Through the Bible in one year - Day 2

Psalm 1:4

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Sitting in my chair in the sunny window the other day, I watched as the wind blew the softest and lightest particles of snow across the top of the frozen back yard. This is what I thought of as I read this verse today from Psalm 1. I have a friend who has put this Psalm to music and I hear his voice often as I read this, the first of the Psalms. Today, however I was stopped by this idea of the chaff being blown away by the wind. A Little further we read in verse 6: for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. What chaff do we have in our lives that is in need of the Lord’s wind to blow away, to keep us from suffering this same fate?

In Genesis we are resting on the seventh day, before reading of the creation of Man and Woman – and they shall be made one flesh and leave their families to forge a new one together; in Chronicles we continue reading of the lineage from Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob…and now through to David.

And yesterday in Luke we read of Zechariah being visited by the Angel Gabriel, while today we have Mary after her visit from this same Angel going to see her cousin Elizabeth. This Angel is a fearsome visitor if everyone who hears from him is sore afraid. I spoke with my niece once who was having trouble sleeping and talked to her about the angels round about; she and her sister had recently sung in a Christmas pageant and were mindful of the effect Angels had on those they visited. My niece was reassured to know that these fearsome protectors were set to guard her while she slept – and I think she found solace in the knowledge, I know I would if the need arose.

So, here at the end of the second chapter of Luke we hear Mary sing:

 “My soul magnifies the Lord,

     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,

    and holy is his name.

 And his mercy is for those who fear him

    from generation to generation.

 He has shown strength with his arm;

    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones

    and exalted those of humble estate;

 he has filled the hungry with good things,

    and the rich he has sent away empty.

 He has helped his servant Israel,

    in remembrance of his mercy,

 as he spoke to our fathers,

    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

For today, then I see that reading of these forefathers at the same time as Mary’s rejoicing brings a clearer understanding of who these people were – and at the same time I am mindful of the need not to be blown away like the chaff or sent away empty from His throne.

Today’s readings Psalm 1, Genesis 2, 1 Chronicles 2, Luke 1:26-56