Psalm 85:1-13

This is a Psalm about God, and it is a Psalm about time-not so much about God's own time, but about God in our time.  The first three verses of the Psalm are in the past tense.  They celebrate what God has done.  The last six verses are in the future.  They celebrate what God will do.  Both of these sections, past and future, are confident affirmations of the power and goodness of God. But the four verses in the middle (vs 4-7) are  not affirmations.  They are questions and supplications  Will you be angry?  Will you revive us?  Restore us and save us!

Advent is the question of the present that lies between the affirmations of the past and the future.  Advent is the "What about now?" that lies between memory and promise.  It is always question and prayer.  The Lord created all, the Lord saved the people,  Christ was born, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again, but what about now?

This question is not a riddle with a verbal answer.  Rather it is a mystery in which we live.  God weaves what will be out of what has been, in the moment of what is, and we live in that moment.  Will we love in that moment?  Will we forgive in that moment?  Will we rejoice in that moment?  Will we encounter God in that moment?  Or will pain, fear, self-centeredness, and sin rob us of the hope that is to come?  What about now?

Gracious Lord, we put the question, "What about now?" to you, and you put the same question to us.  Let the knowledge that you are eternally our God and Savior give us the comfort, courage and hope that will sustain us this day and always.  Amen.

David Johnson

Director of Supervised Practice of Ministry