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As we start into our new series, "The Tree and the Vine," drawn from Psalm 1 and John 15, I wanted to share some thoughts I've share in other places about the value of the psalms for spiritual growth. When people ask me about a good place to start reading the Bible I often refer …
Continue reading "Why the Psalms are Essential for Spiritual Growth"
Psalm 130 begins with praying to God from the depths. But midway through there comes a word about waiting: I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. (Psalm 130:5-6) We tend to think of waiting …
Continue reading "The Mercy of Waiting: learning to pray with Psalm 130"
One of the most pervasive themes in the psalms is waiting. In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;in the morning I lay my requests before youand wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:3) Wait for the Lord;be strong and take heartand wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14) We wait in hope for the Lord;he is our help and our …
Continue reading "Waiting on the Lord: Living with Hope in the Land Between"
Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;Lord, hear my voice.Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. (Psalm 130:1-2) The word translated in Psalm 130:1 as ‘depths’ refers literally to the deep places of the sea. In Isaiah 51:10, for example, the prophet asks the Lord: “Was it not you who dried up the …
Continue reading "Crying to God from the Depths: learning to pray with Psalm 130"
When someone asks you, "what are you waiting for?", a number of responses may jump to your lips: "The start of the football season." "A response to that job application I sent in." "That special someone to come along." Waiting is a regular part of our lives, but it is not something we are always …
Matthew Erickson 