Psalm 104

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; 

    O LORD my God, how excellent is your greatness!

    you are clothed with majesty and splendor.

2 You wrap yourself with light as with a cloak 

    and spread out the heavens like a curtain.

3 You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters above; 

    you make the clouds your chariot;

    you ride on the wings of the wind.

4 You make the winds your messengers 

    and flames of fire your servants.

5 You have set the earth upon its foundations, 

    so that it never shall move at any time.

6 You covered it with the Deep as with a mantle; 

    the waters stood higher than the mountains. 

7 At your rebuke they fled; 

    at the voice of your thunder they hastened away.

8 They went up into the hills and down to the valleys beneath, 

    to the places you had appointed for them.

9 You set the limits that they should not pass; 

    they shall not again cover the earth.

10 You send the springs into the valleys; 

    they flow between the mountains.

11 All the beasts of the field drink their fill from them, 

    and the wild asses quench their thirst.

12 Beside them the birds of the air make their nests 

    and sing among the branches.

13 You water the mountains from your dwelling on high; 

    the earth is fully satisfied by the fruit of your works.

14 You make grass grow for flocks and herds 

    and plants to serve mankind;

15 That they may bring forth food from the earth, 

    and wine to gladden our hearts,

16 Oil to make a cheerful countenance, 

    and bread to strengthen the heart.

17 The trees of the LORD are full of sap, 

    the cedars of Lebanon which he planted,

18 In which the birds build their nests, 

    and in whose tops the stork makes his dwelling.

19 The high hills are a refuge for the mountain goats, 

    and the stony cliffs for the rock badgers.

20 You appointed the moon to mark the seasons, 

    and the sun knows the time of its setting.

21 You make darkness that it may be night, 

    in which all the beasts of the forest prowl.

22 The lions roar after their prey 

    and seek their food from God.

23 The sun rises, and they slip away 

    and lay themselves down in their dens.

24 Man goes forth to his work 

    and to his labor until the evening.

25 O LORD, how manifold are your works! 

    in wisdom you have made them all;

    the earth is full of your creatures.

26 Yonder is the great and wide sea

with its living things too many to number, 

    creatures both small and great.

27 There move the ships,

and there is that Leviathan, 

    which you have made for the sport of it.

28 All of them look to you 

    to give them their food in due season.

29 You give it to them; they gather it; 

    you open your hand, and they are filled with good things.

30 You hide your face, and they are terrified; 

    you take away their breath,

    and they die and return to their dust.

31 You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; 

    and so you renew the face of the earth.

32 May the glory of the LORD endure for ever; 

    may the LORD rejoice in all his works.

33 He looks at the earth and it trembles; 

    he touches the mountains and they smoke.

34 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; 

    I will praise my God while I have my being.

35 May these words of mine please him; 

    I will rejoice in the LORD.

36 Let sinners be consumed out of the earth, 

    and the wicked be no more.

37 Bless the LORD, O my soul. 

    Hallelujah!

 

Meditation

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word “awesome” was first used almost 500 years ago. It described something or someone who inspired tremendous awe and wonder. To witness something awesome was to be utterly overcome in the presence of great beauty or power, overwhelmed with a reverential fear, rendered practically speechless — unlike the teens of my generation who used the word constantly as a synonym for “cool” or “great.”

Reading today’s psalm, we get the sense that the psalmist was filled with wonder, overcome with awe, contemplating the truly awesome (awe-inspiring) power of God. Verse after verse celebrates God’s wisdom, faithfulness, and love — especially as seen in the beauty and majesty of creation. 

“Ever since the creation of the world [God’s] eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made” (Rom. 1:20).

When was the last time you felt this kind of awe? When have you been struck by the awesomeness of God in creation. 

Take a break from the horrors in the headlines, all the trauma and drama on social media. Search instead for the signature of God in all he has made. Watch the sunrise or sunset or go for a walk. Look closely at the flowers and trees in your own garden or neighborhood. Listen to the whisper of wind in the trees, the roaring of the ocean, or the patter of the rain. Consider how magnificent creation truly is and what it reveals about its Creator. Meditate on it, reflect on it. Join with the psalmist and let your heart sing God’s praise!

Christin Ditchfield Lazo, Th.M., is a best-selling author, conference speaker, and syndicated radio host, passionate about calling believers to a deeper life of faith.

♱

Daily Devotional Cycle of Prayer
Today we pray for:

The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, New York
The Diocese of Kagera – The Anglican Church of Tanzania

A Reading from Luke 7:36-50

1 Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.

4 When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. 7 Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.” As he said this, he called out, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”

9 Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that

‘looking they may not perceive,

   and listening they may not understand.’

11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. 14 As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.”

Meditation

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus explains that the seed  the life-changing, life-giving Word of God — falls on different kinds of soil. Some seed grows quickly, but just as quickly withers and dies. Some never takes root at all. But some falls among the thorns, which grow up and choke the life out of the tender plants.

This is the verse I think should really grab our attention today — those of us who are committed Christ-followers. As Jesus tells His disciples, it’s the “thorns” or “weeds” we have to watch out for:

“As for what fell among the thorns, these are [the people] who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked and suffocated with the anxieties and cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not ripen (come to maturity and perfection).” (Amplified Version)

It’s easy for any of us to be choked by these troublesome thorns. Some are obvious threats, while others may be good things that become bad, when they keep us from what’s best. That’s why Jesus calls us to continually lay our hearts before him, the Master Gardener. We do this when we carefully consider:

Is anything there keeping us from being effective? Productive? Fruitful? Healthy and mature in our relationship with Christ? What might possibly be choking the “life” out of us?

We invite him to pull out the thorns, through confession, repentance and prayer. And we experience healing in the light of his love. He refreshes us with “living water.” And he promises that if we continue to live our life rooted in him, it will grow full of good fruit!

Christin Ditchfield Lazo, Th.M., is a best-selling author, conference speaker, and syndicated radio host, passionate about calling believers to a deeper life of faith.

♱

Daily Devotional Cycle of Prayer
Today we pray for:

The Diocese of Kafanchan – The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
All Saints’ Church, Thomasville, Georgia

A Reading from Luke 7:36-50

36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. 37 And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38 She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him — that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “speak.” 41 “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning towards the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” 48 Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Meditation

She is known now as she was back then — as “a sinful woman.” Yet she dared to make her way to the house of Simon the Pharisee. Maybe she came on impulse, out of a sudden, overwhelming desire to thank Jesus for his love and compassion. 

As she left, she grabbed the only thing she had of any value — an alabaster jar of expensive perfume. What else could she give him in return for what he had given her? Maybe she realized — as she got closer — that she hadn’t even thought of what she would do or what she would say when she saw him. If she saw him, if she could get through. 

Then again, maybe she had practiced the words over and over, all the way — what she would tell Jesus, if she got a moment to talk to him, before she was pulled away. 

The moment came, but the words didn’t. Just tears. Lots and lots of tears. She “began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair.”

Simon wasn’t moved by her expression of love and gratitude. Though he said nothing, he judged her in his heart — and judged Jesus for not judging her, too.

Jesus knew. He confronted Simon with a story, a parable about the true nature of gratitude. Those who — in their self-justification and self-righteousness — think they have been forgiven little respond to God with little love.

But those of us who know the true state of our own souls, who acknowledge our sin, our guilt, our shame, who recognize our need for a savior — we know we have been forgiven much. And so we love much. 

Let us show him that love today.

Christin Ditchfield Lazo, Th.M., is a best-selling author, conference speaker, and syndicated radio host, passionate about calling believers to a deeper life of faith.

♱

Daily Devotional Cycle of Prayer
Today we pray for:

The Diocese of Kaduna – The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
Christ Church Episcopal, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Psalm 119: 145-176

145 I call with my whole heart; *

    answer me, O LORD, that I may keep your statutes.

146 I call to you;

oh, that you would save me! *

    I will keep your decrees.

147 Early in the morning I cry out to you, *

    for in your word is my trust.

148 My eyes are open in the night watches, *

    that I may meditate upon your promise. 

149 Hear my voice, O LORD, according to your loving-kindness; *

    according to your judgments, give me life.

150 They draw near who in malice persecute me; *

    they are very far from your law.

151 You, O LORD, are near at hand, *

    and all your commandments are true.

152 Long have I known from your decrees *

    that you have established them for ever.

153 Behold my affliction and deliver me, *

    for I do not forget your law.

154 Plead my cause and redeem me; *

    according to your promise, give me life.

155 Deliverance is far from the wicked, *

    for they do not study your statutes.

156 Great is your compassion, O LORD; *

    preserve my life, according to your judgments.

157 There are many who persecute and oppress me, *

    yet I have not swerved from your decrees.

158 I look with loathing at the faithless, *

    for they have not kept your word.

159 See how I love your commandments! *

    O LORD, in your mercy, preserve me.

160 The heart of your word is truth; *

    all your righteous judgments endure for evermore.

161 Rulers have persecuted me without a cause, *

    but my heart stands in awe of your word.

162 I am as glad because of your promise *

    as one who finds great spoils.

163 As for lies, I hate and abhor them, *

    but your law is my love.

164 Seven times a day do I praise you, *

    because of your righteous judgments. 

165 Great peace have they who love your law; *

    for them there is no stumbling block.

166 I have hoped for your salvation, O LORD, *

    and have fulfilled your commandments.

167 I have kept your decrees *

    and I have loved them deeply.

168 I have kept your commandments and decrees, *

    for all my ways are before you.

169 Let my cry come before you, O LORD; *

    give me understanding, according to your word.

170 Let my supplication come before you; *

    deliver me, according to your promise.

171 My lips shall pour forth your praise, *

    when you teach me your statutes.

172 My tongue shall sing of your promise, *

    for all your commandments are righteous. 

173 Let your hand be ready to help me, *

    for I have chosen your commandments.

174 I long for your salvation, O LORD, *

    and your law is my delight. 

175 Let me live, and I will praise you, *

    and let your judgments help me.

176 I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; *

    search for your servant,

    for I do not forget your commandments.

Meditation

It sounds a little strange to our ears today…

Who rhapsodizes like this over a lot of rules and regulations? Who gets so excited about a series of “thou shalts” and “thou shalt nots”? Why even care?

In our culture, we tend to think of rules as things to rebel against, laws as sometimes unreasonable and burdensome restraints that we begrudgingly learn to live with or find a way to work around. We consider commandments things to be cast off in our quest for freedom.

But the psalmist says God’s law is where freedom is found. God’s Word is our source of wisdom. And his commandments are never arbitrary, meaningless, or burdensome; they always have a purpose. They either protect us from harming ourselves or others, or they provide for us in some significant way. God’s statutes are designed to help us, not to hurt us. They’re meant to lead us and guide us. If only we have eyes to see and ears to hear!

Who would know better how to live than the Author of life? Who better understands and cares for creation than the Creator? Who has our best interests more at heart than the One who breathed life into us, loved us, and gave himself for us (Eph. 5:2)?

Ultimately, as Paul reminds us in Romans, the law serves to point us to Christ — to show us just how imperfectly we’re able to keep this law, how desperately we are in need of a mighty savior. 

Christin Ditchfield Lazo, Th.M., is a best-selling author, conference speaker, and syndicated radio host, passionate about calling believers to a deeper life of faith.

♱

Daily Devotional Cycle of Prayer
Today we pray for:

The Diocese of Kadugli and Nuba Mountains – Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan
The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh

A Reading from Luke 7:1-17

1 After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. 3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4 When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy of having you do this for him, 5 for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.” 6 And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7 therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

11 Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12 As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. 13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has looked favourably on his people!” 17 This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.

Meditation

The centurion recognized that Jesus — like himself — was “a man under authority,” someone on a mission, backed by a higher power, and that as such, Jesus himself had great power and authority, given to him by God the Father. Whatever Jesus commanded would be done, whether he was there personally or not. It wasn’t what Jesus physically did or said that brought healing. It was his authority. In fact, as Jesus told his disciples, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18, emphasis added).

The natural world submitted to his authority: the wind and the waves obeyed him. The fig tree withered and died at his command. In the physical realm, Jesus exercised authority over sickness and disease. He healed the blind, the lame, the deaf. The spirit world acknowledged him — demons trembled in his presence and begged him not to torture them.

Jesus had the power to read people’s thoughts and reveal their hearts. He had the authority to forgive sin. Jesus had control of his own destiny. He said, “No one takes my life from me — I lay it down willingly.” He had authority over death and hell — it couldn’t keep him in the grave. Now he’s seated at the right hand of the Father, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

It’s this Jesus to whom we pray, this Jesus to whom we entrust all of our hopes and fears, all of our problems and our plans. We can have confidence, like the centurion, that Jesus will act on our behalf, because he has the authority to do so. He has the power. And he’s willing to use it, because we are so much more than servants to him — we are his friends (John 15:5).

Christin Ditchfield Lazo, Th.M., is a best-selling author, conference speaker, and syndicated radio host, passionate about calling believers to a deeper life of faith.

♱

Daily Devotional Cycle of Prayer
Today we pray for:

The Diocese of Kabba – The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, West Palm Beach, Florida