Today’s Lenten Word Meditation comes from Psalm 34 The Message Bible:
I bless God every chance I get;
my lungs expand with his praise.
2 I live and breathe God;
if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:
3 Join me in spreading the news;
together let’s get the word out.
4 God met me more than halfway,
God freed me from my anxious fears.
5 Look at God; give God your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from God.
6 When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.
7 God’s angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.
8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to God.
9 Worship God if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all God’s goodness.
10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry,
but God-seekers are full of God.
11 Come, children, listen closely;
I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.
12 Who out there has a lust for life?
Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty?
13 Guard your tongue from profanity,
and no more lying through your teeth.
14 Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!
15 God keeps an eye on his friends,
God’s ears pick up every moan and groan.
16 God won’t put up with rebels;
God will cull them from the pack.
17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,
ready to rescue you.
18 If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there;
if you’re kicked in the gut, God will help you catch your breath.
19 Disciples so often get into trouble;
still, God is there every time.
20 God is your bodyguard, shielding every bone;
not even a finger gets broken.
21 The wicked commit slow suicide;
they waste their lives hating the good.
22 God pays for each slave’s freedom;
no one who runs to God loses out.The word, bless (barakh in Hebrew). is defined as to kneel down, to bless. The Psalms are a collection of prayers and hymns of the Hebrew people spanning many years.
This morning I sit, hold and pray with the word, bless. Today is my birthday, and it is a day of introspection for me. I used to be that person who disappeared on my birthday, but that changed as I started the intentional journey to have peace with myself. In the passage today in vs 1, the Psalm writer talks about blessing God. Not many people speak about blessing God. We usually try to receive blessings from God or a priest. I still wonder at times if I am a blessing to God? For me, to bless God is to do ministry…to love God…to love people/community…to help others and myself…to respect nature…. During this time of Lent I realize pondering Jesus’ journey to the Cross is a blessing to me as he gave his life for others. I hope and pray that I am continually a blessing to others.
Pastor Sam
