Psalm 36:5 – Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, and your faithfulness to the clouds.
When we look at intense moonlight, at an amazing formation of clouds, at a flock of birds on wing, at people healing and helping one another, we know that God has created all, and we know that God remains present to his creation at all times and in all ways. Even though we may feel lost, alone, hurt, frightened or confused, we can be certain that we are an important part of this creation.
God says: I do not forget about you ever; you are always on my mind. You will never have to be without me; I remember you and hold you as special always. This love will never fail. This love will never weaken. This love will never go away. It strengthens each day as we talk. It becomes immutable as we seal our agreement with one another in our many conversations. My love for you is so immense that you cannot understand it; yet still it is there with you. Always.
Wishing you the warmth and assurance of God’s ever-abiding love and peace.
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Psalm 28:8-9 – TheLord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in God, and I have been helped; therefore my heart dances for joy; and in my song will I praise God.
When we are in the midst of harrowing circumstances and our thoughts fly about so quickly they barely register, we must step behind the only shield that both protects and nourishes. As St. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6, we always have the opportunity to put on Christ. He is the only armor we need.
God says: When you feel that you must go into battle, let me be your armor. There is really no combat for you to plan. You do not need to plot or scheme. I have already rescued you. You are already ransomed from the mob and even protected. I will not let you cease to exist. Be glad in this, and even though you may not yet feel like dancing, begin to form a song in your heart that will later rise to your lips. I love you, and I will not let you down. You are, in fact, already saved.
Psalm 32:9-10 – Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that need bit and bridle to curb their spirit. Many torments await the wicked, but grace unfolds the one who trusts in Yahweh.
Sometimes we mistake our stubbornness for courage and strength. God says: I do not expect you to change who you are – after all, I created you as you are. All I await is your fidelity and your willingness to follow me. I do not expect perfect actions; I await your whole self – body, mind and soul. You have my spirit within you; I ask that you return this to me – so that we might be one.
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Psalm 73:28 – But it is good for me to be near God; I have made God my refuge.
We finally arrive at the depth of ourselves when we have no more resources. It is then that we find a strength we have never before truly felt. This is new to us because it is God filling us in where we have emptied ourselves out. When we reach that spot where there is nothing of ourselves left, when we finally let go every shred of who we thought we were, when we invite God in because there is nowhere else to go. Then we know the goodness of God in a way we have never before experienced. Then we know what it means to say . . . Oh God, you are my refuge, you are my rock, my fortress, my place of safety.
God says: I love you in a way you cannot imagine. Everything about my love is good and right. There are no dark corners, no buried secrets, no sudden betrayals that will leap out of hidden recesses. I will not let you down. I will not abandon you. No matter what happens I am here with you, holding you, even carrying you. It is good for you to make me your refuge. You have chosen well. Now rest . . . and I will watch over you as you gather strength.
May you find some resting place today so that you may rise anew. Take refuge. And gather strength from God.
Psalm 62:5-6 – Rest in God alone, my soul! God is the source of my hope; with God alone for my rock, my safety, my fortress, I can never fall; rest in God, my safety, my glory, the rock of my strength.
When will all the conflict end? When will I have some peace? When will I understand what is happening all around me?
God says: Rather than wait for conflict to go away, learn to lean on me. When you feel angry, when you want to control people and situations, when you feel afraid, come to me, stand on me, rest in me. I am hope. When you trust me you become hope, too . . . not only for yourself but others as well.
Like a child who rests in her parent’s hands, may you find a little rest, a little peace, a little hope.
Lord, do not withhold your compassion from me; may your enduring kindness ever preserve me.
There are lots of times – and they seem to last for too long – when it feels as though God does not listen. I know that God is everywhere, including within me, but there are days and weeks and months and even years when I feel as though I walk entirely alone. Why does he not hear my crying?
God says: Believe it or not, I do hear you, and I understand how you feel. I came to earth to live as one of you so that you might believe me when I speak to you. I love you so much that I have been willing to suffer as you do. I too, have felt alone, misunderstood and maligned. But do not worry. Even though your grief has brought you to a place where you feel no warmth and no compassion, I am with you. I have always been with you. I will always be with you. I will never abandon you. I will save you from the fear that grips you. Let go of that fear so that I can take it away from you to put it in a place from which it will not escape. I have that power. I have that love for you. I will preserve you. Come to me and lay your worries at my feet. Then rest awhile with me. I am here. I have always been here. I will always be here.
Wishing you a bit of peace so that you might feel God’s love and compassion.
I wait for Yahweh, my soul waits for him, I rely on his promise, my soul relies on the Lord more than a watchman on the coming of dawn.
I imagine that a watchman feels great relief with the advent of the first rays of light. The strain of peering through darkness, watching for an enemy that may or may not be present must be endured else the entire city or camp is put in danger. All of this readinessand waiting are sometimes too difficult to bear.
God says: I know that you seek me and this is good. The more you seek, the more you realize my love for you. I, too, yearn to have you secure with me. Remember that I always keep my promises, and I have plans for your welfare, not your woe. You cannot imagine the wonderful serenity and bliss I have in mind for you. I love you still. I love you always. Wait for me. Watch for me. I am with you even now.
May you fully know the intense love God has for you. Trust in God alone. God is the source of all that is good.
Escher: Approaches to InfinityOnce I begin to read these verses, I cannot stop. They ring as true today as when they were written so long ago. They are proof that human nature, like water, swirls to the lowest level if left unchecked; but if effort is spent, water can be managed into refreshing spray, into nurturing irrigation channels. Water can both destroy and mend. So too, can humans.
The shrewd man perceives evil and hides, while simpletons continue on and suffer the penalty . . . Be not friendly with a hot-headed man, nor the companion of a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways, and get yourself into a snare . . . Look not on the wine when it is read, when it sparkles in the glass. It goes down smoothly, but in the end it bites like a serpent, or like a poisonous adder. Your eyes behold strange sites, and your heart utters disordered thoughts . . .
Some things never change.
If you remain indifferent in time of adversity, your strength will depart from you . . . Lie not in wait against the home of a just man, ravage not his dwelling place; for the just man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble to ruin . . . Be not provoked with evildoers, nor envious of the wicked; for the evil man has no future, the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
Some people never change.
He who plots evil – men call him an intriguer. Beyond intrigue and folly and sin, it is arrogance that men find abominable.
Proverbs are a fountain of strength because we can find sayings that suit all people and occasions. As I read, the images of many people flood my mind. Images of myself also come to me – both from good times and from bad.
These are universal sentiments for all people for all times. On a hot summer evening we do well to pause, to read, to listen, watch and pray.
Written on June 12, 2008 and posted today as a Favorite.
Joy on stone . . .We have never been told that apostleship is easy. It has never been said that discipleship is easily lived. What we have been told, and what has been said is this: your mourning will turn into joy, your reward will be great.
In this chapter Jesus speaks frankly, honestly and openly with his friends. He assures them that once he goes their life will become difficult. He reminds them that this is God’s plan and that once he, Jesus, has made his Exodus, the Holy Spirit will come to live with them – to continue to guide, protect and encourage them.
The apostles – and we – stumble through his meaning. What is this little while of which Jesus speaks? Jesus tells them that they must begin to petition the Father in Jesus’ name. And suddenly these followers of the Christ begin to focus on the coming event: The Resurrection which Jesus predicts. Suddenly, because they are familiar with all of the predictions made in their Testament of Torah, Wisdom and Prophets, they begin to understand that persecution must follow because Jesus isGod.
In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.
If we are sailing easily through life’s storms, we must be ignoring some of our assignments. If we are never challenged by the headlines, by our friends, by our dear ones, we must not be living in the now. When we hear our thinking going toward “making nice,” “not wanting to upset anyone,” “ignoring something until it goes away or someone else takes care of it,” then we know that we are still stumbling through the meaning of the Christ’s words which he speaks to us today in Chapter 16 of John.
We must not be disheartened when we meet stiff necks, hard hearts, personal agendas. We must call upon Christ to bring us hope, call upon the Holy Spirit to bring us comfort, call upon the Father to bolster our faith that all harm will be turned to good. And we must step fully into the arena of life.
And so we pray . . .
Jesus, God, Holy Comforter, we know that you will never lead us falsely, yet we fear the coming storm. We doubt our own ability to follow you. We know that you are always with us, yet your presence is sometimes difficult to feel. We doubt our own steadfastness. We know that your words are true, because you are Truth. We know that your words are loving, because you are Love. We know that the darkness is shattered by your presence, because you are Light. Bolster us with confidence, send us courage, because we know of the persecution of this world. And we also know that you have already conquered this world. We ought not to fear, but we are human. Send us your strength. Teach us how to find joy in the stony path of life. Remind us that joy will come of our mourning. Amen.
First written on June 11, 2008. Re-written and posted today as a Favorite.
Psalm 36:5 – Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, and your faithfulness to the clouds.
The Noontimes 