Psalm Meditation 820
Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 6, 2016

Psalm 24
1 The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it;
2 for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully.
5 They will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God of their salvation.
6 Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah
(NRSV)

Each person benefits from the creative power of God in a variety of ways though it is ‘those who seek the face of the God of Jacob’ who are best able to notice. Those who believe that they receive as they achieve will look for ways to give credit to themselves for the good things that come their way. Those who believe that it is all a matter of luck will find ways to ascribe good luck to those who receive good things and bad luck to those who end up with little or nothing. Those who look to God will see blessings coming in a variety of ways to a variety of people.

The blessings do not change according to how we believe they come to us, however out attitude about those blessings will be colored by the perceived source. If we believe we get what we deserve for our hard work or lack thereof, we will be quick to judge those who do not live up to the standards we set for ourselves. If we believe it is all a matter of luck we will find a way to justify our blessings or lack as a simple turn of luck. If we believe that what we have comes from God we will be grateful for the providence and willingly offer it to others as a part of God’s bounty to all.

I have yet to come to terms with why some of us receive a lot and others receive so little. I am convinced that those with lots have a responsibility to share with others as generously as we have received. I am aware that the more one has the more reluctant one is to share with others without some experience of what it is like to be without for even a brief time. As people of God we are called upon, no matter what our station in life, to offer a portion of what we have to others. It is not a display of largesse, giving presents or money to a large number of people, on our part, it is a way of raising the gates so the King of glory may come in.

February 29, 2016
LCM