Sunday, May 26, 2024  

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Today's Scripture
Psalm 97

The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!

Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side.

His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.

All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him.

Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God.

For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

The Lord loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.

Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name! (NRSV)

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Reflection

Have you ever held something that a family member made for you? Doesn't it bring back memories of seeing the person making it or of hearing the story behind it?

That's what I thought when I picked up my Bible to study Psalm 97 and write this. I have two Bibles that my mother covered for me, using scraps from her sewing. As I hold this Bible, I remember the bench she covered with the same fabric. I remember her.

The object holds the memory of its creator.

I have a cabinet filled with model animals, including the rabbit Mom made of stained glass and the wooden figures Dad carved. I have sweaters and an afghan Mom knitted for me. I have many of Dad's books with notes from him, including answers to my questions when I read the book first.

I take care of things made for me. All of us can do so.

I think this psalm's mentions of the beauties of creation and our links to God feel like that.

When I worked at the Art Institute, people asked, “Did Van Gogh really paint that?” or “Did Monet touch that?”

At the museum, I said yes.

At home, I can say yes, my father carved that, or wrote those notes.

Throughout creation, this psalm says, I can see what my heavenly Father made, and I can say yes, God touched that.

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Prayer
Our Father, thank you for what you have made for us. May we sense your love in it. Amen.

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Written by Margaret Laing, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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