Psalm Meditation 506
Second Sunday in Lent
February 28, 2010
Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills-- from where will my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.
(NRSV)
There is no guarantee in this psalm that life will be easy, simply that God will be with us and that things will work out for us as we are faithful and open to the presence and leading of God. This doesn’t mean that things will work out the way we might want them to according to some plan we may have for our lives, only that it will work out. God will continue to be with no matter what choices we make and will continue to offer us the highest and the best possibilities available to us.
It is not God who will let our feet be moved so much as we will waver in our effort and resolve to be faithful people. We will make choices between the easy way and the faithful way on a regular basis. They will both be attractive choices for their own reasons. Our easy way choices will erode the foundations of our faithfulness and we will slip. God will call us, invite us to make the faithful choice the next time. God will always have a heart tuned toward relationship with us and wants us to desire that relationship as well.
In the midst of all the temptations that will come our way on a daily basis God is with us. We may wander into dangerous territory and God will offer us a way that leads away from evil and that leads toward wholeness and abundance of life. God’s way leads us into some interesting, delightful, evil and dangerous places so that we can find wholeness, bring it to others and receive it from their hands all at the same time.
© February 22, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Psalm Meditation 505
First Sunday in Lent
February 21, 2010
Psalm 96
1 O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.
4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9 Worship the LORD in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, "The LORD is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity."
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the LORD; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.
(NRSV)
Since I grew up in large membership congregations and have served small to mid sized congregations I have learned a variety of hymns. This means I will sometimes, perhaps often pick hymns that a particular congregation does not know. Especially in the weeks in which I pick more than one unfamiliar hymn I hear comments and complaints about all these new songs. I have threatened to have a week in which we sing songs that have never been new. This means that we will not sing that week. Most of the time the exchanges are based in fun and they are based in our basic dislike for new things.
The psalmist invites us to sing a new song. We can join in this psalm enthusiastically because we like new things in theory. When new things keep us from doing favorite old things we begin to have a problem. This is not to say that God does not deserve new songs or that we don’t want to find new ways to sing God’s praises so much as it is a painful reminder that we don’t like to be surprised by newness. If we have had some say in things and some control over them we are more willing to give new things a try, however having new things sprung on us will be unnerving to most of us.
Fortunately God is pretty gentle with us most of the time and introduces changes slowly and in small steps. We can handle a small step and a gradual change and every now and then we can handle a large scale change that comes as a major surprise. When big things happen all at once we can get overwhelmed. In those times it is good and comforting to know that through it all God is with us and can comfort us even as we go through head spinning change whether it is good or bad or a bit of each. At some point, after the changes have gone from massive to more gradual we can see again that God is good and that God is present. When we see that God has been with us through all the good and the bad we can sing a new song that is deeper and richer than what we could sing before.
© February 15, 2010
First Sunday in Lent
February 21, 2010
Psalm 96
1 O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.
4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9 Worship the LORD in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, "The LORD is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity."
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the LORD; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.
(NRSV)
Since I grew up in large membership congregations and have served small to mid sized congregations I have learned a variety of hymns. This means I will sometimes, perhaps often pick hymns that a particular congregation does not know. Especially in the weeks in which I pick more than one unfamiliar hymn I hear comments and complaints about all these new songs. I have threatened to have a week in which we sing songs that have never been new. This means that we will not sing that week. Most of the time the exchanges are based in fun and they are based in our basic dislike for new things.
The psalmist invites us to sing a new song. We can join in this psalm enthusiastically because we like new things in theory. When new things keep us from doing favorite old things we begin to have a problem. This is not to say that God does not deserve new songs or that we don’t want to find new ways to sing God’s praises so much as it is a painful reminder that we don’t like to be surprised by newness. If we have had some say in things and some control over them we are more willing to give new things a try, however having new things sprung on us will be unnerving to most of us.
Fortunately God is pretty gentle with us most of the time and introduces changes slowly and in small steps. We can handle a small step and a gradual change and every now and then we can handle a large scale change that comes as a major surprise. When big things happen all at once we can get overwhelmed. In those times it is good and comforting to know that through it all God is with us and can comfort us even as we go through head spinning change whether it is good or bad or a bit of each. At some point, after the changes have gone from massive to more gradual we can see again that God is good and that God is present. When we see that God has been with us through all the good and the bad we can sing a new song that is deeper and richer than what we could sing before.
© February 15, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Psalm Meditation 504
Transfiguration Sunday
February 14, 2010
Psalm 71:1-10,17-24
1 In you, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me.
3 Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
6 Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you.
7 I have been like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all day long.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent.
10 For my enemies speak concerning me, and those who watch for my life consult together.
17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come. Your power
19 and your righteousness, O God, reach the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?
20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.
21 You will increase my honor, and comfort me once again.
22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have rescued.
24 All day long my tongue will talk of your righteous help, for those who tried to do me harm have been put to shame, and disgraced.
(NRSV)
I am not sure if the change is a pendulum shift from one to the other and back again or if it a more permanent change in our view of God. In one view God gives good things to good people and bad things to bad people; so if bad things are happening to you then you must be a bad person. In the other view things happen that are good and bad and God is with us no matter what. Faithful people are aware of the presence of God and other people struggle along in good and bad times believing they are on their own. In this psalm the psalmist knows that God is a refuge and source of strength and calls on God to be an overpowering presence in this time.
Does God forsake us when we do bad things and leave us to struggle on alone until such time as we have pulled ourselves together and clawed our way back to the presence of God by our good behavior? I know there are parents who turn icy to their children when they do not live up to the standards the parent has set. I also know the children resent those parents who expect from their children what they cannot do themselves. If God is like that I am in deep trouble.
Does God remain present with us no matter what and it is we who get sidetracked, lose focus and feel abandoned because we have lost sight of God? I am told that what children cannot see does not exist for them. This explains why they tend to walk behind their parents in large crowds so that they can keep their parents from disappearing. We may know better, however that does not keep us from acting as if what we cannot see does not exist. God is ever present in our lives. God leads, guides and points the way while not forcing us to go that way. God loves us and is present with us no matter what. At our best we are open to God’s presence and take refuge in the rock and fortress that is the presence of God.
© February 8, 2010
Transfiguration Sunday
February 14, 2010
Psalm 71:1-10,17-24
1 In you, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me.
3 Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
6 Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you.
7 I have been like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all day long.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent.
10 For my enemies speak concerning me, and those who watch for my life consult together.
17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come. Your power
19 and your righteousness, O God, reach the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?
20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.
21 You will increase my honor, and comfort me once again.
22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have rescued.
24 All day long my tongue will talk of your righteous help, for those who tried to do me harm have been put to shame, and disgraced.
(NRSV)
I am not sure if the change is a pendulum shift from one to the other and back again or if it a more permanent change in our view of God. In one view God gives good things to good people and bad things to bad people; so if bad things are happening to you then you must be a bad person. In the other view things happen that are good and bad and God is with us no matter what. Faithful people are aware of the presence of God and other people struggle along in good and bad times believing they are on their own. In this psalm the psalmist knows that God is a refuge and source of strength and calls on God to be an overpowering presence in this time.
Does God forsake us when we do bad things and leave us to struggle on alone until such time as we have pulled ourselves together and clawed our way back to the presence of God by our good behavior? I know there are parents who turn icy to their children when they do not live up to the standards the parent has set. I also know the children resent those parents who expect from their children what they cannot do themselves. If God is like that I am in deep trouble.
Does God remain present with us no matter what and it is we who get sidetracked, lose focus and feel abandoned because we have lost sight of God? I am told that what children cannot see does not exist for them. This explains why they tend to walk behind their parents in large crowds so that they can keep their parents from disappearing. We may know better, however that does not keep us from acting as if what we cannot see does not exist. God is ever present in our lives. God leads, guides and points the way while not forcing us to go that way. God loves us and is present with us no matter what. At our best we are open to God’s presence and take refuge in the rock and fortress that is the presence of God.
© February 8, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Psalm Meditation 503
Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
February 7, 2010
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD; see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
(NRSV)
I have an image of a wildlife refuge with the animals pressed against the fence taunting hunters with their presence on the edge. I wonder how many of us stand on the fringes of the refuge of God and wonder why it is we are so sorely tempted by the people, places and things right next to us on the other side of the fence. We stand with our noses outside the fence and our fingers intermeshed with the links. We spend our time looking out at all that we are missing and wonder why the presence of God feels like a cage instead of a refuge.
The psalmist is encouraging us to turn around so that we can enjoy all there is to experience on the God side of the fence. There are rivers and cities and new dawns and there is desolation. There is something for every mood and temperament within the refuge of God. It is up to us to move away from the fence wondering what we are missing out there, move into the heart of the refuge to discover what we have been missing in there. God is waiting to be God for us.
In the midst of all the wondering and wandering it does us well to stop from time to time and simply be. There are folks who are more comfortable doing and others more comfortable being, however we each have to do the other from time to time. Sometimes we do well to stop all the hustle and bustle and allow the presence of God to wash over us and through us so that we can do what we do in the assurance of God’s abiding presence.
© February 1, 2010
Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
February 7, 2010
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD; see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
(NRSV)
I have an image of a wildlife refuge with the animals pressed against the fence taunting hunters with their presence on the edge. I wonder how many of us stand on the fringes of the refuge of God and wonder why it is we are so sorely tempted by the people, places and things right next to us on the other side of the fence. We stand with our noses outside the fence and our fingers intermeshed with the links. We spend our time looking out at all that we are missing and wonder why the presence of God feels like a cage instead of a refuge.
The psalmist is encouraging us to turn around so that we can enjoy all there is to experience on the God side of the fence. There are rivers and cities and new dawns and there is desolation. There is something for every mood and temperament within the refuge of God. It is up to us to move away from the fence wondering what we are missing out there, move into the heart of the refuge to discover what we have been missing in there. God is waiting to be God for us.
In the midst of all the wondering and wandering it does us well to stop from time to time and simply be. There are folks who are more comfortable doing and others more comfortable being, however we each have to do the other from time to time. Sometimes we do well to stop all the hustle and bustle and allow the presence of God to wash over us and through us so that we can do what we do in the assurance of God’s abiding presence.
© February 1, 2010
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