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Summer Psalms - Psalm 52


PRAY: Heavenly Father, help me to know your ways; teach me your paths and lead me into your truth. Amen.

READ: Psalm 52
“But I am like an olive tree     
flourishing in the house of God” (Psalm 52:8) 
Back in March, around St. Patrick’s Day, I changed the background on my phone to a scenic lush green mountainside with a beautiful, cascading waterfall cutting through the middle.  On top of this picture of vibrant life are the words Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me.  Reading this Psalm today brought my mind back to these words.  The Psalmist, David, begins by questioning the motives of one who revels in his own success even at the expense of truth and goodness…even to the destruction of those around him.  The Psalmist knows that God will not tolerate this forever and that every sense of security and strength that this person has will be revealed to be like a building that crumbles (Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin), a shelter that will not protect you (He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent), or a tree that has weak roots (he will uproot you from the land of the living).  In contrast, the one who is faithful to God’s Word, trusting in God’s unfailing love, will be like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God – a place of everlasting life and safety.  

The Bible reveals to us a God who doesn’t only act in isolated moments to create, command, rescue, or punish.  But we also get to know a God (from Genesis to Revelation) who desires to dwell with his own people and surround them with his powerful presence to guide, care for, and protect – God our refuge and fortress, Jesus as Immanuel (“God with us”), and the paraclete Holy Spirit (the One who comes “alongside”).  

This is the promise we have in Christ.   As we put our faith in Him for salvation, trusting in God’s unfailing love, we have the promise of dwelling forever in the “house of the God”.  God has brought me into the safety and shelter of his love through Christ and that as I remain in Him, I having nothing to fear in this life.  May these words of St. Patrick be an encouraging reminder to you today to let your heart, your words, and your actions to remain always in Christ:  

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
 Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
 Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
 Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise,
 Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
 Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks to me,
 Christ in every eye that sees me,
 Christ in every ear that hears me.
 Salvation is of the Lord.
 Salvation is of the Christ.
 May your salvation, Lord, be ever with us.
-        St. Patrick