Psalm for Sunday, January 27, 2013

Reflections

Psalm 19:  8, 9, 10, 15

“Let the words of my mouth and
the thoughts of my heart meet with
your favor, O Lord, my rock and
my redeemer.”

Where does the power come from
to keep us on track, to speak the
right words, think the right thoughts?
It comes from the Lord, our rock
and redeemer.  And how does it come
to us? Through the Word, the inspired
Word of God. 

It is through the Word that we know
His commandments, and through this
Psalm that we know His law is a source
of refreshment, a source of joy.  When
we follow the Lord’s commands, there
is a joy that is stirred up in our hearts.
“The precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart.”

His statutes do not bind us, they set
us free.  As in the days of Ezra, the
reading of the law should not make us sad,
but be a source of rejoicing. 

If we are to imitate the divine life,
everything we need to know is found in
God’s law.  The Word is the source of
wisdom; it is where power is found.
And it is where the statutes of God
are spelled out.  

The Lord's statutes serve as our
instruction manual for life.  But they
are not just a dry set of rules that we
cannot hope to follow;
God's commandments refresh our souls.

The Word and the statutes endure forever;
They are refreshing to the soul;
They enlighten the eye;
They bring much reward.
And as Christ says in the Gospel,
the scripture is fulfilled in our hearing.
Give us ears to hear!


Amen

 
Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  Our Psalm response this Sunday is 'Your words, Lord,
are Spirit and life.'  In what way are you impacted along
your faith journey by the words of our Lord?

2.  Speak of how the Lord's commandments are useful in
carrying out the plea of our psalmist, 'Let the words of my
mouth and the thoughts of my heart find favor before you.'