The "IRS" Psalm
(To the pious who will say "How sacrilegious can you get" I say "Chill".)
Like many people I've had occasions over my 40 years of working and filing taxes to have to deal with the IRS. I'm currently in one of those seasons again, this time dealing with the "full weight and authority" of everyone's favorite government agency.
I won't pretend to be blameless but I'm certainly not being devious. I'm not a scofflaw either. However, when the news is filled with references to white collar criminals who have bilked the public out of billions of dollars, and you know they MUST have cheated the government as well, I can only hope that they receive as much attention as I've gotten for the few dollars we have in dispute.
With this situation monopolizing my attention these days I was really taken this morning while reading how appropriate Psalm 143 seems to a case such as mine. The Message version relates it this way:
"Listen to this prayer of mine, God; pay attention to what I'm asking. Answer me—you're famous for your answers! Do what's right for me. But don't, please don't, haul me into court; not a person alive would be acquitted there. The enemy hunted me down; he kicked me and stomped me within an inch of my life. He put me in a black hole, buried me like a corpse in that dungeon. I sat there in despair, my spirit draining away, my heart heavy, like lead. I remembered the old days, went over all you've done, pondered the ways you've worked, stretched out my hands to you, as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain. Hurry with your answer, God! I'm nearly at the end of my rope. Don't turn away; don't ignore me! That would be certain death. If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice, I'll go to sleep each night trusting in you. Point out the road I must travel; I'm all ears, all eyes before you. Save me from my enemies, God— you're my only hope! Teach me how to live to please you, because you're my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland. Keep up your reputation, God—give me life! In your justice, get me out of this trouble! In your great love, vanquish my enemies; make a clean sweep of those who harass me. And why? Because I'm your servant."
And I repeat this refrain: "If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice, I'll go to sleep each night trusting in you."
Like many people I've had occasions over my 40 years of working and filing taxes to have to deal with the IRS. I'm currently in one of those seasons again, this time dealing with the "full weight and authority" of everyone's favorite government agency.
I won't pretend to be blameless but I'm certainly not being devious. I'm not a scofflaw either. However, when the news is filled with references to white collar criminals who have bilked the public out of billions of dollars, and you know they MUST have cheated the government as well, I can only hope that they receive as much attention as I've gotten for the few dollars we have in dispute.
With this situation monopolizing my attention these days I was really taken this morning while reading how appropriate Psalm 143 seems to a case such as mine. The Message version relates it this way:
"Listen to this prayer of mine, God; pay attention to what I'm asking. Answer me—you're famous for your answers! Do what's right for me. But don't, please don't, haul me into court; not a person alive would be acquitted there. The enemy hunted me down; he kicked me and stomped me within an inch of my life. He put me in a black hole, buried me like a corpse in that dungeon. I sat there in despair, my spirit draining away, my heart heavy, like lead. I remembered the old days, went over all you've done, pondered the ways you've worked, stretched out my hands to you, as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain. Hurry with your answer, God! I'm nearly at the end of my rope. Don't turn away; don't ignore me! That would be certain death. If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice, I'll go to sleep each night trusting in you. Point out the road I must travel; I'm all ears, all eyes before you. Save me from my enemies, God— you're my only hope! Teach me how to live to please you, because you're my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland. Keep up your reputation, God—give me life! In your justice, get me out of this trouble! In your great love, vanquish my enemies; make a clean sweep of those who harass me. And why? Because I'm your servant."
And I repeat this refrain: "If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice, I'll go to sleep each night trusting in you."
posted by Dad at
7:56 AM
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