MEDITATION:
Written by Bill Sytsma, a contemporary pastor and author.
The metallic, grinding sound was painful to hear. As I looked at my driving instructor, he stated flatly, “If it makes that kind of noise, something is wrong.” It should have been obvious. Even though I was just learning how to drive with a stick shift (manual transmission), I should have known that. The grinding noise indicated a problem. In Psalm 51, the psalmist points out a nagging sound in his walk with God that indicated something was wrong. Sin in his life had caused disharmony with God—and, because of that, the joy of his salvation was lacking. The lack of joy is a grinding sound that indicates something is wrong. When everything is working properly in a vehicle, there is a quiet, powerful rumbling of the engine that is not overwhelmed by grinding. When everything is harmonious in our walk with God, joy is present. That is the way it is supposed to be. If our walk with God is cluttered with sin, joy will be lacking. If we believe our walk with God is something that we dutifully and begrudgingly approach by fulfilling legalistic obligations, joy will be lacking. The lack of joy is an indication that something is wrong. God created us to know him and to enjoy his presence. When we develop habits that help us walk in step with God, we will know the joy of his presence.
PRAYER:
From the Mozarabic Rite, a liturgical rite of the Latin Church once used generally in the Iberian Peninsula (Hispania), in what is now Spain and Portugal. Developed during Visigoth (Arian Christian) rule of the Iberian peninsula in the 500s AD.
The heavens are shining with the clear beauty of the stars, O Lord,
and the very earth is made beautiful by a shining light,
because you appeared to the world
from your holy dwelling place.
Remove from our hearts all sadness,
for you came for this,
to make all things new.
Enlighten our eyes to purify us
that we may behold you forever,
that we who preach to the nations the glad joys of your glad
appearing may be made
with you in infinite joy. Amen.
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