“Dependability where it counts”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Psalm 62 (Forward, p. 50) CEV p. 590
No matter who we are or what our situation might be, there is always a major question that arises: just where or upon whom will we place our trust, or upon whom or what will we depend? In a year where many countries will face or potentially face elections this becomes a very pertinent and important question. Politicians of pretty well ‘every stripe’ will suggest that we place our trust or our hope in them—and sadly, myriads of people will take their bait and do just that. They will vote for them, follow them, and in the end, be sadly disappointed, because no human being can ever fulfill that function. And, not just our leaders, but also our parents, our spouses, our relatives, our friends, or anyone else. And it isn’t just these ‘others’ that are undependable either; it is also ourselves. Our psalmist puts this rather plainly:
“We humans are only a breath; none of us are truly great. All of us together weigh less than a puff of air” (verse 9).
And then he mentions our behaviours, whether headed in a bad direction (violence or dishonesty) or in something more neutral, that can be used for good or for ill (great wealth):
“Don’t trust in violence or depend on dishonesty or rely on great wealth” (verse 10).
Instead, our psalmist says that we should place our confidence, our trust, in the only one that is truly dependable, and that is God:
“Only God can save me, and I calmly wait for him. God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe and the fortress where I am secure” (verses 1-2).
“Only God gives inward peace, and I depend on him. God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe, and he is the fortress where I feel secure” (verses 5-6).
No wonder our psalmist says, “Trust God, my friends, and always tell him each one of your concerns. God is our place of safety” (verse 8). Indeed, is that not excellent advice, namely, to entrust Him with our cares and concerns by going to Him in earnest prayer. I suspect that this is something that we far too often fail to do and are left ‘beggars’, stuck in our difficulties and cares, as a result.
Forward notes: “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken (verse 2).
Commemoration: Hildegard of Bingen
“Today, the church recognizes the life of Hildegard of Bingen, a saint from the Middle Ages who is remembered as a mystic, musician, writer, naturopathic physician, and prophetic counselor to royals.
“Hildegard lived an extraordinary life as an abbess to a monastery on the Rhine River. She was a traveling minister whose way with words put kings to shame. And in all this bold living, she writes, ‘I am but a feather on the breath of God.’ As she encountered many influential people, she walked with a distinguished humility. What grace.
“I worked for many years in television, and I can attest that humility isn’t among the top values in Hollywood. While many sought the power to influence boldly and speak unapologetically, in my experience, few could claim to follow the humility of Hildegard.
“I pray to embody the bold assurance and trust of Hildegard, who I imagine had much to say yet always trusted that she was being gently carried like a feather on the breath of God.”
Moving Forward: “How might you nurture the gift of humility?”
A concluding note: how does one combine boldness, assurance, leadership and a commanding voice and presence—characteristics that Hildegard as an abbess and royal counsellor must have had--with humility? Something for us all to ponder, especially seeing that many of our political leaders seem to lack this balance these days.