Daily Bears Us Up
Living in the PNW, it is almost required that a person love hiking in the great outdoors. (No judgment here if that's not your jam.) While hiking I often see people hiking with poles which they do in order to provide some stability and aid as they ascend or descend the trail. As I continue to age–I'm not that old just yet–I realize that I too may need or want a set myself pretty soon. These poles won't carry me all the way up the trail and back, but they do provide a little support, a little help. At times we approach God in like manner. I can manage most of the way on my own; here and there I may need some support and that's where God comes in, correct? He's (only) a crutch, right?
Psalm 68:19. Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. The image of God here is not a simple hiking pole, something to lean on only slightly for he can only give minimal aid. Rather he is like a Father who, knowing how tired and weary we are on the journey, picks us up, carries us along, and brings us safely home. We are in great need; he greatly supplies. And this he does, not only once, as if we each have only one phone-a-heavenly-Father call we can make and we better make sure we use it at precisely the right time. No, but rather he daily bears us up, time and again, throughout the day and also the night.
The night. It is one thing for us to recognize the Lord's aid and support throughout the day when we are conscious of our surroundings, our internal struggles, and aware of his presence. But he bears us along even in the darkness of the night. It is not the case that when our eyes close in sleep, he exhales loudly, grateful for that part of his work to be done for the day. His provision and care extend into the night, both to those who sleep and to those for whom sleep is fleeting.
A prayer offered during Compline, that hour of prayer before we pass into the depths of the night, is a prayer for the Lord to bear us up. "Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen."
"Yours is the day O Lord, yours also the night." (Ps 74:16). May it be, that as we traverse each day and prepare for repose in the night, that these three words–bear us up–may be our prayer, both for ourselves and for others.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.
Grace & Peace