Good morning! I hope this day finds you and your family well, and I want you to know that you are in my prayers daily during this difficult time.
I invite you to take a few moments with me to reflect on today’s Upper Room Devotional below — as well as on the theology woven into “It is well with my soul.”
Today’s Scripture:
Psalm 145:13-21 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.[a]
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is just in all his ways,
and kind in all his doings.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;
he also hears their cry, and saves them.
20 The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.
Tim’s Devotional Reflection for Today
How do you describe God? What are the characteristics of God that come to your mind? Some people believe in a vengeful, angry, harsh, critical god. Others see God as a kind of celestial vending machine: you put in the right combination of prayers and you can get what you want.
The psalmist in the 145th psalm describes God this way:
Faithful
Gracious
Upholds and raises up those who are falling or bowed down
Provides needs
Just
Kind
Listening
Saving
Watchful
Today think about your understanding of God and meditate on these words.
Thank you for sharing this early moment of your day with me, with God, and with the words and music that I hope you will carry with you throughout the coming day and night.
I am so grateful for you, for our church, and for the Love that will see us all through this very difficult time. Please stay safe and well and we’ll be together again in spirit tomorrow morning!
Grace and Peace,
Dr. Tim Bruster
Senior Pastor
Here’s more about this passage of scripture via Upper Room devotionals:
WORTH THE EFFORT
I can experience God’s love through prayer.
