No Words

May 28, 2022

I can’t seem to concentrate this morning.

Sure, the sun rose, like every other day. The freeways are filled with people on their morning commute. But there are families in Uvalde, Texas staring at beds that weren’t slept in, that won’t be slept in again. Nineteen children and two adults who will never feel the warmth of the sun again. It’s exhausting and feels endless!

Today, I just want to hug my kids and snuggle with my grandchildren. I want to wrap them in a cocoon of safety where no danger can break through and harm them.

It’s a season of lament. We have to stop what we’re doing and sit. Sit in the deep sorrow and grief we feel for a very broken world.

Grief for families all over the country, all over the world, that are living in the heat of the unrelenting pain they are feeling.

And when I don’t know where to run, I turn to the Psalms. Today, we’re reading the first six verses of Psalm 24:

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob. Selah

- Psalm 24:1-6

When our daughter, Brittany, was in high school, she loved to play worship songs on her guitar, many of which come directly from the Psalms. Depending on which Bible translation you are using, you’ll see the word Selah (or Interlude) at the end of a Psalm. Selah is a Hebrew word that has an uncertain meaning, but scholars generally believe it means “a voluntary and intentional pause for reflection.” Those words are what moved Brittany to have the word tattooed on her left wrist, so it would be facing her whenever she played her guitar. STOP and REFLECT on what has just been said!

That is what I’m asking all of us to do today. STOP. You see, when we pause, God gives us a revelation that transforms our perspective, bringing us closer to Him. Selah positions us to hear His voice and be in His presence. We need to feel Jesus’ arms surrounding us in our collective grief. Grief over Texas, Buffalo, Laguna, the war in Ukraine, and so many other heinous acts of evil.

I don’t know much, but I do know that God is still good. I know that we can cling to His promises:

The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.

- Job 5:11

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

- Psalm 27:13-14

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

- Isaiah 41:10

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

- John 16:33

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.

- Romans 8:28

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

- Romans 15:13

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

- 2 Corinthians 1:3

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

- Philippians 4:6

I will never leave you or forsake you.

- Hebrews 13:5