In the Land of the Living

Psalm 27

Another year has passed – and a very difficult one, from my perspective. I can read this psalm very personally, just because of the striking contrasts of trouble and blessing it contains. For that matter, this is another psalm said to have two distinct portions (verses 1-6 and 7-14). Whatever experiences come together in this writing, they reflect the experience any of us may have. That is that in surrendering our life, and the past, to the Lord, we can experience that surrendered life as a purposeful unity of seemingly unrelated contrasts. Jesus himself went through amazing highs and horrible lows. What sustained him was his reliance on the Father and his holding to the purpose for which he was sent.

Prayer:
Lord, I can’t make sense of it all. I begin this year by re-surrendering everything to you. I pray for those who have no sense of purpose, for whom everything is just a day-to-day struggle with nothing to hold it together, at least nothing that lasts or doesn’t lead to more chaos. Whatever spot we may be in our relationship to you, raise the level, bring us closer to you, and to one another in this journey, in which we will see your goodness.