Slices
Prepare
Think of something new you have learned about the Lord recently, or something you have been reminded of. Praise him for it (in song if possible).
Bible passage
1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skilfully, and shout for joy.
4 For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.
6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
he puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm for ever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the Lord looks down
and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling-place he watches
all who live on earth –
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
Explore
With all the troubles of the world beamed into our homes and onto screens every day we can easily begin to lose hope and wonder who is in control. This psalm brings a different perspective, reminding us that the earth is in the hands of a powerful, just and loving Creator.
Proverbs chapter 8 sees God’s wisdom displayed in creation. Here (as in Genesis 1), God’s word is the agent of creation (vs 6–9). Just as Job when overwhelmed by suffering is reminded of God’s great power seen in creation (Job 38,39), we are reminded that the one who created everything watches over his creation.
Compared to the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, the strength of earthly rulers, no matter how large their armies or how powerful their weapons, is put in the shade (vs 16,17). God’s people in the Old Testament are constantly threatened, attacked and invaded by their more powerful neighbours. Although they sometimes look elsewhere for help, the prophets remind them that the only reliable source of help is the Lord himself (eg Isaiah 30:1–5).
In the face of life’s uncertainties, God’s people can rejoice and be glad in him because we trust in his unfailing love.
Respond
Pray for Christians you know who are facing uncertain times to be sure of God’s committed love. How can you help them know that love?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Joshua 12–15; Romans 13
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for SU Sri Lanka’s recently appointed Assistant General Secretary and that God will enable all their staff and volunteers to lead wisely.
