Psalm Meditation 1164 ¶Proper 23 ¶October 9, 2022 ¶Psalm 30 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+30&version=NRSVUE (NRSV) ¶Much of what happens to us is based on our actions, reactions, and attitudes. Some folks can jump off of buildings, land properly, and run off to the next obstacle. The rest of us will land badly, break at least one bone, and never stand as we did before. It has to do with what we take into the experience with us. If we have worked our way up to the otherwise impossible feat we have a much better chance of pulling it off successfully than if we make the jump haphazardly, tense up instead of relax, and miss the mark in some dangerous foolhardy way. ¶The psalmist is grateful that God has “drawn me up and did not let my foes rejoice over me.” Did God act as a special favor to the psalmist, or did the psalmist’s faithfulness and regular faith practice play a part in the help God was able to give? There was an existing relationship between the psalmist and God that allowed God’s activity to be anticipated and experienced. We can’t expect God to act in a certain way, however we can anticipate that God will be with us in a way that will be calming and helpful. ¶I believe that God is not in the habit of stepping in to stir the pot in order to save us from our own foolishness. God is with us and available to us. If we have formed a relationship with God, we will be more likely to notice where and when God is active in and around us. Knowing that God is with us gives us the courage to do the right thing, even if will be painful for us. “Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me! O LORD, be my helper!” ¶October 4, 2022 ¶LCM