Psalm Meditation 1282 ¶Baptism of the Lord ¶January 12, 2024 ¶Psalm 16 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2016&version=NRSVUE (NRSVUE) ¶Some of the religions of the world have groups within them who have fallen prey to the siren song of empire. They no longer want to follow the tenets of the faith that move people toward tolerance, peace and unity. They would rather have power and control than live in the presence of people who follow another way of living in the world. It is more important to have the power to coerce others into their way of doing things than to convince others of the helpfulness of their faith by living it out in the world. ¶The psalmist knows that there are people who follow other faiths; whose choices seem to leave them without the refuge and hope of those who follow the way of YHWH. Yes, they are wrong as far as the psalmist is concerned, however it is in this life where the sorrows multiply with no mention of those carrying over to an after life. Their practices are discomforting to the psalmist, all without condemning the people or the practice. ¶The important thing is to be able to stand firm in our own faith, with humility, knowing that for us YHWH is the way we want to be. When we find and follow our path, “my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.” We become people who are content with having enough rather than desiring more and more of anything and everything. We are filled with joy as we live in peace. ¶January 6, 2025 (Epiphany) ¶LCM