"It is time for you to act, O LORD' your law is being broken"..."give me understanding according to your word" (Psalm 119:126, 169b).It is a beautiful sunny, yet crisp, March morning. The birds are singing their "love songs" hoping to attract a mate. Life is good! Hope is in the air! Humor is a good way to start the day/week, I know, I know, prayer, but how about some good old fashion humor?
Three boys are in the schoolyard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, “My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50.” The second boy says, “That’s nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100.” The third boy says, “I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon. And it takes eight people to collect all the money!”
One of our great Christian leaders from the past, Augustine (354-430 A.D.), in his book "Confessions" reflecting upon his life's journey, and recalling from the depths of darkness how God brought him into the light. Here are a few of his thoughts, maybe they are yours also.
From book 9.1.1: "Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant and the son of your handmaid. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving (Psalms 116:16-17). Let my heart and my tongue praise you, and let all my bones say, "Lord, who is like you?" Let them say so, and you answer me and say to my soul, "I am your salvation" (Psalms 35:10,3) What evil is there not in me and my deeds; or if not in my deeds, my words; or if not in my words, my will? But you, lord, are good and merciful, and your right hand reached into the depth of my death and emptied out the abyss of corruption from the bottom of my heart. And this was the result: now I did not will to do what I willed, and began to will to do what you did will. But where was my free will during all those years and from what deep and secret retreat was it called forth in a single moment, whereby I gave my neck to your easy yoke and my shoulders to your light burden, Christ Jesus, my strength and my redeemer? How sweet did it suddenly become to me to be without the sweetness of trifles! And it was now a joy to put away what I formerly feared to lose. For you cast them away from me, true and highest sweetness. You cast them away, and in their place you entered in yourself--sweeter than all pleasure, though not to flesh and blood; brighter than all light, but more veiled than all mystery; more exalted than all honor, though not to them that are exalted in their own eyes. Now was my soul free from the gnawing cares of seeking and getting, of wallowing in the mire and scratching the itch of lust. And I prattled like a child to you, lord my god--my light, my riches, and my salvation.
[9.2-3] You had pierced our heart with your love, and we carried your words as it were, skewered through our inmost parts...
Oh How, I desire to sing such praises, as this great defender of the faith has done so eloquently! His words drives me forward, pushing me to remember God's Law, and ask Him for more understanding. The morning sun, rising from the east bringing warmth, the birds singing and flying from one tree to another, life in all its fullness demonstrated before my eyes. This is much the abundant life that Jesus promised, here and now. I understand Augustine when he spoke: "Now was my soul free from gnawing cares of seeking and getting, of wallowing in the mire and scratching the itch of lust. And I prattled like a child to you lord my god--my light, my riches, and my salvation."
May you find that freedom for your soul, it is found in God's Law, and allowing him to bring you understanding.
Daily Prayer:
Father, through your Son Jesus, you have promised to those who keep your Law, your Precepts, Your Principles, an abundant life. Thank you for keeping Your promises. Give my understanding, and where I have broken Your law, forgive. Lead me to someone who needs Your touch, Your love. Amen
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