Lent 1
Preaching
Hear My Voice
Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
Object:
(See Proper 21/Pentecost 19/Ordinary Time 26, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-6 and 14-16.)
We immediately recognize a portion of this psalm as part of the dialogue between Jesus and the devil in the temptation narratives. In the well-known scene, the devil suggests to Jesus that if he jumped from one of the high towers of the temple, God would not allow him to be injured. The devil assures Jesus that no harm will come to him because "he will command his angels concerning you ... on their hands they will bear you up" (vv. 11-12).
It surely does not come as a surprise, but the devil uses these words grossly out of context. The psalmist does not envision a situation where we can expect God's protection even though we are acting in a reckless manner. In fact, the promise here has nothing to do with protection from any sort of injury. The psalmist merely describes one of the benefits which accrues to a life faithfully lived.
The opening verses establish the boundaries of this faithful life: "You who live in the shelter of the most high ... My God in whom I trust." Faithfulness is about trusting God. It is also about worship, and it is about commitment. The expectation is that we will make God our single focus, our reason for living.
We should not, and cannot, say that faithfulness always affords protection from harm -- that, simply because we have done what we should, that "angels will bear us up" out of harm's way. That is not always possible and it is not always true. Even the most faithful of followers occasionally must face and endure suffering. Sometimes being faithful -- as is the case with the cross -- is the cause of our suffering. There are times when escape from a difficult situation is actually an instance of unfaithfulness.
So what does the psalmist mean? What is he talking about here?
The psalmist is not suggesting escape or protection from pain. The benefit the psalmist describes is for God's help for those who must go through difficult or painful situations.
The devil really got it completely backward. It is not that we are able to leap from some lofty perch of spiritual privilege in the arms of guardian angels. What is closer to the truth is that as we stumble while carrying our burdens and nearly fall to the ground, God's grace keeps us from going all the way down. It is not a fall from a spiritual high in which we are caught; it is the moment just before we surrender to despair, having walked bowed toward the ground for a long time.
-- J. E.
We immediately recognize a portion of this psalm as part of the dialogue between Jesus and the devil in the temptation narratives. In the well-known scene, the devil suggests to Jesus that if he jumped from one of the high towers of the temple, God would not allow him to be injured. The devil assures Jesus that no harm will come to him because "he will command his angels concerning you ... on their hands they will bear you up" (vv. 11-12).
It surely does not come as a surprise, but the devil uses these words grossly out of context. The psalmist does not envision a situation where we can expect God's protection even though we are acting in a reckless manner. In fact, the promise here has nothing to do with protection from any sort of injury. The psalmist merely describes one of the benefits which accrues to a life faithfully lived.
The opening verses establish the boundaries of this faithful life: "You who live in the shelter of the most high ... My God in whom I trust." Faithfulness is about trusting God. It is also about worship, and it is about commitment. The expectation is that we will make God our single focus, our reason for living.
We should not, and cannot, say that faithfulness always affords protection from harm -- that, simply because we have done what we should, that "angels will bear us up" out of harm's way. That is not always possible and it is not always true. Even the most faithful of followers occasionally must face and endure suffering. Sometimes being faithful -- as is the case with the cross -- is the cause of our suffering. There are times when escape from a difficult situation is actually an instance of unfaithfulness.
So what does the psalmist mean? What is he talking about here?
The psalmist is not suggesting escape or protection from pain. The benefit the psalmist describes is for God's help for those who must go through difficult or painful situations.
The devil really got it completely backward. It is not that we are able to leap from some lofty perch of spiritual privilege in the arms of guardian angels. What is closer to the truth is that as we stumble while carrying our burdens and nearly fall to the ground, God's grace keeps us from going all the way down. It is not a fall from a spiritual high in which we are caught; it is the moment just before we surrender to despair, having walked bowed toward the ground for a long time.
-- J. E.
