Worn Out Metaphor

“You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.” Psalm 68:9 NIV

Weary Inheritance – If David’s poem is only a statement about the land of Canaan, then this is just a weather report.  God brings showers to water the dry land.  Fine.  Now back to the rest of the evening news.  The Hebrew word for inheritance (nakhalah) does mean possession, property and especially, the promised land of Canaan.  And the Jews are a people of the land.  It is never far from their thoughts.  But David is no meteorologist.  He is a king and a poet.  What he sees is not just water from the sky.  He sees a picture of every believer’s hope, spread out before him in the wastelands of Palestine.

The word “weary” in this verse is really a verb.  It is la’ah.   It means, “to become weary, frustrated or exhausted.”  That changes the imagery just a little.  The inheritance was not always worn out.  Once it was invigorating, vibrant and fresh.  But time and trials have made their mark.  Now the hope that once empowered us has faded.  We work against the grinding wheel.  Life is a burden of obligations instead of a joyful celebration.

“What’s the matter, sweetheart?”

“You know.  I try and try but the truth is that I’m just exhausted.  I can’t keep going like this.”

Ever had that conversation.

“Why are you so discouraged?”

“I know God cares about me, but I’m worn out.  I pray.  I wait.  But God doesn’t seem to answer.  I’m living in a desert and I don’t know why.”

Rain comes when the hoped for inheritance has become weary.  David looks out across the land and sees rain falling in the distance.  The dark cloud paints gray lines from the sky to the soil.  He sees a flash.  After a few moments, the welcome sound of thunder greets him.  Rain is coming.  It’s not here yet, but it’s coming.  It’s bringing a cool relief, quenching the thirst in the dust, filling the potholes with mirrors.

Are you “shuffling through the Texas sand, but you’re head’s in Mississippi” (ZZ Top)?

Liquid grace is what you need.  Refreshment for an inheritance made weary.

“He leads me beside still waters”.  Yes, I’m waiting for the rain too.  I can smell it in the air.  I can see it in the distance.  Not yet.  But soon I will feel the splash on my face.