Thursday 12 October 2017

Psalm: Psalm 102:1-11

Background

Today's passage continues a line of encouraging argument basedon the passage from Psalm 95 which we first met yesterday. Thefocus is now on the phrase "They shall not enter my rest" (vv. 3,5). Our author has made the point (Hebrews 3:16-19) that disobedience was thereason why those who wandered in the wilderness never entered God'srest.

However, the promise of entering God's rest still stands, and sowhere people have seen God's activity in Christ and started on thisnew exodus to God's promise they must not fall into the old trap ofdisobedience and falling away.

But what are we to understand by the concept of God's rest?We're brought back to the first chapters of Genesis and the beliefthat the all-creating God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:3). This Sabbath rest, which led toJewish observance of the Sabbath week by week, was first andforemost a blessing and a generous gift, intended for joy,fellowship and release from daily drudgery. Thus the thought ofentering into God's rest is really about sharing joy and fellowshipin God's presence - heaven itself.

Although Psalm 95, with its promise of the possibility ofentering God's rest, harks back to the time of the Exodus underMoses, the promise has not yet been fulfilled and therefore stillstands. Now, however, there is a fresh urgency because Jesus hascome. Thus in searching out the meaning of the psalm, our authorstresses the word "today" (v. 7). Scripture is being fulfilledafresh and all are called to obey.

To Ponder

• Many Christians have enjoyed the thought of the Sabbath being aforetaste of heaven. Thus, for example, Isaac Watts could write 'Sweet is the day of sacred rest'  and thengo on to anticipate heaven (Singing the Faith 90). Doesthis ring true for you? If it doesn't, are you missing somethingimportant?

• What encourages you to keep going as a Christian?