May 22, 2022 - Psalm 135-139

Lots of news lately regarding the U.S. Supreme Court and its forthcoming ruling regarding Roe vs. Wade. The words of David clarify and distinguish the biblical view of life from that of the abortionists in the clearest of manners: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of the, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them” (139:13-16).

Not only is there application, here, to one of the great moral issues of today but, also, there is great comfort in knowing no place exists where God is not with us and watching over us: not in heaven, not in Sheol, not in the depths of the sea, and not in the darkest of nights.

In 1932, a week after the death of his wife in childbirth and the subsequent death of his newborn son, Thomas Andrew Dorsey, considered the “father” of the African American gospel tradition, wrote a hymn that reminds me of another hymn writer, Horatio Spafford, who wrote a hymn – “It Is Well With My Soul” – upon his great loss. This is our prayer, also, isn’t it: “Precious Lord, take my hand . . .”

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand

I am tired, I’m weak, I am worn

Through the storm, through the night

Lead me on to the light

Take my hand, precious Lord

Lead me home. -- Thomas Andrew Dorsey (1938)