Living in the Spirit

August 19, 2020

Scripture Reading: Psalm 124
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side
   —let Israel now say—
if it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
   when our enemies attacked us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
   when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
   the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
   the raging waters.

Blessed be the Lord,
   who has not given us
   as prey to their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird
   from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
   and we have escaped.

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
   who made heaven and earth.

God created the world and all that is in it and saw that it was good—good for our wellbeing. God prepared a place for us as parents create a nursery for an expected child. Humans were the last of God’s creations. Made in God’s image, we are tasked with caring for and using these resources wisely.

We are not provided information regarding the calamity from which God saved Israel. The New Interpreter’s Study Bible suggests that it might have been the attacks on Nehemiah and those who were trying to rebuild the Temple walls after their return from Babylon. The floods become a metaphor for the residents of the area who were angry about this intrusion in their lives. Of course, many stories could have been followed by this poem, even in our world today.

One of the things we miss when reading thanksgiving for God’s intervention is that the people involved were called to do a lot of work and face a lot of danger as a part of God’s salvation. The word help is critical. God expects us to utilize the resources provided and build a better world. When we are in sync with God’s vision of the possible, we are assured that the Lord helps us every step of the way.

Prayer: God of Mercy and Justice, we face a life-threatening virus, destructive storms, fires, and rampant racism in a divided nation that cannot find common ground for the Common Good. Forgive us for being overcome by gods of greed and lust for power. Help us find our way back to you. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.