But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Job 16:5 (NIV)
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Into by Cathy Vinson |
"UnTO" and "inTO" reach TOwards. A part of ourselves is directed OUT from ourselves TO something else. Away from ourselves, the vulnerable independence of that part of ourselves is allowed to go to another. "INTO Your Hands I commit my spirit" (Ps 31:5). When the psalmist prophetically called out to God the cry later of Jesus Christ, what was he embracing? Conflict, terror, oppression were right at his door. Would he retreat "into" his house securing additional bolts? Retreat would happen, but by placing his refuge INTO Another, the One outside himself. He would not be his own refuge. Self-preservation would not be his relied-upon source of protection. He saw God's refuge so intact as to know that placed in the midst of scorn, "the intrigues of men" and "strife of tongues," he would be "sheltered by God's presence" (Ps 31:29). He would still be in refuge. "Unto God...unto God do I lift my soul" (25:1; 86:4; 143:8), "my hands" (28:2; 63:4; 119:48; 134:2), "my feet" (74:3), and "my eyes" (121:1; 123:3). I will not secure myself to me. I will give "unto" God my praise, thereby committing my spirit. I will come out of my self-made refuge and come out TO Another. This will I do instead of protecting myself as if I could protect myself. "You will be to me a house of defense" (31:2). Therefore INTO His hands I will commit what I treasure the most: my spirit. |
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"INTO Your Hands I commit my spirit" (Psalm 31:5) |
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