Proper 25 / Pentecost 23 / OT 30
Devotional
Water From the Well
Lectionary Devotional For Cycle A
Object:
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
-- Psalm 90:1-2
Psalm 90 is a helpful reminder of the everlasting nature of God as the center of existence. When we lose perspective and begin to assume that our lives and the events that impinge upon and at times threaten our existence are critical for the fate of the universe, it is helpful to be reminded that God has been here before and will be here after we are gone. The psalmist reflects on the fact that God existed before even the mountains, the most solid thing the eye could behold (v. 2). The mountains that had witnessed kingdoms come and kingdoms go were a cautionary reminder that all hope does not rest on our decisions and us. Human arrogance evaporates in the light of the eternal nature of God who makes our measure of time insignificant. "You turn us back to dust, and say, 'Turn back, you mortals.' For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night." Our greatest achievements are like a briefly flourishing plant that quickly fades from sight (vv. 5-6). Such sobering thoughts are not to denigrate our importance but to bring our achievements into proper perspective.
In that context, it is even more amazing that the eternal mystery that created the universe and will, in time, bring it to completion takes note of us. "Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." Our hope and joy rests in God's mercy and grace by which God grants us the good that we could not achieve ourselves (v. 15). The incredible truth is that such grace and mercy are available to us because, out of the infinite possibilities in creation, God chooses to care for us. When we recognize the good that God does in us and the power of God to manifest God's purpose in ourselves (v. 16), our life takes on new meaning (v. 17). It would be easy to consider the briefness of our lives and the ephemeral quality of whatever we accomplish and be in despair. When we recognize the eternity of God and God's taking note of our lives, we begin to understand that what we do can have eternal significance.
-- Psalm 90:1-2
Psalm 90 is a helpful reminder of the everlasting nature of God as the center of existence. When we lose perspective and begin to assume that our lives and the events that impinge upon and at times threaten our existence are critical for the fate of the universe, it is helpful to be reminded that God has been here before and will be here after we are gone. The psalmist reflects on the fact that God existed before even the mountains, the most solid thing the eye could behold (v. 2). The mountains that had witnessed kingdoms come and kingdoms go were a cautionary reminder that all hope does not rest on our decisions and us. Human arrogance evaporates in the light of the eternal nature of God who makes our measure of time insignificant. "You turn us back to dust, and say, 'Turn back, you mortals.' For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night." Our greatest achievements are like a briefly flourishing plant that quickly fades from sight (vv. 5-6). Such sobering thoughts are not to denigrate our importance but to bring our achievements into proper perspective.
In that context, it is even more amazing that the eternal mystery that created the universe and will, in time, bring it to completion takes note of us. "Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." Our hope and joy rests in God's mercy and grace by which God grants us the good that we could not achieve ourselves (v. 15). The incredible truth is that such grace and mercy are available to us because, out of the infinite possibilities in creation, God chooses to care for us. When we recognize the good that God does in us and the power of God to manifest God's purpose in ourselves (v. 16), our life takes on new meaning (v. 17). It would be easy to consider the briefness of our lives and the ephemeral quality of whatever we accomplish and be in despair. When we recognize the eternity of God and God's taking note of our lives, we begin to understand that what we do can have eternal significance.
