Oxygen from Psalm 33:10-22

The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations
and thwarts all their schemes.
But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever;
his intentions can never be shaken.
What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD,
whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
The LORD looks down from heaven
and sees the whole human race.
From his throne he observes
all who live on the earth.
He made their hearts,
so he understands everything they do.
The best-equipped army cannot save a king,
nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—
for all its strength, it cannot save you.
But the LORD watches over those who fear him,
those who rely on his unfailing love.
He rescues them from death
and keeps them alive in times of famine.
We put our hope in the LORD.
He is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
Let your covenant love surround us, LORD,
for our hope is in you alone.
Psalm 33:10-22

Sovereign God:
The nations are frustrated,
mired in debt, poor job creation;
just when we need the voice of reason
campaign rhetoric is now in season.
Save us from tribal divisions
that blame each other for omissions,
that test your sovereign grace
with lying lips, arrogant face,
as though a single man
or political party plan
could bring us back from the precipise.

You set the times and boundaries
for every nation's ascendency
and decline as fits your plan;
the heavenly purpose for every land:
to reveal your justice, truth, (Acts 17:26-27)
to punish the vile and uncouth,
and reward the good, provide relief,
regardless of their belief,
Providential care out-poured
from Earth's true King and Lord,
who waits not for us to choose,
for if he did, we would lose
every chance of peace and solace.

He understands the way we are
for he made us, knows our hearts.
Does that mean God made me queer?
Not at all, be drawn near
and find the answers of confused identity,
peace from one you thought Enemy,
who offered up the sacrifice
of the Perfect Lamb, the price of freedom paid.

So let me sing and raise my voice
not of my country or my choice,
but let my song forever be
of my sovereign's choice of me,
not for anything I have done
but for the pleasure of His Son,
who's covenant love and faithfulness
is stronger than any warrior's horse,
greater than any army horde,
who dares stand against the Lord,
whose Anointed lives and reigns,
our only hope, His unfailing love.

Amen.

Oxygen from Psalm 33:1-9: Worship for a New Creation

You righteous in Christ, sing for joy!
His upright love to praise him.
Praise the LORD with strings,
make music for him on the ten-string.
Sing a new song of praise to him;
play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
For the Word of the LORD holds true,
and we can trust everything he does.
He loves whatever is just and good;
Christ's covenant love fills the earth.
Yahweh merely spoke,
and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
and all the stars were born.
He gathered the seas to their boundaries
and filled the deep mines with treasures.
Let the whole world fear the LORD,
and let everyone stand in awe of him.
When he spoke, the world began.
It appeared at his command.
Psalm  33:1-9

Gracious, Ever-Faithful God:

What has happened to our worship praise?
Read from books and slides and overlays?
Please don't wake the snoring!
Who made worship boring?
Why veneration of human tradition
as if God's new creation
could be confined to pew-sitting watchers
of some Chrysostomic cleric,
protected by ancient liturgy
from rebutal or from question?

Rock 'n roll worship is far worse,
shunning truth for sing-song verse,
appealing to the rock concert crowd,
entertainment played quite loud,
Bible as self-help advice,
"Do more, try harder, be nice,"
the weekly message from the pulpit,
bootstraps R us -- how to stop it.
How to cease the rot of culture
transforming church into transgendered bride?

Where is skill?  Where the excellence?
Where the new song played with brilliance?
Where the overwhelming awe,
and Gospel truth about our flaws;
my quaking hand laid on my prize lamb,
knife to neck, it's life for mine?
No hocus pocus; but laser focus
on the blood that was shed for me.

Holy Spirit, infuse my worship,
with joy and song, here I belong!
Gather those made righteous by Christ's decree
like You gathered primordal seas,
and set the boundaries of our love
to the expanse of your good and justice.

Give us new songs for new creation,
hover, Holy Spirit, end lamentation;
Take us as far as we may go
in our temples here below.
Meet us in the courtyards of holiness,
near enough for You to bless us,
not holed up in sanctuaries,
but exposed to light and air and world,
exposed to Gospel grace, Your Word proclaim,
recreating all the fallen,
known to You by name,
inheritors of redemption's age.

Amen

Oxygen from Psalm 32:8-9

Yahweh says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”



Gracious God,

I am not a thoroughbred, sleek and fast;
no war horse me, built to last,
or ignore the battle's blast,
but stubborn mule, made to pull,
biggie ears, braying fool,
prone to wander off alone.

Yet You harness my potential,
fit me with Your bit and bridle,
by Your Word you take control.
lead me to your healing streams,
bathe my wounds and wash my dreams,
restore my strength and vision.

When first you gave to me Your bit
I did not like it's taste or fit.
Unfair, I grumbled, spit it out.
But you persisted my refusal,
comforted, soothed, made me useful;
freedom now a run in harnass.

Guide me on Your chosen path,
Pioneer and Faith Perfector,
past the ambush of defectors
to wide prairies of endless vistas,
and with faithful brothers, sisters,
ride into a sunrise of delight.

Amen.