Devotion • November 26
Today's Scripture
Psalm 65
Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall vows be performed,
O you who answer prayer! To you all flesh shall come.
When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, you forgive our transgressions.
Happy are those whom you choose and bring near to live in your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.
By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.
By your strength you established the mountains; you are girded with might.
You silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples.
Those who live at earth’s farthest bounds are awed by your signs; you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy.
You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it.
You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth.
You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with richness.
The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy,
the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy. (NRSV)
Reflection
A friend of mine and I were out hiking on a beautiful fall day. We had just had lunch by a picturesque lake and were continuing to hike up the mountain. I was fairly confidently taking the lead, when I stopped and consulted with her on her thoughts on which way the path continued. We agreed and on we went for another five minutes or so when it became clear that we were not on the path.
We backtracked a little. Ventured this way and that trying to determine the path. I will admit we spent longer than we should have attempting to find the trail on our own before we considered pulling out our phones for guidance. Thankfully we both had cell service and were able to pull up a hiking app that helped us to locate the trail. We had taken a circuitous route, but we got to our final destination.
As I reflect on that twenty-minute excursion from the trail, I think about how similar it is to my journey with God. God has created the many blessings in my life. Like being able to sit with my friend eating lunch by the lake. Or the majestic view from the top of our hike. But God is also with me, like the app on my phone, when I stray from the path. I just have to be willing to ask.
Prayer
Creator God, thank you for the abundant blessings and for the gift of forgiveness. Help me to open my heart to recognize your hand in every aspect of my life. Thank you for being with me when everything is good, and help me to recognize your presence when things are more difficult. Amen.
Written by Katie Patterson, Manager for Worship and Youth Ministry
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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