Psalm Meditation 1216 ¶Proper 22 ¶October 8, 2023 ¶Psalm 70 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+70&version=NRSVUE (NRSV) ¶An old joke tells of a farmer on top of his barn repairing a bad patch of roof. Suddenly, he begins to slide off and prays, “Oh God, save me!” Instantly the clasp of his bib overalls catches on a nail stopping his fall. He takes a couple of deep breaths and prays again, “Never mind God, I got this one myself.” There are times in which there is no one to turn to, except God. Even when that is the case we will often find a way to take credit for what God is doing in our lives. ¶The psalmist is under no such illusion. “But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God!” There are no extra resources available to the psalmist so the only recourse is to turn to and to depend on God for any salvation that will come in this drastic and dire situation. Any rejoicing and gladness will be because of the active, positive presence of God in this and every moment. Deliverance will come from God. At our best we will see the hand of God at work in our lives for all sorts of good. ¶When we reach the point at which there is nowhere else to turn, we can turn to God, who is always ready to help, deliver, and save us. God does not act on our behalf because we ask for it or deserve it. God acts because it is the nature of God to love us and look out for us. Our asking is more a way to open our eyes to what God is already doing in our lives and to be thankful for the loving presence that is a part of all creation. ¶October 2, 2023 ¶LCM