Daily Reading: 11 August

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

For with the Lord there is steadfast love.

Something to read

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.

- Psalm 130:5-7.

Something to think about

David begins this psalm by speaking about ‘the depths’. He gives us no detail as to what the circumstances were, and whether they'd been caused by others or if he'd brought them on himself. 

Many of us can identify with that feeling of being in ‘the depths’ when life seems dark and it's hard, if not impossible, to remain positive. That can happen to any of us, but the key lies in our response and where we turn when we feel that way. 

Tragically some people feel there is no one to turn to, and that can be a very lonely place indeed. The psalmist has discovered that he can cry to the Lord, and trusts that the Lord will hear him, and help him, even if he has brought the troubles on himself. 

He makes a deliberate effort to wait for the Lord, to take time to be conscious of God’s presence and listen to his voice. 

And as he does so, he discovers that God’s love is ‘steadfast’, unchanging, constant, reliable; not only that, but God has the power to help him and change his situation. 

Are we discovering that?

Something to do

However we are feeling today, take time to ‘wait’ on the Lord, to be still enough to know his presence and hear his voice and be reminded how much he loves us.

Something to pray

Father,

thank you that in the depths we can look to you, and cry to you, and in you find hope.

We think of those who are in the depths at this time.

How we praise you that you are a God who lifts us up and gives us hope.

Today’s contributor is Rev John Fulton, General Secretary of the United Free Church of Scotland at the time of writing.