“Because”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Psalm 119: 49-72 (Forward, p. 50) CEV p. 630
Years ago, I was involved in a square dance group, and from that, I remember one of the songs the caller used. Its refrain repeated the words, ‘Because, just because.’ The reason I remember it is because it reminded me of my parents. Sometimes, when asked to explain or give a reason for something, they would just answer, ‘Because, just because’ or ‘because I said so’, neither of which I found at all satisfying.
Here in today’s passage from Psalm 119 we read some becauses, but ones that make a lot more sense:
-because your laws have stood the test of time, I find true comfort
(verse 52). God’s laws have been found to stand up to scrutiny and
to time’s varying situations. They are dependable and can be
counted upon.
-because I have always followed your teachings, God has blessed
me (verse 56).
-because it taught me to study your laws, God’s correction did me
Good (verse 71).
All of these have to do with God’s word, teachings or laws, things that proceed from the mouth and mind of God. And all through this psalm we hear how its author depends on them and seeks to understand them and obey them. They clearly are what motivates his life to the exclusion of all else. Being grounded in God’s word, being established in it, and living it fully: is this not a reasonable standard and objective for each of us? I think so. ‘Because’, like our psalmist, we will discover the abundant benefits of doing so.
Forward notes: “At midnight I will rise to give you thanks” (verse 62a).
“For a period of time, I worked as a chaplain in a hospital. I met people at the most joyous and most distressing times in their lives—from the birth of babies and the expansion of families to the last rites for someone moving to the next life. Hospital chaplaincy is not for the fainthearted, but I loved it. It was a privilege to come alongside God’s people for a time.
“I often wished I could deepen the relationships with the patients I encountered. One of the most memorable was an 87-year-old lady recovering from bypass surgery. She had come pretty close to death, but when I walked into her room, she had the broadest smile and a deep sense of joy and peace. I asked her how she could be so happy considering all that she had been through. She said, ‘God has blessed me to open my eyes and see a new day. How can I not be thankful?’”
Moving Forward: “Jesus coming into the world is a reminder that each day, we are blessed with an opportunity to share and savor God’s love once more. How can we not be thankful?”