'My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me'!

In this Psalm David is pouring out his heart to God: 'I am thirsty for you.... my flesh faints for you as in a dry and weary land'! Once again, David appears to be at one of his extremities and in need of God. As king he is surrounded by the troubles of political intrigue; people are out to get him, and he has had enough. The prestige of his office offers him no glory; the food of his table offer him no satisfaction; the security of his palace offer him no comfort. Someone once wrote: 'To have everything except God, is to have nothing; but to lack everything except God is to lack nothing'! And David wanted God to be with him more than anything. Had God left David alone? Did God sit back nonchalantly while David languished in despair? No on both accounts, for David acknowledges that God's right hand (i.e. The hand of God's strength) upheld him!

In the Cistene Chapel there is a picture of Adam lazily holding his hand out to God, while God earnestly stretches out to reach him. So also, God's hand stretches out to hold and protect his people and no-one shall harm them apart from the permissive will of God for that moment, and even then their souls are safe with God. So, is your soul safe in God's hands? Have you ever reached out to him? David did so earnestly, and the God to whom he reached was already one step ahead of him, and held him securely. Perhaps you're not sure whether there is even a God to reach out to? Or if there is a God, why would he be interested in you? Reach out to him anyway, with the little faith you have, and the God of David will reveal himself to you in a way that will bring comfort to your soul.  

Love & prayers, Rev. Dave.

Lectionary Readings: Next Week: 14^th March, 2010; Lent 4

Joshua 5: 9-12; Psalm 32; Luke 15: 1-3 & 11-32; 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21