Focus

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

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Read

Psalm 67 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah

that your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, has blessed us.

May God continue to bless us;
let all the ends of the earth revere him.

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Reflect

Sometimes the Psalms hit me squarely in the “feels”. Usually, the words that are offered in the prayers, the songs, and the laments are the exact words I’m needing in whatever moment I’m approaching the texts.

The psalms are poetic, and they are creative, and they are plaintive. I don’t have to wonder about the character of God; I’m told about it. The psalmists usually remind me, the reader, of the character of God because, at that moment, they are reminding themselves.

The 67th Psalm is a simple prayer for us in our busyness. A request opens up the prayer, asking for God’s goodness and for God’s glory to be evident in our lives — as the face of Moses lit up after his encounter with Yahweh on the mountain. And then there is an encouragement for all to praise God as highly exalted and worthy of adoration. It closes with testimony — that God in God’s providence has given us the resources to fulfill our needs, along with a request to continue on.

The psalms break up the doldrums, the ordinariness, the underwhelmed moments of my life. And this simple prayer is no different. Let us stop today and praise God for who God is, for what God does, and what God is still willing and able to do.

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Pray

Gracious God, We give you thanks for the increase of the earth and its satisfaction of our daily needs. We give you praise for your mighty works, for your justice, for your compassion, for your love. Let our praise of you overflow our hearts, our minds, and our lips, and help us to share your glorious light to all. Amen.

Go with God!