Epiphany 3
Preaching
Aids To The Psalms
Exploring The Message
For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress;
I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock,
my refuge is in God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
Those of low estate are but a breath,
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no confidence in extortion,
and set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,
and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
For you repay to all according to their work.
Alternate Image
The Singer lies seemingly crushed beneath a wall of stones.
Thugs, delinquents, robbers, hit men and white collar criminals
have all conspired to do him in. The Singer lies beneath a wall
of stones smiling. He sucks in the air filled with the dust of
broken brick and mortar and begins to sing. "I don't care what
they may say, I don't care what they may do. God's the source of
my salvation, God only, I rely on you." The Singer's
melody mocks those that demean and persecute him. The Singer
stands secure, confident and powerful beneath the wall of stones.
Reflection
Those that would take advantage of us, who would steal from
us, who would poke fun at our faith; demean and hurt themselves
most of all. When our eyes, hearts and minds are focused on God,
on God's love and care for us, we will know that truth. It is
only when we allow the crook, the status seeker and the liar
power by accepting their lies, do we feel downtrodden. Only when
we seek security in that which is transient do we lose our
security in the eternal. Face God, accept God's love, seek that
which is truly lasting and you can laugh faithfully at worldly
seducers.
for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress;
I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock,
my refuge is in God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
Those of low estate are but a breath,
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no confidence in extortion,
and set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,
and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
For you repay to all according to their work.
Alternate Image
The Singer lies seemingly crushed beneath a wall of stones.
Thugs, delinquents, robbers, hit men and white collar criminals
have all conspired to do him in. The Singer lies beneath a wall
of stones smiling. He sucks in the air filled with the dust of
broken brick and mortar and begins to sing. "I don't care what
they may say, I don't care what they may do. God's the source of
my salvation, God only, I rely on you." The Singer's
melody mocks those that demean and persecute him. The Singer
stands secure, confident and powerful beneath the wall of stones.
Reflection
Those that would take advantage of us, who would steal from
us, who would poke fun at our faith; demean and hurt themselves
most of all. When our eyes, hearts and minds are focused on God,
on God's love and care for us, we will know that truth. It is
only when we allow the crook, the status seeker and the liar
power by accepting their lies, do we feel downtrodden. Only when
we seek security in that which is transient do we lose our
security in the eternal. Face God, accept God's love, seek that
which is truly lasting and you can laugh faithfully at worldly
seducers.
