Dear Friends,
We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk. We give thanks to Michael Lund, Library Manager, for writing this devotional.
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!
Psalm 19 (NRSVUE)
1 The heavens are telling the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth
and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens
and its circuit to the end of them,
and nothing is hid from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can detect one’s own errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless
and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Devotional Thought:
I vividly remember taking the rubbish bins out a few years ago. Now it’s not that I do it so rarely that it’s a landmark memory – rather, it was the sunset I was met with that causes me to remember. I remember looking up, and being amazed at the colour and beauty of the sky.
To the East, white and pink clouds set against a light blue sky, which faded through a haze of smoky clouds to a magnificent yellow and orange glow in the West. As I marvelled, I felt compelled to take a photo (attached), as a reminder to myself of the God’s beauty present in creation.
Just as God was (and is) present in the mundane chores, and reveals himself to us through his creation, so too he is self-revealing in his Word. The Psalmist writes the law of the Lord is perfect, pure, valuable, and rewarding. Learning God’s laws revives the soul, bringing joy and wisdom. The sun brings beauty and light for our life, and silently speaks of the Creator God; yet his scriptures do the same with more clarity.
Prayer:
Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, we thank you for continuing to reveal yourself to us through the majesty of creation. May we seek to know you more through your Word. Renew us, make us wise, and forgive our sins. Lord, as the psalmist prayed, may our words, thoughts, and actions to be pleasing in your sight. Amen.
Michael Lund
Library manager