So I am currently reading a book titled, "A Theology As Big as the City" by Ray Bakke. It has really been a great book to read...and just learning about dynamics of the city....and inner-city ministry work :) There were 2 bible passages that they go over that really struck out to me.
Psalm 38
O Lord do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.
For your arrows have pierced me,
and your hand has come down upon me.
Because of your wrath there is no health in my body;
my bones have no soundness because of my sin.
My guilt has overwhelmed me
like a burden too heavy to bear.
My wounds fester and are loathsome
because of my sinful fully.
I am bowed down and brought very low;
all day long I go about mourning.
My back is filled with searing pain;
there is no health in my body.
I am feeble and utterly crushed;
I groan in anguish of heart.
All my longings lie before you, O Lord;
my sighing is not hidden from you.
My heart pounds, my strength fails me;
even the light has gone from my eyes.
My friends and companions avoide me because of my wounds;
my neighbors stay far away.
Those who seek my life set their traps,
those who would harm me talk of my ruin;
all day long they plot deception.
I am like a deaf man, who cannot hear,
like a mute, who cannot open his mouth;
I have become like a man who does not hear,
whose mouth can offer no reply.
I wait for you, O Lor;
you will answer, O Lord my God.
For I said, "Do not let them gloat
or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips."
For I am about to fall,
and my pain is ever with me.
I confess my iniquity;
I am trouble by my sin.
Many are those who are my vigorous enemies;
those who hate me without reason are numerous.
Those who repay my good with evil
slander me when I pursue what is good.
O Lord, do not forsake me;
be not far from me, O my God.
Come quickly to help me,
O Lord my Savior.
In the book, it states, "Now let's title it 'The Cry of an AIDS victim.'" Think about that a bit and dwell on that.... "He is alone, suffering from the abandonment of family and friends. So he offers a very personal prayer of lament. His only hope is the Lord."
And here is the other passage that brings hope!
Isiah 65: 17-25
For behold, I create
new heavens and a new earth.
And the former things will not be
remembered or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoince forever in
what I create;
For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing
And her people for gladness.
I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and
be glad in My people;
And there will be no longer be heard in her
The voice of weeping and the sound of crying.
No longer will there be in it an infrant
who lives but a few days,
Or an old man who dos not live
out his days.
FOr the youth will die at the age of
one hundred.
And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred
Will be thought accursed.
They will build houses and inhabit them;
They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
They will not build and another inhabit,
They will not plant and another eat;
For as the lifetime of a tree, so will
be the days of My people.
And My chosen ones will wear out
the work of their hands.
They will not labor in vain,
Or bear children for calamity;
For they are the offspring of those blessed by the Lord,
And their descendants with them.
It will also come to pass that before they call,
I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb will graze together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox;
and dust will be the serpent's food.
They will do no evil or harm
in all My holy mountain, says the Lord.
"Remember, this was intended to be an encouragement to urban builders on their way back to renovate Jerusalem. God reminds them (and us) that the eternal city is also under construction. We will live there forever as believers."
I also remember hearing this passage at the LAUP Reunion night, and talking about how significant it is to hear that those who build houses will be able to inhabit them. Sometimes today, the people that build the homes are not able to afford them...but what hope this passage brings to the laborers...that they will be able to live in what they build...and those who work on vineyards can eat of the fruit. God totally knew of the future and brings hope for back then when this passage was written, and in today's world! What a great God we serve.
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