“Superlatives galore”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Friday, December 6, 2024
Psalm 16 (Forward, p. 38) CEV p. 562
Our psalmist today is certainly effusive in his praise of God and in his stated desire to prioritize God above all else. It may well seem ‘over the top’, but nevertheless expresses eloquently how important God is to him. We can clearly see why God is his choice above all else:
God’s protection, safety, and provision:
“Protect me, Lord God! I run to you for safety, and I have said, ‘Only you are my Lord! Every good thing I have is a gift from you” (verses 1-2).
God’s providence for the future:
“You, Lord, are all I want! You are my choice, and you keep me safe. You make my life pleasant, and my future is bright” (verses 5-6).
God’s direction and guidance:
“I praise you, Lord, for being my guide. Even in the darkness night, your teachings fill my mind” (verse 7).
God’s presence:
“I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear. With all my heart, I will celebrate, and I can safely rest” (verses 8-9).
No wonder our psalmist praises God above all else and makes God his one and only choice in life. So, then, this poses a question, namely, what about us? Do we choose God above all else, or do other, minor, less important, less trust-worthy choices, get in the way? And do we consider God so trust-worthy, so worthy of our trust in Him, that we, with the psalmist, can offer such superlatives? These are things that are well worth considering.
Forward notes: ”You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore” (v. 11).
“One of the habits I have taken on this year is to go walking at least three times a week. I have to be intentional about taking a walk because the demands of life always try to get in the way—along with my many excuses why today is not a good day to walk. But I have found that I need to walk. I need to place one foot in front of the other and move. Purposeful walking is good for me. It allows me moments of mindlessness, but above all, it enables me to see.
“Discarded sweaters, lost shoes, forgotten water bottles, stuffed animals, and much more have been companions on my walks. Each item tells a story, I imagine, and each story is held by God.
“Advent invites us to look around us for signs of God’s in-breaking. God is always trying to get our attention, calling us back to remembering that in God’s presence there is fullness of joy. Perhaps this Advent season, we may try to look again at the familiar places and see God’s unfolding story all around us.”
MOVING FORWARD: “Take a walk today. Look around with new eyes. What do you see?”