Psalm 19, verses 1 and 14:

The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19 starts out with really beautiful words about the wonder of God’s creation. Then the psalm takes kind of an abrupt turn and includes this prayer about how our words and our wonderings might be acceptable to God. I like the prayer. There is something very centering about it when I hear it before a sermon or meditation.  It makes sense to ask God for guidance in speaking and thinking. It is a reminder to live and act with integrity both when I speak and also when I listen and think.

Today I’m also noticing that this prayer for integrity comes with a statement of trust about who God is, my rock and my redeemer. When I focus on God as my rock it brings me right back to opening verses about creation, this green planet of ours, the 3rd rock from the sun upon which we live. In a time when life feels shaky we pray to God who is not just a rock, but my rock. God, who is my foundation, my strength, my sure and certain footing.

It becomes less complicated to live, act, and meditate with full integrity when I remember that God is holding me, and you, and this whole complicated and beautiful world in secure and loving hands.

– Pastor Sara

Prayer

Gracious Lord, thank you for the way the creation all around me proclaims your goodness. Make my life proclaim it today too. Amen.