Monday, February 24, 2025  

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Today's Scripture
Psalm 99

The Lord is king; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!

The Lord is great in Zion;
he is exalted over all the peoples.

Let them praise your great and awesome name.
Holy is he!

Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity;
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

Extol the Lord our God;
worship at his footstool.
Holy is he!

Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel also was among those who called on his name.
They cried to the Lord, and he answered them.

He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud;
they kept his decrees, and the statutes that he gave them.

O Lord our God, you answered them;
you were a forgiving God to them,
but an avenger of their wrongdoings.

Extol the Lord our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for the Lord our God is holy. (NRSV)

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Reflection

So often the psalms call on us to praise God because God is holy. And it makes sense. It makes sense that God would be “worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness.” God is perfect after all. But what if God wasn’t perfect? What would it change about what I believe, the way I pray, or the way I choose to live my life? What would it change about the way I worship or the way I see my relationship with God? Would it make God less worthy of my complete devotion?

I don’t offer up prayers of thanks because God is perfect. I do it because I am so deeply grateful for what I’ve been blessed with: my life, my family, my career, my friendships, and all the beauty I’ve seen and experienced. God not being perfect wouldn’t change any of those things.

I don’t offer prayers of supplication because God is perfect. I do it because I know that God loves me and wants what’s best for me and so I seek God’s help and guidance.

My love for God is not conditional.

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Prayer
My God, you are indeed holy; worthy of my praise and unconditional love. Although I am flawed and sinful, you surround me with your love and walk with me every day. In your pure and holy love, may I continue to find rest, peace, and comfort. Amen.

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Written by Nicole Spirgen, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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