Today’s scripture: Psalm 40:5-10 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
Psalm 40 verses 9-10 caught my attention in today’s reading:
I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord. I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
This caught my attention because I can be overly sensitive about what I say and to whom I am speaking when it comes to my own theology and spiritual journey. (I think – Not restrain my lips?) I never know who I may encounter on my daily journey. I don’t want to be a stumbling block on someone’s spiritual journey or portray myself as the only one who has it right! That is why I feel it is important that I allow people to experience and know who God is for them; not a prescribed experience based on mine. People come from all walks of life, with different pasts, different experiences, and different family histories; the path may look a lot different than mine.
In reading this passage, it caused me to think about a healthy dose of sharing God and not concealing God’s steadfast love; sharing joy and gladness in how God has helped shape my life, and how God has been with me and has delivered me from many places that were not good. Lifestyle Evangelism is a sure way to live out that gladness, but what about the words that come out of my mouth? Am I sharing God’s love and presence with others in all the ways that people will hear and see it? Am I holding back?
If I say something great about God, or God’s love and faithfulness, but then something else comes out of my mouth later that is not uplifting (or I get a potty mouth), have I just cancelled out what I said? What if I tell someone about a time when God was working in my life but then the same people hear me say something mean spirited. What does that say about how God works in my life?
As Christmas approaches, the waiting, the hope and the expectation that God is indeed with us helps to make it more real. I know that I am not perfect. But I can use this season to show God’s love and presence, show life, and also speak life; speak about God working in my life and the relationship with God I am working on building. How am I making God with me, with us, Emmanuel, more real for those that I encounter?
Thought for the day: What can I say today to communicate God’s love and faithfulness?
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.