A DAY IN THE ROA NATIONAL CHAPLAIN’S THOUGHTS

Psalm 34:1-4       

Greetings,  

Well, most people I have met this summer and now into fall, have one thing in common. 

When a conversation is begun, to the very person they utter the phrase, “I have never experienced a Spring and Summer such as this.” 

The amazing thing is, they truly mean what they are saying. Often, when such expressions are spoken, they are simply an expression of passing conversation. Not so this year.

The COVID-19 has upset most of our routines and outlook for the future. I even heard the weather spokesperson say that last night about, fires, early cold, and hurricanes and tropical storms along our Gulf Coast. In times such as these, we need a solid and predictable outlook and the 34th Psalm which holds much for us-for such a time as this!!!

The writer of this Psalm holds a certain identifiable attitude toward God and lets us know we can do the same in our day.  The psalm writer adores Yahweh. One could even say that he gets carried away with his praise of, and to, God.   How long has it been since someone got “carried away” praising God? 

Now, I am not much at singing, but I can speak words of praise to God—and I truly believe that when I do sing, He even approves of my less than perfect voice.  In these verses the author encourages all to lift praises and blessings to Yahweh.  

Speaking of singing, did you know that ROA has a song to sing?  Yes, we do. 

I found it today while looking into the history of ROA for our upcoming Centennial Celebration. Some may not recall so may I indulge you with the words right here? 

THE ROA MARCH        

Verse:

We’ll fight to live, and live to fight 

The foes of liberty,                     

We’ll never end our constant trend                    

Toward more security.           

Chorus:                     

We are the members of the R-O-A,                     

Ready to fight we’ll ever, ever stay                     

We will defend our Country everywhere,                      

Over the lands, over the seas and in the air.                     

Training to keep up our proficiency,                      

So that on D-Day on alert we’ll be,                     

Never a shirk, ever our work you’ll see,                     

Oh, the Officer Reserve hurray,                     

We’re the members of the R-O-A. 

(from The ROA Story; p.338)

Someone reading this will need to search out the tune but I understand it is in the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri. 

Well, back to my spiritual fitness. 

When one feels good, pleased, properly proud, and excited about someone, something or some organization, just as it is in religion, you will find music and prose. This is what the Psalmist is addressing. 

Wouldn’t it be great if at the end of the day, we could all sing the song of the 34th Psalm-“I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

For the day in which we live, take time to read this Psalm. It holds some very encouraging words for us. Yes, even for such a time as this. We may try to escape by thinking, “that is just too hard” or “If God only knew my situation, He would never ask this of me.” 

God is ever present and that is one of His many tremendous qualities. In this Psalm the word for trouble is somewhat different than the English one. I sought my Hebrew scholar friends to get the full meaning.

In Hebrew “trouble” possesses the meaning of “pinched, constricted, cramped, pressure which takes my breath away.” Now the picture is clearer. 

Yahweh, according to this Psalm, delivers us out of our troubles and fears. Notice he does not say, no more fears. Instead he is telling us where to go finding relief in those times.     

“Dear God, Your word has been our beginning and our mainstay. While ROA has a beginning and an upcoming one-hundred years birthday, You are the ‘Beginning AND the End’. 

I pray for all of us in ROA, in this needy world of ours.  I am not asking for You to change circumstances but I am asking that You make us (especially me) worthy men and women in the profession of arms for this generation in which we live.  Help us to be Your shining light in a world of darkness, anxiety and misery. May we not only sing Your song but give us a song to sing in all our life.  I pray Your leadership, strength and protection, both physical and spiritual, be granted to all for You are worthy of our praise and our singing.  To You we can ‘sing our song and shout our praises.’  Amen.”