March 11, 2015: Psalm 107: 1-3, 17-22

We encourage you to read this devotion three times a day.  Start in the morning and reflect upon the morning reflection question. Then in the afternoon, read it again and reflect using the noon question for reflection.  For the evening, take time to ponder how this has resonated with you in the day and reflecting using the evening question.  We offer a prayer with each devotion for you to pray or we invite you to pray what is in your heart.

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

¹O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. ²Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble ³and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

¹⁷Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities endured affliction;¹⁸they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. ¹⁹Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress; ²⁰he sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction. ²¹Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. ²²And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.

Reflection:

Do you ever feel as though you just cannot stop complaining? It is almost to the point where you feel like you are whining, mostly because you are cranky. There are sometimes when negatives just pile up right on top of us. We feel that pressure almost overtake us. Then we react, maybe by raising our voice towards someone, or ranting on and on. Even in the midst of all of that, even when we feel wronged, slighted, forgotten, we must embrace the attitude of giving thanks to the LORD, of thanking God for God’s steadfast love. In the end, that changes everything. Embrace God’s steadfast love which does endure forever because we know an eternity of love and mercy and grace will overtake any temporary struggle we may face day to day. God knows your hurts, pains, mishaps, and is ready to embrace you to get you back on your feet. Will you embrace God?

Reflection Questions:

Morning: When is a time you got furious and how did you calm down?

Afternoon: What does it mean to you that love is eternal?

Evening: How will you embrace God each and every day from now on?

Prayer: Everlasting God, fill us with your love and grace. You know us completely. You feel our pain, grief, and stress. Give us the strength so that we can embrace you each and every moment. May we never forget that your love is eternal! Amen.