Saturday 05 June 2021

Psalm 86

Background

 The readers of Romans have endured the suffering associated with persecution of the followers of Christ. Theirs is a life of persecution under Roman occupation. Reflecting on their faith, they find meaning in the suffering of Christ. They live by his life, death and resurrection (Romans 4:24-25). Their 'peace' is not founded in the ruling Emperor, but the crucified Christ. This is not a peace given by merit or strength, but on account of weakness (verse 6). This, they believe, is the “grace in which we stand”.

They understand their life of faith in terms of 'peace with God', and 'hope' that does not 'disappoint' or fail. Their confidence is summed up in words that come later: “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor heights, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God” (Romans 8:38-39).

It is written that these followers of Christ have cause to 'boast' in their life. The word that boast  is translated from can also be rendered 'exult in'. They exult in their faith, peace and hope. This confidence does not result from suffering, but it is not destroyed by suffering. Their life of peace and hope is not lived in a blissful realm. It is rooted and grounded in their own suffering and faith. More than this they rejoice in their confidence that they 'share' in the 'glory of God'.

There is no attempt in these words to develop a trinitarian theology, but again, on this Sunday after Trinity Sunday, we see the earliest followers of Jesus choosing to live by faith in him, in the confidence of God “through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (verse 5).

To Ponder:

•  What are the grounds of your exulting and rejoicing in God?

Prayer

Thanks be to you, Holy God, for the courage and witness of those who reveal your grace and glory in the midst of pain and poverty and pandemics.