The Unread Contrasts

Psalm 55:16-23  New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

But I call upon God,
and the Lord will save me.
Evening and morning and at noon
I utter my complaint and moan,
and he will hear my voice.
He will redeem me unharmed
from the battle that I wage,
for many are arrayed against me.
God, who is enthroned from of old, 
will hear and will humble them,
because they do not change
and do not fear God.

My companion laid hands on a friend
and violated a covenant with me
with speech smoother than butter
but with a heart set on war,
with words that were softer than oil
but in fact were drawn swords.

Cast your burden on the Lord,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved.

But you, O God, will cast them down
into the lowest pit;
the bloodthirsty and treacherous
shall not live out half their days.
But I will trust in you.

Reflection

     It still amazes me how, after reading and studying the Bible for decades, I continue to be surprised. I guess I shouldn't be amazed that I am surprised, but it is a joyful feeling of wonder and humility. I remember a classmate in seminary asking our preaching professor what to do after a few years. The Lectionary cycle is only three years, so you have essentially the same texts. She responded that there are three texts and a psalm for each week, that you hold you for well over 12 years. She then smiled and said something like, I think you will find that each time you return to a text for preaching or study, God speaks to us anew and reveals things that you never noticed before.

     Even still, as I read today's Psalm, I asked myself, "Have I ever read this before?" (Even though I know I have read through the entire Bible and the daily lectionary.) There were more than one line that jumped at me in newness.

with speech smoother than butter
but with a heart set on war,
with words that were softer than oil
but in fact were drawn swords.

The contrasts of butter and war, oil and swords spoke to me deeply in the context of geopolitical conflicts near and far, as well as conversations with hurting persons knowing the deep pain of personal betrayal and lives torn apart.

     Yet, the incredible promise and hope of 

Cast your burden on the Lord,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved.

spoke to me more deeply than I had expected. I had heard a moving song in my devotional time yesterday, and a line bothered me ("Firm Foundation (He Won't)" video below). "I've never seen the righteous forsaken." The first time I heard the line in the song many months ago, I struggled with the line. I could not help but wonder about the great question of the Shoah (the Holocaust), and the reality that the righteous do suffer needlessly. Jesus does not promise an easy perfect life for us. The Gospel message is centered on the most righteous person ever suffering and failing. Yet, he did come out on the other side as victorious. The boldness in faith and the tremendous hope found in the Psalm, to me displays yet another mystery that I don't yet understand. I do, however, unflinchingly put my faith and questions to Jesus Christ. Through his grace and mercy, we uncover mysteries that will eventually be revealed. I think that it not because of God holding out on us, but that our maturity and trust is not yet ready.

Dearest Lord Jesus,

We place our trust in you and we build up our lives in you. When it seems as though things are going wrong or out of control, help us to be reminded of your trustworthiness and your wonder-working power. Guide us to entrust all that we are and all that we could be into your care, providence, and mission. In your beautiful Name, we pray. Amen!

Perks, Loyalty Points, and...What are you drinking?

Psalm 138 New English Translation
I will give you thanks with all my heart;
before the heavenly assembly I will sing praises to you.
I will bow down toward your holy temple,
and give thanks to your name,
because of your loyal love and faithfulness,
for you have exalted your promise above the entire sky.
When I cried out for help, you answered me.
You made me bold and energized me.
Let all the kings of the earth give thanks to you, O Lord,
when they hear the words you speak.
Let them sing about the Lord’s deeds,
for the Lord’s splendor is magnificent.
Though the Lord is exalted, he looks after the lowly,
and from far away humbles the proud.
Even when I must walk in the midst of danger, you revive me.
You oppose my angry enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord avenges me.
O Lord, your loyal love endures.
Do not abandon those whom you have made.

Reflection

     I noticed this morning that my loyalty rewards have built up to the point where after this month's shipment, I will be able to get a whole jar of matcha for free! A matcha latte has been my regular morning drink for many months. (Matcha is a powder made from green tea leaves.) We settled on this small brand from a shop in Pittsburgh. I didn't choose it because I would earn "leaves," but it sure is a nice perk. Perhaps you have a favorite brand or shop that you enjoy the bonuses from loyalty points.

     Loyalty in this transactional and capitalist society typically is associated with what is earned or accrued over time while being a patron, member, or shopper. Yet, we always know that there are other options. Other businesses might have something we like better, or the rewards might be better.

     It is not too much of a surprise that there are "influencers" who show what they are into on social media and their followers check it out or feverishly try to replicate the recipe. The influencers earn a ton of money in kick backs. They cash in on accumulating a loyal base.

     I thought of all these things when reading the Psalm for today. God's loyal love is for us. Loyalty is very different to the Creator. God does not have a hard time focusing on us. Yes, it is different and beautiful when you combine loyalty and love. While we go from one thing to the next, God is abiding and steadfast. Notice also that God's loyal love is not something that we have accrued over time. No transactions here. It is all about relationship and caring for us. Even though many of us might have loyal friends, spouses or family members that stick with us through the best and worst of times, we still have a hard time fully getting why the One so powerful, rich, and influencing would care about us. It would be like our favorite media person looking into the camera and singling one of us out. We don't get it. The last verse of the Psalm portrays this to almost comic perfection. After all the verses of gratitude and praise, the tone takes a sudden twist like a shift of attention. The Psalmist has a moment of fearful uncertainty. What if I have perceived God's loyalty wrong? God could be too much like us. Even in the midst of loving a regular favorite drink, we see someone else's and ask them, "What are you drinking?" No, God will not abandon us. God is loyal with us even when we are not very lovingly loyal with God.

God teach us your constancy with those that are in our care and influence. Guide us to be dependably loving. Show us your Way of abiding this day and always! Amen.

The Mood Changes

Psalm 15    New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

O Lord, who may abide in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy hill?

Those who walk blamelessly and do what is right
and speak the truth from their heart;
who do not slander with their tongue
and do no evil to their friends
nor heap shame upon their neighbors;
in whose eyes the wicked are despised
but who honor those who fear the Lord;
who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
who do not lend money at interest
and do not take a bribe against the innocent.

Those who do these things shall never be moved.

Reflection

Yes, this holy song poem starts off like it is going to reflect upon the spiritual path towards deeper spiritual intimacy with God. Then, it seems like someone must have stolen the quill, because what follows are a list of practical everyday matters that seem more ethical than spiritual. The ending verses of the list are extraordinarily justice minded. So much that, the beginning question of who can ascend God's holy hill seems rhetorical. No one lends without interest as a regular practice (zero interest loans are real, but go beyond the prescribed terms and the interest jumps up faster than a cat headed for the top of the fridge). Banks wouldn't
exist without interest rates. The modern market economy wouldn't be cooled without the Fed raising interest in this period of inflation. This is largely driven by big players making money against the plight of the poor--bribes against the innocent is surely a part.

"So then, who can be saved?" I imagine the disciples ask Jesus when discussing this Psalm. What do you hear him answer to us? Do you loan to those that might need it without interest or penalty? This is, by the way, not just a solitary line in a song poem. You can't just refer to it as a music interlude in worship from a writer who got a little carried away trying to make the Hebrew rhyme nicely. No, this is a standard Bible money matter. Don't take advantage of those who are poor. Predatory lending is the target of prohibition.

Ethics and justice do relate to spiritual closeness with God. Such works of love and care for neighbor are a natural outgrowth. Lean in far enough to hear the heartbeat and you learn that it beats for you, for others, for the way of love and for all those who are poor, oppressed or pushed aside.   

Dear God,

We thank you for your great and Holy Word.

We praise you for your goodness and fairness.

We cherish your gift of love and your way of peace.

We long to know you more and to be a part of your generous presence in the world.

Amen.

Freedom

 Galatians 5:13

 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become enslaved to one another. 

Reflection

We hear a lot of things this weekend about freedom. As Christians, we consider freedom with great care and reverence. We recognize that freedom in all forms should be given to all persons without exception. The radical words of Jesus challenge us to soften our hearts and learn to love even our enemies.

Here is a thought to remember: Grace isn't free for the giver.

Lord, Grant us the continually increasing capacity to accept and bear your grace in your world. In your Name, we pray. Amen.