Wednesday, January 15, 2025  

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Today's Scripture
Psalm 138

I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
for you have exalted your name and your word above everything.
On the day I called, you answered me,
you increased my strength of soul.
All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of your mouth.
They shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
for great is the glory of the Lord.
For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly;
but the haughty he perceives from far away.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands. (NRSV)

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Reflection

In the season of Epiphany, when we celebrate the revealing of God’s light to the world, the psalmist sings of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Yet, this is no lullaby — no quiet reflection. It’s a bold proclamation before the “gods,” declaring that there is none like the Lord. In the presence of competing powers and idols, the psalmist recalls God’s devotion to God’s people and commits to sing God’s praise alone.

Epiphany stories are marked by this light-breaking, earth-quaking, life-changing reality. The magi, guided by the star, lay their treasures at the feet of Jesus, recognizing a King greater than any earthly ruler. At the Jordan River, Jesus’ baptism unveils his identity as the Beloved Son, affirmed by the Spirit descending like a dove. And at Cana, water turns into wine, proclaiming the abundance and joy of God’s kingdom. In each story, the light of Christ confronts the limitations of worldly powers and calls us to see beyond them.

Today, we may not bow before carved statues, but the powers of our time are no less demanding. Greed seduces us into believing that wealth can secure our happiness. A false sense of self-worth whispers that our value lies in what we achieve or possess, the titles we have and the power we hold. Busyness bids us to trade our peace for the fictitious comfort of productivity.

These gods clamor for our devotion, yet they cannot hold the weight of our lives or offer the grace we need. It is God alone that is faithful to us. No other mortal, no job title, no bank account, or impressively busy schedule will offer us the commitment that our God promises.

This season of Epiphany reminds us that God’s brilliance breaks through the noise of these false idols, and we are invited to reorient our lives to sing our praise of the God whose light shines forth. It requires us to choose gratitude over envy, generosity over accumulation, or rest in God’s love instead of striving to prove our worth.

When we align our hearts with God’s steadfast love and faithfulness, we proclaim to the “gods” of this age that their dominion is overthrown. Our lives become testimonies of God’s light, as with the psalmist we declare, “Great is the glory of the Lord!”

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Prayer
Light from Light, true God from true God, help me to see your glory in my midst and turn my heart from the limited powers of this world, through Jesus Christ who lights the way. Amen.

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Written by Shawn Fiedler, Major Gift Officer

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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