September 13 | Hebrews 1:10-12, Psalm 102

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DAILY READING

Hebrews 1:10-12

Psalm 102

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REFLECTION

The One Constant in Life

By Carmel Elmer

 “In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

They will perish, but you remain; they will wear out like a garment.  Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.

But you will remain the same, and your years will never end.”  Psalm 102: 25-27

The bookends of today’s readings are a reminder that there is one constant in this life:  God was here in the beginning and, though everything else will come to an end, He will always remain.  It’s the stuff in between that beginning and end that can be tough to navigate.

In my bible the heading for Psalm 102 says “A prayer of an afflicted man.  When he is faint and pours out his lament before the Lord”.  I don’t think I know anyone who hasn’t experienced a season of pain or suffering in one way or another.  We all have times in life that bring about feelings of sadness, pain or even hopelessness. Whether we are experiencing physical or emotional suffering, the word pictures in Psalm 102 say it all:

“For my days vanish like smoke, my bones burn like glowing embers” vs. 3

“My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food” vs. 4

“I eat ashes as my food” vs. 9

Did you know that one of the physiological byproducts of anxiety or fear is a dry mouth? I know that feeling and it is like eating ashes! 

So, what is it that makes it possible for some to remain hopeful and even have joy in times of suffering?  Faith!  Faith in a God who is here through it all and will remain when all else fails or dies away.  When my mom was in the late stages of breast cancer and we knew she was nearing death, she had a peace about her that I was grateful for but couldn’t understand.  By all accounts, as her body shut down, she should have been experiencing excruciating pain, but you would never have known it.  I remember asking her if she was afraid of dying and with a smile in her voice she said, “I’m not the first person to die and I won’t be the last!”  She knew that this is not the final destination, and she knew that no matter what, God was the one constant she could count on.

Life brings with it times of great joy and times of terrible suffering, all of which will pass as we ebb and flow through our time on this earth.  One thing remains constant, and it is the one thing that carries us through the not so joyful times. 

“But you will remain the same, and your years will never end.” 

PRAYER

You, God are the one thing we can count on no matter what.  Though everything in this life will fade away, we find comfort in knowing that You will always remain. Good, bad, joy or suffering; all of it will pass but You remain. Praise God!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CARMEL ELMER

I have attended UALC for nearly 25 years, but faith has always been at the center of my life. My mom was an incredible role model, demonstrating a trust in God that surpassed any circumstance. I will always be grateful for her incredible example of faith, and I pray that one day, my children will say the same about me.