Today’s scripture: Psalm 145 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Terri Brown):
“My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise [the Lord’s] holy name for ever and ever” (Psalm 145:21; NIV).
In my thoughts, words, and actions I strive to represent God and to share and spread God’s love in every way on a daily basis. But I have failed on many occasions. However, I am able to truly know that I have succeeded many more times. God’s everlasting love shows me that I am worthy; and even when I have considered giving up, God gave me a reason to go on and promised to use that love and endurance in my daily life experiences. These passages from Psalm 145, which I have read today, remind me that others, like me, know and recognize God’s love and persistent presence in our lives, but the struggle with pain and emotions which almost negate the reason for our being and ability to acknowledge God almost obstruct our ability to persist in life.
Now, I said almost for, in my case, I may have doubted or lost faith on occasion. But it helps me to better understand those who lose faith altogether and those who are unable to see God’s presence in their lives. For it is with those down and desperate times that some of us often either find God or lose God. And this can be all about perspective. I know my core being has always recognized God and been able to accept the “good, bad, and ugly” due to my acknowledgement of God. However, some obstacles along my path included prejudice, unfairness, hatred, bias, bigotry, abuse, and religious persecution. So I now go to the Bible with an open mind, which helps me to realize what God has in store for me, a message which will counteract those old messages which produced my own fear and lack of self-appreciation. And instead I now respect and approve more completely the love of God, love for myself, and love for others.
“The Lord is righteous in all [the Lord’s] ways and faithful in all [the Lord] does. The Lord is near to all who call on [the Lord], to all who call on [the Lord] in truth” (verses 17, 18).
I learned this acceptance and more thoroughly receive the love of God due to my perception of the “good, bad, and ugly.” There is no negativity in the perception but a more balanced look at the aspects of these concepts and my past circumstances. The comparison of what can be considered negative or positive becomes an appreciation for all that God has provided and affords the ability to be grateful for everything in praise of God’s gifts.
“The Lord is good to all; [the Lord] has compassion on all [the Lord] has made” (verse 9).
AND
[God’s] kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and that dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all [the Lord] promises and faithful in all [the Lord] does. The Lord upholds all who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing” (verses 13-16).
So for me, throughout the years, over many generations, people have seen good and evil. Families and nations have endured. God has continued to love; and if we are able to see that love and endurance in the long, sustaining life of the cockroach or if we are able to experience the short span of the opening of a morning blossom plant which closes again until next day, then we truly see that we are blessed. Mothers, like me, can sincerely appreciate this incongruity in childbirth as the almost unbearable pain ends in the magnificent gift of life of the newborn child put in the arms of the mother.
Thought for the day: Yes, God is to be praised, always, every day in every way, for God is persistent in God’s ways and deserves our adoration forever. Praise God today for what God has put in your life.
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.