Psalm 149

Sing to the Lord a New Song

"4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;

  he adorns the humble with salvation.

5 Let the godly exult in glory;

  let them sing for joy on their beds.

6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats

  and two-edged swords in their hands,"

The new song we sing is that of God's salvation, and we sing it in humility as God's people.

There are no bragging rights for me today. Every team I follow, except one, lost over the last three days. North Shore HS, Texas Tech, UH, and Kansas City lost. The Minnesota Vikings won yesterday (against the Colts), but I couldn't watch that game due to the fact that I had the Falcons v 49'ers to view in my own house. Consequently, my TV was silent most of the day until the KC game last night, and it was silent most of that time.

I cannot find a common theme, except I had all the games on in my house (North Shore was broadcast on YouTube). The theme might have been worthy opponents in all but the Tech game (or Minnesota), I suppose, but the knowledgeable among you will quickly admonish me by saying "any given Sunday" or day of football (Friday and Saturday).

Humility is a hard pill to swallow, especially for men. It's not easy to admit defeat, even when the scoreboard shows it. We find ways to continue the game into the night and replay it years later to justify our stance that we were robbed (Oilers v Pittsburgh 1979), cheated (Astros), bad calls (any team that loses), or poor coaching decisions. You rarely hear we were outplayed or simply lost.

In sports, as a metaphor for life, we see the problem in the human condition. Humility is not for us. Today's passage says as a redeemed saint of God's, it is just what the doctor ordered. This week we observe "All Saint's Day," (Sunday, Nov 1). Saints in scripture are those who have gone before us. In Revelation, they are those redeemed at a tremendous cost for their faithfulness (tomorrow's reading), those who trusted in God in all they have done and are now with Jesus.

These saints give us a legacy of humility, sacrificing a portion of what they did in life for us and faith in God. They bowed at times in humility before God to serve him and to worship him, and now they live in glory with him in heaven, having gone before us.

Pray with me: Gracious Father, Heavenly God, I pray I am worthy in your sight, not by my actions or my attempts to please you, but through faith in your Son, I am humbled that you would love a mess like me, pride exhibited in every ounce of my being, to the point of sacrificing your Son, who loves me as His own, a bought and redeemed child of yours. I was bought with a price, and for that, I am humbled. Help me to share this good news with those who do not yet know you, this "double-edged sword," to bear witness and truth in your name. Amen.