Tuesday, May 28, 2019              

Today’s Scripture Reading  |  Psalm 93

The Lord is king, he is robed in majesty;
   the Lord is robed, he is girded with strength.
He has established the world; it shall never be moved;
   your throne is established from of old;
   you are from everlasting.

The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
   the floods have lifted up their voice;
   the floods lift up their roaring.
More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters,
   more majestic than the waves of the sea,
   majestic on high is the Lord!

Your decrees are very sure;
   holiness befits your house,
   O Lord, forevermore. (NRSV)

Reflection
I love to spend time watching, listening, swimming, floating, splashing in water—rivers, lakes, and oceans. I can see, touch, hear, and sometimes taste God’s salty majestic power and presence through water. (I also have two aquariums in my home).

That said, the first and probably last time I will ever be on a cruise ship, the ocean tossed around our massive boat like a hook and bob attached to an angry shark.

I realized I was able to appreciate God from an academic distance when the waters (life) were calm. But once I was out of control, feeling seasick (vulnerable) or inhaling water, then I was terrified.

Psalm 93 recognizes times when life circumstances roar like thunder; we can hear and feel that life is engulfed by raging, uncontrollable, violent seas. We do not have the luxury of watching the violent waves from a distance, from the shore. We are in it. 

Prayer
Holy and powerful God, help me feel and know that you are my life preserver. I can sometimes feel like a massive cruise ship programmed to go through life: able and confident to mitigate or navigate life challenges because of my education, experience, and involvement in church ministries. 

Help me understand that the raging, uncontrollable seas of life show me over and over again that I need to hold on to you to save my life. Amen.

Written by Jeannine Forrest, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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