Sunday, January 29, 2017

Today’s Scripture Reading  |  Psalm 147:12–20

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
   Praise your God, O Zion!
For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
   he blesses your children within you.
He grants peace within your borders;
   he fills you with the finest of wheat.
He sends out his command to the earth;
   his word runs swiftly.
He gives snow like wool;
   he scatters frost like ashes.
He hurls down hail like crumbs—
   who can stand before his cold?
He sends out his word, and melts them;
   he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
He declares his word to Jacob,
   his statutes and ordinances to Israel.
He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
   they do not know his ordinances.
Praise the Lord! (NRSV)

Reflection
I love toast—cinnamon sugar and butter on whole wheat, or a layer of butter, hummus, avocado, tomato salt and pepper, and cilantro. Toast is a taste of heaven. In this psalm we read images of God’s abundance that cause the psalmist to shout for joy, praising God. One of these images is that God fills you with the finest of wheat. Obviously, images of toast came to mind.

We don’t always relate to the images of Godly joy found in the Bible, but then again, with a little imagination and trust that God is present during our moments of joy, we might relate to more than we realize. Psalms like this can also lead us to make our own poems or lists reflecting on where we find God’s infiltrating and profound joy. On a blustery cold January day with limited sunshine, starting with the simple joys in life might be a great place to begin your day. And today, I’m starting my God-praise with toast in mind.

Prayer
Awesome God, I give praise to you this day for the many moments of joy we experience—for the big ways and the small ways your joy nourishes and feeds us. Amen.

Written by Abbi Heimach-Snipes, Pastoral Resident

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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