The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Friday, December 15, 2023
Restoration, Reverence, and the Race of Faith
Psalm 126; Habakkuk 3:2-6; Philippians 3:12-16
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Advent 3)
Introduction
with Commentary
Friday, December 15, 2023
Restoration, Reverence, and the Race of Faith
Psalm 126; Habakkuk 3:2-6; Philippians 3:12-16
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Advent 3)
Introduction
In the unfolding tapestry of Scripture, Psalm 126, Habakkuk 3:2-6, and Philippians 3:12-16 weave together a divine narrative of restoration, awe-struck reverence, and relentless pursuit. Psalm 126 evokes the joyous gratitude of God's people upon their deliverance from captivity, a soulful reflection on the mercies that turn desolate valleys into fertile fields of hope. Habakkuk stands in wonder and fear as he recounts the Lord's mighty works and pleads for revival, his words painting a portrait of God's sovereign power striding across the earth. Meanwhile, Paul's letter to the Philippians pulses with the energy of a race, an intimate confession of a life not yet perfected but pressing onward, urged by Christ's encompassing call to heavenly citizenship. Together, these passages invite us to remember the past mercies, reverence God's mighty works in the present, and strain forward towards the future promise, bound by a common thread of divine faithfulness and human perseverance.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 126
The Joy of Restoration
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 126
The Joy of Restoration
Psalm 126 is a song of ascents, a heartfelt expression of joy and hope from the people of Israel reflecting on a time of divine restoration. It stands as a poignant reminder of God's ability to turn sorrow into joy and to rejuvenate His people, much like streams refresh the arid lands of the Negev. As we read these words, we are invited to recall the times when the Lord has restored us, to remember the laughter and joy that come with deliverance, and to renew our faith in God's promise to bring about a harvest of blessings from seeds sown in tears.1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, *
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy. *
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us, *
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, *
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears *
will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow, *
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
Heavenly Father, with hearts lifted in joy and gratitude, we approach Your throne of grace, reflecting on the profound words of Psalm 126. Your deeds have indeed been great, and we are filled with gladness. As those who dreamed, You turned our captivity, Lord, like streams in the Negev.
We acknowledge, O Sovereign Lord, that just as the desert blooms after the rain, so have You restored our fortunes. In Your mercy, You have been our steadfast Redeemer, bringing us through seasons of hardship into times of abundant blessings.
We remember the times of sowing with tears, the struggles that have tested our faith, and we praise You for the promise of reaping with songs of joy. Teach us to persevere in hope, steadfast in the knowledge that those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
Gracious God, may Your love be the soil in which our lives are rooted, and Your truth the water that nourishes our souls. As we walk in Your ways, let our lives be testimonies of Your faithfulness, our actions the fruit of Your Spirit, and our words the echoes of Your wisdom.
We pray for those still in the midst of hardship, those who sow in tears. Encourage them, Lord, with the assurance of Your presence and the certainty of Your promises. May they hold fast to the hope of the Psalmist, trusting that joy will come in the morning.
Lord, as we reflect on the restoration You have brought in our lives, may we never forget to be instruments of Your peace and love, helping to restore the fortunes of others, to break the bonds of the oppressed, and to sow seeds of righteousness and justice in Your name.
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.”
In the heart of his eponymous book, the prophet Habakkuk stands as a poignant figure wrestling with the nature of God's justice and sovereignty amid turmoil. The verses of Habakkuk 3:2-6 are an earnest prayer, a psalm-like piece resounding with awe and reverence, a plea for revival, and a remembrance of the Almighty's past deeds. As these verses unfold, Habakkuk transitions from questioning God to a profound worship of His might and righteous acts. This section serves as a crucial pivot from despair to hope, from perplexity to trust in the divine narrative.3 2 Lord, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy.
3 God came from Teman,
the Holy One from Mount Paran.
His glory covered the heavens
and his praise filled the earth.
4 His splendor was like the sunrise;
rays flashed from his hand,
where his power was hidden.
5 Plague went before him;
pestilence followed his steps.
6 He stood, and shook the earth;
he looked, and made the nations tremble.
The ancient mountains crumbled
and the age-old hills collapsed—
but he marches on forever.
Commentary
In these verses, Habakkuk is both recalling God's past interventions and seeking a present application of God's mighty power. He asks for a re-manifestation of the divine acts that have been told and retold in the stories of his people, Israel.
Habakkuk's appeal in wrath remember mercy encapsulates a profound theological truth about God's character—that His judgments, though sure, are tempered with compassion. This petition recognizes the human position under divine sovereignty, expressing both the fear of God's righteous wrath and the hope in His enduring mercy.
The imagery used by Habakkuk is rich and dramatic. God's appearance is depicted in cosmic and natural terms—His glory covering the heavens, His splendor like the sunrise. The use of nature to describe God's acts indicates the absolute power He wields over creation. Theophanies, or visible manifestations of God to humans, often involve intense natural phenomena that signal His presence and power. In these passages, the historical theophanies are recollected, perhaps referring to God's appearances at Sinai or in battles where He fought for Israel.
The reference to God coming from Teman and Mount Paran may allude to the regions south of Judah, perhaps indicating the direction from which God delivered Israel in the past. It is a poetic recollection of the Exodus journey, where God led His people with might and supernatural acts of judgment upon their enemies.
The final verse in this selection, verse 6, illustrates a God who is unchanging and eternal. The mountains and hills, symbols of permanence and ancient strength, crumble before Him, but He marches on forever. This presents a stark contrast: the created order is subject to change and decay, yet God's sovereignty is unending.
Through these vivid descriptions, Habakkuk not only asserts God's unmatched power but also stirs up hope in the hearts of his contemporaries. Despite the present circumstances, which may seem bleak and uncertain, the prophet encourages the people to remember who their God is—a refuge in times past and a certain hope for the future. In essence, Habakkuk's words are a testament to faith in the midst of fear, a call to remember God's faithfulness as an anchor in the storm.
In the third chapter of his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul shares a profound spiritual insight into the Christian life as a relentless pursuit of Christ-likeness and heavenly calling. In this particular passage, Philippians 3:12-16, Paul emphasizes the importance of continual growth and perseverance in the faith. He uses the metaphor of a race to describe the Christian journey, not as a leisurely walk, but as a focused and sustained effort to reach an ultimate prize. Paul speaks not from a position of having 'arrived' at spiritual perfection but as a fellow runner in the race, straining towards the finish line.3 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Commentary
The passage unfolds with Paul's admission of his own journey: he has not yet obtained all that Christ has for him nor become perfect, but he makes it his goal to press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of him (v.12). This sets a tone of humility and purpose. Paul acknowledges that his past achievements, which he has earlier counted as loss for the sake of Christ, are not the finish line. Instead, he looks forward to what is ahead.
In verse 13, Paul introduces a critical principle for the believer: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. He calls for a deliberate release of past triumphs and failures, suggesting that spiritual progress requires an unburdened pursuit. The past should neither define us nor detain us; it is the future in Christ that demands our full attention.
Verse 14 sees Paul using the imagery of a runner to illustrate the Christian pursuit. He speaks of pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Here, the goal represents the full realization of Christ within us, and the prize suggests the eternal joy and communion with God awaiting believers. Paul's language conveys urgency and passion, highlighting the dynamic and ongoing nature of the Christian life.
Verses 15 and 16 encourage unity and collective maturity among believers. Paul invites others to join him in his mindset and way of life if they are spiritually mature. Yet, he also shows grace for those at different stages in their spiritual journey, trusting that God will make clear to them any point on which they differ. The key is to live up to what has already been attained—a call to consistent living in line with the progress already made in Christ.
In these verses, Paul's message is clear: the Christian life is an active, ongoing pursuit. It is about moving forward, making progress, and aspiring to a deeper, richer experience of knowing Christ. It calls for both personal dedication and communal harmony in the faith. For modern readers, this passage provides a powerful reminder that, while perfection on this side of heaven is unattainable, the pursuit of it brings us ever closer to the heart of God.
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 15, 2023
Restoration, Reverence, and the Race of Faith
Psalm 126; Habakkuk 3:2-6; Philippians 3:12-16
In the unfolding tapestry of Scripture, today's readings weave together a divine narrative of restoration, awe-struck reverence, and relentless pursuit. Psalm 126 evokes the joyous gratitude of God's people upon their deliverance from captivity, a soulful reflection on the mercies that turn desolate valleys into fertile fields of hope. Habakkuk stands in wonder and fear as he recounts the Lord's mighty works and pleads for revival, his words painting a portrait of God's sovereign power striding across the earth. Meanwhile, Paul's letter to the Philippians pulses with the energy of a race, an intimate confession of a life not yet perfected but pressing onward, urged by Christ's encompassing call to heavenly citizenship. Together, these passages invite us to remember the past mercies, reverence God's mighty works in the present, and strain forward towards the future promise, bound by a common thread of divine faithfulness and human perseverance.
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