Sunday, August 14, 2016

Today’s Reading  |  Psalm 62

For God alone my soul waits in silence;
   from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
   my fortress; I shall never be shaken.

How long will you assail a person,
   will you batter your victim, all of you,
   as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence.
   They take pleasure in falsehood;
they bless with their mouths,
   but inwardly they curse.

For God alone my soul waits in silence,
   for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
   my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
   my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

Trust in him at all times, O people;
   pour out your heart before him;
   God is a refuge for us.

Those of low estate are but a breath,
   those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
   they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no confidence in extortion,
   and set no vain hopes on robbery;
   if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

Once God has spoken;
   twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
   and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
For you repay to all
   according to their work. (NRSV)

Reflection
In this summer of chaos and cacophony in so many places around the country and the world, I read with outright relief the words of David in Psalm 62: “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from God comes my salvation.”

This is the right time, I feel, to be reminded by the psalm that those who threaten and oppress are not to be feared when viewed against God’s might and God’s majesty.

This is the right time, I believe, to remember, as the psalm says, that the source of true security and hope lies not in the increase of wealth or at the hands of the powerful but in God alone.

This is the right time, I know, to recollect through the psalm that God’s immutable, deathless love for us will always be waiting when we mere mortals take a break from the terrible things we do to one another and find ourselves reflecting that we really, finally, at last must do what God calls us to do with love here on earth in God’s holy name.

Prayer
Loving and gracious God, we are in awe of your eternity. Our lives—indeed, our souls—depend upon the security and love you alone offer. Remind us to keep our earthly victories and defeats in perspective. Give us the strength and hope to accomplish those things you call us to do for others in your name. Help us to remember that this is what truly matters. Amen.

Written by Hilary Richardson, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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