Psalms for Today ~ Running to God

 

Read Psalms 16-18

After Psalms of dizzying disorientation last week, perhaps wondering, why are we doing this again??  Wait!  Stay with me and read Psalm 16.  Slowly savor the first four verses of Psalm 16 with me from the Message translation: “Keep me safe, O God, I’ve run for dear life to you. (Where and when do you find yourself running for dear life to God?  When and where do we accept/admit – maybe only to ourselves - our own powerlessness, need for God?)  Let’s keep reading, “I say to God, “Be my Lord!”  Without you, nothing makes sense.  And these God-chosen lives all around— what splendid friends they make!  Don’t just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale.”  (And yet, how often do commercials and books and continuing education and even the church make promises that you will thrive for $19.95?)  Let’s keep reading, “I swear I’ll never treat god-names like brand-names. My choice is you, God, first and only.  And now I find I’m your choice!” 

 

Pause on this last line because the Psalmist declares that not only do we have faith in God, God has faith in us.  God is relationship (which is what the Trinity is all about).  God seeks connection and communion and community.  What would it mean for God to choose you today, right now?  How does that feel in your body?  What do those words provoke/evoke in your mind (does your inner critical color commentary want to object to this idea?  Do you find yourself resisting thinking this is all psychological hogwash??).  How does that line, of God choosing you, land in your heart and soul?  What would it mean to live from a place where God chooses you?  Sit with me in this question for a few moments ~ breathing in and out.

 

Then, as you turn the page to Psalm 17, the Hebrew hymn writer sings out a heartfelt, honest prayer.  The writer takes God at God’s word.  If God chooses us, you and me and we, then we can ask God to listen to us.  Notice how the Psalmist lets loose with how the person feels about enemies in verse 10-14.  The Message translation has the Psalmist lament that the enemies’ hearts are hard as nails and blast hot air ~ it is the like the Psalmist just read our newsfeeds!  How we can feel chased by those who wish us ill like lions ready to rip us apart.  Wait.  I want you to hear how part of the human conditions is fear.  It is woven into the original operating system of your brain ~ and it is there to help protect you.  In many ways the fight, flight, freeze, fawn, and flock part of your brain is good.  It keeps you alert and aware.  And I think it can also go looking for places where things are not all chocolate Easter bunnies and pastel prints.  Life is beautiful and broken.  Life is terrible and tremendous.  Life is.  With the psalmist hold your fascinations and fears in this moment.  Breathe and be. 

 

Then, read psalm 18 slowly letting the syllables of God who is wholeness and holiness to enfold us in all our humanness.  Amen.