Questioning Psalms

Scripture: Psalm 77:1-20 (NRSV)

We can say that Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon. Or that George Washington crossed the Delaware River. But with Israel, we say: “God brought us through the waters of the Red Sea.” Sure, God used Moses to do it—but it was God who made the sea dry ground. And God parted my Red Sea. God helped me pick up the pieces after a bad break. God got us through the pandemic. God.

From our Jewish heritage, we learn about a hands-on faith, one that’s engaged, active, and interactive. Where we wrestle with God and plunge ourselves into faith and life—in all its rawness, contradictions, and swirling chaos. God doesn’t want us to passively receive our faith and leave it untouched, to settle for memorized answers, head nodding, and checked boxes. To find meaningful answers, you’ve got to contend with God, with yourself, with the world. To speak up and speak out in the right place and time—giving words to your doubts and disgust.

In other words, God invites us to roll up our sleeves and duke it out. Not a fight, but a good argument. Ask personal questions. Get a little uncomfortable, even heated. It’s a sign that you care, that God cares.

August 15, 2021 – Online Service Bulletin and Bible Study

Sermon Art: “The Train Crossed the Red Sea from Exodus, 1966″ by Marc Chagall

All of our sermons are available in our Library of Sermons.

Other Sermons In This Series

Thanksgiving Psalms

August 01, 2021

Praise Psalms

September 05, 2021

Blues Psalms

August 29, 2021