Advent: Through All Generations

The author of Psalm 102 is seriously ill, or that's what I take from the language. He/she could also be grieving. Grief often makes us feel like we will die. Whatever is the case, the language is dramatic: bones burning like a furnace, too wasted to eat bread, loud groaning, bones clinging to skin.

But...

The author interrupts great suffering with a sure foundation:

You, O LORD, are enthroned forever; your name endures to all generations.

Twice in the course of the lament, God's eternal presence, strength, and work are celebrated. It is simple to say--that is faith.

It is not simple to do.

Whatever the horrible is in our lives, can we sing the endurance of God's love to all generations? Can we worship through our tears? Can we continue to walk in the gift of community that God has given us? It's quite the contrast with another passage of the day, the story of the fall in Genesis where the first inkling of trouble results in finger pointing and blaming and shame.

You, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you name endures to all generations.

That's really how I want to live. Perhaps I'll start with the refrain every time I see/hear/read something political...