Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Today’s Scripture Reading  |  Psalm 95:1-7

O come, let us sing to the Lord;
   let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
   let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the Lord is a great God,
   and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
   the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
   and the dry land, which his hands have formed.

O come, let us worship and bow down,
   let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
For he is our God,
   and we are the people of his pasture,
   and the sheep of his hand.

O that today you would listen to his voice! (NRSV)

Reflection
Today is the busiest travel day of the year in the United States. When you stand in the line at airport security or hit heavy holiday traffic, are you prepared to sing to the Lord and make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation? Are you ready to exclaim—just as this psalm does—that everything is God’s, so it’s OK if the turkey is a little dry? And if an intense family “discussion” (we won’t call it an argument here) arises, are you willing to remind yourself that we are all people of God’s pasture—even if you feel that you’re right and Uncle Darryl is totally wrong?

In our society that craves immediate responses, immediate gratification, and immediate praise for accomplishments, it can be hard to live in the moment—to let things unfold in “God’s time”—and to remember that God is with us when life is frustrating and not going our way. This enthronement psalm served as a reminder to the Israelites that God is in charge and is always present with us—in line, in traffic, and at the family table. May this psalm be a reminder for all of us of God’s presence and all we have to be thankful for during this holiday season and beyond.

Prayer
O God, whose hands formed each of us and all of creation, bring us peace when life is out of our control. Help us to remember that you are always with us—walking with us and reminding us of all we are thankful for. Amen.

Written by Marit Johnson, Former Editorial Assistant

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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