Thoughts for the Day

The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring for ever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,.
and drippings of the honeycomb.....

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I have looked at Psalm 19 a number of times (click on "Psalm 19" to find them ). This psalm deals with God and His creation and with the perfection of His law. C.S. Lewis said: "I take this to be the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world." But while we can love reading the words above, and notice its links to Psalm 119, today, we shall look at only the last three lines.

While putting over 40 years of sermons onto my computer, by reading them from their paper copies and then checking oddities, eg "Look" instead of "Luke", in order to find quotes that can be used for these 'Thoughts', I began to realise most of the 5,000 sermons started with these words from Psalm 19:

"Let the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of all our hearts
be acceptable to You,
O Lord our strength
and our Redeemer. Amen."

The sermons, as well as our prayers and worship, are offered to God. We ask that our words and thoughts at such times are worthy of our Lord, in thanks for all that He gives to us each day, and because He is always there as our refuge when life becomes difficult.

Lord God
purify our minds and hearts
when we come to You in worship.
Take from us all selfishness,
pride and avarice,
that we may be worthy of You.
May we be still before You,
learning to listen
as well as converse with You.
Amen.