Today’s
Scripture Reading (June 16, 2019): Psalm
131, 133, & 134
In May 2019, Julia Slonska was purposefully filmed
knocking the nose off of a two-hundred-year-old statue in Warsaw, Poland. The
act of vandalism was filmed in an effort to attract more Instagram followers to
her account, and it is one incident of several acts of vandalism against
irreplaceable works of art that has taken place in the past few years. Adding
insult to Slonska’s act is the laughter that punctuates the video. We have lost
respect in things of the past. I have to admit that I don’t understand that
lack of respect. The list of places and things that we have destroyed is growing,
and the sense of loss is multiplying even faster.
There was a time when the doors of a church were
always open. The idea of locking a church almost made no sense. Priests were
continually present to welcome the stranger or the one in need of prayer. But
budget constraints, theft, and vandalism have forced holy places to close their
doors outside of regular worship hours. And even then, those houses of worship
who can afford it have begun to hire armed guards to protect the House and
those inside who are giving their attention to the worship of their God. I have
served in a church that had their sound system stolen, twice. The image of the wealthy
and well-funded religious institution is a bit of an urban myth. There are well-funded
ministries and religious leaders who live in luxurious residences, but most do
not have anything close to that kind of cash flow. And for every dollar that we
have to spend on repairs or to deal with vandalism, a dollar is not going to
other ministries that help and support people. The church in which I currently
serve had to begin to lock its doors, even when I am on the premises because
someone decided to use the sanctuary as a bathroom. The times, they are
a-changin.
David writes of those who minister in the Tabernacle,
especially at night. These ministers gave up on sleep so that someone would
always be present to welcome the weary traveler when they came to the
Tabernacle. Because of these people, doing their duty day or night, the welcome
mat was always out at the House of God. The traveler and worshipper could come
and offer their prayers day or night. And safety from violence was always
available at the Tabernacle of the Lord.
But there is a second message in David’s words. The
invitation to those who minister in the Temple at night to “Praise the Lord” or
Bless the Lord” could also carry the meaning of “Pray to the Lord on our
behalf.” So not only was the Tabernacle always open, prayer on behalf of the
nation was always originating from the Tabernacle. Never was there a moment in
Israel when someone was not offering a prayer on behalf of the country.
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 138 & 139
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