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!