Genesis 21:17 Do not be afraid, God has heard

     So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered about in the wilderness of Beersheba.

The Repudiation of Hagar

Steen, Jan Havicksz. (1626-1679). Painter

Around 1655/57

Dresden Gallery, Old Masters, Germany

     When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said: “Do not let me look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept.

     And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hands, for I will make a great nation of him.”

    Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink.                                                  Genesis 21:14-19 NRSV

     

     The story of Hagar and Ishmael can be found in Genesis 15-21, with a brief interruption for the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in parts of chapters 18 and 19.

     The first time she leaves Abraham’s and Sarah’s tents, pregnant Hagar felt compelled to flee. She left without permission or notice, an act forbidden by law. The angel of God found her, and in the act of justice sent her back to be submissive to a bitter and jealous mistress. God does send a soothing promise for her wounded spirit. Ishmael might not be the Child of Promise as Isaac will be, yet he would be the child of a promise made to her. She names the well Beth-laharoi: the well of Him that lives and sees me.

     For fourteen years Hagar and her son live with all the tension and bitterness Sarah’s impatience brought about. Then after Isaac’s birth Hagar and Ishmael begin to manifest their jealousy. When Ishmael begins to maltreat Isaac, Sarah has Abraham ostracize, repudiate, and expel Hagar and her son to certain death in a barren wilderness with only as much water and bread as she could carry. Hagar’s extremity becomes God’s opportunity. Abraham gave her a bottle, God gives her a well.

adapted from “Hagar” in All the Women of the Bible 

by Herbert Lockyer.  

     The life and experiences of Hagar teach us:

• ·         The temptations incidental to a new position;
• ·         The foolishness of hasty action in times of trial and difficulty;
• ·         The care exercised over the lonely by the all-seeing God;
• ·         The Divine purpose in the life of everyone not matter how obscure or friendless;
• ·         How God works out His gracious purposes by seemingly harsh, but just, methods;
• ·         And the strength, comfort, and encouragement that accompanies the hardest experiences of               His children.

adapted from “Hagar and Ishmael” in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia 

by Dr. James Chrichton. 

Recall a time in your life when you felt invisible to the world. Abandoned. Alone. Isolated. 

In the comment section below, share what happened that caused you to know you had not escaped God’s notice. 

Tell how God saw you – right where you were. 

How did you experience God’s freedom and grace, instead of the justice you deserved?

Your Steadfast Love and Faithfulness

Tuesday, February 6, 2013

Psalms 61, 62, 68

Old (Hebrew) Testament: Isaiah 52:1-12

Epistle: Galatians 4: 12-20

Gospel: Mark 8:1-10

These DailyScripture Readings, Epiphany (January 6) and Ordinary Time until Lent, (March 8, 2013), are adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, Daily Readings for Year One.   http://www.crivoice.org/epiphany1.html

My personal study bible for this Liturgical Year is The Wesley Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Abingdon Press, 2009

Psalm 61

Uploaded on Jan 2, 2012

Psalm 61 -- Desert Moon music and lyrics by Chad Woodburn November 19, 2011

O hear my cry, O God;
give heed unto my prayer.
Far from my land I call
here at the earth's far end.

O let me worship You
ever in Your tent.
Let me find shelter 'neath
the shadow of Your loving wings of grace.

You have heard all my vows
that I made for Your fame.
So, You'll make my whole life most blest.

You will add days unto
all my days without end.
I will sit ruling at Your side.

Give me Your love and truth.
Let them preserve my soul.
So I will praise Your name
forever as I've vowed.

Thus I will sing Your praise
every day of my life,
and I will pay my vows
day by day in Your temple gates for ever.
_____________

Psalm 61 (ESV)
[1] Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;
[2] from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,
[3] for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
[4] Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
[5] For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
[6] Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations!
[7] May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
[8] So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.

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  Psalm 62 

  Uploaded on Oct 23, 2010

  Psalm 62 Song Performed by Aaron Keyes, with Lyrics and slideshow. Praise music with lyrics.
  
  Lyrics Below:
  My soul finds rest in God alone, My Rock and my salvation,
  A fortress strong against my foes, And I will not be shaken.
  Though lips may bless and hearts may curse, And lies like arrows pierce me,
  I'll fix my heart on righteousness, I'll look to Him who hears me.
  
  O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward;
  Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.
  
  Find rest, my soul, in God alone
  Amid the world's temptations;
  When evil seeks to take a hold
  I'll cling to my salvation.
  Though riches come and riches go,
  Don't set your heart upon them;
  The fields of hope in which I sow
  Are harvested in heaven.
  
  O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward;
  Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.
  
  I'll set my gaze on God alone,
  And trust in Him completely;
  With every day pour out my soul,
  And He will prove His mercy.
  Though life is but a fleeting breath,
  A sigh too brief to measure,
  My King has crushed the curse of death
  And I am His forever.
  
  O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward;
  Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.
  
  O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward;
  Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.
  
  
  O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah,
  O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah,
  O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah! hallelujah!
  
  O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward;
  Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.

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    Psalm 68

    Published on Mar 11, 2012

    Performance by the Psalm Choir of Psalm 68, Psalter 179 titled "Invocation and Praise" from their CD "Fitting Praises Volume 5"
    
    The tune is named "Alstone" and was composed Christopher E. Willing, 1868, from The Parish School Hymnal.
    
    Christopher was the son of Christopher Willing, al¬to and as¬sist¬ant gen¬tle¬man at the Chapel Royal. At age eight, he entered the Westminster Abbey choir under Turle. Even at this age he could play the organ and once, when Turle became ill, he walked down the nave past the congregation, climbed onto the organ stool and finished the service. He became deputy organist at age 14, and was often left in sole charge by Turle. In 1848, he was elected organist of the Foundling Hospital, staying there 31 years, though part of the time he held other offices as well, driving at full speed from one to another. One of his last appointments was organist at Hugh Haweis' church in Westminster Place, Marylebone, not far from Charles Wesley's London home. He compiled a collection of tunes, many of his own composition, and was involved with opera, as well.
    
    (info from http://www.hymntime.com andhttp://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com)
    
    Most of the members of the choir are from the Protestant Reformed Churches in America. For more info about this denomination check out http://www.prca.org
    
    The Psalter was first published in 1912 by the United Presbyterian Church.
    
    Lyrics:
    1. Let God arise, and by His might
    Let all His foes be put to flight;
    But, O ye righteous, gladly sing,
    Exult before your God and King.
    
    2. Jehovah's praises sound abroad,
    Rejoice before the living God;
    Prepare the way that He may come
    And make the desert places bloom.
    
    3. A father of the fatherless,
    A judge of widows in distress,
    Is God, the God of boundless grace,
    Who dwells within His holy place.
    
    4. God frees the captive and He sends
    The blessedness of home and friends,
    And only those in darkness stay
    Who will not trust Him and obey.
    
    Pictures taken from:
    http://www.morguefile.com/
    http://www.sxc.hu/index.phtml
    http://freerangestock.com/

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      O God, my God, your heart is filled with steadfast love and faithfulness. I know that I know that when life seems unjust, you are not yet through with me or with the world. I praise you and thank you for adopting me as your child. 

      
      

      I thank you and praise you for redeeming me from slavery under the Law.Help me to always be turning. turning, turning back to the gospel of grace. For you alone are my source of strength.

      Help me to see your compassion and willingness to provide for those who follow you. You would think, after we witnessed your grace and mercy, it would be easy for us to see it again. However, we appear to be unable to understand, or respond to you in faith.

      
      

      Remind us. Reform us. Redirect us. Reconfigure our hearts that we might rejoice, for there is the locus of sin, faith and grace. Let us even learn to leave our hearts behind that we might instead bear your heart. A heart filled with steadfast love and faithfulness. Oh God, my God!  Amen
      
      
      

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PRAISE

Daily Reading Revised Common Lectionary

Epiphany and Ordinary Time until Lent

Monday, January 7, 2012

These readings are adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, Daily Readings for Year One

www.crivoice.org/epiphany1.html

Psalm 103: Praise for God’s mighty acts of love throughout the ages. The psalmist exhorts his entire being to praise God for forgiveness, healing, redemption, glorification, sustenance and renewal. The unending love of God extends to generations of faithful mortals.

Psalm 114: A Hallel (praise) psalm celebrating the Exodus from Egypt and entry into Canaan

Psalm 115: A call and response Hallel psalm celebrating God’s lordship and blessing on Israel. According to John Wesley, “an idol is a spiritual phenomenon. One gives oneself to a substitute for God – it, him, or her – to find happiness, contentment, rest. But one finds peace and liberation only in adoration of the Father, Son and Spirit…. All is to be loved gratefully as a gift to be offered back to God who in Christ loves us to holy excess.”

Isaiah 52:3-6:  One of four oracles of hope addressed specifically to Zion/Jerusalem. “For thus says the Lord: You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money. Because those who oppress Zion howl my name,… Therefore my people shall know that it is I who speak; here am I.”

Revelation 2:1-7: “The prophetic word of Jesus to the church at Ephesus indicates that those in Ephesus have allowed their love of Jesus to diminish in the midst of their labors, from which they must repent or Jesus himself will come in judgment to remove the Sprit from the Church.”

John 2:1-11:  The first sign. Jesus is the bringer of God’s overflowing grace and end-time salvation, which the prophets depicted as a wedding feast and a time of abundant life are present now; indeed wine symbolizes the very presence of God.

The Wesley Study Bible NRSV, Abingdon Press, 2009.

                 PRAISE

Place me, Lord, in the heart of your blessing,

Raise in me a song of joy and hope.

Awake in me the awareness of your Holy name:

I yearn for your happiness, contentment and rest.

Speak forgiveness, healing, and restoration

Exhort my entire being to praise your name.

Provide peace and liberation;

Redemption and renewal.

Allow me to adore only you.

I need to love you to holy excess,

So I might be redeemed by your overflowing grace

Extended by your unending love as I live faithfully.

Presently living in your over-flowing grace

Resting in your end-time salvation

Adoring  Father, Son and Spirit

I hear your voice, I know you are here

Sustaining, liberating, blessing,

Even as I empty myself to be refilled.

Living Relationally

Fri Jan 4

Psalms am: 85, 87 pm: 89:1-29

Exod 3:1-12

Heb 11:23-31

John 14:6-14

From the beginning, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are relational. God’s requirement for reinstatement of His favor is recognition of His life-giving, harmonious relationship. He shows us the meaning of relationship through His attributes: steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace.

God speaks peace and salvation. The result is justification through Christ and sanctification through the Holy Spirit. Christ redeems from the ultimate outcome of sin. Through the Holy Spirit, God renews the image of Himself in those whom He created.

God calls the faithful to turn aside, take off their sandals, to stand on holy ground. God is profoundly relational and desires a dynamic relationship with each of us. God interacts not to intimidate, but to prepare.

Faith requires action on our part. Believing is necessary, but from faith must come action. Even Jesus’s words and works were ultimately the Father’s, and after Jesus’s departure, He continues to do His work through His disciples when we call on Him to do so..

I am standing in line for my miracle. I watch for burning bushes. I keep my sandals loosely fastened. I walk slowly, too slowly most days. For me, it must be enough.

I am as I am. God’s requirement for restoration has nothing to do with my body or even with my pain. It has to do with my desire to learn and believe. It has to do with my willingness to accept and trust in HIS steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace.

God is profoundly relational. He deserves vital relationships with His people. A dynamic relationship does not require running or jumping or leaping. Yesterday it had to do with making the most-purple one-piece pajamas I have ever made. Not because of the hospital socks on the bottom of the footies. Not because of the 14” white zipper hidden inside a placket so we could use what we had.

No, it was an intensely relational time. A day spent with Meredith helping me pin the seams when she was not playing with the cat, or helping Papa make pie crusts, or all the other things that can distract a six-year-old.

A day spent with a daughter who worries if my feet have been down too long. Who does not look at the pattern instructions, not because she could not understand them, but because she knows I will not follow them and she does not like there to be any tension between us.

A day with a husband who feels free to learn to do all the things I used to do. Who is willing to figure out how to make a pie crust. Who sends a six-year-old agent to keep us posted, so we would know the pie was created, cooked, cooled and ready to slice.

A day spent with the people in whom I see true love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace. Something tells me I just may have felt God’s favor.

I heard Him speak a miracle through the hugs and kisses of a little purple clad  body. I saw Him speak a miracle through the extra hands and feet of a daughter. An engineer who chose not to be distracted by reading the directions I was not following. A daughter who made sure she equipped me to finish purple pajamas to be worn to bed last night. I tasted Him speak a miracle in a warm piece of home-made cherry pie.

I think that is the truest miracle. If there were no pain, if I could go in circles around everyone in the house as I used to, I would not be able to understand the importance of my relationship to the God who equips me to live relationally.