Kingdom Culture

Ruth Kennedy November 02, 2024 5 4

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Psalm 126: 4-6 (MSG)

4-6 And now, God, do it again—
    bring rains to our drought-stricken lives
So those who planted their crops in despair
    will shout “Yes!” at the harvest,
So those who went off with heavy hearts
    will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.

And now, God, Do it again. 

Do what again? 

What is it the psalmist has already seen God do? What is their insight into the culture of the Kingdom of God?

When our lives are dry and wearied, burdened, without any living water, running on empty.  God transforms us so there is a river of life bringing a well of healing that never runs out. These rains refer to streams that dramatically appear after flash floods, a rapid, abundant change; arid deserts to reviving waters. God’s Kingdom culture has sudden, dramatic transformations going on it.

When the groundwork is hard with patient waiting that can bring tears, and we are investing every ounce of our hope and faith. God is growing a harvest of joy and renewal, righteousness and doing it time and again. There is a sowing and reaping cycle which God honours and we just never know what God will do with the seeds we sow, so we walk by faith and not by sight. God’s Kingdom culture has slow, generation-changing transformations going on it. 

When we think all is lost, or feel that God is in a bad mood with us… God shocks us that He is actually in a good mood with us, He is better than we think! His people are weighed down with blessings and laughter because God sings over us with delight. God’s Kingdom culture is one where there is no waste, it has continual, good transformations going on in it.

Friends, we are culture shapers and changers.  Much of the world around us wants to form, mould, bend us to fit its twisted shape, out of synchronicity with the Kingdom of God. Jesus sent out His followers to bring the Kingdom of God and its culture to earth, to every tribe and tongue throughout the ages, to change the world. That’s what we are sent out to do today. And tomorrow. And always. 

And He is with us, always. In all that Jesus gives us to do and to be.  

Let’s continue to be Spirit-led culture shapers and changers who dramatically flood, slowly and steadily seep, and shockingly transform this world with the goodness of our loving Lord Jesus. Just as the saints who have gone before us have, just as the saints who will come after us will.

Prayer:

And now, God, do it again.

Without water no plants grow, no humans live. Living Water of Life dramatically pour through me and through this land. Suddenly revive us again.

Lord of the Harvest, bring to harvest what is sown in peace and the seeds of tears. Crown us with goodness and righteousness. Slowly ripen in us again.

Jesus, you are the life and hope of the nations. You silence the shouts of the storm and blow heavy burdens off stooped backs. Awaken the depths of our love for you, making us whole and holy. Continually transform us again.

Let all the nations be glad and stand in awe of you and your signs. Do it again God.

Amen.

(Ruth says the conclusion of this prayer was inspired by Ecocongreation).