Scripture – Psalm 116 NRSVUE
1 I love the Lord because he has heard
my voice and my supplications.
2 Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord,
“O Lord, I pray, save my life!”
5 Gracious is the Lord and righteous;
our God is merciful.
6 The Lord protects the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return, O my soul, to your rest,
for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
8 For you have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling.
9 I walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.
10 I kept my faith, even when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted”;
11 I said in my consternation,
“Everyone is a liar.”
12 What shall I return to the Lord
for all his bounty to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord;
14 I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful ones.
16 O Lord, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the child of your serving girl.
You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice
and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the Lord,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!
From Brian Mack
During the past seven days, I am amazed at the huge number of people that I have instinctively trusted as I go about my day to day life. Off the top of my head, I can think of the following:
The list could go on an on. We take the action of trusting folks who we depend upon for granted. We just assume that our common interests are being looked after or that if we have a need we can find the right person to render assistance.
As the experience of the psalmist teaches us, the act of trusting in God is somewhat more complicated. In this song of thanksgiving, the poet begins by acknowledging the source of his love for God. The psalmist has been delivered from a near death experience at some point in his past and acknowledges that God has heard his prayers, answered those prayers with compassion, and has allowed the psalmist to experience peace. The psalmist had trusted God in a time of great affliction but clearly demonstrates faith not just in times of a crisis but throughout life. In response to God’s care for him, the psalmist is determined to offer service and continuous praise.
The words of the psalmist remind us that God is not distant. We are expected to show our trust in God by engaging in continuous dialogue with the Holy One. When we come to understand that God cares deeply for us and that Yaweh is gracious, righteous, and merciful, we are encouraged to live a life of service. Such a life includes acknowledging through worship the importance of God in our lives. Offering thankful praise should not be a chore but a recognition of the central importance of Holy Mystery who is Wholly Love in our daily lives. Thanks be to God.
Contemplation and Conversation
How do you express your gratitude to God?
Prayer
Gracious God, we give you thanks for the words of the psalmist.
We acknowledge the central role that you play in our lives.
Help us through prayer, service, or acts of kindness,
to honor the One who we call Holy Mystery who is Wholly love. Amen.
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