Psalm Meditation 1224 ¶First Sunday of Advent ¶December 3, 2023 ¶Psalm 90 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+90&version=NRSVUE (NRSV) ¶As a child, I thought anger was based in dislike, distaste, hate, all of those negative relationship markers. If someone was angry with me, it was best to avoid them so as not to give them any more reasons to dislike me more than they already did. I was not particularly aware of the concept of apology at the time I have conjured up in my memory. So, the best plan of action against anger was avoidance, and not a little fuming and pouting about the anger directed toward me. ¶As an adult, I have discovered that most, if not all, anger is based in fear. (It is a simplified way of dealing with emotions, that works for some of us.) When I am afraid a loved one is on the verge of doing something different, foolish or dangerous my first reaction is anger. When I am able to discern what it is that I am afraid of, I can let go of the anger and deal with the fear in a more helpful way. ¶The psalmist knows that God is a long time place of refuge from the hurts of daily living, and in this moment knows that things are not going according to plan. In that case, God has pushed us away in anger for some misdeed of ours, and we have to live with the knowledge that God, out of anger, will place limits on our lives, and we will be helpless to change that. Giving God the same emotional baggage that many of us carry is not a very helpful view of God’s stability among us. God does get angry, upset, irritated with us, but never to the point of pushing us away. God loves us beyond measure, simple as that. ¶November 27, 2023 ¶LCM

Psalm Meditation 1223 ¶Reign of Christ ¶November 26, 2023 ¶Psalm 83 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+83&version=NRSVUE (NRSV) ¶Aesop has a fable of the sun and the north wind arguing over which is stronger. To settle the question they agree to see which of them can get a man’s cloak off. The wind goes first and attempts to blow the cloak off of the man. In response he pulls it more tightly around himself. When the sun takes a turn, it sends warmth to the man so that he takes off his cloak, and the sun is declared the winner. It is Aesop’s way of reminding us that use of force is not an effective way to get things done. ¶The psalmist wants God to behave the way human rulers do by using force to accomplish a goal. We like to believe that the use of force works. While force may keep enemies at bay for a time, it is rarely a permanent solution. Eventually, the use of force turns into bullying and we have lots of enemies and very few friends, except those we have bought and paid for in some way. Lucky for us, God does not behave the way human rulers do, and is amazingly patient with each and all of us. ¶Psalms like this one are helpful when we are angry with others and, for now, want them to be destroyed and swept from the earth and everyone’s memory. They let us get the anger out of our system as they let us know that we are not the first or only ones to ever want an enemy destroyed. As the anger dissipates we are better able to see the more positive way that God is at work in our lives and in the world. ¶November 21, 2023 ¶LCM

Psalm Meditation 1222 ¶Proper 28 ¶November 19, 2023 ¶Psalm 76 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+76&version=NRSVUE (NRSV) ¶There is something powerful about anger, especially when we can call it righteous indignation. Righteous anger is both good and justifiable. When God is acting in righteous indignation we know that the focus of God’s anger is really going to get it, and is really going to deserve it. We like the image of the protagonist, God in this case, striding into the conflict slashing all those who deserve it while protecting and rescuing all the innocents and underdogs caught up in this mortal combat. ¶Is that really the God we want? The one who holds in the wrath and rage until it breaks free and wreaks havoc on all the bad guys while leaving the good people stunned, afraid, and maybe a little excited that our God can wipe the ground with our enemies. My preference is for one who can stop the conflict with a word. If the word does not put a stop to the conflict, I want a God who is willing to be the sacrifice that draws us all up short. The one whose sacrifice draws all sides to stop in horror at what we have done to each other. ¶These war psalms are a great adrenaline rush as we watch YHWH vanquish our foes, leaving us to praise God for this decisive victory on our behalf. God is not content with the short, violent resolution. God is more intent on the long view, what it takes to get every side to see others as persons of sacred worth. We can let our hearts thrill, and our pulses quicken with this view of a warrior God, however, it is not the God of Scripture or experience. YHWH is the God who uses anger as an energizer for healing our hurts. ¶November 13, 2023 ¶LCM

Psalm Meditation 1221 ¶Proper 27 ¶November 12, 2023 ¶Psalm 105 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+105&version=NRSVUE (NRSV) ¶When things are going well and it would be easy to give thanks to God we tend to forget how great a hand God has in providing all the goodness with which we are surrounded. All these good things were earned through our own effort, we owe nothing to anyone, all the while forgetting that it is God who created the things we have worked so long and hard to achieve. When we are surrounded by all sorts of good things we really don’t need anyone else, including God. Or so we think. We need workers to build and support the product. We need customers and consumers to make our product necessary. These are just a few of the people we need in order to be self-made successes. ¶When things are rough and giving thanks to God for all the good things we need and want would be a good thing, we let a touch of bitterness creep in. All those good things are a stumbling block between us and God. ‘If only God were more responsive to my needs I could have nicer stuff.’ We may have times of need in which the extras of life are beyond our grasp. We can still be grateful for all the intangibles that cannot be bought and sold. We can be grateful that God is with us in every time and place. ¶The psalmist calls us to give thanks for all of God’s gifts and actions in every time. The psalm continues with the story of the exodus from captivity to freedom and the ways in which God was active through it all. When things seem dark and bleak, God is with us, loving us and giving us the courage to move forward. When things are bright and cheery, God is with us, loving us and rejoicing with us in our good fortune. It is our gratitude that keeps us focused on the good things that are available to us. ¶November 7, 2023 ¶LCM