Thoughts for the Day

I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down towards your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
for you have exalted your name and your word
above everything.
On the day I called, you answered me,
you increased my strength of soul.

All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of your mouth.
They shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
for great is the glory of the Lord.
For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly;
but the haughty he perceives from far away.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfil his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures for ever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

If we ever think that the Book of Psalms has nothing to say to us, we are wrong, I would say. The sense of a person who understands life and death is always there. In Psalm 138 David is giving thanks to God for all His graciousness to him, for in the 'midst of trouble' God heard his cry. What that trouble was we don't know, but we do known that David's death was frequently sought by his enemies throughout his life, from shepherd boy to king. Whatever the cause in this case, it was significant enough for him to make public his thank-offering to God in the temple, and to declare his praise for His work in saving him.

Today's world is no different to that inherited by David almost three thousand years ago! There are major insecurities around our world that continue to haunt our minds - from terrorist attacks and the warnings of such attacks; to world pandemics like avian flu and covid; to catastrophic wars that cause death, homelessness, poverty and disease; to threats from floods or fires; and to local violence caused by a knife that strikes out of the blue.

David's thanks to God are heartfelt at having survived the latest threat, but he recognises that the danger has not gone away. He still says "I walk in the midst of trouble" and so his final appeal is that God does not desert him. We too often give thanks to God for bringing us safely through a particular threat, but we too must appeal to God for continued protection!

Lord Jesus Christ,
we thank You for present and past mercies,
and for the occasions You have brought us
and those we love through difficult times.
Our local and global news is often terrible,
and so we pray for Your continued protection.
We also remember all who are suffering this day,
and we pray especially for:
.............................................(add your concerns)
asking Your loving mercy for them this day.
Amen.