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Psalm 124

I want to say that it's been a little more difficult these past few weeks being positive about the Psalms within the lectionary. The words have been about betrayal, anger, death to enemies, and the like. I've had to look deep and pray even deeper to find a message of God's unconditional love and acceptance. This gets me thinking maybe the message is supposed to be one of God as a leader who crushes anything that stands in the way of God's people achieving greatness.

Somehow, though, I've been able to see how God as our "helper", as stated in today's Psalm, brings to whom the Psalms are written a sense of courage in fearful situations. I read in a commentary that this Psalm is written as a welcome home speech for the armies of David. It literally hails God as the reason the army has returned. The Psalm recalls another moment in which God assisted the Hebrew people; the flood which trapped Pharaoh's army after letting God's people through.

So, yes, the imagery in these Psalms may be difficult to get through for those who are looking for positive words about God's love. However, the imagery of these words are meant to praise God nonetheless. This Psalm, and others like it, are meant to remind us that in times of extreme pain and suffering we have a God that is on our side, fighting for us and protecting us. When the time for us to return to a place where we can live in peace comes it is Psalms like this that help us to thank God for all God has done.

When the pain of whatever we are going through subsides and gives way to peace, and when we find that moment in the quiet place after all has settled we can honestly look towards our God as God says to us, "Welcome home." It'll be in that moment we can say back to God, "Thank you."