Scripture: Psalm 107:41-43
But God raises the needy from their suffering; he makes their families as numerous as sheep! Those who do right see it and celebrate, but every wicked person shuts their mouth. Whoever is wise will pay attention to these things, carefully considering the LORD’s faithful love.
Thought for the Day: This ends Psalm 107, and I pray that our nine days spent on this Psalm have provided you a little something to chew on each day. Just the other day, I heard a preacher ask a question about the work of God and the work of the church. When we read a passage like God raises the needy from their suffering, is the assumption that we are nothing more than observers in the amazing act? Or are we to understand that faith is the Spirit’s tool by which the needy are raised up from their suffering; the outcasts are welcomed to the community; the lost are found; the hungry are fed; the orphaned find family? I do not wish to dismiss the power of God to do something amazing beyond the gifts of the faith community, but the world seems to become rather spiritually empty when people of faith see themselves on the front row of some great divine show. Faith does more than simply open our eyes to God’s dream for the world. It also invites us to pay attention to how we can share in the work of the dream fulfilled.
Prayer: Today is a new day – a gift and opportunity. O Lord of Mercy, let it not slip away. Draw me from the sideline to the frontline where your Spirit can use my hands and feet, my voice and witness, my compassion and love. This is my prayer offered in the name of the one who showed us what it means to be an incarnation of your love. Amen.
THIS SUNDAY
Ascension Sunday
