Friday 25 November 2022

Psalm 118:1-18

Background

One of the great joys of my work is baptising a baby. There is something about taking that small, helpless, child from the arms of its parent and handing it to God with blessings and promises that brings a smile to my heart each time.

And each time I am reminded of these words from Deuteronomy (in the New International Version of the Bible) "The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms." (v. 27)

In today's reading, we are given a picture of God as a perfect, upright (Jeshurun means upright), steadfast and faithful parent. There is the idea of God cradling and wanting to protect us all. God wants the best for us and from us, chastising when we make mistakes but delighting in us when we succeed and walk our path of faith. In even the darkest of times God is there. We may not always feel it or want to acknowledge it but, as the ultimate parent, God is ever ready to hold us, protect us and then encourage us to walk again.

Today children are barely allowed to be children in a world where they are assessed, graded, pushed and targeted with advertising. How refreshing is it to find an image of God holding and protecting. Because of God's closeness to us, God is ready to hear what is happening in our lives and how we are getting on in the world. God is also ready to give whatever help we need.

Next time your eyes are drawn to a child or baby being cradled in the lap of a parent, grandparent or carer, remember God is cradling you.

To Ponder:

• How does the idea of such an intimate and close God feel to you?
• What sort of parent is God to you?

Prayer

God, who holds us closer in even our darkest times, keep your arms around us to enfold and protect, your ear open to our distress and joy, and your hands ready to lead and pick us up again when we fall. Amen.