Listen

But let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you, and let those who love your saving help say again and again: “God is great!” But me? I’m poor and needy. Hurry to me, God! You are my helper and my deliverer. Oh, Lord, don’t delay!

Psalm 70:4-5

Think

We began this week with the first verse of this psalm, and we finish the week with its ending. Both the first and last verses are naked pleas for God’s deliverance: Help us, God! But today’s verses include a reminder to us that our relationship with God is not one-sided.

God made a covenant with God’s people: “I will be your God, and you will be my people.” Sometimes we are quick to claim that we are God’s people, but we do not claim God as ours. In other words, we ask for God’s help, but we do not praise or thank God in return. Verse 4 tells us that our role in this relationship is important, too. Even when we are in big trouble and need God to help us, we should still be rejoicing because of all that God has already done. We should still praise God and remember God’s goodness and faithfulness. We should be glad, even when we need God’s help.

Ellen Di Giosia

Question to Ponder:

How can we praise God today, even if it has been a hard day?

Pray

Oh God, help me to remember that we belong to you and you belong to us.

Remind me to rejoice and give thanks, even when times are hard.

Amen.

Go

I’m convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord: not death or life, not angels or rulers, not present things or future things, not powers or height or depth, or any other thing that is created.

Romans 8:38-39