Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Today’s Scripture Reading  |  Psalm 34:9–14

O fear the Lord, you his holy ones,
   for those who fear him have no want.
The young lions suffer want and hunger,
   but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Come, O children, listen to me;
   I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Which of you desires life,
   and covets many days to enjoy good?
Keep your tongue from evil,
   and your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil, and do good;
   seek peace, and pursue it. (NRSV)

Reflection
How often do you feel as though you don’t lack anything?

Think of this as the glass-half-full test. When it appears that your life is less than fantastic, try making a list of all the blessings you’ve received. When I do this, it’s easy to “love life” as the psalmist extols.

The language in these passages is so crystal clear that this wake-up call is all I need when feeling down. I find that when I honor the Lord I focus less on my needs and wants and more on those around me. Isn’t that the best way to feel fulfilled in a world that too often seems to focus on a glass half empty? My goal is to keep focusing more on the positive attributes and less on the negative.

“Turn away from evil! Do good! Seek peace and go after it!” What are you waiting for?

Prayer
“Oh, feed me this day, Holy Spirit, with
the fragrance of the fields and the
freshness of the oceans which you have
made, and help me to hear and to hold
in all dearness those exacting and wonderful
words of our Lord Christ Jesus, saying:
Follow me.”

(From “Six Recognitions of the Lord” by Mary Oliver)                      

Reflection written by Lesley Conzelman, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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