Psalm Meditation 1306 ¶Proper 8 ¶June 29, 2025 ¶Psalm 26 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2026&version=NRSVUE ¶There is a line between those who can say something wonderful about themselves without it sounding as if they are bragging. It was said of one of my colleagues, “He can brag in such a way that you are proud to know him.” It seems to be a rare gift to know who you are, to acknowledge the gifts and abilities you posses, at the same time being aware of any shortcomings that require help from one whose skills lie in that area. The rest of us say good things about ourselves in a way that turns people against us. It is obvious to everyone that we are bragging, asking for the pats on the back that we believe we deserve. ¶It seems that the psalmist is one of those who speaks well of themselves in a way that we are proud to read about. Yes, there is a need for vindication for something in the life of the psalmist, however, a good bit of the psalm is about the good things that God does for each of us at various times. The psalmist is asking that God, ‘redeem me and be gracious to me.’ from the situation at hand. It is not due to deserving God’s redeeming grace, it is because it is the nature of God to be gracious. ¶God offers the gift of redeeming grace to each of us, without forcing it on us. It can hardly be considered a gift if we are forced to accept it like it or not. So, whether we can brag in a way that folks are glad to know us, or we brag in a way that makes people roll their eyes even when what we say it true, God loves us. God loves us and wants us to accept it as the gift it is meant to be. We don’t earn it, don’t deserve it, it is a gift that God gives because it is the nature of God to love. ¶June 26, 2025 ¶LCM