Considering Psalms

WED., DEC. 10, 1997, 8:29 AM
A.S.C., F.P.C.

The Psalms are often portrayed as a beautifully poetic, peaceful portion of Holy Scripture. Good ol’ #23 is mostly such, but it still refers to the valley of the shadow of death as if this were a scary place to be. These that you and your group are now reading and reacting to are much more “bi-polar”. And this can be a confusing aspect of the faith you have… and that I want you to have. Hear Me, o son.

It is somewhat similar to the “difficulty” you expressed last week about Christmas and its remembrance as My birth as Jesus. You did read the portions of all four Gospels that told… or didn’t tell… of My birth. Was it important? Two said Yes. Two said, in effect, No. Are details important? Did I and My parents flee to Egypt to escape being killed or was I dedicated in the temple as every Jewish baby was expected to be without danger?

Or is John’s rendition the most important: that I was from the beginning… no birth was necessary… only the adult baptism into My ministry? No Christmas sentiment in John’s story!

The question then is: was the birth truly important? If it was important why no childhood, youth, and young adult stories, save one… and that one of irresponsibility and disobedience… allegiance more to a Heavenly Father than to earthly parents?

You are struck again with how the psalmist dwells on sins and iniquities and then begs for forgiveness, for a “blotting out”. It seems as though being born a human is a sin, and the natural tendency to sin is everpresent. But, as Jesus, I said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find…” Is forgiveness quick & short-term or is it a condition of being that cannot be countered? The Psalms seem to suggest that spirit must be broken (broken?, really?), so that one’s heart can be truly contrite. But with forgiveness, will the heart stay contrite and humble?

I say that it is good that your spirit is troubled by this apparent yoyo condition of sin and propitiation. Hear, then, My Teaching to you. Your spirit is the essence of you. Yet it has had other experiences before being “in” you… even some “at the same time” (for time is not a reality to Me). Your spirit comes from Me, and will eventually return to Me. I have always been a part of you, but your awareness of My participation in your life is now growing. You have responded to My offer to be part of you, consciously, twice… two “born again” experiences… a sign that life is not limited to one birth.

As Triune God I do not sin, no matter what the actions or inactions. As I am in you, and you are in Me there are no sins. There is only growth of spirit, no growth of spirit, or loss of spiritual growth. What you shall come to, as this development takes place, is more and more realization that I Am, in every action, every life event, everything.

The focus on sin and forgiveness, sin and degradation, sin and redemption is “youthful religion”. Maturity recognizes Me in oh so many life happenings, urging and directing you toward spiritual development. Each time you listen to Me it becomes easier and more “natural”. Remember Ram Dass’ conclusion: “Ram is a funny Ram”. I come to you now in the form of a potentially painful leg cramp… for no apparent reason. (This is much to be preferred over a stroke or a heart attack, which also could be “Me in action.”)