Counting God’s Goodness
Sunday, October 12
Psalm 111
“Praise the LORD. I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them” (vv. 1–2, NIV).
Do you ever make a pros and cons list to aid you in making a big decision or life move? A list of recalling and remembering, a list of what might be coming can be helpful when we consider how we might orient or reorient our lives. Today’s psalm is a beautiful list of all the pros! It is a list that prompts us, reminds us, invites us, or draws us back to recognize who God is and what he has done.
When faced with all the pros of what it means to live as one oriented toward God, we see that our choice is clear. Praise! Work your way through that list verse by verse. Where have you experienced the acts of God? How might listing those experiences and memories prompt you to speak praise?
God, your works are great; you are compassionate and gracious. Help me to remember and recognize them. I long to give you praise! Amen.
Anchored In The Gospel
Monday, October 13
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Some people pick a word or a phrase at the beginning of the year, some kind of anchoring statement of intention to bring steady comfort, discipline, or consistency when life feels overwhelming. Today’s passage offers us two. What might it do to our days if we remember this “gospel” (v. 8b) and this “trustworthy saying” (v. 11a)?
When we start with what we know, when we speak to ourselves the truths of the gospel, we live in Christ Jesus. We will reign with him. He remains faithful. Our souls can be anchored. Our hope steadied. Our minds focused. Remind yourself of these things, and soon a song of praise will be on your lips.
Jesus, you are the good news. You are our living hope. In you we find all that we need for the day ahead. Help us to rest in you. Help us, Lord, to trust you more, day by day. Amen.
When Mercy Becomes Mundane
Tuesday, October 14
Luke 17:11-19
I have an awkward question. Has the mercy of the Lord become mundane to you? Has your faith and hopeful expectation slipped into complacent entitlement?
In this passage we see ten men who call out to Jesus for mercy. In response, Jesus heals them with a miracle that changed their reality. Cleansing and healing was their testimony, but only one returned. Only one raised his voice in worship. I wonder what kept the others from running back.
It takes intentional practice to become a person who readily gives praise in all seasons. Yes, the miraculous is easy, but the mundane is a bit more challenging. Maybe this passage can serve as a mid-week encouragement to see how the Lord has moved, and actually speak praise!
Lord, you are mighty and miraculous in all our days and in so many ways. Help me, O Lord, to give you praise in all my days. Amen.
The Kingdom In Our Midst
Wednesday, October 15
Luke 17:20-24, 33
Have you ever stood in a crowd at a concert or in the middle of a beautiful landscape and thought, “Wow. Here, now, in this moment, I am part of something special”?
When Jesus tells the Pharisees, “The kingdom of God is in your midst” (v. 21, NIV), what does he mean? Often, we want signs, wonders, or clear charts and graphs to make sure we don’t miss out. But our passage reminds us that we have something better. We have Jesus. His saving words and deeds ushered in God’s kingdom that is both now and not yet. This reality invites us to worship who Jesus is as we seek to live into his ministry example while awaiting his promised return.
Jesus, tune my heart, fix my eyes, orient my affections and efforts to reflect who you are in the midst of where I am today. Amen.
Embracing Our God Given Identity
Thursday, October 16
Luke 20:20-26
The back of my car has a red N on it because I am mom to a child who attends the University of Nebraska. I own a blue sweatshirt, with a distinct yellow M and trident on it, because unfortunately, I am loyal to my Seattle Mariners. What images or icons are currently prominent at your house, displayed on your car or your clothing?
Today’s passage may appear to be about taxes, but more deeply, this text is about identity. Where and in what do we find our identity and thus extend our loyalty? We tend to pay attention to the images we display and portray, but maybe we forget about the ultimate image we bear, which is innate to each of us—the image of God. This passage invites us to consider, as image bearers of God, what we are willing to give to him. What are we willing to endure in our loyalty to him?
I am your child, God, created by you in your image. May I honor you with my heart, my hands, and my affections today. Amen.
A True Offering
Friday, October 17
Luke 21:1-4
“Truly I tell you…this poor widow has put in more than all the others”
(v. 3).
I love to receive gifts. As I have gotten older, though, my response to gifts has changed a bit. I can tell when a gift is given thoughtlessly, like the extra candle that someone didn’t want and threw into a bag to give to me. But a gift carefully considered and intentionally chosen is very different. We know when someone gives out of their excess, and we know when a gift comes at great cost in effort, time, or resources. We know what it means to have someone give out deep care, devotion, and true affection.
Our Lord is discerning as well. Let us examine our motives and hearts as we offer our gifts and ourselves to the Lord.
Lord, I long to be a cheerful and sincere giver of my time, talents, treasure, and praise. Help me, Lord, to honor you. Amen.
Remembering With Praise
Saturday, October 18
Psalm 135
We recently changed the settings on our living room television. If it is left on for too long, it will start to run through our old photos, turning it into a living photo album right in the middle of the house. We are a family with grown kids. People come and go often, but I’ve noticed that as we all independently go about our day, the new rotating photo display stops us in our tracks. We can’t help but remember—“how little they were,” or “what a fun trip that was,” or better yet, “that was the funniest!”—and laughter breaks out.
We changed the settings; now remembrance is our new practice. Photographic evidence reminds us where we have been and where we are. Today’s psalm is a stroll down memory lane. The setting is remembrance and the response is praise.
Lord, help me recall your mercy, your deeds great and small, your kindness, and your love this day. May I give you praise. Amen.
