Love God. Love neighbor. Some things never change. Though technology and scientific discovery have reached the stars, or at least other planets, in the past couple thousand years since the bible was compiled human nature has not changed much. The same questions and longings persist.
It is why much of the bible is both timeless and timely. A living word to us today in our situations and circumstances. At Lutherock last week we emphasized with the youth how invaluable the book of Psalms is in capturing almost every human thought and emotion in their 150 Psalms. Long before there was “an app for that” or “a plan for that” there is almost always a Psalm for “that”. Close to 3000 years ago someone mused “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” Psalm 8:3-4
One of my favorites is Psalm 121:1-2, “I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
The Book of Psalms has praises and lamentations, questions and responses (and the occasional silence!); truly a Psalm for almost any occasion.
But back to loving God and loving our neighbor. If parts of the bible are confusing to you, know this: the Book of Psalms was Jesus’ prayer book. And the two greatest commands Jesus said are to love God and to love our neighbor. That’s a great starting point for us all.
God’s peace & hope,
Pastor Jon