Faith in Times of Crisis

Psalm 100:1-5 New Revised Standard  Version (NRSV)

A Psalm of thanksgiving. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Meditation by Dr J P Hunter

In these troubled times it is good to know with this Psalm of thanksgiving that God is our creator and that we did not make ourselves. During lockdown, living in a much smaller individual world, it is easy to see ourselves as the centre of our own little world, leading to self-centredness. But we are His, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. He knows where his sheep are, he knows how hemmed in we are. The Lord knows the way through and will lead us there. He continues to feed us; his steadfast love endures forever. As we come to realise this nearby love and faithfulness enduring towards us, we will be able to endure as well, step by step, day by day. Then we will worship, with praise and thanksgiving. And that will come from our heart.

Prayer

Living in my own limited world, I come to seek your presence. I seek you day by day. You know where I am and how restrained I have to live. I have come to ask you for your guidance, your care and love.  I have come to rely on You. Guidance for the day, care and love to receive and in turn to give to others. Then I will return to you again and Thank You and praise your holy name. Amen

Hymn – Singing the Faith 79 verse 2

Happy are they whose hopes rely

on Israel’s God! He made the sky,

and earth and sea, with all their train

his truth for ever stands secure;

he saves the oppressed, he feeds the poor,

and none shall find his promise vain.

                               Isaac Watts (1674-1748)