Read Psalm 34. What stood out to you in this reading of the text?
If you are reading the devotional forum posts, I encourage you to join in with your comments and responses. More voices will benefit us all with different perspectives. All are welcome to participate in the discussion!
Because I have had computer problems in the last week I haven't posted any comments, so here is a response to all the meditations since the first of December.
It seems to me that this author is describing the contemplative life to which God calls us to live:
We most often arrive there from a wildernss experience -- a time of desolation -- that we have not chosen. We question: Why? How? Why does God not give us what we pray for? How will it happen? How long must we wait?
Then we experience God in community with others who weep with us and transform our tears into laughter. God speaks to us out of the chaos and calls us to be still and contemplate what God has done and is doing for us. In remembering the steadfast presence of Love we are shown a way to move through the chaos in hope and confidence and breathless joy and become open to responding with acts of service.
My question is about those who have never had a family or community with steadfast love? How can they remember what they've never experienced? Who will guide them? What community? Can we be a commuity that reaches out to them, demonstrating Love with acts of service?
Persistent God, take us by the hand and lead us.
Somewhere along the line I received the message that "fear" in this context was to be "in awe of God." That works much better for me than being afraid. I agree it is so sad that so many people were damaged by their Christian churches and have a hard time seeing God differently and being able to accept God's grace and love.
When I read that psalm, I felt comfort and peace. The speaker is saying that regardless of what happens in life, God is there with me through it.
Afterwards, when I read the devotional entry, I had to back to the psalm to find those references to fear. They were so surrounded with the good things that come from a relationship with God that the "fear" words didn't really register with me.
I have heard of people being taught to think the way the author's acquaintance was. I find that so sad. I am grateful for that not being my personal experience.
I do remember being taught lessons about Proverbs 9:10, which says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom . . . " That made no sense to me. Fortunately, my teacher explained that this instruction to "fear" really meant to "respect." That did make sense to me, and it still does. The devotional author makes a similar claim, "'Fearing the Lord' more appropriately means adopting a worshipful reverence for God." A "worshipful reverence" sounds to me like a healthy attitude as part of our relationship with God. I don't think we always have to be formal, though. I believe He wants us to have an authentic relationship with Him.