In a magazine titled “Departures” the May/June issue deals with the culture of luxury. In a very brief single page article, actor Alec Baldwin writes of the necessary luxuries, then lists his own. Both by name and in a pictorial setting. They are as follows: A print copy of the New York Times; drawing with Crayons; Fig Newtons; and the City of New York. Though he elaborates a bit on each as to why these items bring him comfort, it is clear he has a personal connection in his life to each.
I can still recall with some vividness a childhood experience. I was with my family at the beach at age six or seven. My father had just come out from a swim and scooped me in his arms and walked toward the ocean. At first I was fine, then became a bit afraid as he walked in the waves, then near hysteric as we moved further in. My dad then recognized my fear and deposited me beside my mom. I will never forget the look of disappointment on his face. He was a great swimmer, barely forty at the time, yet his youngest could not muster enough comfort to trust in his care. Later, when I went to work for him I came to understand him as a person who would never intentionally put someone, let alone one of his own, in harm’s way. One of my fondest memories is how much trust and delight my sons had in their Grandfather, and he in them.
Scholars tell us that most of the Psalms were for use in worship. Some were shared in formal ways while others were more private devotions. Psalm sixteen is of the latter category. It is titled “A Miktam of David.” According to Dr. Elmer A. Leslie a professor of Hebrew Scripture, Miktams are writings of personal relational spirituality which deal with ‘atonement or expiation.’ Virtually all of the first forty-one Psalms fit this description as they deal with protection, comfort and care from God for the one writing the prayer.
What makes Psalm sixteen work so well as a personal prayer is the specifics of the wording. In verse one it opens with a direct plea; ‘Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge...those who choose another god multiply their sorrows.’ The emphasis is on a deep trust the author (here it is David) has in relationship with God. The comfort derived from known boundaries of faith, and spiritual guidance. The Psalm closes with a summation of the author’s appreciation in verse eleven, ‘You show me the path of life. In your right hand are pleasures forevermore.’ So whether it is writing or saying a specific prayer, reading a newspaper, drawing a picture, or eating a cookie, especially a “Tates chocolate chip with walnut;” we each need personal places of comfort which we store in our memory and bring out to draw strength.
