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Devotion for Wednesday, February 17 Psalm 46

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Devotion for Wednesday, February 17 Psalm 46 The remainder of this week’s daily devotions are posted at www.stmatt.org/devotions and have been sent in an e-Blast. A reminder that this week’s reflections are by St. Matthew’s Lead Pastor, Rev. Kevin Shively. Daily Devotions: February 15-20, 2021 “AFFIRMATION, ACCEPTANCE, ASSURANCE” The Psalms, ancient hymn texts of God’s people, have stood the test of time and continue to inspire and comfort. In the Psalms, among other things, we hear of God’s affirmation of us as God’s beloved creation, God’s acceptance of us in all times and situations, and God’s assurance, that no matter what, God will be in our midst. Or perhaps more properly, we remain in God’s midst. The prayers listed each day are Psalm Prayers from the Lutheran Book of Worship Ministers Desk Edition. Devotion for Wednesday , February 17 Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present* help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of the city;* it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. 6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.* Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 ‘Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.’ 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; * the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Some will recognize the beginning of verse 10 from a fun church camp song. Others may remember using these same words as a devotional experience by reading the words “Be still, and know that I am God” and then beginning with the last word, rereading this phrase, and dropping the last word each time until you end with “be.” As today is Ash Wednesday this might be a good daily meditative experience to do throughout the Lenten season. In our often-hectic lives taking a moment to simply “be” could be a valuable thing to do as people of faith. Speaking of faith, you will not find the word “faith” anywhere in this psalm and yet this is one of the most magnificent expressions of faith ever written. Strength for each day is found in God’s creative power and control of history and in the assurance that God has the final word. And we know that word is always life! God is our refuge, our help, and our hope! In creation, God created order out of chaos. God continues throughout history to restore order amid the chaos of our days, something we continue to need. Regardless of life’s situations, God remains with us. This is good news! As an aside, some may wonder what the word “Selah” means as it appears in this and several other psalms, a total of 71 times. Selah is a Hebrew word and can indicate a break in singing and it can also mean “forever.” It can be interpreted as an exclamation used to punctuate psalm verses as well. The best definition that I have come across is that selah is a musical interlude. Prayer: “Lord God, our refuge and strength, when the restless powers of this world and the waters of hell rise up against your holy city, watch over it and keep it safe. By the river that flows from the throne of the Lamb, purify this new Jerusalem as your chosen dwelling, for you are with us, our stronghold now and forever.” Amen. Devotion for Thursday, February 18 Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; 3he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. One commentary refers to this as “The Psalm of Psalms.” The author continues: “This Psalm has sung its way into more hearts than any other part of the Bible except the Lord’s Prayer. Its message has been grasped by young and old alike…it is a personal confession of faith in the God who cares.” And so, it is, beloved by most, memorized by many! At many a graveside I have read these words asking those present to recite this psalm along with me. These are words of comfort, hope, and assurance. The God who affirms and accepts us will always be near to us, even in the darkest of times, even when we “walk through the darkest valley” or as some versions state, when we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” Shepherds are a familiar biblical image. Jesus refers to himself as the “Good Shepherd.” Shepherds care for their sheep, even to the point of risking their lives for them. The “shepherd and sheep” is one of the most beautiful and meaningful metaphors used in the Old Testament to express the covenant relationship between God and God’s people. The ancient people of God were seminomadic people and as such this metaphor was powerful! Moses was called away from keeping Jethro’s (his father-in- law) flock to be come the shepherd to lead the people out of bondage. David, the shepherd boy became the shepherd king of Israel. Jesus is our shepherd who calls us to follow him in all things, even through death to everlasting life, while offering goodness and mercy along the way! Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, shepherd of your Church, you give us new birth in the waters of baptism; you anoint us with oil, and call us to salvation at your table. Dispel the terrors of death and the darkness of error. Lead your people along safe paths, that they may rest securely in you and dwell in the house of the Lord now and forever, for your name’s sake.” Amen. Devotion for Friday, February 19 Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. 2Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. 3Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. 5For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. One of my favorite prayers is this: “God, keep us faithful by making us grateful!” It is easy to find fault and to see the “wrong” in things. While serving in a different congregation we annually distributed what we had known as “Time and Talent” surveys. People could check from a list of ways to serve the church as they felt called or gifted by God. One of the options was open ended: “I am good at _____________________.” A beloved and faithful senior saint of that church responded this way: “I am good at complaining.” Truth be told I never heard this man complain about anything but what he said was true about most everyone! This psalm is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving and could be divided into two smaller hymns – verses 1-3, and 4-5. In each there is a call to praise followed by reasons for the call. The reasons are a confession of faith. In verse 3: the Lord is God, the Lord is creator, and we are God’s people. In verse 5: the Lord is good, God’s love lasts forever, and God’s faithfulness endures to all generations. These are surely good reasons to be faithful and grateful! Don’t you agree? Wouldn’t life be better for us if we focused on ways to be faithful and grateful? Isn’t it time we trusted God and God’s goodness and mercy? Prayer: “God our Father, you have created us as your people and you sustain us with your hand. Help us always to give you thanks, for you alone are worthy of thanksgiving and praise and honor now and forever.” Amen. Devotion for Saturday, February 20 Ancient Words This is a favorite “contemporary” worship song of mine written by Michael W. Smith. It speaks as noted in the introduction to these devotions of the timeless power and promise of the Psalms as well as all of scripture. “Ancient Words” by Michael W. Smith “Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world, They resound with God's own heart Oh, let the Ancient words impart. Words of Life, words of Hope Give us strength, help us cope In this world, where e'er we roam Ancient words will guide us Home.
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