Preacher: “Praise the LORD!” This has been week that we have considered the inconsistencies that happen in life; even as firm believers we see ups and downs, and paradoxes. There is a full breadth and width in faith, and it is only through faith that we can bridge the contrariness of life. “How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.” It is through the Divine that we can bridge the gaps and division in human experience. Without the Divine, we fracture – as we have seen in our society over the past, maybe, 15 years.
Seeker: “The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.” Let it be added that the Lord God binds up and soothes the fissures we find amongst ourselves – if we would let the Divine and invite the Lord God into our brokenness.
Preacher: “He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.” The Lord God orders the world; or at least did through the Ten Commandments, and building on that the Law of Love and other guidance that Jesus the Christ gave us; and the Holy Presence aids us in.
Seeker: The problem is, Preacher, is that the Divine orders the world in a way that is different than humanity does. We often “don’t get it”; but not because the Divine has erred! As Paul would say, “by no means!!” But we, humanity that is, looks at the world and sees “temporary” disorder that we in our flawed thinking & fallibility think should be corrected. And then really mess things up!! “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.”
Preacher: “The LORD lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground.” The Divine discerns between the downtrodden and the wicked; those who are struggling to understand, and those who act against the wisdom of the Divine. Not that the Divine abandons them; no, the Lord God seeks to correct their thinking. Praise the Lord!
Seeker: “Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.” The Divine & Creator is as the Godself has ever been. It is we who must adjust our thinking, and mend our ways.
Preacher: ‘He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry.” The Lord God has compassion for creation – all of creation. There has been and never will be a break in the love of the Divine for all humanity and creation.
Seeker: “His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner; but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” When the ground of life is slippery, let us stand firm in the Lord God! For that is sure ground & foundation!!
Preacher: “Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 147:1-11, 20c)
A Simple Desire 
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