Category Archives: Mid-Week Medtiation

Food to the Hungry

06 Wednesday Apr 2016

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He gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free (Psalm 146:7, CEV).

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Ottawa River as seen from Greens Creek Point — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is hunger.

Our Lord taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

As I think over my life, I can’t think of a single day when that prayer has not been answered. In other words, the Lord has had an unbroken record of faithfulness. I have never gone to bed hungry except by my own choice. 

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us that God is the one who daily supplies our needs.

He gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free (Psalm 146:7, CEV).

The Lord’s provision goes beyond physical needs. As the psalmist declares, the LORD also provides justice and sets prisoners free. Worry often holds me as a prisoner. What about you?

But when I consider the LORD’s faithfulness, there is no place left for worry. He banishes hunger along with worry. We have this assurance: God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:19, CEV).

Response: LORD God, thank you for your daily provision of good things. You have been more than faithful. My heart overflows with thanks for your goodness. Amen.

Your Turn: Has God been faithful in providing for you? Has He come through for you?

Tell Every Nation

29 Tuesday Mar 2016

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Day after day announce, “The LORD has saved us!” Tell every nation on earth,
“The LORD is wonderful and does marvelous things! (Psalm 96:2-3, CEV).

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Easter Sunrise 2016 — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is proclamation.

We live in the afterglow of the resurrection. Unlike an afterglow that fades over time, this afterglow ought to intensify within us like the power of the rising sun. And why should this be the case? Because with each passing day, the day of redemption and regeneration of our physical bodies is drawing closer. Today, I’m one day closer to seeing my resurrected Lord face to face.

Within us there should be a growing desire to declare the goodness of the Lord. The psalmist expresses it this way:

Day after day announce, “The LORD has saved us!” Tell every nation on earth,
“The LORD is wonderful and does marvelous things! (Psalm 96:2-3, CEV).

We are tasked with the job of joyous declaration. Good news is not difficult to share. We are not tasked with announcing the death of a loved one. We have the joy of sharing the news that one man—Jesus Christ—has defeated death. By faith his resurrection victory becomes our victory as well.

Response: LORD God, I want to glow with the joy of knowing you and your resurrection power. Give me the privilege of telling someone else the good news today. Amen.

Your Turn: Is your resurrection afterglow growing or fading?

You Give me a Song

23 Wednesday Mar 2016

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Every day, you are kind, and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you, the living LORD God (Psalm 42:8, CEV).

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Night Song – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is prayer.

If our day starts with prayer to the Lord, then it might well end with a song of thanks sung to Him. Between morning and evening, we experience the kindness of God. Our day is book-ended in communion with the LORD our Creator.

We can see this daily rhythm in today’s verse from the Psalms:

Every day, you are kind, and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you, the living LORD God (Psalm 42:8, CEV).

This is Holy Week and as we reflect on this sacred time, we should consider how Jesus spent this week. I am sure there was a rhythm to his days—days that were leading to the cross. Surely they were days marked by prayer and communion with his Father.

Punctuate your day with prayer. We know Jesus did just that.

Response: Living LORD God, I bring my songs of thanks to you. Day by day you are kind. Your greatest kindness was sending Jesus. Thank you for loving me. Amen.

Your Turn: How do you incorporate prayer into the rhythm of your day?

Willing Forgiveness

16 Wednesday Mar 2016

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You willingly forgive, and your love is always there for those who pray to you (Psalm 86:5, CEV).

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Plum Blossoms, Nagoya, Japan — Photo courtesy of Matthew Taylor

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is forgiveness.

We are all familiar with the phrase: Well, I guess if I have to. It’s usually signals a lot of reluctance on the part of the speaker.

When we think about God, we may feel that since He is perfect and holy, He may be reluctant to forgive our many sins. Just the opposite is true and today’s verse from the Psalms makes this crystal clear.

You willingly forgive, and your love is always there for those who pray to you (Psalm 86:5, CEV).

Jesus beautifully portrayed the love of our heavenly Father when he told the story of the prodigal son.

The younger son got up and started back to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son and hugged and kissed him (Luke 15: 20, CEV).

Our heavenly Father shows no reluctance to forgive.

Response: Father God, I come to you. Thanks for running to me when I repent and ask for forgiveness. I do not deserve such a loving response. It is beyond wonderful. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you seen God as reluctant to forgive?

Cared For

09 Wednesday Mar 2016

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I celebrate and shout because you are kind. You saw all my suffering, and you cared for me (Psalm 31:7, CEV).

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Grand Tetons National Park — photo by Matthew Taylor

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is suffering.

Suffering is always difficult, but it is especially so when a person suffers alone. Today’s verse reminds us that God sees our suffering. He not only sees and hears our cries, He cares for us. It is God who nurses us back to a point of health, strength and vitality.

I celebrate and shout because you are kind. You saw all my suffering, and you cared for me (Psalm 31:7, CEV).

God’s child is cared for. You are not abandoned by Him during times of suffering. He is right there with you. He brings us through to the other side of suffering—to the place of celebration.

Response: LORD God, thank you for caring for me. It’s more than a promise; it’s a reality. You see how I have suffered and you will always bring me through. I put my trust in you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you have a testimony of God’s care through a time of suffering?

Human Glory

24 Wednesday Feb 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5, CEV).

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The Face of God’s Glory – photo courtesy of David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is glory.

When we think of glory, especially in biblical terms, we immediately think of God’s glory. But today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us that we humans have glory too. You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5, CEV). Other translations read a little lower than the angels.

Glory, honor and dignity are gifts from God. They are His gift to humanity. When we humiliate or dishonor someone, we are sullying God’s glory. We need to see God’s glory in the faces of those around us.

No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is truly in our hearts (1 John 4:12).

Do you see God’s glory in your children, your neighbor or colleague?

Response: LORD God, open my eyes to your glory in those around me. Help me to treat my neighbors with love and respect because they bear your image. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you have trouble seeing God in others?

Always Patient

17 Wednesday Feb 2016

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Please, LORD, remember, you have always been patient and kind (Psalm 25:6, CEV).

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Red Sunrise – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is patience.

Let’s be honest. While I may not always be patient with others, I certainly want them to be patient with me. That’s why I find today’s verse from the Psalms so interesting. It’s really David’s prayer. Please, LORD, remember, you have always been patient and kind (Psalm 25:6, CEV).

The unspoken side of David’s prayer might go something like this, “Though I have been impatient with you, Lord, and I’ve blown my cool, please don’t be impatient with me.” 

We really need God to be patient with us. If God responded to me in the same way, I have reacted to others, I might be reduced to a cinder in the blink of an eye. My need for God’s patience is extreme. 

I am so thankful the LORD is a patient God.

Response: LORD God, you have been so good to me. You have shown me undeserved kindness. Please continue to be patient with me and help me to become more like Jesus every day. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you impatient with God sometimes?

Remembering

10 Wednesday Feb 2016

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When our ancestors were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea (Psalm 106:7, NIV).

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Distant Lighthouse – Photo courtesy of Eric E. Wright

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is kindness.

A kindness remembered is like fresh water to a thirsty soul. It brings a smile to the heart and the face. Pause for a moment to recall when someone was especially kind to you. Are you smiling as you think those thoughts?

Now let’s take a moment to fix our thoughts on God. Are there moments when God showed great kindness to you? God did miracles for the sake of His people when they were enslaved in Egypt. Has God done any miracles for you?

If we reflect on instances when God has been kind to us, I believe something begins to change inside us. Our rebellious, quarrelsome nature retreats to the back corner and in its place thanksgiving comes to the fore.

Kindness begets kindness. Here’s hoping you set in motion an outbreak of kindness today.

Response: LORD God, you have shown me kindness in the face of Jesus Christ. He loves, forgives and works miracles on my behalf. I remember your kindness today. Amen.

Your Turn: What can you do to demonstrate kindness today?

A Gift

03 Wednesday Feb 2016

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I have said,
    “Only you are my Lord!
    Every good thing I have
    is a gift from you” (Psalm 16:2, CEV).

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Stormy Skies — photo by Eric E. Wright

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is goodness.

Today’s verse from the Psalms fills me with gratitude. I have said, “Only you are my Lord! Every good thing I have is a gift from you”(Psalms 16:2, CEV).

If you haven’t said these words, you probably have thought them.

Every good thing I have is a gift from the Lord—every ability, every talent, every joy. Chief among those good things is the gift of life itself. After the resurrection, Peter called Jesus the author of life (Acts 3:15, NIV).

Now with the psalmist we can say, “Only you are my Lord!”

Response: LORD God, thank you for all the gifts you have given me. You are good and you have been good to me. Most of all I thank you for Jesus, the author of life. Amen.

Your Turn: What gifts are you thankful for today?

Waiting for Mercy

27 Wednesday Jan 2016

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I am worn out from waiting for you to keep your word. When will you have mercy (Psalm 119:82, CEV)?

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Snowy Woods – Photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is mercy.

When we are in a really tight spot, God’s mercy cannot arrive fast enough. We want help immediately.

Our impatience can be part of the problem. In God’s mercy, He has us wait. In the waiting process our situation may stay the same, but we change. God’s Spirit works on us.

I fear the kind of person I would become if God answered my every request immediately. 

That doesn’t mean we should never pour out our complaint to God as the psalmist does here. I am worn out from waiting for you to keep your word. When will you have mercy (Psalm 119:82, CEV)?

Bottled up frustration is never a good thing, especially when that frustration is directed at God. Are you frustrated waiting for God’s mercy? Take it to Him in prayer.

Response: LORD God, I need your help. I need your mercy. I need your patience. Give me the grace I need for today. Your word and your good promises sustain me. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you impatient as you wait for God’s mercy?