Resurrection Songs - Week 5: "Come and Listen"

IT’S STILL THE SEASON OF EASTER—CHRIST IS RISEN!

Over the past few weeks, we have asked: What does living as Resurrection People mean? How does the Resurrection of Jesus transform our lives and the world? 

This study of the lectionary Psalms for the Season of Easter answers the questions and more. 

We have been connecting these “Resurrection Songs” that we find in the Hebrew Scriptures with songs in our own lives that help us live into the hope we have in Christ in a world that needs a word of hope and a whole lot of grace, peace, and love. 

These Resurrection songs remind us of the power of songs in our own lives—the songs we sing or have been sung to us… reminding us who we are. 

Today we will be exploring Psalm 66 and learning about the power of the Resurrection to give us another chance to sing--even when we feel like we have no songs left in us. 

So what are the best songs about second chances?  In your opinion.  Let's make a playlist.  I'm going to write these down.  

One of my favorite second-chance songs is "Long And Winding Road" by the Beatles.  I actually feel like a sing-along; how about y'all?

The thing about these kinds of songs is that they either remind us of the second chances we've gotten in life or help us hold on to hope when we need a second chance.  

Every single one of us, no matter what we've done, how bad we've screwed up, or what has been done to us... we have another chance to sing.  And we have that chance because of the Resurrection and what it means for you, me, and everyone.  

RESURRECTION GIVES US ANOTHER CHANCE TO SING OUR STORY

Psalm 66:8-20

One: 66:8 Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard,

Many: 66:9 who has kept us among the living, and has not let our feet slip.

One: 66:10 For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.

Many: 66:11 You brought us into the net; you laid burdens on our backs;

One: 66:12 you let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a spacious place.

Many: 66:13 I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will pay you my vows,

One: 66:14 those that my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.

Many: 66:15 I will offer to you burnt offerings of fatlings, with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams; I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah

One: 66:16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for me.

Many: 66:17 I cried aloud to him, and he was extolled with my tongue.

One: 66:18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

Many: 66:19 But truly God has listened; he has given heed to the words of my prayer.

All: 66:20 Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me.

This Psalm helps us understand that God's overall victory over all of the world's darkness means that God intervenes in communities.  Likewise, God's actions for communities have implications for individuals. 

"As silver is tried" - refined by difficulty.  We can't sugarcoat suffering.  We shouldn't.  We spend way too much time trying to avoid pain in our culture. 

Mistakes were made--stuff happened--and yet, God leads to "spaciousness" or abundance.  This is God's desire for all of us.  

Life takes on new value in light of restoration.  When we get another chance to sing our song, we sing it with all our might. 

"Come and Listen" - the compelling invitation by someone who knows what second chance looks like. 

The God of Second Chances—What Does This Mean For Us?

1. It’s never too late for a do-over—no matter what has happened.  
2. You don’t just get one second chance—God’s hesed never runs out. 
3. Sing your story of second chances every chance you get. 

Second-chance stories are worth repeating... 

    And because of the Resurrection, we all get out on time at the mic

“Many people die with their music still in them. Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it time runs out.” - Oliver Wendell Holmes

RESURRECTION GIVES US ANOTHER CHANCE TO SING OUR STORY