Psalm 138
1I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
2I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
for you have exalted your name and your word
above everything.
3On the day I called, you answered me,
you increased my strength of soul.
4All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O LORD,
for they have heard the words of your mouth.
5They shall sing of the ways of the LORD,
for great is the glory of the LORD.
6For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly;
but the haughty he perceives from far away.
7Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.
8The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
3On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.
We all remember where we were when the twin towers fell. I was finishing the first month of my seminary internship at Peace Lutheran Church in South Haven, MI. I was far from home in an unfamiliar environment and almost everyone was still a stranger to me.
I was so filled with terror, frustration, and rage that I had to do something. So I drove to a quiet spot along the lakeshore, rolled-up my pant legs, and waded out into the frigid water. For the next 15 minutes or so, I screamed and raged at God while I flailed my arms around in the water. Then I got in my car, drove to the church, and started offering pastoral care and comfort to all the shell-shocked people who wandered into the door.
Like the parent of a toddler, God is always right there with us watching over us in love. That’s why, when we cry out for help or comfort, God’s response is swift and thorough.
Prayer: O God, My God: Thank you for being there when the bottom falls out, and all the rest of the time as well. AMEN