Psalm 119:49-72 

 

Remember your promise to your servant,
    for which you made me wait.
My comfort during my suffering is this:
    your word gives me new life.
The arrogant make fun of me to no end,
    but I haven’t deviated from your Instruction.
When I remember your ancient rules,
    I’m comforted, Lord.
But I’m seized with anger because of the wicked—
    because of those who abandon your Instruction.
Your statutes have been my songs of praise
    wherever I lived as an immigrant.
Lord, I remember your name at nighttime,
    and I keep your Instruction.
This has been my practice
    because I guard your precepts.

 

The Lord is my possession.
    I promise to do what you have said.
I’ve sought your favor with all my heart;
    have mercy on me according to your word.
I’ve considered my ways and turned my feet back to your laws.
I hurry to keep your commandments—
    I never put it off!
Though the wicked have surrounded me with their ropes,
    I haven’t forgotten your Instruction.
I get up in the middle of the night to give thanks to you
    because of your righteous rules.
I’m a friend to everyone who honors you
    and to all who keep your precepts.
Lord, the world is full of your faithful love!
    Teach me your statutes!

 

You have treated your servant well,
    Lord, according to your promise.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment
    because I’ve put my trust in your commandments.
Before I suffered, I took the wrong way,
    but now I do what you say.
You are good and you do good.
    Teach me your statutes!
The arrogant cover me with their lies,
    but I guard your precepts with all my heart.
Their hearts are unfeeling, like blubber,
    but I rejoice in your Instruction.
My suffering was good for me,
    because through it I learned your statutes.
The Instruction you’ve given to me is better
    than thousands of pieces of gold and silver!

Protocols, plans, amendments, different sides, new groups, new denominations, and on and on – enough to make me want to scream! Nones, Dones, Unchurched, Dechurched, and on and on – enough to make we want to scream! Republican, Democrat, Independent, and on and on – enough to make me want to scream!

What has happened to me? To all of us?

For many years my daddy taught me by his example of life what it means to be a person of integrity, compassionate and caring. As a child and youth, I truly believed that all people were taught the same values. I really thought that all people treated one another with respect and never judged one another for what they thought or believed. I will never forget the day that strong belief came tumbling down and I saw jealousy, disrespect, and watched a “so-called” person of faith derail my personal beliefs in humanity.

I can’t help but think with all that is going on before us that these distractions are an attempt to derail us from the people God has called us to really be. Distractions that draw us away from integrity, compassion and care for each other. TRUE integrity, compassion, and care – not just saying we are living with those qualities, yet truly living that way from the core of our soul. 

Wonder what it would look like if we put all these distractions behind us and got back to the core of what it means to be people of faith? I really like that thought!!!! Just think – living a life of integrity, compassion and care would call us to live out the words of Matthew 28: 19 therefore, go and make disciples of all nations. That is what it’s all about anyway!

Prayer for Reflection

Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23