Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
Verse 2to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,
Verse 3to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.
Verse 4For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
Verse 12The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Verse 13They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God.
Verse 14In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap,
Verse 15showing that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Devotion
Kelly is a smart girl—musically talented, bright personality and a gift for leadership. I was a bit sad that she would be affirming her faith ("getting confirmed") because I feared she would drift away from the church—like so many other teens do after their confirmation—without the tethers of sermon notes and Wednesday night classes to tie her to it.
I should not have worried. God is Kelly's rock, the anchor that steadies her faith. She was nervous as she stepped forward to read her faith statement, but she was determined to speak the words out loud. She told of Christ, through whom she can do anything, through whom she receives her strength. She gave God all the credit for her leadership gifts, her intelligence, her personality and her musical talent. She made a promise to her congregation that morning that she would be starting a praise band within the coming year. And then, as if to seal that covenant, she left the pulpit, walked over to the piano and played a beautiful song of praise.
Prayer
Lord, our Rock, we sing for joy at what you continue to do in the lives of your people. May we be more like Kelly—confident in your purpose for us and willing to step out boldly to proclaim your work in our lives. Amen.