Advent Devotion for Dec 11th

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org

Daily Advent Meditation
By Ron White

Psalm 31: 1-5
In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;
do not let me ever be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.
Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.
You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name's sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me faithful God. (New Revised Standard Version)

Psalm 31 became a resource for the gospel writers for understanding and relating to the passion and death of Jesus. The underlined verse, traditionally attributed as a direct quotation of Jesus from the cross, is an affirmation of his trust in God that anticipates the resurrection. Even more important, these words are not just an interpretation of how Jesus died but are also part of a critically important interpretation of the gospel writers about how Jesus lived his life. The writers authoritatively assert that Jesus lived his entire life trusting God. Whatever other theological differences the gospels present, on this point they are in unison. The worldly result of that trust is unmistakably obvious.

In our community, some have managed to live relatively secure and peaceful lives, not exposed to the threat and persecution that the Psalmist referred to in his own life. Many others have managed to live with oppression, if not direct threats, for much of their lives, while the remainder may have experienced a degree of threat and persecution akin to that of the Psalmist. In all cases, we have managed to live within whatever circumstances we find ourselves. We usually manage our lives fairly well by ourselves. We may even take pride in having done so. But therein lies the problem. We may have read this Psalm a hundred times and missed the message, or perhaps not. Here's the message: this Psalm and Jesus' life teach us the importance of self-surrender to Yahweh. In surrendering, we have hope of finding the "peace that surpasses human understanding" promised by the writer of Phillippians 4 if only we will approach total surrender. Yet, that may also be the most difficult task we will ever approach. But, we don't only have our own will to overcome; perhaps the hidden lesson to learn from Psalm 31 and from the life of Jesus is that persons who trust God unreservedly can expect opposition from those who choose to trust only themselves.






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