Monday 08 June 2015

Psalm: Psalm 17

Background

In this passage we meet Elijah at the end of his life, when heand Elisha had become almost inseparable and he is preparing todie. The two of them set out on Elijah's final journey, and as theytravel we read of Elisha's determination not to be parted fromElijah. The story resonates with Ruth's determination not to leaveher mother-in-law Naomi earlier in the Old Testament (Ruth1:6-18). As Elijah ascends to the heavens Elisha does not takehis eyes off him - such is his grief, such is his longing and maybetoo such is his unbelief or even his ambition.

When we know that death is approaching a loved one, our humaninstinct is to stay as close as we possibly can to the one who willleave us: Elisha is no different. He will not allow Elijah totravel ahead without him. Nervous maybe of what may happen, fearfulof what the consequences maybe or hopeful that he too can becomethe prophet that Elijah was, he remains constantly by Elijah'sside. Then when the moment of parting comes he cries out in hisloss and bewilderment, "Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" Thentaking Elijah's cloak and walking back to the Jordan, he toostrikes the waters with the cloak so that he can return to theother side safely and be greeted by those who had accompaniedElijah. He returns to the safety of the people he knows, just asthe disciples stayed together after the reports of theResurrection (Luke 24:33) where they too felt safe andsecure, comforting themselves in one another's company where theycan reminisce together. Perhaps too, when the community sawElijah's cloak they then knew what had happened and felt comfortedthat something of Elijah remained and would continue with Elishaand they could fondly remember together.

At times of heightened grief and uncertainty we can findourselves asking impossible questions too, wanting to know thatdespite the separation God is still with us though it may not feellike it at all. We too need to wrap ourselves around with thethings that are familiar and hide away from the starkness ofreality. We too need to be in the company of those who have lost,for in that safety we may find a hope that enables us tocontinue.

To Ponder

• Have there been times in your life when you have doubted God'spresence or wondered where God might be? Reflect on those times andconsider where you may have found some hope.

• Sometimes witnessing a person in the early stages of grief canbe upsetting for the local community and, rather than reach out tothem, we can withdraw. How could you overcome this situation eitherfor yourself or for your local community?

• Times of change, and times of letting go maybe occasions whenwe can rediscover hope and find new ways of doing things, involvingdifferent people. What have you noticed about times of change ortimes when you have had to let go?