Psalm Meditation 1344 ¶Fifth Sunday in Lent ¶March 22, 2026 ¶Psalm 70 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2070&version=NRSVUE ¶Some enemies are easy to identify, because they say up front that they are out to get you. They tell you that so that you will not be surprised when they manage to turn several people against you as they conspire to do you harm. They might even tell you that it is not personal, it is business. For those out to get someone it may not be personal; to those of us who are the targets of their ire, it is deeply personal. They are not simply planning to play tricks and pull pranks; they are out for the total destruction of the person or group whose lives they have decided to ruin ¶Any of us who have been in a similar situation would take some delight in the ‘bad guys’ be put to shame and confusion, and brought to dishonor. It would be nice to know that those who joined in their destructive escapade suffered greatly when they realized that it was a personal vendetta in which they participated rather than a glorious victory over an evil person/group. In return those folks turn against the vindictive leader and confess to the wrongs they have done. ¶However, God does not see the world through our eyes, knows the hearts of all involved and offers forgiveness to each person on every side of the conflict. The important part of every relationship with God is that realization that God is our help and deliverer. Through God we are able to move ever closer to forgiveness and understanding toward everyone we meet. And we find ourselves meeting the God in them through the God in us, as we join together saying, “God is great!” ¶March 16, 2026 ¶LCM