SONG OF THE REDEEMED

   Exodus 5:22-7:25; Matthew 18:21-19:12; Psalm 23:1-6; Proverbs 5:22-23

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

     He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.

   Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.

   You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

      My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,

   and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.’’

It has been an historic month, hasn’t it?  Not since September 2001 has there been a September like this one.  We’ve been embroiled in madness, besieged by economic tragedy and distraught by the greed which made it all possible.  Ironically, our politicians argue over a cure without acknowledging our real disease, even as we seek new leadership.  But no human factor, no bailout, is going to cure what ails us as a country, or as individuals.  We don’t so much need a leader out ahead of us as we need a leader in us, guiding us back home, back to the life God intended.  We need a leader who can quiet our hearts, remind us of Whose and who we are, and reintroduce us to the basics of life and the fundamentals of faith.  We need a leader unafraid of words like contentment, sufficiency, grace and forgiveness; one whose voice will cut through the confusion, not add to it.

So, maybe it’s significant that today is God’s Sabbath.  I’m going to rest a bit and listen more carefully for a Word of hope.  Stop fighting life and stop struggling like a catfish on a hook.  I’m turning off the news - and the Blackberry! - and retuning my ears to the voice of the Shepherd.  It’s almost a song: “Hush, my beloved. I AM! Be still, and know that I am God….  I have overcome the world.”  That’s the Voice I need to hear.

In the middle of all that surrounds us, that threatens us and that might come to pass, remains the One who IS.  He’s never left us; we’ve just forgotten to listen for His Voice, and we’ve gotten lost.  But the Shepherd keeps calling His flock, guiding us home with His song of love.  We rejoice at His call, His song, and we can follow it, find Him again, and make it home.  If we just stop long enough to listen.

Our Savior already has redeemed us.  He will redeem this September, too.  Redemption is… well, it’s what He does.  We know that.  So, why, when the wind blows and the seas rage, do we still doubt?  We have a different song than the world, and we would do well to remember, and share, it.