Tuesday 13 June 2017

Psalm: Psalm 29

Background

This is a wonderful and mysterious passage that acts as aflashback scene in the book of Isaiah - taking us back to whenIsaiah was called for his prophetic ministry (or, more accurately,when he volunteered!). Isaiah is one of the most important prophetsof the Old Testament, and the ministry contained in the book thatbares his name is believed to cover several centuries (possibly bythree different authors, following in the tradition of the originalIsaiah). It is a book of severe judgement on God's people(especially the first 39 chapters) and yet this judgement isfollowed by hope and promise of redemption and renewal (especiallythe last 27). In that sense it rather resembles the whole of theBible!

The sense of holy mystery surrounding this passage brings itoften into church on Trinity Sunday, especially because God isworshipped as being "holy, holy and holy" (v. 3), and because Godasks the question "who will go for us?"

Isaiah recalls how he was caught up in the majesty and awe ofhis extraordinary vision. He became aware of his sinfulness and thesinfulness of his people, but God enabled his sin to be "blottedout" (v. 7) in an act that we might describe as sacramental: wherethe physical act of the coal on the lips was infused with newmeaning when accompanied with God's own mercy and proclamation.With this barrier removed, Isaiah was able to hear the holy call ofGod, and he answered God's question enthusiastically, offeringhimself in service.

Isaiah's task was difficult, and the message he had to proclaimcaused him to wrestle with God's purposes. It wasn't all aboutGod's love and blessing! There were some very hard things todeclare, and in the end God's judgement fell on the people. Whatwas important to God, in relationship with God's own people, wasthat not to bring judgement without first giving many years ofwarning and opportunity for repentance. It's fair to say thatIsaiah may well have often regretted volunteering.

However, there is, in all of this, a sense of the God who opensup the throne room to humanity, who allows us a glimpse of glory,who touches us with divine grace, and who invites us into God's ownwonderful and often inexplicable purposes. When we think about Godas Trinity, a holy community of love, it is this constant 'invitingin' which can bring both immeasurable joy and awesomechallenge.

To Ponder

• Have you ever volunteered for something and then regretted it?If so, did it ever bring a sense of satisfaction in the end?How?

• What do you make of the mysterious vision of Isaiah? How do youpicture God in the throne room? What room in your imagination isthere for the awesome and unimaginable?

• In times of worship, do you ever experience a strong awarenessof your sins and mistakes, combined with the sure knowledge ofGod's forgiving grace? How do Father, Son and Holy Spirit all playa part in this?