Friday, May 19, 2017

Today’s Scripture Reading  |  Psalm 115          

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
   for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.
Why should the nations say,
   “Where is their God?”

Our God is in the heavens;
   he does whatever he pleases.
Their idols are silver and gold,
    the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak;
   eyes, but do not see.
They have ears, but do not hear;
   noses, but do not smell.
They have hands, but do not feel;
   feet, but do not walk;
   they make no sound in their throats.
Those who make them are like them;
   so are all who trust in them.

O Israel, trust in the Lord!
   He is their help and their shield.
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
   He is their help and their shield.
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
   He is their help and their shield.

The Lord has been mindful of us; he will bless us;
   he will bless the house of Israel;
   he will bless the house of Aaron;
he will bless those who fear the Lord,
   both small and great.

May the Lord give you increase,
   both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord,
   who made heaven and earth.

The heavens are the Lord’s heavens,
   but the earth he has given to human beings.
The dead do not praise the Lord,
   nor do any that go down into silence.
But we will bless the Lord
   from this time on and forevermore.
Praise the Lord! (NRSV)

Reflection
Not to us but to your name give glory.

The idols, they have no power.

Who or what are my idols? To what have I given my energy, my time? My power? My devotion? In the day to day it’s easy to forget that God is at the center and to think the things I idolize are what deserve my attention.

What are yours?

I live a comparatively easy life, so I do not pretend my struggles with idolatry are of particular significance. But I soldier on, for the energy I give over to my idols is energy I do not have for loving God and God’s creation, for justice and peace. And so the struggle is worth it.

Prayer
Lord, help me to trust. Help me to be faithful. Help me to accept the struggles in my life as a call to you, as part of the life of faith. May I trust that you are mindful of me, as of all your creation. And may I always give all glory and honor to you. Amen.

Written by Anne Ellis, Program Manager for Congregational Life

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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