Posts Tagged ‘Psalm’

Earth Day 2015

Written by Pastor McCarty on . Posted in Pastors Pen

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April 22, 1970 is an important day in our history.  On that day Congress established April 22 as "Earth Day."  In a time when pollution seemed to be running rampant and people were misusing Planet Earth, some decided to set aside a day to remember where we live.  I realize that for many people then, and now, this day reflects more on "Mother Earth" than God as Creator.  But, that shouldn't stop us from presenting Him as such.

Throughout the Bible God's role as Creator is clearly seen.  Psalm 24:1-2 says, "The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.  For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. "  King David was reminding us of God's creative work.  

Psalm 24 is part of a trilogy of Psalms.  Psalms 22, 23, and 24 form a movement of truth.  Psalm 22 presents the truth of the cross, Psalm 23 presents the truth of the crook, and Psalm 24 presents the truth of the crown.  Each Psalm reminds us of the importance of Jesus Christ.  When David reflects on the crown he wants us to realize that one day Jesus will sit as King over Planet Earth because it is His from creation.

Other Bible writers present the truth of God's creation and ownership of earth.   From Moses in Exodus 9:29 and 19:5, to Asaph in Psalm 50:12, to Ethan in Psalm 89:11 to Job in Job 41:11, to even the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:26, the writers of Scripture are clear that God owns and operates His creation.  This world is not man's and it did not come about by accident.

In the Garden of Eden God gave to mankind a responsibility to till the ground and to keep the earth.  In this command rests mankind's duty to God's creation.  Mankind is to cultivate the earth and to guard it.  We are merely stewards taking care of Someone else's property. We are only borrowing it.

When I was growing up my mother used to tell me that when I borrowed something I was  to return it in better condition, or at least as good of a condition, as when I borrowed it.  Since we are just borrowers of this universe it is incumbent upon us to treat it in that manner.  Though the songwriter said, "This world is not my home," we actually do live here for awhile.  In the time we sojourn here on Planet Earth we should take care to treat it well.

As believers in Jesus Christ, and children of God, may Earth Day 2015 be a day we remember Whose world we live in.  We could say it like this, "God Created Earth Day."  Now, if I punctuate it like this, "'God Created Earth' Day" it gets it right!  God didn't create "Earth Day."  Rather, He created Earth and on this day we can celebrate that truth.

 

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Shepherds – Really?

Written by Pastor McCarty on . Posted in Pastors Pen

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Shepherds, aren’t they so cute.  Little boys wearing their bathrobes scooting off to the manger to see the Baby Jesus.  No Christmas play is quite complete without them.  But, do they actually represent the shepherds of old?  Not really.

If you look into the social status of shepherds in the first century you will find they were on the same rung as the tax collectors!  Now, everyone knows how much we love it when the “IRS man cometh.” :-)  Can you recall the hateful things said of tax collectors in the Gospels?  Well, shepherds were thought of just as malevolently as the tax collectors.

Shepherds were thought of as dirty, filthy, lonely, uncouth people.  They were classed as lying, cheating, and conniving.  In fact, in a court of law a shepherd could not testify because everyone just assumed he would lie!  Their job was important to the ongoing of the society, but, no one wanted to be one.

Oh how different from the status of shepherds was throughout the Old Testament.  Names such as Abraham, Moses and even David evoke wonderful mental pictures.  David’s experience as a shepherd prepared him for one of his greatest challenges; battling Goliath. And, King David’s most endearing Psalm came from his experience as well.  Psalm 23 is David’s way of pointing out that just as he shepherded his sheep, so the Lord shepherds his people.

Yet, all of that good will changed by the time we reach a bunch of shepherds on a hillside on that first Christmas night.  While these lonely, dejected shepherds prepared for another long night, with the fire flickering and the stars twinkling, the sky lit up like  noonday.  The black darkness of their secluded spot became bright.  Then, on top of seeing an unbelievable sight, they heard a voice!  Was it an illusion?  Was it a dream?  Whatever it was couldn’t be real, or could it?

The words they heard were, “Fear not.”  Don’t be afraid, are you kidding me? But, then they heard the words the world was longing to hear, the words the Jewish people had been looking forward to for centuries, the Messiah is born.  But, this message wasn’t delivered to the “powers that be” in the capitol city of Jerusalem.  No, it was deliverd to a bunch of looney, dirty, neglected, and rejected shepherds.  Crazy, huh?  But, then, God does so many things that are “out of the ordinary.”

But, then, who would feel more “at home” in a barn?  Smelly shepherds or squeaky-clean Scribes?  I think you know that answer.  You see, God really does know what He is doing.  And, you and I can trust Him for our lives as well.  Let’s thank Him for showing us that we normal people are welcome to come to worship.  Be sure to do that during this Christmas season.

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