Manna for Today: Psalm 83

Psalm 83:1-18

Key Verse: 1

“God, don’t be silent! Don’t be quiet or sit still, God,” CEB

Come on God do something! Do not be quiet. Do not sit still. Move! Be active. This is our cry in our frustration, in our anguish. When are hurting. When things are not going our way, we believe God is not working. We do not see how God could be at work right now. When things are not right; when there is so much injustice in the world around, when so many are sick and dying, when we look at the world and it does not see righteousness at work in the world’s events or in the events of our nation, then we want God to work, to do something. Why can we not hear God’s voice right now? Why do we not see God’s love and justice at work in the world, in our nation, in our own lives and the lives of those around us? God must not be moving. God must be silent. So we cry out to God to move, to act, to speak. Yet, God is at work, there is nothing on this earth which is outside the reach of God. Even in the darkness, God is at work. Even when it seems there is nothing but injustice and chaos, God is seeking to set things right and bring order. God is at work. God is working.  Yet sometimes, it is only when we call out to God to not be silent, to break the quietude, to move and act, that is when we are best able to see the hand of God at work in the small ways God is moving. When we call out for God to work, then we are often most able to see how God can work in and through us. Even as God is always at work, it is never wrong to ask God to work, so that we can see God’s work with new eyes.

 

A Prayer for Today

Oh Lord, I cannot see you today. I cannot hear you. Where are you? Are you taking the day off? Are you on mute? Speak loudly to me today, so I can hear you. Help me to see you at work in the world around me. Allow me to see your grace, your love, your righteousness where ever it is in the world around me. Show me who you are today. Help me to see how I can enter into your work. Show me how I can be your voice, and your action, allowing others to see and hear you today. -Amen

Manna for Today; Psalm 79

 

Psalm 79:1-13

Key Verse: 13

“We are, after all, your people and the sheep of your very own pasture. We will give you thanks forever; we will proclaim your praises from one generation to the next.” CEB

There are times when we our lives seemed filled with struggle. Sometimes it even seems as if all that is evil in this world is working to bring chaos, hardship and pain into our lives. All that is holy and good in our lives, in the world even, is over run by the forces of evil. We wonder if there is any place left for the goodness of God. Where is God’s hand of grace? Even when the darkness does not overwhelm, and is limited to certain places in our lives, sometimes it is hard to see how the goodness of God can ever come to bear on that particular situation, or in one area of our lives. Even when we can not see God at work, even when we are unsure if God’s grace and goodness have any bearing on a particular thing, we are still God’s people. Even in the chaos, even in the darkness, even when God’s hand does not seem to be at woek we can give praise to God, we can proclaim God’s goodness, even when we do not see it at work. God is always good, God is always at work. We are God’s and God’s righteousness, goodness, grace and justice are always at work in the darkness bringing light, in the chaos creating order, amidst the evil bringing justice, for this we can give praise to God.

 

A Prayer for Today

Lord you are bring light to the darkness. You mend what is broken, you make right was is corrupted by sin and evil. There is chaos, there is sin, there is evil, there is death an and there is destruction. None of those things will have the final word. These things are but temporary and all that you are is eternally and you are eternally at work to make all things right.  In all things, at all times you are good. Your righteousness is at work and your justice is coming. I give glory to you for all the ways I see and do not see you at work in my life and in this world. Amen

 

Manna for Today: Psalm 78

 

Psalm 78:1-77

Key Verse: 1-2

“Listen, my people, to my teaching; tilt your ears toward the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a proverb.” CEB

We have before us today Psalm which recounts the history of God with the people of Israel up until the reign of David. It begins with an invitation to listen. In Romans Paul reminds us that someone is unable to have faith unless they have heard. Faith cannot to those who have not experienced Jesus for themselves, unless we share what God has done. Those of us who have seen, who have heard, who have experienced the love and grace of God ourselves must be willing to join the Psalmist in recounting what we know for all those who will hear. We too must proclaim the goodness, the greatness, the grace, the mercy and the forgiveness of God and live out its truth in our lives. Let us be a voice like John the Baptist proclaiming the goodness of gospel. And when we hear the truth proclaimed by others, such as the Psalmist let us rejoice together in knowing we serve a good God who works with people and draws people into true relationship. God desires to know us as we learn to know God.

 

A Prayer for Today

God of grace and power, of mercy and love, help me to see you today. Help me to know you in my life. Help me to see you at work I my life. Help me to hear the truth of who you are as it is proclaimed by those who love you and have experienced you at work. Let me join with them in their proclamation. Let me share the truth of your character with my actions as well as my words. Amen