Friday 01 April 2022

Psalm 111

Background

The theme of this week's readings is 'the Servant of the Lord'. Isaiah is aspiring to describe something of the nature of God and our relationship with God.

If someone were to ask what is God like, how might you respond? It’s a huge question. In today’s passage the prophet Isaiah says it's essential to understand there is only one true God. God’s being is not derived from another, and God remains supreme for all eternity. “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.” (v. 6) God is all-seeing and all-pervasive: involved at our very beginning in the womb (v. 2 ), and continues to watch over us for ever.

From this perspective, God could seem terrifying. But using the names Jacob and Jeshurun (meaning 'the upright one') to personify the people of God, Isaiah inspires us not to be fearful. In both verse 2 and verse 8 he urges us not to be afraid. He says like sweet rain on thirsty ground, God’s Spirit will pour on us and blessings will abound (v. 3).

In verse 5 God’s purpose is revealed: it’s the hope that people will come forward saying “I am the Lord’s”. John Wesley in May 1738 visited a chapel in Aldersgate, east London, and experienced a sense of belonging, of being Christ’s disciple. He famously wrote of the experience: “I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine.”  God is seeking for us all to find such conviction and enjoy a relationship with our Lord.

To Ponder:

• What does it mean to you that God "formed you in the womb"?
• Today's Psalm (111) begins "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart." Let's take a moment to thank God for the gift of life.
• Where do you feel you belong? Where is your 'spiritual home'?
• The Methodist Church has a rich and fascinating history. You can find out more about its origins  here.