The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Thursday, December 14, 2023
The Joy of Redemption and the Pursuit of Righteousness
Psalm 126; Habakkuk 2:1-5; Philippians 3:7-11
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Advent 3)
Introduction
with Commentary
Thursday, December 14, 2023
The Joy of Redemption and the Pursuit of Righteousness
Psalm 126; Habakkuk 2:1-5; Philippians 3:7-11
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Advent 3)
Introduction
Psalm 126, Habakkuk 2:1-5, and Philippians 3:7-11 converge to weave a tapestry of hope, steadfast faith, and transformative pursuit in the believer's life. This triad of Scripture passages embodies the soul's journey from captivity to freedom, vigilance in waiting upon the Lord's vision, and the intimate knowledge of Christ through shared suffering and resurrection power. Psalm 126 captures the ecstatic joy of Zion's restoration, a historical echo of God's redemptive work that stirs the present with songs of deliverance. Habakkuk stands firm upon the watchtower, grappling with the mystery of divine justice, patiently awaiting the revelation that the righteous will live by faith. Meanwhile, Paul's epistle to the Philippians marks a profound paradox of loss as gain, where earthly credentials fade in the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Together, these passages invite believers to rejoice in past deliverance, stand firm in present trials with expectant faith, and press onward, shedding all for the supreme reward of the resurrection life.
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.
Gracious and Loving God, You who restore our fortunes and bring life to desolate places, we come before You with hearts filled with gratitude as we reflect on Psalm 126. In Your sovereign mercy, You have turned our weeping into dancing, and our sorrow into joy. We recall with thanksgiving the times You have led us through the wilderness and into a place of abundance.
Like the streams of the Negev that transform the parched earth into a fertile field, we pray that You would refresh our spirits and rejuvenate our strength. Where there is desolation, plant the seeds of hope; where there is despair, let Your living water flow, nurturing the promise of new life.
As we navigate the valleys of weeping, help us to remember that those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Teach us patience and grant us the faith to trust in Your perfect timing, for even the night is not dark to You, and the shadows are as bright as the day.
May those who have sown in tears, gather the sheaves of joy, bearing the fruits of Your spirit. Let our mouths be filled with laughter and our tongues with songs of joy, so that all who see us will say, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
Guide us to be instruments of Your restoration in the world, sharing the joy of Your salvation with others, that Your love may be known in all the earth. We await in hopeful expectation for the fullness of Your redemption, when every tear will be wiped away, and Your joy will be made complete in us.
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.”
The book of Habakkuk presents a profound dialogue between the prophet and God, capturing the essence of human questioning in the face of adversity and the divine response that transcends time. Habakkuk lived in a period marked by social injustice and moral decay, and his writings reflect the struggle to understand God's plan in the midst of seeming chaos. Habakkuk 2:1-5 is a central pivot in this dialogue, as it transitions from the prophet’s plea to the Lord’s answer. Here, Habakkuk takes his stand to watch and listen, anticipating God's reply to his complaints about the injustice prevailing in Judah.2 1 I will stand at my watch
and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me,
and what answer I am to give to this complaint.
2 Then the Lord replied:
“Write down the revelation
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald may run with it.
3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come
and will not delay.
4 “See, the enemy is puffed up;
his desires are not upright—
but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness—
5 indeed, wine betrays him;
he is arrogant and never at rest.
Because he is as greedy as the grave
and like death is never satisfied,
he gathers to himself all the nations
and takes captive all the peoples.
Commentary
Habakkuk 2:1-5 offers a profound insight into the nature of faith and patience. In verse 1, Habakkuk positions himself as a watchman, ready to receive God's reply to his questions. This stance is emblematic of a spiritual vigil, a posture of attentiveness that all believers are encouraged to adopt in their journey of faith. The text implies a readiness to not only hear but to accept reproof if necessary, showcasing a humble and teachable spirit.
As God responds, the emphasis shifts to the concept of divine timing in verses 2-3. God instructs Habakkuk to write the vision plainly, so that it can be easily communicated. The vision is for an appointed time; though it seems to tarry, the assurance is given that it will surely come and not delay. This speaks to the certainty of God's promises and the importance of trust in His perfect timing. For the contemporary believer, it is a call to remain steadfast in faith, trusting that God’s purposes will be fulfilled even when they are not immediately apparent.
In verses 4-5, a stark contrast is drawn between the proud, whose soul is not right within them, and the righteous, who live by faith. This dichotomy between pride and faith underlines a fundamental biblical theme: that the just shall live by their faithfulness to God. Moreover, the proud are likened to the restless sea, always stirring up mire and dirt, without peace or stability. This metaphor vividly illustrates the tumultuous and unfulfilling nature of a life that is lived without regard to the divine will.
This passage thus serves as a bridge between the complaint and the assurance, between the present suffering and the future glory. It assures the faithful that, though justice may seem slow, it operates on a divine schedule that is precise and reliable. The call to live by faith stands as an enduring principle, offering hope and guidance to all who, like Habakkuk, seek to understand their place within God's grand design.
In his epistle to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul presents a profound perspective on the value of knowing Christ Jesus. In Philippians 3:7-11, he shares a deeply personal account of his own spiritual journey, contrasting his former life, with its human credentials and accolades, against the immeasurable worth of his relationship with Jesus. This passage invites believers to consider the true cost of discipleship and the surpassing value of intimacy with the Savior, challenging them to a radical reevaluation of all worldly gains in light of the eternal treasure found in Christ.3 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Commentary
The Apostle Paul, once a Pharisee of Pharisees, steeped in the rigors of religious law and human accomplishment, came to a startling revelation: all that he had achieved and accumulated was insignificant compared to the glory of knowing Christ. In verse 7, his use of the word loss carries with it the idea of detrimental subtraction, as if to say that holding on to these former triumphs would actually detract from the true wealth found in Jesus.
In verse 8, Paul's rhetoric escalates as he refers to his former life as garbage or rubbish (Greek: skubalon), indicating something utterly worthless and even offensive when compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. This is not to say that Paul's heritage or the Law was worthless in itself, but in the light of Christ's righteousness, they pale in comparison. It's a statement of radical devaluation of everything apart from Christ, showing that ultimate value is not found in human achievements or religious pedigree but in a transformative relationship with Jesus.
Verses 9 and 10 delve into the crux of the Gospel: righteousness and resurrection. Righteousness, Paul asserts, does not stem from legalistic adherence to the Law—a standard which he had strived to fulfill impeccably—but comes through faith in Christ. It is a gift from God, not earned, but bestowed. This righteousness is not merely forensic or legal; it is relational and transformative, leading to intimate knowledge of Christ, sharing in his sufferings, and the hope of resurrection.
In longing to know Christ, Paul speaks of a dynamic and experiential knowledge that encompasses both the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings. It's a fellowship in the full scope of Christ's experience—the triumphant and the tragic. In expressing a desire to become like Christ in his death, Paul touches on the mystery of Christian unity with Christ—dying to self and sin, that we might live unto God.
Finally, verse 11 does not suggest uncertainty about the resurrection (somehow, attaining), but rather expresses the profound humility with which Paul approaches the mystery of God’s redemptive work. It's a humble acknowledgment that the pathway to resurrection life is marked by divine sovereignty and grace.
In conclusion, Philippians 3:7-11 challenges the believer to reevaluate all things in light of the Gospel. It invites a letting go of the temporal and the transient for the eternal and the true. Paul beckons us to a faith that treasures Christ above all else, embracing the sufferings and joys of the Christian life, and setting our hearts on the promise of resurrection and life everlasting with our Lord.
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 Thursday, December 14, 2023
The Joy of Redemption and the Pursuit of Righteousness
Psalm 126; Habakkuk 2:1-5; Philippians 3:7-11
Today's readings converge to weave a tapestry of hope, steadfast faith, and transformative pursuit in the believer's life. This triad of Scripture passages embodies the soul's journey from captivity to freedom, vigilance in waiting upon the Lord's vision, and the intimate knowledge of Christ through shared suffering and resurrection power. Psalm 126 captures the ecstatic joy of Zion's restoration, a historical echo of God's redemptive work that stirs the present with songs of deliverance. Habakkuk stands firm upon the watchtower, grappling with the mystery of divine justice, patiently awaiting the revelation that the righteous will live by faith. Meanwhile, Paul's epistle to the Philippians marks a profound paradox of loss as gain, where earthly credentials fade in the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Together, these passages invite believers to rejoice in past deliverance, stand firm in present trials with expectant faith, and press onward, shedding all for the supreme reward of the resurrection life.
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