I believed, even when I said, “I have been brought very low.” In my distress I said, “No one can be trusted.” … I will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. Psalm 116:9-12

“I believed, even when I was I was thinking no one can be trusted.” 

Yesterday, I saw a video of a fire in the churchyard of the Black River Parish Church, that existed way back before the Sam Sharpe rebellion – 1831. I could not help but take a deep breath for fear of what could happen to that historic building. The fire station is right beside it, but so many things could have gone wrong. I wondered so what if it caught fire?

In questioning this I thought of the three Hebrew boys in Babylon who were put in the fiery furnace.  They told the King even if God did not save them they would not go against God’s teachings.

How have you been calling on God? Are you remembering that that is ultimately in charge? The psalmist is in a low place. He does not feel he can trust anyone. He remembers that God is always present. The psalm starts with acknowledging who God. He says “I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.” He then tells the story. Not only does he call on God, he promises to drink of the cup of salvation and fulfill his vows so the world could see the honour and glory of serving Christ. 

Drinking the Cup of Salvation has always sounded like the bitter gall Jesus drank. Jesus asked the sons of Zebedee if they can drink from his cup. The Jews have a drink offering, which Paul refers to in Philippians 2:17 where he says “But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you”. It is the same thing the Psalmist is here saying.   No matter what happens I will praise the lord for what he has done for me.  The song says “he has set my spirit free”.  When we call upon God, God does save us.  God frees us from our burdens if we open ourselves to God’s bidding. As we call upon God we remember that God is in charge.  God is God and God behaves like God. God is there for us when we cry out of the depths of our sorrow, God provides the calm.  We call out and we lean on God. This leaning is I believe drinking of the Cup of Salvation. Most times we think of the chalice at Eucharist as the Cup of Salvation. The psalmist did not participate in the Eucharist so he was not referring to the Communion chalice. Here the understanding is different and symbolic. For me, the first taste is like bitter gall, and as we continue to drink we get the sweet taste comes through as our burdens and cares are being lifted. In Jamaica we say we feel light.

Let us then commend ourselves into the hands of God as we call on God even in desperate times. May we feel God’s presence as God strengthens us. We pray that God will give us a diligent and watchful and discerning spirit, to know God’s will, and to do it, to the honour and glory of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen