El Emet

In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. (Psalm 31:1-5 ESV).

 

Everyone needs to depend on and trust other people. Many people in our lives are trustworthy, but we’ve all been let down at one time or another. Maybe you trusted someone or some product with your health, only to be disappointed. Or maybe you trusted a financial advisor or broker with your money, and you lost everything. Sometimes even close friends or family members let us down in harsh and inconsiderate ways. People and things eventually let us down. It is important to remember who wrote our psalm today. It was David. Remembering the series of disappointments and betrayals he experienced makes this declaration even more powerful.

 

 

The name of God in today’s reading, El Emet, contrasts sharply with the unreliability of people and things. Emet, the Hebrew word for “trueness” and “faithfulness” calls to mind God’s trustworthiness and dependability. The psalmist conveys God’s steadfastness using rock-hard imagery: “You are my rock and my fortress.”

 

Amid all of life’s uncertainties and disappointments, and especially when people let you down, are you still able to confess that God is your rock and fortress? If you can do that, you can also take the next step with the psalmist and say, “Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.” We cannot always be faithful and true to God, but El Emet, “the Faithful God of Truth,” will always be faithful and true to us.

 

I wonder if today might be such a day for you. Use this psalm as a prayer of commitment to renew your strength and hope.