We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk. You are welcome to share this and include it in your church newsletters if you wish; we just ask that you please give credit to NTC and the author. Thank you!
Scripture: Psalm 125
1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time on and forevermore.
3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
so that the righteous might not stretch out
their hands to do wrong.
4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts.
5 But those who turn aside to their own crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with evildoers.
Peace be upon Israel! (NRSV)
Devotional Thought:
Uncertainty in life can lead us to be fearful. Nervousness about today and anxiety for tomorrow can sap the joy and peace from our lives. We often seek to control our circumstances to protect ourselves from anticipated pressures (real or imagined). The consequence of this is to live life in ever diminishing circles of influence as we seek to build walls of protection. We become closed, stingy, and self-absorbed. However, there is an alternative while living in uncertain days. The Psalmist celebrates the fact that the LORD surrounds his people from this time on and forevermore. (vs 2b) When we live in this reality we have an anchor that holds us steady. How might we do this, you ask? By trusting in the LORD! This trust in the One who knows us so well and loves us so much allows us to build bridges, not walls. We do not live in fear and anxiety, but in a quiet, humble assurance that God’s grace is sufficient because he cares enough to be present. The Psalmist is enough of a realist to acknowledge that there are those who manipulate, abuse power and authority, and who do wrong. However, while trusting in the LORD, we dare to be different, not allowing evildoers to set the tempo or the horizon of life for us. As Jesus has said: you are the light of the world. … let your light so shine before others … that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Matt 5: 14, 16 NRSV)
Prayer:
Ever-present Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thank you for your faithful presence in my life. Grant me this day your peace as I anchor myself in you. I live under your Lordship and trust you to shine in and through me as I go about living for you. Give me the courage to build bridges into a hurting world, that I might live out of the abundance of your grace and love. Bless us with your peace this day. Amen.
Rev Dr Bruce G Allder
Senior Lecturer in Pastoral Theology