Psalms of Sadness and Joy-Psalm 23

During the Lent-Easter season 2012 we are reflecting on some of the Psalms.
Today in Holy Week: Psalm 23


I have been heard to remark that all great literature
is either about love or death.
If it is truly great
then it is about
Love and Death
This most famous Psalm is one people often choose at the time of a funeral
walking through the darkest valley, or the shadow of death,
people are encouraged not to fear.
The truth is that for most, if not all, of us
Death frightens the pants off us!


Why is this?
I suppose there is fear of the unknown
coupled with that we often find deep emotion
difficult to handle
High or low
we recognise
that emotion takes over our lives
and we lose some of our control.
We don't like not being in control!


Perhaps the most deeply shocking thing
about Good Friday
is that Jesus is unable to do anything
to prevent his death.


This Psalm then speaks to that absolutre sense of helplessness
And it reminds us that in death
we are called to trust God
"The trust expressed is not just based on mood...Trust is not a rosy, romantic, optimistic view of things. Its foundations are prayer and thanksgiving and the story of salvation"  (James Mays commentary on Psalms p.118)
This is what this psalm is telling us
We can trust God, not because of wishful thinking
but because this is the same God who brought us out of the desert place
into the green pastures
God it is who has given us an abundance of provision
in this life
and our trust is that this goodness and mercy
will continue in the face of great evil
and for the Christian 
that God will continue to support us in the life to come
as we have been supported in this present life


What to think what to do with this
As I think about  recent encounters with death
what trust is God seeking to draw out of me?


Where I seem frightened in my life
can I look and see how God has dealt with me
in times gone by
what is that experience drawing out of me?

God of the Cross

my own fear and frailty

often leads me to despair.

My feeling often tell me you have let me down

and that my trust is misplaced.

Yet with eyes open I see that

your goodness and mercy

have always been with me.

May I trust that truth

today and always