Tuesday, March 24, 2020

The Rev. Nathaniel Bourne

Collect

O God, with you is the well of life, and in your light we see light: Quench our thirst with living water, and flood our darkened minds with heavenly light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reading

1 God is our refuge and strength, *
a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, *
and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;

3 Though its waters rage and foam, *
and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.

4 The Lord of hosts is with us; *
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

5 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, *
the holy habitation of the Most High.

6 God is in the midst of her;
she shall not be overthrown; *
God shall help her at the break of day.

7 The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken; *
God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.

8 The Lord of hosts is with us; *
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Reflection

Today’s psalm voices an unshakeable confidence in God’s presence and continued care for the people of Israel. I don’t know that I share the psalmist’s confidence, or that my faith is that strong at this moment. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve discovered new depths of comfort and meaning in the Psalms, and their words have given me comfort. They’ve become like a mountain spring, a source of water of life-giving water when I feel spiritually dry. There have been moments over the last couple of weeks when I’ve felt run-down, tired, anxious about everything going on in the world and how to deal with it. Today, reading these verses, I was able to tap into the feeling of the Psalmist and share his trust in God’s love, even when I wasn’t feeling it on my own. The beauty of being part of a community rooted in a long tradition is that we don’t have to have faith or hope on our own. We are a part of a “great cloud of witnesses”, both here and now, around the world and through time. When I feel dry, there are sources of water near at hand, springs that I can drink deeply from and be comforted.

Question

What brings you comfort in times like this? When have you found your own faith strengthened by the faith of another person?