A Daily Dose of Good News
Friday, February 19, 2021
Pastor Steve’s devotional is available online at https://youtu.be/4QYMTi3fSLU
A printer-friendly version of this devotion is available at DDGN 20210219
You may dialog with Pastor Steve on this devotion at steve.wachtman@me.com
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be put to shame;
do not let my enemies exult over me.
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.
Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
For your name’s sake, O Lord,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
Who are they that fear the Lord?
He will teach them the way that they should choose.
They will abide in prosperity,
and their children shall possess the land.
The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,
and he makes his covenant known to them.
My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart,
and bring me out of my distress.
Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.
Consider how many are my foes,
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
O guard my life, and deliver me;
do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you.
Redeem Israel, O God,
out of all its troubles. (Psalm 25
ABC’s of a Pandemic and Praise
Our psalm again today is yet another acrostic in the Hebrew language,
Each line starting the next successive letter in the Hebrew alphabet.
I got to think this morning though, why should the psalmist get all the fun.
I’m going to write an acrostic psalm myself,
Each line starting with the next successive letter in the English alphabet.
I wonder if the Hebrews had as much trouble with any of their letters
As I had with “X”!
Spoiler alert: xenial means hospitable, warm or receptive
So here is my ABC’s of Pandemic and Praise:
All praise to the God of heaven and earth
Because by the power of God’s Word
Creation came into being and all life within it
Day after day God continues to provide
Everything we need to enjoy
Fellowship with God and each other and the world
Great is God’s majesty above all else,
Higher than every mountain
Inspiring awe and
Joy without end.
Keeping promises made from the very beginning
Loving us to the very end and beyond
Making us a people who love in return
Now is the time to offer our praise
On this, another day by God’s grace,
Pandemic and all.
Quickly turn your hearts, minds and souls
Right back to all your blessings
Showered on you even in these trying days.
Take a moment now to celebrate the Spirit
Uniting each of us in God’s love
Valuing each made in God’s image
Worship you now, the one true God
Xenial to family, friend and stranger alike,
Zealous in praise together and always grateful. Amen
