“A longing for relief”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Psalm 130 (Forward, p. 51) CEV p. 636
Our psalmist today uses a couple of very evocative images to describe his situation, a situation that is obviously not very pleasant at all. In one instance, he describes himself as being surrounded by ‘a sea of troubles.’ This gives a sense of without any stability or grounding, a sense of being completely awash with uncertain and threatening circumstances. Just think of being adrift in a life-raft in the open sea for what this might feel like. I think that this idea of being awash with problems and bereft of concrete resources is common to all of us.
And then, there’s his image of being on guard duty during the dark and threatening hours of night, of being on guard duty and eagerly awaiting the light of dawn. And not only is the darkness a time of threat in and of itself, it is also a time when it is harder to see clearly and know for sure what you are up against. This ever-present danger was expressed vividly in a recent crime/ mystery show where a member of the British Home Guard shot someone by accident in the misty and uncertain light of the night hours. And certainly, the opposite is also true: the guard him or herself could also be a ready target. And, haven’t we all, when unable to sleep, because of illness or mental turmoil, wished for the night to end? I think that all of us have been in ‘this boat’ at some time or other.
But what, you might ask, is behind this sense of helpless and uncertainty? It appears that it has to do with sin. After mentioning his ‘sea of troubles’, the psalmist has this to say:
“Won’t you please listen as I beg for mercy? If you kept record of our sins, no one could last long. But you forgive us, and so we will worship you. With all my heart, I am waiting, Lord, for you! I trust your promises” (verses 2-5).
Indeed, his description of waiting—like a soldier on guard duty—is linked immediately and closely with his waiting upon God’s promises. Indeed, as he concludes this psalm, it is a waiting, and a trusting:
“Israel, trust the Lord! He is always merciful, and he has the power to save you. Israel, the Lord will save you from all your sins” (vs 7-8).
And, in case you’re wondering about this, and the seemingly pervasive and lingering effect of sin, I think that many of the murder/ mystery shows I’ve watched of late are right on the mark, in suggesting that the shame, the guilt, the remorse, and the traumatic remembrance of past misdemeanours, and the fear of being found out, can have a powerful impact on one’s present life. That’s why confession and forgiveness can have such a beneficial and restorative effect.
So, whether our sense of helplessness and peril have to do with sin or not, we can always borrow a page from our psalmist and go to God for help, knowing that He is always there for us and always prepared to help us. Amen.
Forward notes: “If you, Lord, were to note what is done amiss, O Lord, who could stand?” (verse 2).
Commemoration: Cuthbert
“The Celtic saint Cuthbert lived in seventh-century Northumbria (Great Britain), a region where Christianity was one of many faiths. Cuthbert, therefore, was surrounded by a panoply of religious thought. In this context, Cuthbert found his strength. The mercy and love of God through Jesus sustained him in his ministry. Even when his world fell apart because of disease or warfare, Cuthbert still looked to Christ as his Lord and Saviour.
“Today, other Christians in our communities hold different beliefs about God than we do. While some Christians focus on the judgement of others, I believe Christ’s ultimate prayer is for all of us to be one. When we practice seeking unity in Christ instead of division, our perspective of what might be possible expands. The wideness of God’s mercy recognizes that God can handle anything, even what goes amiss. Our calling, like Cuthbert’s, is to focus on Jesus and the unity he offers all of us.”
Moving Forward: “This month, focus on the common ground you share with other believers. How might you celebrate this unity in Christ?”