Listen

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long. Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish. Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.

Psalm 146:1-7b

Think

During election seasons, the sales pitch changes; instead of selling stuff, the product for sale is trust. Which candidate can convince us that he or she is the most trustworthy? Who will do the most to provide what we lack? Who is really interested in helping us live happier, wealthier, more fulfilled lives?

The psalmist probably wouldn’t tell us what to buy, or who to vote for. But the psalmist does remind us that there is only One who deserves our trust. There is One who shaped the world, One whose faithfulness never dies, One who helps all who need to live more just, more nourished lives.

Praise the Lord, whose help never fails!

Nikki Finkelstein-Blair

Pray

God, you provide the beauty of creation, justice for the oppressed, and fullness for the hungry. I put my trust in you, and I praise you today and every day for your endless promise to help those who call on you! Amen.

Go

As the hands and feet of God,
we put our faith to work in service to the world,
trusting in the One who has helped us,
named us,
and called us
to lead us to those in need.

Let us love as God loves:
with hands ready to get dirty,
with feet ready to walk far,
with eyes ready to see hardship,
with hearts ready to receive.
Let us love as God loves:
with lives ready to serve.