Tag Archives: fighting

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Trust in the LORD!

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“Trust in the LORD!”

Psalm 20 (20:7) – June 16, 2024

            I seldom mention politics in my sermons, but today will be an exception. I am uncomfortable, even alarmed at the general political conversation in the United States right now, in June 2024. Many people across our country are polarized, in terms of political discussion. All kinds of issues – from schooling, bussing, immigrants, guns, diversity, human rights, ecology, taxes, unemployment, science – you name it. Just about any and every issue can be a battleground today. It seems like any two people, or two groups, or two countries have got to be fighting with each other all the time.

            This makes me want to come before God, and bring my concerns before the Lord about the political conversation – or downright fighting! – that is so regularly going on today! I read in one of my commentaries on Psalm 20, written more than ten years ago, that our commentator at that time saw “so many people willing to tear people’s reputations and actions to shreds; regardless of however right or wrong are their opinions, and their understanding!”

In her commentary, Joan Stott goes on to say “We are going through a particularly ‘sticky’ situation … people seem to be delighting in other people’s potential mistakes and/or problems, and ridiculing their deliberately made decisions.” [1] Wow. Double wow! If that argumentative attitude was pervasive in this country twelve years ago, imagine today, with fist fights breaking out in rooms and chambers where our elected representatives meet.   
            Here in our worship service, this space is set apart to be directed to God. We have the luxury of having this special place for worship, prayer, praise and thanksgiving. And, petition, too, when we need God’s help. That is what Psalm 20 begins with: petition to our God. “1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
2 May God send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.”

From current news stories from across our country, I do not think many people step back and consider wisely before they angrily express opinions or enter into arguments. They yell and shout and sometimes even get into fist fights over political disagreements.

But, wait. This psalm also mentions war, and fighting. Except, coupled with prayer. Our psalmist is lifting up the concept of praying to God before making any decision, especially one as serious as a battle. Leaders from across the world this past Thursday gathered on the beaches in Normandy to remember the 80th anniversary of D-Day, June 6th, 1944. In one of the many articles commemorating this huge wartime operation, I read one about General Dwight Eisenhower, who supervised the invasions of France and Germany for the American forces.

General Eisenhower wrote a draft of a memo that was never released, just in case the invasion failed. Included among his remarks is: “My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that Bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.” [2]  And, contemporary accounts tell us Eisenhower definitely prayed earnestly about the attack.

            Is there any solution to our anxiety about contentious or brawling arguments in politics today? Something that is definitely rare in today’s political discussion is active listening, and considerate hearing of different points of view. Commentator Joan Stott is grateful for “wise and considered decisions that in the past, have been made following earnest prayer, and hours of listening to … people’s viewpoints and needs.” [3] Oh, that we might be blessed with more leaders locally and nationally who are wise, and act in measured and rational ways.

            Which brings us back to Psalm 20. Not only does this psalm lift up the people of the nation: “4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. 5 May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God.” Moreover, this psalm points us toward the ultimate source of our strength, in verse 7! “7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

            I know that many prayers went up to God before the Normandy invasion in June of 1944. I am so grateful that meticulous planning and considered, measured judgment came into play in the whole operation. Would that a small amount of that measured thinking and considered judgment be used today, as friends, and acquaintances, and our political leaders engage in political infighting and mean-spirited arguments.

            What can you and I do about all this argumentation? I know it seems like a huge problem! Insurmountable, sometimes. Especially when you and I come up against angry words or harsh opinions, or even fist fights! However, we can take this psalm into our lives and hearts today, and ask God to be with each of us as we go about our daily activities.

            Plus, as a congregation before God, we know that God is with each of us, in power and in strength. This psalm really lifts up this image of God! The Lord is saving us for a life in heaven, yes! And, the Lord is saving us here and now, from the ways sin impacts our lives! [4]  Sin? Yes – not following God, not acting and speaking in ways that lift up our God. And, arguing and infighting about politics are certainly not pointing people to our loving and powerful God!  

            We – you and I are the sign that God is at work in the world. And, we can show people day by day that we are living lives that show forth God’s purposes. Not arguing, not bickering, and certainly no fist fights! Instead, we can all strive to apply God’s love, understanding and reconciliation to our speech and our actions, each and every day.

            The writer of this psalm knew from personal experience “that to call on God when in need was to place our lives, our thinking and planning within God’s overview, and to trust always in God’s leading and guidance.” [5] That was true thousands of years ago, and it is just as true today. Whether fighting with swords, shields, arrows and armor, or with the weapons of argument, animosity and downright hatred of one group against another. We need to go to God and have God lead us and guide us each day. May it be so! Alleluia, amen. 

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] http://www.thetimelesspsalms.net/w_resources/pentecost3[11]b_2012.htm

[2] https://www.businessinsider.com/d-day-in-case-of-failure-letter-by-general-eisenhower-2012-6

[3] http://www.thetimelesspsalms.net/w_resources/pentecost3[11]b_2012.htm

[4] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/ascribe-to-god/fourth-sunday-after-pentecost-year-b-lectionary-planning-notes

[5] http://www.thetimelesspsalms.net/w_resources/pentecost3[11]b_2012.htm

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God, Our Light

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“God, Our Light”

Psalm 27:1-10 (27:1) – March 13, 2022

            When I set the theme for the Second Sunday in Lent about three weeks ago, I had no idea that there would be an actual war being waged, right now. The Russian army is attacking Ukraine as we speak, and all the horrors of modern-day warfare are a reality, all across the country of Ukraine. Psalm 27 means so much to many of the Ukrainian people right now.

            As this congregation highlights another petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “Deliver us from evil,” we are brought up sharply by the traumatic situation in our own world. We can turn on war news, from both national as well as international media. Videos and photos are – sadly – readily accessible, and the news is heart-rending. No matter which side you are on.

            Wasn’t this the case when King David wrote this psalm, so many centuries before?

            Wars, rumors of wars, battles, skirmishes, fighting – and King David writes this song of praise to the Lord, to thank the Lord for deliverance from evil.

            King David was certainly no stranger to fighting and to war. After King Saul ran David off into the Judean wilderness (a harsh and unhospitable place, the same place where Jesus went after His baptism), David stayed away from Jerusalem for years. Even though David was rightfully anointed by the prophet Samuel as king of Israel, David would not lift his hand against King Saul. At the same time, David was essentially a guerilla leader of 600 battle-hardened fighters, for years. They also would do mercenary fighting, while on the run from King Saul and the troops of Israel. And, that was just the beginning of David being a fighter.

            As we see from both 1 and 2 Samuel, David knew what he was talking about when he wrote these psalms about the Lord delivering him and his men from evil – from war, and from fighting. David was on the run from King Saul for over ten years. And, he was no coward! However, he thanked God that God watched over him and kept him from evil – kept him from being overtaken by the troops of King Saul, as well as foreign troops he was fighting against.

            You and I are not fighting battles against opposing armies, but we still can come to God, praying this psalm for our safety. You and I might consider evil to be bad stuff. Bullies who intimidate and harass. Robbers who steal purses or take cell phones or wallets. Car-jackings, vindictive anger, abusive behavior, vandals who destroy property. All of these are evil, and we can pray for God to protect us from all of these, plus many more.

            As our commentator Beth Tanner says, “With all of the violence in our world, Christians are faced almost daily with a decision to live in fear, or despite their fear, to trust in God and God’s promises.“ [1] “Deliver us from evil” is a powerful prayer! A prayer of trust and assurance in God’s provision, in God’s ability to keep us safe, whatever our situation.

            Yet, the world has had many, many wars through the centuries. Many, many periods of fighting, ethnic strife, border conflicts, and even genocides. Horrific atrocities committed, and whole societies, entire countries stricken by death and destruction. How can anyone lift up their hearts to God in such catastrophic times?

We know, too, God wants us to be hospitable, even in such times. “To choose to remain true to God’s principles of hospitality feels frightening as well. Terrorists and Refugees come from the same places. Gun violence comes out of nowhere and even those places we considered safe are safe no longer. Fear threatens to defeat the gifts of trust and hospitality.” [2]

            It is so interesting that King David seems to waver back and forth, from the sure certainty of God’s saving power to fear of some kind of situation where David’s enemies are trying to “devour his flesh,” as Psalm 27:2 tells us. Whatever the specific problems or fighting happens to be, we suspect God may turn away. Don’t you, sometimes? Even if you are usually firm in faith and fervent in prayer, sometimes…stuff happens. People fail us. Situations baffle us. How can we cope? What is there to do? God, help us!  Sometimes we need to step back, take a deep breath, and think of difficult things as a child might. The best child’s translation of this part of the prayer is “Lord, save us from all the bad stuff that happens.” [3]

And yet,” right in the middle of his expressions of fear, the Psalmist also declares his confident faith that God’s presence is like a light that keeps him safe.” [4] Our Scripture reading today, Psalm 27, remains as a beacon. This encourages us to come to God even as we find ourselves afraid. Even, afraid out of our wits.

We might find ourselves praying the Lord’s Prayer, and saying it by rote, without even concentrating on the words as they come out of our mouths. Yet – “Lent is a time to ask the deep questions of our faith. We can repeat the fears of the past, or trust a new ending to God. It is never easy, but it is the call of God on our lives. This psalm invites us to believe again that our faith in God will never desert us, no matter what happens. Life without fear is not possible, but faith can call us to live into God’s will for our life instead of reducing our lives because of our fears and insecurities.” [5]

Yes, “deliver us from evil” is a powerful prayer, indeed. Yes, we can be afraid, and yes, God can alleviate our fears. If we want to dispel the darkness of fear, we can affirm that God is indeed our light and our salvation. We can all say amen to that!

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1]   https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/second-sunday-in-lent-3/commentary-on-psalm-27-3

[2]   Ibid.

[3]  http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2016/01/year-c-second-sunday-in-lent-february.html

[4]   https://thewakingdreamer.blogspot.com/2014/01/what-do-we-have-to-fear.html

“What Do We Have To Fear?” Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer, 2016.

[5]   https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/second-sunday-in-lent-3/commentary-on-psalm-27-3