SCRIPTURE: Psalm 149
“For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.” (Psalm 149:4)
The people of Israel represent all the ‘underdogs’ of history.
God takes this weak, oppressed, slave nation, and organizes them to restore God’s justice and peace.
This is who God means Israel to be, though they do not always act like it.
Instead of bringing God’s blessing to the world (Genesis 12:1-2), they bring more misery.
This Psalm speaks to the ideal Israel, the humbled people that He exalts.
Their ‘double edged’ sword is meant to be the sword of justice and judgment – not reckless violence.
Jesus is the ultimate personification of God’s humble servant, restoring God’s justice and peace.
Through Jesus, through love and mercy (God’s double-edged sword), God overcomes evil with good.
God is working to restore His paradise for everyone, especially for the oppressed.
The message of Jesus ought to bring hope and healing wherever it goes.
Unfortunately, through history, God’s people forgot their purpose, and took up human swords.
They enslaved or murdered the nations, and stole their land wealth from them… in the Name of Jesus.
This is NOT what God had in mind, and this is NOT what this Psalm celebrates.
It is the humble, the weak, the oppressed, those who seek justice and peace, that are God’s people.
These are the ones who can rejoice in Jesus, because they will see their hopes realized!
“Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.” (Psalm 149:5)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, forgive us for messing up the mission. May we join You in Your servant mission, to humble the proud and lift up the humbled.