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The Wisdom of the Body
The Word became flesh and made his home among us. —John 1:14, CEB This month the Read More
Derek C. Weber | Read Psalm 149:1-9
For all the range of emotion that permeates the Psalms, the collection ends in a crescendo of praise. In this next to last song, there is unbridled exuberance, ranging from raucous music and dancing, to shouting from the couches, to calling for justice to the nations. We are to take joy in living to the glory of God.
God too takes pleasure in God’s people, the psalmist asserts. We are in a relationship of celebration and joy, even when we do the difficult task of seeking justice.
“Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day” is a traditional English carol that says that Jesus invites us all to join in the dance. In his own voice and with his life, Jesus calls all to dance with joy for this gift of life eternal.
All Saints’ Day might be a stumbling block for some. While we all have those we might consider saintly, most of us would never consider ourselves to be so. Saint sounds like perfect, a word we know better than to apply to ourselves. But if Psalm 149 can be believed, then the saints of God are those who accept the invitation to dance. A saint is one who knows something of the joy of living, even in the hardest moments of life. A saint is someone who knows something of the exuberance of praise, even when tears fall like rain and sweat falls like great drops of blood.
On All Saints’ Day, we remember those whose dancing with their Lord has given us all hope. And we aspire to follow them in the music and dance Jesus is leading.
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day; / I would my true love did so chance / To see the legend of my play, / To call my true love to my dance; Sing, oh! my love, this have I done for my true love.
Following the return from exile to Babylon, the people of God have much work to do to restore the city of Jerusalem. Haggai is one of the prophets sent by God to encourage them. God promises future material blessings for the people and a time of peace. The psalmist praises God and declares that future generations will tell the stories of God’s wonderful works. In Second Thessalonians, Paul addresses a group that is disturbed because they think they have missed the return of Christ. He assures them that they have not missed the time and admonishes them to persevere in their faith. In Luke, Jesus is asked about marriage in the resurrection, but he focuses on God as the God of the living.
Read Haggai 1:15b–2:9. When have you relied on God’s promises for the future? How did your faith in God’s provision keep you focused on the long-term goal?
Read Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21. How can you share God’s majesty and justice with the next generations?
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17. How do you live a disciplined life, trusting in the Lord whether or not the end is near?
Read Luke 20:27-38. How can you be open to the unexpected ways God will answer your questions?
Respond by posting a prayer.
