To Awake Creation
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me.
He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; God sends his love and his faithfulness.
I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts—men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. They spread a net for my feet—I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—but they have fallen into it themselves.
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 57
Have you ever noticed that most people simply do what it is that they do? No matter the situation, good or bad, most people do what it is that they do. Preachers preach—in and out of the pulpit. Athletes compete—on and off the field. Parents parent—their children and other children. People do what it is that they do. I’ve known people who are absolutely gifted at being right; I’ve known others who are absolutely gifted at being late. I’ve known people gifted at stressing, relaxing, crying, and rejoicing. And, nine out of ten times, they all do what it is that they do. So why then is it so difficult for believers to believe?
In this day’s reflection we are reminded of David’s musical prowess—it was what he did. He sang before King Saul, and he sang fleeing King Saul. He sang “in the midst of lions” and “among ravenous beasts—men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.” David sang while burrowed in a cave, and he sang so well and so often that he awoke the sun from sleep and ushered in the dawn.
If believers believed and pray-ers prayed and lovers loved, wouldn’t more of God’s creation be awakened? If David was a singer and his singing awoke the dawn, isn’t it possible for others, doing what it is that they do, to awaken a certain part of God’s creation? Can not believers believe God’s creation, pray-ers pray God’s creation, and lovers love God’s creation into something new?
