Psalm 138 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 138 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;
Verse 2I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything.
Verse 3On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.
Verse 4All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth.
Verse 5They shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord.
Verse 6For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away.
Verse 7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me.
Verse 8The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Devotion
The other day, one of my confirmation students asked, “Does being a Christian mean you always have to be happy?” It’s a good question; that’s often the impression people get when we all put on our “Sunday faces.” Being a Christian doesn’t mean we will always smile, act upbeat, and wear a happy face. Yet, God’s presence with us can give us a deep inner joy and peace no matter what the external circumstances are.
We can use the words of the Psalm to say to God, “though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me… and your right hand delivers me.” No matter what happens we can trust that God is with us and will give us true joy and peace. Because of that, we can follow wherever God calls us.
Prayer
Ever present God, help us to know your peace in the midst of all circumstances. Amen.