Thursday, July 17, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Psalm 85

Lord, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you pardoned all their sin.
You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.

Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
so that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him
and will make a path for his steps. (NRSVUE)

Reflection

This song of praise is attributed to the sons of Korah, which makes it extremely interesting for me. It is one of the eleven psalms attributed to these authors, and all are psalms of praise. The sons of Korah are descendants of significant rebellion, if not themselves rebelling against the will of God. Their father, Korah, was one of the cabal that rebelled against Moses and Aaron to their detriment.

I have long been a believer that I can control my attitude. I’m not quite as Pollyanna-ish as Anna from The King and I. However, I do believe that I can heavily influence, if not totally control, my reaction to my environment. With that in mind, I have begun to truly recognize the power of items of praise in influencing my state of mind. Looking at the last series of verses starting at verse ten, there is a great description of the world I would like to live in — where God’s steadfast love and faithfulness will meet with righteousness and peace.

All too often it is difficult for me to gather the bandwidth to begin the recitation of praise. It is said that we are defined by the company we keep. I know that I am heavily influenced by the folks close to me who support me and give me the encouragement to praise my God and fully appreciate what I have. One example of this support is community worship, in my case at Fourth Church.

Prayer

Thank you, precious Lord, for the gift of your beloved kingdom to come and on earth here and now. Amen.

Written by Blake Anderson, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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