A couple of days ago I had to walk home from the church building when I forgot that my car was being serviced. Fortunately, it was one of these beautifully warm days we have had this week. Unfortunately, I did not wear my good walking shoes that day. But, as I walked along in shoes better suited for a day of writing than a day of walking, I was blessed along the way with a reminder from the trees of God’s trustworthiness. No matter the challenges that winter brought, the plants and the trees are still going to do their spring thing because that is what they were created to do – to grow and thrive. Their bloom is a reminder of God’s promises to us.
Meanwhile, in the same week that the trees are pinking and greening up, our news cycle has been a doozy. Trans and queer rights are being threatened in courts across the country, our president issued a threat of genocide, war continues to wage in the Middle East, and Jesus’ identity was stolen. I understand why the book of Revelation gets co-opted when people of faith turn on the news and wondering, “how much worse can it get before God throws in the towel?” (This is not a good read of Revelation, but it is understandable why it happens.)
Psalm 96 is a good reminder for us when the hard times feel like they will never end – kind of like the first blush of spring colors on the trees after a winter of historic snow fall. This Psalm reminds us not only to keep singing praises in the hard times, but to do so with the assurance that God’s splendor and majesty are greater than the world’s cruelty and brokenness. God’s promise to hold us steady is greater than any of the times the world rocks violently under our feet. God’s plan to bring justice for all is greater than any injustice any other ruler can dole out.
We can sing God’s praises even in the hard times because God is sure and certain – even when the world isn’t. We can say along with the Psalmist that “‘The Lord reigns.’ The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity” (Psalm 96:10).
So, today as you pray, place your feet on solid ground. Lay flat on the hard earth (if you think you can get up safely!). Close your eyes and feel the firmness under your feet, shoulder blades, or back. And as you breathe in, remember this – God has firmly established the world beneath you. This world that you stand, sit, or lie on is created to be unmoved. The Psalms declare that this is God’s promise to us and because God is trustworthy and good, we can hold on that.
Blessings,
Pastor Amy
