Welcome to the weekend, Seeds of Faith community!
Because this is a reflection on scripture using the SOAP method (Scripture-Observation-Application-Prayer), part of the purpose is sharing an example of what you might practice in your own scripture reading. So, the weekend invitation is to practice your own SOAP reflection.
Each weekend, I share a passage of scripture to work from. If you’re up for sharing in the comments, I’d love to see what you come up with. This week the prompt is Psalm 122, which you’ll find below. If you share, please copy and paste the sentence or phrase you are reflecting on.
Brief guidelines for a good practice:
The Basic Method. Pick a sentence or phrase in the scripture passage that stands out to you. Write down something you observe going on in that sentence or phrase. Reflect on how that observation gives insight that might apply to your faith and life. Write a short prayer about that.
Observe Well. Think about what the sentences and phrases are saying and not saying. Take care also not to extrapolate more than is there.
Stay Balanced. Focus on the particular scripture while keeping the whole witness of scripture (as well as you know it) in mind. Isolating a verse or passage from the whole can lead us to heresies, but reading each verse or passage deeply and well makes for a robust understanding of the whole. This is one purpose of the early creeds (Apostles’ and Nicene)—they summarize the major points of Christian scripture and doctrine so as to help us read individual biblical passages faithfully.
Psalm 122
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up—
the tribes of the Lord—
to praise the name of the Lord
according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There stand the thrones for judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your prosperity.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
If you liked this post from Seeds of Faith, why not share it and/or subscribe?
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 122
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
OBSERVATION:
A few words stand out to me this morning: “with those” and “let us.” I find it easy to worship God in my own little cocoon sometimes - whether during my devotion time, on a walk, even during worship services. This verse reminds me of the importance of community in our faith, reminds me that I need join with others and share my joy, not keep it to myself.
PRAYER:
Holy Father, you have created this amazing world for us, not just me. You sent your Son to save us, not just me. You have promised room in your house for us, not just me. Keep me mindful of the plurality of the recipients of your grace and guide me to rejoicing alongside all my brothers and sisters. When I feel your Spirit within me, guide me to sharing that gift.
In the name of Jesus, our Savior, amen.
SCRIPTURE:
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.
OBSERVATION:
I have chosen the first verse to highlight what I believe the whole Psalm represents and that is when we gather together to worship, whether in church on Sundays, other times, other places, we are in the presence of God. He is with us.
APPLICATION: God’s presence is with us here on earth and we should worship Him daily and not wait until judgment day when the gates of the New Jerusalem (Heaven) are thrown open.
PRAYER:
Lord, remain with me everyday. I am so thankful to have you near. Amen