Psalm 78:23-29 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 78:23-29 on biblegateway.com
Verse 23Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven;
Verse 24he rained down on them manna to eat, and gave them the grain of heaven.
Verse 25Mortals ate of the bread of angels; he sent them food in abundance.
Verse 26He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, and by his power he led out the south wind;
Verse 27he rained flesh upon them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas;
Verse 28he let them fall within their camp, all around their dwellings.
Verse 29And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved.
Devotion
The Oxford Annotated Bible entitles this psalm “The story of God’s great deeds and his people’s faithlessness.” It’s true: While this lengthy psalm lists the Lord’s saving acts again and again, it also tells how his people “did not keep God’s covenant” (v. 10) and “tested God” (v. 18) and “ still sinned” (v. 32). But God’s deep love and faithfulness come through in the opening words of the verses for this week: “Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven” (v.23).
How many times, in the face of challenges to our own authority, would we hold back potential help and healing, or fail to open the doors, to whatever possibilities that lay beyond? Yet our God is faithful and merciful in supplying our needs.
Prayer
Patient Father, when times and situations are most trying, let our eyes, ears, hearts and spirits be open to the possibilities that you faithfully provide, raining down upon us your abundant grace. Amen.