“Storm battered”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Monday, December 20, 2021
Psalm 61 (Forward, p. 52) CEV p. 590
Having experienced prairie blizzards and thunderstorms and the relentless onslaught of wind and weather, I can only imagine what it would be like to be buffeted and battered by a hurricane or typhoon. In a very real sense, I think that this is something like King David experienced in his life. One would think that he would have been greeted with gratitude and praise from his predecessor Saul, for after all, David had delivered the nation from the predations of Goliath and the Philistines and had alleviated Saul’s reoccurring mental disturbances through his music. Gratitude, no way; only unrelenting harassment and persecution from Saul. And, as for David’s wise and gracious rule, was its impact to be one of peace and security? No way, probably because of his momentary slip-up with Bathsheba, there was unmitigated turmoil, both within his household and further beyond.
And so this psalm of an appeal to God for help and protection is well-founded. Given all this, no wonder he feels hopeless at times. No wonder he asks God to be his ‘strong tower, where he would be safe from his enemies.’ How exciting this would have been for David during his troubles: a strong fortress where you are more secure, where all the onslaughts of the enemy could be more easily sloughed off. Or, to use another image, that of a mother bird where he could find protection and safety under her wings. How very encouraging and welcome that would be for our beleaguered David!
But let me suggest that this encouragement, and this sense of God’s overriding support, help and protection, might be ‘just’ what we, all of us, need today. Do not many of us feel equally besieged and buffeted by storms and problems and worries beyond our control and beyond our comprehension? So, let me suggest that we also appeal to God, just as did David, for His help during these times of desperation and need. Amen.
Forward notes: “For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have granted me the heritage of those who fear your Name” (verse 5).
“Years ago, my boyfriend and I sat in a tiny, hole-in-the-wall restaurant in San Francisco, ringing in the new year over greasy slices of cheese pizza. We began to talk about new year’s resolutions: I vowed to run more with my dog and perhaps drop a few extra pounds in the process. His vow made my jaw open in disbelief (bits of pizza strewn around for all to see): ‘I intend to marry you this year,’ he replied. Eight months later, we were married, a new set of vows declared before an intimate crowd of witnesses.
“Like the psalmist before us, we humans are wont to make promises at crucial times in our lives. Whether at the start of a new year, at the marriage altar, or at the beginning of a sobriety journey, our intentions are true when we say them aloud. As Christians, just as we believe that God is always with us, our mouths utter truth to the One who has given us ‘the heritage of those who fear your Name.’
“As you move forward with new intentions this coming year, might you recognize the One who hears your cries.”
MOVING FORWARD: “Think of a vow you’ve made (and kept) in your life. What made that vow work? If appropriate, how might you commit to it again today?”
