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Devotion for October 10, 2020
By Pastor David Tinker
I was studying about time management some years ago. There was a principal of that task which has stayed with me over time. The teacher was noting that sometimes we need to make a statement to ourselves of what needs to be done. The big one noted was, “Get back to work.” He even noted that sometimes we may say this aloud in the presence of others. It is not about them getting back to work. Rather, it is a task reminder for oneself. We need to know that we need to be back on task. We need to hear that statement so it can become true for us.
In our reading today from Psalm 104, we have a statement which is similar to this. We read in the first part of verse 31, “May the glory of the LORD endure forever…” Now, this is not a begging that the power and goodness and divine presence of God might actually endure, and that we need to pray for it to happen. Rather, it is a prayer which is there to remind us of this great truth. We are reminded that the God whom we know and serve is the one true God. This one true God is one who reigns in magnificence and great beauty, as he rules the universe from within the splendor and bliss of heaven. The one true God is the one whose action for humanity is renown with honor for its expression of love for the sinful human race.
So, when we pray this psalm, this phrase is there to remind us of an eternal truth about the Lord. It is there to help us remember this truth, even if we didn’t understand it previously. Whether or not a person understands this truth will not take away from its veracious nature. The prayer which includes statements of truth about God will be God’s way of helping us remember this and to act accordingly.
Just like the time management class teaching students to say, “Get back to work,” so they will do just that, this psalm phrase is there to remind us that the glory of the Lord will surely endure forever.
Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, but always to your glory and the welfare of your people, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Martin Luther Lutheran Church 