The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Friday, December 1, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Friday, December 1, 2023

From Lament to Hope:
Trusting in God's Promised Restoration

and Glory

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Zechariah 14:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Advent 1)

Introduction

In times of distress and uncertainty, humanity has always turned its gaze heavenward in search of hope, guidance, and salvation. Today's scripture readings, taken from Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Zechariah 14:1-9; and 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18, explore themes of lamentation, hope, and the promise of divine restoration and future glory. These passages remind us of God's sovereignty, His commitment to restoring His people, and the hope and responsibility we, as believers, have in light of His coming kingdom. Through a detailed examination of these texts, we will discover the interconnectedness of our cries for help, the promise of God's victorious reign, and the call to live in a manner worthy of His kingdom.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
We shall be saved

Psalm 80 is a heartfelt plea to God for restoration and salvation, portraying a vivid image of God as the shepherd of Israel who has led His flock to trouble and now is beseeched to bring them back to safety. The psalmist employs the metaphor of a vineyard to illustrate Israel's plight, a once flourishing vine now ravaged and in need of the gardener's care. In this passage, the psalmist implores God to look down from heaven, behold the distress of His people, and come to their aid.

1     Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
        you who lead Joseph like a flock. *
     You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,
        shine forth 2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.

     Awaken your might; *
        come and save us.

3     Restore us, O God; *
        make your face shine on us,
            that we may be saved.

4     How long, Lord God Almighty, *
        will your anger smolder
            against the prayers of your people?

5     You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
        you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.

6     You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors, *
        and our enemies mock us.

7     Restore us, God Almighty; *
        make your face shine on us,
            that we may be saved.

17    Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, *
        the son of man you have raised up for yourself.

18    Then we will not turn away from you; *
        revive us, and we will call on your name.

19    Restore us, Lord God Almighty; *
        make your face shine on us,
            that we may be saved.

Almighty and Everlasting God, hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who guides us with tender care, as You once led Joseph's descendants. Seated high and exalted, radiant in majesty, we beseech You to turn Your gaze upon us once more. Before our ancestors, You shone with brilliance, and we humbly ask that You awaken Your might for us today.

We acknowledge our shortcomings, and in times when we feel distanced from You, we plead for Your mercy. Restore us, O God of our salvation, and may the light of Your countenance shine upon us. When we wander in despair, guide us back to Your embrace, for in the radiance of Your face, salvation blooms.

We have tasted the bitter tears of sorrow and drank deeply from the cup of suffering. Our neighbors look upon us with scorn, and adversaries revel in our distress. Yet, in our pain, we turn to You, God Almighty. Rejuvenate our spirits, let us bask in Your warmth, and in Your mercy, let salvation be our portion.

Mighty God, be ever near to those who lead and guide us in Your name. Uphold them with Your righteous right hand and empower them to be beacons of Your grace. With Your steadfast love as our anchor, we will never forsake You. Breathe life into our weary souls, that we might ever praise and call upon Your holy name.

Once more, we beseech You, Lord God Almighty, illuminate our path with the brilliance of Your presence. In every trial, in every joy, let us find salvation in You alone.

Be with us today and every day in Jesus Christ, Who taught us to pray:

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Zechariah 14:1-9
God will come to rule

In Zechariah 14:1-9, we are presented with a vivid and awe-inspiring prophecy of the Day of the Lord, a momentous event where God Himself will step into human history to bring both judgment and deliverance. This passage paints a powerful picture of divine intervention, as Jerusalem is simultaneously besieged by enemies and miraculously saved by the Lord's presence. Through symbolic and dramatic imagery, Zechariah portrays a future where God's kingdom is established on earth, and His people live in peace and security under His sovereign rule.

14 1 A day of the Lord is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will be plundered and divided up within your very walls.

2 I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. 3 Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. 5 You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

6 On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness. 7 It will be a unique day—a day known only to the Lord—with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light.

8 On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter.

9 The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

Commentary

Verses 1-2 describe a time of great turmoil for Jerusalem, as the city is attacked and plundered. This reflects the frequent invasions and hardships that Jerusalem faced throughout its history. Yet, these verses also point forward to a future time of tribulation and testing.

Verses 3-5 then depict the Lord's dramatic intervention, as He fights against the nations that have opposed His people. The imagery of the Lord standing on the Mount of Olives, which then splits in two, creates a powerful picture of God's majesty and might. This event also provides a means of escape for the people of Jerusalem, reminiscent of God's past acts of salvation, such as the parting of the Red Sea.

In verses 6-7, we see a transformation of the natural order, as there is continuous day and no night. This may symbolize the end of darkness and the ushering in of a new era where God's light and truth reign supreme.

Finally, verses 8-9 describe a time when living waters flow from Jerusalem, and the Lord is recognized as king over all the earth. The image of living waters is a common biblical metaphor for spiritual blessing and renewal, pointing to a time of spiritual revitalization for God's people. The declaration that the Lord will be king over the whole earth signifies the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of His kingdom.

In summary, Zechariah 14:1-9 is a powerful and hope-filled prophecy that points forward to a time when God will intervene to save His people, judge the wicked, and establish His kingdom on earth. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and His ultimate victory over evil.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-18
A life pleasing God to the end

1 Thessalonians 4:1-18 is a rich passage where Paul provides practical instructions and encouragement to the Thessalonians regarding how to live a life that is pleasing to God. He emphasizes the importance of holiness, love, and hope, exhorting the believers to live in a way that reflects their faith and honors God.

4 1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Commentary

In verses 1-2, Paul encourages the Thessalonians to live in a way that pleases God, just as they have been taught. This serves as a reminder that the Christian faith is not just about believing certain doctrines, but about living a life that is consistent with those beliefs.

Verses 3-8 focus on the call to live a holy life, specifically by avoiding sexual immorality. In a culture where sexual immorality was often tolerated or even celebrated, this was a countercultural message. Paul stresses the importance of self-control and respect for others, emphasizing that disregarding these instructions is not just a sin against another person, but against God himself.

In verses 9-12, Paul turns to the topic of love, commending the Thessalonians for their love for each other and urging them to do so more and more. He also encourages them to live quiet lives, mind their own business, and work with their hands. This practical advice reflects the importance of living out one's faith in everyday life.

Finally, in verses 13-18, Paul provides encouragement to the Thessalonians regarding the return of Christ. He reminds them of the hope they have in Christ, assuring them that those who have died in Christ will be resurrected and reunited with their loved ones. This message of hope is meant to comfort and encourage the believers, reminding them that death is not the end for those who trust in Christ.

Overall, this passage reflects the heart of Paul's message to the Thessalonians: live a life that is pleasing to God, grounded in holiness, love, and hope. These themes are just as relevant today as they were in Paul's time, providing practical guidance for how to live out one's faith in a way that honors God and makes a positive impact on the world.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Commentaries are by Kenny Sallee, ThM.

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year B. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2024, we will be in Year C. The year which ended at Advent 2023 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Friday, December 1, 2023
From Lament to Hope: Trusting in God's Promised Restoration and Glory
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Zechariah 14:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18
In times of distress and uncertainty, humanity has always turned its gaze heavenward in search of hope, guidance, and salvation. Today's scripture readings, taken from Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Zechariah 14:1-9; and 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18, explore themes of lamentation, hope, and the promise of divine restoration and future glory. These passages remind us of God's sovereignty, His commitment to restoring His people, and the hope and responsibility we, as believers, have in light of His coming kingdom. Through a detailed examination of these texts, we will discover the interconnectedness of our cries for help, the promise of God's victorious reign, and the call to live in a manner worthy of His kingdom.