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