Psalm 123 (NIV)
Read by: Clayton
One of the side-effects of this pandemic has been the sudden abundance of time to binge-watch tv shows. One of my favorites is called The Repair Shop. It’s a reality tv show, taking place in the beautiful British countryside. People from miles around bring their broken heirlooms—from teddy bears and record players to furniture and paintings—to be fixed, restored, made to look and hold up as if they were new. And it’s incredible—not only the skill of the craftsmen and conservators doing the work, but the effect of their work on the objects’ owners. They nearly all shed a tear as they behold their formerly torn, stained or broken treasure now shining, in full color and in working order. And I often cry too. It’s beautiful.
As we enter this final week of Advent, we are likely experiencing a number of emotions. Christmastime this year is not what it usually is, for most of us. And waiting for the hope that we hold onto is not an abstract idea. If we weren’t cognisant of our world’s pain before, 2020 has made us see it clearly. Perhaps more than ever we long for God’s peace, his Shalom—that peace that brings not just a ceasefire between enemies, but a putting back together of what has been torn, shattered, damaged.
And as we enter this week, we look to Mary as our example—of how to wait, how to trust God, how to walk in humility and submission to his good and loving will.
Today’s passage is another of the Jewish Songs of Ascents. And it’s a picture of the type of humility and trust that Mary would later embody—quite literally. As you listen to the passage, ask the Lord where you might need to press into this posture of submission and humility and into this fuller vision of Shalom.
----------REFLECT----------
1. What did you hear in the passage? Was there a word or phrase that stood out to you?
2. As you’ve experienced seasons of feeling overcome by the pain of the world—or if you’re in that season right now, how might the Lord be asking you to draw near to him and lift your eyes to him for help?
3. Take some time today to sit with the words of this passage. If there is something specific God has spoken to you, take some time to process that alone or with a friend.
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