Wednesday, August 27, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Psalm 112

Praise the Lord!
Happy are those who fear the Lord,
who greatly delight in his commandments.
Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved;
they will be remembered forever.
They are not afraid of evil tidings;
their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor.
The wicked see it and are angry;
they gnash their teeth and melt away;
the desire of the wicked comes to nothing. (NRSV)

Reflection

Blessings. I think it is important to count our blessings, especially on those tough days in life. My father showed me a letter that his father had written to him when Dad was struggling as a young father, teacher, and administrator. It said, in essence, you have a job, a family, a community to serve, and your faith. You are deeply blessed. He has kept it all these years. My grandfather’s deep faith was a model to the family. He had made it through the Great Depression and kept the family farm alive and, eventually, thriving.

My father, although aging, continues to grow things in his garden and gives them to his friends and neighbors since he can’t seem to keep a “small” garden. The farmer in him still exists. He finds reward in being a blessing to others.

We, too, are called to be a blessing to others. I believe that verse one is a reminder of this. I find myself feeling the most blessed when I am being of service. That is why I involve myself in church and in professional organizations the way that I do. This is how we can show that we honor God’s greatest commandments as Matthew 22 reminds us, to love God with all our being and our neighbor as ourselves.

Prayer

Lord, help me to continually delight in your commandments so that my actions will demonstrate your love and compassion for all. Soli Deo Gloria. Amen.

Written by Robert Sinclair, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

Devotion index by date | I’d like to receive daily devotions by email