It's a Pattern - July 8
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 119:1-24; PM Psalm 12, 13, 14; Deut. 1:1-18; Rom. 9:1-18; Matt. 23:27-39
The other day, after much negotiation, pleading and begging, I was able to convince my children to abandon the grip of Netflix binge-watching from some good old-fashioned arts and crafts. “We don’t have any crafts Dad!”
“Just do something creative!” I begged as the hours of television had reached a critical point.
“Fine,” announced Bailey, and off they went on the hunt for arts and crafts supplies which we undoubtedly have plenty of in our household.
Bailey came back about twenty minutes later with a plastic square with pegs where she had carefully filled it with little plastic beads. This craft allows you later to take a piece of wax paper and an iron and you can melt the plastic together. “Dad, dad! Look at this!”
“What is it sweetie?”
“You don’t know,” she replied.
“No, I confirmed again.”
“It’s a pattern!” To be fair, I should have known the answer. My kids are obsessed with patterns.
I think some people are wired to see patterns in just about everything we do. If Bailey had spent a lot of time in Psalms 12, 13, and 14, our selections for this evening (noon if you are participating in our noonday prayers), she would have probably commented on the patterns. Each Psalm begins with concern, “Help me Lord, for there is no godly one left; the faithful have vanished from among us” (Psalm 12:1) or “How long, O Lord? will you forget me for ever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1). Even Psalm 14, the author claims that “Every one has proved faithless; all alike have turned bad; there is none who does good; no, not one” (Psalm 14:3). The Israelites sure were consistent with voicing their concern that the world was broken and people were pretty good at screwing up life. Additionally, they were concerned with what was assumed as a lack of God’s agency in the midst of their struggles: “How long shall I have perplexity in my mind, and grief in my heart, day after day?”
Good News – In all three of our Psalms, the story turns around. It’s a pattern. “’I will rise up,’ says the Lord, ‘and give them the help they long for’” (Psalm 12:6). “I will sing to the Lord, for he has dealt with me richly; I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High” (Psalm 13:6). “Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come out of Zion!” (Psalm 14:7).
As I read the Psalms, I find myself with many of the same questions as the author. I feel like our world is filled with corruption and people who have proved faithless. I want to say, “Have they no knowledge, all those evildoers who eat up my people like bread and do not call upon the Lord?” It’s moderately reassuring to know this is nothing new. It’s a pattern. Good thing the story has a beautiful ending.
- John+
Questions for Self-Reflection
Where do you see patterns in your own life?
How do these patterns impact your prayer life?
Daily Challenge
Remember a time when things were especially tough in your life. Try to recall how your faith was helpful and use that a source of hope in your prayer life.