Psalm Meditation 1361 ¶Proper 11 ¶July 19, 2026 ¶Psalm 91 ¶https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2091&version=NRSVUE ¶People who know they are children of God have a joy and peace about them that is beyond compare. They know that God is with them in any and all situations, even when they cannot feel God’s presence. While the psalmist goes a bit overboard in stating how God watches over each of us, they know that God is active in our lives in wholesome and healing ways, even in the face of devastation and destruction. The psalmist uses hyperbole to let us know that God is with us in the most dire circumstances whether we survive or not. ¶Now, we see the punishment of the wicked on a daily basis. Every time something happens to people or groups we don’t like, we know that God is the one punishing them. When hurricanes, tornados, and other natural disasters strike areas full of any of ‘those’ kind of people, we know that God’s hand is at work wreaking vengeance on sinners. However, when those same calamities fall on us and those we love, it is simply a natural disaster caused by random weather phenomena. ¶God is active in our lives. Those who choose to see God’s hand at work will see a lot of God’s activity and influence. Those who can’t or won’t see God in those same activities, may be just as grateful, without giving credit to God. I have heard, and said, “How can people look at a beautiful sunrise or sunset and not see God at work in that?” I have become aware that not everyone does see God at work in the cycles of the day, and many of them continue to marvel at that same beauty. And God is at work whether we acknowledge it or not. ¶July 13, 2026 ¶LCM