Lectionary: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22; Psalm 124; Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; Psalm 19:7-14; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50
Introduction:
There’s no question these are challenging Lectionary readings today: the political acumen of Queen Esther; the complaining and prophesying of newly freed slaves in Numbers; the praying and singing in James, and Mark’s list of things to gouge out and cut off in order to avoid hell.
As with much of Scripture, these verses speak loudly about how our felt needs influence and possess us and how our response to them speaks even louder.
Read:
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Consider:
In the Psalm above, there are two ‘inner’ influences that bring us trouble. The first is in verse 12 – our own errors, or hidden faults. We all have hidden baggage: habits, attitudes, insecurities, anger, etc. They invisibly affect who we are and affect our relationships in ways we don’t recognize because we have become accustomed to them or mastered how to camouflage them. But they are real, so what to do with them?
The second influence is willful sin (v13) – I think you know what they are. The Psalmist recognizes that there are wrong things we say or do that are intentional on our part and the writer seems to accept that they will happen and need to be controlled, ‘…may they not rule over me.’
And so, with these two challenges of hidden faults and willful sins, what do we do? The Psalmist suggests we spend more time in God’s presence. We immerse ourselves in his thoughts, his ways, his restrictions, his wisdom and over time we discover these ways to be ‘trustworthy’, ‘precious’, ‘firm’ as well as ‘honey’ and light’.
In other words, we begin with brokenness but the patience and discipline of God are actually the truths we need to become more whole. Notice that the wording suggests honest dialogue with God and openness to the health of his truth.
Reflect:
What circumstances, influences have formed me as person?
How am I being formed now?
Do I have places and times of listening, thinking? Times of spiritual learning? Times of quiet?
If not, where can I begin to build them? How should they look?
Pray:
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Amen.
