A Bible Reading: Psalms 103:13-17
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children.
A Thought
Maybe in these last few months, more than at any other time in the history of this world, the whole of humanity has reflected, to some degree, on its mortality. Some will have had to face this question head on, many will have written or re-written their wills, while for others it is maybe a thought that is pushed to the back of their minds, hoping that it will go away. It won’t. But like most of the problems in life, it will become diminished if it is faced up to and dealt with.
As we move towards the end of Psalm 103, we see David wrestling with his own mortality and coming through to a place of peace and of hope. He is able to do this because his starting point is not the fear of death, but the awesomeness and compassion of God.
David recognises that we are nothing, created like Adam, from dust, and yet, wonder of wonder, God loves us. He recognises that this life is fragile; we are like flowers that wither and fade, and yet, wonder of wonder, God’s love for us is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting. And, if we worry about those who we leave behind, David recognises that God's compassion is there too for the generations that will follow us. We can trust them to our compassionate God.
A Prayer
Father God, I thank you that, within the fragility of this life, we have the certainty of your love and compassion each day, and the promise of sharing your love for eternity. May the assurance of this transform the way I live my life today, and every day that you bless me with on this earth. Help me to face my own mortality in the knowledge of your everlasting love.
Amen.