Bible Readings and Devotion for September 11, 2020
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Devotion for September 11, 2020
By Pastor David Tinker
So often our perspective is very short. We look at what is happening maybe for a hour, a day, a week, a month, or maybe a little more. Sometimes we get thinking about bigger goals in life and look into several years into the future. But, most of the time, our perspective is usually pretty short.
This is not necessarily wrong, for so much of life just about trying to get through the day at work, the medical appointments, concern for one’s children, and so much more. It is a beautiful blessing from God when we can see beyond the moment or the day.
Our reading from Psalm 30 reminds us of this opportunity we have from God to have a longer perspective on life. We read is Psalm 30:12b, “O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever.” This follows a series of prayers of thanks explaining how God has helped the psalm writer to have a renewed perspective on life. We read a portion of this in verses 11 and 12, “You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.”
God has done, and continues to do, so much for us. In another psalm we read a statement about the length of the list of good things God has done. Psalm 40:5 notes, “You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.” This is another way of saying, “O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever.”
Since we have so many things for which we can be thankful, we look toward the future. We can celebrate what God has done, is doing, continues to do, and will be doing for us. As we do this, we can grow more to understand that there is so much more to knowing, following, serving and celebrating our God. We can understand that he is with us now, and he is leading us into the beautiful future we have with him.
Prayer
Almighty God, your love never fails, and you can turn the shadow of death into daybreak. Help us to receive your word with believing hearts, so that, confident in your promises, we may have hope and be lifted out of sorrow into the joy and peace of your presence; through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen
Martin Luther Lutheran Church 