I read John 2 this morning. I have preached from this chapter several times from the perspective of one performing a wedding. However, the other important passage here is the reference to Jesus chasing the venders and money changers out of the temple. Jesus says that his house should be known as a "House of Prayer." I don't believe this is a reference to prayer alone but an attitude of connection be God and his children. The business of selling goods for sacrifices takes the focus off of God and on the stuff of religion. We can turn our worship experiences into events that take the personal connection to God out of the picture and put it on our music, style or stuff. I pray that the people that leave our services return home feeling they had a special encounter with God while they were in our midst.

Part of my daily readings in the Bible includes a chapter from the Old Testament Prophets. I just finished reading the book of Micah. There are many many words regarding the tough times the Israelites will face as a result of their bad choices but in the end Micah reminds them of god's true nature. "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:18,19

The new song is not about turning over a new leaf, although sometimes we are able to do that, but it is about the renewing of God's love and mercy. He is able to do that because of the brief reference in Micah 5:2 concerning one to be born in Bethlehem who will bring salvation to Israel and in fact to all of us. He is the melody of our new song.

Today I read Psalm 42 and was struck by the significance of this passage in the light of today's pressures. So many people are struggling and feeling discouraged if not depressed. Here David tells his heart to remember the good days of God's faithfulness, his joy in the community of believers as they worshiped God together and the mountain-top experiences. He acknowledges the deep waters and the difficulties of the moment but tells his heart to put it in perspective. David turns his anxious thoughts to hope and concludes with the affirmation that his hope will lead to a new song of praise. (Seems like a theme is going here. :)

JQ

"I waited patiently for the Lord, he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40: 1-3

I can't say I was in a slimy pit exactly, but bogged down might describe my life. (I guess a bogg is kind of a slimy pit.) Reading this passage a couple of days ago led me to some new thinking, a "new song." What will this song look like? Is it a solo or meant for a group/choir? Who is the audience? Is it one or many verses? Well, I guess I don't have to have all the answers at this time. I do want to listen to the Lord since these verses indicate that he is the giver of the song and that's the kind of song I want to sing.

If anyone else is hearing a "new song," I would love to know. Join me in this blog, (not bogg,) and let's see if some harmony develops.

JQ