Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 8The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Verse 9The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.
Verse 14The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.
Verse 15The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
Verse 16You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.
Verse 17The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.
Verse 18The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Verse 19He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them.
Verse 20The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
Verse 21My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.
Devotion
One of the joys of visiting my wife's parents' home is the free entertainment to be found while drinking our morning coffee. Out the window, at a variety of bird feeders, feathered friends come to find their food. Cardinals, orioles, blue jays—all the baseball teams are represented! They come, eat their fill, and then fly away again. All, it seems, without a care in the world. Why, then, do we spend so much time focusing on our needs? Are we not of greater worth than these birds at their feeders? The psalmist reminds us that God will give food in good season. We hear in these words an invitation not to worry, as hard as that is for us. God has given us all needful things, from food and shelter, friends and family, life and salvation. We needn't worry about these anymore. Instead, thankful for our rich resources, let us seek to feed those around us.
Prayer
Giving God, thank you for providing for all of our needs. Help us to turn our hearts and hands toward those around us, that we might be signs of your gracious provision for all people. Amen.