Psalm Meditation 1278 ¶Third Sunday of Advent ¶December 15, 2024 ¶Psalm 141 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+141&version=NRSVUE (NRSVUE) ¶There are times in which we are tempted to believe that we are the only faithful folk left in the world. We may be of the opinion that no one is nearly as good as we are in the practice of faithfulness. We set ourselves apart as an example of what it means to be God’s favorite. We look at all the people around us knowing that they could not possibly live up to the high standards that guide our own life. It might be in our family, at work or school, and even in worship. We are the faithful remnant, biding our time until God comes. ¶The psalmist is willing to be disciplined and corrected by those whose lives are exemplary in every way. At the same time, there is plenty of judgment heaped on those who are not up to snuff in the psalmist’s eyes. We will gladly stand, looking down our noses at all who do things of which we disapprove, when it is their time to pay the price for all the evil they have done. If the psalmist is of the mind that the righteous will also face judgment, there is no indication of such here. ¶Whether the psalmist is as guilty of the intense pride of hubris as is possible, the important thing is to turn our eyes, hearts, and lives to God. In God we find refuge, a defender, and protector. God is not standing over us with a clipboard full of judgmental checkmarks against us. First and foremost, God loves us and wants what is best for us, especially for us to have a close and intimate relationship with God. Out of that relationship we can gather and grow other helpful and encouraging relationships with others. ¶December 11, 2024 ¶LCM