Psalm 67 and Luke 7:1-17

Psalm 67

This could be called a missionary Psalm.  It’s a call for God’s ways to go out into the world. Why do they (and we) need God’s ways and God’s Word?

1.      We need His mercy and blessing, v. 1.

2.      We need light, v. 1, and this comes when His face shines on us.

3.      We need to remember that God can save people everywhere, v. 2.

4.      We cannot govern or guide ourselves, despite what we Americans have come to believe. We have lost our way and need God to lead, govern, and guide us, v. 4.

5.      We must remember that all life comes from God, even the harvests of the earth, v. 6.

6.      Our goal and prayer should be that people all over the world will know and fear God, v. 7

Luke 7:1-17

This section reveals 2 miracles that Jesus performed. In the first He heals the Roman Officer’s servant. It’s interesting to note that Jesus especially praised his faith. He was a Gentile, and his faith was much greater than that of the Jews.

The next one records one of only three instances in the New Testament when Jesus raised someone from the dead. This one seems particularly to focus on Jesus’ compassion for the boy’s mother. And I like the detail about great fear sweeping the crowd. We can well imagine this! We can also identify with how quickly news of something like this spreads.

I thought of the beautiful words of this hymn this week:

 

 "Be Still, My Soul"
by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?
Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.