Today’s scripture: Psalm 55 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (John Seksay):
There are very special days in our lives. I’m not talking about the celebrations: graduations, birthdays, or anniversaries. I’m not talking about turning 21, or 40, or 65. I’m not talking about the day we become parents or spouses. I’m talking about the days when the world seems to blow up in our face. When we have our eyes fixed on new heights as we step off the edge of the cliff we didn’t expect.
Today’s psalm speaks of one of those days. The kind of day when your job is suddenly “downsized” by your employer. The kind of day when your banker appears in the paper because he has embezzled all of your retirement money. The kind of day when you come “home” to find you are the ex-spouse. The kind of day when coming out to your family means you don’t have a family any more. The kind of day that sees a key linchpin of your security snap and give without warning.
Betrayed by those you trusted most! Our darkest days are when those we trust deeply suddenly show a very different face. It seems a Jekyll and Hyde transformation — what was our mainstay and ally has become an enemy before our very eyes! The confusion and sense of loss is emotionally devastating; we must literally reassemble our world from shattered pieces. Where can a bruised and battered soul turn to start over?
The reading today speaks to a foundation that can withstand such a storm. Even the most severely damaged tree can send up new shoots from an established root system. The extent of our damage will be determined by where we have placed our deepest trust. We must derive our greatest sense of peace and security from a deep personal connection with our God. All of our other relationships should grow from this strong root. Then the world may cut and prune as it will, but our greatest resource is beyond harm. If otherwise, we risk being completely uprooted!
Thought for the day: Lord, help me strengthen my roots in you each day. I know that You the have unique power to restore me in my times of greatest need!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.