ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 25, 2020
Scripture: Psalm 18:8
I always put the LORD in front of me; I will not stumble because he is on my right side.
Thought for the Day: In this one verse, did you notice how the Lord is “in front” of the writer and also on the writer’s “right side.” How exactly does that work? In ministry, I have witnessed very faithful people obsess with these kinds of passages, trying to create theological schematics and philosophical diagrams in their search for an explanation. Some might say, “Well it’s God, and God can be in both places at once.” And I would agree, but I also want to remind us how the Psalms are poetry. The moment you try to literalize poetry, you forcibly extract and discard the beauty being conveyed. For me, I’m not too concerned about wrapping my brain around it all. It is good enough for me to find inspiration and comfort as I gently hear the beckoning of the Spirit, while also sensing the divine hand gently supporting me in a shaky moment. Suddenly I hear myself saying, “We can do this.”
Prayer: I know I’ve got this, O Lord, because I know you’ve got me. Amen.
