July 7
This Psalm begins “Book II” within
the Psalms. This Psalm begins a theme of earnest prayer to God in the midst of
struggle and suffering. The Psalmists long for God’s presence to be
restored to the Temple. Where are you longing for God’s presence? As you read,
look for how you connect to the experience of the people who wrote this
powerful Psalm.
STUDY THE SCRIPTURE
Click here to access the reading from Psalm 42
REFLECTION
As The Deer Pants For Water
By Diane Ward
Refugee - (hunted,
haunted, grieving father, outcast, betrayed, contrite sinner, downcast spirit,
stalked as prey by the manic king he comforted with his harp, humiliation of
his wife as he danced with joy carrying the ark to the temple.) The words melancholia
and moodiness seem lame to me for the anguish of David’s Psalm.
David trusted
God’s mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and justice (while living before the
redemptive blood of Jesus.) Perhaps his time-traveling soul penned a foreshadowing
of Calvary.
We were made for relationship, for intimacy-unable to achieve complete
fulfillment in this life. At times we are lonely and insatiable, our restless
hearts beat imperfectly. The pain we experience works to our good to keep us
focused on the purpose for which we were created.
We may not
understand now as did David who poured out his soul, that there is no greater
reward in the universe than intimacy with God. I am grateful for David’s
vulnerable heart, his raw grief as he mourned the loss of three of his children,
and his fugitive life fleeing from enemies.
“One thing I
ask from the Lord, this only do I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the
Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him
in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)
“Deep calls to deep”, God waits for us in the depths of our being. When we
are ready, he meets us at the place of our brokenness. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not driven to despair.” (2 Corinthians 4:8)
UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER
Tuesday: TRUTH
In the midst of all the messages being heard, pray
for accurate information to drown out false reporting and click-bait tactics.
1 comment:
In such a trying time in our history (church doors closed); keep your distance this devotion touches us where we are
Post a Comment