Jason Silver

Hello, my friends! Here's the Psalm devotional for this week: Advent is a time of hope as we look forward to the coming of the messiah to save our world from darkness. Psalm 107 is such a great Psalm for this season, because it craftily compares four different groups of people, from the four points on the compass, who were each lost in four different ways. Each group called out to God in their desperation and need, and he heard and answered them. You will see the division whe...n you look at the repetition in verses 6, 13, 19, and 28: "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress." So who were "they," and what led them to call upon God? These groups are collectively named the "redeemed of the Lord." The first group were hungry and homeless wanderers, the second group were prisoners and rebels, the third group were sick because of their sin, and the final group were focused on doing business, and put their lives at risk. I suspect each of these groups from the north, south, east and west represents all of the world. Some of us are poor, hungry and thirsty, wandering aimlessly, and in need of rescue. Some of us are defiant to the laws of our land and so find ourselves suffering in prison. Some of us are sick, both physically and spiritually, and often times this may be because of our sin. Finally, some of us are focused on money, willingly exposing ourselves to natural dangers in that process. So we're all included! All that is required to be rescued, is to call upon the Lord in our trouble. He will then save us from our distress! If that's not a reason for hope, then nothing else is! Advent is a season of waiting for God's deliverance, and the hope of rescue is for all people, from all points on the compass. Whether you're poor, whether you're a prisoner, if you're sick, or if your pursuit of riches has put you in harm's way, rescue is available! You must simply call out to Him! He will turn your desert into springs of water! He will make you fruitful! He will satisfy your hunger! Amen https://www.jasonsilver.com/fb/X3wXnkbLX9E

Having fun at church a couple of weeks ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDxq6NQ_3Z0

https://www.jasonsilver.com/fb/Lp-G6V5IBns Do you know the first line of Psalm 47? It's a call for everyone to clap their hands and shout! Sadly, that might not go over well in some churches I've visited! But why not? Why would we be commanded to clap and shout?... The lyricist of this song thinks it completely appropriate even necessary to clap and shout for the coronation of the King of all kings. He goes on to describe God in terms of royal metaphors. Words like most high, awesome, great king, subdue, nations, trumpet, throne, and princes all contribute to this idea of imperial majesty, and regal ruler. Historically, Psalm 47 has been used by Christians on Ascension Day. Probably the reference to God going up with a shout fits well with Jesus being "lifted up" before the disciples in Acts chapter one. However, I like the insight I found from one theologian (John Luther Mays), who pointed out that Jesus regularly stated his purpose on the earth to announce the kingdom of God! The time has come, he said. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news! (Mark 1:15 NIV) And what is this good news? It's Jesus himself! When asked, he said he was coming to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free. (Luke 4:18, NRSV). Jesus interrupted the depressing timeline of history, by lifting up the marginalized and the oppressed in this world, by giving voice the voiceless, and hope to the hopeless. Jesus has become "Immanuel," which means God with us. Receive Him, for he is the source of all love, joy, peace, and hope! So let us turn and face the future, trusting that the world will soon see the glory of God shining from the face of Christ. Amen

This is my take on a song for Isaiah 9:2-7; just in time for the season! :) God bless you this advent!

My friends and I singing Psalm 50 at church a couple of weeks ago.