2 Reflections on the story so far:
1--Why does God keep retelling the same story?
We saw it first with Adam, then Noah, with Israel in the wilderness, with Israel in the PL during the time of the judges. And now we see it even after a king from Judah sits on the throne of Israel. Why have all of these new beginnings–these Eden reboots–failed? Because the enemy within must also be crushed. Rebellion is bound up in the hearts of humanity. And these repeated stories show us just how bad the problem of sin is, because we don’t always believe it, but our greatest enemy is not the wretched curse on the world. It’s arguably not even the snake–we’ve seen his impotence in his multiple failed efforts to prevent the birth of the one who will crush him. It’s not his offspring who are the biggest threat. No, the biggest threat facing humanity is our own traitorous heart, and the desires we have–to cast off God’s cords and bonds and to make ourselves King in his place. How will the King of Glory crush this enemy–the one that is so entwined around the hearts even of his chosen nation? You’ll have to keep reading to find out. But just remember–these Eden reboots all failed because of sin. Not because of the snake–though he is crafty and he will certainly use the curse on the ground and our own evil inclinations against us–but ultimately these Eden reboots failed because of sin, the enemy within. And because we are slow to understand and believe, God keeps telling the same story.
2--Notice how many ways God repackages the story to drive home his message–that in spite of our sin, he loves us and wants to be with us. He speaks of his love for his people like the love a Father has for his children. He speaks of his love for his people like a husband has for his wife. He speaks of his love for his people like a shepherd has for his flock. He’ll repackage this message over and over again, so that the truth of it begins to dawn on our darkened minds and we finally believe it–that God really loves us! And despite everything–the evil attempts of the snake, the multiplication of his offspring, the curse of death that hangs over us, even our own wayward hearts–despite all of this, he will send the King of Glory to crush all these enemies and deliver us from their enslaving power–so that we can be with God, joyful and glad of heart for all the prosperity he grants to his people through their great King of Glory!
Psalm 118, A Song of Steadfast Love. Pam Larson, March 24, 2021
Psalm 77, A Song for the Doubting, Charisse Compton, March 17, 2021
Psalm 80, A Song of Restoration. Pam Larson, March 10, 2021
Psalm 46, Charisse Compton. A Song for the Fearful, March 3, 2021
Psalm 40, A Song for the Waiting. Pam Larson, February 24, 2021
Psalm 22, A Song for the Suffering. Charisse Compton, February 17, 2021
Psalm 8, A Song of Praise. Pam Larson, February 10, 2021
Psalms 1 and 2, A Song For the Blessed. Charisse Compton, Feb 2, 2021
Colossians 1:1-14, Week 2, Abigail Dodds
Galatians 6:11-18 A Grace-filled, Cross-Centered Gospel Goodbye, Pam Larson (4-24-2020)
Galatians 6:1-10 Burden-bearing, Pam Larson (4-10-2020)
North MOMS: How to Teach the Gospel During a Pandemic, Barbara Reaoch (4-7-2020)
Galatians 5:13-26, Our Freedom, Our Fight, Our Flesh and God’s Fruit in Our Lives, Pam Larson, 3.27.2020
North MOMS: The False Gospel of Feminism, Adrien Segal (3-17-2020)
Galatians 5:1-12 Christ is All or Christ is Nothing (Pam Larson)
Galatians 4:21-5:1 Children of Promise, Stand Firm (Jacque Boldt)
Galatians 4:12-20 Become as I am!! In Christ ... Christ in you! (Pam Larson)
Galatians 4:1-11 Redeemed to be adopted: No longer a slave (Jacque Boldt)
Galatians 3:15-29 Promise and Law: Leading Us to Jesus (Pam Larson)
Galatians 3:10-14 Jesus took our curse, Jacque Boldt
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