Psalm Meditation 1273 ¶Proper 27 ¶November 10, 2024 ¶Psalm 142 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+142&version=NRSVUE (NRSVUE) ¶One of the prayers of my younger days was to complain to God about being abandoned by everyone around me. It took a wise youth pastor to point out that I was talking to God, and to this youth pastor about having no one to talk to. It took awhile to sink in, however I did grow into the realization that God is with me all the time and no matter the circumstance. When it did feel as if I had been abandoned by God I had only to look around to see all the ways that God was present in my life. It may not have been the exact way that I thought would be best, and yet, God was with me through it all. ¶The psalmist is dealing with a feeling of abandonment as well as a sense that everyone is looking, maybe even staring as we would stare at any not quite human creature. We see in a way that carries no concern for the plight of the psalmist. It is a demoralizing feeling, especially for one who feels lost to begin with. ‘Surely, at least one of these people is only pretending to ignore me so that when I let down my guard they can hurt me in one of the many ways that I have imagined countless times.’ ¶Any of us who have been in the position of feeling abandoned and pursued for evil ends, can perhaps see that sensation in others and reach out to let them know that they are not alone, and that most of us are not out to get them. Those who haven’t experienced the sensation of the psalmist and many others can become more sensitive to the hurts of those around them. Together we can be the presence of God with each other, to be among the righteous who surround those who need what we have to offer. ¶November 5, 2024 ¶LCM