Living in the Spirit
July 21, 2021
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 145(8-9), 10-18
The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.
All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your faithful shall bless you.
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and tell of your power,
to make known to all people your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.
The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is just in all his ways,
and kind in all his doings.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
I added verses 8-9 to the scripture selection recommended in the lectionary because I had trouble understanding what the phrase in verse 10, All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, means. How do God’s works give thanks? In reading verses 8-9 it seems to make more sense. The works God does for God’s children result or should result in the recipients giving thanks to God. Jesus discovered that does not always happen when only one of the ten lepers he healed returns to thank him. (Matthew 8)
Most of us were probably raised to automatically say thank you to be polite when someone holds a door for us or sends us a card or flowers. How do we thank people who have done something so extraordinary that our whole life has been improved? Ratchet that up to the gifts God provides of love, salvation, grace, and more, what can we say?
Prayer:
How can I say thanks
For the things You have done for me?
Things so undeserved
Yet You gave to prove Your love for me
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am and ever hope to be
I owe it all to Thee
To God be the glory
To God be the glory
To God be the glory
For the things He has done*. Amen
Prayer: Amen.
*First verse and chorus of My Tribute by Andraé Crouch see at https://www.google.com/search?q=how+do+i+say+thanks+for+the+things+you+have+done+for+me+lyrics&rlz=1C1CHZN_enUS922US922&oq=how+do+Isay+thanks+for+the+&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i13j0i22i30l8.7063j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.