Monday, May 18, 2020
Scripture for the Day
Psalm 93
“The Lord is king, He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed, He is girded with strength.
Your decrees are very sure; holiness befits Your house, O Lord, forevermore.” (Psalm 93:1,5)
The verses above are the first and last verses of Psalm 93. We call to mind that God is God. Strength, security and holiness embody who God is.
The middle verses describe how God’s reign is forever and over all; in good times and troubling times. The Psalmist describes floods that lift up their voice and roar. I picture the highest and most turbulent waves of the ocean. I picture the troubling voices that roar in these turbulent times. The Psalmist then declares: “More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters, more majestic than the waves of the sea, majestic on high is the Lord!” I remember that God is stronger than the mightiest scariest roars that we encounter.
This scripture, paired with a couple of conversations I’ve had this week, led me to a devotional reflecting on this question: Why is the local church essential to my life and my ability to lean into texts like these?
Through my connections with the local church, I remember who God is. Strong. Holy. Sure. Weekly worship and other commitments with my church family throughout the week remind me that God is present and faithful. I better live into what is means that ‘The Lord is King’. I see God in action.
Through my connections with the local church, I remember who I am. My mental health is beautifully interwoven with my spiritual health. In my family of faith I remember that God loves me and has purpose and meaning for my life. When the mighty waters roar, I am more grounded because of my church support.
Through my connections with the local church, I remember who you are. You matter. You help me see God and see the gifts God has given each of us to share with the world. I remember that it’s not all about me and the perspectives that I bring to life. We are precious gifts to one another. We share in joy and sorrows. We are better and stronger together.
From the youngest among us who feel alone, invisible, and anxious from the scariness of the world or the deep pressures and stresses of life to the oldest among us who feel alone, invisible, and anxious from the scariness of the world or the deep pressures and stresses of life and to everyone in between: God is with us and has given us the unique and irreplaceable gift of the local Body of Christ.
In my work at the church in pastoral care and as director of the Samaritan Counseling Center, I know full well the loneliness and anxiety and sense of purposelessness that is drowning so many today. It does not have to be this way. What if worship and connection and service with your church family took priority in your life? For some of us, we’ve been able to make decisions during this pandemic that have helped us in this direction. May we continue on this path.
As always, if you are looking to be more involved at First Presbyterian church, reach out to any staff member and we’ll help you get connected.
