Baby Step Nine - Trusting God for Deliverance

Baby Steps - March 12, 2016

Psalms 107 and 108

James Cameron, the writer and director of the 1997 “epic romantic disaster film “(Wikepedia) felt that the juxtaposition of a “love story interspersed with the human loss would be essential to convey the emotional impact of the disaster.” The musical score including the love song,  My Heart Will Go On, was composed by James Horner. Although it is the only song on the soundtrack that has lyrics, my favorite rendition is a piano solo by Mike Strickland.

I find the intensity of the music, originally written without lyrics, to convey my experiences of my emotional connectivity with our daughters, and the love and power of God to act in the midst of many troubles and calling upon His promise to bring his authority and victory to every situation.

In Psalms 107 and 108, (Wesley Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version, 2009), we are called as a people of God regathered from exile to give our “Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Many Troubles” and to offer our “Praise and Prayer for Victory.”

“O give thanks to the Lord for he is good;

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

    those he redeemed from trouble.” (107:1-2 NRSV)

“but he raises up the needy out of distress . . .

Let those who are wise give heed to these things,

     and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.” (107:41, 43 NRSV)

All God’s redeeming acts encourage and teach the faithful.

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,

     and let your glory be over all the earth.

Give victory with your right hand, and answer me,

     so that those whom you love may be rescued.” (108:5-6 NRSV)

“O grant us help against the foe

     for human help is worthless.” (108:12 NRSV)

“Give us help for the hard task.” (108:12 MSG, (Petersen, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002))

DELIVERANCE

“In a world of often dueling oppression we may overlook the fact that everyone encounters times of discomfort, danger and distress. The severity and duration of our experiences differ, but no comparison is necessary.” These Psalms assure us, whoever we are: no matter our “race, gender, age ethnicity or belief.” Let the redeemed, “whoever we are, wherever we live, whatever we are going through, let us ‘say so’ to recognize God’s power to help us overcome.” (Wesley Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version, 2009, p. 734)

Somehow, someway, God has given me a special connection with my daughters. No matter how near or far, I somehow feel and own their emotional pain, distress, or danger. They don’t need to call, I just know. My heart responds intuitively. My body responds viscerally.  I would never ask for this pain, distress, and trouble be lifted from me, because somehow, someway God helps me carry their burdens and breathes life into my prayers.  I know we are the redeemed. I believe this connectivity between our girls, myself, and my God grants the opportunity to “say so” on behalf of those I love. We can, through God’s power, overcome the needs of the day, the season, even the extended exile because we know.

Daily Readings, October 23, 2012

Tuesday, October 23, 2012   Daily Readings from the Book of Common Prayer (Revised)  Year B

Psalms 26, 28, 36, 39

Song of Songs 5:2-6:3 (Substituted for the Apocryphal Reading)
Revelation 7:9-17
Luke 10:1-16

 

            When I cannot stand it anymore, I retreat to sacred places. There, I lay before your mercy seat. If I am so tired I cannot lift my hands, I raise my heart in thanks for Him who teaches me to walk in Truth

            When my feet can no longer bring me, my heart leaps and jumps and skips to take me to a place where I can worship my Strength and my Shield for the Lord is my Salvation. He Redeems and is Merciful.

            When my tongue no longer forms syllables or words and my voice no longer creates sound, my heart will shout for joy. It will sing my thanks for You. How priceless is your Love for me.

            When my eyes no longer see, my heart will rush to the deepest seas and find You there. My heart will soar above the highest mountains and find You there, for You are Abundant and full of Light.

            When my body is so heavy, so stiff, no longer moves, my heart will take refuge and fly in the shadow of your wings. Your Faithfulness is great, and You hear my cry and bring me Hope

 

            When the darkness presses in and I am nothing but my pain, Christ comes to me. He whispers to my heart. In my imperfection, my heart seeks Him who is perfection and He can be found in Solitude.

            When I am at the end of my rope, the end of my self, the Holy Spirit groans for my heavy heart. My heart’s desire is Christ alone. My heart climbs two steps forward, one step back to a place where I can hear the angels sing

 

            When I have nothing but time stretching out before me, my heart finds a moment of Spiritual Beauty where my soul is cleansed of darkness. Out of His Abundant Salvation comes Spiritual Fullness.

            When I learn to be still, in the stillness my heart is healed, and I feel the nearness of the Kingdom of God. My heart longs to walk in the Garden. For there, the Hand that flung the stars in space will hold my heart.

When I cross over Jordan, the Hand that bore the nails for all my sins will Heal my broken body. The Hand that stilled the waters, will wipe away the last tears my eyes will ever shed.