Tuesday Of Holy Week
Preaching
Aids To The Psalms
Exploring The Message
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.
For my enemies speak concerning me,
and those who watch for my life consult together.
They say, "Pursue and seize that person whom God has forsaken,
for there is no one to deliver."
O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
Alternate Image
The Singer sits stiffly on the edge of his bed and fumbles for
his glasses on his night stand. He puts on the glasses and stares
glumly at the other inhabitants of his dresser: false teeth in a
glass, his hearing aid, and a vial of pills to get him through
the day. He leans forward a bit, then settles back again. Is it
really worth it to get up? In his younger days he was valued and
respected for his business acumen, for being a responsible family
man, for being a pillar of church and community. But now his wife
has died, his children ignore him as much as possible, and very
few pay any attention to his opinions. His day seems past, others
are now in control. Wouldn't it be easy to just lie back in bed
and wait for the grim reaper.
"Bilge water, baloney and poppycock!" he grunts as he reaches
out with his hand, grasps his teeth and slaps them in the air.
"I've still got a few things to say and a few butts to bite
before I enter the portals of heaven." With a grin the Singer
prepares to live another day in faithful obedience.
Reflection
How rich is the memory of older folk! Young folk can remember
a little, short experiences of an abbreviated life; but the
musings of the old are long and rich. Reminiscing is a fine
activity, but an idle one. One can recall past successes or
failures, of wrongs done or injuries received, of good works or
achievements, but just to recall them is like the selfish acts of
youth. Memories should restore the learnings of our years which
can be put to work in new settings. If we use our rich
experiences as the fuel and base for new endeavors, all are
enriched, if not, they become the empty ramblings of a hollow
life. Strongly anchored by a life of faith, older folk become
God's anchors for a new generation.
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.
For my enemies speak concerning me,
and those who watch for my life consult together.
They say, "Pursue and seize that person whom God has forsaken,
for there is no one to deliver."
O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
Alternate Image
The Singer sits stiffly on the edge of his bed and fumbles for
his glasses on his night stand. He puts on the glasses and stares
glumly at the other inhabitants of his dresser: false teeth in a
glass, his hearing aid, and a vial of pills to get him through
the day. He leans forward a bit, then settles back again. Is it
really worth it to get up? In his younger days he was valued and
respected for his business acumen, for being a responsible family
man, for being a pillar of church and community. But now his wife
has died, his children ignore him as much as possible, and very
few pay any attention to his opinions. His day seems past, others
are now in control. Wouldn't it be easy to just lie back in bed
and wait for the grim reaper.
"Bilge water, baloney and poppycock!" he grunts as he reaches
out with his hand, grasps his teeth and slaps them in the air.
"I've still got a few things to say and a few butts to bite
before I enter the portals of heaven." With a grin the Singer
prepares to live another day in faithful obedience.
Reflection
How rich is the memory of older folk! Young folk can remember
a little, short experiences of an abbreviated life; but the
musings of the old are long and rich. Reminiscing is a fine
activity, but an idle one. One can recall past successes or
failures, of wrongs done or injuries received, of good works or
achievements, but just to recall them is like the selfish acts of
youth. Memories should restore the learnings of our years which
can be put to work in new settings. If we use our rich
experiences as the fuel and base for new endeavors, all are
enriched, if not, they become the empty ramblings of a hollow
life. Strongly anchored by a life of faith, older folk become
God's anchors for a new generation.
