Psalm Meditation 822
Palm/Passion Sunday
March 20, 2016

Psalm 27
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh—my adversaries and foes—they shall stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.
4 One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.
6 Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
8 “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, LORD, do I seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
10 If my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will take me up.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
12 Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and they are breathing out violence.
13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
(NRSV)

One of the images that comes to mind here is of a child hiding behind a parent’s leg, taunting the person who has been previously the aggressor. A stuck out tongue, thumbs in ears saying, ‘come and get me now, bully.’ It works well until the parent catches the child in the taunting. Having removed the child from the immediate danger, the parent bends down and says, ‘Yes, you are protected; that does not give you free rein to pick back at the one who has been bullying you.’

In time of trouble we seek the presence of God where we have come to expect protection from our enemies and adversaries. Once we experience the reassuring presence of God we begin to want a life that follows the pattern and example we find in God’s presence. We want to learn the ways of God because of the comfort and assurance we have received. We want to be able to bring others into the presence of God so that they too can find comfort and joy for themselves.

As we have taken refuge in the presence of our parents and in the presence of God, some of us get the privilege of offering that sense of safety and strength to others. Some may take physical refuge in our presence, hiding behind our legs for protection, others will find in us an assurance of peace and acceptance from us. Hopefully, prayerfully, we can guide those folks into the presence of God where they can, “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!”

March 14, 2016
LCM