Where is your passion?

September 18, 2009

Where is your passion?

Psalm 97

Erik Bahr

Central Truth

Anything we put more value, excitement, energy, time, or effort toward than our praise to our God is wasted.

For you, O Lord, are the sovereign king over the whole earth;
you are elevated high above all gods.
(Psalm 97:9)

The LORD Reigns

1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
    let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
    righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
    and burns up his adversaries all around.
4 His lightnings light up the world;
    the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
    before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
    and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
    who make their boast in worthless idols;
    worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion hears and is glad,
    and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
    because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;
    you are exalted far above all gods.

10 O you who love the LORD, hate evil!
    He preserves the lives of his saints;
    he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown^{1

97:11
Most Hebrew manuscripts; one Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint, Syriac, Jerome Light dawns} for the righteous,
    and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous,
    and give thanks to his holy name!

Footnotes

[1] 97:11 Most Hebrew manuscripts; one Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint, Syriac, Jerome Light dawns

It's a weekend in early fall (not that Texas has a true fall, but the weather is soon to become cooler) and this is part of a 10-12 week stretch of some of my favorite Saturdays of the year. The reason: football. Not high school (which I really enjoy) or the NFL (which I tolerate), but college football. I don't think that any group of fans has a greater passion than those who love college football.

And that is a problem?! Yes, it is, because as I read this passage I thought, “Well sure, I need to rejoice and love God more and more each day because of the grace that He has offered me through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection." I know that God reigns, and I need to acknowledge that daily. But do I crave Him? Do I desire to know Him more each day, and do I produce the fruit that reflects that passion?

I must confess that I struggle doing this with consistency. For me, football is easy to get excited about! But why do I at times struggle to get as excited for my Savior? The psalmist makes it super clear in Psalm 97. God reigns! He is a dominating, blitzing, suffocating defense. He is a super-powered spread offense. He is #1 in the AP, USA Today, and the BCS, not just from August to January—but for eternity. And if we are not worshiping God like we worship football in Austin, Lincoln, Fort Worth, Norman, or whatever college town we name, it's not enough.

1. What are you most passionate about?

2. What “idols” do you have in your life that you need to put in a proper perspective?

3. Is your energy as high for your relationship with God as it is for your deepest passions?

4. Are others aware of your struggles, and do they encourage you to grow more and more each day as a Christ follower?