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The intent of Pilgrim Processing is to provide commentary on the Daily Lectionary from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. The format for the comment is Old Testament Lesson first, Gospel, and Epistle with a portion of one of the Psalms for the day as a prayer at the end.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

22 December 2011



David is praising God for two things, all that HE has done and all that HE has promised to do.  David, like Abraham, believed God.  That belief led to extravagant praise, he was so certain God would do what He promised that David praised as if it had already happened.  That should be our attitude towards eternal life, living this life in praise and anxious anticipation, as though it has already been fulfilled, recognizing that the allure of this life is passing.  David ascribes greatness to the Lord because he completely believes the word of promise.  The kingdom is the Lord’s kingdom and the people are His people, not David’s.  The Lord has redeemed them and blessed them and David now asks that blessing to be forever, according to the promise.  Do we pray for the church in this same way?

Yet another sign is given concerning John, confirming the word spoken by the angel concerning John’s mission as being that of fulfillment of the promise through Malachi.  It seems nonsense that they would name the child John, there is no familial connection to this name and yet when Zechariah writes on the tablet his tongue is set free and how does he use his newfound freedom?  His mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.  His last words prior to this were words of doubt concerning God’s ability to do something and now that it has been done his response is praise.  We need to see the connection and understand that we are to be like David, lavish and quick in praise when God makes a promise.  The response of the people was, we better pay attention to this child, something’s up.

It is all about grace and it is all about faith.  As David noted, God redeemed His people and the response to that is worship and obedience.  The response to His promise is to believe because He is both able to do whatever He promises and faithful to do as He promises.  Paul here speaks to the Galatian church concerning justification, how were they justified before the Lord.  The only way sinful humanity can be pronounced righteous before the Lord, guilt cleared, is by grace, God’s choice to forgive based on the sacrifice of His Son.  No one can stand before Him and claim to be righteous, it must be a gift.  We live because of faith in the Son’s righteousness based in His resurrection from the dead.  In the resurrection we know that His sacrifice was acceptable to God and not only for Himself but for those who, like Abraham and David, believe. 

Angels, help us to adore him;
ye behold him face to face;
sun and moon, bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.

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