Psalm Meditation 1213 ¶Proper 19 ¶September,17 2023 ¶Psalm 85 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+85&version=NRSVUE (NRSV) ¶The people we love and care for can annoy and upset us to the point that we have to take some time away from them. It might be a few minutes and sometimes a few days. This does not mean we love these people any less, it means that we are close enough to each other that we know what buttons to push to get a serious reaction from the other. At best, taking time apart reminds us what it is we love about the other and brings us back together with a renewed intention to refrain from pushing the annoyance buttons, at least on purpose. At worst we discover that there is not enough energy from one or both of us to sustain our relationship. ¶The psalmist is convinced that God has reached the point at which there is no more energy available to be with the people previously chosen as special and set apart. This psalm sets out to convince God that there is a relationship worth salvaging, as well as convincing us that God is the source of our peace and salvation for enough us to make the effort on God’s part worth the time and energy required to love us as steadfastly as previous generations have been loved and cared for by God. ¶According to God, the steadfast love in which we are held does not waver or disintegrate at the slightest stumble on our part. And God is left to wonder why we keep asking to be let back into God’s heart and good graces when we have never been anywhere else. God is always ready to scoop us up as a loving parent scoops up a frightened, injured child to offer comfort, safety, and calm in a gentle embrace. God loves us, we can relax and be at peace. ¶September 13, 2023 ¶LCM