Sunday, January 1, 2017

Today’s Hymn
You shall come down like showers
upon the fruitful earth;
love, joy, and hope, like flowers,
spring in your path to birth.
Before you on the mountains
shall peace, the herald, go,
and righteousness in fountains
from hill to valley flow.

All rulers bow before you,
and gold and incense bring.
All nations shall adore you;
your praise all people sing.
To you shall prayer unceasing
and daily vows ascend.
Your rule is still increasing;
your rule is without end.

James Montgomery’s “All Hail to God’s Anointed” (tune: Rockport)
from Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal

Reflection
The Almighty God watches us, protects us, and provides for us. And we, his children, know that no matter the situation, through the good times and through those times that may challenge us, God’s guidance is always available upon our call.

All too often, we, God’s children, can be a bit short-sighted and only call on God when we feel the challenges placed in front of us are unreasonable and unmanageable. We lose faith.

Fortunately all is not lost. As we come to our senses, we know that to overcome our challenges we must be in prayer daily. Giving praise to God, when we are in doubt and when we are weak, is all God wants of us. Our daily devotion is our gift of our endless love and gratitude.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, you know our strengths and you know our deficiencies. Still, we look to you for guidance and strength to help us as we navigate what we see as the pitfalls and challenges of life and those times when the mind attempts to overrule what’s good in our heart.

We, as your children, grapple with our childlike selves, especially when tough decisions are facing us. Heavenly Father, give us the fortitude to believe that through you all things we face today and in all our tomorrows are those things that will strengthen our souls and bring us closer to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Written by Beverly Washington, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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