Various Articles
Years ago I was led to discover the central importance of the kingdom, but I’m seeing that it is a lifetime venture to grasp the kingdom lifestyle. How very far I have yet to go! But the power of the kingdom, made possible through the resurrected and ascended Christ, through Holy Spirit, is quietly transforming. “For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power” 1 Corinthians 4:20.
Psalm 85 continues this picture of desiring closeness with God, but takes a slightly different perspective. In Psalm 84, I get this imagery of excitement, anticipation, energized passion for God, whereas Psalm 85 depicts an image of peace, protection, and righteousness in relationship. There is still a deep longing for a connection, but it’s like comparing the honeymoon, “puppy-love” phase of a new marriage, to a secure, content, lifelong covenant marriage.
After looking to the vastness of God’s creation, David asks in 8:4, “what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” David goes on to say that God crowned us with glory and honor. We are such a small piece in God’s creation that it is hard to imagine that God cares so much for us.
As salt, we are to maintain our saltiness. In our culture salt is sodium chloride, which cannot be lost. In ancient times, salt was a composite of this essential compound and other impurities. Sodium chloride could be leeched out, leaving a residue of little worth or effectiveness. With the main purpose and use of salt being that of a preservative, the remaining impurities - minus sodium chloride - were truly worthless and good only for being trampled under foot.
Psalms are poems. Songs are poems put to music. They are often used to help the Israelites remember their content. Only one of these Psalms is directly attributed to David. We don’t know who wrote the others, but they are all titled A Song of Ascents and were sung by travelers, likely on their way to Jerusalem for one of the yearly feasts. These musical poems prompted the Israelites to look at God from many perspectives.
Most of us likely skim over the list of names in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. We recognize that genealogy is important, but the names mean little to us. We understand that the lineage of Jesus is especially important because it is imperative that He be identified with Abraham, David, and Adam if He truly is the Son of God/Son of Man.
