Focus

Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.

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Read

Psalm 130 (NRSV)

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.
Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!

If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.

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Reflect

It is Saturday, end of a week. Some you have probably had stressful times this week: a missed deadline at work, stuck in a traffic jam, a repair person who didn’t show when promised, a health concern, relationships, financial responsibilities, etc. A flood of emotions comes over us. We have just had it. We feel hopeless. Hold on!

There is hope—if we truly trust in the power of prayer and the promise of abundant redemption. The psalmist reminds us that we may have to plead and wait as he cries for God to listen to him and pleads for the forgiveness of Israel’s sins.

I tried to skip over this scripture for the week, but it is just too important for this world of chaos in which we live. Read verse 7 again and again

O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.

Remember these ancient words of hope in the stressful days that come your way.

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Pray

Dear Lord, our hope is in you. Help us to share this assurance with others. We want to be the example of your love and forgiveness even when we are caught up in an environment of distress. Thank you for your abundant redemption and love. Amen.

Go with God.