Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Today’s Reading  |  2 Samuel 22:1–20
David spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.

He said: The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. For the waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of perdition assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me, the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I called. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry came to his ears. Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations of the heavens trembled and quaked, because he was angry. Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. He bowed the heavens, and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub, and flew; he was seen upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness around him a canopy, thick clouds, a gathering of water. Out of the brightness before him coals of fire flamed forth. The Lord thundered from heaven; the Most High uttered his voice. He sent out arrows, and scattered them—lightning, and routed them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, the foundations of the world were laid bare at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils. He reached from on high, he took me, he drew me out of mighty waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me; for they were too mighty for me. They came upon me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my stay. He brought me out into a broad place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. (NRSV)

Reflection
Maybe we don’t ask enough of God. Much of the time we hardly even talk to God at all. We think we can only talk to God in church, or that we should let a pastor do the talking for us. We may think our problems are too trivial or that God already knows about them—so why bother explaining? Whatever the reason may be, we don’t ask enough of God.

Yet God wants us to seek him, to share whatever is on our mind and in our soul. No matter is too trivial, because what matters most is developing the relationship. Our relationship with God can grow and mature like any other, but unlike other relationships, God is always there, waiting. You can talk to God anytime and in any way while working, relaxing, or even sleeping. It doesn’t have to be formal or beautiful; it just needs to happen.

David was king of Israel and had a lot of problems that he took to God. God listened and helped David, and in thanksgiving David wrote, “He brought me out into a broad place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.” God delights in each of us because we are all created in God’s image, each a child of God. So as God’s children, we need to talk to God more. We even need to ask more of God and, in doing so, trust that God will give us more than enough.

Prayer
Loving God, help me to seek you as you seek me; let me love you as you love me. Help me to ask you for more wisdom, strength, and guidance. Then with your abundant blessings, grant that I may serve others and share that same love which you have given so freely. Amen.

Written by John W. W. Sherer, Organist and Director of Music

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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