Psalm Meditation 941
Proper 8
July 1, 2018

Psalm 113
1 Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD; praise the name of the LORD.
2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time on and forevermore.
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the LORD is to be praised.
4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!
(NRSV)

We have a tendency to think that we are like God in a slightly smaller size and that God is like us only bigger. If we were willing to work at it we could be like God. We tempt ourselves with thoughts of being in charge of some part of Creation. ‘If I were in control of the weather, it would never rain again, at least not when I have plans.’ ‘If I were God I would make sure there was no suffering or injustice.’ ‘If I were God none of this kind of stuff would happen to people who don’t deserve it.’ And a variety of other kinds of statements and thoughts about what it means to be God.

We are made in the image of God, likely in the same way a teddy bear is made in the image of a bear. We have the basic characteristics of intelligence, compassion, and a concern for both mercy and justice, however we are missing important elements and attributes that are a part of God. We are close enough to God that we can strive to live as God directs us even as we are far enough from being God that we can never achieve God-ness.

We can praise, bless, and appreciate who God is among us without ever hoping to be other than God directed humans. We can strive for justice, hope and plan for equality among ourselves, and live out the call to be the people God wants us to be. We are adopted children of God. That means we are loved in a special way. Praise the LORD!

June 25, 2018
LCM