Lenten meditation

A page I wrote for my church's Lenten meditation book. Granted, this is my first effort at any such project!

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Psalms 30, 32, 43, 45

Ezekiel 39:21-29

Philippians 4:10-20

John 17:20-26

Today’s lectionary scriptures carry themes of restoration. They speak of emergence from the darkness of adversity, just as we emerge from the somberness and mourning of Lent to the light of Easter. They rejoice in prayer and thanksgiving for God’s “steadfast love” (Psalm 42.8). And they form a wonderful basis for Lenten devotions. 

Psalm 30 is a song of praise and thanksgiving at the dedication of the temple, after King David had recovered from a severe illness. The image here recalls Jesus’ descent into death and his resurrection. 

Psalm 32 expresses joy in confession and forgiveness of sin, confidence in God’s protection and guidance. Both psalms are lovely poetry reminding us that indeed “Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes in the morning” (30:5). To me this joy reflects that of Easter morning.

Like the Psalmist, we long for God “as a deer longs for flowing streams” (42:3). Our need for him is as basic as our need for water, and it is a major theme of the last two psalm selections. They raise questions: “Where is your God?” “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?” And a poignant question presaging the one uttered by Jesus just before his death: “Why have you forgotten me?”

However, in the midst of this pain and feeling of abandonment, Psalm 42 recalls parade, festival and singing. It recalls the power and presence of God: “By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.” At the end of the psalm there is no answer to the questions, simply a quiet confidence in God.

God’s words in Ezekiel 39 reassure the Israelites further that although he has punished them for turning away from him and sent them into exile, he loves them and will restore them to their homeland. He will reveal himself in his glory to them and the world. I see in this a foreshadowing of God’s plan, through Jesus, for restoration of his creation.

In Philippians 4, St. Paul also rejoices in the midst of sadness. He expresses confidence in the faithfulness of the church family of Philippi and in God’s ability to satisfy his needs and theirs. Jesus’ last prayer (John 17) is focused on his disciples and loved ones, and it expresses serenity and the same quiet confidence in God, that they will be with him again one day.

May the faith expressed by David, Paul and Jesus serve as examples to us all.