Psalm Meditation 1217 ¶Proper 23 ¶October 15, 2023 ¶Psalm 77 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+77&version=NRSVUE (NRSV) ¶When we are surrounded by chaos and catastrophe it is easy to lose sight of God, at least to lose sight of God’s positive characteristics. We feel lost, unloved, and abandoned as if we will never again see the light of day. We find ourselves questioning the motives and actions of God in our lives. So many thoughts and feelings rise up within us that we feel as if we are beginning to shrivel up and turn to dust. There must be something that can be done to pull us out of this pit that has become our lot. ¶The psalmist determines to change focus from the doldrums of the present to the wonders of the past. By remembering that each time God has seemed to abandon the chosen people there comes a time of renewed blessing into their lives. What appears to be the darkness of a grave, may be the darkness of a cocoon from which a new and beautiful creature will emerge. The bringers and carriers of chaos and destruction are put to rout and we are able to see glimmers of hope sparkle around us. ¶When we find the first glimmer of hope, it opens our eyes to the next one and the next one. Our actual circumstances and situation may not have changed at all, yet knowing that God is present within and among us allows us to see that the darkness is not as dark as it seems when we peer into it alone. We often discover that in the presence of God we are not alone. Not only is God with us, there are other companions for the journey who will stand with us as we offer mutual support in the name of God. ¶October 9, 2023 ¶LCM