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The Wisdom of the Body
The Word became flesh and made his home among us. —John 1:14, CEB This month the Read More
Derek C. Weber | Read Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21
Every day I will bless the Lord. Every day? Yes, every day. What about the days I regret, the days when everything goes wrong, when I make bad choices or fall into bad circumstances? Every day.
What about the days when it seems like the world is heading to hell in a handbasket? What about the days when loving my neighbors seems impossible because I can’t stand some of those neighbors and the ways they choose to live? What about the days when I get disgusted reading social media because everyone’s opinion seems so wrong? Those days too? Every day.
It seems to be asking a lot, this Psalm 145. And it certainly would be if praise were a response to circumstances. Let’s be honest; there are days when praise is easy. It just kind of rolls off our tongues, just pours out of us. Praise as a response is a fun and uplifting kind of thing that we all enjoy. But Psalm 145 isn’t talking about praise as a response. It is talking about praise as a way of life, an act of will. Every day I will bless the Lord is a decision and not a reaction. Every day.
You can then see the rest of the psalm after the “every day” declaration as a list of ways to maintain the pledge. Meditate on God’s works, seek God’s justice, feel God’s nearness, listen for answers to prayer. All these ways can keep us praising, even the days we don’t feel like it.
Help me praise you, loving God. Every day. Amen.
Following the return from exile to Babylon, the people of God have much work to do to restore the city of Jerusalem. Haggai is one of the prophets sent by God to encourage them. God promises future material blessings for the people and a time of peace. The psalmist praises God and declares that future generations will tell the stories of God’s wonderful works. In Second Thessalonians, Paul addresses a group that is disturbed because they think they have missed the return of Christ. He assures them that they have not missed the time and admonishes them to persevere in their faith. In Luke, Jesus is asked about marriage in the resurrection, but he focuses on God as the God of the living.
Read Haggai 1:15b–2:9. When have you relied on God’s promises for the future? How did your faith in God’s provision keep you focused on the long-term goal?
Read Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21. How can you share God’s majesty and justice with the next generations?
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17. How do you live a disciplined life, trusting in the Lord whether or not the end is near?
Read Luke 20:27-38. How can you be open to the unexpected ways God will answer your questions?
Respond by posting a prayer.
