Thursday, June 5, 2008

Today’s text

Psalm 31:19-24

Yahweh, what quantities of good things you have in store for those who fear you, and bestow on those who make you their refuge, for all humanity to see. Safe in your presence you hide them, far from human plotting, shielding them in your tent, far from contentious tongues. Blessed be Yahweh who works for me miracles of his faithful love (in a fortified city)! In a state of terror I cried,--I have been cut off from your sight!--Yet you heard my plea for help when I cried out to you. Love Yahweh, all his faithful: Yahweh protects his loyal servants, but he repays the arrogant with interest. Be brave, take heart, all who put your hope in Yahweh.

Prayer

You hide us, O Lord. Tucked inside your immensity, wrapped in mother’s arms, hidden in the bosom of eternity, you hold us fast and safe.

But so seldom do we believe it. And less seldom do we walk into the new day convinced utterly of the safety of our souls, the enormity of your embrace, the fierceness of your faithfulness. But today, I do. And today, I will.

Security abides this heart. Not the security of hiding away from the day, but the calm of assurance. I have no assurance that what I want or think I need will come to me. It may not, which likely is just as well. I surrendered the idea that I know what’s best years ago.

Nor have I any particular confidence that I possess sufficient strength, will and insight to thrive at the tasks to which I lay my hand. I am well acquainted with how weak and needy I can be, to say nothing of how distractible. And I no longer feel much shame about it. For the most part, I have given up trying to hide or deny it.

I am what I am. Yours.

Of this I am certain.

And you are unimaginable immensity, wrapping me body and soul in innumerable layers of love’s unfailing embrace.

Pr. David L. Miller

Monday, June 2, 2008

Today’s text

Psalm 31:1-5

In you, Yahweh, I have taken refuge, let me never be put to shame, in your saving justice deliver me, rescue me, turn your ear to me, make haste. Be for me a rock--fastness, a fortified citadel to save me. You are my rock, my rampart; true to your name, lead me and guide me! Draw me out of the net they have spread for me, for you are my refuge; to your hands I commit my spirit, by you have I been redeemed. God of truth.

Prayer

Yahweh, almighty, all motherly,
our rest and rock,
our refuge and rescue
our home and joy,
our light and life.

You are our clothing,
love enfolding, all possessing,
love surrounding all we are.
You embrace and grace
all life; you are all
good and the good
of all that is
is you.

Through love you made us,
in love preserve us. From
deepest eternity you know
and hold us. Grant our hearts
true knowledge of you.

Save us amid all
uncertainty that certainty
may abide each heart
that all is well,
all shall be well,
and all manner of things will
be well, for all rests
in you,
whose love never wanes
and never will.

Pr. David L. Miller