A psalm based on 2 Timothy 1:7. Of David. June 3, 2021.
Life is like broken pottery—
Cracks and jagged edges, crumbled remains
of a beauteous creation.
Like a jigsaw puzzle, one tries to put it back together,
Back to its original state but there are pieces missing, and gaps here and there.
Broken pottery leaves the imagination longing, “How did it look when it was one? How did this look when it was uniform and a symbol of pride, a picturesque antique to put on display?”
Life is like a gargantuan rainforest.
The facade of beauty entraps you, entices you to experience its loveliness, to eat its fruit.
But soonenough, you find that all who enter are doomed.
You can’t see your way through.
Vines hang, waiting to choke.
Limbs anticipate being an obstacle.
Is there any relief from the labor of this life, trying to meander and maneuver through to get to the other side?
Life hurts,
Life stings,
Life punctures,
Life chokes,
Life kills,
Life is heavy.
Life is uncertain.
Life is frightening.
But I shall not fear.
Yahweh, the God of Israel is my keeper!
I shall not fear.
The Lord is my strength and my portion forever.
I shall not fear.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me;
He has not given me a spirit of fear, but of love, peace, and a sound mind.
Though war and rumors of war rage, through pestilence and pandemic, through the unknown, I shall not fear.
My God is with me.
Abba, I create a space for You in my heart.
I trust in Your goodness that life does not have to be this way!
I shall not fear because Your invitation to me has not changed. You are my Abba.
You desire to restore my hope, redeem my story, and redefine who I am.
I say to my soul, “Hallelujah! Humble yourself, submit to God, and repent.”
Inherently good am I because I bear Your image.
I shall not fear. What can any human do to me?
I shall not fear because there is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole.
I shall not fear because there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.
I shall not fear because You are with me. You, God, I call You, “Abba,” and You answer me.
You are my shade at noon,
my water in the wilderness,
Your eye is on me while I sleep.
You lead me and guide me, You order my steps.
I am guided by grace.
My heart rejoices because You are good. The one who promised is faithful indeed.
“At the right time, I, Yahweh, will make it happen.”
I shall not fear because the earth is full of the glory of the Lord.
I shall not fear.
Guided by Grace 