May 11th — Psalm 71

“In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me. Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel. For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you. I have been like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all day long. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent.” Psalm 71:1-9

Old age can be a particularly tough time for many. There are plenty of people who do not age well. As such, aging can be a time of dread and fear, as the body weakens, and aches and pains set in. In this day of this invasive virus, one that targets the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions, there are many who live in fear. It is not enough that life gets more difficult the older we get, now we have to be afraid of the invisible enemies like viruses.

The Psalmist here seems to fear that G-d will abandon him in his old age, as he has seen those of the world treat the elderly. As such the Psalmist prays, “Do not cast me away when I am old.” Thank the Lord that G-d’s ways are not man’s ways, and we are also grateful that G-d gives special grace to the weak.

Old age robs us of our youthful looks, and deprives us of our youthful strength for active service; but it does not lower us in the love and favor of G-d. We have to fight a society that wants to warehouse the elderly — tossing them aside like worn out socks. As old age approaches, our strength in many respects will fail us: but G-d will not cast us off nor cast away his love and grace. And, the people of G-d should imitate G-d’s example in showing their kindness towards such as have spent their health and strength in their service of love, life and faith.

PRAYER

God our strong fortress, do not forsake us in youth or old age. Help us to follow your will through all our years and under all circumstances, that forever we may praise your faithfulness; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

May 9th — Psalm 69

“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; many are those who would destroy me, my enemies who accuse me falsely. What I did not steal must I now restore? O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. Do not let those who hope in you be put to shame because of me, O Lord God of hosts; do not let those who seek you be dishonored because of me, O God of Israel. It is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that shame has covered my face. I have become a stranger to my kindred, an alien to my mother’s children. It is zeal for your house that has consumed me; the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. When I humbled my soul with fasting, they insulted me for doing so. When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them.” Psalm 69:1-11

In our suffering, we pray expecting relief from G-d . . . and sometimes answers are not immediate. Sometimes G-d allows us to suffer for the sake of suffering — for there must be some greater understanding that we might be privy to from that suffering — often a message that is beyond us. Part of our relationship with G-d involves waiting and seeking understanding when all things seem to be beyond our knowing, trusting that our faith is not in vain. We learn to take comfort in knowing that G-d hears our prayers and blesses us for our patience and our faith.

G-d is a G-d of love — a Lord who is good and not manipulative. G-d’s love, mercy and grace are indeed great and we will always do well to approach our Lord in trust and faith.

The Psalmist says “It is zeal for your house that has consumed me…” Zeal for the house of the Lord should always consume us — for it is the presence of the Lord that we will find comfort and strength. This is what makes this shelter in place edict so difficult. We are not used to being forced to stay away from the Lord’s house. And yet, we can continue to be in the presence of G-d through prayer, praise and thanksgiving — daily acts of giving thanks.

PRAYER

God of hope, in Christ’s passover from death to life you restore the fallen and rebuild the broken walls. Turn to us in your great compassion, and answer us with your unfailing help, for you are the strength of your people; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

May 10th — Psalm 70

“Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O Lord, make haste to help me! Let those be put to shame and confusion who seek my life. Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire to hurt me. Let those who say, “Aha, Aha!”

turn back because of their shame. Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!” Psalm 70

The Psalmist has decided to give his anxieties to the LORD in the first part of this Psalm leading to some assurance that G-d has heard him and will answer his prayer. This has comforted him — and this is what our prayers should do for us — they should comfort us. As such, the Psalmist continues to pray, but with a different spirit — a comforted spirit. His thoughts are already moving toward what it means to be in the comfort of the Lord. He believes that his deliverance will not only be for his own well-being, but will also serve as an encouragement to the godly in the land.

Do we ever consider the fact that when we live in the comfort of the presence of G-d, that our lives will be a beacon for that comfort? Others will see the joy that defines our lives when we live in the Lord’s presence.

Others might also say, “God is great” (v4). In this exaltation, the Psalmist says that G-d is greater than all the troubles and all the enemies of this world. We too, are called to believe that G-d is greater, G-d is above all our troubles and all our enemies, even those like Covid-19 that remain invisible to us. Let us also live our lives shouting “God is great” every day.

PRAYER

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.