Daily Lectionary: Zechariah 6:1 - 7:14; Romans 16:17-27
Your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. (Psalm 77:18, from the Introit for The Transfiguration of Our Lord)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When the psalmist writes about God lighting up the world and shaking the earth, he's talking about what God did back at the Red Sea. There was a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night that led the people of Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness, and at the Red Sea, an amazing thing happened. The sea parted. The people of Israel walked through on dry land, with waters stacked up on each side of them. After they made it through, the waters came crashing down on the Egyptians, and the people of Israel were free. Why is the psalmist writing about that? Because this psalm is about the difficulties we face in our life. Sometimes, it can seem like God is not there and does not care. The psalmist asks, "Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?"
Do you ever feel like saying those words? When you do, do what the psalmist does next. He writes, "I will remember the deeds of the Lord...I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds." That's why he writes about the Exodus. He remembers that God was with His people then, writing "Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen."
Sometimes it can seem like God has forgotten to be gracious. That doesn't mean that God is not there. You don't have to look back to the crossing of the Red Sea either (although, you certainly can). You can look back to the cross. There at the cross, Jesus was in darkness as He suffered for your sin. There at the cross, the Father who said, "this is my beloved Son" forsakes His Son so that you will never be forsaken. You also get to look back to your baptism. You can look back to receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in the Lord's Supper. You can look back to when your pastor said, "I forgive you." God has not forgotten to be gracious, and He never will. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Lo, on those who dwelt in darkness, Dark as night and deep as death, Broke the light of Thy salvation, Breathed Thine own life-breathing breath. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end! (LSB 578:2)