Scripture Text (NRSV)
Psalm 63:1-8
63:1 O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my
flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no
water.
63:2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your
power and glory.
63:3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will
praise you.
63:4 So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands
and call on your name.
63:5 My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth
praises you with joyful lips
63:6 when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the
watches of the night;
63:7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I
sing for joy.
63:8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Comments:
Although I am not going to use this verse as a basis for my Mar 14
sermon, it does seem to go along with what I am being lead to ( OT-Jer
1:4-10, NT-ICor 1:26-31). Any thoughts on tying these together with
Psalm would be helpful.
Speechless-in-Texas
Last night J. wanted to "have a talk" with me in regarding her feeling
about our ministry, our marriage, about her dry-spell in her spiritual
walks, about the pressure at her new position at work, about my
busyness juggling my computer career, seminary schooling, and ministry
responsibility... Most importantly, she talked about the loneliness of
being the most matured/oldest women among the people who we ministered
to, which leaves her with no mentor and no advisor when we enter into
uncharted territory.
And this morning I read this Psalm in a different perspective. I love
this Psalm as a Vineyard's song chorus. But there is a sudden
realization that in most of the Psalms, there was such a
loneliness/solitude about it. The Psalmist cried out to God as the
ONLY one who could satisfy his soul. And some where in a few years
pass I've come to the realization that even your own soul mate will
not satisfied the thirst of your soul. Worse, as we grow older, we
encountered more hardships, more brokenness, more pains and
sufferings; we also begin to long for more, thirst for more, and our
soul become more restless.
v.2 "So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, behold your power and
your glory" - The verse here is in past tense while the previous one
is in the present tense. The reality we faced are still the same dry
and weary with no water and full of thirst. Yet, as we have
experienced God in the past, we could continue choosing to praise, to
bless, to lift up and to call on God (notice the multiple "I will" in
v.3 and 4)
In the following verses, the author repeated the theme of reflective
meditation on God and what He had done for us, and that reflection
eventually allow us to sing (I am not so sure if we could sing "for
joy" at this point yet). And more importantly, we would also begin to
see that we are still "in the shadow" of His wings, and His "right
hand" still upholds us.
And so, can we start with the realization that only God can really
satisfy us and no one else? Can we remember how have we seen His power
and glory, the place that we have been in His sanctuary? Can we
meditate on God some more, in particular how He has been the help in
our life? And perhaps, we would be able to see that we are still in
His wings, and His right arms were still upholds us.
I would also continue to seek for some Mentor, Spiritual Director,
Counselor, Guide, etc. to help us to chart through this desert land as
well.
Incoherent Hope
Incoherent Hope,
My fervent prayer for you and J is that you can find that "Mentor,
Spiritual Director, Counselor, Guide" that will be able to help you
through this uncharted desert land in which you find yourselves. The
good thing is that you are talking about this with each other. Many
marriages don't last in this business because there isn't enough
talking to each other -- especially when going through a career
change.
One last thought: ministry may be very satisfying, may be fulfilling,
may be heart-warming and soul-warming ... but ministry can also be a
very lonely place.
One Who Knows
Incoherent Hope -
"I would also continue to seek for some Mentor, Spiritual Director,
Counselor, Guide, etc. to help us to chart through this desert land as
well. "
Oh, me too! But how? Where? I also think your talking with your spouse
is a treasure - some of us do not do that very well. kbc in sc
Oh, and I forgot to say thanks for your reflection on the psalm.
Like the passage from Isaiah, this psalm describes God's presence as
true refreshment for a parched soul and a feast that satisfies. The
psalmist sings as one who has already chosen to turn to God as the
source of life
Can we see God? Is he active and good? answer v63:2
Do we need food and water to live? Do we need God to live? answer
v63:1, v63:5
Food and living water sounds alot like communion to me?
What do you think about when you're in bed at night? Pleasant
thoughts? Praise God! Unpleasant thoughts? Areas we need to take to
God? Sometimes these thoughts, when alone, show us our achilles
tendons, places for improvement (repentance), insecurities answered by
the love of God. The need to love ourselves or others the way God
loves us! Note v.63:6
Think of when God has helped (many times during our hardest trials).
What would we do with out God? v63:6
What a deal!We commit everything to God, God commits to us! His right
hand upholds us! That would mean we are close to God in proximity. How
powerful and uplifting. He accepts us, supports us and believes in us!
Sounds like perfect love, does'nt it. Aren't these what we as humans
crave? Do we have to look far to see what happens when these needs are
not filled?
Thank-God and Praise God!
Roger in Pa.
Can we see God? Is he active and good? answer v63:2
Do we need food and water to live? Do we need God to live? answer
v63:1, v63:5
Food and living water sounds alot like communion to me?
What do you think about when you're in bed at night? Pleasant
thoughts? Praise God! Unpleasant thoughts? Areas we need to take to
God? Sometimes these thoughts, when alone, show us our achilles
tendons, places for improvement(repentance), insecurities answered by
the love of God. The need to love ourselves or others the way God
loves us! Note v.63:6
Think of when God has helped (many times during our hardest trials).
What would we do with out God? v63:6
What a deal!We commit everything to God, God commits to us! His right
hand upholds us! That would mean we are close to God in proximity. How
powerful and uplifting. He accepts us, supports us and believes in us!
Sounds like perfect love, does'nt it. Aren't these what we as humans
crave? Do we have to look far to see what happens when these needs are
not filled?
Thank-God and Praise God!
Roger in Pa.
kbc in sc,
I am thinking of getting started by asking the wiser sages outside of
my congregation. Surely, the folks who teach marital counseling for
Seminaries would at least know the problems well enough to point us to
where to look next.
Thank you all for the kind words. It will be a long journey, and your
words are much appreciated to spur me on.
Incoherent Hope
I resonate with the phrase about meditating upon God through the
watches of the night. When my father was dying of cancer, I found I
was often awake between 2 and 4 in the morning. As someone who needs a
lot of sleep to function well, at first I was worried that this would
affect my daytime performance. As this continued, I learned to just
let go, say, "Well, God, this time is for you and me," and to turn to
God in prayer. Sometimes I got up and wrote letters, which I usually
did not send, but at least it got out my deepest feelings and
thoughts. Sometimes I'd pray through the membership list of my
congregation, as I remembered it. I found that I didn't miss the
sleep. I still try to relax whenever I wake up in the middle of the
night, and turn to God with whatever issues I have. JK in PA
Incoherent,
May I suggest a wonderful book that has helped me address my dry
places, my dessert experiences?
"Feed My Shepherds: Spiritual Healing & Renewal for Those in Christian
Leadership" by Flora Wuellner
It acknowledges the fact that those tending the sheep need tending,
and addresses "one of the most painful of church issues: the spiritual
desolation of Christian leadership."
It isn't the answer to all the issues, and can never replace the
guidance and support of a spiritual guide, but it sure helps!
Chris in Limb
Chris,
I agree - Feed My Shepherds is a GREAT resource, and can even be used
with groups, covenent or retreats. It's even got a great picture on
the cover of a rushing stream in a lush green forest and a huge tree
trunk... I hadn't thought of it in a while but this weeks Psalm does
bring me back to it - thanks for the reminder!
LE in MO
