, we only use it when we have experienced something which we consider good.

For example: when someone is in a car accident but unhurt and the insurance payout is good. Or when someone loses a job but quickly gets a better one. Or when cancer treatments are successful so that the doctor declares 'cancer free.' Or when we think we failed a test, but the teacher gives us a B+.

It's vastly more difficult to say, 'God is good,' after the doctor says there is no more treatment, or the accident results in permanent injury, or the job lose results in extended unemployment, or the test result is a D-.

So, this raises an important question: is God only good some of the time? Does God take time off from being good? Of course, he doesn't. "God is good all the time."

This is what the Israelites were declaring as they rejoiced and cried together. They had returned from exile, cleaned up some of the rubble in Jerusalem and begun to rebuild the temple. When the foundation had been laid, they paused to give praise to God. They created a such a loud noise it could be heard for miles around. However, people heard both crying and rejoicing.

The older folks had seen the temple that Solomon had built. This new one wasn't going to be anything as grand as the old one. They recognized that Israel had been reduced to little more than a stump of the tree it had once been. The new temple was symptomatic of that.

Yet, they declared, God is good.

Why? Because God's love endures forever. Those older folks new this better than the young. They were the ones who had seen Israel's sin, and they knew that the exile had been a result of this sin. Israel had done it to herself. God should have given up on them. But he hadn't. He had moved Cyrus to let Israel return to her own land, the land God had given them.

God's goodness was seen in his faithfulness despite Israel's sin. God was and is good. They saw it in this new Jewish community centred in the temple. God's goodness enables us to endure downturns. It is important to praise God, to declare that God is good, even when life is not. When we don't feel like it, praise becomes an act of faith. It's a declaration that God will see us through the darkness. And at times it is also a declaration that God will see us or a loved one through the vale of death. Jesus is our shepherd even then.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn.

Celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. Be joyful at your festival—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns (Deuteronomy 16:13-14).

Last Monday, we reflected on the discipline of celebration to which God invited his newly freed people. We considered the emotional benefits of this worship practice. Today, let's explore the ethical benefits of Israel's feasting.

These dinners focus attention on the food resting on the table, but also on the coworkers, neighbours and others gathered around it. The instructions read, "Be joyful at your festival—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns."

Many of us learn things best when we practice them. God was training his people into a new kind of economy, very different from that of Egypt. That was one of scarcity. There was not enough to go around. The Israelites, being slaves, certainly always got the leftovers, if there were any. But now these folks were to look around the table and understand that the purpose of there work was not their own profits, nor their own personal enrichment and security.

The purpose of their labour is the flourishing of the whole community. The work of their hands would be blessed, and their joy would be complete, if their profits caused the community to flourish, and specifically, the vulnerable and the marginalized of that community. This celebration liturgy was training the landowners to see these others within the economy of God.

These things were learned not by the preaching of the priest, nor the lecturing of the ethics professor. Rather, it was practiced as they saw, tasted, smelled and passed around the fruit of their labours. Since there were foreigners, it is very possible that there were language barriers, but sharing the produce of the farm, built community and countered individualism. Justice was tasted. By sharing their table, God's people reached beyond the borders of race, ethnicity, class and gender.

Obviously, we do not have such meals today. In fact, our practice of donations leans in the opposite direction. It separates giver from receiver. Giver and receiver rarely meet. God would have us change that, to offer gifts face to face. And to rejoice in the giving and receiving. Communities flourish when people know each other. We need to find ways to interact. For example, the Out of the Cold BBQs our church hosts during the summer offer times of interaction. Volunteering at Helping Hands or Neighbour 2 Neighbour are other venues to break social barriers.

Jesus was known for eating with all sorts, accused of being a glutton and drunk. It was one of the things that led to his crucifixion. Still, we are to follow his example. How can you sit at table with other people? How can we share the bounty God has given us so that the community flourishes economically and socially? How can we celebrate together the good gifts of God?

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

Wherever God takes you this week, may He fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit and that you may live carefully—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.

A Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings! The text is Mark 14:1-11; John 18:33-37. Dive In discussion questions are below for further reflection!

To see this sermon in the context of the worship service it comes from, find it here on YouTube. Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC: immanuelministries.ca

Dive In!

1. What have you seen this week that is 'Out of this World'? Think of things you saw on social media reels and in real life.
2. What are the three scenes in today's reading from Mark?
3. How does Jesus understand his anointing?
4. Who do you have a difficult time being merciful to?
5. How does Jesus' kingdom grow?
6. What does Paul say the cross brings to this world?
7. What kind of people in your life do you find it difficult to be friends with?
8. What are you not willing to sacrifice for the sake of the kingdom?

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:3-4).

This is quite the list of impurities that Christians may get themselves involved in. Since, this Friday edition of Wilderness Wanderings focuses on rest and Sabbath, let us focus our attention on greed. James explores how greed destroys community. He writes, "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God" (4:1-2).

Peter offers a further warning when he writes about false prophets (think preachers), "With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!" (2 Peter 2:14). There are many other such warnings in the New Testament, combining a variety of things we lust for. When we do not cut off such lusts at their root, they cause us to treat everything (and eventually everyone) as tradable commodities. Think of the pornography industry. More difficult to discern is how the accumulation of wealth by some, harms other people.

Our society, like that of ancient Israel and like that of the early church, is one in which the accumulation of stuff (and people who do stuff for us) is rewarded. Success is still often measured by how much we have. This, despite all the evidence that this way of life does not sooth the restless heart. Many of our desires are artificial, conjured up by advertisement executives and by social media reels. Things we have not thought about possessing, suddenly become urgent needs. Greed permeates the very fabric of our common life.

How should Christians, called to be salt and light in the world, resist the urges of greed that arise in our hearts? Our text offers us a very simple method: thanksgiving. Sabbath keeping has always been the way towards thanksgiving. Consider the two reasons given for it. In Exodus, we are told to remember that God rested from his work, reminding us that survival in this world is not dependent on our abilities. In Deuteronomy, we are to remember that we are people rescued by God.

The goal of Sabbath keeping is to develop our dependence on God by refraining to do things that tempt us towards self-dependence. We come before God and give him thanks. Many commentators believe that when Paul wrote, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), he was not addressing the individual Christian but the worshipping community. Whereas there is room for collective grief and lament, the underlying and enduring tones of worship are joy and hope in the Lord.

To give thanks and to rejoice in the Lord are the primary means to uproot greed.

As you journey on, receive Jesus' invitation into this rest:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-29).

Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices (Ezra 3:3).

How do you start a new chapter in life? This is the question occupying the Jews returning from Babylon. They were few; their land was in rubbles, occupied by wild animals, weeds and foreigners. How should they begin the rebuild?

They began with the altar, their place and means of prayer. Prayer came first. Even before the temple, they needed the altar. On that altar they offered their sacrifices of confession, of thanksgiving, of praise.

What's interesting is that Cyrus had sent them home to build a temple. Such a structure would bring prestige and financial benefit to him. He was not really interested in Israel's God, certainly not in worshipping that God. He recognized that a flourishing Jewish community in Judea would be beneficial for him. That was his interest.

But when the Israelites returned, they built the altar first and renewed the sacrifices which God had commanded, morning and evening. God was first. Their concern was to honor God in the manner that was pleasing to him. Several times in this chapter the author tells us, "They followed the instructions God had given to Moses".

All of that came before the temple. The temple was not necessary. The altar was. Prayer first. We can learn from these Israelites. We do not need an altar. Jesus told us that true worshippers, worship in spirit and in truth. And all who come to the father in his name will be received. "A broken and contrite heart, you, God, will not despise" (Psalm 51:17), wrote David. That is how these returning Israelites approached God. We can too.

Also, they rebuilt the altar despite being afraid of the people around them. They were afraid of enemies who greatly outnumbered them. And they were afraid opposition would entice them into compromise. But the altar was the place from which they could pray for God to protect them from their enemies. Here, they could ask God to purify their hearts; to help them in their obedience.

Fear drove them to their knees.

The altar with its morning and evening sacrifices was a reminder that God was with them. Centuries prior, he had said, "For the generations to come this burnt offering is to be made regularly…before the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to you; there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory" (Ex. 38:42-43).

This altar is no longer with us. It has been replaced by Christ himself. When we turn to him, we are in the presence of God. Turning to him, is always the first step. Its all that is needed in the face of fear.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn.

Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year…you and your household shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice. And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns…At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites…and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands" (Deuteronomy 14:23ff).

We are far removed from the agricultural society of ancient Israel in which folks brought the produce of their farms to the tabernacle and the temple. This text has been used to promote the notion that Christians should give a ten percent tithe to the church. But that is likely a misuse since, in 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 and 1 Timothy 6, the New Testament offers different principles for giving.

What we ought to consider in this text is the nature of the worship God invites Israel into. For lack of better language, God wants his people to hold a party in his honour. We might compare it to a family thanksgiving dinner to which all relatives are invited. Let's not gloss over that provision is made for the temple workers and a host of others who don't have their own resources. It's a grand, lavish, generous party.

Celebration is not a spiritual discipline many of us are familiar with. Our culture is dominated by self-serious productivity and efficiency. Christianity often follows this ethos. Certainly, there is value in productivity and in efficiency. But take a moment to imagine how Israel received this news. They had been slaves for generations. They had never had excess. They had never had resources or time to party. But now, God invites them into a new reality—a reality in which he would provide for them.

This provision would be lavish—flowing with milk and honey—lavish enough that they would have time and resources to throw a rather large celebration, rejoicing in the life-giving economy of their God. Later, he will say, "Be joyful at your festival...For the LORD your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete" (16:14–15).

Consider the emotional benefits of this worship practice. As they worked, his people knew that God wanted them to enjoy the goodness of their Lord and to taste the flavour of good work well done. It reminded them that they should delight in their work. So different from Egypt. God delights in work that is both free and festive. Imagine the anticipation of these freed slaves as they consider having enough produce to share lavishly with others.

As you begin a new week, take delight in your activity, whether its income earning work or not. The resources God gives you are to be enjoyed and shared. 2 Corinthians 9, which is all about generous giving, ends with this verse, "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (15). This reminds Christians that our joy and thanksgiving is rooted in the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. Our God is generous in spiritual and material gifts.

So, let's not be dour Christians. Let us rejoice.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

Wherever God takes you this week, may He fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit and that you may live carefully—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.

A Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings! The text is Psalm 2. Dive In discussion questions are below for further reflection!

To see this sermon in the context of the worship service it comes from, find it here on YouTube. Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC: immanuelministries.ca

Dive In!

1. Why do people take selfies? Have you heard the expression, "My truth?" What do you think it means? Why do people use it?
2. Psalm 1 & 2 both use the Hebrew word for meditation. What does meditation mean? What two very different things are being meditated on in these Psalms?
3. The nations are gathering against God's anointed. What New Testament event illustrates this? (see Acts 4 à this psalm is quoted in verse 25-26).
4. Why did Pastor Michael mention the commandment to "obey our parents"? Do you agree with him?
5. God responds to the conspiracy of the nations in two ways. What are they?
6. What should we do to nurture our faith in God's rule?
7. What is verse 7 about?
8. What must the church do while we wait for Christ's rule to be complete?
9. Pastor Michael suggested four ways in which we might respond to this psalm. What were they? Can you think of others?