Monday, January 15, 2007

Psalm 116

This past Sunday, a slide at the front of the warehouse where we go to church suggested that we read this psalm as we sat there waiting.

1 I love God because he listened to me, listened as I begged for mercy. 2 He listened so intently as I laid out my case before him. 3 Death stared me in the face, hell was hard on my heels. Up against it, I didn't know which way to turn; 4 then I called out to God for help: "Please, God!" I cried out. "Save my life!" 5 God is gracious - it is he who makes things right, our most compassionate God. 6 God takes the side of the helpless; when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me. 7 I said to myself, "Relax and rest. God has showered you with blessings. 8 Soul, you've been rescued from death; Eye, you've been rescued from tears; And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling." 9 I'm striding in the presence of God, alive in the land of the living!

10 I stayed faithful, though bedeviled, and despite a ton of bad luck, 11 Despite giving up on the human race, saying, "They're all liars and cheats." 12 What can I give back to God for the blessings he's poured out on me? 13 I'll lift high the cup of salvation - a toast to God! I'll pray in the name of God; 14 I'll complete what I promised God I'd do, and I'll do it together with his people. 15 When they arrive at the gates of death, God welcomes those who love him. 16 Oh, God, here I am, your servant, your faithful servant: set me free for your service! 17 I'm ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice and pray in the name of God. 18 I'll complete what I promised God I'd do, and I'll do it in company with his people, 19 In the place of worship, in God's house, in Jerusalem, God's city. Hallelujah!

Death doesn't always stare us straight in the face like this, but it had been staring at Skip, a member of our church, during the past week. She had a melanoma removed from near her eye and the doctor had thought the cancer was deeper. He also saw a spot on her lung. (She had breast cancer 10 years ago.) We prayed with her the Sunday before, and she and her husband both told us how that had given them such peace about the situation - and an actual warm feeling that went down in her body. This week, to cheers and tears, she told us the good news that when she went back to the doctor this past week, there was no cancer to be found. We are so glad.

1 comment:

Bob said...

What an awesome psalm of praise! And such a cool story to go with it!