Psalm 31:9-16
Preaching
A Journey Through the Psalms: Reflections for Worried Hearts and Troubled Times
Preaching the Psalms Cycles A, B, C
Object:
It was late one night, and the young people in the church were having a party. There is no denying that things were a little rowdy. There is not much sense in pretending that the kids were not boisterous and dancing up a storm. It was, after all, a party. Suddenly, the door to the fellowship hall burst open and several churchfolk strode in and switched off the music with the crisp question, "Who's in charge here?"
The question really never did get answered, though the asking pretty much quelled the spirit of joy and rowdiness. However, it's a question worth asking and asking often. Who is, indeed, in charge here? In the church, for example, who is in charge? The pastor? Mention that to most clergyfolk and the response will be a chuckle if not an outburst of laughter. Are the trustees in charge? Certainly, some would say so. Is the personnel committee in charge? Again, some would say so.
The truth of the matter, however, is that it's God who is in charge. Any other assertion of control is merely delusional. The problem encountered by people in all of life's settings is that delusion prevails. So many people act as though they are in charge; so many people live in delusion of power that real power never gets understood, utilized, or even acknowledged.
This psalm puts the matter straight in verse 14: "But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hand...."
How would the world look today if leaders both great and small, understood that the "times are in God's hands," not theirs? How would the church look today if clergy and layfolk alike understood that it was God who was in charge of the work and ministry?
The times are indeed in God's hands and the realization of this brings liberation. Released from the drive to control, people can reach in hope and healing. Freed from the need to win, community members can share and cooperate. Untethered from the necessity of determining the outcome, the people are released to discern God's leading rather than their own desires.
What a powerful community would emerge with God at the helm! What incredible witness could be given by a people not obsessed with being in charge! And finally, what a nation might be built if it were free of the will to power and given over instead to the justice and compassion of the holy one.
The question really never did get answered, though the asking pretty much quelled the spirit of joy and rowdiness. However, it's a question worth asking and asking often. Who is, indeed, in charge here? In the church, for example, who is in charge? The pastor? Mention that to most clergyfolk and the response will be a chuckle if not an outburst of laughter. Are the trustees in charge? Certainly, some would say so. Is the personnel committee in charge? Again, some would say so.
The truth of the matter, however, is that it's God who is in charge. Any other assertion of control is merely delusional. The problem encountered by people in all of life's settings is that delusion prevails. So many people act as though they are in charge; so many people live in delusion of power that real power never gets understood, utilized, or even acknowledged.
This psalm puts the matter straight in verse 14: "But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hand...."
How would the world look today if leaders both great and small, understood that the "times are in God's hands," not theirs? How would the church look today if clergy and layfolk alike understood that it was God who was in charge of the work and ministry?
The times are indeed in God's hands and the realization of this brings liberation. Released from the drive to control, people can reach in hope and healing. Freed from the need to win, community members can share and cooperate. Untethered from the necessity of determining the outcome, the people are released to discern God's leading rather than their own desires.
What a powerful community would emerge with God at the helm! What incredible witness could be given by a people not obsessed with being in charge! And finally, what a nation might be built if it were free of the will to power and given over instead to the justice and compassion of the holy one.
