Wednesday, June 19, 2019              

Today’s Scripture Reading  |  Psalm 89:1–18

I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever;
   with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;
   your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
   I have sworn to my servant David:
‘I will establish your descendants forever,
   and build your throne for all generations.’”

Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,
   your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?
   Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,
a God feared in the council of the holy ones,
   great and awesome above all that are around him?
O Lord God of hosts,
   who is as mighty as you, O Lord?
   Your faithfulness surrounds you.
You rule the raging of the sea;
   when its waves rise, you still them.
You crushed Rahab like a carcass;
   you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours;
   the world and all that is in it—you have founded them.
The north and the south—you created them;
   Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.
You have a mighty arm;
   strong is your hand, high your right hand.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
   steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
Happy are the people who know the festal shout,
   who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance;
they exult in your name all day long,
   and extol your righteousness.
For you are the glory of their strength;
   by your favor our horn is exalted.
For our shield belongs to the Lord,
   our king to the Holy One of Israel. (NRSV)

Reflection
I’ve recently gotten involved with flying trapeze. No, I am not running away to the circus anytime soon, but I look forward to class every week. Before you get as nervous for me as my mother does, there are safety lines and a net, and because of those things I really enjoy the feeling of everything else dropping away as I jump off the thirty-foot platform and fly through the air. The coaches even tell you to black everything else out and focus on your trick in the moment—not even to think about the catcher. If you do your trick properly, it is on the catcher to catch you. As a result, I don’t often give thought to my safety lines, my catcher, or the net; I just fly through the air, confident that everything else is in place to keep me safe. A few times, when things didn’t go right, I have tested this, and I am eternally grateful for the net and the person on the safety lines who ensures I have a soft landing in that net. They are always there, whether I need them or not.

As I read this psalm I am reminded of how often I go through life focused on the here and now and taking for granted God’s presence in the good times and the bad times. Just like I rarely give thanks for the net when my trick goes to plan, I often forget to thank God when things are going well in my life. This psalm is a nice reminder to give thanks.

Prayer
I give thanks to you, God, for being steadfast and faithful. You are in control, even though I sometimes overlook your presence in my life. Thank you for being there. Amen.

Written by Katie Patterson, Director of Urban Youth Mission

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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