Psalm Meditation 1183 ¶Transfiguration Sunday ¶February 19, 2023 ¶Psalm 55 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+55&version=NRSVUE (NRSV) ¶There are a lot of situations in which we would like to run and hide, run as far as we can and hide as deeply in some safe place as we can. It is not a permanent solution, however it can give us the chance to collect ourselves, get some distance and perspective, and search for ways to meet this obstacle in some helpful, hopeful way. The choice to escape is a compelling one, and a helpful one, as long as it is not the final choice. ¶Eventually we have to face the fear, and the cause of it, especially if that cause is a friend/former friend. The psalmist begins that confrontation with the former friends and then hopes to lurk in the background shadows as God does the real dirty work of consigning everyone to Sheol. They have turned so maliciously and unexpectedly on our psalmist that giving them over to God seems the best way to deal with the situation at hand. ¶The good thing is that God is not as mean spirited as we can be. God will treat our enemies with the same love given to us. It isn’t right or fair to our minds, however God is the one who wants to lead us in the paths of righteousness. When we call for fire and brimstone, God shows light and love to our enemies. When we ask for mercy, God reminds us that we are not without guilt, and then shows us mercy. In every situation God will sustain us and love us beyond measure. ¶February 13, 2023 ¶LCM