Let God rise up, let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, let the wicked perish before God. But let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy. Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds—his name is the Lord—be exultant before him. (Psalm 68: 1-4)

Who are the enemies of God? They are those who lie, who twist reality, who cause confusion.

I am an enemy of God when I seek my supposed self-interest at the expense of others. I am an enemy of God when I seek to deny God's purpose. I am an enemy of God when I fail to love.

Who are the righteous? They are those who seek the truth, who embrace reality, and who love even the enemies of God.

Above is Kornfeld mit Zypressen by Vincent Van Gogh.

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by. I cry to God Most High, to God who fulfils his purpose for me. (Psalm 57: 1-2)

There are at least sixteen Hebrew words that can sometimes be translated as purpose. Here it is a verb: gamar. This means to accomplish, to complete, to perfect, to bring to an intended ending.

Many people of faith seek a very specific purpose. I have often wished for a very specific gift: something that would define me and which I could wield with confidence and consistent effectiveness. It is increasingly clear that - at least for me - this is not God's purpose.

Rather God asks that I join in exploring, in creating, in becoming something constantly new. God seems to ask that I enter into the storms, dance with God, and enjoy the drenching.

Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. (Psalm 24: 7-10)

Most of us build walls and gates around our lives. These serve to protect us from the slings, arrows, and worse that come our way. Too often these defenses also seperate us from opportunity and joy. Fear too often crowds out love. Caution too often constrains creativity. God calls us to lift up our gates, open the doors, and welcome glory into our lives.

If you are on broadband, you can listen to the choir of Trinity Church (Wall Street) sing John Amner's motet "Who is the King of Glory." I would love to provide a link to Handel's chorus from Part II of the Messiah. But I cannot find it online.

Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night’, even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139: 7-12)

God is that which exists in the past, now, and in the future. God is what God chooses to be. God is becoming. God is what unfolds. God is the great "I am Who I am." God is in all things, even in darkness, even in Hell.

Moses was instructed to tell Pharoah that Hayah had sent him (Exodus 3:14). Becoming, Existing, Being, Doing has sent me. That which chooses, animates, moves, that which lives has sent me.

This is our essential nature. We have been sent to make choices, to unfold, to become. We sometimes resist our nature. We may seek to hide from it. But, ultimately, we choose: positively or passively, in love or in fear, with God or without.

Above is Le bonheur de vivre (Joy of Living) by Henri Matisse.

The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

One psalm calls for thanksgiving, the next for a broken spirit.

In the lives of many one sacrifice seems to exclude the other. There are constant Tiggers, others are perpetual Eeyores (as in Winnie-the-Pooh). Those full of thanksgiving exude energy and shout alleluia. Those with a broken spirit quietly stand aside sometimes in tears.

Each attitude of sacrifice has its time and place. Both can be annoying and even destructive in the wrong time and place.

There is often a need to shatter our pride, our vanity, and our sense of control before we can fully encounter the Spirit of God. This is a difficult process of purification. One outcome is a quietness and a gentleness that will soften the most exuberant soul. Broken-hearted Tiggers will still have plenty of bounce, but they also know when to be still.

Eeyore wants to be noticed. A dark cloud of depression and discouragement is hard not to notice. We are asked to sacrifice our broken-heartedness giving it over to the care of God. The love of God will transform it into thanksgiving. We will be noticed. We will not be forgotten. Eeyores will be given a joy that allows them to join Tiggers in bouncing a bit.

Today is the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth. You may listen to a portion of the Kyrie from the Litaniae de venerabili altaris sacramento (K. 243). Provided courtesy of Philips Classics Productions.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honour. (Psalm 8: 3-5)

We are surrounded with opportunities for joy. In considering the moon and stars above or the smallest seeds and stones beneath our feet we have been blessed. God asks only that we be thankful. Being thankful involves recognition and acceptance. We need only to recognize the opportunities made available and accept our role in fulfilling their potential. Do this with enthusiasm and give thanks to God. In doing this we honor God and achieve our purpose.

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High... Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honour me; to those who go the right way I will show the salvation of God.’ (Psalm 50: 14, 23)

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. (Psalm 19: 1-4)

This morning a crescent moon rises late in the Eastern sky. The stars of the milky way stretch as a cosmic cloud until obscured by the lunar light. Light unfolds into light. Into the darkest night light still finds its way. May I listen and understand.

Above is a color-enhanced image of the spiral galaxy NGC 4631 as seen by the Chandra X-Ray Observatory.

You love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad; daughters of kings are among your ladies of honour; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. (Psalm 45: 7-9)

The world is often a tragic place. The misery of many should challenge our comfort. The injustice of the powerful should keep our attention. We are called to see with the eyes of God and be the hands of God.

But this should not lessen the joy with which we receive the gifts of God. Even in the midst of tragedy, I have been blessed beyond measure. I have been anointed with shemen sasown: the oil of gladness. It is not my place to wash it off.

Rather, I should accept the invitation to be led into gladness and rejoicing. I should join the feast, drink the wine, laugh, sing, dance with abandon, and give thanks. There is much that requires our serious attention. I should not take myself too seriously.

Above is a painting by a Balinese elephant named Ramona. Her keepers have named the painting Dance with Me.

Rouse yourself! Why do you sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not cast us off for ever! Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? For we sink down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. Rise up, come to our help. Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love. (Psalm 44: 23-25)

I have never perceived that God was asleep. I have experienced the absence of God, but that has been the result of my choice to step away. God has honored my choice.

I have experienced confusion, shame, and failure. But God has clearly been with me in these times. I have not always listened carefully or responded faithfully, but God has continued in relationship with me.

Some - like the psalmist - speak of God being out of sight. In my experience this has meant I have been facing the wrong way.

My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63: 5-8)

In silence and darkness we may hear and see what is otherwise obscured. During the day chatter and noise can fill our ears. The distractions of daily life can overwhelm our sight.

When we step into the quiet - whether it be day or night - what do we hear, what do we see, what do we feel, what do we find?

If we feel alone or afraid, we should wait a bit longer and step a bit farther into the quiet. Listen carefully for a whisper. Turn toward that soft voice and feel the embrace of God.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. (Psalm 42: 11)


God has listened. God has responded. God has loved in ways unfathomable and entirely undeserved.

God found me confused and freting. God has taken my hand and led me into dancing. I am left dizzy and breathless... and amazed.

God is my dancing partner. The music is playing. The lights are shimmering. The crowd is gathering. We bow to one another and another dance begins.


You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you for ever. (Psalm 30:11-12)

Above is a detail from I Saw Two Men Dancing by Walter King.

Love the Lord, all you his saints. The Lord preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord. (Psalm 31: 23-24)

With our sharpest reason we come to scripture, prayer, and experience. We open our mind and being to the potential for revelation, an understanding beyond reason.

We read carefully. We listen attentively. We ask for guidance. We engage in self-criticism. We open ourselves to correction. We seek to understand. We acknowledge mysteries beyond our understanding.

We act. We make choices. We choose to love or not to love. We choose to trust or not to trust.

Gracious God be with me in my choices. Help me to be motivated by love rather than fear. Creator and redeemer help me shape my intention to reflect your purpose. Allow my choices and actions to bring me into fuller relationship with you.

My own translation of the last verses of Psalm 31: Passionately seek and fully value the One Who Exists all you who are faithful and kind. The One Who Exists keeps watch over those who firmly trust and brings into wholeness those who act with excellence. All you who wait expectantly on the One Who Exists: Be strong, attentive, and determined in all that you are.

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday. (Psalm 37: 3-6.)

In another translation of verse 3 instead of "so you will live in the land and enjoy security," we read "dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness." One translation suggests a conditional, the other is a more straightforward instruction.

The translation at the top is the New Standard Revised Version. In the New American Standard Bible verse 6 is rendered, "He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday." One translation suggests pay-back, the other self-development.

Which is closer to the original intent of the psalmist? Which is closer to the intent of God?

I will come into your house with burnt-offerings; I will pay you my vows, those that my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble. I will offer to you burnt-offerings of fatlings, with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams; I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for me. I cried aloud to him, and he was extolled with my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has given heed to the words of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me. (Psalm 66: 13-20)

The psalmist was in trouble. He offered God a deal. Save me and and I will fulfill a vow. We don't know what the psalmist promised.

The psalmist has come through the trouble. He is thankful. He has concluded that God was persuaded, motivated, extolled by what he said. The psalmist has also concluded that he is not wicked (or God would not have listened). There is just a whiff of having deserved God's special care.

God listened. God loved. Because the psalmist asked, God responded. I am skeptical of the psalmist's other conclusions.

I hate, I reject your festivals, nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings I will not accept them; and I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound your harps. But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing stream. (Amos 5: 21-24)

Above is Burnt Offerings by J.V. Harvey.

Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honour them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation. (Psalm 91: 14-16)

I do not know Hebrew well enough to be sure of the sense of tense. Every translation of this psalm that I can find, though, uses "will" in a future form.

While it may change the intention of the psalmist, I prefer the use of "can."

Those who love me, I can deliver; I can protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I can answer them; I can be with them in trouble, I can rescuse them and honour them. With long life I can satisfy them, and show them my salvation.

Our choice to love God allows, invites, and empowers God.

I am a poor grammarian in every language. But is it possible that the Hebrew tense might be similar to the English Future Continuous? A description of this verbal form is available at the English Page.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. (Psalm 25: 4-5)

In this dance with God, I want God to lead. I want and need to know the ways of God.

God is willing to teach. But God is no pedant. God does not lecture. If we are going to dance, we will learn by dancing.

God joins me on the dance floor. God has some moves. God wants me to find some moves of my own.

God wants to dance together. God wants us to know the joy, fulfillment, and wholeness of moving together.

I am a bit like my thirteen-year-old self: the dancing is enticing, but I hold back afraid of appearing foolish. God teach me to let go.

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150)

I am delighted. I am enticed. I am enraptured. I am entranced.

When I am delighted, I am compelled to move. In Hebrew the verb is chaphets: take delight in, desire, take pleasure in, move toward, bow down to.

I am delighted with God. I am enticed by God's presence. I am entranced by the movement of God. I revel in God's breath, touch, and taste.

In response I cannot sit still, I must move. I must dance and shout and sing.

God has invited all to a dance of co-creation. I accept the invitation with enthusiasm and joy.

Above is Dance of Youth by Pablo Picasso.

In your strength the king rejoices, O Lord, and in your help how greatly he exults! You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips... You bestow on him blessings for ever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved. (Psalm 21: 1-2,6-7)

Rejoice, exult, be glad, and trust. These are our moves if we are to dance with God. These are our opening steps, to which God can respond.

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37: 3-4)

I increasingly perceive that delight is - at least for me - a precondition of trust.

Too often I have approached God with a sense of obligation, responsibility, or guilt. This attitude has separated me from a full relationship with God.

The psalmist teaches I should 'anag - be happy about, make merry over, even jest with God.

How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. (Psalm 36: 7-9)

Protection, feasting, drinking, and delight. This is what God offers.

God invites us to join in dancing. Will we dance alone or with God? We are given the choice.

To chuwl - to dance - can also mean to tremble, to shake, to be in anquish, to bring forth, and to give birth.

To choose to dance with God may bring anquish, but it will also bring forth much love.

May I choose dancing, singing, and praise. May I choose to move with God.

Above is Dancing with God by Michael Corab.

The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God. They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one. Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord? (Psalm 14: 2-4)

Evildoers lack knowledge, fail to understand, and have gone the wrong way. God looks for the wise: those who are attentive, consider carefully, and choose the right way.

Evildoers eat up other people: use others merely to advance their own purposes. The wise seek to understand others and contribute to the purposes of others.

Evildoers do not consider God's intentions. The wise cry out - qara - to God. The wise shout loudly and enthusiastically as if they are running to embrace an old friend.

Their mouths are filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under their tongues are mischief and iniquity. They sit in ambush in the villages; in hiding-places they murder the innocent. Their eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; they lurk in secret like a lion in its cover; they lurk that they may seize the poor; they seize the poor and drag them off in their net. They stoop, they crouch, and the helpless fall by their might.They think in their heart, ‘God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.’ (Psalm 10: 7-11)

The psalms feature the wicked nearly as much as God. There are many Hebrew words for wicked. What is translated above as iniquity is often rendered as wickedness.

The source word is 'aven. This originally meant to pant as when doing hard labor. There is the suggestion of panting and working in vain.

Earlier in this psalm it is written the wicked person's way of life is always chuwl (pronounced cool). This is whirling, twisting, and writhing. There is great exertion, but very little progress.

The psalmist too often envies the wicked. He perceives they enjoy their success. Their plots often succeed. But there is no joy. There is no end or fulfillment in the work of the wicked.

The wicked are twirling and whirling all alone. Joy is found in dancing with God.

Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water,which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3)

We are blessed, happy, and make progress when we do not listen to bad advice, do not choose the wrong direction, and when we do not sit and scoff as a lilyth.

The Hebrew lilyth is rich with multiple meanings. It is a desert owl, haunting in its screech, seeming to mock anyone unfortunate enough to be lost in the wilderness.

Lilyth is a Sumerian demon, referenced in Gilgamesh and in other ancient texts. She is usually serpent-like and often sexually alluring. When healthy babies died in their cradles, Lilyth was blamed.

In some Jewish mythology Lilyth is a female created prior to Eve and, perhaps, returning as the serpent tempting Eve with the knowledge of good and evil. She seduces both men and women into spiritual deserts.

The Medieval Rabbi Jacob Ha-Kohen wrote that Lilyth's intention is never good and she is constantly trying to incite jealously, envy, and war.

Surely we are not to be a lilyth.

Instead we are to delight in - chephats to move or bend down toward - the instruction of God. The Hebrew can suggest dancing with God. We are to dance, and dance, and dance.

Above is Lilith by Anselm Kiefer. To the left is Lilyth as the serpent from Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. More background on Lilyth is available from Alan Humm at the University of Pennsylvania.

Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments. Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures for ever. They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous. It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered for ever. They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord. Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures for ever; their horn is exalted in honour. The wicked see it and are angry; they gnash their teeth and melt away; the desire of the wicked comes to nothing. (Psalm 112: 1-10)

Wealthy, powerful, courageous, respected, and triumphant: this is what many envision as being blessed. This is the blessing the psalmist promises to those who are consistently gracious, merciful, righteous, generous, and just.

The promise of prosperity is a key element in much of scripture. But the preconditions are too often neglected. The promise is fulfilled through a profound relationship with God manifested in every choice we make.

We can also see in the life of Jesus that wealth, power, courage, respect, and triumph may come in ways we do not expect.

A loving and loyal relationship with God is the foundation of personal fulfillment. The prosperity appropriate for one person will be different for another. Each of us has a unique role to play in fulfilling God's intention.

By seeking and doing what God intends we will find fulfillment. This is a promise that is always kept.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits— who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103: 1-5)

The English word "bless" comes from very old German for blood. In Anglo-Saxon bloedsian is to sprinkle with blood as a means of consecration. It was an important rite of pre-Christian religious ceremony.

This was a powerful word to adopt in explaining the Christian story. We have been blessed by the spilled blood of Jesus on the cross. We are called to bless God. This blessing has often involved the blood of martyrs.

But to bless is also to wish happiness and to make happy. We seek God's blessing. We are to bless God. Blessing requires boldness: a willingness to risk all and embrace all. God is ready to give all, but we must also be ready to give away as freely and fully.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Psalm 46: 1-3)

Our relationship with God can be a shelter. It can strengthen us. In the face of great challenges this relationship can be a source of courage and insight.

In relationship with God we can lose our fear. This is helpful. Fear can complicate our observation and our judgment.

God is our help. God is with us in our trouble. There is not a promise that we will prevail. It is enough that we are not afraid, have faith, and do our part.

God will surely prevail: at a time and place of God's choosing and consistent with a wisdom beyond our understanding.

Today many churches mark the beginning of Epiphany. Above is Epiphany by Patrice Stanley.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, ‘Glory!’ (Psalm 29: 3-9)

To truly and fully hear God is to be in awe - sometimes in fear - it may nearly overwhelm us. But when we ask, God will answer.

As with any honest dialogue we may be surprised by the answer. We may argue. Scripture suggests that God is ready to listen to argument.

If we are not just listening, but fully hearing then we will hear much that is wonderful and wise. We will also hear much that is true, but which we would prefer to ignore. In any case, we can be sure that we will be fully heard and just that can be healing and helpful.

Even - perhaps especially - in silence there is often a response, if we are ready to hear.

God is not so difficult to hear. My challenge is accepting and doing what I have heard.

Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rock in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ (1 Kings 19: 11-13)

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. (Psalm 85:8)

In English we distinguish between listening and hearing.

We might listen passively. Like a school child on a sunny day we may be preoccupied and miss much of what is said. To hear suggests to understand and to truly engage what is said.

Hebrew makes a similar distinction.

In this verse the psalmist asks for shamah: to listen attentively, to consent to, and to obey. This is a hearing that is also a doing. We turn to God with our heart, with our inner being, and original self.

We seek to hear the way of wholeness, of completeness, of purposefulness. We seek to fulfill God's intention for ourselves and our world.

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever. O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures for ever; who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures for ever; who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures for ever; who spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love endures for ever; who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures for ever; the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures for ever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures for ever... (Psalm 136: 1-9)

Everything that God does is motivated by love. The essential character of God is a manifestation of love. We are creatures of love designed to love and be loved. We are loved for ever. We are to love for ever.

Above is Untitled by Dan Steinhilber.

The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. (Psalm 98: 2-3)

As we read of God's steadfast love and faithfulness we also recall oppression in Egypt, captivity in Babylon, the destruction of Jerusalem, nearly 2000 years of wandering, and Nazi gas chambers.

In another reading for today, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all." (Psalm 34: 19)

Affliction results from both accident and intention. Plague sweeps the planet. Terrorists plot evil. A loved one - angry and in despair -lashes out in purposeful hurt. A small child innocently wanders into danger.

Our lives - and sometimes our faith - are shattered by these events. We need the hope and help of one greater than ourselves to bind up what is broken.

Mighty pharaoh is gone, Babylon is in ruins, Roman armies have been defeated, Hitler is dead, but God's chosen people still join in prayer and praise.

As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. (Psalm 103: 15-18)

A year closes and another year begins. Our experience unfolds. We use the framework of time as one measure of our experience.

The earliest philosophers considered time an illusion. Modern physics considers time relative to place and motion. Many consider time cyclical. Others consider time to be linear.

God is that which is in the past, now, and in the future. God is a reality beyond time. God exists. In God we find our fundamental nature.

Like God we are creators. We have created time as a helpful tool. Too often the creation seems to command the creator. In our shared nature with God, we too are everlasting.

More readings on the nature of time are available at the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.