Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord…I you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?  But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered. 

                                                                        --Psalm 130:1, 3-4

Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress…you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.

                                                                        --Psalm 32:6-7

One of the treasures of my library at home is Book of Devotion, written by a Lutheran clergyman by the name of Rev. F. Kuegele in 1895.  I enjoy it as a private worship companion.  I honestly cannot remember how this particular jewel came into my possession, so I will describe it simply as a Godsend. 

Psalm 130 was the lectionary reading for last Sunday.  You may recall that I read a few lines of it at the beginning of our worship service, but even then I did not feel that it was getting its due.   With the relentless echo of an empty sanctuary ringing in my ears, and the prevailing sense of exile weighing in heavily upon those in the barracks at home, crying “out of the depths” seems more and more appropriate as time goes on.  If you’ve never tried it, or for some reason you’ve been conditioned not to, I invite you to reconsider at some point for the sake of your own mental health. 

So long as there is a greater end in sight, there is such a thing as a “glad cry.”  It has taken me years to understand this gospel truth—paradoxical as it is—but I for one am finally getting comfortable with this specific mode of prayer.  It now fits like a favorite old T-shirt that may or may not be suitable for public appearance (and without apology!). 

And since no one else from the last 100 years seems to know exactly what to make of this prophetic predicament just yet, I was equally satisfied to welcome Rev. Kuegele into the conversation of my soul. 

Sure enough, in his reflection on Psalm 130, the old Reverend did not disappoint.  Whereas I was feeling consumed with my failed acceptance of our collective ‘depth,’ this modern saint shed light on how to make the most of the situation.  Surprisingly, neither he nor the psalmist express any interest in “getting back to the way things used to be.”  Instead, they are hoping and praying that God will disregard recent history completely, with forgiveness as the foundation for a new day.

Can you imagine?  Rev. Kuegele certainly did:

“Where sin is forgiven the demands of divine justice are stilled, and all is grace and good will.  Where sin is forgiven Satan has lost his claim, and his power is broken.  Where sin is forgiven there dwells the Holy Ghost with His grace and gifts.  Where sin is forgiven the Law, which is not made for the righteous (1 Tim. 1:9), cannot condemn, and death, which is only the wages of sin (Rom. 6:23) cannot kill.  Where sin is forgiven hell cannot devour, and the portals of heaven are wide open…For the forgiveness of sin we should fervently pray every day.”

If the forgiveness offered to us in the love of God can do that—to deliver us from all evil—then the fear of present pandemic loses its sting.  We may cry “out of the depths,” but thanks be to God, we do not stay there forever.  After all, this is a ‘song of ascent’!

“Be not dismayed, what ‘ere be tide.”  God will take care of you. 

Let us pray—Lord, we confess that even in our present trouble, we are all better than we rightfully deserve.  It is by your mercy that we live and breathe this day.  We thank you that you forgive us our sins.  Help us to use this time to offer that same gift to others.  Consecrate this experience for your purpose, as we learn to profess that the day of your redemption is near.  God of grace and healing, you are worth the wait.  Save us, Lord.  Let your Holy Spirit refresh all of creation with the truth of your power.  Amen 

                                    Whatever It Takes, 

                                                            Darren