Psalm Meditation 663
Third Sunday in Lent
March 3, 2013

Psalm 57
1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by.
2 I cry to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
3 He will send from heaven and save me, he will put to shame those who trample on me. (Selah) God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness.
4 I lie down among lions that greedily devour human prey; their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongues sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.
6 They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my path, but they have fallen into it themselves. (Selah)
7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make melody.
8 Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn.
9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10 For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.
(NRSV)

In the midst of the worst situation we take comfort in the presence of God. We know that the presence of God and the support of God’s people lightens the burden we are called upon to carry. That has not always been the case. Previous generations of faithful people have seen God’s presence and love as conditional. When they did well, God was with us, when they turned from God they were judged and abandoned. We find ourselves wondering if they might be right, ‘what could we have done to deserve the terrible thing that is happening?’ Then we experience God’s presence and know that God’s love is unconditional.

God does not keep us from harm so much as God is with us in all times and places. God offers presence rather than protection. As our childhood fears were lessened by the comforting presence of a parent or older sibling, we find that an awareness of the presence of God gives us comfort as we face any current darkness.

God is with us. That doesn’t mean we won’t face problems so much as it means we won’t face those problems alone. A supportive community serves to remind us of God’s presence by surrounding us with love and care, simply being there with us and for us. Knowing that we are loved with the steadfast love of God touches and lifts our hearts out of the shadows and above the storms. Our problems do not disappear, but we face them with the assurance of the presence and love of God.

February 25, 2013