Today’s scripture: Psalm 89:1-4 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Melody Merida):
All hope is lost; the world is a mess. There is nothing but fighting, greed, violence, chaos, and misery. Whatever hope I may have had that things would be different is gone now. The promises I have held fast to all my life are blown away by the wind of oppression. Nothing good can come from my miserable world; I may as well give up.
These could have been the words used by the Psalmist to convey his own feelings for what was happening in his world. Let’s face it; they could also be the words used to convey the way many folks feel today. The writer of this text was indeed living in a miserable time of conflict, war, danger, and all-around misery; but he didn’t let his circumstances get the best of him. Instead, he writes this psalm of praise to God for things yet to be accomplished, for things God has promised but not yet fulfilled. The psalmist is finding hope in God’s covenant.
Like David, the eventual king and author of this Psalm, you too are living under a time of divine covenant. God has promised steadfast love and faithfulness to you, a hopeful future and eternal divine presence. Even more, God’s covenant with you includes the peace, love, and hope you need today to make the kingdom of God real in our world today.
David did not have a covenant with God that was greater than the one God makes with you, if you accept it. Sure, we could sit around and bemoan the awful tragedies that have become commonplace in our world, we could spend all our time mourning what we do not have, we could deride God for making us feel like the time of covenant will never begin. Or, we could do what the Psalmist did and praise God for the promising future, for the covenant to be fulfilled for us, and for the present love and faithfulness of God.
Thought for the day: You are God’s chosen child with whom God has made an everlasting covenant. The time to live into that covenant is now! Rejoice in the promises of God because they are meant for YOU! Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.