Friday, September 11, 2020

Today’s reflection is written by Deacon Karen Katamay.

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; do not be silent at my tears.” —Psalm 39:12

Do you have something that you pray for every day, waiting for God to bring an answer or relief? Something that is weighing on you and making you wonder if God is listening or even cares? For many of us right now, we are praying every day for an end to this pandemic. We are also reminded this day of the horror that happened on September 11^th in 2001. When we deal with things like this that are beyond our control, we can sometimes question whether God is silent at our tears.  

When King David wrote this psalm, he was reflecting on the fleeting nature of life, and after trying to be quiet and meditate on God, he found he could not hold his tongue (or his tears) any longer. He confesses his sins and asks for forgiveness. He reflects on his own mortality and the mortality of all those around him. He feels that his trials and tribulations are a punishment from God and that God has turned away from him. Yet we know from the Bible that David was chosen by God and God never turned away from him. Just as he never turns away from us, but instead takes the trials of this life and uses them as a way to draw us closer to him, wrapping us with love and grace when we need it most.

In verse 7 of Psalm 39, David reminds us what to look for when we pray: “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” God is our hope when everything feels hopeless around us. And remembering that will carry us even through the worst of times.