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Meditation on Ps 23 in a day of turmoil

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As we see riotous turmoil grabbing headlines, a bit of balancing perspective is always helpful:

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. [KJV]

Psalm 2 is also a reminder if and when we are distressed by the machinations of ruthless, ambitious men:

Psalm 2:1 Why do the nations rage[a]
    and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
    and cast away their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“As for me, I have set my King
    on Zion, my holy hill.” [ESV]

While, such is not an excuse for fatalism or negligent passivity in the face of an evil day (where, we are counselled to make the most of opportunities to do good), it does give us perspective. END

Comments
DS
I know quite a few young people who have had their lives turned upside down, young couples who have both lost their jobs, for example. And it looks like they are going to have a very hard time long term.
I live in a very youthful part of my city and I observe untold suffering among the younger generation including a wide-spread desperation and a large homeless population. Even those with jobs are stretched thin and seem to have no purpose except to escape college debt somehow. I am not at all surprised to see so many of these radicalized leftist youth rioting in my same city - burning and destroying in a senseless frenzy. They are children of our atheistic culture, given some material benefits and deprived of spiritual values. They are mal-educated and abandoned. Darwinism gave them nothing but hopelessness and rage. They cannot even get attention to their plight except through violence and trying to ride on the coat-tails of others' (black Americans') persecution. I do not find it a happy or good time for the young people. The leftist academics who misinformed them can provide no help or structure or hope. That's been the message all along. Life is merely about the "here and now" and if you do not get what you want, nobody cares - because they're all trying to get what they want. That's Darwin in action. That's atheism. It's a sad and tragic condition for our society. My hope is that more will turn to God, and that believers will continue to lend a helping hand to draw many out of their darkness and pain. It's like the Visigoths destroying the ancient civilization. Thankfully, there were many who cared for them and they converted and rebuilt the West into a civilization founded on reason and faith.Silver Asiatic
June 1, 2020
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William J Murray @ 13
it’s Biblical. (No, not literally, but like the saying, “It’s going to be … Biblical!”
There's still some prophecy in the Bible that hasn't happened yet -- like the utter destruction of Damascus. But this is the one I pray will happen sooner rather than later. "But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped." Psalm 63:11awstar
June 1, 2020
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Had we remained in Eden, none of this would have happened. But we chose a different way. Fortunately our gracious Creator has provided The Way to get back to where we once belonged. Unfortunately many won’t accept it. Praise Adonai!jawa
June 1, 2020
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KF, Thank you for posting such deep meditations, so timely. Regarding the current situation, which is pathetically unpleasant and unacceptable, a 19th century latinoamerican writer said that the humanity is divided between those who love and build on one side, and those who hate and destroy on the other side. C.S. Lewis’ 20th century version seems much more precise: There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done." Many people have chosen Paul Anka’s song “my way” along with John Lennon’s “imagine” as their worship hymns. At the end of the day the only thing that matters is summarized in the benediction written in the last verse of the last chapter of the last book of the Christian scriptures.jawa
June 1, 2020
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Thanks for posting that meditation, Kairos. Psalm 23 is a poetic and meditative masterpiece. You made my day with that timely post.Truth Will Set You Free
May 31, 2020
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DS, so the Chinese deny saying it? Is the one about the weakest ink true then? Oh, well. I don't think futures are evaporating but I do think some big mistakes are being made. What never will be but was hoped for is something really weird, a version on hypothetical if then knowledge of counterfactuals of a hoped for future that was stillborn. Sort of like Americans of Dec 6, 1941. KFkairosfocus
May 31, 2020
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KF,
DS (attn EG), have you ever heard of the old Chinese saying, may you be CURSED to live in interesting times? As in turbulent times of interest thereafter to the historians?
Yes, although I believe it's a Western invention, and apparently no such Chinese saying exists. And I guess we are having an "interesting" year in that lots of bad things are happening. I know quite a few young people who have had their lives turned upside down, young couples who have both lost their jobs, for example. And it looks like they are going to have a very hard time long term. I'm much luckier in that I'm not in immediate financial danger and don't have any debt. I'm trying to use my Trumpbux to support local businesses etc. But I'm not enjoying the "spectacle" of our next generations' futures evaporating (I know you aren't either, just to be clear---you are even more concerned than I am most likely).daveS
May 31, 2020
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KF, Yes, it is a good time to reflect. Churches in my region have opened, incidentally, although with group sizes limited. My wife's church hopes to be almost back to normal within just a few weeks.daveS
May 31, 2020
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DS, BTW, I am thinking, now that assembly in a house of worship is banned (but riotous ones go on with business and burning as usual) it might be useful to pause and reflect. And, ye olde KJV is sometimes unbeatable on force of language. KFkairosfocus
May 31, 2020
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Well, if WJM ever invites me to a wedding, I hope he won't mind if I decline the invitation.Bob O'H
May 31, 2020
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DS (attn EG), have you ever heard of the old Chinese saying, may you be CURSED to live in interesting times? As in turbulent times of interest thereafter to the historians? It seems we are living in times looking like the 30 years after 1914 again. That's a context for counsel to meditate on an eternal perspective and to take serenity from the laughter on a certain Throne. In due course, he will deal with those who imagine their schemes are more than laughably futile and ill advised. Meanwhile, we dine on fine pasture in the presence of our enemies gnashing their teeth, doubtless as they look longingly at lamb for lunch . . . but, under competent guard. The rod is a club good enough for wolves' skulls, the staff, a hook to rescue sheep getting into trouble. I notice, bishops have the crook but these days not the mace. That's reserved for the cradle in a parliamentary chamber. KFkairosfocus
May 31, 2020
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^^ Your mind on ignorance, folks.ET
May 31, 2020
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^^ Your mind on QAnon, folks.daveS
May 31, 2020
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Thanks, ET. You notice, I said in one of my comments that this is like living inside Game of Thrones. Did things "go well" during that show? It's not about whether or not things are "going well." It's about enjoying the show. The spectacle. The enormity of what is going on in so many ways, on so many fronts. I'm not a Christian, but I do not hesitate to say, it's Biblical. (No, not literally, but like the saying, "It's going to be ... Biblical!" Getchya popcorn ready, this has only just begun.William J Murray
May 31, 2020
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Jack Dawson? The moron who could have easily also fit on the door with his girl? LoL!ET
May 31, 2020
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ET,
This is a fantastic time to be alive.
Ah, yes, that's what the Jack Dawson character said at the end of "Titanic":
What a fantastic time to be alive! This is great moment in human history! I'm loving bbbbbbb------- " (sinks beneath the waves).
daveS
May 31, 2020
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LoL! daves can't follow along, either. This is a fantastic time to be alive. This is one of the greatest periods in human history playing out in front of our very eyes. THAT has NOTHING to do with things "going well". Get a grip and learn how to think.ET
May 31, 2020
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WJM
DaveS, It all depends on your perspective. I’m loving it. I can’t imagine a greater time to be alive. It’s like living inside Game of Thrones as it plays out. Spectacular!
Cue another WJM sermon on objective vs subjective morality.Ed George
May 31, 2020
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I'm not being sarcastic. It's been my experience that sarcasm doesn't translate well in text forums, so I try not to use it when communicating via text, unless I'm doing so with people who know me well.William J Murray
May 31, 2020
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KF, These Reflections/Meditations posts are a good idea, IMHO. Even people from different backgrounds can profit from reading these texts.daveS
May 31, 2020
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EG, That's a good point. If it is sarcasm, my apologies to WJM.daveS
May 31, 2020
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DaveS, It all depends on your perspective. I'm loving it. I can't imagine a greater time to be alive. It's like living inside Game of Thrones as it plays out. Spectacular!William J Murray
May 31, 2020
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DS, I am hoping WJM’s comment was sarcasm. But having read many of his arguments in the past, I have my doubts.Ed George
May 31, 2020
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I don't know what planet you're on WJM, but things are not going that well on Earth at the moment.daveS
May 31, 2020
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What a fantastic time to be alive! Watching one of the greatest periods in human history play out right before our eyes.William J Murray
May 31, 2020
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Meditation on Ps 23 in a day of turmoilkairosfocus
May 31, 2020
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