Our need to lament, but also to act

AM Psalm 69:1-23(24-30)31-38 • PM Psalm 73
2 Kings 1:2-17 • 1 Cor. 3:16-23 • Matt. 5:11-16

Watching the news can be more than depressing. The latest examples are the reports of the evacuation of Americans and Afghan allies out of Afghanistan. Who cannot be moved by the screen shots of people crammed together trying to get on a flight out of this country? I grieve for them and their families! But maybe rather than grieving I should try a spiritual Lament. I turn to King David in Psalm 69 for the classic example of how to lament, spiritually that is.

First, I turn to God (Psalm 69:1 – “Save them, O God”). I cry for help (Psalm 69:2 – “They have sunk in deep mire, and there is no foothold”) I speak the truth as I know it (Psalm 69:5 – “O God, it is Thou who dost know our folly, and our wrongs are not hidden from Thee”). Then I express my trust in God (Psalm 69:16 – “Thy loving-kindness is good.”)

Psalm 73 is attributed to Asaph, a Levite (the Asaphites were temple singers/music leaders). This Psalm declares that God is a refuge for those who are pure in heart (73:1). Asaph says that he almost lost his foothold (no doubt slipping in the mire lamented by David ), but then he “entered the sanctuary of God” (73:17) and made God his refuge.

Paul goes one step further in his letter to the Church in Corinth: not only is God a refuge for the Corinthians but THEY are God’s temple—certainly a revolutionary idea to a people whose ancestors carried with them the Ark of the Covenant as they traveled. So if we are God’s temple, how should we act? The selection from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5) gives us direction—since we are “ the light of the world, “ we are to provide light for everyone from our temple (5:16).

Written by Karen Hodges

...who will continue lamenting but hopes to provide a bit of light for those who need it.