Scripture: Psalm 107:30-34
So they rejoiced because the waves had calmed down; then God led them to the harbor they were hoping for. Let them thank the LORD for his faithful love and his wondrous works for all people. Let them exalt God in the congregation of the people and praise God in the assembly of the elders. God turns rivers into desert, watery springs into thirsty ground, fruitful land into unproductive dirt, when its inhabitants are wicked.
Thought for the Day: Ok – we are once again challenged with a theolgical question. Does the God who extends faithful love and wondrous works to all people also punish people by turning the essentials of life into nothingness? This is where I look to Jesus, and what I find in his life is a God whose love does not punish, but redeems; a love that does not sentence us to a barren land, but continues to call us to the life-giving waters. In light of what I know of Jesus, I look again at these words from the Psalm and I find myself in need of taking responsibility. God does not turn rivers into deserts or faithful land into unproductive dirt. It is our wickedness, and our wickedness alone, that sucks the beauty and nourishing gifts from our existence. We may want to claim it as God’s punishment, but in fact, we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Prayer: You are gracious beyond measure, O Lord, and I pray that my life is able to both celebrate your life-giving gifts and invite others to fully share in their wonderful sustenance. Amen.
OUR SUMMER YOUTH INTERN
STARTED MONDAY
(Josh Jackson)
