Walking on Water

Unseen Footprints

Posted on May 20, 2015 by wamplerp

Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. – Psalm 77:13-20

When I think of the term “writhing” water is not the first thing that comes to mind. The term writhing conjures up a snake or perhaps a person in agonizing pain – writhing in agony. So why would water, which I typically think of as being peaceful, be described as writhing in God’s sight? The depths are truly “convulsed” here.

In my experience there are two things that can cause water to “writhe” : strong winds and strong currents and eddies that form below the surface as a result of the subsurface landscape. Both of these forces cannot be seen.

In the case of the wind the cause is differences in air pressure and in the case of deep currents these can be caused by tidal forces or merely the force of gravity acting on the water in the presence of underwater obstructions. This all seems to suggest a complex landscape of which we are largely unaware. In this sense it is analogous to much of the spiritual landscape that surrounds us. We sense it’s presence only by the effects we see rather than seeing the thing itself.

“The clouds poured down water,” This sounds like either God’s rain sent to drown us or rain on tender plants…I guess it depends on your posture and perspective when the rain comes.

The last part of this passage is a remembering of the Red Sea Crossing and it adds an interesting detail: “Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen”. There is a sense that although God led the Israelites he did so not with tangible feet that would leave footprints. When Jesus came He left footprints all over the place that are still visible to those who have eyes to see.

Prayer: God thank You for leaving footprints so we can follow You in this turbulent and uncertain world.

Posted in Christianity, Covenant, Discernment, Discipleship, Following God, Miracles, Nature, Obedience, Psalms, religion, The Earthly Realm, The Nature of God, The Spiritual Realm, Trusting God | Tagged bible, bible study, Christianity, Daily devotional, faith, rain, Red Sea, river, water | Leave a comment

Ever-Flowing Streams

Posted on May 19, 2015 by wamplerp

Natural spring in Haiti, 2011

We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be. How long will the enemy mock you, God? Will the foe revile your name forever? Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them! But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth. It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters. It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert. It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever-flowing rivers. The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter. – Psalm 74:9-17

This passage is another in the group of Psalms apparently written for Asaph. These psalms are an interesting interlude into the mind of these God followers. They are expressing a somewhat universal desire to have God show up in a tangible way to combat the injustices common on earth.

They are looking for the long awaited Messiah. In the end the psalmist is willing to let God be God, and to acknowledge he is “my king from long ago, he brings salvation on the earth.” I assume the reference “split open the sea by your power” is hearkening back to the parting of the red sea during the time of Moses.

Then come this bit about crushing the “heads of the monster in the waters”, perhaps referring to the Behemoth and Leviathan described in some detail back in Job. These monsters are not only slain by God but they are turned into food for the “creatures of the desert”. Back in Job the only sense I could make of these somewhat mythical creatures is that they were a metaphor for the earthly “coils” we experience here on earth. If this is the case then this reference would be saying that God is turning the troubles of this world into food for His “desert people“.

Next comes an interesting water reference “It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever-flowing rivers”. This seems to be referring to God’s provision of water in the desert in a tangible way. The water of springs and streams is implied to be ephemeral in contrast to the “ever-flowing rivers”.

Humans tend to prefer the certainty and predictability of ever-flowing rivers over springs and streams. God demonstrated numerous times in the desert that He would provide the water they needed, although not always the water they wanted.

In a spiritual sense God has promised us living water to quench our thirsty souls. He does not promise that this living water will come from “ever-flowing rivers”, but he does promise to be our one river and the provide all the water we need when we need it. Sometimes this water may seem like bitter water, but if we trust God he will make it sweet.

Prayer: God thank You for providing the living water we need in a way that reminds of the source of the water.

Posted in Covenant, Faith, Following God, God's Love for Us, Nature, Psalms, The Earthly Realm, The Nature of God, The Spiritual Realm, Trusting God | Tagged bible, bible study, Christianity, Daily devotional, faith, river, spring, water | 2 Comments

How Would God Know?

Posted on May 18, 2015 by wamplerp

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity ; their evil imaginations have no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?” This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. – Psalm 73:1-14

This is an interesting bit of water…this passage addresses envying those who seem to have it all despite rejecting God and his provision. This is the second Psalm ascribed to Asaph or perhaps to his musical group. The “I” in this could be Asaph or some other member of his group, but I think it would apply to many of us.

The author is recounting an inner struggle, “my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold”. This reminds me of someone on a precarious path with a steep cliff on one side and a hill slope on the other. One misstep and it would mean a dangerous fall into the unknown. It seems the author is finding it difficult to focus on the path they are on rather the path of other seemingly more successful people — “the arrogant”. The reality is that is ultimately someone else’s story.

Then comes the water reference. The successful, arrogant, people apparently are providing “waters in abundance”. So they are taking on the role of provision in the lives of those who follow them that is supposed to be reserved for God alone. They also Mock God by saying “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?” This reminds me of the attitude that the came up in the book of Job when Elihu was rebuking Job.

The Psalm does not end on a hopeful note. The author seems to conclude that “Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.” I reject this conclusion and remain confident that in the end God always wins.

Prayer: Thank you for guiding us along the path that leads to you. Help me to focus on that path and not the path being followed by others.

Posted in Christianity, Conflict, Covenant, Discernment, Faith, Following God, Psalms, reconciliation, Redemption, religion, The Earthly Realm, The Nature of God, The Spiritual Realm, Trusting God | Tagged bible, bible study, Christianity, Daily devotional, water | Leave a comment

Rain Falling on a Mown Field

Posted on May 17, 2015 by wamplerp

Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor. May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more. May he rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust. May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him. May the kings of Sheba and Seba present him gifts. May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him. For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long. May grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. May the crops flourish like Lebanon and thrive like the grass of the field. May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse. – Psalm 72:1-20

This post marks my return from Haiti and a brief hiatus from posting to the Walking on Water Blog. I have missed my daily ruminations, although I have been reflecting on God’s protection, provision, and love for my entire trip to Haiti. I had an amazing trip with 6 students and a colleague installing wells, exploring mountains, and bonding over bracelets with kids. I am sure I will interject some of these experiences into blog posts down the road…but back to the psalms.

It is interesting that the topic of today’s verse is God’s provision, I have certainly felt that over the last couple of weeks. Rain falling on a mown field…what an interesting way to describe the provision of God. It is not just rain on tender plants, but grass that has been cut and maintained. Cut grass gets thick and lush – while uncut grass grows thin and spindly. The act of pruning or cutting spurs new life. This is true in my experience with spiritual “pruning” as well.

God accomplishes spiritual pruning through what sometimes appear to us to the traumatic and painful events. I suspect if we could place ourselves in the place of a blade of grass staring down an approaching lawn mower blade it would seem pretty awesome and scary. Now I am not implying that God mows us down to make us grow, but I do think he is in the business of pruning. He does it tenderly, but there is no question that the pruning sometimes hurts.

This verse contains interesting language which seems to transcend an earthly king, perhaps prophetic reflections of a king to come, Reflections of Him. Here are a few of the parts that seems prophetic, or at least seem to intimate, Jesus: “the royal son with your righteousness”; “May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice”; “May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy”; “May he rule from…sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth”;”May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him”; “he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help”; “May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long”; “May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun”; “Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed”.

I am again struck by the depth of the references to a king beyond an earthly king here in the psalms. They are truly rich with references to a coming king who will transcend the earthly kingdoms that the readers of the psalms would have known quite well. This psalm ends with the statement “This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse”. It is ironic that here at the end of David’s prayers there is such a vivid picture of a hope to come.

Prayer: God thank You for protecting, providing, and preparing me to return to my daily walk with you.

Posted in Christianity, Faith, Following God, God's Love for Us, Haiti, Obedience, Psalms, Redemption, The Earthly Realm, The Nature of God, The Spiritual Realm | Tagged bible, bible study, Christianity, Daily devotional, Jesus, prophecy, rain | 1 Comment

Eddying Out – Haiti Hiatus

Posted on May 3, 2015 by wamplerp

I will be travelling to Haiti with an intrepid group of students from a club I advise at my university called Students for Haiti. This is our first trip to Haiti as a club. The club was formed back in 2011 to 1) help raise funds for a scholarship to bring promising Haitian students to GVSU; and 2) to raise awareness about Haiti, Haitian culture, and the Haitian people.

Our trip will combine service, ecotourism, and cultural learning as we explore three very different geographic locations in Haiti.

Many people ask me why I go to Haiti. The short answer is that it is where feel I am needed at the moment. The longer answer is that on my first trip to Haiti in 2007 I met and spent time with Haitian people. I fell in love with their amazing island, people, and culture. I saw more than poverty. I saw promise and a people who have accomplished much with very little, and I am passionate about finding ways to help Haitians help themselves through sustainable self-help solutions.

This trip will be a trial run for a full blown study abroad program I am helping develop at my university for next May. In May 2016, I hope to lead a team of students on an interdisciplinary journey to Haiti to learn about environmental issues like deforestation; water and sanitation; sustainable energy solutions; and environmental restoration efforts. I will also be giving the students an opportunity to use their unique skills, energy, enthusiasm, and expertise to participate in service learning projects.

As a consequence of my “Haiti hiatus” I suspect my posts to the Walking on Water blog will be more sporadic for the next couple of weeks – due to limited bandwidth (both digital and personal). My hope is to continue my daily time of reflection, but I suspect I will need to “binge post” when I have a good internet connection :).

Prayer: God please bless our group with safety, sagacity, and a safe return home.

SDG

Posted in Discipleship, Eddying Out, Faith, Following God, Haiti, Life Together, Obedience, Trusting God, Wisdom | Tagged bible, bible study, Christianity, Daily devotional, Haiti | 3 Comments

Hearts that Live!

Posted on May 2, 2015 by wamplerp

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves. The poor will see and be glad— you who seek God, may your hearts live! The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them, for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there. – Psalm 69:30-36

OK so admittedly this passage only has a passing reference to water. But it had such an interesting statement about seeking God that I just felt I had to reflect on it…so here goes.

The passage begins by telling us something very important – how to please God. According to this passage praising God’s name in songs and glorifying him with Thanksgiving is the way to please God — much more than bloody sacrifices of ox or bulls.

Then it gets really interesting, at least in the context of my walk recently and the dynamic nature of seeking God. The poor (in spirit?) will see and be glad, and you who seek God may your hearts live! What an amazing Hidden well here in the psalms. What does it mean for our hearts to live? Does this mean that if we are not seeking God that in a sense our hearts are dead? There is a sense here in this passage that our hearts and soul are made for seeking God and when we fail to do so we are not really living.

I am reminded of something that A.W. Tozer said in his book “the pursuit of God”. He refers to those actively and passionately seeking and pursuing God as “children of the burning heart”. Maybe this verse provides another way to describe those in hot pursuit of God — those with hearts that live!

What does it mean for one’s heart to be alive? It almost seems easier to define the opposite, when one’s heart is dead. When one’s heart is dead there is a lack of beating, no blood flows to provide oxygen and life to our physical body. If we think of the heart as a metaphor for our souls then to have a heart alive is to have a soul alive. Our soul is active and “beating” and providing important spiritual lifeblood to our spiritual “body”.

Another interesting statement in this passage is “The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.” I suppose this could be referring to the Israelites during their time of captivity in Egypt, but it could also apply to all of us needy God followers held “captive” here on earth. One could view our earthly bodies as a sort of prison for our soul that limits our spiritual “freedom”. Heaven, earth, and the seas are to praise God and so are we — despite the limitations of our earthly bodies.

Prayer: God grant us hearts and souls that live for You.

Posted in Christian Community, Christianity, Covenant, Death and Dying, Discernment, Faith, Following God, God's Love for Us, Heaven, Obedience, Psalms, reconciliation, Redemption, religion, The Earthly Realm, The Spiritual Realm, Trusting God | Tagged bible, bible study, Christianity, Daily devotional, faith, Sea, water | 13 Comments

Rabbit Trail #10 – Playing Tag with God

Posted on May 1, 2015 by wamplerp

Today is May Day, the first day of May and I thought it would be a good time for a Rabbit Trail. Something that has been ruminating in my life for the past several months has been the concept of pursuing God. Some of this has come from an amazing book by A.W. Tozer called “The Pursuit of God”. There is a tension implicit in this book, and in my experience, in our walk with God…The tension is between knowing and being known….pursuing God and being pursued by God…seeking and being sought after.

It is almost as if we are engaged in a cosmic game of tag or hide and seek. Sometimes it feels like we are “it” and we are in hot pursuit of God and other times it feels like we are hiding and God is seeking. I have come to the conclusion that the spiritual “game” we are playing is unlike any earthly analogue in that we can be both hiding and seeking at the same time, and God can be both pursuing us and allowing us to be free of God if we choose at the same time. I think part of the reason for this duality is that we are trying to play a spiritual “game” with our earth-bound bodies. This is a little bit like fully suited-up football players trying to play their game in a swimming pool…it just would not work….they would be suited up for the wrong game in the wrong place.

Galatians 4:8-9 talks about this dynamic tension: “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces ? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?”. It is almost as if we can choose to play by spiritual rules — know and be known by God — or we can choose to play by earthly rules, ” weak and miserable forces”.

I think that most of the conflicts and trials we experience can be traced to wanting to play our own game apart from God. This is a game we will eventually loose, not because God stops searching for us, but because we get so good at hiding from God that we convince ourselves that He has stopped looking. The Good News is that God never stops looking and in the end God wins.

Prayer: Thank You God for finding us and allowing us to find You.

SDG

Posted in Following God, God's Love for Us, Rabbit Trails, Trusting God | Tagged bible, bible study, Christianity, Daily devotional, faith | 18 Comments

The Miry Depths where there is no Foothold

Posted on April 30, 2015 by wamplerp

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal. You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you. Lord, the Lord Almighty, may those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me; God of Israel, may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me. For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children; for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn; when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me. Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards. But I pray to you, Lord , in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, Lord , out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes. You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. – Psalm 69:1-21

Miry depths and water up to one’s neck with no foot hold — sounds like a very scary place to be. This passage feels a bit like the deep waters it is describing. The person that this psalm is describing also sounds a lot like David. He seemed to excel at getting into deep water….from the very beginning when he took on Goliath with five smooth stones to his fateful decisions regarding Bathsheba and all the collateral damage that wrought.

The subject of this psalm is deliverance from deep water. What is it that is so scary about deep water? I think it is the idea that in deep water we must tread water or drown. We know in our soul that we cannot tread water forever so we picture a fateful end to our struggle by drowning — we lose hope of rescue. God is all about rescuing us from the deep waters of this earth. He wants to take us to the undiscovered country.

This passage contains several reflections of Him, Jesus. The first place where He shows up is in the phrase “I am a foreigner to my own family” (Matthew 12:48). He was rejected and scorned, “I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none” The last reference is really striking…”They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst”. This is what happened in the last part of Jesus’ life here on earth when they gave him vinegar laden water and he uttered that amazing set of words…”it is finished” (John 19:30).

God has entered the miry depths to save us. We are in water up to our necks and we have no foothold except that which God has provided through his prophets and through His son Jesus. We can be confident that we will not grow tired and drown as long as God has our backs.

Prayer: Thank You God for rescuing us from the miry depths and floodwaters, and giving us a foothold while we are here on this earth.

Posted in Christianity, Covenant, Discernment, Discipleship, Faith, Following God, Forgiveness, God's Love for Us, Obedience, Psalms, religion, The Nature of God, The Spiritual Realm, Trusting God | Tagged bible, bible study, Christianity, Daily devotional, deep, Jesus, water | Leave a comment

Hairy Crowns

Posted on April 29, 2015 by wamplerp

The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng: “Kings and armies flee in haste; the women at home divide the plunder. Even while you sleep among the sheep pens, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold.” When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon. Mount Bashan, majestic mountain, Mount Bashan, rugged mountain, why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain, at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the Lord himself will dwell forever? The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary. When you ascended on high, you took many captives; you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious— that you, Lord God, might dwell there. Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins. The Lord says, “I will bring them from Bashan; I will bring them from the depths of the sea, that your feet may wade in the blood of your foes, while the tongues of your dogs have their share. – Psalm 68:11-23

This passage begins with a somewhat revolutionary statement that women are explicitly involved in spreading the word about God: “The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng”. This had to be somewhat controversial in this patriarchal society, and at this time in history. Jesus certainly broke down some of the same barriers when he encouraged followers of all genders.

The water in this passage comes in the form of snow, one of the rare references to snow in this dry and hot part of the world that I have encountered so far on my walk on water. Back in Psalm 51:1-12 there was a reference to being washed whiter than snow and having a Steadfast Spirit. There was another reference to the “storehouses of snow” in Job 38:16-30 as God explained to Elihu who God is, where He dwells, and answers the question “Does the Rain Have a Father?“. This was partially in response to Elihu’s attempts to explain it to Job in Job 37:1-18.

In this passage snow is compared to the kings scattered by God. It is not entirely clear if the kings are all foreign kings or if some of the scattering affected the Israelite kings. Based on the behavior of some of the kings a good scattering was probably in order for both groups. Either way God is making it clear who is king and who is not. He also has some harsh words for those who “who go on in their sins” — people with “Hairy crowns” with a propensity for wanting to rule all aspects of their lives. We do indeed possess hairy crowns, even those of us whose crown grows thinner every year :).

I really like the part toward the end where it says “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” This statement would be equally at home in the new testament and is part of the Reflections of Him that I am continually finding here in the Psalms. I am left wondering how this intimate daily bearing of burdens squared with the Israelite’s perception of God as a God residing in the clouds high above them.

Prayer: God thank You for carrying our burdens daily and loving us even when we are showing off our “hairy crowns”.

Posted in Christianity, Covenant, Discernment, Discipleship, Following God, Forgiveness, God's Love for Us, Love for the Lost, Obedience, Psalms, reconciliation, Redemption, The Nature of God, Trusting God | Tagged bible, bible study, Christianity, Daily devotional, Jesus, snow, water | 4 Comments

Abundant Showers

Posted on April 28, 2015 by wamplerp

May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. May you blow them away like smoke— as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds ; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord . A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. When you, God, went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance. Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor. – Psalm 68:1-10

April showers bring May flowers and abundant showers “refresh the weary inheritance” — God provides abundant showers that bless our lives with the “flowers” of His love. This passage contains both rich water imagery and some amazing truths about who God is and who we are. God rides in the clouds high above yet he is also a father for the fatherless, a defender of widows, and He sets the lonely in families. What an amazing picture of a healer king – the same king who will tenderly wash the feet of those he loves and who love Him (John 13:1-17).

I am reminded of a scene from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Return of the King. After the great last battle for middle earth a wounded and worn Aragorn goes to the houses of healing to heal those wounded in battle. The warrior becomes a doctor and both roles suit him. God is like this. He is both like a mighty warrior king battling spiritual forces on our behalf, and a gentle doctor who heals our wounds, both spiritual and physical.

The psalmist compares and contrasts those who follow God (those who “Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds ; rejoice before him”) with those who do not, “the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land”. Some might look at this contrast and conclude that God is punishing the rebellious by withholding water. I suppose that is one way to look at it, but both parties live in a sun-scorched land. The difference lies in where and when we seek water.

If we are constantly thirsty for the living water God offers then we pattern our lives in ways that we are planted near the river, connected to the spring, and sink our roots deep into the one river. The opposite of this would be camping out in dry stream beds hoping for rain — the rebellion that the psalmist talks about. C.S. Lewis provided some interesting perspective on the nature of this rebellion in his book the Problem of Pain:

“The doors of Hell are locked on the inside. I do not mean that the ghosts may not wish to come out of Hell, in the vague fashion wherein an envious man “wishes” to be happy: but they certainly do not will even the first preliminary stages of that self-abandonment through which alone the soul can reach any good. They enjoy forever the horrible freedom they have demanded, and are therefore self-enslaved: just as the blessed, forever submitting to obedience, become through all eternity more and more free.” C.S. Lewis the Problem of Pain

This psalm is also another “remembering”, a standing stone, to remember ways that God has been there for the Israelites in the past. God gave the Israelites abundant rain, but not all the time and not always when they thought they wanted or needed it. This is true for Christians as well. We may be blessed with abundant showers, but that does not mean there will not be times of drought. It is who we are (where we are planted), and what we do (where we look for water) during these times when we feel spiritually dry and craving water that define us and our relationship with God.

Prayer: God thank You for providing abundant showers that bless our lives with the “flowers” of your love.