Episode 77: A Psalm of Comfort in a Crisis
The Rev. Dr. Alix Pridgen
WELCOME TO LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION’S FIRST ZOOM WORSHIP SERVICE. (This is an audio recording of a worship service held 03/22/2020 via Zoom. It was our first attempt at live remote worship in response to the for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. )
Thank you for joining us this 4TH SUNDAY IN LENT! The changes in the world in the past week are dizzying. And now here we are… meeting via the web as we shelter in our homes. We are learning… and expect to get better at this with practice. In the meantime, IT FEELS GOOD TO CONNECT… to be together in worship… to draw strength from God and one another, and to share our prayers.
I am here. We are here. God is here. Amen.
PSALM 23 -- a Psalm of Trust.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (KJV)
Spoken in the midst of a dire crisis…
Metaphor … “the darkest valley” (a place of danger and death) Or “a table … in the presence of my enemies.”
In the original Hebrew of Psalm 23, there are exactly twenty six words before, "Thou art with me." And another 26 words after… as if to say, God being with us is at the very center of our lives.
Jesus was called "Emmanuel," which means "God with us." We are not alone down here. The whole Gospel is that God is with us. God doesn't shelter us from trouble. God walks with us and carries us through the pain.
Sheep are vulnerable creatures. The are easy prey for lions and wolves and cliffs and crevices. They wander into danger. The shepherd provides for them… leads them… and is prepared to defend them… and rescue them from danger.
“The Lord is my shepherd”… God will provide.
"I shall lack for nothing," or "I shall lack no good thing."
"What really matters that I do not have?"
In the midst of the deepest darkest valley… God’s light shines. There is new life emerging…
Even in the deep darkness amid the shadow of death… BLESSINGS ABOUND
WE ARE A RESURRECTION PEOPLE… WITH A RESURRECTION PROMISE AND A RESURRECTION HOPE
And when the end comes: We shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.