May 20,2011

May 20, 2011
Psalm 2
OK, I am down to 12 days before I begin my sabbatical. While I love the book of Psalms in general, there are still individual Psalms that give me issues. Psalm 2 would be one of them. This Psalm seems more like a threat from a God who is "quick to anger." I realize there are those who picture God in this way, but it goes back to that understanding that if you do wrong "God is going to get you. (Punish you)" The book of Job was written to despel such thinking. The better image for me comes from Exodus 34 where we discover a God who is SLOW to anger and abounding in steadfast love. This image seem closer to my experience. While because of my relationship with God, I am compelled to act morally, it is not out of fear of an angry God who will punish me if I don't act right.

God, I thank you for a relationship based on care, love, and trust and not one based on fear and intimidation. Help me to sow the seeds of love in all I do this day. Amen.